One Whole Year of Changes

As of today, one entire year has passed since we drove into Boerne, TX at 3:30am, got a good long look at the Whataburger (what a what???) with the line around the building from the drive thru and thought "this might just be our new home for awhile."  I can hardly believe it.  I feel like I can remember so clearly, like it was yesterday,  that daggone "ranch" in Kerrville....you remember...3 weeks of my life I'm never getting back!!! *Click here* if you wanna see me on that toilet in my "office"...you may never get this opportunity again. I think we'll have to drive out there this week to see what, if any, progress has been made.  I'm betting....NONE!!! Charlie suggested we head back up there for a night but I'm pretty sure I narrowly missed contracting something the first time around and that's a big ol' no thanks...YA'LL!!!!

As I said, we thought Boerne would be our home for a few years....and now, well, it looks like it may be our home for much longer than that.  In case you haven't heard my wails....my cries...my not so happy words...there are changes a comin'!  

Charlie has turned in his retirement letter. Let me say it again so we can all let it sink in....Charlie has made the decision that after 20 years he will no longer be working for the Coast Guard this time next month.  Yes, this time next month he will be beginning his 3 months of paid vacation and at the end of that time he will rejoin the civilian world and all the joy that that brings!!!  

If you are paying attention, and I know you are...it means this summer is going to be very similar to last summer. Charlie home...not working.....on vacation.....except we are not actually packing our junk and moving!!!!  He is in the process of looking for a job with a couple of prospects already on the horizon.  Let's all keep our fingers crossed and hope that his civilian bliss is all that he dreams it will be...and more!!!  On a positive note, the kids know we are going to be here for a while and there is always consolation in that. No more school hopping. Wahoo!  It will be strange, not being at the mercy of a new set of military orders telling us where to move and knowing that it is all us now. Should be interesting!!!!

Given we have been here for one year today we decided to have a nice little southern feast. Tonight we made BBQ ribs, fresh green beans, sweet potatoes, corn fritters, and homemade peach cobbler.  It was good and reminds me that each time we have moved I've tried to incorporate the local faves into our own repertoire (fancy word I know...in fact I was unaware that we had a repertoire until I wrote it..imagine that!)  We like to go and do and see and eat and experience our space and since Texas was all new to us I think we've got a great running start.

So here is to new beginnings and hoping that this next year brings the feeling of calm, stability, friendships, and home that I have been searching for this past year and that comes with staying in one place for an extended amount of time...like maybe forever!  And I guess if we are staying we have to decide pretty darn quick if we are gonna be Longhorns or Aggies...it is of the utmost importance here!!!