MOVING CROSS-COUNTRY

MOVING OUT DAY AUGUST 7TH, 2008

I can't believe that I've been in Anacortes Washington for a month today! With all the unpacking and painting I've been doing on our new home, not to mention the fact that I was without internet for almost 3 weeks, it's been difficult to keep up on my blog.

I thought I'd share a few pictures of our trip half way across the country from our home in the rolling hills of Eastern Kansas (Kansas City), to the flat prairie of Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, through Montana and Idaho and finally into the Cascade Mountains and West Coast of Washington State. In all, we drove about 2100 miles in four days, sometimes being in the Jeep for about 10 hours ! Ace, our cat, was a real trooper and did very well staying in his carrier the whole time while in the car. Fast food was the only option for lunch as we didn't want to leave him in the car with temperatures in the 90's and no shade!

Here are the pictures. Not the best since most of them were taken through the windshield of a vehicle, but it will give you an idea of the changing terrain.

Windmills generating electricity on the Kansas Prairie

Ace looking pretty wide eyed wondering why his life is being turned upside down!

A bright end to a rainstorm in Colorado

Somewhere in Idaho, coming out of the Rocky Mountains (I think!)

Not such a shabby place to be stopped for road construction and a quick picture - going into the Cascades of Western Washington State.

Home in Anacortes, WA- A typical view while driving around town (on a not so typical sunny day when you can see Mount Baker!)

Hopefully this will give you an idea of how far our family traveled in such a short period of time. We're enjoying being back where we can see the mountains and the water everywhere we go, being closer to my side of the family and dear friends, while enjoying the slower pace of life in our special little town. Naturally there have been a few adjustments, like getting used to the cooler temperatures, missing the summer Kansas sunshine, colorful birds and butterflies, being closer to my husband's side of the family, and the awesome shopping of a big city, but I think we're all very glad to be home!

SAME TIME, LAST YEAR

I'm in the mood to "muse" this morning. Would you like to "take a walk" with me and my thoughts?

Do you ever stop to think about what you were doing the same time last year? Or two years ago? I think we tend to do this more when we've had significant changes in our lives. As a family, our lives have gone through a few twists and turns the last few years!

It occurred to me yesterday as I was making a new necklace to add to my Etsy shop. Someone suggested to me on the forums that I name it "Hawaiian Sunset" because of the tropical flower pendant I had made, combined with the colors of pink, peach and tangerine orange. I realized that this very day last year we were on our way to the beautiful island of Kauai for a much needed vacation. But that's not all! Last year at this time we had just lost our beloved little kitty named Cleo. We had moved from Washington State to Kansas in March and were just settling into a new house. Well where does that lead to now?

...A total turnaround! It sounds crazy, but we have sold our house and are moving again in a few weeks. Yikes! Talk about twists and turns! There are a lot of things we love about Kansas, but we miss our little town in Northwest Washington more. I will miss the Midwest thunderstorms, the fabulous shopping in Kansas City, the bright sunshine, the many varieties of colorful birds, wide open spaces, the beautiful manicured golf course neighborhood I live in, and mostly being a little closer to my husbands side of the family! I have to say I will not miss the summer heat and humidity, the thunderstorms (I know I said I like them too), the gigantic bugs, the busy traffic, freezing cold winters and a few other things I won't mention, but all in all it has been a great experience for me. I have always lived on the West Coast, either in British Columbia or Washington.

Take a moment and think about where you've been, where you are now and where you'd like to be a year from now. A whole lot can happen in a year. Just ask me, I really, really know!

HEADING HOME!

After being here in Kansas City for a little over a year, our family has decided to move back to the West Coast. I am very excited to get back to our little town, our church and friends as well as my family in nearby Vancouver, Canada. We have enjoyed our time here being closer to my husband's family and seeing all that Kansas has to offer but we find the West Coast calling us back!

This is one of my favorite pictures (make sure you click on it to get a full view). It was taken at the Mt. Erie lookout point - the highest elevated point on Fidalgo Island. Are you wondering where on earth is Fidalgo Island ? It is an island connected by bridge west of the Skagit Valley in the upper Northwest corner of Washington state. The island contains the city of Anacortes and is known as the "Gateway to the San Juans". On a clear day, (here's proof they do happen in Washington!) this spectacular view allows you to see Mt. Baker, the nearby Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and the islands that make up the San Juans.

When I opened my Etsy store, beadinbythesea, we were in the midst of trying to get back to the West Coast but still being here in Kansas I went ahead with the name. Now there will be no more confusion, I really will be Beadin By the Sea!

To find out more about this beautiful place you can click here for the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.