Making the Decision to Move

The Move – Part I

Back in January of this year, my brother called and had the crazy brilliant idea for Keaton to come and play with his select organization’s new 12 year old team.  I vaguely remember phrases like, “a few tournaments here or there” “not too expensive” etc.  All lies.  Well, okay, it could have been truth, but it was like crack to us – we quickly got addicted to the hill country and wanted to spend every weekend up here.

And we did.  From February until June almost every weekend was spent in Austin.  We went so much I started feeling guilty staying at my brother’s home so we’d stay in hotels and only stay with The Smith’s once a month.

We started feeling bummed out when our weekends were over.  We noticed how much cleaner and healthier everything up in Austin was compared to Houston.  How the people where nicer.  How when you pooped in Austin it just didn’t stink as bad…(okay not really that last one).  But check out this sky...who wouldn't want to enjoy some good ball with a background like that....

After counting pennies (not really, but close enough) to go one weekend, I looked at Michael and said, “Why don’t we just MOVE there?” 

I don’t recall his exact answer, but it was along the lines of “Yeah right.  Go ahead.  I’m staying here.”  And I’m pretty sure the words “I will NEVER leave Highlands” actually came from his lips.

And then the trailer park moved in.  Into our backyard.  Okay, maybe not in our backyard, but you can definitely see it from our backyard.  Essentially the neighbors behind us sold their home and the adjacent empty lot.  Some wise investor, super cheap family or maybe just a huge cult purchased the house and land.  When I say land, you have to understand this is just a normal sized residential lot we’re talking about here, it is a residential horseshoe type subdivision.  Only, come to find out, we AREN’T a subdivision, and Harris County does not currently have any regulations or codes that would prevent this sort of development from occurring. 

So…then they built the 10 foot privacy fence around the entire thing.  I’m all for privacy, but when you fence in the FRONT yard, you do seem sort of suspicious.  Maybe they were a cult, or meth cookers, or dog fighters or something.  It was unnerving. 

And then the 18 wheelers brought in the trailers.  2 single wide homes and a travel trailer were all squeezed into this little bitty (high security) box.  Directly behind our house.  The residents of this fine community can sit on their front porches of the trailer to enjoy a beer and then  make eye contact with me as a I float in my in ground pool.  Not fun for me.

About 35 people live there.  I’m pretty sure 20 of them are children.

I suspect that is what pushed Mike over the edge….the insta-trailer park.  Maybe it was just a coincidence, but I kid you not on our very next trip he said, “Okay, if we can sell the house and have jobs lined up, I’ll move.”  Oooooh, I was now a woman on a mission.   I felt a sudden surge of happiness and excitement at the prospect of moving and having an adventure.  I had always wanted to move, try something new.  Mike and I have both grown up and lived in the same home since birth (until we got together), so neither of us have ever had an experience with such "change".

That was in June and it’s now August and guess what?  We moved!

Stay tuned for Part II as I discuss the process of selling the home, getting jobs and actually making the move.