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.