Trading cotillions for terrible towels
Remember this post where you all kindly weighed in on what color I should paint my kitchen? Let’s put in a pin in that discussion, shall we? Because I might need your advice again – for my next kitchen. Just 12 days after that post, I have to announce that I am selling my dream house and we are heading home.
(I loved working downtown even if I didn’t love my job. They towed my car up from the wharf as the river rose no fewer than 4 times. But damn parking is ridiculously expensive downtown and the wharf was the cheapest option.)
Why yes, we did just buy this house 6 months ago. And yes, I did just finish unpacking a few boxes that were originally packed 4 years ago when we left Pittsburgh. And as a matter of fact, I did say that I was never moving again and Steve would have to drag my cold, dead body out of this house. *Awkward chuckle* Never say never and all of that.
Steve was offered a dream job. It happens to be in Pittsburgh. We couldn’t turn it down. So off we go. Again.
Please be prepared for several months of my being mopey and moany and verklempt. I am very sad to be leaving the amazing women who have made this period of my life so much fun. Being a stay at home mom, especially in a new place, can be isolating and lonely but I met a great group of women who embraced me and my special brand of crazy quirky. I will miss them terribly. I thought we would do the PTA thing together while figuring out what we wanted to be when we became grown ups again. Instead, I am heading back to Pittsburgh which holds family but few real friends. (Not that I don’t consider my inlaws friends as well as family – I do. But you know what I mean.) I won’t go into the long story of what happened with Steve’s group of friends after we left – the end result is returning to very few folks we would call for dinner on Saturday night. It makes leaving my friends here even more difficult. Also? I am bitter about only getting to keep my dream house for 6 months. Wah, wah – I know, my husband has been offered not just a job but a dream job in a time when many people are scrambling for jobs so I really shouldn’t whine. But, fair warning, I probably will.
In the long run, I know this will be a great thing for my little family. My girls will get to live near family. My husband will be fulfilled professionally. In 5 years, I have no doubt I will be so glad we did this. But for now, I’m focusing on the things I need to get done. And trying not to complain too loudly about the fact that I will be a single mom for the next several months while Steve starts his exciting new job. And I’ll try not to belabor the fact that yet again I am left to pack up a house by myself and put it on the market. Really, I will try not to make you all roll your eyes as me too much when I have pity parties here at casa de Smiles. Because I am blessed with an amazing husband. We are starting yet another adventure together back where it all started. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. Home is where we are. Everything else is gravy.
There is going to be one helluva a fantastic party to greet you when you’re ready for it. OH, YES. THERE WILL BE.
wow, i have no idea how i missed this! congratulations and condolences, all at once. good luck with the packing and the transition!
Yay!!! All of what Michelle said.
Oh, and they were just towing cars off the Mon Warf one day last week. Nothing has changed there!
wow. dont know how you do it! family must be thrilled!
Oh, wow. And yes, congrats and so sorry at the same time. Can’t you just u-haul your lovely house with you? 🙂 Happy trailings. We’ll be here to listen/read. Sabrina will get to start school in a new place.
Moving back to the ‘Burg…Congratulations to all. We’ll stop by and see you when we visit the mother-in-law.
Life is funny, huh? Every so often I stop and think “I wonder what will be completely different one year from now?” You can’t ever predict. You’re SO right though – home is where the four of you are and it will all be good. In the meantime, feel free to whine. Moving is not for the faint of heart. 😉
Congrats on the new job and moving closer to family! And you are so right – home is where the four of you are – and dream homes are more than just walls and neighborhoods. It’s also where you have your roots. Looking forward to your Adventures in Moving and when you find your new dream home 🙂
Wow.
Never saw that coming.
Congrats to your hubby on his new job. Drats about having to leave your dream home. There is nothing that says you can’t find a new dream home, right?
And whine away : )
but, sometimes life just sucks!!!! Whine away, I, for one can totally relate!!!
Congratulations to Steve!!! BUT, wow to do that all alone. I DO NOT envy you!! alcoholism isn’t illegal—child abuse is 🙂
Oh Michelle, I’m happy for your family and I’m feeling your pain too. It’s hard to move, get comfortable with your new life and then move on again. It’s a loss and you will grieve for a while. When you said you had to be a single parent for a few months and then pack up your house my first thought was “I want to go help Michelle move” so you don’t have to do it alone. Please email me to whine and complain about how you’re feeling without any guilt any time you want. It must be very difficult for you even though your hubby is getting a dream job, alot will change. You will get used to the new in time but seriously, email me if you like, I’m a very good listener. Hugs to you.
Wow – that is big news! Congrats on the job. Hope the move isn’t too painful.
Pittsburgh is my favorite place so I am very happy for you in that regard, but I do feel from your posts that you have found such a great group of women to go through this stage of life with in TN. So sorry you have to leave all of that 🙁 That being said, I hope this next adventure in your life is amazing for the whole family! Raising my glass to you hoping you get through these next few months by yourself and hoping there are some ladies in Pittsburgh waiting to find out how awesome you are! Cheers!
Wow! I was totally shocked to read this. But! There are so many awesome bloggers and tweeps that live in the ‘Burgh (and I see some of them commented on this post!) and that’ll be like having instant friends. Ones that already know so much about you – which, might be a little creepy, but you know. Yaaayyy, Internet!
I know moving stinks and I know how excited you were to finally have your dream house so I’ll be thinking of you as you get through the tough weeks ahead. Good luck! xo
Hi Michelle – I saw your fb post and I was looking forward to sitting down to your blog to see what was up with your move. I had noticed how many local friends you had made and I can guess how hard it is to leave your dream house and all of your new buddies. BUT, with Sabrina entering school now I think you will be amazed how many new friendships you will make. The fact that you were able to do it during “the preschool years” just shows how great you are at it. Choose an awesome public elementary school neighborhood where everyone stays together through high school and you will off to the races friends-wise.
And kudos to Steve for being able to clinch his dream job, near family no less. Moving is a pain, no doubt, but once you get there and settled in next Fall should be the beginning of the next chapter. Feel free to vent in the meanwhile ;).
you are right: Pittsburgh is beautiful. I’m excited for you as you move forward in this new (but familiar) direction.
Congrats to you all in this new chapter.
xo~K