And now finally JPI's BIG ANNOUNCMENT!!
Warning! This is a long read and no this is not an April fool's joke.
Also this is not exactly a roads topic per say but this is an indication of a move back to the south central PA area where I will be hosting a few road meets I have in the works later this decade.
Ever since New Years Day I have mentioned the words "change and changes" in a lot of my FB updates. Alot of you are wondering what changes am I referring to? Some of you already know the changes I am about to explain but first, here is a time line of events that have led up to these changes that both Stephanie and I are about to go through-
May 2019- my cousin Matt Simmons died unexpectedly and I was going to start re-connecting with him prior to this unfortunate event, unfortunately that won't happen now 🙁
March 2020- a double whammy here in the mid south, we had a bad tornado outbreak with one long track EF3 tornado coming just 2 miles across town from our house and the pandemic hit
February 2023- Stephs brother Scott Stine passed away 🙁
May 2023- Steph's other brother Steve and our sister-in-law Jenn made the decision to move to Ocala Florida from Macon County TN (45 minutes from where we live), Steve moved down to middle Tennessee in 2007 and met Jenn here. This leaves us with no family members here in middle Tennessee
July 2023- I find out while on a cross country road trip that my company has a new CEO, Steph was the one who told me, I had NO idea of this until she told me through a news channel online, things that make you go Hmmmm
August 2023- after 41 years my parents sold the house my sister and I grew up in and moved to a nice smaller place that is more suitable for them, we were sad to see this house go but I am happy with where they moved to. Also around that time I found out my uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 🙁
March 2024- Steph's sister Sandy Wisman passed away 🙁
And that takes us to today,
Steph and I started having talks of a possible move back to central PA in the last couple years. We have had some challenges with both our jobs in the last couple years, the Nashville, Tn region is growing at such a rapid pace, so fast that we have seen a big influx of people from other parts of the USA move in (especially west coast) and where we live in Lebanon has doubled its population since we moved here in June 2003 and our house values are through the roof. The weather has been crazy and it is nothing to have tornado outbreaks more and more through out the year, even in the winter time.
On August 2 of this year, I will hit 30 years with Cracker Barrel, I can't believe I have made it this far with how much this company has changed. And with that, friends and family, it is FINALLY time for me to say goodbye to Cracker Barrel! On Thursday August 15 will be my final day with Cracker Barrel, ironically it will be the 30th anniversary of the opening of the York, PA Barrel where my 3 decade long career started.
Steph and I already have our house up for sale and we are looking at property in the Southern Dauphin County to Northern York County area of Pennsylvania where our family and friends are. I don't regret the decision for our move to the middle TN region 21 years ago and we have grown both together and individually thanks to our experiences here, we made some great friends and embraced the culture here and I can truly say Tennessee will always be my "adopted" home state. We are also asking for prayers for a smooth transition and move for us.
For the past 15 years since I have been on Facebook you all have supported me through your Cracker Barrel check ins and for that I am truly grateful, after 8/15 you will no longer have to mention my name on those check ins and I am perfectly fine with that. 🙂
Also this is a milestone, my 1000th AARoads Post! :bigass:
Good luck and best wishes on your move.
Quote from: jpi on July 14, 2024, 09:21:30 AMFor the past 15 years since I have been on Facebook you all have supported me through your Cracker Barrel check ins and for that I am truly grateful, after 8/15 you will no longer have to mention my name on those check ins and I am perfectly fine with that. 🙂
I have a feeling that many of us will keep doing it anyway.
Anyway congrats on retirement and hope everything goes well in the move!!
Congrats on the move! Always exciting to "start over" in a different place (although it sounds like you've got quite a head start already).
There's something about home.
This is now Facebook official, and I have submitted my 30-day notice :nod: