Well it is official, at least my boss knows, so now I can share with y'all

[MikeTangas]

Only a very few people have been told, plus a couple here on the forums, but now that it is official everyone can know.

I have accepted a little promotion, which is good. Downside, I will have to move just a tad under 2400 miles away. I will be transferring to Port Huron, Michigan, becoming neighbors with the Mackenzie Brothers in the Great White North. Can you say touque?

I got word on Tuesday that I am supposed to be on the ground there by 12/28. That is light speed for for my employer. I am looking forward to this, but approach with some trepidation.

The Missus and little ones will be staying behind for at least a year, multiple reasons: wife's job (14 years is too much time to toss), kid's school and wife's Mom being seriously ill. Most would think that this isn't that great a deal, but it is. The promotion puts me in line for higher positions, which could very well bring me back to Sunny So. Cal in a year. I won't be selling the house, even though I could cash out and do very nicely, but with the market spiraling upward I couldn't buy back in in a year.

Makes for a big bullet to bite. A little searching on the net finds that if I shop wisely I could probably maintain a 2nd home in Michigan. All I have to do is make sure I leave enough $$ to stash so I can pay for airfare and couple long weekends back to California.

Due to the weather conditions and likelihood of salt on the roads I have concerns about taking the 4.5 up. Most likely I will take the 560 only, then if things play out where the whole family comes up, I will bring everything.

As for now, my home improvement projects, which have been on slow simmer for the past couple years, have been moved to the front burner. One day a week has been schedule for the horse trailer rebuild (which is about 1/2 complete). I will probably finish the major portion of the ramp fabrication tonight, about an hours worth of welding, with fitment of hinges and hanging the ramp on the trailer done next week.

I'm trying hard as hell not to let the "short timers" syndrome set in, but after 18 years in one location it is a hard battle - I'm ready for a little change.

Well, I best get back to getting my work gear ready to ship. More info to follow as the big day draws near.