Reasons I am queasy with excitement: the short version.

1. I am going to Amsterdam.

1a. With Melissa!

1b. And my dad! (Who is not going for free, so no angry letters about WHY ARE OLD MEN WITHOUT BLOGS BEING PAID TO TRAVEL)

2. We are selling our place.

3. We are moving to New Jersey.

4. We will no longer live in Brooklyn. We are doing what we said we wouldn't do.

5. We will live in a house. A nice house. We will live near our friends. We will have a yard and a good school for Henry.

6. But still! We will not live near our other friends! Why do we have to have friends! And also we won't be in Brooklyn!

7. I'm okay. I'm okay. I WILL BE OKAY.

So as you can see: I am not pregnant, nor am I rolling in money from any book deal. Yet.

Comments

[margalit]

In order to live in New Jersey, you need to let us know what exit you're on. It's not so bad. You're going to find friends anyplace you go, and Henry will be in a good school district, and you'll find out that living in the burbs offers some things that living in the city just can't. Like land and space and quiet and parking spaces. Tip on moving, check craigslist free every day for moving boxes. Someone is always wanting to get rid of theirs and they usually great boxes straight from some expensive moving company.

[Alissa]

hoo-ray for home ownership!

[Amanda]

May the force be with you!

[JP]

Congrats on the new house...that is super exciting!!

My husband has a job interview in Manhattan on Friday. We live in California...

Don't New Yorker's hate Californians? Oh, wait. That could be the anxiety talking...uh, but still...do they?

[ozma]

I went to New Jersey once and there was an ice cream store with cones for $1. And there were still lots of crazy people. I think you'll like it.

[John]

I've just started reading your site per the Bloggies. I really enjoy your site, and I am glad I came across it. I'll keep reading if you keep writing. I think that's an acceptable deal.

See you at SxSW!

[kb]

Congratulations! How funny/odd would it be if you sold your house to someone who found it through your blog? If only we could afford to buy in the neighborhood...

Bon chance!

[alice]

KB, we've already in contract, so sadly that's not going to happen.

JP, who told you we hate Californians? Stealing your wallet is our way of saying "Welcome!"

[Jess]

I lived in the Netherlands for a year and a half, so let me know if you have any questions before you go. You're going to love it. *is jealous*

[Arabella]

New Yorkers don't hate Californians. We just don't understand why you're so laid back all the time when you could be hurried and stressed.

[Her Ladyship]

wow, so many changes in one fell swoop! congrats on the trip to HL, and good luck with the move.

[Joanne]

I think you are a lucky lucky girl to get to move to NJ. Don't listen to the haters - and for those of you that choke on saying that you live in NJ, what the hell? Walk tall - even if it's not as good as being FROM NJ, it's still reason to be proud that you CHOSE it. Congratulations Alice and have a safe trip!

[JP]

LOL...fear of the unknown, Alice...fear of the unknown.

I've been to New York only once...and I was TEN. Someone else was responsible for me back then...now I'm the one responsible for two little girls. I'm trying to figure out a way to sell them on the black market before/if we move out there. Makes much less to worry about. I can always get a new wallet. ;)

[JP]

Of course, after reading Arabella's comment about being hurried and stressed...I'll fit right in!!

[Candice]

Wow you're busy! Hang in there! It's exciting!

[wordgirl]

I love Brooklyn! My brother-in-law used to live there. My former sister-in-law lives in Brooklyn Heights. Some friends of ours used to live in a way cool apartment building on Eastern Parkway. Simply wonderful.

[RockStar Mommy]

Wow, I suddenly feel a whole lot less embarressed about living in Jersey.

[lis]

Bravo, Alice, bravo. And when you bring us all back special presents from Amsterdam, I will say that a lot more.

[Sarcastic Journalist]

I never knew that people used !! for Jersey. Granted, I don't know much about Jersey, but if you're !! then so am I.

Have fun in Amsterdam, make sure to smoke um, some some, for everyone else.

[Mary]

Have fun in Amsterdam! The house in Jersey sounds nice. I sold my soul to suburbs years ago and it only hurts a little bit. I'm lying, but it's nice when your kids can play outside and the parks don't have people (other than pregnant and tired moms) sleeping on the benches.

[Jane]

My husband and I are native Jerseyans marooned on Long Island, possibly permanently. We think wistfully of moving back. Enjoy, enjoy! Congratulations!

[Jenn]

So much good newsy goodness! Great house news and you will have a blast in Amsterdamn! Give 'em hell, my friend!

[Jill]

i live in nj - and i must say - i never, ever say JERSEY.

[roo]

Welcome to the Other Borough. It's like a whole new state.

[Tracy1cg]

All crazy people drive minivans. It's been proven. I do. I'm also a Christian. Which I'm guessing only further affirms my craziness in your mind. Tell Henry I'll dance for him if he likes. You can come visit me for the crazy dancing after you move. I'm not too far from Jersey. It's like a second home to me (did I just admit that?). Although I am glad that it's never my answer when people ask where I live. I don't know why. I guess because it's so....Jersey? But you'll love it there- no really. Some parts are actually very nice. I'm rather fond of the shoreline areas. Are you moving close to there? If you're from Brooklyn I'm guessing not. I'm not familiar with the areas closer to the New York border but I know a woman from there and she's very nice. Not at all inbred-ish.

A quick word of advice, a little something I experienced when I made the almost painless transition from city life to suburbia, you'll have trouble sleeping the first week or month (depending upon how quickly you adjust). It isn't because of the noise but because of the lack thereof. There will be no trains to lull you to sleep, no gun shot rhythm to dream to, nope, that's all replaced with strange new sounds. Crickets. Did you know they make noise? Lots actually, it's almost deafening. There are also strange things that go bump in the night in the suburbs. I don't know what they are. I don't dare check to see. I just pull the covers over my head and comfort myself by thinking it's a mugger. Then I can usually fall asleep, after a few glasses of wine. I'm not trying to scare you, only to prepare you.