As alluded to in my Aruba thread, big changes are in store for the DeFrenchy clan (a play on my wife's maiden name and my last name) now that 2025 has arrived.

This past Sunday, January 5th marked the end of my 18 1/2 year fire service career. The bulk of that, 14 years had been with the department I retired from. Home away from home was a large northern suburb of Minneapolis. It was home to everything from the second largest apartment complex in Minnesota (and also a big ghetto) to one of Target's corporate headquarters. As a result I was able to experience a lot of action in the form of fires, car accidents and EMS calls ranging from utter BS to serious trauma and everything in between than other departments save for Minneapolis and St Paul. Although my department had existed since the late 50's, it wasn't until the beginning of 2015 that it started hiring full-timers and I was fortunate to be part of the first group hired after working there part time since 2010. The reality of being done is still sinking in, at the moment I just feel like I have a long stretch of time off and not that I have become a normal civilian.

This job change was driven by a new job my wife has been offered that will allow us to move to southern Minnesota. There we will take over the rural hobby farm her parents have and where she essentially grew up. I say job change as I will become more of daddy daycare and property maintenance guy while she works full-time. Even though we will still be in Minnesota and it's mixed political bag, at least we will be in a more red area of the state versus the libtard suburb we are in now. I've wanted out of the metro ever since the Floyd debacle in 2020 and being in an area that was under curfew which made life with a newborn very interesting. Our oldest will start kindergarten this fall so it also seems like a good time to make this leap before he is heavily grounded in school, activities and more friends than he has now.

It remains to be seen what we may try in terms of raising livestock once settled but my wife and I are excited about being able to share that experience along with an appreciation of nature much like she had growing up with our boys.

The move will also drive some necessary improvements to our vehicles (as in we probably need a truck and more capable SUV) along with a better tractor than what currently lives on the farm. Also, we need a new outbuilding that will serve a few different roles. As such I will probably be seeking advice on all of this and more as our progress advances.

For now wish us luck as we prepare for the movers in a few weeks.

Best of luck with your new venture and lifestyle.

Good on you Frenchy!

A major lifestyle change indeed. Best wishes for you and your family.

Good luck - glad that you're getting out of the metro. I'm in SE MN (Red Wing) and love being on the river for fishing and family activities. Hope things go well for you!

Greeeeeeeen Acres is the place to be!
Farm livin' is the life for me
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside

New York is where I'd rather stay
I get allergic smelling hay
I just adore a penthouse view
Darling I love you but give me Park Avenue

The chores, the stores
Fresh air, Times Square

You are my wife
Good bye city life
Green Acres we are there