2020,
I have again changed my life as I once knew it! Meaning, I moved on into a new field of learning and participating with my life forces!! If you were following my beginning attempts at blogging my adventures since 2011, bless your support. There's been quite a large hole/gap in my writing, since 2013, life does get in my way!! Catch up time!
After several years of enjoying my home in St. Helens, the time presented itself, through unspoken words and life's unexpected changes, telling me, GO.
I have always tried to listen to the small inner voice, not always willingly, sometimes arguing/questioning more than I want to admit, but, listening.
I bought my first Oregon home in 2006, just before the fall of money availability, and loved it, as past posts, with stories and pictures, attest.
After the 2008 downturn of the economy, keeping the house running and happy became a constant struggle and the hole I was slowly falling into getting larger. The house was build in 1930, getting older with each year, and money for fixing needed repairs, was fleeting. (I may have wrote to this in past blogs).
Forward, 2016, struggle, refinancing mortgage, working full time in town for a home care program, which allows elderly to receive needed care within the comfort of their home. I loved and believed in this concept. But, money was barely staying in my hands or bank account, it was scary.
February 10th, I received a phone message from my ex sister in law, to call. Before that, a call from my California daughter, I returned her call first.
My former husband, of 20 years, and reason I left and moved to Oregon, had been killed! WOW, astonished, unexpected news, shock, traveled through my mind. He was to move to Oregon after retirement, we still loved each other, his depression had made our marriage break, per his words....how dare he die before me, to top it off, he was much younger than I, this wasn't the plan! I knew I must travel to California for the last goodbye. My best friend wouldn't hear of me going by myself, she drove me, we stayed with a past neighbor and great friend, while there. Final good byes are awful and in this case, bitter sweet.
When I returned to my home, I walked in the front door, something had changed. I walked through my house, it felt that my entire life had changed in the handful of days I'd been gone. I knew what I had to do. I phoned a lady Realtor in town, saying I need a current "comp" listing of houses sold around me, she compiled the list and came to meet me. I had a first offer before the house went "live". Cute young couple, unfortunately, credit fell through. Soon, the right couple showed up, I needed to quickly find where that small voice was telling me to move!!
I first checked out houses close to my 2 daughters, in Independence then Silverton, nothing felt right. I was scrolling through Craig's list one morning, there it was, a cute little place in Lincoln City (where was that) a block from the beach, 624 square feet of squeeze space with the right rental price! For a little background here. I once told my former husband, a Deputy Sheriff, if he ever died, I would get a big dog and move to the beach, where I always wanted to live! His unexpected death was the trigger, I already had Adele, in my mind this was a natural progression.
A lady was viewing the house when I arrived, I knew she would take it, it was little and cute, with a garage. Afterwards, sitting around an outside table, she told the landlady it was to small for her, but, she thought I would be a good tenant! I was speechless, the landlady turned to me and ask my answer....I said yes, "don't anyone pinch me"!
Three yard sales, finding new homes for 2 kittens, retiring, saying good bye to many friends, Judy and her husband helped me move the many "2 hour, one way" trips to my new home.
June 3rd, 2016, Adele and I permanently arrived at our new little home, in a city I had only visited once since arriving in Oregon in 2004. now we live here! We were tired and very ready to commune with the ocean, daily.
What a whirlwind...but it continues!!
I decided to renew my love of photography, buying my 1st digital camera with proceeds of the . house sale. (I had always used a 35mm film camera). I found a neat group of Artist in many mediums and art forms. Encouraged, I again took up watercolors and acrylics. Became Gallery Chair, in charge of hanging quarterly art exhibit's of local member's work and I had the opportunity to design, make and wear a beautiful piece of art I could "show off" at each reception. Making friends has always been easy, I have made many these past 3 years.
I have never looked back on my decision to let it all go and move into a "new chapter" of life. It is so amazing, writing this blog makes me realize what a "fool hardy" woman I may appear….but, no, I know I am always in safe hands, and listening to the small voice who has traveled with me for many adult years, is not fool hardy, just astounding maybe!!
My adventure has not stopped since arriving here, it continues.
Adele and I are getting older. she is now 9+, I will be 71 the end of this year's March.....it is all only a number...as you will see in my new upcoming Blog Posts....stay tuned....
