There are two things on my mind as I write this. (Well, actually, there are more than two, but I'm concentrating on these!) #1 - It's been three months since my last blog post! and #2 - exactly one year ago today Andy and Cindy took me to the Colorado Springs airport to begin my journey - the first leg of my move to France.
It's hard to believe that was a year ago. Seems like it was just a few months ago. But then, I spent seven months living in the cottage near Vic Fezensac so, of course, it's been awhile. What a wonderful experience of following my dream! I couldn't have asked for better landlords/friends/family than Hélène and Giuseppe Gentile. They, and their cats, were my constant companions in my new life there.
So, here I am a year later back in Colorado Springs in my new house and loving that I get to see Pikes Peak every day and Andy almost every week and spending time with good friends. I truly miss my life in France and am very excited that I will be back for a visit next April. If I could just move everyone I love to that little corner of SW France . . . .
So many of you have told me that you miss reading my blog! What a nice thing to hear 😊 I have missed writing, but just didn't have much to tell you all after I bought my house. No more exciting outings or fun places to tell you about. I'm back to my routine of lunches and movies and zoo visits.
I love my little house! Finally, I have everything out of storage and out of boxes and in their places where I can enjoy seeing them again. (Thank you to Beth and Cindy and Andy for their help with all of that!) When I first saw the house I thought I might turn the "bonus room" back into a garage which is what it was originally. But then when I started taking things out of my storage unit I realized I really needed that extra room. I downsized from a three bedroom/three bath, three level house to a two bedroom/one bath, one level house. And while I didn't keep much from my former life, I do have some important memorabilia that I wanted to be able to display. So, I am very happy to have that extra room for my doll cabinet, my Kiddie Corvette, my guitar and piano music I kept and will, hopefully, have a piano in there at some point in the near future.
CoCo and I spend a lot of time in our backyard. It is like a little sanctuary in the middle of a city with a ponderosa pine, an aspen tree, lilac bushes, an herb garden and lots of "unplanned vegetation" which makes it seem a little wild. I love it!
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| My lovely herb garden |
I'll write more in a week or so about my interesting neighbors. There's always a risk moving into a part of town you're unfamiliar with, not knowing anything about your neighbors and just keeping your fingers crossed that you will get along with them. So far (for the most part), so good! I also will tell you about some changes I have planned for the house. It will have to all be done in stages as I need money for upcoming trips as well as house projects!
I'll close with photos which I am happy to share - now that I have all my furniture and artwork in their places. It feels like home!
And so, the bend brings me back around to my beloved Colorado Springs. " Home is where the heart is" and that is true. But my heart is in two different places and I'm perfectly OK with that. I'm also thankful that all of you have been on this journey with me. Merci!
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| Kitchen/dining and memorabilia shelves |
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| Bonus room with childhood memories |
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| Living room and some of my art collection |
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| Other side of living room - more art, more shelves |
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| Guest room |
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| In the hallway |
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| Master bedroom with more art |
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| Other end of master |
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| Wall in master with France photos and a peek into the bathroom |
