Close of Company

This is the beginning of the "Next Chapter". I never dreamed that at 55 we would be starting a new chapter in our lives with Michael's career. After 80 plus resumes and no bites we we're fortunate to get a job with a company that supplies mats to drilling sites for natural gas in Williamsport, PA. Michael was happy that Melanie got him the job. Sort of excited to try something new, but not sure of starting over on a different career path. Relief that he did not have to collect unemployment and exhaust our retirement savings. Only thing that wasn't a plus was the relocation. Moving ourselves was appealing, but we don't have a choice. Not that going to a cooler climate wasn't appealing, leaving the girls was extremely hard. Our dream was to always have them close, now more than ever with grandchildren in the picture. But you have to you what you gotta do (thank the Lord for Skype).

We've been trying to clean out our house for a year now so when we finally did sell our house the job would be a little easier. The task of moving is not one of my favorite things to do, downright the most boring thing to do. After 33 years of stuff, unloading lots of it felt good, kind of a cleansing of sorts, lots of memories of the past, nice memories of the girls childhood. Looking at all the little gifts they made for us, all the cute cards and school work that I saved. Such wonderful and fun times.

Michael left for his first week in N. Orleans for training. I haven't spent too many nights by myself since I was 20. One week turned into two, then three, then four. I enjoyed my days for a little while but I hated the nights in the house by myself. I tried so hard to stay there and did for some, but the silenance was unbearable and scary. Figured out that I can't stay alone in a big house at night.

We put the house up for sale after working so hard to get it ready...so exhausting. Right when you think everything is ready something else goes wrong. Sprinkler system doesn't work, doesn't meet city codes, has to be rewired and reinspected for the inspection when we finally do sell the house (which may take forever). Our friends have a going away party for us not knowing that we stayed for an additional week before we actually left.

Finally we leave for "The Next Chapter"of our lives. I couldn't believe that I was sad to leave TX. I actually grew to like it after 10 years of hating it so much. Our ride up north was the worst trip we ever took. Rained the whole way and the last leg was the worst rain we ever drove in.