Memphis bound.

So it's official. Mr. Hoozey, myself and the Zs are moving to Memphis soon. Mr. H accepted a great job opportunity there.

Since January Mr. H has been contacted by 3 recruiters, even though he wasn't looking for a job, the first one was in early Feb. and when he told me about it, I kept saying "It's like they literally wrote this job FOR you." He did several phone interviews and then onsite interviews in March. While in the process of this opportunity, the second recruiter (found him because he was recommended by someone at previous job that is working with this recruiter to get another job) contacted him about a job about an hour away from our KY home. He did phone interviews and an onsite visit while waiting on the first one. The second company extended an offer before the first one, but Mr. H turned it down for a couple of reasons.
#1 it was 65 minutes through desolate KY to get there from our KY house- a little too far to do daily commute but a little too close to justify another home that gets you 30 minutes closer (would have meant living in Clarksville, TN since area is rather remote.)
#2 job was just plant manager. Mr. H has participated on a much higher level until he took the local plant manager job to get our youngest through HS. The Georgia job was VP of operations so probably why the first recruiter called. In October his division was sold off- and new ownership treated him like "plant manager" and he realized that he doesn't enjoy his work when he is not part of the decision making process. The new ownership is rather micro-managing so even low level decisions were expected to go through bureaucratic BS.

The third recruiter was a recruiter Mr. H worked with at last job for staffing in the plant and was told to contact him if he came across anything for him in Louisville area. That contact didn't go far because first one was very appealing already and this job was automotive-- they really seem to always require automotive experience which Mr. H does not have.

SOOOO, months later from original contact we have begin date of next chapter in our story. I was rather prepared for it overall as Mr. H was not happy with new ownership because since the sale of the division Mr. H no longer gets vital financial information (sales, budget, etc) that is necessary for his being able to do his job. Also one person has been given more power and this person is literally destroying the business singlehandedly and no one was reining him in. So I had been in the mindset of this wasn't permanent- especially since the original company HR guy said that Mr. H would get a call on day 366 to return to original biz- that they would make a position for him.

So I have been preparing house with intent to sell since 2018 rung in. We listed May 10-- realtor arrived at 4 pm, had first showing at 7pm- before it had even technically hit the market. Just people going by with realtor that saw the sign. They put in an offer on May 13. We countered the offer but first offer was their best offer. Rather surprising to us that FHA buyers would be looking in country club community. They were pre-approved for just about our house price but wanted 3.5% at close which is exactly the minimum downpayment needed for FHA loan. Mr. H and I did not want to have sale contingent on their getting financing since to us it seemed likely it wouldn't happen and just prevent qualified buyer from seeing the house thinking it was no longer available. The next day after listing a professional photographer came out to take photos. I was pleased that there was very little that he changed to my staging- as photographs are on of most important part of process- that first impression online is what has someone request a showing or not.

After the photographer finished it was a mad rush to finish packing for vacation which we were leaving for in the morning. I was actually rather impressed with myself that I was able to get house listed & photographed AND pack for vacation. Before leaving for vacation the house was staged for showing. Extra stuff removed from countertops, beds made "just so" even a quick run of the vacuum cleaner where little bulldog had chewed up "bone."

Overall, it is a much easier to be "showing ready" here, even with two bulldogs. The last time we sold a house, kids would have been 6th, 3rd & 1st graders. We also weren't in a hurry to sell because Mr. H actually wanted to convince boss that moving closer to one plant made more sense than the headquarters as a big project was going in. It was much harder keeping show-ready while still trying to keep real life going for a family of 5. Here I really only have to deal with master bedroom and kitchen. So for showing, I throw a new quilt over master bed and fix pillows. I put away the towels we actually use so only "show" ones are out. In the kitchen I put away real life (dish soap, sponge, etc) leaving only a few items out. In one guest room that Zoey likes to sleep on the bed, I remove a cheap bedspread from the "made" bed. I do dishes almost immediately and hand dry and put away any non-dishwasher items. So can be ready for showing in just minutes. Also had week at beach that house could be shown and only have 2 work weeks left of this living here and trying to be ready for showing. Another plus is that almost everything here is here on purpose. We didn't have years of accumulating stuff since we only brought/bought items we use here- other than a few things that came here when we thought we'd be selling KY house- much of that I have returned to KY when we visited since it became apparent we were going to move. The hardest part is trying to use up the perishable food. The beer stock was taken to the beach so that's been seriously depleted.

Starting tomorrow we should be getting a new roof put on. The HOA approved my shingle choice and have sent the green ribbon to put around mailbox to show that it's approved. Crazy huh? People have asked if we regret the move to Georgia since it was only about a year. I try to look at the positive things that have come out of this experience. #1 I know that I can move without my kids- this was the first time without them. #2 This job opportunity may not have come to Mr H had he not moved back into a position of VP of Operations as they want someone to fill that position and even move up in the leadership team very quickly #3 Yes, it sucks selling a house a year after buying BUT figure almost a wash what realtor fees will be and what renting would have cost. I like this house. There are things that I will look for in another house (like pullout shelves in lower kitchen cabinets-- makes getting things out so nice & love the gas stove/oven) and things I will be adverse to in next place-- overbearing HOA. #4 I enjoyed being a part of knitting club while here. #5 Really enjoyed going to breweries on the weekends we didn't travel to KY. They are dog friendly so we'd take Zeta (Zoey isn't dog friendly so we need to work with her before she can go.) Craft beer is tasty- especially on tap.

So if it seems like I fell off the face of the earth recently or in the near future- this is why. On to the next chapter. A little sad I didn't finish everything I'd would have done here.