So... We're Moving!

Sorry social media, for once you're the last to know. That's right, the Husband and I are packing up and moving to St. Louis.

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After 10 years for me and four for the Husband, getting kicked out of every bar on the north side, (almost) winning a 16-inch softball championship, surviving snowmageddon, voting twice in every election and managing to never eat deep dish pizza on a regular basis, we've given this "Sweet Home" all that we've got.

Let me be clear... we still have nothing but love for the Chi. Alas, the pull of family, friends and affordable real estate was too tempting to pass up. Moving was always in the plans and when an opportunity with my company came up, we knew it was the right time. Everything else has fallen into place with relative ease, which has been such a positive reassurance that this is what we're supposed to be doing right now.

We've been telling our friends in Chicago and St. Louis for the past few weeks and I'm getting a lot of the same questions, so I thought I would draft a handy dandy Q&A for you guys.

Why St. Louis? 
I'm from there. I moved to Chicago to go to college and have lived here ever since. My family lives in St. Louis and the Husband's family will be in driving distance.

So what are you guys doing for work?
I'm staying with my current company, but will make the transition to work on St. Louis based accounts. It's a smaller office, so will be a change of pace for me. It's also a dog-friendly office, so hello Howard the Intern. We've been extraordinarily blessed that the Husband was offered a new job that will have him working from home (so much time for marinating!).

Are you moving in with your parents? Buying a house?
No to both. We found a jazzy new loft to rent. Moving across state lines was enough to think about, so maybe we'll tackle our first home purchase next year.

What about your kitchen? Finally getting that ice-rink-sized slab of granite? 
The new kitchen is bigger, but still not huge. But wait for it.... it has a dishwasher! Amazing. I'm also going to have an electric stove, so I'll be sure to let you guys know what I think of the comparison. Which will reign supreme... old busted gas stove or newer electric? I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat waiting to know. Plenty of pictures and decor posts to come.

Are you sad to leave your pathetically small kitchen? 
Yes. Sundays are a pretty big deal in the Morgan household. I cook and the Husband and I listen to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me on NPR. We've spent the first years of our marriage in that tiny kitchen, making everything from quick weeknight meals to the fuel of legendary parties. That tiny ill-equipped kitchen has seen a lot of action in the past three years and was the starting place of this lovely blog. Even when they're small, kitchens are the heart of a house. I found myself tearing up when we started packing boxes. It will always be a special place for me.

Are you pregnant? 
Nope. I'm going to use this as a soapbox (it's my blog after all)... stop asking people you don't know well this question. While we're not at that stage of our life yet, you never know what someone is going through. If I've learned anything from my fab Mom friends, it's that deciding to start a family is an intensely personal decision and sometimes complicated process. I think Sherry over at Young House Love put it so well. One life change does not necessitate another.

What food stuff are you going to miss in Chicago? 
The plethora of ethnic restaurants will be tough to leave. Heck, the plethora of restaurants in general; we hardly ever repeat a date night. And sausage... this town knows sausage.

What food stuff are you excited about in St. Louis? 
Real BBQ for one. Sorry, it only gets better the further south you go in this country. We'll also be living in walking distance of Historic Soulard Farmer's Market, which will be so fun to shop at. Better produce in general too, everything in Chicago grocery stores always seems to be a day-too-ripe.

Are you capable of maintaining a regular blogging schedule whilst moving across state lines? 
Not really. We're going to make the most of our time left in Chicago and therefore the posting schedule may get bit sparse for the next few weeks. I'll try my best to keep going, but I see some pizzas and Thai take-out in our future.

So here we go... let's mix this up. Get crazy, Midwestern-style. More Nelly.

~Carey