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I spent the last week end at the college graduation ceremonies of beautiful brilliant granddaughter, Doodle Bug! Oh what an amazing time it was! I couldn’t have been more proud. She graduated from the honors college with so many accolades. In July she will be off to Japan to teach for a year! This girl is just so amazing!

The evening before the graduation, we attended her honors ceremony. It was so heartwarming to see so many amazing and brilliant young adults graduating with honors. It fills me with hope for our future. And boy howdy are there some amazing graduates there!

Added to my blessings were the arrival of her mom and siblings to celebrate with her! I hadn’t seen this gaggle of grands for nearly a year so it was a joy! Baby Grayson has grown so big! He is turning a year in a few weeks! The kids all had the best time playing in the pool at the hotel and hanging out at Doodle’s apartment. Since it was Mother’s Day weekend, as well, Doodle and Mils took Erica and out for the most delicious breakfast followed by lovely gifts.

It was a perfect week-end! I just cannot believe she has already finished college and is taking off to pursue her dreams. Nothing is going to hold this emerging Goddess back!

I did use the travel time as an opportunity to get in some knitting. I finished up a pair of socks. I just loved this color way and these just flew off my needles.

I quickly cast on another pair. I am busy stash busting and found this beauty by Spun Right Round. I am unsure of the color way. I am also still knitting away on the shawl but have been focusing more on the socks as they are a perfect take along project that requires no counting or thinking.

And now it is off to Ireland for a few weeks. Sunday we hit the friendly skies and I just cannot wait! I am sure I will have lots to share when we return!

Blessings,

Patricia

After cold and snow in early April spring finally arrived. After Autumn, Spring is my favorite time of year. I love witnessing the explosion of green as earth breathes life into the many living plant organisms. Having missed the green of the Willamette Valley, it is so wonderful to see some green again. I have been awaiting the bloom of all the lilacs that border our back fence area. I was concerned the snow and cold that blanketed them as they started to bloom would be the end, thankfully it did not seem to do damage and they bloomed out in a riot of color and scent!

With the return of good weather, I was able to get in some lovely bike rides. Many times I was joined by my side kick Emmy. She cannot go as far or fast, but she can do a mad 8 miles and is a joy to ride with. Look at those beautiful skies!

My knitting mojo finally returned! It had been a bit since I had felt the call to pick up the needles, but suddenly I had the urge to cast on and knit all the things.

I finished up the red/white/blue socks. This was some yarn I had in my stash. Not my favorite color way, but they will do on a cold winter’s day.

Next I cast on another pair with some Republic of Wool yarn in the Sunrise color way. I am loving the way this color way is knitting up! I usually make a short cuff, but loved this yarn so much just kept knitting. I also decided to do a rounded toe finish. I am really happy with this pair!

One of my favorite things to knit is shawls. It offers a chance to play with color and pattern and yet is relatively fast. I just adore Barnyard Knits yarns and have been building a bit of a stash. I wanted to knit another shawl for my eldest and knew I wanted something that represented the earth and forests. I am very happy with how these two color ways are working together. If you aren’t familiar with Barnyard Knits you must visit her website and check out it out!

A visit to the local quilt shop, Stash, and Becca was determined we would make quilts. I do piece the front of our bags for the Etsy shop, but have not quilted in ages. She quickly pieced together this beauty while I piddled around on a baby quilt from a kit I had purchased years ago. I just couldn’t seem to get into the process again. But I will continue to play around with fabric. I did work on completing a few bags but ran out of our labels.

With such wonderful weather, I like to get the grands outside to play and move. On week-ends we spend hours exploring and playing at the park. Being in nature is critical to overall wellbeing and does wonders for the imagination!

My poor little Misha caught her nail on something and had to go in and have it cut off. It was right to the quick so she was all wrapped up for a bit. She was quite pathetic about the entire thing and let us know she was not happy about it. She has just gotten such a frosty little face. My sweet fur babies certainly own my heart!

Well lots of busy days ahead! Doodle Bug graduates from college this weekend and Erica and family will all be here. I cannot wait to see them all!! My Doodle is then headed off to teach in Japan come July. She graduated from the honors college and is just sharp as can be. I couldn’t be more proud of her!! But how I will miss her being so far away! Following the graduation by two weeks, I am hopping on a plane and heading back to Ireland!! Yes back to visit my loves there and spend two glorious weeks just breathing in Ireland’s beauty!!

Sending blessings to all,

Patricia

It was with such relief that ole man winter took his leave and spring arrived warm and welcoming. The weather here has been marvelous and arrived early with a warm February. It seems the older I get, the less I enjoy winter. Although the snow carries a breath-taking beauty, the below freezing temps for days on end leave me desiring the temperate climate left behind in the Willamette Valley.

After nearly a year of living here, I feel I am finally settling in. Seeing the earth wake up and begin to bloom has certainly helped. But the biggest change has been to get back into cycling. When I moved to Salem nearly 10 years ago, I put my bike in storage and left one of my greatest joys behind. When the warm weather arrived here, out came my lovely Blue Bliss and off I went. Oh my I forgot the pain of getting back in the saddle as the bum has to adjust once again. I also found that after all that time off, I felt unsteady on my road bike. A trip to the bike shop and a new hybrid bike and well…bobs your uncle…once again I am a cycling fool. How I have enjoyed these long solitary rides along the my old cycling haunts. Many improvements have been made and there is not a lovely cycling path.

It is not the landscape that makes my heart sing, but it has its own wild beauty.

I was treated to a pair of herons the other day on my ride. So beautiful. I love the Celtic mythology of the heron as the wise woman I listened to the message they were sending to me.

Aside from cycling, I have been out with the doggies daily. They adore their daily run and the walk is a time for me to listen to audio books and soak up some sun. I often take the grands along to explore the nature areas and look for fairies and little people.

Speaking of daily routines, in January I determined to finally add a yoga practice. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and how easy it was to incorporate into my daily routine. I find I am much more flexible and no longer have the aches and pains that I had upon rising. I think it is one of the best gifts I have given myself this year! I found a yogi on YouTube that I just love. I follow Yoga by Kassandra. She had hundreds of routines for every level. I can change it up and it never gets old. I love the meditative aspect of the practice, the slow steady movement of the body, and the use of breathing as a tool for deeper movement. Little Miss Mimi often joins me which is just too cute!

Since coming to Walla Walla, I determined to enjoy the amazing wines that the area is known for. There are over 100 wineries and nearly as many varietals. I have joined a few wine clubs as well. It is so lovely to relax in a beautiful setting while sipping wine that at times matches the nectar of the Gods!

Unfortunately I haven’t taken many pictures when out tasting. I will try to improve that and share the beauty of so many of the wineries.

I had the longest dry spell with no knitting at all. I just had no mojo at all to even work on socks. Of course, I had plenty to keep me busy. What I replaced that knitting time with was reading. I found myself reading 5 books or more per week. With the PhD, I had been so busy reading text and scholarly articles, that I had forgotten the pure joy of reading fiction. The local library has provided endless hours of enjoyment. I find that I prefer to find books on Pinterest or by reading reviews then use my library app to put them on hold. I can just swoop in, drop off books, and pick up the next load. Plus using Pinterest helps me to locate books that match my preferences.

We made a fun weekend trip to visit my eldest grand, Doodle Bug, who graduates from University this spring. Time with her is always a joy! She is headed off in the summer to teach English in Japan for at least a year. I am so happy for her, she is just such a firecracker, but boy will I miss her! I guess I will just have to go to Japan!

I have really struggled to blog since moving to this area. Life is very different here. I find I am much busier, but take few photos. I am content, but it has been an adjustment. However, I don’t want these years to pass without capturing a part of them here. I view this blog in part as a legacy to future generations. I am blessed to have diaries of my great gran offering me a snap shot into her daily life. I can read of my own mother’s birth through her grandmother’s lens, such an invaluable gift. Therefore I continue to strive to write of my simple and humble life so my grands and greats can be offered a glimpse of the daily life of their ancestors as well.

Lovingly,

Patricia

Back home from our wonderful trip and right into Christmas. It was wonderful to be spending it with family this year as the past 8 I have spent it alone with the hubs. Since I am in a smaller space and Becca put up a beautiful tree, I did not bother to decorate. I did find that in not decorating, I never truly felt it was Christmas. However, Emmy and I did do some Christmas crafting. Emmy loves to come hang out and we craft together, I love that!

Such cute and fun projects. I had ordered some bead kits from Mary Maxim and the angels and snowmen were the only ones we found enjoyable. The wreaths and stars were awful to make and were just not cute at all. We also did some painted wooden decor and various paper crafts. I love how much she loves to craft! And we had a most wonderful Christmas with many lovely gifts all round.

Ole man winter, followed closely on my return! Living in the PNW and Oregon Valley, I am not accustomed to cold temps or snow. And boy has it been a doozy! Temps into the negatives and snow that just keeps on coming. It is strikingly beautiful and my view is lovely! But my poor doggies, it is a deep as my little Misha’s legs!

When snowed in, what does one do but decide it is time to cast on all the projects! I have been wanting to start some new knitting projects and went stash diving and came up with 6 new projects: shawl, 3 hats, slippers, and mittens.

I am still knitting away on my socks. The color of this yarn makes me think of Christmas and winter, although it is very red, white, and blue.

Immediately after caking up my yarn I cast on Sparkling Cider by Kristin Lerher of Voolenvine. I had been wanting to knit this cap for sometime. Used a hand dyed yarn by Republic of Wool in the color way Aster and am holding it with my own botanically dyed mohair yarn dyed with black walnuts. It is knitting up simply stunningly! I must admit that in all my knitting I have never knit cables so this will be a nice new technique!

Selling out home and moving into a dual living arrangement has brought about so many changes. Many have been changes of my mindset. I used to think that I always had to be doing something, that each day had to be marked with some accomplishment. I have finally accepted that doing nothing is absolutely OK. With that new mindset I have been reading quite voraciously. It is an enjoyable hobby that I had rather let slip and one I am enjoying immensely once again! It is not uncommon for me to read 5 or more books per week. I am always searching out new authors and books of interest and have found Pinterest to be invaluable for offering reading ideas. Most all books I can order through the local library, put on hold, and simply drop by and grab. So very convenient. A few that have not been available at the library, I have found through Thrift books most often at $3 or less. I did get a nice bunch of books related to all things Ireland. I read and enjoyed the stories of Christine Breen absolutely decades ago but they have a freshness about them now having visited Ireland several times. I also wanted a bit of history to become more familiar with the beautiful island and her people.

I have renewed my daily rituals which includes some wonderful books with daily entries. I have been reading and loving Tess Ward’s Celtic Well of the Year for several years now and it never gets old! The daily prayers are so rich and beautiful! I added A Poem a Day this year as well as the Witches Spell-a-day Almanac, such a fun book! I am also revisiting Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Peace and Plenty.

As my yearly habit now for the past five years, I utilized Susannah Conway’s wonderful Unravel your Life and Find your Word for 2022. I absolutely love Susannah’s workbooks. It is nice to look back over the past 5 years and see where I accomplish my goals and dreams, what has changed, and what has remained constant, plus has my word been reflected throughout the year and how/why. This year my word is Radiance.

Gearing up to start classes again next week for the PhD. I am taking a series of courses this year on death and grief. I have just a few years left so am finishing up all the courses and certificates I want to have before I begin the dissertation process! The research course last term was extremely intensive but I managed to come out with an A after stressing that I was hoping to just pass! Still loving the process and all the learning and growth that comes with a PhD program.

And now, it is time to begin my day. A fresh new slate with so many possibilities open to me. But first coffee and my daily reading.

Wishing everyone a bright and peace filled 2022!

Patricia

I am not an impulsive person when it comes to planning things but there comes a time when impulse is the only expedient solution! With all the Anpost mix up regarding the new requirements for the EU and one lost package and one returned, I was just over it!! The thought of not being able to send Christmas gifts to the grands in Ireland was too much. So I did what any grandma would do and booked a flight to hand deliver the gifts!! I informed the hubs that we were flying out in less than two weeks so inform work…lol. And off we went on a grand and marvelous adventure! It was his first trip over seas and he had the absolute time of his life!

The flights were long as we had to detour through London Heathrow, but oh how wonderful it was to arrive in Dublin and be greeted by my dear loves! Oh how I had missed them, it had been over 2 years due to the damn Covid. My heart was full just seeing them!! I had rented a car for the week so we could take little jaunts to see a few things…Christina was the driver of course..lol.

It was all heavenly! Ireland, there is really no way to describe it. The raw rugged beauty, the people… But just being with my loves was enough for me!!

Hubs loved the pub life, and we did many pub visits throughout our stay. While he loved the Guiness, I fell for the hot whiskeys made with Jameson’s. The alcohol content is lower in Ireland, so I was able to imbibe happily!

This is just a small sampling of the photos I took, but just look at the colors! The vividness of the sky and land. Every view is breath taking. Ireland welcomed us with a beautiful sunny welcome on our first day and we enjoyed a stroll to the church ruins and graveyard and Grace O’Malley’s castle ruin right on the Atlantic. They are both in their backyard. Oh the wild Atlantic is just something to behold! While we were there she blew in a hurricane. How fierce the wind did blow, but were were tucked cosily away in the house, warm and safe.

We ate like royalty! Both Christina and Bill are incredible chef’s and treated us to traditional Irish dishes daily! Oh my stars, it was heavenly! The meals we had when eating out were also amazing! The food there is so fresh and not loaded with the preservatives and poisons we have adapted to here and boy howdy you can taste the difference!!

Every minute was so wonderful, my heart was filled to overflowing as memories were made and stored away. Seeing my sweet grands was enough, but add in a country so incredibly beautiful with amazing people, and it is beyond dreams. Being my second visit, I was aware of that, yet seeing it anew through the hubs eyes just added so much to the blessings of it all!

Not blogged in ages, and now I have catch up to accomplish! I will begin with a small blog covering up to my grand adventure in Ireland. You see since I moved, my days are pretty routine with childcare and a bit of knitting, crafting, and reading. But I have had a few special moments I would like captured (and that is what this blog is all about capturing special moments!)

Little Emmy is my best bud and loves crafting. I moved her craft corner down to my area so she can be as creative as she likes without little siblings getting into her stuff. I decided she needed to add sewing to her talents and she took like a fish to water! I showed her how to use the machine and gave her all my scraps and she just made up all sorts of things. Her is the quilt she started making all on her own. I love it!!

Her and I also take lots of walks and love to explore new places.

Currently we are busy making assorted beaded Christmas ornaments, but we are finding them quite hard! We have yet to complete a one…lol.

Took a most wonderful trip over to visit my eldest grand and spend a few nights. We had the loveliest time ever! She is graduating college this year which is just too hard to imagine!

We had the best time ever just shopping, playing games, and hanging out together! It was just what I needed!!

Back home and a birthday party! My sweet Mimi turned two. She loved having her own cake and was delighted with each and every package. She is the sweetest little thing ever and I adore her!

Living here, my life has a new routine much different from that in Salem, after so many months I have adapted and embraced the changes. Jimmy has been working on getting a transfer to this area. Now that the house is sold, we are footloose and fancy free to do as we like. My days are full of childcare, reading, knitting, and recently I have began to sew for the Etsy shop once again. I am learning that it is OK to just do nothing, that one does not always have to be doing something…a very hard concept for me to transition into. I have been reading a good 5 books a week and thoroughly enjoying the joy that a good book brings.

But I have much bigger news and that will be in the following blog!

Happy Holiday Season!

Patricia

Oh yes! Beautiful lovely Autumn has arrived! How I crave this time of year! I awake in the dark and the morning comes creeping slowly casting her light across the yard and trickling down to the pond below. The air is crisp and cold, with a hard edge that hints at what is to come. I love to go out onto the porch, wrapped in a woolen blanket and meet the dawn. I have once more dedicated myself to my morning rituals; a scalding cup of milky coffee while I read the daily prayer from Tess Ward’s beautifully written book of Celtic Prayers. I must share an insert so you can experience the beauty of her prose.

“Blessed be you for Mother Earth, for her fruits that we may not go hungry. Blessed be you Creator of all, for supplying the sun and the rain. May I co-operate with you providence and know your blessing this day.

Praise to you Generative Spirit, for as the wind blows the leaves, and all around you crisps and curls with brownness and death, you show your care with pumpkins, squashes and gourds, golden and ochre, bulbous and buxom. And underfoot cream and magenta root vegetables ready to pull, hardy turnips, parsnips, beetroot and swede. On tree and bush, clusters of berries in scarlet and October orange, and nuts cradled in silken case within hard clasp of the shell, feeding birds and squirrels in scarce times. Praise to you.

Strange God who made dying beautiful, I abandon myself to your curious beauty this day. Let me cherish the blood and bone of all the life you have given when the fears of no-life creep in and I am cold. May I befriend the dark with open eye at summer’s end. My I stoke the feisty fire of my desire as vibrant as the leaves I see. May my creative impulses leap like the speckled salmon as I embrace the fertility of winter. May I love the ground on which I stand, as the leaf mold and decay of summer mulches the soil and strengthens roots. May I hunker down, curled up like a hedgehog, in the dark peace of quiet. May the wholesome table bulge with roasted earth fruits, steaming pies and warming drink, fueling my body for wintery days. Let me celebrate the sacred vigor of dying as I welcome this autumn day.”

This is just a sampling of a part of one daily prayer as there is more for the ending of the day. I just love how Tess uses imagery so vividly. I always read these out loud as I feel only in that way can I truly capture the beauty of the prose!

I have not been as regular with my daily walks, but have been out to explore a few places. Over the week end I headed out with Bella to one of my favorite walking trails. I wanted to see if there were many changes in the last 8 years. What I found was great improvements, as they paths are now being maintained. It still captured that sacred special feeling as we wound down through trees over arching the path. It offered a small bit of what I dearly miss about the PNW, the green silent secret paths that twist and turn, filled with mystery and magic.

I must admit I have done little to no sewing, I did start a few bags, but they are still sitting half done on my cutting table. I have been knitting, simple socks and a Child’s dress I started ages ago. Most of my time is taken up with childcare and PhD studies. But I am very content as I am finally settling into this new role. It has not been without its own trials and many bumps. But I love that I feel more of a purpose now. As much as I adore retirement, I was craving a greater purpose once again. My classes are going well. I am finally taking my research courses. I had dreaded and put them off until the last. But so far so good! I still have 2 more years to completion since I have been going part time. Next year I will begin the dissertation process, which is an entire year or more in itself. No rush, just enjoying the process….

Do you believe in magic, do you still have that sense of wonder and awe? I work to ensure that I never lose it! So when I was walking last week and came upon a fairy ring of mushrooms, I was enchanted! How wonderful, how magical!! The ring was only half as it was intersected by the path, but a perfect half arch was still clear.

Isn’t that just magical? What a wonderful gift from nature!

I have none of my holiday decor here, so have had to get creative with what I can find around me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the flowers and herbs growing in the yard and put together this little arrangement for my table. Of course a puzzle always takes up the majority of the table.

I have been enjoying a few yard and estate sales here and there and have found some lovely treasures. It is certainly much more enjoyable to have little companions on my outings. I have done so many things alone for so long, that I forgot just how much more enjoyable it is to have company as I treasure hunt, it certainly doubles the fun!

I have taken full advantage of the library here and find myself reading a great deal more than I have in years. When you have a 1.5 and 4 year old under foot, reading is one activity (along with knitting) you can do and still keep an eye out for mischief that only that age can find. Here is my latest pile. I discovered a you tube channel by a young woman in Portland, Morgan Long, which I have throughly enjoyed and discovered new authors to explore.

I don’t watch a much TV, but when I do it is either a cosy British production or You Tube. I enjoy so many You Tube channels and have discovered so many new things and gotten great ideas. There is just such a myriad of amazing women out there sharing their world and knowledge through You Tube; knitting, nature, reading, crafting, decorating, cooking, it is all there and then some! It was through the channel above by Morgan Long that I discover moon lamps! The kids have had a great time with them!

What could be more fun for a little one than holding the moon in your hand!

Well it is time now to focus on some research and churn out this week’s posting then get my sweet doggies out for a walk.

Adventure awaits!

Patricia

Oh my, it has been a season since I posted. It has been a very busy busy time with so many changes. I shall attempt to catch you all up as I share my latest adventures.

I have currently returned to the little community in eastern Washington that I left 8 years ago. I still have my home in Salem, but am busy preparing to put it on the market. But first, what brought about such a change and so very sudden. Well my daughter completed her nursing program and took a job offer here and I came along to help out with the grands. We found a lovely home with a beautiful dual living set up, absolutely perfect for both families and well, next thing we were both relocated. Let me tell you we moved during the brutal heat streak and the AC in the new house promptly quit. Oh dear was it a few miserable days! But all was soon sorted and we settled in. Very sparsely at first, I had what I could fit in my car and Becca had a smaller truck load. Both of us had homes to prepare and sell and husbands staying behind to work and visit as able.

Returning to a small community has been challenging. So many things I took for granted are not to be found in this rural area. I admit, it has been ups and downs as to my feelings about liking the return to a rural area. There are a list of pros and cons and they both keep growing as each month passes. The biggest adjustment that I have faced has been caring for 5 children with a 4 y/o and a 1.5 y/o. Boy Howdy do they keep me on my toes. Becca works 12 hour shifts so I am one busy grandma. Thankfully the two oldest are so amazingly helpful!!

It has been interesting readjusting from an entire house to a smaller apartment, but I was up to the task! Between thrifting, bargain hunting, and getting down right creative, I have managed to put together quite the sweet little home, or my hidey hole as I call it. My living area in the house is bright and cheerful and I have a nice little deck which I enjoy spending many evening and early mornings on. Let me share some pictures of my little home.

I brought many of the items that had great meaning to me; mother’s baskets, gifts from the grands and my girls, things with sentimental value, and things that just make my soul sing.

I found all these curtains at a yard sale. I felt they added just the right ambiance to my little space.

My darling teen grand daughter Bella, who has the 3rd bedroom in my apartment, likes to call this our witchy area as it has all our special crystals, sage, herbs, and other items that we treasure.

I am waiting to find just the right overstuffed chair to replace the one with the blues. I am hoping for something in a nice rose shade…

I loved the detail on these French country chair I found on a great sale. And this little chest I grabbed from a yard sale…isn’t it precious?

I have a lovely sewing area as well in this sweet three bedroom apartment. Don’t mind the mess…..

All this shelving I found on marketplace and at great prices. I just had to have all my fabric and craft items surrounding me!

And a lovely large bright bedroom filled with my special things and a nice large writing desk!

This little wicker dresser I picked up for pennies and painted. It works perfect for my clothes and small tv.

I also have a nice little book nook, but I brought very few of my books. However, it is perfect storage for the wonderful wine offered here and my sewing room overflow.

On one of my yard sale outings I happened upon an artist who was retiring and selling off what was left of her work. Oh my Gosh! Beautiful pieces and such a wide range of styles. I’ll share what I found.

The cross stitch was made by my eldest Christina decades ago, it is so lovely.

However my most precious piece is an original by my friend Candice! I love this piece as it reminds me of my father and I when I was a child. I adore her work!! Notice the small little canvas as well. Isn’t her work just AMAZING!

I hope you enjoyed the tour. It is really just a perfect space. Although I have not a one of my hutches, which I dearly love, I have managed to still surround myself with the things which are dear to me and create a warm and cozy home. And is is nice being surrounded by family. I still dearly miss my eldest and grands tucked over in Ireland, and my middle in Cali. But my siblings are all much closer and I can now visit them.

My days still follow the same rhythm, early slow morning savoring the dawn of a new day, walks with the dogs (not as often as I’d like), knitting and crafting, and still working away on the PhD. Now with the cooler weather I am getting out more. I do miss the beautiful PNW and all my lovely lovely green spaces, but I am finding the beauty in my current surroundings and appreciating a more rural and quiet community. I have always believed that wherever you go there you are and you must simply bloom where you find yourself planted. So I find I will bloom here in this space and this season of my life.

To new adventures!

Patricia

I have not blogged in forever, I did start one several months ago, but just never completed it. Do you have those times when you just don’t feel the ability to write, be it journaling, blogging, letter writing? I go through those dry periods and one such happened over the summer. But now I am back. I do want to publish the last blog I was working on before starting anew. So this is very outdated…several months so. But be that as it…..

June 2021

Oh so very much has transpired since I last posted. First was a lovely train trip to Cali for a wonderful visit with Erica and family. And greeting the newest precious grand baby, Grayson! He is a darling baby indeed!

While visiting I helped the grands engage in some fun tie-dyeing. I had found a wealth of white cotton shirts that would fit each and took them down. It was fun and the results were amazing! All so very different and beautiful. They also had fun dyeing up a batch of onesies for baby brother!

While there we also celebrated the graduation of sweet Milsie. She was graduating from both HS and CC as she took all the courses to complete her AA during her HS years! What a great accomplishment! She is off in the fall to LA to college, what a brilliant and brave young woman is Milsie!!

It was a great time visiting everyone and meeting my newest dear grand, Grayson!

Next it was home and what a flurry of busyness followed! My youngest took a nursing position in the town I had loved before relocating to the PNW. Since her husband was staying in Nevada to work, I decided to join her and provide help with the kids. We found a beautiful home with a nice mother-in-law 3 bedroom apartment in the lower floor. It is overlooks a park and large pond and is absolutely beautiful inside and out. But oh what a flurry of work, the hubs and I decided to sell the house while the market is so high and just move our belongings to WA where I will be living. He will also stay in OR and work for several more years. So I got busy and packed the entire house in the 10 days prior to my leaving for WA. I managed to get it done but what a job!

In relocating I only initially brought what we could fit in the car, which meant I was moving in with no furniture except a chair my daughter brought. I have managed and picked up pieces here and there over the past few weeks. I nearly have a nice little place together. What a change this has been.

I am posting this and will follow with an update of what has transpired since my move and return to a community that I had once loved so dearly.

Embracing change,

Patricia