M's topic: If you could move anywhere that you wanted to live, where would you go and why?
Good topic, following right on the heels of my Friend of the Court caseworker handing me paperwork for a change of domicile motion! (Not happening for a good long time yet, regardless.)
Also, it's a broad question so it's also a little difficult to answer. Anywhere I wanted to with no limits (financial, legal, et cetera)? Anywhere I want to in the US? Anywhere I want to in my own personal reality during the next 14.5 years? Specific location or merely city versus country?
Really, the only way I can answer this is with a whole slew of answers!
Okay. Here we go.
I'm a country person rather than a city person. I want to live in a beautiful, old rambling house somewhere with grass everywhere, a big, old barn, and a huge metal mailbox out by the road. Someplace with a giant yard, where I could play baseball in the yard with N, or capture the flag, or have our friends over during the summer for bonfires. Somewhere that N can grow up with the same values and some of the same experiences that I grew up with, even though he's down 4 siblings and a whole slew of cousins when compared to me.
It's also important to me, though, that we live in an area with close access to diversity, art, architecture, drama, sports, and music. We don't have to live in New York City (though that was on top of my list, pre-Magoo), but I want to at least live on the outskirts of a large town. I grew up in the country outside of Chicago, and had a lot of great opportunities to visit museums, dance halls, and ballparks in the city, while experiencing Lipizzaner shows, John Phillip Sousa Orchestra recitals, and university performances of The Crucible or The Pirates of Penzance in my hometown, all while living on 7 acres of field and yard, with ponies, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and cats in my backyard. That is something I greatly value for N and definitely want him exposed to as he grows up. Nothing but broad horizons for that kid!!
I would LOVE for N to grow up in my hometown. Particularly in my little countryside neighborhood.
Now.
Outside of my state (and outside of my 100 mile tether that accompanies joint legal custody), I would love to live in New York City. Not POSITIVE that I want to live there with a child though. But, the Catskills? That's another story. I'd love to be up there! Woodstock, people, Woodstock! No, just kidding, but seriously. The Catskills are beautiful and I think I love them. My sister and brother-in-law are lucky enough to have just had their offer on a house up in the Catskills accepted, so I, in turn, will soon be lucky enough to have plenty of time to visit them up there! I would also love to live in Tennessee. Again, in the country, maybe near Gatlinburg or Nashville, no too picky. I would, however, require a rocking chair on my front porch.
If I were to move outside of the U. S. of A., it gets a little tougher. Possibly Ireland? I have always been entranced by that country. Plus, no snakes? I have my doubts that's anything more than a myth, but I'm holding onto my dreams of a snake-free existence! My bucket list includes visiting Ireland with N.
Another potential home would be Italy, or perhaps Greece. Beautiful. Relaxing. Blue. My brain thinks those words/colors/thoughts/feelings every time Italy and Greece pop in there. Back in the days when I had cable television, I was entranced with HGTV, particularly house hunter shows in which the homes hunted were in Mediterranean regions. I loved the land, the attitude of the locals, and the crumbly homes they visited. It would be great to live in one of those places.
However, something I'm working on now, is being happy with my life as it is, regardless of my current location of domicile. Home is where your heart is! My heart is with Magoo. But someday I can move somewhere that makes me happier, and I can take him with me, can't I? :)
:)
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