What it might be like...

After weeks of negotiating and uncertainty, we are thrilled to be signed. We will be moving next year to Victoria, Texas. If I was writing a visitor guide, I would tell you to expect Texas-style shabbiness off of Highway 59. But as you remove yourself off the main thoroughfare, you will find pockets of lovely homes and the Guadalupe river which pumps life through the city. The river's energy yanked us in. We knew our kayak would be used and enjoyed here. When not paddling the river, there are three golf courses and the ocean is a mere hour away. Victoria is only 63,000, but the shopping is relatively broad. Enter Starbucks and get an iced mocha latte then meander down to Target to purchase a bathing suit for the pool at the country club. While you are thinking of water you remember you want to replace the faucet in the kitchen so you head into Lowes and if you can't find the right thing you try Home Depot. But faucets lead you to look at bathtubs and you remember your towels are frayed in too many places and your guests are coming next week. You head into Bed, Bath and Beyond and realize you need another kid to carry the bags out. You borrow a neighbor's kid till 5pm and decide with the extra pair of hands you can stop in at Kohls for a pair of sheets for the guest room, Academy for an anchor for the kayak, Hobby Lobby for a frame for that unflattering graduation photo, Hancock Fabrics for a chintz to make a dust ruffle. You don't really enjoy shopping but you know the refrigerator is empty and the borrowed kid meter is about to expire so you make one last stop at HEB. There you pick up some fresh tortillas, sushi and gourmet cheese. As the groceries are checked out you realize you left your wallet at the fabric store, but since it is such a small town the manager has already called your husband's office and they pass on your cell phone number. You wonder what is ringing in your purse since you still aren't use to having a modern day convenience. Ahh, yes, my rhinestone phone. "Hello." You listen as the store manager says he will send his sister over with your wallet. In a few minutes due to no 5 o'clock traffic, you embarrassingly pay for your dinner. You are thankful to be living in Victoria, but you wonder why you still can't shop at thrift stores and trash hunt. Times use to be so much simpler.