Our house at the end of the rainbow
The Eagle has landed! We bought a house on a quarter acre just north of Seattle. My husband has the hot tub and chickens he’s wanted for years. I have clean air and gardens, and peace. It’s just the right combo of city, suburb, and country. I love it.
I forgot how stressful moving is. Then we moved three times in eight months–into a short-term spot in a new state, then a rental house, then our own permanent house–and I remembered. Holy cow! It’s stressful! Find a place, move, unpack enough to live; find a place, move, unpack enough to live; find a place, move, unpack…..everything? Get a mortgage, find a job, get lost forty million times even with GPS. I’m still finding stuff I needed last winter–sweaters (it was cold), flat iron (crazy hair all winter), Kitchenaid whisk– that we accidentally put in a storage unit.
My health was so much a Rosanna-Rosanna-Dana sketch that at times I thought hope had gotten buried in the storage unit, too. You know, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” But it finally stopped raining and the sun came out. And, like peeling an onion, the docs and I uncovered and mended one problem after another. For the record and a public therapeutic moment, I’ve weathered:
- broken shoulder in a fall
- three frayed and one torn shoulder tendon
- kidney and bladder infection
- poor vision caused by severe dry eye,
- broken cheekbone in a fall
- bruised ribs from two falls,
- severe anemia
- infected root canal
- sciatica
- inflamed SI joint.
Plus the usual suspects of heart failure, adrenal insufficiency, and reactive lungs. On top of the afore mentioned moves. OMG! No wonder I was tired and dropped off the face of the Earth. Maybe if I read this blog enough times, I’ll stop giving myself a hard time for not having had enough energy to be engaged with the world, vivacious, and active in the ways I wish I’d been.
Dear Barbara, I have been hoping to respond since you wrote this, and so in tardiness, here I am.
I am so delighted that some lines have fallen in pleasant places for you after so much upheaval, And that there is a place to call home.
Our lives have been shaped by a diagnosis for Erica of mild MS. Right now she is feeling better, on meds, and with a good network of support. We held our breaths as Hurricane Irma missed our Florida kids, holding out for the same from Maria.
We are taking a trip to Montreal and Quebec, starting tomorrow until the 29th, celebrating my 75th birthday. Hoping to stay wide open to whatever beauty, joy and grace is given.
Much affection to you, with great hopes that this dwelling place will continue to be a place of healing for you. I miss you!
Love, Elizabeth. Sent from my iPad
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Hi Dori. I’d enjoy that. Karen and Roger have my contact information. Please be in touch.
I was one of many in Newport Presbyterian’s congregation who enjoyed your sermon in June. In your bio, you mentioned that you lead retreats. I would love to meet and talk with you about possibly leading our church women’s retreat April 20 and 21 next year. Please let me know what you think!
Barbars
Yeah! So glad you finally “arrived”, 🤗 You deserve the best! May your mental, physical, & spiritual health be well. May you live a life of ease & peace.
I’m grateful for the help you gave me. Thank you for sharing with me.
🙂 Elaine Rose
Thank you for this good report. I’m so glad things are working after all you’ve been through. Such good news. More blessings to you, Jane McClain
Barbara, so happy to hear your happy voice again (it sings between the lines)! I can not believe all you have had to endure in addition to one of life’s greatest stressors, MOVING x 3!!! Enjoy your new lease on life. Our best to Mark, who in addition to a hot tub and chickens, must be thrilled to have his wife back! Love to you both♥
Hello again, Hello. After this stunning report, I will keep you on my prayer list, but very happy to see you’re writing to your public. I hear your strength and resolve to start again. You’re going to need it with 3 grand daughters. Keep us informed in your writings.
Barbara, I’m so excited and happy for you, both about your wonderful new home, and about your return to better health! Your new home and beautiful garden sound ~ and look ~ amazing. I love that you’ve been able to do all the things you love to do but haven’t been able to for so long. That is definitely cause for rejoicing!
Now for some sad news. My mom, Bettie Pfaff, died at the end of March. I thought you would want to know. You and Mark always meant so much to her. I haven’t yet had a memorial service for her. I just haven’t been able to get myself together to be able to organize it. I’m still trying to get the forms filled out for all the insurance policies, etc. She’s buried at Forest Lawn in Glendale next to Dad.
I also want to thank you for everything you and Mark did for her over the years. She always talked about the both of you in glowing terms before the Alzheimer’s symptoms became too severe, and I know she always appreciated you both so much. I too have always been grateful for everything you did for her. Thank you!
Gratefully,
Sarah Kuriakos,
Bettie Pfaff’s Daughter
Barbara – thanks for the great news. My best to the two of you.
Sounds like a bit of heaven after exhausting health interruptions. May
God give you peace and much strength.
Wonderful news. So happy for you
Love you,Jean
The Oertels are so very happy for you two! You have an idyllic place…….Enjoy!
So glad you are settled & happy. Have prayed for your health daily. Very hot with bad air here in So. Cal. Much love to you both KHA
Welcome home! Glad you’re safe and well.