Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you . . .

FINALLY I can share our big news ~ and it is a fairy tale coming true for us! 

Those of you who are regular readers here know that Mr. Cobblestone and I are members of the empty-nest club.  Both transplants to the Midwest we have no strong ties to this area, so last Fall we decided to start taking some of our vacations with the intent of exploring places we might like to live when we retire.  (Well, when Mr. Cobblestone retires.  I plan on continuing with my mouse and bear work until I can no longer thread a needle.)

As I shared with you here, our travels took us to midcoast Maine in October and we simply fell in love with the region.  No where else on earth has given us that "we're home" feeling as much as when we stood on top of Mt. Battie looking over Penobscot Bay and all the tiny villages and harbors.  As we strolled through one of those villages later that afternoon we spotted a sign in a gift shop window that said "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could!" 

Yep ~ that pretty much summed up our feelings that day.

As fate would have it, there is a manufacturing site (the only one in the area!) and they had an opening for an engineering manager that is similar to Mr. Cobblestone's current position ~ and he got the job!

So in a few short weeks we will be moving over 1200 miles to Maine!  And I must say it's pretty hard to not have a 'meant to be' feeling about this.

The journey thus far is not unlike the long slow jolting climb up the first hill of a roller coaster.  With each satisfying click of the chain, you know you are getting closer and closer and closer.  As we scurry about finalizing the primping and polishing of our house in Wisconsin, I sincerely hope someone else is doing the same for us in Maine.  New bathroom light ~ click.  Take donations to Salvation Army Store ~ click.  Paint hallway ~ click.  New front door ~ click.  Clean basement ~ click.  Take donations to Salvation Army Store ~ click.  Replace dented doorknob ~ click.  Take donations to Salvation Army Store ~ click.  Home inspection ~ click.  Scrape and paint eaves ~ click.  Spread new mulch in flowerbeds~ click.  Take donations to Salvation Army Store ~ click.    Well, you get the idea.  During the 22 years we spent in this house, someone has managed to sneak a lot of stuff in here.  If I find the little gremlins responsible, we are going to have words, let me tell you! 

We are approaching the first apex of our metaphorical roller coaster, and I am reminded of something our daughter said to me when I was a wee bit timid about riding The Viper at Great America a few years back.  "It's not going to kill you, so what's the worst that can happen?" 

Indeed. 

So I am holding on tight ~ one hand on the lap bar and the other clutching Mr. Cobblestone's arm ~  ready for the twists and turns, jolts and bumps, highs and lows as we take the plunge.  I am sure there will be some tears and many giggles along the way ~ I may even throw my hands in the air and scream with delight. 

Maine is waiting for us at the end.

Here is a link to if you'd like to see more about the region.

http://www.visitmaine.com/region/midcoast/