Yay.

[melaniesuzanne]

We have officially reached the hair loss portion of the post-WLS process. Yay. I try not to stress too much because I do have a fair amount of hair even though the individual hairs are on the thin side. Sadly, I am ceasing the pinking and purpling until I feel confident that the bleaching process won't make the rest of my hair fall out. If I can't live without unnatural color streaks in my hair, Ulta carries various non-permanent potions which do not require bleaching before application.

The weather threatens to be absolutely gorgeous this weekend. Had I a crystal ball, I'm sure it would foretell of a bike ride or two. Maybe even three. And now that Hubbyfink's cleared for almost all physical activity, I can drag him along for a "short" ride.

Speaking of the Hubbyfink, we'd planned on zipping out to Colorado Springs this past March but surgery schedules got in the way. Why the zipping to CS? Well, back in September I got a bee in my proverbial bonnet about moving somewhere that wasn't so dang hot and humid as the DC area and CS looked fantastic on paper. The change-averse Hubbyfink warmed up to the idea a day later and was ready to move RIGHT THEN. We cooled our jets, though, and calmed down enough to realize that we really should scope out a place before picking up stakes and heading west. (Of course, I hadn't considered the possibility of something like the horrifying wildfire currently destroying the surrounding area... all those unfortunate people... it makes me want to cry.) So, we're flying out for a visit over Labor Day weekend and will see if it is just as good in real life.

Other locations on our short list of Places to Live After Fleeing DC include the Florida panhandle (preferably right on the coast); New Orleans (which, obviously, is even MORE hot and humid than DC but I've become sensitive to cold after this past miserable winter; Hubbyfink is not on board with this idea); Asheville, NC (again, himself is not quite on board); Austin (his entry; as appealing and vibrant as Austin is, I simply can't with Texas); and Columbus, OH (yes, really: my work team is there, the city is beautiful, and it gets four distinct seasons; Hubbyfink doesn't want to live in Ohio). We've got some negotiating to do.

Comments

[holliemke.livejournal.com]

Enjoy the possibilities! Sometimes the best part of the experience is researching other places - even if you eventually choose not to move!

As someone who has moved *cough* a few times, I'd recommend knowing someone in the place you are moving, if at all possible. I'd also consider being closer to family if that's an option. Unless its a short term move. I find the older i got, the more I missed them. (obviously)

I think it would be awesome for you two to be somewhere with non-horrific real estate prices. For me, coming back to Green Bay where a lovely house in a lovely neighborhood can be as little as 150K-200K. And rents. Ah i love it.

Every place has close minded people. Every place has freaks looking for like minded friends. The challenge is finding them.

I found this list interesting when my mother and I were looking at places to move, Places you can retire for 40K a year.

My favorite on the list was St. Louis.

http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/best-places-to-retire-for-under-40000

[melaniesuzanne.livejournal.com]

I hear you on the wanting to be close to family. I miss the South SO MUCH and they're all down there. Of course, given the political climate in Tennessee and Mississippi, I don't know that I can live in such bigoted areas. And living somewhere that we could actually afford a house we actually love.... ah, bliss!

I am SHOCKED that Little Rock, Jackson, and especially Knoxville are on that list, considering what Tennessee is doing to health insurance.

But yeah, the researching is the best part. =)