So we’re getting ready to hit the road; going to caravan about 2,100 miles with a 26′ U-Haul truck, towing a car, following another car, with a 75-year-old man who loves to nap and a 70 pound, 11-year-old Labrador Retriever, across the Mojave Desert, Arizona and Northern Texas during July. What could possibly go wrong?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, moving is a hassle. And I’m not just talking about the packing part, I’m talking about every single thing you have to remember to do. Like turning off all utilities, forwarding mail, remembering what gets auto deposited or debited into or out of a bank account that you’ve now closed. Stuff like that. Pain in the ass.
But with moving, comes excitement and anticipation of starting out new and fresh somewhere else. Finding new homes for your things, learning new routines, exploring new places. Fun, fun, fun.
Sad to leave friends I’ve had for 45 years and the town I grew up in and know like the back of my hand, but happy to discover new friends and new places.
Here’s a list I’ve compiled (in no particular order) of things that I am in NO way going to miss:
1 – the 45-minute commute to work;
2 – the 45-minute drive home from work;
3 – wearing business professional clothes, heels and up-do’s every single day;
4 – being someone else’s employee;
5 – rationing water;
6 – the fear of a forest fire burning down my house;
7 – exorbitant taxes;
8 – extremist political leaders;
9 – everyone thinking you live in Hollywood or near the beach just because you live in California;
10 – everyone thinking you’re wealthy just because you live in California.
11 – not having to bring my own grocery bags to the store;
12 – the penchant to litigate everything.
Things I’m definitely GOING TO miss:
1 – Too many friends to mention by name;
2 – Disneyland;
3 – the weather;
4 – my local chapter of Romance Writers of America;
5 – my nieces and nephews;
6 – the ocean;
7 – Lake Tahoe;
8 – knowing all of the short-cuts and secret passages around town;
9 – being just 45 minutes from awesome snow skiing;
10 – some of the best wine in the entire world;
11 – The Olde Town Grill;
12 – my zumba class.
Tell me loyal subjects – uh, I mean followers, what would you miss most about your home town? What special “secret” things do you cherish about where you live? Would you travel across the desert in the heart of summer?
Word of the Day: Uncinate
Fun fact about me: I’m a planner; down to the smallest details. Yet, I love being spontaneous. Go figure.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, July 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I’ll miss my commute buddy for my monthly SVR meetings. But maybe someday I’ll come out for a writer’s retreat, huh?
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I am definitely going to work on putting together a small writer’s retreat maybe next year. I’ll be letting folks know if I can get it arranged.
And there are too many people that I’m going to miss, but thanks to social media, at least I can keep ubreast of happenings in my hometown.
Thanks for your friendship. I hope to see you some day in Mississippi. (I’m still not used to typing that.)
Patricia
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I am glad to see you’re treating that Camaro with care. Hope all goes smoothly with the move!
Things I would miss about Dayton: being able to drive across town in a half hour, low cost of living/inexpensive real estate, really good water and plenty of it (too much, lately), cool history.
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I’ve learned much about Dayton just from your blog Jennette. It sounds like a nice place to call home. I hope you’ll make it to Vicksburg some day to check out my new digs.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
Patricia
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Happy and safe travels, friend! I hope you have the most wonderful adventures in Ol’ Miss. We’ll keep in touch online. Big hugs!
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Hugs right back Missy. I hope to see you some day at a conference or in Mississippi or California or somewhere in between. You’ve been a great support to me and I love your smile. I’m going to miss seeing that.
Take care and stay tuned for more info about this adventure.
Patricia
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I’m sure you’ll make it across the desert with no problems. I’m sure it must be bittersweet leaving your home town behind! If I left Oregon, I’d miss the trees. Every time I’ve gone on a lengthy trip elsewhere, seeing the forests again is like a homecoming. Weird, I know.
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I know what you mean about the trees. I’m going to miss the redwoods. I don’t get up there often enough, but every time is like a spiritual awakening to walk amongst those giant organisms. Mississippi has trees too. I think. Some kind of tree. I guess I’ll find out.
Stay tuned for updates and thanks for stopping by today.
Patricia
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I think you are so brave for going on this new adventure, Patricia! As I toy with the idea of leaving California, I think about all that I would miss. My friends, Disneyland, the county fair every summer, being 20 minutes away from the ocean, random celebrity sightings… and then I realize, none of those reasons are enough to keep me here. My friends will still be my friends, the family that I rarely see will still be there, county fairs are a dime a dozen, a lot of other places have ocean, and Disneyland is just getting more and more expensive each year. There is a great big world out there to discover and someday, when I’m ready, I’ll live somewhere else. The Pacific Northwest has been calling to me for ages…
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Good for you Jessica – go for it! I agree that friends will always be friends no matter how far apart. The saying goes, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and I believe that.
We were just sick and tired of all of the crazy politics, laws, ordinances, government dictating every single things you do, no water, overcrowded schools, overcrowded roads, hustle, bustle, egos, etc. It is time for us to move on.
Thanks for stopping by and voicing your goals. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get the ball rolling down a new path.
Patricia
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It can be a lot of fun to be a temporary nomad. I’ve done the U-Haul across Canada twice. Getting too old for that now so I will enjoy vicariously through your blog. May you fare well and land joyfully. Can’t wait to see pics of the B&B
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Thanks Prudence. We are so looking forward to this venture. So far, we about 1/3 of the way. Only 107 today here in the Mojave Desert (uggg). I’ll be posting more when I have better wifi service. Thus far, it’s been spotty – again the Mojave Desert thing.
I’m looking forward to my seeds!
Patricia
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Another big adventure! Good luck. make sure there’s gas in the tank and water in the truck when you hit the dessert! I can’t wait to hear about it.
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Hi Susie – stay tuned for updates. It’s hard right now because we’re traveling and wifi is spotty, especially here in the desert. Only 107 today!! Holy cow, it’s freaking hot.
I’m looking forward to blogging about my new home and being an innkeeper.
Patricia
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Your first paragraph reads like a book blurb–and I want to read!!! 🙂 Especially after you throw me a literal word bone like uncinate. Intriguing!
Wishing you the best and looking forward to reading about your new adventures.
I would miss the river in my town.
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I do know how to hook em in don’t I? Perhaps a book will evolve from that paragraph.
Stay tuned for updates and thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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