About The River

Monday, April 11, 2016

trans·plant v. trans·plant·ed, trans·plant·ing,

trans·plant

 (trăns-plănt′)
v. trans·plant·ed, trans·plant·ing, trans·plants
v.tr.
1. To uproot and replant (a growing plant).
2. To transfer from one place or residence to another; resettle or relocate: residents were transplanted to the suburbs during the massive reconstruction project.
I am a transplant. My husband and I  transplanted to Barron County just about 19 years ago.  We both are Wisconsin born and raised. Ahhh, but we are from a different area of Wisconsin. And one would never know how different people can be just with in your own State! I am going to start a new series of stories here on The River, stories about my adventures of trying to "fit" in the "my new neck of the woods" in Wisconsin. I hope it will make you laugh, maybe feel a little sorry for me and that you will share stories with me if you are a transplant.

 My husband moved to the area in August 1997. We moved to the area because my husband was hired for an amazing company (he is still with that company and it is a great place to work, a true blessing).  I did not move to Barron County until December 1997. I did not move right away, because I had this amazing, fun job that I loved. I had been working with this company in my hometown going on three years. And no, I did not want to leave my parents, my hometown, my job or all my friends. So I stayed behind....my thought processes being, I just want to be sure my husband likes his career before I decide to resign from my job. I would live with my parents during the week and head over to be with my husband in the land of Barron County during the weekends. Well, my husband liked his job, it was time for me to say good - bye to my hometown, my job, my family, my friends, my comfort. I headed to Barron County. My husband and I rented a duplex at first in the small town of Chetek. My husband worked in Cameron. After living in the area for three days, I was on my way back to our duplex in Chetek from visiting my husband at his work. I was leaving the small town of Cameron on the highway, I was past the high school, heading into rural area and I picked up the speed to 55 MPH. Ahhh, I did not see the speed limit sign. Flashing lights!! I pulled over, just about ready to cry. The officer was not kind, I tried to explain I was new to the area, note my address change on the back of my drivers license. I tried to explain I did not see the speed limit, still trying to continue that I was new to the area. He handed me a ticket for speeding!! And to top it off, he said " And have a nice birthday." Yep, it was my birthday, I received a speeding ticket, three days after leaving my hometown, my job, my family, my friends, my comfort....to the land of mean police officers!!
I cried and cried!
Welcome to Barron County... you are a transplant!  Until next time....

15 comments:

  1. I'm a transplant too - from England to Sweden!

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  2. It will be really good to be in own own town. We too have born in one place and living in another place...

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  3. Hubby and I moved from farm country in Illinois to northern Michigan. Wow--culture shock!
    Farm country is incredibly friendly, northern Michigan--um, no. But we love the cool summers and the snowy winters (though, darnit--the snow can QUIT now please!!!)

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  4. Hi Carla
    What a great post but poor you getting that speeding ticket...I
    When we all look back and see how our lives evolve the path so often twists and turns,I know mine has. Family has always been the nucleus even if we can not always be that close (in miles), family is so important.

    I was interested in looking at the map you've used and seeing where the honey, cheeses, apples etc are best produced

    Enjoy your day

    All the best Jan

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  5. I'm definitely going to enjoy hearing more of these stories! Your initial welcome wasn't all that welcoming so I'm excited to hear when you fell in love with it. I was born and raised in western Massachusetts (near Amherst), lived their for 22 years, moved to Maine for a job and Relocated to NH in 2007 for my hubby's job. So, yes! Definitely a transplant as well!

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  6. Oh what a sad story! I can't believe he didn't just give you a warning. We had a car wreck on my birthday a couple of years ago (I did not blog about it) and the police were so sorry it was my birthday. They were so nice but I still cried. I know you are glad to be where you are now! Sounds like a wonderful place to live. Hugs, Diane

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  7. Oh no!! I would have been so mad! Can't wait for the rest of the story!

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  8. We're forever changed because of that move! Glad it wasn't my hubby who gave you the ticket...it might have gotten things off to an awkward start! ; )

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  9. I hope that was your last speeding ticket in your new place. I would have never thought you would have been so affected by a speeding ticket. It must have been on a day that you were more vulnerable as it happens to girls sometimes...

    My daughter when she was young drove over the border in Maine and got a speeding ticket. She said that they had a speed trap. She had to go back in the US to appear in court to pay her fine but instead of feeling overwhelmed with this, she thought it was cool that she got arrested and appeared in court with all sort of law breakers in another country... lol... She and her dad went back to pay the fine a week later.

    I'm a transplan too of over 50 years and love the city of Fredericton so much and felt right at home from day one. I'm still here. I was offered a job the very next day I arrived here for what was just a visit.
    Have a joyful day.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  10. Well, that was not a good day! I'm a small town girl. I like it here. Moving is not my thing...but never say never!

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  11. Well that wasn't a nice present. When we moved to Oconomowoc, I found that all the people who grew up there were very tight and it was very, very hard to make new friends. I was only there 9 months and then moved back to Florida for various reasons. I miss Wisconsin and beautiful Oconomowoc but not trying to fit in.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. This will be fun to follow along, Carla. John is from MI originally. Looks like that officer could have had a little compassion for you under the circumstances!

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  12. Oh the trials of being a transplant. I am looking forward to this series and hearing your stories. Between my moves between Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin (various locations in each state), I know many of the challenges, and rewards.

    By the way, I don't think that police man was very nice!

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  13. Awww... don't those sorts of things always happen like that. Moving is so stressful, no matter where you're moving or what the situation.

    And what a fun idea for a blog series! :)

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High Fives from Wisconsin!