Here Comes the Sun

The sun is shining as I write this...a good thing when you live in the Northwest. (See picture below). I remember listening to the Beatle's "Here Comes the Sun" over and over when I was struggling through life in high school. It always gave me a sense that things would get better. And, I wonder now, as we enter this new year if it again has significance for our lives. Our life has been a little crazy this year and we are incredibly thankful for all the support friends and family have given us these past months. Even though we've had our upheavals , the real news of this year is the election of Barack Obama!!!! I am a dyed in the wool, unabashed, "yellow dog" (my Missouri friends taught me that one) Democrat and I will never forget the excitement of hearing the newscaster announce "Barack Obama has won the presidency of the United States". In some respects I do feel for my Republican friends and family because we liberals have been down and out for a long time and know how that feels. It's not that I've never voted for a Republican (does Jim Leach count?), but the Democrats have always been the party that stood for the values I hold dear. I and so many Americans are beginning this new year with HOPE! And yes, maybe here does come the sun. There is much hard work ahead and I worry that Obama will be expected to do too much too soon. Still, his calming leadership style makes it seem like anything is possible. Angie's Dad, Step-Mom, and brother will be going to the inauguration. We will be with them in spirit. P.S. A yellow dog Democrat?... definition..."You'd vote for a Democrat even if he/she were a yellow dog"


Yes, Virginia, there is sun and blue skies in the Northwest. Also, notice our snow is almost gone!

Moving Musings

I was thinking today that before meeting Bob, I had lived in 7 apartments between New Jersey and New York City. I attended 3 elementary schools and two high schools. Needless to say, I was often the new kid on the block. When I first met Bob, I remember him mentioning that he might like to settle in Alaska. I thought that was such a romantic notion and it made him more attractive to me. Now I wonder, "What was I thinking?" Although we didn't end up traveling to Alaska, we did experience life in lots of places the past 33 1/2 years. I thought we were settled in Iowa, living there for 15 years, but a great job opportunity came up for Bob in 2000 and we decided to go for it. I will never regret that decision, but that move to Washington DC and the subsequent move four years later to St. Louis brought up my old insecurities of "being new". I simply crave the feeling of belonging to a place. I think that's why I was somewhat heartbroken when Bob felt that the Iowa winters precluded us from returning there in retirement. I thought I was a good cheerleader for our return there...a good quality of life, affordable retirement, and returning to what was familiar. What I didnt' expect was how easily it was to fall in love with the Pacific Northwest when we first visited. So, we in ended up in Bellingham after lots of soul searching about this next chapter in our lives. Now, I'm finding that the old feelings are back and they are so familiar. I remember in Iowa signing the boys up for school and I didn't have anybody to list as an emergency contact. I felt so lonely and as a last resort I put down the name of a University of Iowa student who we knew from South Dakota. Now I am trying to put this move into perspective. It certainly is different as Bob and I are not working and that is the usual first contacts one makes in a new area. And, it certainly is reassuring to have Steve and Angie nearby, as it was to have Pete and Anne when we moved to Washington, DC. I know I must remain patient, as friendships and connections take time. One thing I'm most happy about, though, is that since I don't plan on ever moving again, this will be my last time feeling so unconnected. And, that is an enormous relief for sure!

So much to be grateful for

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We shared Christmas Eve with Angie's family with good food and interesting conversation. Angie's nephew, Owen, is the life of the party and his excitement for Santa made the night extra special for us. The next day Jen and Greg kindly lent their 4WD truck to Steve and Angie so they could trek through the snow and make it to our place for Christmas dinner. I think Angie and I thought the best part of the night was beating the boys at Mille Bornes. (Thanks, Steve and Angie for bearing with us as we "relearned" how to play).

We have so many things to be grateful for this year. Pete, Anne, Lizzie and Hannah have been so wonderful in their care for my Mom. I haven't been able to get to know my Mom's caregivers very well, but I get regular updates and I appreciate their care and concern more than they will ever know. On our last trip to IA my Mom's nurse's aide came up to me and said, "I just love your Mom". Her words were a priceless gift to me. I often have said that people who work in long term care are the unsung heroes of our health care system. A big thanks to Pete and Anne for being such great parents to two of the best granddaughters one could ever hope for.

And, finally, we are grateful for the rest of our family and friends that live far and wide. Our Christmas cards this year just reiterated to us how many special people we've met in our travels to Arkansas, California, South Dakota, Iowa, Virginia, Missouri, and now Washington. If there has been one constant in all for our moves, it's been that there are nice people everywhere.

The weather outside is frightful

Winter has come to the Northwest and it's somewhat different than we expected. Last year we visited Steve and Angie in Edmonds ( about 90 minutes south of us) for Christmas. On Christmas Day there was a beautiful, light snow that gently dusted their lawn and it was gone the next day. We've lived through many a long winter in our day (4 years in South Dakota and 15 years in Iowa) and we were looking forward to the winter problem being too much rain. How lucky are we that they are having the lowest temps and worst snowfall in years? We have been laughing all week that maybe we are back in Iowa!! At least we are prepared for winter, with our coats, hats, and boots. Unfortunately, since this is such an unusual weather occurance, (that's what everyone here keeps telling us and we have our fingers crossed they are right) they don't have enough plows and the roads are filled with snow. We've come to rely on our trusted 4WD truck, that we never expected would come in so handy. But, today, with cabin fever creeping in, we walked to our local coffee shop for some fresh air and java. I spoke with my friend in Iowa tonight and I believe we have more snow than Iowa City!!!! Now, isn't that amazing!!!! Poor Bob has had to shovel daily the past 5 days. Wednesday's forecast? More snow.

Our Introductory Tale

New to blogging, I must say I learned all I know from my daughter-in-law's and my dear friend's daughter's blogs. Over the past year, its been such fun to check in every day and see what is happening in their lives. Bob and I now have a new life, recently retired and moved to the Northwest. Although we have lived all over this beautiful country of ours, the Northwest is new to us and we hope great things are ahead. As my friends know, I love to "talk" and this blog will be a new way for me to do that. I am excited about sharing pictures as well and Bob will be responsible for that job. We hope you visit our blog often as we go about figuring out what's around the corner for us.