Update - Life in Citrus Heights

About a month ago, on my 74th birthday to be exact, the PT Cruiser was crushed by a Carport Roof. A month to the day I picked her up from Body Craft, repairs guaranteed for a lifetime by Geico. New roof, new windshield, apparently good as new. It was an interesting period of time to reflect on whether or not I need a car. Enterprise rented me a Jeep which spoiled my appreciation of the Cruiser. I could have 'gotten by' with public transportation and the occasional car rental. Something to keep in mind if and when the Cruiser is no longer a valid choice.


Life has settled into a routine of sorts. Farmer's Markets on the weekend, some exploration of burger joints and chinese food restaurants. A few outings but nothing of real note. What is coming to be a regular dinner engagement with the love of my life brings warmth and joy to the hearth and heart. Karin and Phil are nearby when I need or want to see my little family.


I'm loving living here. The weather suits me just fine. The house feels like home even though it's not 'there' yet. Most of the cardboard is secreted behind closet doors and/or upstairs in the spare bedroom/sewing room, out of sight and mainly out of mind.


If I'm going to cure all tendencies toward hoarding it will take an effort on my part to decide what to do about the excess. Too many quilting projects conceived but never planned and implemented leave me with few options. Shall I setup an Etsy store to market small quilted projects and/or sell off the fabric stash? Should I donate unwanted fabric to a quilting guild?


What do I want to do about my interests in photography, genealogy, knitting?


And, there is always the health issue of getting enough exercise for the body and soul and dogs.

Settling In - Citrus Heights

On August 26 the dogs and I were 'ready to go'. All that mattered and should be part of our 'new' life is packed in a U-Haul being driven by my son-in-law. The PT Cruiser looks like part of the Grapes of Wrath, packed to the hilt.

We've said our goodbyes and are heading for a new bed in Citrus Heights.

The following week I picked up Patti O to head for Arcata and pack up the remainder and identify the furniture that needs to come to Sacramento. We spent 24 hours or so getting it all together and staged for the move. Karin and Phil took care of things from there on.

This really complicates the move in process because my attention is now focused on organize, purge and destroy. How I thought I could avoid this is beyond me. AND there are still another 8 boxes or so in the garage in Arcata that will have to be disposed of as well. It is easier to do that here I suppose and we won't have to do it until the place is rented. Still the task looms ominously.

The daily routine includes making choices about whether or not it stays or goes and where can it be pigeon holed anyway?

Quarterly Update

Now introduced to the Sacramento area I am thinking, yes, I could live there.

My daughter's married life begins there. A home and a life plan that is looking good. Now mom and kids need to decide whether or not living nearby is an advantage.

The last move was never completed in terms of being an organized and livable household. Can I go through this again without a major shedding of the past encumbrances?

Unpacked boxes aren't the only barrier.

The Bitch is Back

After a long hiatus I've returned to the world of intimate exposure via the World Wide Web. It's been an interesting year which I won't expand upon other than to say I have made new acquaintances, taken some classes at OLLI, experienced Jackson Wellsprings, had 2nd thoughts about the place I've chosen to live and really missed the Portland Metro area.

Not sure just what 2011 holds in store for me. A photo class starts tomorrow. A trip south to see friends and family I haven't laid eyes on in 4 years is in the iminent future.

January

A slow start to the New Year. Fixed myself a simple meal and was in bed at 9 p.m. with the help of the 2 Mimosas. The month seems to be dominated by Amber's baby and the changes she has wrought.

I have company for a week or two which enhances the joy of watching movies and cooking and even the mediocre errands of the occasional trip to Wildberries. Sharing the abundance from the fridge and freezer is also 'trippy'.

Living each day as it comes along and trying to make progress with the landscaping, dealing with storage issues and settling into my new phase as a Humboldt 'country' hippie.

A Fine Way to Celebrate a Birthday

Breakfast turned out to be Scrambled Eggs with Broccolini and Garlic roasted potatoes, garlic and a pasilla pepper with warmed up Kalamata Olive Bread and Garden Patch Veggie Juice. Amber and Kayle came here for breakfast and Cory cooked the eggs. Not rushed, but Cory did have to get on the road so I visited a few hours with Amber and Kayle before just relaxing the rest of the day.

Trader Joe's prepared the Mushroom Marinara Manicotti for my dinner. No singing or dancing or excess celebrating of any kind but a beautiful, happy and relaxing day.

I'm finally 'comfortable' with dinner parties and spontaneous company. More to do around here though and once it is done I'll be feeling right at home.

End of Another Year

Tomorrow I reach my 72 year Milestone. I am quite UP about it. I'm sure it helps that I had such a wonderful getaway to Vancouver, WA, where I was able to see old friends and experience the neighborhood once again. Seeing Michael for lunch at PDX was also an indescribable treat. Could be that my prospective house mate has also lifted my spirits. Cory is a motivator and an upbeat companion as well as my handyman.

Tomorrow I will open my package and card from Karin and from Willa before going to breakfast with Amber, Kayle and Cory.