Now that I have (mostly) arrived on the other side of “WTF Just Happened?!” — a three-plus year process of loss, betrayal, endings, cleaning, remodeling (house and self), wildfire, life in a true crime show, death of my dad, sudden loss of beloved Claire, and so on — I want to introduce what the new landscape is looking like.
Literally.
But first — answers to commonly asked questions. I moved to Idaho to be closer to family and friends. I did not retire — I am working remotely with trips to campus as needed. Online teaching is a thing now.
I planned this move for some time and so had been looking at houses online for months and months. This house popped up on Zillow at about 5 pm one day. Within an hour, Dear Friends (Cindy and Kira) had driven by it for me. Within two hours of the listing being live, my realtor and Dear Daughter-in-Law were touring it while FaceTiming me. I made an offer that same night. I knew it was my house.
Well, more to the point — I knew it was my YARD.
It is, of course, all about the dogs.
The offer was accepted and the wheels of change continued to turn — but on this change, I felt like I had some control. A very novel experience after the past few years!
Space to train my dogs was at the top of my priority list for a new house. I also needed a neighborhood that would be conducive to my country dogs adjusting to city life.
This place could not be more perfect. It is an older neighborhood with large yards — I have 1/2 acre and everyone else seems to have at least that as well. The backyard is flat and fully fenced — and I even have a covered deck, which was on my “want list".
With input and help from my fabulous friends, the yard was planned out and a wonderful landscape company hired to turn the vision into reality.
There is more to do in the Spring but for now — it is perfect.