For those who do log on and don't know, Jim has been given (or earned??) a job in Perth. We move around Sept 1. From what I've heard, Perth is a beautiful, family friendly city on the other side of the country to all of our family and friends where I know nobody and know nothing about it other than the sun shines more than here. I'm sorry if I sound cynical or jaded, I'm suffering from Movers Fatigue. This is the longest that we have lived in one place since Jim started working and to be so close to all of our family, has been such a fortunate thing. But no matter how often I count my blessings, the fact that we have to leave is, well, distracting me. There are many positives regarding the move, but it's certainly not going to be easy. 8 weeks after we arrive I'm due to have my baby. Tom starts school in the New Year and Angus will be starting Kinder for the first time (although he has attended Daycare). So lots of changes and 'firsts' and no network whatsoever. I do not know one person that lives in Perth. Weeellll, I have met one, and she's lovely and welcoming, but I don't know her well, and she's lived in Perth for a while so has a circle of friends.
I'm not whingeing (well, I am), but as I said, it's just another move and this is my 8th since Uni. So I've been there before, done it all and I know in 6-8 months it will be fine, but starting out is always sooooo hard. I have never regretted a move, every one has produced some awesome life moments and memories and everywhere I've lived has given me 1 or 2 or 3 lifelong friends. So I don't imagine Perth will be so different, but for every new city and new opportunity, I have to leave one behind. And after being here for over 4 years, I have some absolutely beautiful friends, with gorgeous children, who appreciate champagne as much as I do and once again, I have built up a great network that I have to leave. A few more tears will be shed, photos taken and friendships promised, but I'm just sick of always the one to be doing the leaving.
It's time's like these that I think of the new starts I've already had:
Peoria: Chelsea inviting me to a Bunco night (exactly - for everyone who doesn't live/lived in the midwest, what the hell is Bunco?) A group of girls playing a board game while drinking wine or cocktails as the volume got louder and louder and the laughter heartier and heartier. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and they ended up being my lifesavers. Those nights in the early days, were the only things I had to look forward to and they were so much fun. A fantastic group of girls who knew how important it was to have time out from the day to day.
The other favourite Peoria memory was first meeting Kristen and Shelly at IVS Running Club. Shyly saying Hi to Shelly after seeing her twice a week for about 6 weeks and slowly building up conversation. Meeting Kristen and giving her my phone number in case she ever wanted to catch up for a coffee or a running buddy. I felt like I was asking her on a date! I was so bloody nervous she wouldn't like me. These girls ended up being some of my closest friends and I still miss them dearly.
Naperville: Going to a 'Newcomers Club' meeting against my better judgement and not really liking anyone but finding Jane and Sue. We all had baby's around the same age and were all very like minded. Once again, those girls and our catch ups and play dates were so important to me, saying goodbye 6 months later was so hard. And trying to tell these people how important they had become to me and putting into words how much I was going to miss them just never comes out right. And although I've had plenty of practice, I have to do it all again and I know I'm still not going to get it right. It just never gets easier.
I don't want to discount all the other friends I made while in these places, many a 'Cat' friend have remained friends and are very important to me and I know a few of you check in here, so Kylie, Bev, Caroline's (all 3 of you - Leicester, Belgium and VA(not a Cat wife)), you have all been very important parts of my different chapters, there is just too many to mention.
So my next post will probably be from Perth. We only have about 4 weeks until we move and it's getting rather hectic. To all my friends near and far, I want you to know that every chapter you have been a part of has been very important to me because the places come and go but the friends always remain. I love my emails, even if they are few and far between ( I completely understand the concept of busy these days), I love the facebook catch ups and I love the photos, especially of all our growing families.Will fill you in on all the new stories I will be experiencing as they happen, and I will try my hardest to go with the flow, but at the moment, I just want to lower that anchor.
And just to finish off, the obligatory photo of the boys with my cousin Chree, who visited from Brissie the other day. We had a ball.
