Goin to California with an achin in my heart...
Forums:
It's a bittersweet story.
My wife just scored a great new job in Livermore, California. She'll be heading out there within the month, and my son and I will follow in June. We are beyond excited to start a new adventure in the Bay Area.
The bitter has to do with our Moms. My wife's Mom relies on her for a lot of stuff, and this will definitely make some things more difficult for her, but she has other friends and family to help. She just knows Laura will always be there for her, so this hurts.
My Mom had a stroke in 2014. It affected her more cognitively than physically, but it definitely left a mark. I have been her primary support system for 4 years now. I do her shopping, take her to her appointments, manage her meds, etc. We are blessed in the sense that there is a lot of family in the area. My brother, his wife, and 3 of their adult children live in the area. My other brother and his wife are just a couple hours away. So she won't be left without anyone to care for her. It's just that she is a creature of habit. She hates change. This move will definitely throw her for a loop, but she will get by, and so will I. If it wasn't for this aspect of the move, I would be nothing but psyched for the move. This makes it tough, though.
Another great part of the move is that we have some of our oldest and dearest friends in the world already living in Livermore. We couldn't believe it as this new job search started to unfold that the one she loved, and they loved her, was where our great friends live. She interviewed with companies in Boston, Chicago, Tampa, Houston, Vancouver, and Seattle, and we end up in Livermore. How awesome. I get to make music with one of my favorite partners in music again!!
Anyways, the wheel is turnin. California, here we come.
- Log in to post comments
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: smiley
knockin on the golden door!
knockin on the golden door!
life is something else.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway
welcome to the east bay, bud!
welcome to the east bay, bud! let me know if you need anything or need any info.
my dad just went thru my grandparents end of life with all of us in CA and them across the country in CT. if you are looking for any advice on caring for elderly parents of their affairs hundreds of miles away, let me know and i will ask my dad.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
Thanks Daylight. I will
Thanks Daylight. I will definitely let you know if I need any advice on the long distance thing. The good news on that is that I know she will be well cared for. The bad news is that I know it will break her heart when I leave.
I am somewhat familiar with Livermore having visited there a number of times over the past 8 years or so. It will be new with a tinge of familiar.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
Best of luck, brother. LYK
Best of luck, brother. LYK next time we visit Da Boy (Oakland).
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Oh great, just what we need,
Oh great. Just what we need, more people in the Bay Area.
HA! Just kidding.
As for your mothers, that's hard. I just finished going through all of that with mine, but it sounds like you've got it covered and as you say, one way or another the wheel always keeps turning, so stay positive and make the best of it.
Welcome to the left side!!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
It's OK Lance. I like to
It's OK Lance. I like to take long showers, water my lawn and maintain a koi pond and some waterfall features on my property. I'll fit right in.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
Bluest...for sure. That
Bluest...for sure. That would be great.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
You have everything covered.
You have everything covered. Things with the folks will work out. Holy shit enjoy the adventure.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Schwadude, you have to like
Schwadude, you have to like long walks on the beach too.
Oh, and in the Bay Area you have to be tolerant and accepting of everyone.... who is just like you. Everyone else you get to righteously and openly despise.
It's pretty cool.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jack Fate
I'm in San Ramon and
I'm in San Ramon and Pleasanton. Any needed info or tips you may need about the area, feel free to ask!
You're going to love Livermore.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Franklin Page
My wife's old friend used to
My wife's old friend used to live in Livermore, it's a nice place. It was 105 one day we visited. Hopefully they will finish the BART out that way in the next 10 years
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Franklin Page
>>in the Bay Area you have to
>>in the Bay Area you have to be tolerant and accepting of everyone.... who is just like you. Everyone else you get to righteously and openly despise.
As a college educated white person, to me BY FAR the most annoying people in San Francisco are precious college educated white people. So there you go
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Schwa, I love the
Schwa, I love the relationship you've shown with your mom (on Fb). Hard to leave that, but much more so for her. I hope she will slide into the next best thing with your siblings and their families. And the same for Laura's mom...
It sounds like a great move to leave Ohio and come to the west. Congratulations to Laura. Enjoy! Perhaps if there's a Zoner gathering (JAM!) we'll get to meet.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Oaksterdam Dan
I spend allot of time in
I spend allot of time in Livermore at Lake Del Valle trout & striper fishing the crown jewel of East Bay Parks System. You can rent boats there for fishing or patio/bbq boats. Spent allot time in the 90's at The Hopyard Ale House "Pint Night".
Welcome to the "big traffic" on I-580 all the time everywhere. Lots of good music venues and good weather in the Bay Area to make up for all the bad traffic and drivers!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
Lance...I like Pina Coladas
Lance...I like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain...
Nugs, we're bringing our Kayaks and my canoe with us...and the trailer, I think. And yeah, I've experienced the traffic. Yin and yang.
Judit. The business Laura works for has an office in Portland that she will have to go to somewhat frequently. How far from Portland are you? Perhaps we could do lunch and see some sites one day if I tag along to Portland.
I would LOVE it if they got that BART all the way to Livermore. It's not a bad drive at all down to that stop, but still...
Thanks Shakey...I already love the area. We've eaten at a bunch of restaurants in downtown and surrounding areas, hit a bunch of wineries, played golf...Livermore is nice. I LOVE that I am within striking distance of TXR, The Fillmore, GAMH, The Kaiser...etc, etc...Holy shit, it's almost all too much for a kid from the cornfields of Central Ohio.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: comic book colors on a violin river...
Schwa, Congrats on the move
Schwa, Congrats on the move and blessings for a nice smooth transition for you and family ..:)
I hear ya on the family thing, near and dear to my heart and you sound like a wonderful son and son in law ! I had the opposite deal going, my Dad and sister passed away within 3 months of each other..it was tough ! I was living in CT and had no choice but to move back home to care for my mom ( Thank God for the wonderful support of my husband thru all of this ) as no one else would do it and they lived here :( . I have been here 4 yrs now and am glad I did what i did, things were def tough at times but hey that is my Mom and you never want them to suffer or feel alone.
Thank goodness you have family willing to help out, this at least is a reassurance for you and your wife. Bittersweet indeed but you can rest knowing you were ( and are from a distance) there for her...making wonderful memories with many more to come <3.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
In all seriousness, welcome
In all seriousness, welcome to the area!
The daughter of one of my best friends owns & operates a very cool tea shop in downtown Livermore called Luna Tea. Check it out if you get a chance.
And FYI, they don't do shows at the Kaiser any more, but there are still one or two places around that do.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
Yes! Welcome to the Greater
Yes! Welcome to the Greater East Bay Area, Schwadude!
It would be great to meet you in 3-D once you settle in. Maybe at TXR!
Another favorite of ours in your neck of the woods: Morgan Territory Regional Park. Nice remote feeling to it, with coyotes, king snakes, and other cool critters. On a recent hike, Kai and I also found an old wagon wheel, which was sticking out of an eroded creek bed.
The Livermore Airport is home to at least a couple of old warbirds (P-40 and P-51), as well as at least one well-respected airshow performer. It's often a stop for barnstorming WW2 planes as well (B-17, B-24, B-25). You may see me and my son there when they're in town.
Wishing you the best with your move. And of course, warm thoughts for your mom, and mother-in-law. And congrats to your wife!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Schwa, I'm in Eugene, about 2
Schwa, I'm in Eugene, about 2 hours 15 minutes from Portland, or longer, depending on traffic. I don't make the trip very often...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
Thanks EVERYBODY. I am
Thanks EVERYBODY. I am psyched to meet so many of you in the 3D world. I'm not a stalker. At least that's not what I was called on the restraining order. Life is so weird sometimes. It gives you something so wonderful, but it's tempered with the anxieties of leaving loved ones. Yin and yang. They're always there. I guess they always will be. It's part of the ride, and I am enjoyin the ride.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
Good Luck schwa!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
Mr. Schwa --
Mr. Schwa --
Best of Luck to yourself & Family with the Move.
I am certain that you will adapt & thrive. Weather is more temperate in Winter.
If I could give you just one travel tip :::
Go too far North from Ohio to CA, and visit the I-90 stretches when the freeway is clear.
Idaho panhandle is Beautiful country for scenery, maybe Fishing / Camping if you like all that.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sound and Vision
good luck with the move!
good luck with the move!
sounds like an adventure~
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
Looking forward to meet you
Looking forward to meet you and the family, Schwadude!
Have you considered moving your Mom out with you? Too much change for Mom?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
Thanks again, everybody.
Thanks again, everybody.
I will keep that in mind, Stu. I will see how much time we have to meander across the country on our way in June.
Nancy, yes. That would be too much for her, and she has a lot of family still around her here. I look forward to a 3d meeting as well.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jonaspond
Good luck with the move.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
I wouldn't leave her if I
I wouldn't leave her if I wasn't sure that she would be well taken care of. Believe me, I stepped up. At least I think I did. After her stroke, I was there from 7am to 7pm for 6 months after she got home from the rehab center. I reacclimated her to her activities of daily living. Taught her how to make her breakfast again. Reorganized her bedroom and bathroom so it was easier for her to manage. I helped her shower, and set it up so she could do so safely. I take her to Drs appts, manage her meds, trim her toenails, take her for rides, check her BP. Her condition is stabilized to the point that I am more back in the son role more so than caretaker. Still, I go every day and visit, make sure she's taking her meds, water her plants, and just visit.
It will be hard to leave, but by no means am I walking away and leaving her alone to fend for herself. She has my brother, his wife, 3 of their adult kids all here in the area, and my other brother and his wife are 2 hours away. There are numerous friends and neighbors who are there as well. She is well taken care of.
Life is taking me away. I am not walking away.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
pretty strategic spot. best
pretty strategic spot. best luck with everything!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jonaspond
Sorry that my post came
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sless is Best
Schwa is coming to town!!!!
Schwa is coming to town!!!!
best of luck on the move and now we can hang much more often!!!
love you!!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alias
Welcome!
Welcome!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace
Schwa
Schwa
Register to vote!
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace
oh and welcome...
oh and welcome...
Have you been briefed on the deep state secret society membership?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call"
http://www
http://www.regionalparksfoundation.org/news-events/trails-challenge?gcli...
https://www.lvwine.org/events/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: VivalaSchwa
Hey Jonas, it's OK. It's me.
Hey Jonas, it's OK. It's me. That's a raw nerve right now. I am having those internal dialogue battles about that topic of "walking away" with myself constantly. I know that regardless of how necessary this is, I am going to break my Mom's heart with this news, and that is a source of great internal strife right now. So I am sorry I reacted so viscerally to what you wrote. All will be good, I know.
Thanks everybody for all the welcomes.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lasher Von Zekenstein
Dang - right when I'm about
Dang - right when I'm about to be running out to Western PA often, with an easy jaunt to C-bus, you're going all the way across the US to get away
Seriously though, congratulations on Laura's big opportunity. Your families WILL step up for your Moms, if you all are any indication of how the rest of your family was brought up.
And you get to go play among the Westies!
Vaya Con Dios, hermano!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: |-|/-\|_|_