Going Away

My husband had his going away breakfast this morning. I can't believe it. He's been here for just shy of 7 years and it's finally his turn to have a going away party. He's been to at least a dozen or more of them over the years and it's finally his turn. It was nice, albeit awkward since I don't really socialize with anyone from his work. Some people who were there I met for the first time!

I got a bottle of our favorite local wine...St. James, the peach flavor. I plan on us drinking the whole bottle to celebrate tonight after the kiddo goes to bed. We'll miss having the wine readily available, but I know I can always order it online to have it delivered so we'll never have to go without it.

I just can't believe that this is it. He's done here. He got here in July of 2003 and he's leaving in May 2010. He never in a million years thought he'd be here this long. There have been more downs than ups I think, but looking back, this place will always be special because we met here and our daughter was born here. I'll always have fond memories of IL, but I never ever plan on moving back here.

I will miss the wide open spaces and seeing green cornfields against endless blue skies in the summertime. I find a beauty in the flat fields of the Midwest that I can't find anywhere else. The beach is beautiful. Mountains are beautiful. Most people think of IL, IA, IN as ugly, flat, boring states. And it's true, they are - in the wintertime. But once spring and summer are in full swing and the crops start growing and you get those crystal clear, blue skies as far as the eye can see lazy summer days of 85 degree heat, the cornfields gently swaying int he wind and a big white farmhouse in the middle of it all with a big red barn...I think that's just as beautiful as the beach and mountains. I guess it also represents a level of comfort to me that you can only get from being home - and Illinois will always be my home. I have no intention of ever coming back for more than a visit, but after 28 years of living here, I am very fond of the place - it's just time to move on to greener pastures, or maybe I should say move away from the green pastures :)

I'm rambling and I have no point other than to say, the end is here...it's just about time to pack up and ship out. I can't believe it. After 28 years, I am going to live somewhere other than Illinois. It's going to be weird. I have so much hope for our future right now.