Things I'll Miss About South Texas, Part I

I tend to be one of those "grass is always greener" folks. Not a pretty trait, I know. I have destination addiction, according to one of Oprah's former guests - always believing you'll be TRULY happy WHEN this or that thing happens. In my case, it's been a case of geography. I couldn't wait to get out of the small town where I grew up, then I was dying to leave WV altogether after teaching there for a few years. Of course, South TX didn't suit me that well, either. In all cases, however, I have been struck with a major nostalgia bug when it has been almost time to depart, and South TX has been no different. Lately, in true Mary Kathryn fashion, I've been thinking a lot about people and places I [we] will truly miss when we relocate. I plan to highlight each one here, in no particular order. Here is my first installment in the Things I'll Miss About South Texas series. Enjoy, and please do chime in with thoughts if you, too, have any destination addiction issues.

The Trail on 2nd Street in McAllen:
A beautifully-landscaped, lush, miles-long, wide, curvy trail that is - BONUS - pet-friendly (note the puppy water fountain). Our family has spent a lot of time here with aspirations of getting in shape.

Heard the Duck Toy song?

This song was MADE for Dora. She adores squeaky tennis balls. Here is her initial take on the masterpiece (she plans to download it to her Ipod ASAP).

Momentary Lapse of Reason

As it turns out, the "on paper" deal for staying in Texas ended up being a little different than what we were first told. Mercury was in line with Venus today or something, because the fates were definitely trying their damndest to get us up to SC. There was the news of the TX job specifics, it was 104 degrees outside (note to Mother Nature: it's APRIL, not AUGUST), and Jon got a nice letter from the SC principal in today's mail. So, (drumroll, please...................)


South Carolina is a DONE DEAL. All we have to do now is sell this house, find a new place to live in SC, search the daycare scene, move two dogs and a 1-year-old across the country, and find MK a job (part-time, hopefully). No problem, right?

Diez Meses de Viejo

Andrew was 10 months old WILD yesterday. He's plugging along quite nicely, with an occasional speed bump in the "going to sleep in his room" department. We read that his reluctance is probably due to new separation anxiety, teething, or night terrors. Anyway, you bloggers have seen most of his interesting photos lately, so I have nothing new to contribute to Shutterfly for a couple of days. I do, however, give you:

Clothesbasket Sailing (he climbs in there all the time and we drag him around)


Adventures in Utensil Use (the kid eats in just a diaper now - the only way to go once they practice feeding themselves)




BTW - No definite word yet on the big job decision. By the end of the week, for sure.

Pros and Cons

We have talked about moving options at length for the past two days. (If we DO stick around, it will only be for 2 or 3 more years. We have been here 3 already.) Our latest exercise has been a list and scoring of the pros and cons for living in TX or SC, and so far we really don't seem to be leaning one way or the other. Do us the favor of objectively responding to our poll after considering the list of pros for living in:

Texas

• MK gets to stay home with Andrew full-time


• Physically, it's easier (no housing market woes, the job and geographical situation are now familiar, no multi-$$$ move across the country)


• Financial security - being able to save a few pennies


• South Padre Island, trips into Mexico
  

South Carolina

• Living within a culture that is more familiar to us


• One day's drive away from friends/family (as opposed to a day full of flights)


• More temperate climate


• Honoring verbal agreements with new employer (and thus not burning bridges)

Major Decision Ahead

OKAY.... so we were all set in our plans to move North, and then Jon's boss offers him a MAJOR raise to stay put. Very flattering, if you ask me. Hidalgo knows what it has. It would mean me being able to stay comfortably home with Andrew for another year or two and is quite tempting. We are hashing it over this weekend and will have something figured out by Tuesday, I'd say. I guess the great thing [we take for granted] about being Americans is that we HAVE such choices before us.

Hijinx and House Showings

One good thing about house showings is that we take otherwise unnecessary trips to the park:

And, here is our [cute boy?] messing around in his play yard: Play Yard Hijinx