Saturday, March 01, 2008

OCT. 93-JAN. 94: HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Sorry for the delay, I have been under the weather for the past several weeks.

My family and I had known since the summer that there would be a big possibility that we would be moving to either Topeka Kansas or Ft. Worth Texas, because of my dad’s job transferring in the near future. We were all hoping for Ft. Worth Texas because of the weather, and the fact that we had cousins who lived in Ft. Worth that we would visit there every other year. So we were familiar with that area better. By the end of the summer we knew that Ft. Worth was going to be where we hung our hat! My dad started his job there in October while my Mom and I got things in order at our home in Tulsa. He stayed with our cousins during the week, and would make trips home on the weekends. Except for the times when Mom and him were house hunting. Some of my friends would tease me about going to Texas with the songs "She came from Ft. Worth" from Kathy Mattea (I was given this CD as a going away present) or "All my exes live in Texas" by George Strait.

Getting our house ready to sale was a chore and a half. My parents had lived there over 21 years so there was more then one junk drawer if you know what I'm saying! We had several paint parties. My Aunt made beautiful new curtains for our kitchen (w/a sewing machine), and a friend reposted a built in the kitchen area we had. Our house was looking nicer than it was before so I was saddened we were having to leave it! As Christmas time came we did not even bother getting out the tree or ornaments because we were packing them. I had to pack all of my belongings in to a suitcase, I was so sad. Where we lived at in Tulsa there was not a lot of opportunity there. You had to go across the river to get to a mall or anything. I was ready to see what was new, but at the same time this was all I ever knew.

My mom and dad went house hunting several times while they were there. They told us where they would to go in the houses, and see if the bathroom door could be enlarged. If not, they would look no further at that house. They finally came across a house where not only the bathroom door could be enlarged but that was able to easily get in the garage door. Of course we had to have the home close to my dad worked. We actually found a house close to just about everything. It was great. So, all in all I was excited for the fresh start to Ft. Worth. I was not going to be leaving anything bad behind just ready for the new possibilities.

As we were set to leave I just could not get in my last goodbye. It was very hard. My cousin, my brother, my grandmother, even my neighbors across the street. My Aunt had driven her truck with I in the passengers seat, my Uncle was driven the U-Haul truck., my Mom had driven her SUV, and my Dad had driven my car. It was so funny because my Aunt and I were behind the U-Haul truck that my Uncle was driven, and it hit the curb. My uncle was a professional truck driver. My Aunt and I had the biggest laugh about that. That started off the trip on a good note. It did not seem to take as long to get their. We got things unloaded in good time. One of our neighbors was from Muskogee. Small world and he helped us. Upon settling things in the first thing was getting the bathroom accessible for me. Our cousins who lived here had a neighbor who did construction work. So Paul came over to widen the bathroom door. Their daughter’s husband (still our cousin) knew of a person who could install & make bathroom bars in the shower and by the commode. Besides widening the bathroom door Paul also lowered the closet rail so that I could reach it. All of that was done in about two days. Things were beginning to look more homey than they had in the past couple of days.

I normally do not deal with change very well at all, and that was the thing that made me scared. Have you ever read the book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" By Spencer Johnson, M.D.? If not I highly recommend it as it shows an amazing way to deal with change in your life.

Thank you for taking the time to read, Miss S.

2 comments:

nowhereok said...

Change can be difficult and moving can be the worst. I speak from experience as we have lived where we do for over four years now and I still pretty much hate--well, very strongly dislike--it here. I was the opposite from you as I moved from having everything--even the mall--less than a mile away to having nothing but a gas station 20 minutes away. Talk about culture shock! I am glad it turned out better for you. I would not mind that weather either! I thinks it's so awesome how fast your parents/family worked to get everything accessible for you. You are definitely blessed in that area! I can't wait to read your next post!

Oh and I am definitely looking into that book. I tend to have a hard time with change too unless it's something I want to change.

xoxo

Marci said...

Glad to hear the move went well! That always seems to be the hardest part of going is moving to new surroundings!

I think I'm gonna have to pick up a copy of "Who Moved My Cheese?" I need it right now... alot!