jfuze's blog: "Sarasota Bound"

Well, I'm finally a single digit midget (all of you current and former military members know what that what means). My wife's Tahoe is getting picked up on Monday, and the movers begin packing up my house in Ohio on Tuesday. The moving truck gets loaded on Thursday and begins its trek to Sarasota. I close on the new house on Thursday and then I finally get to pick my family up at the airport on Sunday afternoon (a great father's day present for me one week late, but well worth the wait). I am so excited that my family is finally moving down here with me, but I'm also saddened because I think I'm going to have to give up my CherryTap time and redirect it to my family. Single digit midget, what a wonderful thing! I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures of my family and my few blogs...who knows, maybe you'll see me around CherryTap again. I am glad that I joined this community because I met quite a few people and made some good friends (you know who you are). Eight days and counting!

As most of you know from the pictures, my wife and I purchased a new home here in Sarasota. The closing date is set for June 28. I contacted the moving company, and they should have our furnishings delivered by July 3. So, I purchased tickets for my wife and kids to make their final move to here. They are scheduled to fly on July 1 (18 more days)... It's been more than a month since I've seen my daughters, but my wife and son made a trip down here over Memorial Day weekend, so at least I got to see some of my family. Anyway, the countdown has begun, and I am ready to get out of this apartment living and back into a house with my family.

Well, I've been here in Sarasota for one week now, and I love it. I set up a webcam on my computer in Ohio and one here with me. My son loves to talk to and see me on it. Five more weeks before I head back up north, and then about six more weeks before my family moves down here with me. Anyway, if there is anyone out here in Sarasota that wants to hang out or anything give me a shout.

After working as an environmental engineer in Ohio for the past 9 years, I have decided to take a position with a firm in Sarasota, Florida. This is a great opportunity for me and my family. However the greatest obstacle to over come is the fact that I am leaving my entire family. When I joined the military in 1988, I knew that there would be some heatbreak and turmoil over the fact that I was leaving my roots, maybe even abandoning my family. (I have three brothers locally, and all of my extended family is in Ohio as well). After my time in the service, I moved back to Ohio to begin my education and my career, and to be close to my extended family to raise my children. Now this opportunity has arisen, and it was impossible for me to not accept (they made me offer that I couldn't refuse). One of our children is off to college, and our middle child is in high school (this move is probably the hardest on her), and our little man is only two and half (and ready to go...he just loves the beach, and we vacation in Florida every year). My mother watches our son everyday (since my wife and I both work), and she took the news pretty hard in the beginning, but my brothers now have children, so my mom still has four grandchildren and one on the way here with her. Plus, my parents have never really had a vacation, and this move could be a good excuse to get them to take one. The hardest part of this move for me is that I will be moving about two and half months before my wife and children...so alot of extra bored time for me, but we have to do what we have to do. Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am heading to Sarasota, so if you are from there and have any advice, don't hesitate to share it.