Let the Planning Begin!

Last Thursday when I arrived in Nashville, it was cold and it snowed about an inch. I was miserable and told you about it.

Yesterday Nashville warmed up with temps near 50F … yeah! Jamie and I went for a run/walk through the city along the river. I love running in a new area. I love warmer temps. I was happy all day.

Between the difference in the weather while here and the thoughts/ideas about pursuing your dreams and passions I heard at the Dream Year Weekend … I’ve come to an important conclusion.
photo © 2010 Olaf Doorentz | more info (via: Wylio)

,

I’m done saying ‘someday’ … today is the day to being making plans. To take a step or two down the path towards living the life I (and Jerry) have dreamed of. To stop procrastinating. To begin planning.

Jerry and I have only lived in Pennsylvania. For the past twenty years, we have often said we are moving south ‘someday.’ In 2003, we sold our business, house and everything except our necessities (we were  minimalist before being minimalist was cool) and we planned to travel for about a year. While traveling, we had frequent conversations about where we’d live when the trip was over.

We hadn’t made a firm decision about where to live when I was injured in the accident that ended the trip about four months earlier than planned. Naturally, we moved home to family and friends … there’s nothing like being near loved ones during a time of crisis.

Fast forward to today … about 6 1/2 years post-accident. I’ve recovered well, but my injuries/scars complain more in the cold. This weekend I’ve decided, I am done complaining and it’s time to take action. I still love my family and friends, but I’m finished with winter! Done … can’t do it anymore.

Let the planning begin!

Our criteria is … warm temps and water … so should it be near the coast of South Carolina, Florida or Texas? Or somewhere else?

Yes, there are many things to think about … most importantly our boys. The older two are in college, the youngest graduates from highschool in June, not sure what his next steps will be … so we have lots of brainstorming to do.
,
This post is part of a Blog Carnival and the word today is winter. How appropriate on the day I decide I can’t take more of winter.
,
Bookmark and Share
  • http://www.andilit.com Andi

    I am so happy for you. While I love the winter (sorry!), I think it’s so amazing that you are going after what you want. Brava!!!!

  • http://www.felicitywhite.com Felicity

    Wow, Janet, big announcement! : ) Best of luck to you. If it was me, I think I’d lean toward the Carolinas – so beautiful with access to both the mountains AND the beach. But my first priority would be to find people I liked . . . Who do you know in those places? Have fun with the decisions!

  • http://www.mustardseedyear.com Jason

    It’s too bad water is in the requirements because Nashville and the surrounding areas are wonderful. (There are lakes and things but nothing like ocean views.)

    Good luck with the big move!

  • http://barenakedfamily.com greg

    Seattle’s warmer than PA and we love ya’ll!
    Of course we wouldn’t be good Texans without plugging Austin… did you ever see this? Me and Jenn made it in plugging Austin:
    http://traveltex.com/multimedia/texas-videos/austin-texas-videos

    • http://janetober.com Janet Ober

      Great video Cosmic Cowboy!
      I hadn’t seen that before … thanks for sharing it!
      Love ya’ll too … but don’t think we’ll be headed Seattle’s way. Though the gulf coast of Texas is a possibility … which isn’t too far from Austin.

  • http://bryanallain.com bryan a

    yay to you stepping out and making changes!

    boo to you leaving PA!

  • http://shawnsmucker.com shawn smucker

    i agree with bryan

  • Janet Oberholtzer

    Thanks all! This still won’t happen right away but more serious planning is beginning.

  • http://www.journey-through-grief.com Janelle

    Two houses on my road are for sale! :) Yes, we still have a little winter, but not like PA. Everyone here is groaning about this winter being unusually cold, but I’m loving it compared to what I was used to.

    Water, hmmmm…. Holiday Lake is really nice. Okay, well I had to try, right! At least you know people want you around.

  • jamie Beran

    Maui. Or San Diego. Somewhere with a guest house in your back-yard for winter-weary Michiganders to come and bunk for a few months. I’ll bring the Cabernet
    .

  • http://hisfirefly.blogspot.com HisFireFly

    Praying that He leads and guides youto the perect stop He has already planned!

  • http://www.hazel-moon-blog.blogspot.com/ Hazel I. Moon

    Winter is something you have decided not to do any more. I can understand that lament. Taking your boys into consideration, as they complete their schooling, is good. Changes for all, and I hope you can discover a place where the sun shines!

  • http://www.alicesullivan.com Alice Sullivan

    South Carolina! Hey…I sent your blog to Ben :) And I sent mine I just wrote (http://www.alicesullivan.com/the-blog/i-have-a-dream/). I wanted him to see what a fuss he’s created.

    WOO HOO!

    • http://janetober.com Janet Ober

      Yes … fuss would be a good word to use.

      Key phrase in this post is “planning begin” … doesn’t mean it’s happening right away. I can be spontaneous about many things in life, but I take a long time to process/plan serious decisions.

  • http://www.stephenbrewster.me brewster

    WOW! so inspired by your post. Can’t wait to watch you grow as you chase your dream.

  • Rose

    Janet, I am with you!!! Only problem for me is my husband won’t move. I would love to move somewhere warmer. At least be a snow bird some day and move south when our weather here turns cold. We were in southern AZ last week and it was terrific. I could so live there. Good luck with your search and your journey.