Thursday, July 14, 2011

Uptown Update

I'm back! When we picked the kids up, there were no police officers or social workers waiting for us so I'm guessing that went well. Or they didn't want to delay our leaving because they were exhausted after 3 nights with my boys.

The interview went okay. The manager was leaving for vacation in 2 hours and seemed preoccupied. It was part 1 of a 3 part process and he took his personal information to begin a background check and there will be a phone interview with some other department when he returns. I'm fairly confident that they want to hire Mr. Ashley but until we get an offer that involves numbers we don't know what will happen with moving.

But, I love Charlotte, NC. I thought the job would probably take us there and I would learn to adapt. Now I'm thinking we will find a way to take us there and the job may adapt. If this situation doesn't work out, we will work towards finding one that will because I really, truly loved it there. I loved the hills, I loved the trees, I loved the neighborhoods and I really, really, really, really loved the city. The part I thought I would like least is absolutely the part I liked most. It was beautiful. It felt clean, smart, safe, calm and fun. Driving wasn't scary. Even the homeless people were nice. I have pictures but they don't want to upload, so maybe later. (Pictures of the city, not the homeless people.)

On the drive home I was so thrilled that we had explored the area; suddenly my home town was shining a little less bright. Stupid pointy palm trees, wet hot weather all day and night, flat landscape, small town with nothing to do, boring one story houses. Blah.

But then I got home. I went to the beach with old friends. I had an amazing summer day with people I really enjoy being around. I dug my feet down in the soft white sand and floated around in the warm Gulf water. I went home and napped during the every day afternoon rain. I do kind of like the stupid pointy palm trees.

I think we're still moving though and I know we will love it. I think the boys will have more opportunities there and I think our overall quality of life would improve. If it's with this job, we would be there at the end of September. If it's not with this job, I'd prefer to wait until the end of the school year and get in one more year of beach time and crazy neighbors and old friends.

Because this is nice too:


11 comments:

Cindy said...

Glad to hear your good update! Love the photos. Seems like everywhere I turn, I keep hearing about Charlotte. Am I meant to leave the midwest and move there? Probably not, but it's a romantic notion. :)

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

Little kid is looking so big these days! Adorable.

Jesse said...

So glad you liked it and have such a positive attitude! I hope you get exactly what you want!!!

Amy and Scott said...

I didn't want to say anything until you went, because I've never lived exactly there permanently, but I LOVE CHARLOTTE! I lived close to there to work at a YMCA summer camp (Thunderbird) and those summers may have been the best memories of my youth! Good luck and I know the right thing will happen!

Amanda said...

So glad you like it here and I will have a new anti-social neighbor :o)

Unknown said...

Amanda, I LOVED you and your mom's neighborhoods SO SO MUCH. When it comes down to it, I think I want to search there first, then Ft. Mill and then Ballantyne--those are the 3 spots we loved the most. Your area made me feel like it could be "home". Now if I could only find a rental there and/or a non-lazy realtor! ;-)

Cindy, let's all relocate to Charlotte!

Mitch said...

I miss the beach too...but I'm glad you see why I love it here! Move here, everyone, and we'll have a Closet party!

Unknown said...

Mitch, it was so great to see you! I had a blast at the comedy club, that was a funny night all around. You living there definitely makes the idea even easier. :-)

Lisalu said...

That is so great to have an opportunity - or to make an opportunity! - that excites you! What an adventure for all of you! And if you go, you'll get juuust a taste of winter...not enough to make you avoid the freezer aisle of the grocery store in the summer because it reminds you of the eight months of winter we get here in MN!

Sherri said...

Glad you loved it! Hooray! It is definitely a growing city! I remember when I moved here my father was talking about what a SMALL city Charlotte was...now it is bigger than where he lived at the time. Ha!

Polka Dots & Protein Bars said...

So I've been quietly and creepily reading your blog for what seems like ages but never felt like I had anything comment-worthy to add other than "Hahaha," but I live just outside Uptown Charlotte in the Myers Park/Dilworth area. I'm 24 now and have been in Charlotte for 15 years... I LOVE it. If I can offer any advice or recommendations of the area, I'd be more than happy to!