The Big Complicated

I mentioned Handsome Ponytail Ranger's phone interview in my "day in the life" post. He was offered the job! In New Orleans!  As you can imagine, Monday and Tuesday were pretty intense for us as we tried to decide whether and how we might do it.

My parents, as always, were so awesome. My mom's response to the job offer was "I knew it! Chris is so qualified for that position!!"

My dad wrote an email that was really touching (and perhaps the only time New Orleans will ever be compared to Western North Dakota):

The timing is certainly not great and living in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina poses some serious things to think about. However, I had much the same reaction when I was assigned to Western North Dakota and look at how that turned out - thirty good years.

This is a decision that the two of you have to weigh very carefully. I have been praying each day that Chris will be offered a good opportunity. Now you have to decide if this is that opportunity. Also, I pray every day that your pregnancy will go well, that Polly will arrive safe and healthy, and that mother, daughter, husband, and son will be together in a circle of love.

See? Awesome. We decided Monday that we would go for it—that it would be hard but we would make it work. Then In a surprise turn of events, HPR called me Tuesday morning with the news that he had declined the position.

Of course I'm relieved that we don't have to pack and put our house on the market, find an apartment in NOLA, load up 2 kids and 2 cats (and the fish? what would we do with the fish?) in our Saturn, and drive 20 hours south when I'm 1 month post-partum. The beignets and bourbon will have to wait. I love the life we've carved out for ourselves in Philly. But I also hope for a great opportunity in HPR's career in the near future.

HPR tells about it here.

Comments

[Lori]

Wow! To think you were thisclose to leaving Philly, and I haven't even met you in person yet. As someone who also likes to take the show on the road every few years, however, I can relate to the desire to try something new in a different city. Hope that HPR finds a cool opportunity soon!

[SteveO]

Mom and Dad are awesome, for sure. And while it would be great to have a free B&B in NOLA, I'm selfishly holding out for a west-coast move. Bonne chance!

[Niki]

I'm selfishly glad you are staying a bit longer.
But what other places are on the moving wish list?

[Courtney]

What a rollercoaster!

[Night Editor]

Wow! Amazing! Your father's note, your own compassion and understanding, HPRs thought process and decision making. Really, thanks for sharing. And I'm glad you'll have a calmer start to "Bringing new life to this world: the sequel."

[MonkeyHateClean]

this just in: supportive parents confess relief that juliloquy/hpr inc. decided to stay in philly! although they of course would have supported you in the move as well...(i, too, think it was the wise choice, although i was already planning christmas in the big easy!!)

[el-e-e]

Ohhh, relief. 'Cause that would have been a rough move. Settle in for now and get ready for that baby girl! :)