Within our means....

Within our means doesn't mean much anymore because, truly, we have limited means! What is does mean is that we have had to adjust, revamp and appreciate every little thing that comes our way.

We lived, it seems a lifetime ago, in a very upscale community. With that, came an upscale lifestyle. Each time I return to my roots, I am amazed at how much that lifestyle grows. While the scenery remains the same, the truth is, I have changed so much that I no longer fit in. The restaurants, the dinner parties, the clothing and decor all seem fake to me now- and it was once so very comfortable! I simply see a tremendous amount of waste. That's not to say that I do not appreciate the opulence, just that it's no longer the life I lead.

The first thing we did was move. Now, this was easier for me than most as I have always had a secret desire to explore new places, but also because I have limited immediate family so we were able to relocate with little guilt. The bottom line is that I could have dug in my stubborn heals (which I proudly possess and have come in handy in other areas!) and worked three jobs or we simply had to adjust. As I appreciate time with my kids more than anything, the choice became crystal clear. Yes, it was scary and after the honeymoon was over, I spent many a night staring at the ceiling wondering what the hell I did!?! Just recently, I realized that I actually like my home, the people I've met and really, who cares as the world has become so very small. Familiarity is wonderful and I'm happy to say, this is becoming all too familiar.

We chose the southwest - an area that offered great weather and a whole new way of life PLUS, the cost of living was substantially cheaper than my hometown. The added perk to this location was that it is a place that people CHOOSE to visit so, we are well fortified with a constant turnstile of people staying at various resorts in our area that bring our home to us.

What this means is that, at the very moment we feel a tinge of longing, someone passes through and puts out the fire. The fun of these visits is that we have had the opportunity to frequent many of the finer resorts - places we would never see - at the cost of the drive down the street. As a result, my kids have grown to quickly love the place they now call home and while I still sit on the fence between "here" and "there." here is starting to look a heck of a lot more positive at a fraction of the cost!