it’s my birthday week so time to reflect. it’s been a year of changes…. that’s for sure! last year at this time we were getting ready for the trip north to “check out” this area and see if it might be feasible to consider living here. now here we are, all the moving chaos behind us, settled, heavily involved in home repairs, adjusting to the climate and busy with new friends, creative endeavors and activities.
do i miss things about socal? absolutely. would i do it all over again? also absolutely. we loved living there all those years, and it
was seriously hard to leave long-established friendships, but we both felt it
was time for a change. a change to
quieter, cooler, cleaner, smaller, greener and wilder. and that is exactly what we got.
i’m still the same person.
still have the same issues and insecurities. and there are new problems to deal with for
sure. life is expensive here. but the newness has been pretty exhilarating.
we are still in that phase in which we sometimes can’t believe that we really
did it. that we really LIVE here and don’t
have to turn around and spend 2 and a half days to go home.
so…. so far, so good!
the long, cold, dark winter awaits.
yes, i’m a little bit freaked out by that…but also excited for the
challenge of making the most of it in new and creative ways. after all, one thing aging teaches us is that
it’s what’s inside that counts and attitude is pretty much everything. so bring it on! and here’s to another year of blessings and
challenges, beauty and wisdom, growth and learning. cheers!
I will continue to feel blessed that you, Stu and Bailey have become our neighbors, Patty, and so look forward to the years ahead! You're a sparkly, positive and creatively bright glow in our region.
ReplyDeleteYou do say the sweetest things! We are both lucky that we found each other.... kind of meant-to-be I think!
DeleteBeautiful post, Patty. You always inspire me ... and with my move coming up to a 'rain forest' climate, and an expensive way of life, your attitude is catchy. Photos are exquisite ... you are indeed in a lovely part of the world. Agree, as we age attitude is everything. Happy you are posting a little more often again. Blessings to both of you, and of course to Bailey. xoDonna
ReplyDeleteDonna, there has been ebb and flow for sure....but I love that we have stayed connected. You have always been an inspiration to me and I sometimes have to remind myself that we have never actually met. Hopefully that can change in the not-too-distant future!
DeleteHave always (as long as I have known you) admire your courage and moving to a new place from another that you like demands a lot of that. I must say that Elsbeth is to be envied to have you as her new neighbor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ella. You are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteYou really seem to enjoy your new home, and I'm glad for you. So good that you did this big step. Washington always reminds me of my native country except that WA is much wilder and way less populated. I understand about the dark winters - I lived through 40 of them. But as you said - it's the attitude that counts and that will help you through it.
ReplyDelete