BIG changes!

"Any change, even a change for the better, is accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts." 
~ Arnold Bennett

Change has always been difficult for me.  The above quote really sums it up.  Even if it is for the good it can still be uncomfortable to change.

So here's the big news folks:  I am leaving my job at Chickasha Chiropractic Clinic and going on the road with Danny!  Back in November we traded in our Jeep for a pick-up.  This past Friday we signed the papers on a 2005 Keystone Montana 5th wheel RV!

While you collect your breath, let me explain a bit about Danny's job for those who don't know.  He is basically employed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW).  He is able to look at jobs around the country and pick where he wants to work based on pay scale, per Diem, etc.  He can also be called out for storms such as hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, etc.  Look at it like being an independent contractor.  When Danny and I met, in fact, he was working in Chickasha after an ice storm.
This sort of work offers a lot in the way of freedom but the drawback is time away from home and family.

During Hurricane Sandy, Danny was gone for almost 50 days.  He was home almost a week during Thanksgiving then he went back to New Jersey.  That's a lot of time apart.

We had been discussing doing this for quite awhile but the time away during Hurricane Sandy sealed the deal for me.

Danny and I have been together for almost three years.  Over these years, I have learned a lot about the 'line life.'  There are many, many wives who go with their husbands on the road.  It's called 'tramping' (insert giggles here).  Some rent houses, some stay in hotels but the majority of them have RV's.  It's the best way to have a home away from home.  More than likely, where ever we are, there will be other linemen and their wives in the same RV park.  It's a pretty tight little network of people!

I'd like to address some of the concerns people have had when we tell them what we're doing:

1.  Our house.  No, we're not selling our house.  We are going to come home periodically.  If there happens to be work around Chickasha we'll come back home and work awhile.  I plan on coming back every four to six months to check on things and see my niece and nephews and the rest of the family.  We have re-activated our ADT alarm system so the house will be secure.  We will also have people checking on things for us while we're away.  We are getting a PO box for our mail which someone will check for us once a week.

2.  Our pets.  We will be finding new homes for our fur babies.  This has also been a tough decision.  My Mom has lost her kitties so she's going to take Mia.  As for our dogs, we have a few people in mind but no firm decisions yet.  If we are unable to find good homes for them we will take them both with us.  Shilo and Val mean too much to us to give to just anybody!  Trust me when I say we are going to be extremely selective when it comes to finding them new homes and it will most likely be with a family member or friend.

3.  My health insurance.  I will be getting my own policy.  Whenever Danny and I get married I'll be on his insurance.

We let our families know what we were considering doing quite awhile back.  They have all been very supportive about our decision.

Last Thursday evening after work I told my co-worker of 12 years, Bonny, that I was resigning my position.  This has been the hardest part so far.  Bonny is like family to me and we have grown very close.  When I took this job back in February of 2001 I never dreamed it would lead me to a friend like Bonny.
I know this is not an easy pill for her to swallow but, as she does in most all situations, she carries on with dignity and grace.  Things have been easier for me since I told her.  It was like a little black cloud hanging over my head knowing I was hiding something from my best friend.

We hope to be on the road in approximately two months.  I hope to slowly step away from my duties at the office rather than giving a two week notice.  I feel like this is the very least I can do for two ladies who have meant so much to me and my family over the last 12 years!

I know some of you out there are going to be excited for us and some of you are going to think we've completely lost our minds.  Just know this:  we came to this decision after much thought and consideration.  Danny has not talked me into anything or pressured me in any way.  This man would take a bullet for me and there is no way in hell he would let anything bad happen to me!  He is so excited that I'm going with him!  We both are!

The bottom line is we are tired of being apart and we don't have to be.  We are looking at this like an adventure.  I know it's not always going to be fun and games.  I am going to have to find things to keep myself busy.  I will still have my Scentsy business and I might look into some volunteer opportunities wherever we are.

I hope you can be excited for us as we set out on this new chapter in our lives.  Keep checking this blog and Facebook for updates on our travels!

Cheers!
Shayla