leaving parad*se

This is a picture of the shoreline of my favorite *sland in the middle of the Gulf 0f Mexic0. I've openly talked about how bad the economy is in SWFL, one of the hardest hit areas in the nation. We've personally been very fortunate to be in the position we were in when the bust happened, but we did take a hard hit. J was able to start up a new business which has been a huge blessing during this transition of EG adjusting to her bright new world and adjusting to the man that terrified her the most just 11 short months ago. His schedule has been super flexible and he's had to work 1/2 the hours as he did once before. But this fabulous, laid back gig comes at the hands of those who happen to be sitting on the B0D. If you've been a long time reader, then you know how scary our B0D can be . It gives another whole meaning to never shit where you eat.

(a photo of my girl meeting my favorite *sland for the first time)

With all that being said, J decided to take advantage of a job opportunity in Georg*a. It's a place we are familiar with, a place I sort of said I could do, a place we've been to many times in the past. In fact, it was almost one year ago when I did this post, about that damn GA kitchen that I love. I dreamed it because GA was back on the table during that time in our life as well & I was trying to make peace with the idea, but we tabled it because we were waiting on TA for EG.

Over spring break we went up to GA. J was asked to come & do what he does best and to decide if it was something he liked =0) While he went to work, EG, G and me spent 3 days criss crossing the GA streets looking at properties, just in case J came back and said he wanted to take the plunge.

When opportunity came knocking, we heard the call and the decision has been made.
I can sit here and convince myself how this is economically the best move for our family. I can tell you that the school system, from what I've learned, is nothing short of the best of the best. In fact, the school system is what tugged at my heart strings the most. I can tell you that the cost of living is night and day. The opportunity for my kids is much bigger up there than it is down here. I was amazed by the cute little tennis courts for the kids and the miniature size t-ball fields for the little ones. This is an area that values children, unlike ours. There's a lot going on up there and I can't deny that, but what my head and my heart think are 2 different things.

The decision has been made, the house has been sold, the property has been rented and everything is lined up for this move...but yet, I'm so deeply torn between my head and my heart. This parad*se is my home. I've called it home since 1993 and there hasn't been a day in my life that I have not *loved* my life here. Most of you probably can see that through our pictures. We live a very full life and it's one I hold very dear. We have no family here per say, but we do have a very beautiful family of friends that we have chosen. My fabulous inlaws are only 1 1/2 hour north of us and I have no idea how I will survive without them. I already miss them so...

I can barely breathe when I think of leaving my cul-de-sac, the kid haven of fun that my kids adore. My sweet sweet neighbor who would do absolutely anything for my family and vice versa. My boating buddies and dear god, there's the place I long for the most... *sland time.

Who will be my Pr*ncess Ann & sip pink drinks in the hot tub with me after a day of sun & sand? Lordy beans our kids go together like a hot dog needs a bun. & then there's my home...

the place we created & adore.

The place we brought 2 of our babies home to. The place where love grew and memories were made.

I meet the new owner tomorrow, he better be nice, cause I'm in no mood.

I know I shouldn't get emotionally attached to a home, because after all, it is just brick & stucco, but I *really* love my home. It's completely us.

Driving anywhere in this town has become a game Russian Roulette, it's between the road & my tears. This my friends is home.

How do you leave a place you love?

How do you live without the sand between your toes & the salty air that I breathe?

These things terrify me and I'm more than an emotional wreck when I think of not living the life I love...