For nearly ten years, my husband and I have called this house our home. We moved here shortly after getting married and although we have long talked about moving to other houses in other towns—closer to the ocean, closer to the city, to a town with stellar schools—I never thought we’d ever really pull the trigger. Let’s face it, in a bad real estate market people tend to stay put.
And yet in a couple of weeks, a “for sale” sign will be firmly planted in the ground in front of my house. Our home.
My husband got a new job, with a company that’s based in California. It’s a work-from-home position, so it provides a kind of flexibility we’ve not known before. Since I also work for myself (and most of the time that means from home) we can essentially live anywhere! Rational folks would probably choose a warmer climate. Instead we’re relocating to western New York where my husband grew up and where his family still lives.
Life, part two, is about to begin. For all of us.
I am excited, scared and sad, all at the same time. I’m not overly sentimental, so I’m not spending time thinking about all of the memories we created here. If these walls could talk they’d tell stories of babies born, family members no longer living, smiles, laughter, fights, tears and a mother struggling to do it all… and then some.
Certainly I’m not the first mother to relocate a family. Memories of my own move at the age of 8—the same age Tommy will be when we move—live large in my mind. That was a hard year for me as a kid. I think an even harder year for my parents. But that was another time. I’m not one to focus on the past so I have to think about all the good things this move could bring.
Excellent schools, a quaint town with lots of shopping, parks and open spaces, good YMCA’s and family activities, an average commute of 19 minutes, Wegman’s and of course, free babysitting (I hope my mother-in-law doesn’t think that’s the only reason we’re moving there). I’ve got about two weeks to get this house designed to sell and while I fancy myself a frustrated decorator, I’m struggling with some of the decisions we’re making. Was the $2,000 we just spent on new carpet upstairs worth it? If buyers in this market have no imagination, then they wouldn’t be able to overlook the magic marker on the carpet in Brendan’s room or the red wine stain on my office rug (evidence of some late-night podcasting).
If all goes well, the family will be settled in our new town in time for the start of school in the fall. I will be commuting back and forth for a while as I finish up a job contract, which serves to add yet another complicating factor to this whole move.
Buckle your seat belts, kids. This is going to be a bumpy ride.
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33 Responses to Life. Part Two.
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Congratulations on the new job and move! It will be an adventure that will open up new possibilities to you and your family!
Can’t wait to follow your journey!
~kristin
Oh, good luck! We moved from Chicago to the South Shore of Boston just over three years ago. Sadly, we moved *away* from the free baby sitting. While it was a very stressful time, and it was so much harder on the kids than I ever imagined (and my oldest was just 6 at the time), we have settled happily and made this our home. My homesickness for Chicago is still there, but as my Mom told me, “Bloom where you are planted”.
Nothing like a new chapter…. Having moved a few times when my oldest was quite young, relocation is never easy. I cannot imagine, honestly, having lived anywhere for 10 years! Try to find enjoyment in the process and us loyal listeners will be right along with you, bumps and all.
Warmly,
(another) Kristin
Good luck and I can wait to read along. We are getting ready for a move to – the todo list is long. We just put it together yesterday. To carpet or not, this is our question to (or do you negotiate this into the sale price and let the buyer select their personal preference).
So much to do – yet so exciting! Enjoy
Good luck! I know the move will be stressful, but I’m sure it will be nice to have family nearby. I can’t imagine not being near my family. I take advantage of them ALL the time for babysitting, house repairs, etc. I’ve toyed with the idea of moving sometimes, but I’m pretty sure I’d be entirely helpless if I moved somewhere where I’d be all on my own with the kids and no emergency backup.
Wow, what a huge change. Good luck.
I am sure that it will be nice to have family around to help you.
In hebrew they say “change of place change of luck.” I hope this change only brings you good luck.
How exciting for you and tour family! Now, not to be selfish, but what does this mean for ManicMommies?
Wow! That’s exciting! Good luck with selling/moving & all that good stuff that comes with it (like purging). Congrats to your hubby on the new job!
I wish you all the best! I know Mikes family is excited to have you move closer. Will Manic Mommies continue?
Wow, this is a surprise. I love upstate NY as well and it sounds like a great choice. Best of luck making the transition ans smooth as possible!
For those that are worried about the future of Manic Mommies – fear not! Our plans are to continue with the show and, while I’m so very sad that my partner-in-crime won’t be living up the street, I do think it will add a new dimension to the show.
I’m so excited for you and your family! Congrats on all of the big changes!!
Wow! Heading back to MY roots (Upstate NY!). I have NO idea what triggered this, but while I will miss your presence here in the Bay State, there’s a really good chance we’ll run into one another in NY since we visit my family up there often. Whatever lays ahead for all 5 of you, I hope good health, success and wealth are waiting for you. Congratulations and safe travels!
Congratulations Erin, to you and your family. I’m sure that the move won’t be without it’s obstacles, but I wish you the best of luck. We have toyed around with the idea of moving from FL to the Carolinas, but we are, frankly, just scared. If it was meant to be, then we will be given a sign, I’m sure. Good for you in making such a brave decision and choosing what you believe is best for your family. And I am sooooooo glad that Manic Mommies won’t be coming to a end. Listening to you and Kristin every week keeps me sane and validates my crazy life as a wife and mother. Thank you for that!!!!
Good Luck Erin & Kristin thank you for the reassurance that our Manic Mommies are here to stay where ever they may be.
I’m very excited about your move! I’m glad you found the best reason to move to Rochester — WEGMAN’S! We have Wegman’s in PA and I don’t think I could ever live somewhere without one now! I can’t wait to hear the tales of life in Rochester and how the whole moving thing goes. Good luck!
I totally empathize.. our company is moving us BACK to Boston (we live about 1000 miles from there right now), and we are prepping the house to sell. We are trying to beat that tax credit deadline and are rushing to get it listed ASAP. What a stress-fest!
Plus figuring out what we want to buy and where to live on the other end.. yikes!
Best of luck getting your house on the market.. and congrats on the move, new job etc. I know it is exciting, yet a little scary all at the same time, but we have BTDT so we know we will be okay when all is said and done!
Congrats again!
Welcome! I have been living in Rochester for the last 13 years and my husband was born and raised. I really like it here – there is so much for families to do! (And Wegman’s is awesome!) It is so much fun to hear Rochester referenced on your show – can’t wait for more!
So very relieved to hear that Manic Mommies will go on!!!
I know you will flourish in your new move. I am just wondering why, if Mike will be home based, you have to move at all?
Is it just that you now don’t have a job trying you to Natick so you are changing things up or does his job want you there?
Congrats and have fun!
Congrats and good luck. Moving can be stressful, but like you said, its the beginning of a new chapter.
As I’m reading this, I’m getting ready for movers to come tomorrow to pack us up and move us to a new state. It’s scary, nerve wracking and just a little bit stressful, but also a very exciting new adventure. Best of luck to you and your family over the next several months.
Good Luck! Moving is really stressful. But, I think moving closer to family will be good. We live far away from our family and I sometimes can’t wait to go back and settle in India.
Hope you’ll share your adventures with all of us
Good luck with your move and congrats on the new job!! The one thing I will really miss seeing are those gorgeous custom-made lockers! And your new kitchen… hmmm… when does it go up for sale again?
Congratulations Erin! What an adventure! When I first started reading, I thought, “California?! Neighbors?” then I continued reading. If you are ever in Southern California, and looking for a good coffee buddy, give us a ring.
I am sure you are in for a wild ride. Keep breathing. Wishing you and your family the best!
I’ve started listening to you when I moved with my family from England to Barcelona, Spain. We changed everything and then some… like language and weather. For months I was struggling to find a place to live, school, a job, friends and so on and I was feeling very lonely as I didn’t know anybody. The manic mommies were there for me when I needed a rest, a laugh and a remainder that women friends are great and being a mother is not all fun yet is worthy.
I wish you all the best on this new move! If there’s any justice in the universe, you will receive all the good that you sent to the world.
We are also trying to sell a house. But we weren’t moving to another state, just the other side of town. We live in our ideal location, 5 minute commutes for both hubby and me, and we are in the school district we both grew up in
I can totally empathize with your desire to move closer to family and an over all better situation for your family 
I also don’t feel it is so much the housing market, but the weather that was hurting us when selling. We have had three very positive showings, but it is just a bad weather year to sell. If you price your house right, you shouldn’t have troubles selling. People always need a place to live!
Hugs,
Erica
Your house is so beautiful!!
I love it. I bet that it will sell quickly and become a lovely home for another new family. Just don’t be upset when you go back and visit Kristin if the lawn isn’t manicured as nicely as it is now. 
I’m very excited & happy for you & your family. I’m looking forward to hearing about your new adventures!
Such a great new adventure!! How exciting! I just found you guys, am a fellow Boston area blogger and I look forward to following your journey… We are looking to sell & stay in MA though.
What an exciting adventure. We hate to have you leave the Boston area but I’m sure we’ll continue our collaboration via the web! Good luck getting your house and family ready!
Erin, I must say I am SO jealous that you will have access to Wegman’s! I grew up in the Syracuse area and now live in NH and miss Wegmans more than anything! (Except family of course) My parents still live there and we always make a trip or two, or three to “weggies” when we are visiting. Enjoy! Best of luck with the move!
Okay so I am just catching up and read this blog post… WOW good for you! Nothing worth doing is ever easy. If change were easy everyone would do it. Kudos to you and Mike for following your gut and making the move. We moved three years ago to be closer to family and friends and it has been the best decision we ever made. Yes, there were times I questioned “rocking the boat” but I can honestly say we are thrilled with our decision. Best of luck!!
Hi!
You know, it’s really ironic in a couple ways that you are moving now. I am also in the process of moving our family from Ohio to North Carolina and this will be our second move in as many years (the first was from CA to OH – and these are all work related).
The reason I think it is ironic is that I also produce a podcast about quilting/crafting and shared my first move and all its ‘fun’ on the show. People really loved hearing about it and I could never figure out why!
And now that I am moving again – they have the same enthusiasm and again I was like ‘why?’???
BUT THEN you announced your move and I was all into it and can’t wait to hear about how you approach/tackle/accomplish everything it involves and I REALIZED I am ONE OF THEM!
aaahhhh.
I finally get it.