We want to move.

Part One

I have never lived anywhere other than Central California.

I have never resided any further than a 4-hour drive from the spot I was born.

In 35 years, I've had... let me think... eight mailing addresses.

Reedley, CA
Reedley, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA

and finally...

Kingsburg, CA

Downtown Kingsburg. May 2008.

* * * * *

BKG grew up in the foothills near here. He can tell you a lot of stories about rattlesnakes and roadkill. And meth labs. I like to sing him that Hank Williams, Jr. song about how Country Folk Can Survive.

It's funny, though. I remember one night when we were first married, lying in bed staring at the ceiling, playing Tell Me A Story About You I Haven't Already Heard. I made some comment about him being born in the hills, and he's like: "Babe, I grew up in the foothills, but we moved there when I was three. I wasn't born there. I was born in West Covina."

Suddenly, he was like a stranger to me. I about jumped out of bed. West Covina? West Covina? 

I stared him down, trying to find his face in the dark. I'm like:"West Covina? West Covina. Here I thought I married a genuine redneck and come to find out you were born in freakin' LA?"

Don't ask me why, after being with him for nearly two years, I had not yet pin-pointed his place of birth. (BTW - I have a similar bedtime story about how he forgot what color my eyes are. Also, I had to remind him like three times, during the year that we were dating, when my birthday was -- Dude, it's the DAY BEFORE YOURS. Oh -- and ask him if he can spell my maiden name. Okay. I'm done. Just playing, babe.)

Anyway. His parents decided they didn't want to raise their three kids in Los Angeles, so they up and moved to an unsettled spot out in the middle of basically nowhere. With rattlesnakes. And you've got to hand it to them. That's a huge decision to make and a gutsy one.

* * * * *

We want to move.
Deep in our hearts, we would like to try living elsewhere.

Comments

[Sharon]

You want to live in Woodland Hills. You want to live in Woodland Hills. You want to live in Woodland Hills. OMG? Really? You want to live in Woodland Hills, Jill! That is so Awesome! ;)

[Andrea]

Eastern Oklahoma is quite nice! :)

[Denise]

there are lots of houses for sale in my neighborhood.

but don't count on me to babysit. My kids could though.

[Steph]

Come east and stop in Louisville :) We're full of southern hospitality and it's officially the biggest small town in America ;) Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Nashville, Chicago and St. Louis are all within driving distance! AND last but not least you have 2 very capable and willing babysitters at your beck and call!

[Kristen]

*jumping up & down* oooh oooh - I vote for Western PA - beautiful country here, no earthquakes, rattlesnakes or over 100 temps.

how I long to sit on our porches together.

[sara c]

You KNOW you want to move to Paradise! There's a house on our street for sale... with a pool!

[jill]

LOL! Look at all the invites!

I wish we could visit ALL of these places.

Sharon. I hate to break it to you, but we gotta move somewhere LESS expensive. And we are trying to ESCAPE the hot dry climate. Although, it is a secret dream of mine to sit in your garden with you and watch the zucchini grow to gargantuan proportions. :o)

[jill]

Sara.
When BKG reads this, he will be looking up that house on the MLS, I'm sure. :o)

[Michelle]

Okay, I'm going to be absolutely selfish and say, "NOOOOOOOO!!!" If you move, who would I go to Bravo Farms with, or ride in an ambulance with, or enjoy any and all food with? Who else is gonna listen to my food critiques, and enjoy them? *Sniff-sniff* I'm sorry. I just can't allow it. ;)

[susan]

Michelle- you can join us in our Compound that the Griffs and the Holmans have been talking about for about 5 years. It's a place where we buy a huge lot, have 2-3 houses on it (not right next door... 100's of yards away) and I will teach the kids, Scott will be our preacher man, Brian will sell houses...(we need someone to make the dough) and Jill & Rick will entertain us with her writing and creative side. And Michelle, you can keep everyone sane :) Maybe a garden, some animals and perhaps a walk to the General store every now and then. We now only have to find the land, have someone build the houses, and learn how to live like Laura Ingalls (is anyone an expert on her?)

[jill]

Susan! Brian doesn't want to sell houses! He wants to run The General Store, remember? And sell molasses and sassafras and sarsaparilla. And bolts (yes, bolts) of cloth. And say stuff like "Cash on the barrel."

Oh. We KNOW who the expert on Laura Ingalls is. ;o)

[natalie]

i know at least two of us (jennifer and i) would LOVE if you'd move to charlotte, nc. it is close to the beach (3 hours), close to the mountains (45 minutes), both rural and urban...and for $250-300k you can buy a really awesome house plenty big for three kids. and btw, sean can get bkg a great job in new homes real estate for an incredible company.

please come.

[jill]

Natalie.
BKG says, "Intriguing!" :o)

[Christi]

COME TO VA!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) or atleast just for a visit- miss you guys!! maybe one day when the kiddos are older :)