We are now over eight months into our move. It is two days short of August 2018, and we have made it through the worst of the weather issues in Nevada. This has become home, although every now and then I will say something about back home meaning Oregon. I guess that is how it will always be but I can live with it.

I had no idea that there was a monsoon season in the Las Vegas Valley. We have had extreme heat (expected), thunder, lightning, rain, flash floods, and worst of all, humidity. They say it lasts about three months, but it is not a daily thing, thank goodness. The heat itself is very manageable for me as long as its buddy humidity is not visiting. Otherwise, I do quite well up to about 108 degrees. Above that I just stay home.

There have been many, many comments about why we would move to sin city and gambling. The reality is that we do not live on The Strip. Outside of that small area there are communities that work, go to school, play sports, participate in outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming. We live in the City of North Las Vegas, which is its own town of 650,000 people. I have never met friendlier or more helpful people anywhere. I also like the diversity of the area. So far I have not witnessed any sin, just people living their lives. 

As for gambling, there are many outlying casinos, which encompass theaters, entertainment, restaurants, and of course, slot machines and table games. Yes, we go there but it is a small part of our lives, not the main thrust. It is fun to go to a meal at the diner (casinos have the best food), and then plunk a little money into a slot machine. I am not a big gambler, but did win $200 after one breakfast. Of course, I had no idea what the machine was doing. These days they flash and make noise and then let you know if you win. So that was fun. I took my $200 bucks and left.

Mostly, we socialize within our enclosed retirement community. The club has many activities and we are getting to know a lot of people. Surprisingly, many are from the Northwest. In fact, I met one couple who were from the Beaverton area, which is where I was raised. Small World!

My health is improved considerably; the main reason we moved. I love my new state and am now a licensed Nevadan. I cannot believe it has been over eight months and I love it here.

yes!

I can breathe; deeply and fully. The asthma is not gone, but is very well managed and I finally feel human again. This makes all the hardship of moving worth it. This was the hopeful goal.

The sun hangs like a jewel in my vision. The desert glimmers as this very sun dances on the sand. I never knew I could love the non-green environment so very much. I keep waiting for the longing for lush foliage and grasses to hit me, but so far this has not happened.

I do believe that Oregon and its weather fit my life perfectly for over 50 years, but then it slowly became less perfect this last four years. Now I am in a different stage of life, and the arid climate and slower pace suits me well.

I feel fortunate that we were able to make this change together.  John is so happy and busy; Truffle is flourishing. Our nightly walks in the moonlight are a highlight of the day, as we watch our little sweetheart run and sniff and be joyful in her new home. I love being able to get in the car and go wherever I want and not worry about getting soaked. My scooter and car lift have created so much independence, but I was constantly wet for nine months of the year in my beloved Oregon.

Oregon will always be my real home, but this is wonderful in a different way. Viva Las Vegas! There are so many new things to explore.

Part 1

So much has happened since my last posting. I had to overcome another obstacle and that was me. I had become someone I did not like as I sat in a lovely prison aka my home. No matter how comfortable, if you are trapped, it is a prison. I was confined by weather and constant illness from my lovely Oregon, where I am allergic to everything. My accessibility into other homes was very limited.  I felt sorry for myself, isolated, and angry.

So……..we moved. Pigs now fly and hell has frozen over because Terri left her home state. It certainly did not take any arm twisting for my husband. I just mentioned would he consider moving to Nevada for the desert air. He was online looking for houses that very night.

Within six weeks we had the house on the market, bought a house in Vegas, and moved. My head is still spinning because of the speed in which this happened. But I felt compelled to get out of Oregon before winter set in. We rolled in here on November 15, 2017 to our home in North Las Vegas. It is its very own town of a mere 650,000 people.  We beat the first winter storm in the mountains by two days.

All the typical things happen when one moves. Nothing goes right. Our dog almost died on the way here; my car lift for the scooter broke about the half way mark; and due to unforeseen circumstances I had to drive about 700 miles of the 1000 mile trip. But we made it.

This is the home we left.

This is our new home in sunny North Las Vegas.

Very different styles for different environments. I loved our Portland home, but was ready for this change.

Part 2

We were so busy trying to pack and downsize by 1000 square feet, that I did not let myself think about anything else. Like leaving our adult son and leaving my deceased son’s grave; leaving a lifetime of friendships; parting from my sisters and friends; saying  goodbye to our disabled ready house and the most beautiful home we have ever had. Putting Oregon behind us and going south to Nevada and knowing that my ability to travel is very limited. It is very unlikely that I will ever be able to travel back to Oregon. My heart hurts at the thought. It will always be my real home; where we raised our boys and nurtured our marriage and friendships.

Still, I love North Las Vegas. I am not corralled by rain. I can get in my car and go and know that I will not get drenched as I use my scooter lift. The sunshine is spirit lifting. Almost every day I get up to bright skies. Our doggie, Truffle, loves this desert climate and is acting like a puppy. She is almost 10 years old. This move may have lengthened her life span.

My breathing difficulties have not eased as yet. But I would have that in Portland. Here I have a freedom and just deal with it. Accessibility is amazing. Plus, many homes are accessible because of the over 55 communities. Every building, doctor, hair stylist, massage therapist, is totally accessible. I do not feel so isolated.

Life is never perfect. I miss my son. I miss knowing my friends are close by. We are alone here, but I am a hopeful person and think it will be okay. I prefer who I am now to who I was three months ago.