A week from tomorrow I head out with 92 other people to the Smoky Mountains. I’ve already started packing my suitcase and I’ve decided what I’m going to eat for breakfast and lunch and snacks every day so I don’t gain any weight. (We’ll see how it goes!) I’m nervous/excited, which is about normal for this time every year. I know that I’m going to thoroughly enjoy the 7 days, but before we leave I always waste a lot of energy worrying about things that may never happen – that will most likely never happen. We had the pre-trip meeting on Tuesday and really a lot of people turned out for that. It looks like a really fun group, as usual. But big. Really, really big.
In other news, Dad and I are seriously thinking of moving to Shakopee. It was just a lark when we first said it, but it got us to thinking. Closer to grandkids. Better job opportunities. And probably most importantly a chance to gracefully transition out of all the things we are involved in that we are ready to be done with – The Garage (me, not Dad, as far as being ready…), accompanying for the Red Barn, playing at Faith Lutheran, the senior center. Even with the school accompanying, there will have to be a time when I stop and it will be a lot easier if I stop when I am still really good, because I’m moving, rather than keep playing until my skill is declining, simply because everyone assumes I’ll be the one to do the accompanying. What I’m saying, I guess, is that it may be time to pass the torch.
We are really seeking God’s direction, but feel that He doesn’t put random ideas like that into our heads for no reason.
So, anyway, we’ve been crunching the budgets, looking at job opportunities (there is actually a perfect one for Dad right at the hospital in Shakopee), and looking at houses. I’m going to have to let my “no split levels” condition go. The best ones even close to our price range are split levels. Then there is the debated between the fixer-upper that will cost a lot more in time and supplies vs. the ready to go home that is a bit more expensive. Well, a lot more expensive. But really nice. The one I’m leaning to has its back yard touching the grounds of the Shakopee Community Center grounds. But the price is pretty scary – $184,000. Dad would have to get a higher paying job, that is for sure. But it is possible, right? (see it at http://www.edinarealty.com/homes-for-sale/MN/Shakopee/55379/305-Columbine-Lane-93265169 )
Anyway, we’ll keep you posted. It may come to naught. Or it may be our future. Only God knows.
92 are going–that IS a big group! It should be fun! 🙂 And this time you can just relax and enjoy the trip without having to drive…. ah!
I understand about wanting to transition out of things gracefully… I never thought about that. Well, if this pans out, Shakopee (and my family!) would be lucky to have you in town! 🙂
Yeah, that was never a problem I gave much thought until lately. But I’m already dreading telling John Dutmer that I’m not doing Red Barn any more, even though I may be in the area and available. I’m just done. But I’m afraid it will feel awkward and people will expect explanations, because they sort of expect things to stay the same infinitely.
The only downside (beside the housing cost) would be that you’re a lot father away from all the rentals that you fix up and maintain and the property that you bought, but if God is in this, it will work out.
You have a point, but if we are living in a house that doesn’t need any work on the weekends, we’ll have more time than we do now to keep up the rentals we have. We figured a trip over to Chetek once a month when we were doing the possible budgets.