Pins and needles again!! Keeping fingers crossed for you.

No news yet, MomDD? Hope you are feeling okay.

yes...we received word today - will share soon.

Is there a "fingers crossed" emoticon??

Thanks for all the well wishes and good thoughts. He was offered the job and accepted it today. We have talked to our girls and will be making a trip to Dallas asap. I am in a bit of shock I think.

oh. Or is it OH!?

A job offer!! Yay! Those are big, happy words in this economy. Heck, just landing an interview seems to be a feat these days.

I know your head must be spinning...want ya to know that I'm thinking of you! I know your mind must be spinning but how are you feeling w/ the gb?

Ignore the repeated stuff...it's 2.30am and I'm delirious.

A new adventure happening MomDD, as long as you have your health and family with you it doesn't really matter where you live. The most stressful part will be the packing up for the shift, and settling your DD into school. You did mention your son, DIL and granddaughter are planning on shifting too so that would be a bonus. Wishing you and your family all the best in a new chapter of your life.

Best wishes to you and your family, Dawn!

MomDDTravel, I just want to wish you all well. I can imagine the flood of emotions. For me, these things take a long time to digest and absorb. Twenty years ago when we moved from MD to TX I didn't have the ability to trust, see the bigger picture. With the latest changes we're going through because of dh's job I've been working very hard to trust this is happening for reason. That move years ago wasn't something I wanted but I see now it was exactly what I needed. My heart and prayers are with you and your family. It's not easy but I know you have a lot of love and support in your family and friends. ((F))

I knew he'd get it. Time never seems to be the enemy when dealing w/ the interviewing process.

Breathe, Dawn, Breathe.

((f))

You just moved house, didn't you?

Good luck with this one. You'll probably end up making most of the arrangements for it, especially if your husband leaves first. One of the best things I ever did when we moved from one town to another was hire a << moving assistant>>. Although it was summer term and i was not working every day (not teaching) our family life still had to be attended to and I needed someone to delegate some of the details to. I hired one of the grad students in our dept, a young man who was terribly organized, knew his way around town, and could lift things (smile). He didn't do the packing or moving, but it was amazing how many boxes he took to the Goodwill bin or to other people's homes. Frequently people would say yes, i would like that bicycle, for example, but then not come to collect it. He made the donation/ delivery run almost daily before the removal men came to pack, and consequently we did not take things with us that had to be sorted, stored or disposed of when we got to our new town (much more difficult when you don't know the area, so you end up keeping it all).

I paid him $11 hourly wage in cash, riches to him as he often worked 7 or 8 hours in a day. He worked on and off for a few months, sometimes an entire week straight through. He was able to research soccer programs for our boy and give me the printouts or websites. He found a vet, made arrangements to kennel the dogs for the 3 packing days and took them and later picked them up, he emptied the fridge, took our kids to their sports and friends when i was busy with arrangemeents, et cetera. It was great to be able to order Chinese and have him go pick it up for dinner.

Having him as my assistant during a complicated move (emotionally and logistically) was money well spent. If you go this route get someone intelligent and strong. Otherwise you'll end up teaching him basic household management that wont help you. A boy who can shift boxes (and you will have many to deal with before you even pack)will save your back and prevent a possible injury that could ruin the move.

WELCOME TO NORTH TEXAS!!!!! It's hot right now, so be prepared. Good luck with the move and hope things go well.

Several Fodorites are in the area, so perhaps we can have a mini-GTG when you're settled in. I know Sarge56 is in the area and I think NTXtravelpro too.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I forgot to add:

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I asked a local contact for info about schools.

congrats on the job, MomDD!!

I wish you and your family the best - try to work out a great relocation package if you can. (I know the economy has changed since we moved, but we had top of the line and it was fantastic.) Bargain for what you can, though. Our relo package was worth about $40,000 which was considered income and taxable - don't know if the tax laws are the same today, but keep that in mind.

Anyway, wishing you the best!

Since I have not had time to spend much time on Fodor's lately, it took me awhile to get through this thread, but I read it and my heart would pound with anticipation wondering if he would get the job! As far as getting the job: YAY!! And Congratulations!!! As far as moving: UGH! I don't envy you with that, I can't imagine having to pick up and move myself & furniture, let alone family, the change in schools, church, weather... But, if anyone can adjust to such a big move, I know it's you!! You will handle it all just fine!! And, if your grandchild ends up in TX too, then all the more fun!

I love TX, it's hot, but I don't think it's quite as humid as here in KS. Your girls will now be able to experience real seasons, as it has been known to snow in Dallas area.

Good luck on your trip there, I hope & pray the housing search and everything else you experience your first time there goes well. Just don't let yourself get too overwhelmed & stressed, stay calm. {{{{Dawn}}}}}

Thanks everyone. I may start a new thread on doing a large move like this - as we have never done one -

STW - glad YOU knew he was going to get an offer...I really did not. :)

I really (cannot stress this enough) appreciate all the input and the emails -

It is happening very fast - and yes, dh is going to most likely be there ahead of us. I still have to have gallbladder surgery -sooner "than" later - or is it "then" later?? :)

We will be leaving soon with our daughters to look at houses. Telling them did NOT go well - AT ALL. Any advice on making this as easy as possible is welcomed.

I saw it is going to be triple digits. Lordie.

Soogies - good advice on the relocation package - dh's new company has been very generous so that is wonderful.

Anyone want to rent a lovely home on a golf course in Orange County :((

As Nelosian mentioned, I just keep focusing on being healthy and being together. I just pray my son (who is super excited?) and his wife follow - and quickly.

Trickiewoo - yes, we JUST moved. I have not even finished hanging photos.

Congratulations to your DH on getting the job!! What a relief to your family.

Good luck with all the details of moving and getting settled in a new home, church, school, job, etc.

Welcome to Texas!

Congratulations Dawn! Each time this thread has been topped I've held my breath for you. I know you have very mixed emotions about the entire moving thing, and with good cause, but truly, it usually all does work out. It will do wonders for you just having the stress of the job search gone, once you've completed the move.

I think you will be absolutely astounded at housing prices there. Remember...Plano West or Plano for high schools (they are grades 11/12 only). I'm very very happy for you, though I fully understand your hating to leave an area that has been home for a long time. We've done it too (in our case, we were leaving Plano) and it is tough, no doubt about it. Congratulations again...isn't it heaven having the search over!!

Thank you! OO - I do have a question for you - I will be asking others but if you can email me Dawn Noel M @ g mail dot com - if you had a good derm in that area???

Thanks for the welcome Swisshiker!!

I am trusting that all will be well.

Congrats and best of luck to your family!

I don't envy you moving with high-school age daughters...oh my.

We haven't done a long-distance move in 19 years so I'm afraid I don't have any tips other than to perhaps look for a house with a pool (unless you currently have one) as that might ease the transition, both daughter-wise and climate-wise!

My parents tried moving us from CT to Florida when I was in middle school. It never transpired and I was devastated, but the one thing that helped was they involved my brother and me in the house search. We got to say what we liked/disliked about each house and were on all the tours. That made me feel like I had some input into the situation. Good luck and congrats!

Skiergirl - at first we were not going to bring them - but decided yesterday to bring them with us on the first trip. One - after receiving the news - we did not want to leave them here - and two we wanted to do exactly what you said - have them have some input. Middle school moves stink :(

Congrats to your husband!!! He must be feeling very good about himself right now after some difficult times!

I envy you in some ways, a move is such an opportunity to re invent your life, and for new adventure! I am sorry about your daughters, though. And though I live in Orange County, I'm not a native and would welcome a move, have never loved it here...

Good luck with your move, Dawn!

Good plan to bring them with you and let them be part of the excitement of moving. We did exactly that when we moved to Austin (from Orange County) 15 years ago. I remember each of them having a say in which bedroom/bathroom they wanted, which house they liked because of this or that, even the particular neighborhood. At their young age at the time (12 & 14), their perspective on things was amazing. Plus they could brag to their friends about their new home!

hmmmm...just posted something, I thought, but it disappeared. maybe it will show up sometime??

Anyway, I just wanted to say that it's a good call to bring the kids. We did the same thing when we moved to Austin from Orange County 15 years ago. Our kids were 12 & 14 at the time, and it was amazing to see their perspective on things: which bedroom/bathroom they wanted, even the particular neighborhood, what they did/didn't like about certain houses. Plus they could then brag to their friends about their new home. Added much to the excitement and greatly eased their anxiety.

oh well, I knew that would happen. oh well.

Good luck, Dawn!

Good luck Dawn.

I am so amazed by your courage: to go through so many medical things at once, and to move to new doctors, wow.

Do your son and DIL want to move to Texas, also?

Congrats Dawn! What a whirlwind

Finding a home & moving girls to a new town is quite a task. I cant help with the 2nd(thats Mrs Franks job- I would just let them scream 'I hate Plano' and lock themselves in their room for the evening) but the first I know a little about moving many times. The OC housing market is pretty simple to understand, location location location. The quality variable seems less important in OC( 75 degrees everyday, you dont need brick and Pella windows), but is a huge variable where you are going. Its not just looking at curb appeal, age , sq ft and comps, you will really need to dig deep to make sure you are buying a quality home. I would keep the idea of renting for the first yr as an option.

Dawn--Kids are never happy about a move, but don't stress too much about middle schoolers(or even high schoolers). When DH retired from the military, DD was in middle school. She cried once, the day we told her. Of course she was sad for a bit as she loved her life in our old town. But, she settled in here very quickly and found some great friends the first week. A few of those are still her best friends here, 6 years later. And, she is still very close to her friends in WA. I moved in the middle of high school. Same thing. So don't think that middle school moves have to suck;)

Dawn, I am so excited you are going to be my distant neighbor! :) Can't wait for our first GTG.

You know I am here if you need me! Have you considered renting a house for six months or a year before settling on one to buy? It is very difficult to look and buy on such short notice. I would consider renting until you had more time to look.

I'm afraid there is some kind of stalled front over North Texas and it was 106 degrees today! :( But it will eventually get better. :) Just wear loose, light clothing; drink plenty of water; stay indoors as much as possible; always park in the shade, no matter how far you have to walk to where you are going. hahah

I suggest to "acclimate" the girls, you take them to one of the incredible malls in North Dallas area. The Galleria is one. And Stonebriar in Frisco is another. This will always help teenage girls adjust to a new area. :) (I know-I raised two of them)

Also, take them by the high schools. Marching bands will be out rehearsing in the mornings. (Too hot by afternoon.) We take our football, our marching bands and our cheerleading quite seriously. :) (I believe the National Cheerleading Championships are held in Dallas every year. If not every year, very often.)

And PLEASE do call me so we can do lunch or dinner or wine. :)

Congrats to SO and here's to a new adventure for all of you! Welcome to Texas!

well here we are in 106 degree weather. I have to say thank you so much to all the well wishes. It has been HOT.

We have powered through many areas and houses in the last 2 days and more to come tomorrow. We might extend our stay by a few days... it is REALLY overwhelming and there is just no way we can decide right now.

I have a feeling after looking over the last days that unless something grabs us - we will be leasing for that first year.

We have been to Prosper, McKinney, Frisco, Lucas, Parker... and Plano - I think we have decided that Plano would be the best fit for us for this season of our life. As much as dh was getting excited about the 2 - 5 acres out in the out lying areas... well, I just do not want to be way out there while he is traveling up to 50 percent of the time with his job.

I appreciate the feedback on the moving and schooling - we went by a cheer place today and she was warmly welcomed and may try out tomorrow.

Our older dd is not happy and I have a feeling she is thinking she does not want to move with us. She has the option of staying in OC unfortunately with her bio Mom and I do understand that might happen. I really am sad and distraught over that. We are very close - and I started dating my dh when she was 14 months old. I raised her much of the time and now this is ripping my heart out.

To those that asked if my son and DIL are coming - they want to - but I am not sure what will happen with that. Obviously I would love that. After seeing Plano I think they would like it here.

My head is spinning still to say the least.

WOW, congrats Dawn. I have been in TX for the last two weeks and didn't look in on Fodors, too much visiting going on.

I got the tour in McKinney where my bff lives with her family. They live in the historic district. We went downtown to have a bellini and loved the town, so quaint and the people are so nice. I really liked the house prices. Pretty amazing. Beware of the property taxes, they can get quite high since they don't have income tax, I was told.

My trip to Dallas was great, but quite hot. I also moved my son into his first apt. which was hard to do in the heat, but we managed. He lives by SMU.

I think, after this trip, we are going to try to move over there within the next two years. I love the place, my family is there, the people are so nice and the pace is a little slower. Love the food, the shopping and the ease of everything.

Your children will warm up to it. Change is hard at those ages. Good luck getting it all figured out.

Btw, take the girls to North Park and eat lunch at the Mermaid Cafe in Neiman Marcus. It has been one of my regular spots for quite a while, like 40 years. Their soup and sandwhiches are the best. Great desserts too.

MOM, forgot to tell you, in the Aug D Magazine is a detailed article on Dallas private schools, if you are cosidering that direction. Looks like a helpful article.

Glad you're settling in well, MomDDTravel, and that the Collin county experience is exceeding your expectations.

The DFW area was said to have the greatest increae in population last year among the 350 USA metros, so that is a testament to its desirability. Vast numbers of its new citizens are from Southern California. And the metro population between 6 and 7 million means that there is a market for virtually any taste or interest.

If you're settled in the Plano area, you might want to visit some "lifestyle centers", places with an urban walkable pedestrian bent, life, activity, within walking distance. I'd suggest the Watters Creek center, Firewheel over toward Garland, the Shops at Allen, or most of all, Legacy Town Center.

Don't worry about the weather. The temps we're seeing this summer are atypically high, just as is the entire eastern seaboard. More typical summer weather patterns are between 75 and 95, with low humidity levels in the afternoons.

BTW, I guess that other poster failed to convince you to move to Europe instead of North Texas.

traveler friend - No need to visit Europe!

Texas has its own: ** Paris, Italy, Germany and Holland, to name a few! :D


** small towns in Texas

Well, I am here. Sitting in my hotel room. someone had started another thread and I did not want to keep writing about myself (I know eye roll! I promise, even *I* am sick of me - trust me).

But did want to say, I landed in DFW last Wed morning. I am not really liking it thus far but it is WAY too soon to make a call. Let's just say it has been much harder than I anticipated. Part of the issue is a problem tenant in CA that is complicating things - not getting my moving truck on the 1rst. Being in close tight quarters with a 13 year old, my husband, dog and cat for the last week.

My daughter is doing as well as possible. I am VERY proud of her and how hard she is trying and adjusting in such a short time. She is not a pollyanna but dealing it all VERY well.

It has not been too hot - the rental house is very nice. Everyone at my daughter's school has been very nice. Our landlords are very nice at the rental, people in Dallas are very nice... we enjoyed the first church we went to last Sunday.

It is so odd not to know anyone. Very humbling on many levels, in many different ways.

I have cried a barrel of tears but am thankful for so much and will keep my eyes on that instead of missing my beautiful granddaughter so much.

MomDD, you are doing great!

Take a minute and do something for yourself. Not something big and flashy, but something small that you enjoy. Make your favorite cookies, sit and write a letter to your granddaughter, write a note to your dd telling her how proud of her you are, sit and watch the birds and drink a cup of your favorite tea. Don't get overwhelmed by it... one day at a time.

: )

MomDDTravel,

Just to help ease your pain...

The SoCal burger chain In-N-Out is expanding into the Dallas area.

Hope that helps.