My dear Friends
How apologetic I am that I have not visited your blogs for a couple of weeks!
Busy is an understatement for how its been !
Promise to visit your blogs very soon
So all I talked about the last few posts was that we were moving
Are you wondering how it went ?
Well the last bit of August was all about Goodbyes
Goodbyes to R's therapists -
Our last team meeting ( just the words want to make me cry )
So much have these women meant to us these past few years
S
Goodbye to my work friends
My work friends were so lovely - my BFF had this idea of circulating this diary around where everyone wrote something special about my relationship with them ( and this diary along with a few notes from my other work friends are sitting on my desk in my new office like a talisman of warmer times )
On my last day my team took me out to lunch and they had planned a big surprise and the chairman of the company showed up to wish me luck
They are such fantastic people
The cabin we have put on a rental program - the last weekend DH and I drove down to say goodbye
I took a last few goodbye pictures
Our bedroom where I used to wake up and see the sky when I woke up
The lovely smoky mountains of Tennessee will always have my heart -
As we drove back to our home from the cabin down these lovely green hills - I thought about how I did not even know the names Knoxville, Sevierville and Gatlinburg 10 years ago.
R's therapists came to say Goodbye to him at the airport and it just made me cry
And then it was time to go
We landed in Seattle when the Pacific Northwest was at its most spectacular
We were so exhausted mentally and physically when we reached the apartment that my new company has given us for 2 months
The apartment is right in downtown and its joy to have a little respite from the burden of things that has become our life
( I have become convinced that we need a lot less stuff than we think we do )
DH and I have decided that the most important thing will be to sell R on Seattle
Fortunately, the apartment has all the things that are so important to R
A giant playground and park right downstairs where there are plastic toys galore
Here R climbs a slide , but sometime he really does not care about what the other kids are doing are thinking
In many ways a nice thing as I wonder if they are sometimes thinking unkind things :-(
And he sits atop enjoying the view from the top
And a Fountain ( which R loves throwing pennies in )
That weekend there is even a cultural festival in the park and they have outdoor Bounce equipment
And face painting
This last one has been a HUGE passion for him ( owing to him having seen some TV characters do it - he has been trying to paint his own face with markers and has been strictly told not to do so - Naturally, this means he is even more wild to do it !!)
Of course he has asked for a red star and a green star ( such is his loyalty to Coke and Sprite )
The weather ( which will turn awful next month ) has been very unusual - warm and sunny each day
( almost a little hot for us - as the apartment does not have air conditioning )
the apartment even has a heated pool
Plus his school will only start next week and as R is a real aficionado of the slothful life he is very happy to swim , play and stim on his Tablet all day
And frank, I am grateful for this little oasis for him as the last months have been incredibly stressful
He starts School on Monday with a school that has a program for "High functioning autistic kids "
( DH does like the school so far - I have not been to any meetings- thank god for my husband who does all these things so well )
And how am I in all this?
There are many stresses that come for a person like me
Do you know I have a terrible sense of direction
DH helps me out a lot by taking me for practice drives and making detailed maps for me.
The day I have to go to office for the first time I am a little in tears when I see that he has parked the car in reverse as a little surprise . These are the "I love you"'s of not-new marriages and they move me just as much as the other surprises he used to do for me 17 years ago when we first met
Starting a new job in a new industry is both exhilarating, exhausting and terrifying .
Which I can say perhaps of the whole move ..
I get my strength from my knowledge and from my relationships with people and here I have to start to build it all from scratch
How and why do we always leave ?
And yet I think its the right thing for us
For somewhere in my heart I know that home is not a place for me
Its where these two are
How apologetic I am that I have not visited your blogs for a couple of weeks!
Busy is an understatement for how its been !
Promise to visit your blogs very soon
So all I talked about the last few posts was that we were moving
Are you wondering how it went ?
Well the last bit of August was all about Goodbyes
Goodbyes to R's therapists -
Our last team meeting ( just the words want to make me cry )
So much have these women meant to us these past few years
SGoodbye to my work friends
My work friends were so lovely - my BFF had this idea of circulating this diary around where everyone wrote something special about my relationship with them ( and this diary along with a few notes from my other work friends are sitting on my desk in my new office like a talisman of warmer times )
On my last day my team took me out to lunch and they had planned a big surprise and the chairman of the company showed up to wish me luck
They are such fantastic people
The cabin we have put on a rental program - the last weekend DH and I drove down to say goodbye
I took a last few goodbye pictures
Our bedroom where I used to wake up and see the sky when I woke up
The lovely smoky mountains of Tennessee will always have my heart -
As we drove back to our home from the cabin down these lovely green hills - I thought about how I did not even know the names Knoxville, Sevierville and Gatlinburg 10 years ago.
R's therapists came to say Goodbye to him at the airport and it just made me cry
We landed in Seattle when the Pacific Northwest was at its most spectacular
We were so exhausted mentally and physically when we reached the apartment that my new company has given us for 2 months
The apartment is right in downtown and its joy to have a little respite from the burden of things that has become our life
( I have become convinced that we need a lot less stuff than we think we do )
DH and I have decided that the most important thing will be to sell R on Seattle
Fortunately, the apartment has all the things that are so important to R
A giant playground and park right downstairs where there are plastic toys galore
In many ways a nice thing as I wonder if they are sometimes thinking unkind things :-(
And he sits atop enjoying the view from the top
Every piece of plastic that has been made , is here
It has a duck pond
And a Fountain ( which R loves throwing pennies in )
Not just this - there is Pizza place in the same block and there is a Mall really close by and R gets to visit with his favorite relative - Aunt Annie
Of course he has asked for a red star and a green star ( such is his loyalty to Coke and Sprite )
The weather ( which will turn awful next month ) has been very unusual - warm and sunny each day
( almost a little hot for us - as the apartment does not have air conditioning )
the apartment even has a heated pool
Plus his school will only start next week and as R is a real aficionado of the slothful life he is very happy to swim , play and stim on his Tablet all day
And frank, I am grateful for this little oasis for him as the last months have been incredibly stressful
He starts School on Monday with a school that has a program for "High functioning autistic kids "
( DH does like the school so far - I have not been to any meetings- thank god for my husband who does all these things so well )
And how am I in all this?
There are many stresses that come for a person like me
Do you know I have a terrible sense of direction
DH helps me out a lot by taking me for practice drives and making detailed maps for me.
The day I have to go to office for the first time I am a little in tears when I see that he has parked the car in reverse as a little surprise . These are the "I love you"'s of not-new marriages and they move me just as much as the other surprises he used to do for me 17 years ago when we first met
Starting a new job in a new industry is both exhilarating, exhausting and terrifying .
Which I can say perhaps of the whole move ..
I get my strength from my knowledge and from my relationships with people and here I have to start to build it all from scratch
How and why do we always leave ?
And yet I think its the right thing for us
For somewhere in my heart I know that home is not a place for me
Its where these two are
19 comments:
Such a big move for you all and it is always sad to leave behind the people and places that mean so much. Good luck with your new job, house hunting AND the new school. Love your photos. x
The best best of luck and many hugs. I think your sense of direction is not as bad as you think... you know what matters. Hope you settle in comfortably as soon as possible.
Like you, I spent most of my life being the new kid in town. It can be so disorienting, and scary. Just try to remember that you were once new to Knoxville, too, and look how well that turned out. :) Things will be just fine, and before you know it, you'll know your way around to all of the most important places, and you'll start to develop a long list of places and things you love about your new life. It will be great, I just know it.
Saying goodbye to the people and places you came to love had to be incredibly difficult. Now, as you begin to settle in to your new environment, experience some exciting new things, and start to make new friends, I hope that things start to get easier for you all.
I love the little things DH has been doing! It's so important to support each other during times like these. After 17 years, it is all too easy to take each other for granted. I will learn from his actions.
Wow, I haven't visited your blog for a while and it seems that I have missed loads. That is a big move and well done to the 3 of you. I hope you'll all be very happy there and that things work out.
xx Jazzy
So glad to see your update...I have had you in my thoughts. I was glad to see Jim smiling with you in the same way he smiled at the terrific work you did! And so excited for your new work in your new company where I know that your warm and energetic attitude will take you far, just as it did at your previous job.
But most importantly, so glad to see R and DH in the last picture, your home as you say. Yes, you can do with less "stuff", but not without the people who bring the love and joy you deserve. I look forward to all your posts, and know that I am "an email away", if there is ever anything I can do.
Lisa in Arkansas
So many changes. It's no wonder you are stressed. But it sounds as thought you've all made a great start in Seattle. And I completely agree about needing less than we think because home is where our family is, and not something made of bricks and mortar and filled with stuff xx
The beginning is always hard and stressful. It will get easier as time moves by. I look forward to reading more about your big move and I hope the start of school for R is smooth.
Thanks so much for the update! I had been wondering about you. I didn't know you had lived in the Gatlinburg area...we went there on a family vacation (to the Smokies) last year! I wish you all the best in getting settled. I'm sure there will be lots of stress but things will calm in time, and you are off to a good start!
Love the pix. Thanks for sharing. After surviving 7 moves in 11 years, I have come to understand home is where the heart is. I smiled when I read your comment about what other kids think. Momo just had a conversation with me yesterday about how some kids think she is "different" but she doesn't care. She loves herself and wouldn't change a thing (nor would I except perhaps her inability to put a dirty dish in the sink). A strong sense of self esteem is a gift to give our children that will serve them well throughout their lives. It's part of what I have termed the "Bubble of Love." When you wrap yourself in it, you know you are safe and loved and can get through anything. When any of us have a tough day (E included) we just text each other BOL as a sign of encouragement. Fingers crossed for R's new school. xoxo
So glad to hear of the many good things that are happening during this stressful time. I hope the school turns out to be a wonderful place for R!
Yay, glad you've arrived and are well! I love Seattle. One of my favorite cities on the planet. Even with the soggy weather I'm sure you'll love it too.
Look how behind I am at reading here!
So glad to read y'all have made the western jump. Anxious to read more but I know you post when you can.
XO
I'm so jealous that you're in Seattle! What a beautiful area, with so much to explore.
I hope you all enjoy your time there, and you find the schools and supports to be good.
Can't wait for more updates.
All the best to you for a smooth and stress free settling in.
Its the concluding picture that really touches the heart ....
Ah, I can't wait to hear of all the lovely things that are bound to come your way with this new move. Change is good. Hard, sometimes. But good!
What a very informative site, I have found alot of very useful information here and still have a lot more to read. Thank you very much for the time and effort you have put in....
Glad ya'll are enjoying your new home and starting to get settled in :)
Why in the world would you uproot him and move when he was doing so well and had a great team? No job is worth that IMO. That and I do not know how anyone can live in rainy, gray depressing Seattle! I know someone who just moved from there and couldn't wait to leave. They said it was horrible due to the weather.
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