Wednesday, May 6, 2015

A time of change


Well, I'm feeling a little foolish to be writing about this now. Some of you have commented; other discussions have gone on  Facebook. I didn't mean to be secretive, it just never seemed to be the right time for An Announcement.

You know that I'm in for a big change - I've submitted my retirement and notice at work, and I'm going to New Orleans to become a graduate student in Creative Writing.

But there's more change for us. Yesterday [The Man I Love]'s colleagues and co-workers honored him in a celebration of the thirteen years of service he has spent serving in an administrative role at the university. At the end of June, he steps down from that position and returns to the faculty again as a professor. It's been a good, long run with many great accomplishments. But it's great for him to get back to the work he loves.

But before he returns to the classroom, he is on a year's sabbatical. So for that year, we've decided that both of us will go to New Orleans - along with Jack the dog. [The Man I Love] will return to Los Angeles the following year to resume teaching, while I stay in New Orleans finishing my degree. We'll see what happens next.


The other decision we've made is bittersweet. We are selling our house in Topanga. We love our house; we've lived there almost twenty years. But it is too much for two people. When we return to Los Angeles, we'll live differently; a more urban life, perhaps, more downsized. We want to be more nimble, less burdened, with shorter commutes and fewer things to maintain.


It will be hard to leave this wonderful community, and the glorious natural world outside our windows. When we're back in LA, we'll be close enough to return, of course, and hike our favorite trails. I'm not sure how it will feel to be an outsider, though.

It feels good to go through the vast amount of material objects we've accumulated over the years and jettison them.

Do you ever wonder why people tend to say they're "buying a home" but "selling our house?"

8 comments:

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Awesome plans, you must be thrilled :)

scout said...

This is so inspiring. Good for you for not letting "stuff" rule your life. I'm very excited for both of you. Please keep the missives coming.

small mind said...

sounds wonderful and life embracing! Good for you! I look forward to hearing about your journey (emotional as well as physical journey) ! Patricia xx

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Things are looking up! I'm glad you are taking Jack and the man you love along with you to NOLA. What an adventure it will be for all of you!
We make our house a home, but when it comes to selling the place, we spruce it up and strip it of some of the "hominess" so that others can see it and fall in love with it. Or perhaps it is because our hearts are already looking forward to the future home?

cactus petunia said...

What an adventure! I'm so happy for you, and glad you'll all be going together. I'll miss seeing those beautiful pictures of the canyon shrouded in fog, but I'm very sure there will be new wonders to post from New Orleans.
Home is always where your heart is. Cheers!

Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen said...

Hooray for the big move. Double hooray for taking the dog and husband with you! Not so excited about selling the house...I know just how much work that is. Best of luck to you!

David Duff said...

From way outside looking in I simply don't know how you could leave such a beautiful home and countryside. But of course from 'way outside looking in' the view is partial at best and downright myopic at worst. So, I join with the others above and wish you and yours well in your new adventure.

I shall be interested to learn exactly what, er, "creative writing" is when it's at home!

smalltownme said...

I am excited for you! I hope you'll have time to blog in NOLA.