End of A Season

Announcing Some Big Changes Coming Our Way

It was hot this summer.

Some mornings after a romp on the grass,

Boston would rest in his favorite spot under the glider on the back deck.

Before long, once he was settled and comfy, 

he would be asleep and taking his morning nap.

Or

If Mom wasn't looking, he would climb onto the glider so he could take a proper nap.

This spot is forbidden,

but who could make him move?

He was too cute, and he looked very happy and content in this spot.

He is a smart dog.

He found one of my favorite spots and made it his too.

This glider was where I spent many hours journaling after my daughter's death.

It gave me great comfort to look out on my garden during many difficult days.

This spot is also a favorite for my husband.

This is his morning newspaper reading place in the summer.

I usually sit across from him when he reads here in the summer.

Once a week, usually on Sunday, I sit here and happily enjoy watching Boston's grooming time.

Who is enjoying this time more?

Is is Jim,

or

is it Boston?

I see joy in the faces of both of them.

Buster, 

our previous golden retriever,

also loved this deck.

As a pup, he chewed it so badly, it had to be rebuilt.

My daughter-in law Sam

has sweat equity in this deck. 

Sam

She,

and my son Jon,

shown here with my daughter Keicha enjoying time together on the deck,

rebuilt the deck for me over a decade ago.

Jon & Keicha

Cousins have spent many happy times here with each other.

Gillian and Hannah

Atticus

It has been the gathering place for the family during summer get-togethers over the years.

Trista, Julie, Amy, Ryan

Yesterday marked the beginning of the end of a season of our lives.

We will say good-bye to this deck,

and to so many other places we have loved so much 

in this home

where we have 

lived, 

loved, 

played, 

laughed,

 and 

cried 

for the past seventeen years.

It is the end of season.

The season has been good.

We have loved this place.

We will be so sad to leave it.

There will be tears as we say our good-byes,

but seasons do change, and we are ready to move on to a new season in our lives.

After 25 showings,

and after keeping our house on the market during this past summer,

we finally have accepted an offer on this home.

We have made an offer on a new home in Colorado Springs.

It all came together yesterday.

The last few days have been an emotional roller-coaster.

I didn't find the house I wanted to buy until Tuesday after accepting an offer on this home the day before.

Hopefully, all closings and all those other details that go along with selling and buying a house will go well.  If so, we will be out of here on October 23rd, the day after Jim's birthday.

Did I say I haven't slept much?

Did I say I was exhausted?

Well, I am.

I am also feeling those mixed emotions that one feels as one moves from one season to the next.

I am melancholy.

I am sad.

I will miss this place I have loved so very much.

I am excited.

I am looking forward to many new adventures.