How did you wind up where you are?

[azsnowman]

With this possibly being the first "Snowless Winter" for Northern Arizona and a wildfire season like no one has ever seen looming on the horizon, it got me thinking, how did I wind up here and WHY do I stay here?

My father worked for the Bureau Of Indian Affairs as a Property and Supply Officer and was transfered to Whiteriver, Arizona on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in the winter of 1966/67. I left in 1976 when I joined the Navy, I basicly traveled the world in 4 years and could not find another place I loved as much as the White Mountains of Arizona! Until the Climate Change we are witnessing before our eyes, we "used" to have four WELL PRONOUNCED seasons, now, it appears to be only 3, at least this year........there used to be ice fishing (which I dearly love) the lakes have not frozen over enough to safely walk on in 2 years, all the hunting a man could EVER want etc, etc.

So.......tell us your story!

Dennis

[wx247]

Mine is really boring.

I was born here and lived in this town all my life, with the exception of a year that lived on campus at college. Hopefully everyone else has a much more interesting response to this post. lol

[Skywatch_NC]

My father took a job transfer with what used to be Champion Intl. Paper Corp. now International Paper (IP took over in '98 or '99...anyway one of those years) to Roanoke Rapids, NC in Aug. '88 and we lived there for 15 years. Then in May 2001 Dad took early retirement...IP did hardly anything beneficial for the paper corporation as it was more crappy than anything else in the takeover...he and other employees could never work until they wanted to retire...seems alot how American business and industry operates today unfortunately. They boot out the "old timers" so to say...to save their own precious $$$$'s. Dad worked for the paper industry for 26 years. So Dad was able to get on with the state division of surface water quality protection DEHNR (Raleigh Regional Office) in January 2002...having moved to an apartment for awhile first in March 2004 (Mom and I had lived in Roa Rpds for awhile longer before joining Dad down here in the capital city) and then into a townhouse in June 2004.

Don't get me wrong folks...I am VERY thankful for our Blessings and that Dad was able to find employment again that he enjoys and I volunteer help out at his department with filing, entering computer data, making copies, etc.

Eric

[beachbum_al]

Well I grew up in the town where I return to. I moved away when I was 20...Went to MSU, and then ended up at Auburn. Got married and had children...moved to Sylacauga. Then ended back here in Fairhope about five years ago.

[arkess7]

Well I was born and raised in Orlando and my husband got transferred up here 2 years ago in his work............so now I am 90 miles north of my hometown........but we love it up here!!!!

My father was born and raised in West Palm Beach and moved to Orlando when he was 16.......so our family goes back a ways , being Native Floridians. I'll never leave this state!! I couldnt stand being so far away from the beach! Home Sweet Home!!

[gtalum]

I wa sborn and raised in CIncinnati, Ohio. My stepfather owned a business manufacturing epoxy adhesives and coatings. Well, when I graduated high school they packed up and moved to venice, FL, business and all. After I finished college in Atlanta, GA, I followed to work in the business. Now I own it, and bust my butt to cover teh costs of the transition agreement.

I stay because I'm too lazy to pack up and move everything andas it turns out I just really like Sarasota.

[Kim_in_MN]

Mine is boring . . . grew up here; went off to college (50 miles away); married and moved to HIS hometown; eight years later divorced and moved back to my hometown to be closer to my parents. I try not to lean on my parents too much (don't want my kids to become a chore to them, but rather remain the joys that they are ), but it is darn handy having that emergency backup (an example would be a few weeks ago, when my DD was sick and my dad picked up my son after his play practice so I wouldn't have to drag sick DD out in the cold).

Kim

[TexasStooge]

I was born and raised in Irving, TX and lived in that city ever since.

[O Town]

Born and raised here, as was my Father, and my mom moved here when she was 8 from West Virgina. We moved to Alabama for about 5 years of my childhood, my dad was a golf pro and got a job as the pro at a great course. We soon moved back to the same house we left here in Florida, we rented it out while we were in Alabama. My kids were born in the same hospital as me, go to the same school as I did, and my dad went to. We now live about 8 blocks from my parents house(the same one I grew up in). I love it here in Florida and never plan on leaving. When I get old and grey you can find me on the east coast of Florida, I already know I will die living next to the beach here in Florida.

[Kelarie]

I was born in Irving, Texas, but didn't stay there very long. My dad was military so we wandered all over. Ended up in Fort Worth. I moved down to Austin in 1999 with who I thought was the love of my life (boy was I really mistaken ) and have been here ever since. In that time have found the job in I am in now and have found my love of my life and we are planning on moving to East Texas and raising cows in the near future. Austin is just too big a town for us. I just need to get my 10 years in with my job.

Thats my story...

[nystate]

Army brat here...born in Rome, NY back when Griffiss AFB was still around. From there it was on to Hawaii; Fort Bragg, NC; Heidelberg, Germany; Fort Drum, NY; and now back to Fort Bragg, NC.

I'm moving again in a year and a half. I have in mind a certain place or two where I would love to go, but I'm not going to jinx myself be listing them here.

[DaylilyDawn]

I was born in Cleveland , Ohio but my parents moved to FLorida before I turned 2 years old. I grew up in Bartow FL which is about 15 miles south of Lakeland.After graduating from high school, went into the Navy, got married , lived in Pensacola while in Navy, then came home to Bartow, couldn't find jobs so wetn to Lakeland, found jobs and a place to live.Been here ever since.About 20 years ago bought the house we are in.

[Dee Bee]

After being born, raised, educated, married, and having resided in the Chicago metro area for my entire life, a few months shy of my 50th birthday my husband was headhunted for and accepted the position of city manager here in Boynton Beach. Talk about a culture shock! But we'll have been here 6 years in early April, and I now truly love Southeast Florida.

[Jack8631]

I was born and raised in Baltimore, and entered the service in 1979. When I got out in 1987, I moved back to Baltimore and took an electronic manufacturing job. In 1994, just when I was starting to move up the ladder so to speak, the company announced they were moving to Alabama. I moved with them, and have been here ever since.

[Brent]

Born and raised in Alabama. I've lived in three different towns, but all within 2 hours of each other.

[vbhoutex]

Born in the same hospital as Dennis in Wichita, KS. Moved to Gulf Breeze, FL at 3 yrs. old. Moved to Tallhassee, FL. at 10 years old so dad could pursue Met degree, which didn't pan out. Moved back to GB at 15 yrs old and graduated Woodham High School in Pensacola in 1969. Came to Houston that fall for college, met my wife in 1971 and married her in 1972 and we are still in Houston and will be for the forseeable future(until I win the lottery).

[fwbbreeze]

Born in Pensacola but lived in the Fort Walton Beach/Destin area all my life. (except for a few college years) My dad originally moved to the area from Missouri as an officer in the Air Force in the 1960's, met my mom, and decided not to leave. I absolutely love the Emerald Coast and really dont plan to live anywhere else. (Though the mountains of North Carolina sure are nice)

fwbbreeze

[sweetpea]

I was born in Point Pleasant, NJ, lived within a 20 mile radius of there till I was 20 years old. Followed my Father to Daytona Beach, FL. Over 11 years lived in Daytona, Miami and Orlando. In 1998 moved to Michigan with my husband who had rec'd a job transfer. Stayed for 5 1/2 years. Just moved back to Florida in March of 2004. Now we plan on staying but we are looking to buy some kind of cabin back in Michigan or North Carolina for vacations. Debbie

[nholley]

I ended up here through marriage, born in the UK, moved to France at 18, Texas at 21, back to the UK at 23, to Spain at 25 and here at 28.

[breeze]

Very interesting topic! Grew up here in Summertown, TN, and
actually married and moved 40 miles west - divorced, moved
back here after 3 1/2 yrs. away, and, moved 20 miles west
where I took a job, and, lived there for nearly 15 years (married
a second time while there). After my Dad died in 2002, I moved
back here to keep an eye out on my family, and, I am planning
on staying. I can see the high school that I went to out of my
back door!