The Welcome Wagon and Goals

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Amanda Ferrari

Happy Memorial Day to you, Fancy Oatmealers! I hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend, and that you find yourself BBQing some meat products and tasting juicy watermelon on this day. I would like to send out a salute to all the men and woman of the Armed Forces who have devoted their lives to keeping America safe.

Well, the cat is out of the bag on the news about where Dear Hubby and I are looking to relocate: Jacksonville, FL!

I know, I know. I can hear you already: Why don’t you get a little variety in your life? You always choose the same type of place over and over again! I don’t think we could have picked a more opposite climate than if we were offered teaching jobs on the sun!

On Sunday afternoon, Dear Hubby and I landed at the Jacksonville International Airport, but the red carpet and 24/7 news coverage wasn’t for us. Look what else decided that Memorial Day weekend was the best time to vaca in northern Florida:

Not exactly what I was hoping would be in the 5 Day Forecast.

Now, it could be that the storm was overrated and people were trying to make a mountain out of a thunderstorm, or I’m getting to be a much heavier sleeper because I did not hear one rumble or one raindrop last night as the storm struck. I was surprised because there were power outage warnings at our hotel and channel-to-channel coverage. Dear Hubby and I were going to go explore the town, but felt we should stay close to home since torrential rain and 55-65mph winds aren’t very accommodating conditions; it was almost as if we were over….a…..Beryl.

At least Ryan gets my humor.

In running news, I have less than one week to finalize my training for Sunday’s half marathon, and I was really stoked (who was I trying to be just then??) that our hotel has a couple of fantastic treadmills in their fitness center. You never really can rely too much on the advertisement for hotel fitness centers, and a lot of times you get a lot of lemons; this was not the case here. I was able to get in a five mile run that felt really comfortable on my legs.

It definitely was one of my faster runs, but it didn’t feel like it, so I’m happy. I’m also thrilled to have met my May running goal of 110 miles 3 days early!

Tomorrow is shaping up to be another busy day of exploration and new beginnings. I wish you the best and have an enjoyable day!

The Next Step

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Amanda Ferrari

Happy Sunday to all the lovelies who took time from their holiday weekend to check in with Fancy Oatmeal!

Shhh! Snarky Oatmeal is still asleep, and I, Sentimental Oatmeal have taken over the blog! So if you’re one who enjoys those ridiculous moving pictures and mocking commentary, this post probably isn’t for you. But if you’ve just come down from a Nicholas Sparks novel, this is probably more your speed, and you are welcomed with open arms.

It’s been just shy of one complete week that Dear Hubby and I have been back in Michigan, and yet it feels as if the time has been much shorter. Perhaps it’s because of the three summers that we have spent either preparing for or returning from Alaska, this has seemed the busiest. This is saying a lot because exactly two years ago yesterday, I was one month shy of my wedding day.

All of the hustle and bustle was worth it then, and I am banking on it being true for the Summer 2012 as well.

One might think because of all the good things I’ve done to maintain my planner, life wouldn’t seem like such a whirlwind for me. That same person might also assume that just because I jot down a few notes and outline my plans that I still have somewhat of a grasp of control on my life. I have learned, and continue to be a student of the philosophy that there is a much higher power out there who is pulling the strings, and I must let go, and let God.

As you may know, Dear Hubby and I made the decision not to return to St. Paul Island in the fall for a third year. It was incredibly difficult to turn down contracts, tell our colleagues/friends, and break the news to our students. We could manage to do all these things, heavy heart included, because we knew that there was a next step lurking in the shadows for us. It was, remains to be, unclear as to which direction that step is going to take us.

Part of the reason why I no longer write in pen, but rely on my trusted eraser, is that at this time of our lives, Dear Hubby and I know that it’s important to be flexible and keep an open mind. Hence the cause for so much commotion in our schedules as of late. I will share more with you next week, but we have had some wonderful opportunities present themselves to us, and had Dear Hubby and I been unwavering in our original plans, these opportunities would have found themselves on the cutting room floor.

There is a next step for my family; it’s been made clear to us in the course of our hectic past few days, and it seems that as the fog is clearing that our summer will continue to bustle. I cannot wait to share with you, over the next few posts, as to the direction that we are pointed towards. My advice to you, to any young person who is just leaving the nest, and to the young girl who is scared of change that is hiding behind these powerful words as I type them, is simply this:

Keep an open mind and an open heart; never shut doors to your past or potential futures. Keep a box of tissues close, your loved ones closer and just take that next step. Quit trying to control what is out of your hands and enjoy the ride.