Seven years ago, I cashed in my career so I could be a stay-at-home mom. Seduced by the idea of a simple but interesting life, we left the big city and moved to a small town where the houses were cheaper and the grass seemed greener.
We chose a pretty town: well-stocked with perennial gardens, award-winning schools and historic homes. It’s a town where the local folk take their utopia seriously. Everyone is out happily exercising, volunteering, fundraising and dressing like the pages of a JCrew catalog.
Socially, however, it’s more arduous than high school. I do my best to slog through it, but some days the local delight is too wearying and my face hurts from smiling.
It’s amazing that after all this time, I still consider myself an immigrant. I stumble with the language and customs, my clothes aren’t quite right and I really miss the food (only a handful of good restaurants here despite what the natives tell you).
My two daughters have adjusted well – I mean, who wouldn’t want to grow up in such a pretty place? And my husband seems to have made a good go of things too. It’s just me that feels beleaguered by all the white picket fences.
This blog chronicles my journey towards assimilation – one small moment at a time. With any luck, I may get there one day.
I can relate.
As a broadcaster, I’ve moved a lot…especially in the beginning. A post graduation TV gig in a tiny market; then as time and experience dug its claws into me, I moved up the scale…bigger markets meant bigger paychecks and far more exposure to life in these cities.
Interesting.
J. Crewville.
Sister, I SO get that. I’d even go so far as to describe these communities; these enclaves of processed perfection as “Stepfordian”.
These places are inhabited by people obviously, but it’s the female of the species==the women that are true works of an art form so rare, I don’t have an adjective for it and this is odd because I am indeed, a loquacious little heifer. These are the woman that are so well put together that they can make you feel dirty…even though you’ve just Dove’d, Ivory’d and Caress’d yourself to bubbly oblivion.
I’ve always been amazed at these women. I’d live among them if I could get it in writing that they wouldn’t attempt to have me exterminated in this huge neighborhood Orkin sweep for pests and other “undesirables”.
What a gifted writer you are. I’ve enjoyed my stay here. Thank you.
LK
Houston
Wow.
Laurie Kendrick blows me away again. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
In fact, I didn’t.