Comments:

Marcy - 2004-04-24 21:46:01
Well, I'm biased for the move back to AZ, of course, especially since we're thinking about moving that way ourselves, but the weather will suck compared to what you've gotten used to in IL, and the job and housing market in AZ are serious considerations. The real reason we'd consider AZ is because our company is opening an office there and we'd have jobs already, plus housing costs are much cheaper than in SoCal. But if the job/housing markets aren't favorable compared to where you're at now, then it might not be the best time for a move. I know...let's all move to Colorado! ;)
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Me - 2004-04-24 22:02:21
While I'm there as far as weather and enviroment in CO, on the issue of cost of living... talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire!! :-) The good news is, if you were to move to AZ, either way we'd see you because we'd visit at least once a year.
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Cedar - 2004-04-24 23:13:02
Oh, the flurry of gigglie-googlies in my gut that you might stay! OK, OK, must step back from self-interest. Regardless of your decision, it seems a great idea for J. to check into job opportunities. And then a question for you directly: when you envision the store and yourself running it, what kind of store (what you'd have in AZ vs. what you'd have in IL) feels right, and honors your dreams? Could either do that for you?
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Monica - 2004-04-24 23:21:11
If I stayed here, I would do something a little different. I would travel during the summers, starting next year, to festivals and vend, supplementing this with a web store. The thing I would offer that would be different is *service*. When I was confident the business was doing well enough, then I would consider opening a storefront. Jeff came up with an idea for putting a second floor in our garage today that took my breath away with the possibilities. The second floor would be a sound-insulated studio (with mirrors, wood floors and lots of pillows), where we could have all kinds of classes and gatherings. Part of the lower half would be a workshop/storage area for product. Anyway, it would be relatively inexpensive and would let me get my feet wet without a total plunge. But it would *only* work if Jeff got a job. He's checking with SF on Monday, and we will, in the meantime, continue prepping the house as if we were going to move...
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Heather - 2004-04-25 01:09:48
Wow! To be honest, I started to wonder if moving was the best thing for you. My own pros and cons are pretty neutral, because you're not coming to Seattle. :) I see one big (HUGE) pro to staying, and that is the community you've established with your friends and coven. I would have a really hard time leaving my Seattle friends, so... yeah. Cons to staying are the same ones I'm struggling with here; jobs and the fact that it is a conservative community. You can get away from the conservativeness through the coven, but the job thing will have to be researched. Phoenix is growing, so the chances might be better there... but Phoenix is growing (yuck). The weather is the weather. There are trade offs wherever you are. It's all about what you can live with and what ya cant. I'll take 90 straight days of rain and an early sunset any day over scorching heat, but that's me. However, being close to family and old friends could be a good thing too. However, are you guys really ready to leave your house and all those memories you have of Jasmine there? I always say that even though there are disadvantages to my town, I don't think I could ever sell this house. I mean, Emma's placenta is under the Blue Spruce in the front yard! Bottom line, you can move anytime between now and infinity, but once you sell that house, you can't get it back. *shrugs*
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Me - 2004-04-25 12:15:12
The memories of Jasmine are at the back of my mind. We've talked about it a few times -- that if we leave, we leave the house where Jasmine last lived. And it's a fucked up but true observation that since she died, the house is now big enough for our family, especially if we do the addition to the garage. The heat is something I really hated when I lived there before. I mean, I really did. And I'm worried about that. There honestly isn't a season I don't like here, and I love the green, and the fact that we don't have to use a lot of water in the summertime to keep it that way. On the other hand, I really miss my family and friends from AZ. The only thing we've conceded is that we could do two visits a year to accommodate that. It's not the same as living close, though. I'm still very much in the middle. I think our families and friends will be really disappointed if we change our minds now.
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Heather - 2004-04-25 14:53:59
Okay, well that might be so, but you're living for you, not them. That may sound harsh, but you are in the middle of a difficult grieving process and decisions made abruptly might be decisions you regret. Your friends and family may be disappointed, but they'll survive. I can't tell you how many times I heard my grandmother lament selling the house she shared with my grandfather, or my mother regretting selling our house after the divorce. Grief is a difficult emotion to reckon with, and I stand by what I said before. Moving is still an option, but once that house is gone, it's gone. Maybe your family and old friends will take the news more easily if you phrase it as a "postponement" rather than a permanent 180. After all, people buy and sell houses and move cross country every day. If you're feeling the slightest twinge to stay, I'd listen to it, at least until this time next year. You have the luxury of time in this case, financially and emotionally. No one would disown you for taking your time.
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Me - 2004-04-25 21:18:08
Waiting is good advice... it's kind of where I am right now. Jeff is going to do the job thing right, including hiring someone to spiff up his resume, etc. He's never done that before and I think it would really help. And even if we do go to AZ, he can still use the resume there. I haven't spoken with my parents yet, but I know they read this page, as does my brother, so they probably have a clue. I know about the "don't make any serious decisions while grieving" thing, but the decision to move was made before Jasmine died. On the other hand, it was made largely BECAUSE of Jasmine, so that factors in too. Anyway... thanks so much for helping me think through this. At least one of the factors is mostly out of our hands -- the Jeff getting a job factor. That will tell the tale.
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