02 June 2008

Colorado?!?!?!?!

Warning: this post is completely unrelated to anything having to do with training, working out, weight loss, triathlons, running, or anything remotely related to those topics.

It's funny how things happen. I would say for the past 2 or 3 years I've been feeling really unsettled. I could not put my finger on it. I knew something in my life needed to change I just couldn't figure out exactly what it was. I moved, that helped some but wasn't it. I did triathlons, I didn't do triathlons, that wasn't it. I did marathons, I didn't do marathons, that wasn't it. I got more pets, that wasn't it. I really haven't been able to figure out what's wrong. I'm happy, kind of, but not as happy as I think I should be. It's been on my mind for quite a while now. Then this weekend it all became clear.

I was talking to a friend who is going on vacation. She was telling me that every time she goes on vacation it's harder and harder to come back here. There are lots of issues living in Hawaii that you just don't completely understand until you live here. As we were discussing these various issues I said, 'yeah, I think I'm done with Hawaii.' That sentence stopped me cold because that's what's been bothering me for the last few years. I'm done with Hawaii. I literally felt like a light bulb went on over my head.

I then had very similar conversations with 2 other friends over the weekend. And the more I thought about it the more I realized how true it was. I am totally done with Hawaii. I've lived here 18 years and I really have done it all. We lived in a house on the beach for 13 years. I hiked almost every trail on the island of Oahu. I've hiked Kauai. I've lived on a fishing boat out in the ocean. I've owned my own business. I know almost every area of Oahu fairly well. It's time to move on. Time for some new challenges and adventures. Time for a change.

Unfortunately this realization made me kind of sad. I thought there was no way that my husband, who was born here, would ever leave here. Then last night at a party we went to we got talking to some folks who are moving to Colorado. Hubby said he would love to live in Colorado. I was floored and hoped it wasn't the alcohol talking. On the way home I asked him repeatedly if he was serious and he kept assuring me he was. I asked him again this morning and again he said he was serious. He lived in Colorado for 2 years when he was younger and really loved it there. Also, he loves to ski. So it looks like we'll be moving to Colorado.

It's not going to happen tomorrow. We have 2 geriatric dogs who are literally on their last legs. I will not subject them to the stress of moving plus the cold of Colorado. They are Hawaiian dogs, they wouldn't be able to take the cold. But I'm thinking within the next 1-2 years we'll be in Colorado. I'm very excited. I think it will be just what I'm looking for. We will be able to afford a little land there. I'd like to have a decent vegetable garden and maybe some chickens. I'd also like to get more birds. I want to not have 9-5 job. I want to find ways to stay at home and make money, maybe only work part time. Moving to an area that is not one of the most expensive in the country allows for a lot more opportunities, in a lot of ways, then living here does. Also, we'll be able to see our kids more often and they can come visit us. My daughter can't afford to bring 2 kids, her, and her husband to Hawaii. It's too expensive for a young family. So yes, I'm excited.

We are just moving into the initial stages of planning this move. One of the first things we need to decide is where to live. Colorado is a pretty big state and I've only ever been to Denver. We'll probably take a trip out later in the summer and look around. But right now I need input from the blogosphere. I know many of you live in or around Colorado. What do you recommend?? What are nice areas without breaking the bank?? Where is there good skiing in winter and golfing in summer?? Tell me, tell me.......

2 comments:

Anna said...

I know NOTHING of Colorado, but I did want to say, Wow!!! I'm SO excited for you!! I hear it's an awesome state to live in!

Michelle said...

Ch, ch, ch, changes. Congrats on bravely facing the future.

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