Spring 2025

 Just got back from our three day trip from Borrego to Spokane. Our new home here still feels new, probably because we are only here for 6 months. It’s been quite a whirlwind from the summer of 23 till now. Selling our dream home, moving to Spokane, losing my sister, losing Riley, selling our 184 home in Borrego and buying our 254 home there. It’s been fun, it’s been stressful, definitely some tears shed but not for one second do I not feel blessed. 

We had a good winter, we have made so many good friends in Borrego, we stay plenty busy between golf and social activities. With all the changes, we didn’t get out much at all with our e-bikes. I hope that’ll change this coming season. I think we have the 254 house just about the way we like, some painting to be done, maybe some landscaping, that will be it. Looking forward to a less hectic summer here in Spokane and back in Borrego.

We got back just in time to see Grace play a softball game. The family is good, both Jake and Trav work for US Foods. Trav works inside the production plant and Jake is in training to be an outside sales rep here in Spokane. Not sure that is in his best interest, I feel he is at his best when he’s challenged and there’s more direct supervision. I’m sure he’ll prove me wrong.  Grace is great, she’s now 10 and will turn 11 this summer. I was delighted to have her ask me if our Friday night “date night” is still on. Nana and I get Grace on Friday nights, allowing Jake an Em some quality time together. We play games, make her favorite meals, take a hot tub or two, light a fire in the fire pit and makes s’mores and watch movies. It’s everything we moved over here for, I’m glad we get another summer of her company.

Now back in Spokane we are settled in. I’ve planted many new perennials this spring. In general, the yard is pretty easy to maintain and I enjoy tweaking the variety of plants. Many of the plants won’t contribute to the backyard landscape until next spring.

It’s been a different start to our summer. No golf for me as my hands and left arm continue to give me problems. I just got back from the doctors office this morning. I’m lined up to have carpal tunnel surgery on my left wrist and also have surgery on my ulnar nerve at the elbow. After that we’ll shift over to the right hand for CPT surgery and trigger finger release. I’ll be a mess for probably 6 or 7 weeks but I hope this eliminates my issues and allows me to gain my strength back in my left hand.

Grace has kept us busy following all her activities. We have one more softball game on Wednesday, we watched a spring choir and orchestra concerts at school. Nana and I get her every Friday night to give Em a brake and to give us very valuable one on one time with Grace, such a delight. Tomorrow is her 11th birthday, we’ve been invited to the birthday dinner, we are taking her to get her nails done Friday, she has a sleepover with her buddies Saturday night. Well let her choose but we’ll also take her out Friday for dinner. It’s either Red Robbin or Varcotto’s (Mexican). 

To add on, it’s now August and I’m starting to play golf again. I’m starting PT today, trying to restore some strength on my left side. Grace is about to finish up her second softball season this summer, it’s been so much fun to watch her.  If I haven’t complained about it enough, it’s really hot here in Spokane. The 10 degrees difference between the east side of the state and the west side mean average temperatures in the 90’s.

Chris is beginning to prepare for her overseas trip in September, I’m in better spirits because the Mariners are winning and it’s now football season, my favorite time of the year. In another month I’ll start getting ready to head back down to Borrego, we’ll plan to be there no later than Halloween, it’s just so much fun to see the joy & happiness of the kids who go full costume and many times mom & dad do too.

 Our winter in Borrego

Our normal relaxed Borrego winter was filled with change. We got here as planned on the day before Halloween. Halloween here in the Roadrunner club is special. It’s all about the kids who come by the truckloads to parade around our streets. We got the new golf cart down here in one piece and Chris really likes it. We play golf about 3 times a week, I hit the spa 3 or 4 times a week and our weather has been exceptional.

We have lived in our place about 9 years and it’s quite comfy, our yard and our setting is very nice. We began to explore looking for another golf course location with more room, updated baths, etc. We didn’t look very hard, we were shown a couple of places but nothing really caught our eye. Prices here have really increased but when the realtor told us what our home would probably sell for, it opened our eyes to some real opportunities.

 We knew a couple that purchased a home and completely remodeled it just a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, health issues were going to force them to sell, they needed better medical services and they wanted to be close to their kids. Having this insider information, we were able to view the home. They did such a nice job remodeling, sparing no expense. New furnishings, window covers, flooring, paint both inside and out. They gutted the kitchen and master bath and put in beautiful new appliances, countertops, cabinets. It was a very unique opportunity and we made the decision to make an offer. Our neighbors were the contact people for the owners and through them we managed to put together a sales and purchase agreement that was accepted! 

Of course that meant we had to sell our place. We decided to for go the realtor and put a for sale by owner sign out front and in the back along with a sales flyer we created.  It took about 4 or 5 weeks with plenty of showings but we did it. Managed to get close to asking price, we should close on our 184 house this week!

We are very happy with the new place, we love the house and all the upgrades, we even like the backyard and the orientation of home on the golf course with the mountains as a backdrop. I’ve got the shed almost done and Chris has the master walk-in closet to paint. For the difference we paid to buy 254 vs what we sold 184 for, we thrilled with the value.