Let the countdown begin...

I think the weather is testing me. For the past 2 weeks, San Diego has been nothing but clouds, partly sunny, and random intervals of thunder and hail (WTF?). Ok, yes, I know we have “June Gloom”, but out in BFE where I live (OK, it’s about 20 min. from the coast)-it’s always warm there. Like rip all your clothes off kind of warm. Not that R would mind that so much, but it might get a little awkward with the roomie. Like, miserable to sleep at night because you have to have it ice cold kind of warm. Lately? It’s been…nice. Pleasant. Cool. Oh, and people here? Their not a fan. I hear moaning and groaning all day at work “Uh, it’s a little chilly again today.” Wah. Really? I think its testing me to see if I can handle the great Pacific Northwest. I think most people would think I’m crazy to want to leave “such perfect weather. 74 and sunny year round. Can’t beat it. You’re so lucky! Why would anyone want to leave here?”. But I do.
Yes, it’s week 2 and we’re still pretty serious about this thing. It’s pretty much on our mind all day long….our nightly conversations usually include the “Guess what I found out about Portland today…” phrase.
It’s just crazy for me to think about. It’s like knowing you’re going to go on the most exciting vacation of your life, but have to wait a year to do it. All you can focus on is where that one place, and your mind sort of loses focus of where you currently are, because you just want to get going. Me, always the research nut when it comes to vacations and such, compares guide book to guide book, googles TripAdvisor.com, checks prices daily, researches articles, databases, and makes spreadsheet galore that for once make me seem organized. So, that’s what I’ve been doing lately. Except instead of beaches and tours, this research includes property prices and ad agencies or sports companies. Wait, did I just say we go on vacations that include beaches? Who am I kidding. We visit places that include pine trees and ice cold water. Anyways, back to the story. I’m excited, I’m nervous, part of me just wants to do it tomorrow, part of me wants to hold off for years. Oh, indecisive Erin.
These past 2 weeks have been quite a whirlwind here at Casa de la Wait(e)ing. Once the words flew out R’s mouth “We’re thinking about moving to Oregon and eventually starting an olive farm someday (ok, that part we’re still sort of debating about but halfway serious)…” to his parents, the wheels started turning and next thing you know, it’s full speed ahead. Like, we really think we’re going to do this. For reals. So scary, but so exciting.
You see, R’s parents have…well, R. They’re mostly retired and have lived a life where they’re experienced at picking themselves up and going wherever their heart tells them to go. They just needed to here “We’re thinking about moving…” and they are ready to call up the real estate agent and hit the road with a U-haul in tow. Honestly, I think that’s pretty awesome. I’m pretty lucky when it comes to the in-laws as I’ve heard horror stories. So yes, they might actually list their primo riverfront property at the worst time in the market in years, all because of us. I actually had to have a conversation with my mother-in-law the other day because she needed to make sure I was serious about this because she doesn’t like getting her hopes up. But no pressure, Erin, really. It’s just that the rest of our lives depends on a decision you casually talked about last weekend and haven’t really thought it through or hell, even really truly visited the place. But no pressure.
So also on my mind for the past 2 weeks is the fact that I might be living with my in-laws for a really really long time. R’s mom assured me we don’t have to live in the same house, but R keeps throwing our there that eventually he wants a big piece of property with room for 2 houses. One for us and one for them. I mean, I love them dearly and yes, I lucked out in the in-law department, but wow. A lot to take in.
So, R and his dad are heading out for a “road trip” this weekend, driving throughout the greater Portland area in the RV (with both dogs) for a week to check things out. I’m slightly, no, majorly jealous but can’t take the time off work, so I’ll be left to daydream and see updates from his beloved Iphone.
In the meantime, I’m starting to check important things out like, oh, jobs. In the state with the second highest unemployment rate…wait, what am I doing again?
Sigh…this is going to be quite an adventure. Stay tuned.

(Oh, and T-keep this on the downlow. I know how quickly word spreads around the K-town area if you know what I mean!)