Who Let The Dogs Out!

Stephen writes:

The Thompson Zoo is on the move again.

Well, sort of. Karen and I bought a second home in Edwardsville, Illinois, near Karen's sister. The purchase is part of a master plan to downsize, economize, and crystallize plans to move towards full-time starving artist. We always thought we'd do this out west but the illness sort of prompted us to adopt a step-by-step transition strategy. So we are moving Kristen down to live in the house while we ready ours here for sale. In the meantime, however long that is, we will continue enjoying the home as a quaint getaway. I love going to Edwardsville and spending time downtown in the old coffee shops and restaurants. And Karen is having a blast decorating the 90 year old home.



Once the home here is sold I will move into an apartment near Chicago and work between the office and Edwardsville. I am fortunate in that much of my work and travel can be done from anywhere so it's a nice in-between solution. Eventually, after Nathan is finished with school, and I am done paying for it, I will approach the company about a lesser and remote position. If they say no I will just start my artist days sooner than expected.

Now--the obvious question is, and has been, "Are you doing this as part of a worst case scenario?" And the obvious answer is, "Yes! But also for best case scenario..." I've always gone by the rule of 'hope for the best and plan for the worst' so it's as pragmatic as it is aspirational. Believe me, I plan on being around a long while and becoming a successful fine artist, but if the cancer returns I certainly see it as a smart move in making sure Karen is taken care of, near her family, etc.

Beyond that, small town living is something we've always wanted and now is the time to get on with living our dream. We love old homes, family communities, and a slower pace of life. We might as well stop talking about it and start living it.

So we'll soon be living in what Karen calls a barn house and owning about half of what we have now. (It's been quite liberating to part with junk we've collected over the years and it feels good to be taking action on 'next'.) We'll be living a much simpler life. And if I can sell a few paintings it will be that much better.

Pic of the house attached. It's a cute cottage style house with original horse hair plaster, Auntie-style old basement, creaky stairs, and a claw foot tub. It just feels like home. Our home.

So, who's moving down next near Trish?

Stephen