Sleepless in Seattle

Hello Ladies,
I've not been hear for nearly a week, and I really have missed you all. I usually never talk about personal things going on, but I really feel the need to share with you some difficult things that I have been facing.  Last Wednesday, hubby was offered a position in Seattle.  His dream had always been to work for Boeing, and they made him an offer that he couldn't refuse.  We have both lived in Michigan all of our lives, and all but a few short months I have never lived more than half an hour from where I was born.  To leave my beloved home state of Michigan, the home and yard that I dearly love, my family and friends, and most of all, my 84 year old mom, is heart wrenching.

I should back up a bit and tell you that last summer, hubby lost his job.  I don't need to tell you what the economy is like.  Here in Michigan it is especially tough. And the aviation industry has been hit especially hard.  I never mentioned the job loss on my blog, as I try and keep things positive and light, preferring to talk about things like glitter and paint and puppies!  Well, 4 days after losing his job (and our health insurance) , he slipped and fell and injured his knee.  It was a freak accident which required him to have knee surgery.  He actually slipped on a water melon rind.  It's ok, you can laugh!  Though we weren't laughing at the time.  We used to put out water melon rinds out for the raccoons who visit our yard.  Anyway, I'm getting a bit off the subject!   After a long and painful recovery, he just was not able to find work.  Finally he did find a temporary position last month, but of course no benefits, and we have been paying an arm and a leg to buy our own coverage.  If he had not lost his job, he was planning on retiring this fall.


After his initial phone interview with Boeing several weeks ago, I knew in my heart that they would make him an offer.  I was positive, in fact.  And heart sick.  I really, really dreaded the thought of leaving here.  While I know that our home is really just a house with four walls and a roof, it means so much more to me:  security, being close to family, and a safe haven.  Even though I love to travel the world, I am really a home body at heart.  Hubby knows how much all of this means to me, so he even offered to take our motor home out there to live in, and commute home on his days off (we have flying benefits and can fly stand by for free).  And I would live in our house.  Well, some people might be able to make that work, but the reality of it all was really weighing heavily on me.  I just couldn't see living apart.  And I didn't want him to go.  I had a taste of what it would be like, as he had been out of town the last three weeks training for the temporary job that he had been working at.  So to see each other only 1 1/2 days per week at the most was just too hard.  And I knew it would not be good for our relationship.  After many tears, much praying, and soul searching,  I made the very difficult decision to move with him.  I still have not told my mom.  I haven't had the heart to tell her.  I know, here I am telling all of you ladies first!  I know that we can always fly home, and we plan on moving back to Michigan in 3 1/2 years.  And I know that Seattle is not the moon, but it feels like we are moving just as far!

We will try and rent our home here, rather than sell now, as we would take a huge loss.  So we are flying out tomorrow night for a few days to look for a home to rent there.  I've shared my worries and my fears with a few of you, and have been overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received!  And to think that I would not have any of this "support network", if I had not started this blog last spring!  I've not really had the heart to do much blogging lately.  Or the time!  I've been busy sorting thru tings, getting boxes ready for donation, and having meltdowns along the way.  The really good thing is that Boeing will totally take care of our move!  They hire movers who even pack our things!  That is huge!!!  And we have alot of stuff!  I am looking forward to getting back in blogging mode.  I'll still be here on and off, but not on a regular basis, most likely,til we get settled out there.  And then I will be sure to share my little part of the world with you all, and the views out my window!  So thank you for listening to my story.  Just knowing that you are there, and will be there with me, no matter when I end up, means the world to me!!!