We approach the 5-year mark since Lisa and Leigh pulled up roots and relocated to other parts of the country. As the sister who normally blazed new trails, I’m not sure if I was more upset because they left without me or just plain jealous because they got to leave first. But I miss having them nearby and it was great to get my daughter, Leah and her two children out to Idaho earlier this month for a look-see and potential homestead options. Leigh and Jim have done an incredible job on the place – Mom and Dad would be so proud.
When I moved to California from New Jersey 40+ years ago, the land of perpetual sunshine was a welcome respite from the blizzards of ’77 and ’78. As we suffer through the second heatwave in as many weeks of 110+ degrees, anything due east is a serious consideration. Retirement beckons in a few years and even Idaho is looking more and more inviting. While I want time to hurry up so I can retire soon, I don’t want the grandkids to grow up before I can spend more time with them.
In the meantime, life in Nor Cal lumbers on. When I should be coasting towards the finish line, I took a promotion at work that is more challenging than I ever imagined, and is a perfect example of the old adage, “what doesn’t kill you…” The house continues to take up a lot of my time, although lately I seem to have misplaced my motivation. I’m hoping it’s just the heat.
