the list

 

 

This is the list.

A page and a half of jobs open for next spring. Joe brought it home to me yesterday afternoon with all but a dozen scratched out.

In true Stephinie style I've spent a good chunk of time with that list, some coffee, and the computer. Researching things like house prices and food cooperatives and yarn shops. You know, important stuff.

These pages hold our fate. Our next home. Our dreams. 

We've done this before. In fact this will be the sixth move in 15 years. Each of them to a completely different geographic location. But this one is is a bit different. This one we hope will be our last.

I almost didn't tell you about it here. I'm a bit superstitious about it. Okay, maybe a lot superstitious.

But then, I remembered there is strength in numbers. In thoughts and prayers and good vibes. 

And you know, if you have any of those you could spare.... we would certainly appreciate them right about now. We could use them in the coming months while we not so patiently wait to find out where our next home will be.

 

 

In the meantime I'm going to smile at this little corner of my windowsill and remember that somehow, we'll end up just where we need to be. Because we always do. (and maybe dream just a little bit about four seasons)

xo

~stephinie

 

Comments

[Jeni]

Until this present place we live, I'd moved every year since I was 18 - and before that, every two years. It's so tough, not belonging to any "permanent" community. I just managed to hang pictures on my walls for the first time in my life!

Things will come together for you (they always do) - I hope it's easy to see which open door is the best one. :)

Warmly,
Jeni

[amy]

I was wondering if you were a Navy family, but I see now, Coast Guard. I hope you get a posting you want, and hey, lots of coast up here too. If you end up by the southern New England coast you'll have a friendly face greeting you. :)

[Stephinie]

Thank you! xo ~

[Stephinie]

My goodness, you've got me beat for sure! You've said it perfectly though.... it's tough to "not belong". It seems we stay somewhere just long enough to figure out where things are that we love, make a few friends.... and then we're off. It is hard. I find peace in knowing no matter where we land at this point, we'll know someone. We've lived on every coast and the great lakes now! Thank you for the kind words & bit of hope~~

[Stephinie]

Thank you Amy. This always the tough part about what we do. And I'm terribly impatient! We fill out the list this month and we won't know until J-a-n-u-a-r-y! That's why I am going to show up each week for mindful monday from here on out. To remind myself to be in the moment I'm in. And if I do make it your way.... we'll get Michelle up for a visit too!

[Tammy Miner]

I think you know what I'm hoping for. I'm sure anyone who has met you is hoping the same thing. For your family to live a little closer to theirs. I'm praying for a little more than the woods and seasons and snow, for you... I pray you find that hidden gem..A place that is waiting for a family like yours to find it.. A place loved and cared for through the seasons and chapters of a good soul's life. A place with character, rich soils and in need of MINER care. I look forward to visiting this place someday. No matter how far away it is.. I selfishly pray its a little closer to me.

[Stephinie]

My goodness. This left tears in my eyes. You just summed up mine & Joe's thoughts exactly. That we find the place we are meant to be and sow these roots of ours into the earth. Wherever it is, it will always be a place you can visit and drink tea (and homemade wine!) and sit around a fire with people who love you. But I too hope it's just a couple hours drive away. Much love to you~ S

[Missy]

Are you Coast Guard? We are Coasties and have been at Sector Juneau for the past 4 years and my husband just transferred to Sector San Francisco (Yerba Buena Island). I am still in Juneau because I own a yarn shop, but I love connecting with other military families.

[amy]

Oh yes. I need to meet Michelle in person too, she is a lifeline, definitely.

We run into Navy families often, based in either Newport (RI) or Groton (CT). A family in our co-op is based in Groton and boy oh boy were they disappointed. I don't think Groton was even on their list. But she's a delight and I'm looking forward to another year of her in our co-op. There is a certain personality and spirit to the military wives I've met--I think it's probably necessary--but it's always nice to be around--I'm probably not explaining it at all well, but I think it requires a certain go-with-the-flowness that it's good for me to aspire to.

[Stephinie]

Yes we are Missy. I met my husband in Cordova, where my parents & brother still are. I peeked at your blog and we've been in some of the same places! The world sure is small. Is your yarn shop online too? I'd love to have a peek :)

[Stephinie]

And Michelle has been dreaming of Squam Art Workshops too! I think I know what you mean about military wives. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to live this life on a positive note. But I always am grateful for the opportunity to get to know a new space and new people. Even if it's not what we expected!

[6512 and growing]

Colorado?
Stephinie, how exciting!...and nerve-wracking...I look forward to hearing what's next...Colorado?

[Jenny]

Ah yes, THE LIST. I've spent hours pouring over those things, and I don't even know why... it's all pretty much out of our hands. My husband has tried to get us to Alaska for 13 years, and we've been sent everywhere else but there.

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way! We always end up where we are supposed to be, I have no doubt about that. Our current transfer has plopped our family smack dab into a place of perfection for me. I think it was #10 on our list. But it was kind of like sliding into home base, and the umpire yelling "SAFE!" I wasn't afraid to set my roots down deep, so I did it quickly here. As this is possibly our last tour...now we are just praying that the right kind of employment for the hubby jumps in front of him when he is done here. We are also praying for an advancement so the retirement paycheck has a bit more heft to it.

[Stephinie]

Oh Jenny, you know the list all too well ;) Thank you for the sweet words. Sending thoughts & prayers right back to you~~

[Valarie Budayr]

This is exciting. I can hardly wait to hear where you're going. North? South? West? East? It's all up for grabs isn't it? I know wherever you go you'll be surrounded by family , friends, and creative endeavors. :) I'm holding all of you in my thoughts.

[Stephinie]

Thank you Valarie. It's been an intense week discussing cities and pros and cons of each one. We are certainly hoping to head north. We do so miss four seasons. I can't wait to find out..... but it's months off for that. In the mean time I will enjoy our last few months here in the deep south~

[Stephinie]

You know I'd love to be your neighbor :) Which reminds me.... I know some cool people who moved to your hood from Cordova... must email you...