of my sanity.

We got back a week ago from a trip to Texas. Now I am heading out on a last minute trip to northern Alabama. I have, indavertantly, created a monster. I, innocently, showed my dad some property listings in northern AL (I have a friend who is looking to relocate there) and now he and my mom are very interested in relocating there.

They are tired of living in Florida with hurricane threats and the problems with home owners' insurance and out of control property values. Since they are retired they're looking for a quieter area with more scenery and a bit lower cost of living and no direct threat from hurricanes. N. AL fits that bill pretty well.

Here's the part where I loose my sanity and ask for prayers for discernment. The area they are looking at is a pretty decent area for technical jobs (jobs like my husband has). If my parents move out of state there isn't anything keeping me here in FL (they are the reason we stay). In fact I'd want to live closer to them. So my dad has this crazy idea that he'll buy two houses (for about the cost of one really nice house here in the current real estate market) and sell us one of them on an owner finance. He doesn't plan on having us make house payments until Tom has a job there in AL. We'd probably realize about $25,000 off the sale of our house here so we'd have some cushion for bills and the like.

But I have to admit that I am more than a touch scared at the idea of selling our home and moving to a new place. Not to mention the idea of Tom having to find a new job.

So prayers for discernment on what to do about moving would be greatly appreciated ... especially given that I am leaving tomorrow to go to AL with my dad to do some looking around at real estate. Neither my mom or Tom can get off work so dad and I (and Bree) are going to scout things out and to see if it looks a promising in person as it does in pictures.

Thanks!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Carole

You really are in the thick of it.

All I can say is - prayers for a safe trip , prayers that in fact things turn out well and


The best of Luck

Thank you!

Prayers are so welcome and appreciated. I feel like I'm spinning here. I have to get the kitchen cleaned, do the vacuuming, do laundry and pack. Oh boy!

A saying used in our family may help

"When in danger ,
When in doubt,
Run in circles
Scream and shout "

I do find it helps

Carole,

I'll pray for you. But, I don't have any good advice for you except for pray, pray, pray!

God Bless You,

Dr. Eric

That is, of course, the best possible advice in all cases!

Hi,

I'd suggest not committing to any course of action until Tom has a few firm leads for a new job in the area.

Shalom,
Memo

Carole:

I'd take Memo's advice one step further. I wouldn't make any commitments until your husband has gone there, found a job, and is ready to provide support while you move there and look for a job for yourself.

My advice is to never give up one job until you've got another in hand. It's always easier to move from job to job when you are employed, but it's very hard to explain to an employer that you have nothing and want back into the system. My daughter's best friend quit a job to see if he could make it in business on his own. The business hasn't taken off and he's having one terrible time getting back into the regular work force. Every employer wants to know what he's been doing with himself for the last half year when he can't show anything productive with this business he claims he has.

BOB

Advice noted (from both Bob and Memo). Except for the part of finding a job for me. I am a stay-at-home and homeschooling mom. I do not work outside the home. So my job goes with me where ever I go.

At this point we're not doing anything concrete. Just taking a trip to see the area in person and check out the real estate market first hand.

Though we've found one problem (he's sent out some resumes) is that while some employers hesitate to hire someone who is not currently employed, many silimarly hesitate to hire someone who lives 10 hours away from their location and who still owns a home in the old area. It can tend to be a catch-22.

A difficult and stressful situation all the way around.

Carole:

You're half-way there. A little creative explanation as to why your husband wants to relocate is in order. A simple explanation that you wish to relocate to be out of the hurricane activity; that your family is retiring and relocating to the new area and you want to stay together; . . .(?)--fill in with your own creativity.

That you don't have to look for employment should then be a plus.

Additionally, the fact that you would already have a domicile should be a positive. After all, you would stress that while the old place was being listed with a realtor there would be no reason for your husband to need to make frequent trips about the palce until closing.

BOB

Carole: The really wonderful thing would be to live in the vicinity of Birmingham which has an awesome Melkite Church (St. George) and of course EWTN. The monastery is in Hanceville, further north, but these are certainly two great spiritual centers. I wouldn't mind living there myself!

Thanks Bob! You make good points about having reasons for wanting to relocate. Probably sounds better and more convincing than "Cause we thought it would be neat."

Carole, from a fellow Floridian who can relate all too well to the wish to get out of this market and this climate, I will chime in with the others who advise against a sudden move.
I teach high school immigrants the following fact about life in this country: it is statistically almost impossible to drop into poverty here if you do three things:
1. finish high school
2. stay married
3. never quit a job - no matter how humble it is- before you have another one to go to!

Carole,

One thought, the closest Eastern Rite Church to Huntsville (assuming that is the area under consideration because you said technical) is a Melkite Church in Birmingham. Birmingham is about 2 to 3 hours south of Huntsville. Not something you would want to do on a Sunday morning.

Carole,

Not to worry. God takes care of those who trust in Him.

Lemko