Life As We Live It Now
Winnowing our waistlines and nourishing our marriage, we forge ahead, rooted in strength and hope. Our landscape includes tree-lined, winding roads punctuated with eclectic cabins, tiki huts, grazing horses, cattle and chickens. Pelican’s Landing is hoisted above a sprawling sailboat marina one and a half miles from our driveway, and Lake Texoma shoreline, within walking distance, beckons.
Our intention was to live here one year before journeying on to the Florida coast. Three years after our site visit (November 2010), we remain, imbibing the Texas sun, residing in our two-story cabana and contemplating a robust future.
Regularly drenched with sweat, we’re drawn to soaking our bodies in the lake during triple-digit summers — Texas has delivered on its heated reputation. Sweltering summer days inspire sunrise sails and languid backstrokes to cool hot skin and soothe weary souls from economic and personal machinations.
Our home, illuminated by a self-defined nautical theme, is draped in rambling porches that bear witness to sunrise coffees, sunset cocktails and whoops of laughter. We’ve grazed on striper, catfish, shrimp, grilled steaks, Doritos and spinach dip. Tropical spirits have flowed, as have deeply felt conversations with friends and family where we contemplated frustrations, successes, passions and solutions regarding POTUS, the economy, freedom, joy and growing older.
We’ve pounded out word stories, negotiated service and product sales and drawn our living from intellect and emotion as well as the rich, North Texas soil that appends an 89,000-acre lake that we now claim as home.
We’ve introspected, laughed, shed tears, fought, hugged, been brought to our knees and been shaken to the core. We’ve pumped our fists, been humbled, been empowered, revived and thrived, and we’ve celebrated. We have rejoiced in our five-year marriage; made merry on my 50-year birthday; ceremonialized and wept wrenching tears for the loss of Louie; honored the arrival of feline orphans through daily care-taking; and celebrated and embraced friend and familial relationships that imbue gray days with bursts of color.
Sails unfurl, motors hum and music heaves emotion across the air, across the water, as we continue to make way.
[Kindly don’t leave; there is more to the story if you scroll down.]
We invested in this little sailboat during our first season here and affectionally dubbed her, Havana Daydreamin’ after one of our favorite Jimmy Buffett songs.
Capt. Rob and me, in our happy place, Sea’sing the Day.
***
The Prequel to Our Move
My husband called me a ‘home-girl’ when we dated. There was truth to that; although, over the years I have traveled the world. Most of my international trips occurred between the ages of 9 and 25, during which I voyaged to England, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Hawaii, California, New York, Texas and beyond. My dad was a TWA inspector, and we were blessed with many globetrotting benefits.
I love adventure, but always had returned home to the comfort and nourishment of Kansas City, with its Midwest charms, big-city-in-a-small-town personality, and robust circle of family and friends. I also think that traveling so much at an early age unraveled some of the mystery of ‘other cities’ and relieved the compulsion some young people feel to move away after college graduation.
That said, picking up stakes and moving with my husband to North Texas in the spring of 2011, unnerved my home-girl sensibilities while also tapping into a spirit for adventure.
While downsides of rural, unincorporated living exist in small number, I often and gratefully am overwhelmed by the many upsides: the tranquility, the access to a very large body of water, 12 marinas, multiple resorts and campgrounds, the like-minded and fun-loving other souls who’ve carved out their little niches here, the absolute, unfettered availability of a sailboat or power boat and much more.
How This Relates to Careerists and Job Seekers
As I work alongside careerists in my day-to-day, I often encourage their confident introspection in unwinding their own thoughts to derive life-changing career decisions. What, ultimately, are the cultural traits that may make you (and your family) happiest when considering your next job, next company, next geographic move? The obvious answers are not always the ultimate ‘right’ answers.
Now, before you leave, please enjoy this brief sailing video, joining us in one of our more lighthearted moments here on the banks of Lake Texoma, Texas!
I loved this post! Beautifully written, great pictures, and I didn’t get sea sick watching the video! Wonderful!
Super to hear from you here, Barbara! I appreciate your warm, enthusiastic feedback – that means a lot.
And even better that you enjoyed the video without getting sea sick! Ha-ha.
I hope all is well in your world!
Cheers,
Jacqui
Jacqui – What a great, beautifully written post. It makes me feel like I might be right there with you, basking in your sun and “sea.” I remember when you were making this big move, and I’m so thrilled you and Rob are thriving so beautifully in your Texas surroundings!
Your feedback is invaluable, Miriam! Thank you. I’m so glad you felt transported by my little story. You were (and still are) such a supportive friend during this transition.
Thank you so much for your exuberant comment!
Jacqui
Jacqui,
The first sentence that came to mind as I read this double D post (descriptive and delightful, is “You’re living your life”.
You’ve so aptly described the meandering routes life takes; the people, places and thoughts that are like sign posts – some you see many times, others, only once.
This post serves as a reminder that it is important to identify your values, then make the best choices you can to provide lift, or in this case wind ☺, to move you in your desired direction.
On the grand voyage of life, which can get turbulent (stressful), knowing and honouring your values is an important skill to develop to restore balance.
Your sailing video exemplifies the balance you’ve found together.
Ahoy!
Warmly,
Marianna
Hello Marianna,
“Double D post” (I like that! Clever description.)
You always have a way of teasing out the threads that matter most in my posts and then adding value and vigor with your words.
“Knowing and honouring your values” IS a skill, and an important one, as you assert. Thank you for that reinforcement and unique way of articulating this message.
I especially liked the metaphor about ‘choices that provide lift – wind’ (wow, you are good, Marianna!)
It was a meticulous challenge and process for me to ensure my true voice and heart came through in this post versus just an overview of memories for the past 3 years. Then, ‘flow happened’ and I began to enjoy sharing the story.
Thank you so much for investing your intellect and heart into a comment here.
Warmly,
Jacqui
Jacqui, this is a beautiful post that I can definitely relate to, having just come through my own geographic transition. I love that you provided the background to the move. Our clients will benefit from our transitions and the concrete examples of our experiences.
Mary,
Merci for your kind words!
And of course you can relate, as I know your recent move has been wrought with many of the feelings, activities and outcomes that I describe.
I have a sense you and your husband are finding much joy and satisfaction now as you grow roots in your new Myrtle Beach venue! It sounds so lovely!
And you’re right about clients benefiting from our transitions – there are SO many relatable stories to deepen our empathy and actionable direction for clients’ situations.
Jacqui
Loved this post Jacqui. Beautiful word pictures that are infused with the abundance of love and happiness that surround you both. Thank you for sharing part of your lives.
Gayle,
I’m complimented by your words! Thank you for sharing in Rob’s and my ‘story’. Akin to the process we ask of our clients, being introspective in this way was both therapeutic and clarifying.
Warmly,
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui!
What a great summation of the last 3 years.
We are glad you guys sailed on down to Texas!
My footnote to your story would be to always keep a paddle in the boat. In life’s journey, the wind is going to die and your going to run out of gas at times but you can always paddle you way out. Might be harder, might be slower, but you can keep going!
Claire
Wow Claire – what a pithy footnote and excellent metaphor! And, it’s oh-so-true: You can count on employing that paddle from time to time–sometimes when you least expect it–but paddling means you can ‘keep going!’ Love it.
Thank you to you and Dave for being such a positive influence, and a great ‘buoy’ to our spirits during this journey. Hopefully, when reading this story, you could see a reflection of some of our joyful memories together!
Jacqui
Jacqui,
This is beautiful, touching, inspiring, and enlightening. I love your candor and the poetry of your descriptions. You’re so right that we all need to create the lives we want, and our career decisions help us do that. Thanks for this wonderful reading moment. ~Dawn
Dawn,
Thank YOU for reading this and sharing in my (and Rob’s) journey. I value your supportive words.
Warmly,
Jacqui