A New Year Begins

 

 

A new year begins whether we are ready for it or not.  Really, isn't that the way life works?  Things happen, some planned and some surprises.  When we sold our home in Wisconsin three years ago it was our intent to travel and search for the right place to put down roots again.  We loved almost everywhere we traveled and in the last year alone that was over 19,000 miles.  There were so many places that we visited and looked at each other and we knew we could live there.  We loved the ocean both Atlantic and Pacific, and so that moved those areas up on our list.  We love the mountains and mountain views so that reorganized our priorities.  Everywhere we went and we could not pick a place that met all of our wants. 

So we refocused on needs and not just wants.  We need a home with a smaller yard so Tom can focus on the things he enjoys and not worry about lawn care.  We need a home with an extra bedroom for my sewing (habit) hobby.  We wanted to be close to one of our kids so when the time comes that we need their help it will be convenient for them.  The housing market is picking up and there are good buys available.  We have land in Tennessee that we talked about building on and decided it was too far from all kids.  The other big question was who would come see us there.  We opted for Florida, near our daughter and her family, and so here we are, about to sign the papers on a pretty little home in a state that would have been somewhere between forty and fifty on our list of states to live in.  It is our hope that we'll have many visitors in the winter months and that our health will remain good so that we can travel north for the summer months.

Ready or not life is happening and we are moving along with it.  We are looking forward to being in a house again and saving our RV for summer use.  It will be nice to use some of our things that have been resting in storage.  It will be nice to spread out a little and not do everything in four hundred square feet.  It will be nice to be a part of some clubs and groups on a regular basis.  We are so greatful for all that we have!