Party’s Over?
Jan 28 2010
We had a wonderful 2 months in CA and AZ, where our primary mission was to spend time with our families. My family is in AZ, and we enjoyed desert weather and swimming in my dad’s 90 degree pool in his townhouse retirement community (it is always set to 90 degrees, slightly cooler that the temperature his fellow residents get when they see kids in their pool). MC’s (large) family is scattered around CA, but never fail to all aggregate for holidays and parties! Being stationed overseas for 8 years was glorious, but we missed so many family gatherings. It was terrific to spend time with family—and enjoy the parties.
With all this family time we were actually contemplating calling California “home”—(I know what you’re thinking—too many people, too much traffic, too high of prices – I kept telling my wife that same thing). But then the call came. I had been sending out resumes to many Universities to continue my on-line teaching. Then, I got a call from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, offering me a full time position teaching Business Writing (the class I’ve been teaching part-time for UMUC the past 10 years) in their Professional Writing Program. (This offer is for face-to-face teaching, not on-line.) So…we pondered it a bit – Colorado is a beautiful state, and was on our “Top 10” list, but 20 driving hours from family members that we just reconnected with.
When weighing our pros and cons of the move, we realized that we were sitting at the same dining room table at my brother-in-law Dan’s house in Wilton, CA, that we were sitting at 16 months ago planning our “Wahls Across America” trip – talk about full circle (irony or sign from God?).
We broke the possibility to MC’s family, thinking they’d be heartbroken that we’d be moving 3 states away. But they were actually pleased, promising to visit often! My brother-in-law Dan, always full of sage advice, smiled and said “Party’s over, Tom, time to go to work!”
And with that, the Wandering Wahls are pondering (is it final?) “settling down”, and moving to the beautiful state of Colorado. But I assure you, the party is NOT over! Nor, the blog – I still have (mis)adventures to tell and new adventures about transitioning from military life to civilian life – from the perspectives of a retiree, her spouse, and their military brats (children) who have spent the majority of the past decade living overseas as a military family.
Sorry NY, We <3 CO now!
Tom & MC
Glad you will only be 1 state away from Arizona!! We can meet at the 4 corners – or should I say Wahl’s. You now Tom you are not the only one with a very very dry sense of humor. Of course mine is slightly drier from living in the desert. I am very happy for you on your latest adventure. When you have an address let me know what it is. (Of course if you don’t – I still won’t take the hint you don’t want to hear from me.).
I wish you many years of happiness in your new location.
Kris (the forgotten – never mentioned) Wahl.
@Kris – I see the typo: now vs. know! AS soon as we get the house, we’ll get you the address and the directions. Doesn’t all of Phoenix say, “yes, Kris has a sense of humor, but it’s a dry humor.”
I just wish you were moving closer to Florida but then again you have a place to visit when the cold wintery weather gets to your old bones!
But now I have more friends that will be in Colordo to come visit.
I just hope you are happy!
Hi Tom!
It’s your cousin Diane – from your mom’s sister’s side. I live in Georgia now where I’m a teacher. Colorado is so much more beautiful than hot humid Georgia. I enjoyed reading about you and your family’s RV trip around the country – what a fantastic experience! That is something I would really enjoy doing. Good luck to you in your new home!! Diane
Hi Tom & MC:
I’m finally trying to master the computer so I’m saying hello & glad you chose CO. I moved there in 1947, met Hal (attending Denver U on GI Bill) & the rest is history. Have a great life.
Aunt R
rosemaryfg@yahoo.com