guess HPR will have to rename his blog

HPR has accepted a job here, so we will be moving to Maryland probably sometime in May. We are excited about the move, but sad to leave our Philly community. I told my boss today that May 8 will be my last day, although I want to help in the transition as much as possible and can probably devote some time to my employer after that date, too. I am about as weepy as they come, so I was a mess as I shared the news. Wish I could have kept it together a bit better. I have worked here six years with two consecutive outstanding bosses. I'm not sure what sort/level of work I will do after the move; might wait on that until the dust settles at our new place.

We have asked Shmoo what he'd think of living in a new house and he responded with an unreserved YES! He even started packing up his train set on Saturday. Yesterday as we were driving home from Quaker Meeting, we had the following conversation:

Shmoo: Are we moving now?
Me: No, not for a long time. We have to sell our house, pack up all our stuff, get a moving truck . . .
Shmoo: So, after quiet time?

I'm sure that two days after we've moved, he'll ask when we're going back to our house in Philadelphia. He will not be happy about leaving his school.

We're going to look for houses on Friday - we haven't even been to the area! (The park interviewed HPR by phone.) It turns out they are not going to pay for our move, so we have a lot of work ahead. I keep reminding myself that at least it's not moving to New Orleans with a 1-month-old Roo. That helps me keep it in perspective a bit.

Roo, of course, is oblivious to the news. She is too busy pretending to tuck in "beebee" strawberries beneath dish cloths, holding her finger to her mouth and saying "shhhhh." At age 18 months, she has become a complete mother hen.

So wish us luck in the next 6+ weeks! And visit us in Maryland! (Really.)

Comments

[ratphooey]

What a fabulous opportunity for HPR! But Philadelphia will miss the lot of you.

[Bearina]

Such huge news in so many ways! You have built such a good life for yourselves in Philly - you're entitled to be emotional.

Bumpers was about Shmoo's age when we moved to our house. After the initial excitement, she kept asking when we were going home. We told her the house WAS home and so she called it the HouseHome. It was not HomeHome for quite awhile. And then she didn't like her new preschool because the teachers apparently had "fat faces." I'm sure you'll have some good stories - hard for the little ones to articulate these complex feelings.

But such good beebee strawberries!

[sb]

the necessity for a new blog title was the first thing i thought of too. funny!

congrats on the move. i hope you have lots of helping hands to ease the moving box transitions.

[SteveO]

Oh, Julie, don't think you're being unprofessional about crying at your resignation. It is a flattering statement to your boss and co-workers that you truly loved working with them and enjoyed the job. This will be a bittersweet transition in your life and you just wouldn't be you without expressing your emotions.

I look forward to visiting you in your new location. And I wish that I could drop in and help you with the moving process, as I can't even imagine the complexity uprooting a whole family. But you will succeed, as you always do, with the grace and intelligence you so dearly possess. It will be a great change for all of you. Love,

your brother Steve

[lori]

Ah, now I get the tears you twittered. That's a big change. I'm excited for you guys, though. New experiences and explorations. I know you'll find another job to love. And yay for Shmoo and his enthusiasm!

[Night Editor]

Big news! I feel for you--maybe it is good the timeline is fast! Having moved myself quite a bit as a kid I can say that there are many good things that come with not staying in one place. Good luck! I'll be thinking of you all.

Pam

[Nicole Eggerts]

Excited for you but sad too. Hope to someday camp in the new park.
Would love to have you over for dinner one more time before you go. That is if you can swing it. I am sure it is going to be a hectic month.
To try to sell a house, buy a house, and move all the contents and all four of you seems incredibly difficult - especially in this real estate market. I wish you luck. Please keep us informed.

[Jordi]

Oh my, oh my! That's amazing news, Jules! Looks like we'll need to visit a new locale for you. Wow-oh-wow! What exciting days you have ahead! Grace be with you, my friend, as you navigate these waters with four. (was a lot easier with two, but those lovelies are of course untradeable). Loves to you all!!!

[Lori]

OMG! I'd really better hurry up and schedule that playdate before you go! My sister and parents live in Maryland, but they're in Baltimore and Carroll Counties, fairly far from where you're headed. :-/

[Small Blue Thing]

Wow! I've seen the pictures and it looks gorgeus. I was saving for sending some goodies to the children _yes, I've got the life of a poor writer right now, and it's not so different to a poor teacher's one ;D

So I'll send it to Arizona if I can make it before you're settled.

Sorry I can't adopt the kittens :/

Besos from Sunny Spain.

[el-e-e]

Hey there! I had seen this news of yours recently, but thanks for stopping by my blog to say hi!

I'm sure you've got lots to do -- thinking of you! Good luck with everything!