SUN & FUN and the MOVING IS ALMOST DONE

The Furniture Got Moved

Well, you may have wondered where I've been for months now.  It all started back the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.  My husband was laid off from his job of 12 years. The remainder of 2010 and the holidays really sucked as far as the news of the layoff.  Gary and I had been discussing for 3 years, our wishes to move to Florida to be near family.  I grew up in Quincy, Florida, and my Mother and my sister still live in Tallahassee, Fla.  So the job hunt was on for Gary.

He spent most of January and part of February in New Orleans, LA, working a temporary job in an oil refinery.  We are blessed to have friends there that helped him get the job, but it only lasted about 3 weeks, being a temporary inspection type job.  But, Gary got his TWIC Card which was needed to work in ports around the country, so that was a plus, because Florida is surrounded by water..LOL.  

With the encouragement of friends and family, Gary landed a job in Green Cove Springs, Fla, doing the same work he had here in Tennessee.  He stayed with our son and his family in Mayport, FL, and commuted for the past 3 months driving over an hour one way to work and back each day, in heavy traffic.  That was a nightmare and the gas consumption sure didn't help.  As for me, I remained in Tennessee working and packing the house.  Gary's parents drove out from Oregon and stayed almost 2 months helping me.  Finally, I went down and stayed with our son for about a week to a week and 1/2 looking for housing in Green Cove Springs.  God really blessed us and answered prayers that trip.  We had prayed that doors would open to find a place to rent for a year, until we could see if we liked the area.  Ironically, a small 2 bedroom place came available, on 2 acres of land.  The rental contract was signed for 1 year, and Gary now only has to commute 5 miles to work.  It has been over 15 years since he had such a short commute to work.

The furniture has been moved, but I'm back in Tennessee winding up some priorities here.  We will either list our home for sale or rent it out.  Just not sure yet, but doing some cosmetic things to it right now, small upgrades, etc.  Gary and I have been apart more than we like, but this challenge has pulled us closer and within 2 weeks, I hope to be back down in Green Cove Springs, unpacking and getting my "art" and "office" set back up and get back to creating.   I will post more as these next 2 weeks progress with the work here.  As for Gary, he is enjoying his weekend, planting a garden and flowers down at the place in Green Cove Springs.  I'm excited that we will only be 1 hr from our son and his family, and about 2 1/2 hrs from my Mom and other family in Tallahassee area. 

So with that, I best get busy.  Thanks for your patience during this move!