A Family Affair

Get a cup of coffee, my friends, and you can read about my journey to northern Calif. and up the mountain to my new home.  I have to mention the people who helped along the way because they were a big part in making this transition possible, so I am grateful beyond words.  

My daughters live in So Cal, but most of my family live in northern Cal...my brothers, sister, nephews, and nieces.  However, I moved farther up north than all of them.  My son came along with me, and my cousin lives pretty close as well.  I don't drive on the freeways any more,  but nobody else wanted to drive and take this long journey, especially with the heavy So Cal traffic and the virus going on right now.  And who can blame them, it's an awful time to travel.  So, I had to do it myself, and let me tell you, I was scared, truly scared.  But I knew that the Holy Spirit would be with me and guide me the whole way. 

Thank you to my nephews, D and T and sister.    Moving is expensive, and they helped pitch in.   I'm so grateful for that.

Thank you to my niece, A, who checked out several houses for me while she was on her travels to different places.

Thank you to my sister, who listened to my concerns and anxious thoughts.  She was always there to talk with me on the phone.  I think I talked her ear off at times, but she never complained.

Thank you to my son, who guided me here.  He has his Dad's incredible sense of direction, and told me where to go and when to switch lanes early enough so I wouldn't freak out. haha

Thank you to M, for the sleeping bags and blankets and heaters.  They came in handy while we were waiting on the movers to bring our beds and essentials.  He knows mountain living all too well, as his parents lived in the mountains for many years.  Also for the extra money for the road, and especially for the Starbucks breakfast before driving that long way.

Thank you to my sister-in-law, L, who searched for months with me and my brother for a place to call my home.  She never said anything, she just helped, and to me, that is the best kind of help you can receive.

Thank you to my brother, J, who.did.it.all.   Tears are falling from my face right now because he did so much that there is just not enough room to write it all.  He found the house, he had the whole house painted, he dealt with the plumber, getting me a new water heater, refrigerator, light fixtures, faucets, blinds, garden tools, and so much more.  He dealt with the electrician to make sure everything was wired properly.  And he was always there to take my calls and e-mails when I needed my questions answered.   He is going to have the exterior painted in the Spring also, which will be so nice.  My mother and father raised a wonderful, no an excellent son, and I will forever be thankful to him and his family.

Thank you to the Holy Family, because nothing is impossible with God.

So, as I told you before, it was a looong drive and I didn't know what to expect going up the mountains, but I kept on remembering some of the quotes that I got from all of you and it helped comfort me.

I was expecting cliffs and curves and winding roads, but the drive up to the mountains was like a country road.  Yes, there were some twists and turns, but it was the most beautiful mountain drive I've been on.

I didn't have my washer/dryer for a week, and Oh, that really was a bummer washing and ringing out clothes all week.  But my furniture has arrived from the moving company, and one of the first things I put out was Francesca's carousel and Mia's picture.  ; )

While the electrician was here, I didn't want to be in the house while he was working, so I took a drive and I came across the Catholic Church in town.  It's down the main street and really easy to get to.  There was a statue of my beloved Saint Francis and roses next to the statues of Mary.

There are pine trees in my front yard, and they keep falling, so I collected a couple and brought them in.  It's been pretty cold, in the 30's, and looking out my window one morning, I saw this.....

The first day I got here, my neighbor, Lisa, came over and brought me some almond vanilla biscotti.  I enjoyed them with my coffee.  I've met many of the neighbors, and they are friendly and helpful, and the mailbox is right in front of my house, so they seem to gather there and chat with each other.  

My brother knows me all too well.  He hired a professional cleaner, but he knew that I'd also want to clean as soon as I got here and he stocked the cupboards with cleaning supplies.  I couldn't believe it when I went inside the grocery store, and the shelves were stocked with dozens of Lysol sprays and cleaning products.  I could never find them anywhere else, but for some reason, this mountain town has it all.

Sorry this was such a long post, but I had much to say.  I think I'm going to like this mountain life.  There is a peace that nature gives us, and I am surrounded by it in every direction I go.  I will show more of the house and my town soon.  Thanks for sharing this journey with me, dear friends.

~Sheri