Tuesday, June 12, 2007

You take the good, you take the bad...

We are a few short weeks away from trading in this California paradise for the humidity, bugs, and snow that make the Midwest so charming. I am very excited to go, and am feeling very optimistic about the changes we are about to face. But in light of all these changes, I thought I'd make a little list to help make it easier to go (and because a girl can never have too many lists. I know, you get that I love lists. Tough.)

Things I will not miss when I leave California:
  • May Gray (the annoying phenomenon that occurs every year in which the sun does not come out for the entire month of May - and can sometimes stretch into what the locals call "June Gloom." Yes, I know you don't feel sorry for me, but still. Gray is gray, no matter what else you get all year long).
  • Having my kids bump the doors of the Bentley parked next to us at the grocery store (accidentally, of course) and then running like mad when the alarm goes off. (WHY spend that much money on a car? WHY? I just don't get it).
  • House hunting for tiny shoe-box houses that cost a million dollars.
  • Living in this rental condo.
  • Having no yard in which to send the children out to.
  • Govehnuh Ahnold on the t.v. commercials shouting exuberantly while flashing his big, toothy grin, "Welcome to Caleeeefohnya."
  • Living within the jurisdiction of the Governor Terminator. Seriously.
  • Hanging out with all the Spanish nannies at the park.
  • The ridiculously high gas prices (we're about the highest in the nation on average, and I just grit my teeth every time I fill up my big, gas-guzzling SUV).
  • The massive amount of money I spend on sunscreen (especially great given that the elementary school does not contain an indoor cafeteria. Something I never knew existed. The kids eat lunch outside. Every day. All year long.)
  • Picking my husband up at the airport late Friday night with sleepy kids in the backseat.
  • Dropping my husband off at the airport Sunday afternoon and counting the seconds until he's back again.

Things I will greatly miss here in Caleeeefohnya:

  • The beach (did I mention that we live about three minutes from the ocean? Did I? Sigh.)
  • All that lovely year-round sunshine (except for May and June obviously).
  • Sea World and The Zoo. Seriously just the best.
  • Cheap pedicures.
  • All the friends we've made.
  • Sbicca in Del Mar (one of my favorite restaurants here).
  • Outdoor shopping malls. Yes, in which you can walk and shop outside all year long. Yet another thing I never knew existed until we moved here.
  • Absolutely fantastic Mexican food.
  • In-N-Out Burger.
  • Fresh avocados at roadside farm stands (20 avocados for two bucks - I'm not kidding).
  • The beach.
  • Not shoveling snow all winter.
  • Not even owning a single snow boot, mitten, or winter hat. (Because I gleefully threw them all out when we left Boston).
  • Swimming in our outdoor pool in January. And loving it.
  • The beach.
  • The beach.
  • Calling our landlord when something breaks and letting it be THEIR problem.
  • Perfectly, gloriously, boring weather in which it is 75 every day and sunny (almost - curse that MAY GRAY).
  • The palm trees. I just never got over them. They are so cool.

We have made some wonderful memories. It's been a fantastic year and we will truly miss it here. But, adventure calls us elsewhere. Thanks for a great year Caleeeefohnya. WE'LL BE BACK (at least to visit, for sure).

13 comments:

anna jo said...

oh my goodness, twenty avocados for two dollars?! seriously? that would be pure heaven.

and you live three minutes from the ocean? seriously?! why did we not come out to visit sooner??? you are living my dream. good thing we'll be out there in two days! (I am so looking forward to this trip)

Bridget said...

Wow, have you really only lived there one year? I would kill to get 20 avocadoes for two bucks! We pay $2 each or $1.50 on sale.

kelly said...

you will be missed. and once again, we go back to be the only "family" in california. it was nice having some halverson blood here, even if we never saw you.

Scrapbooks by Amanda said...

Love your lists. I may need to do this in a few weeks as we are preparing to move to Oregon. Good luck with the move! When is the big day? Hope you have a safe trip.

Even though you will miss the beach, you will be so glad to have hubby around to help more!

Travelin'Oma said...

Are you the ones who dented up my Bentley?

Holly said...

I started singing the theme from The Facts of Life while I read your list.
I'm sure it will be hard to leave the beach, the 75 degree weather and the avocados! I hope the move goes as smoothly as possible and you can do a list of the perks for your new hometown soon.

Musings of a Housewife said...

You make me want to move to CA and never leave. I could deal with May Gray. After all, I've lived through 12 years of February/March/April Cold/Dismal/Dreary Drizzle. UGH! I'm glad you're excited about your next destination though!

Kimberly said...

What a great list! I too hate may gray, but luckily there was so much of it in May that we haven't had any in June! We should meet at the beach one day before you leave. You really shouldn't move during the summer when it is the most perfect time to go to the beach!

Unknown said...

Outdoor cafeterias? Now THAT is a trip! And all those avocados. My baby would have them eaten in a heartbeat!

My best friend is moving from Walnut to the lovely humidity of Houston next month and is going through the same withdrawals. Me? I'll just stick with the mountains, thanks. :-)

Annie said...

Isn't it funny how they try to give nasty things cute names "may gray" + "June gloom"? As if you would forget them so you need a nice rhyme to keep it memorable :). I have to second the envy over the avocado bounty. Yum.

Diane said...

I lived there for 17 years and never heard the term "May gray". Tennesseeans have their own little saying about the weather...they say, "If you don't like the weather today, just wait til tomorrow." The weather here is schizoid! And...do you know that Arnold has the nerve to advertise here about moving to Caleeeefohnya! GEEZ! You'll miss the fresh produce, the palm trees, the beach, the mild weather, and the great mexican food, but you'll be writing a blog about how fantastic your new hometown is before you know it. Plus you'll be within driving distance of Tennessee! Love ya!

Jake said...

Can't wait to hear all about your discoveries in MO!

Amy said...

I love how you can see the bright side of both sides of this move! You will make MO sound just as awesome as CA once you move there. Enjoy!