Field Notes Volume 4
So what do you do when your carefully planned editorial calendar implodes? You rescue an abandoned guest-post and catch everyone up on your personal life! Back to all things travel, food, and France next week.
We have finally reached that moment we have been waiting 9 months for. Home again. Although we closed on our new home on September 15th, (after a ridiculously long escrow period) we’ve had a plethora of mini renovation projects, along with their accompanying contractors (drama), prepping it for our move-in. We ripped up carpets in the 2 bedrooms, den and casita and put down tile. Then we installed all new appliances. Then we painted the entire house. Monday we had a thorough cleaning and Tuesday our household goods arrived from storage.
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It’s been 2 years since we’ve seen any of it and it will be good to have our clothes and personal items and thank goodness, a fully stocked kitchen! The only thing missing is Jessica. It is hard to believe that it has been one year today that she departed. There are still days when my heart aches from her absence. She would have loved the new house, no stairs to climb and lots of sunny spots to lay in. But it wasn’t meant to be.
I also feel bad lamenting about the loss of my cat when a good friend lost his battle to brain cancer on Saturday leaving a wife and 2 teenagers with a huge gap in their life. He was such a bright spot in my professional life when I worked at Dolby and part of a special lunch crew that continued to get together even after I left. My last memory of him was a goodbye lunch right before hitting the road on our sabbatical and it will be awhile before I can think of chocolate bars the same way, we had a common love for finding obscure super dark chocolate.
Above and beyond that I have another friend who was evacuated out of their home in Sonoma. I have several very happy memories there, including ones with my friend who passed away. Sonoma is such a close-knit community that I can’t imagine what the impact of these fires is going to be. Plus, an actual co-worker had her house destroyed, it is so sad.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to depress you, everyone has a pet and people pass away and experience devastating events, and life goes on.
I count my blessings for all the good things in my life and for the opportunity to rebuild again. I have always thrived on change, but these last 2 years we might have pushed the envelope a bit and I am looking forward to making the Southwest my new home and to discover all the region has to offer.
Mr. Misadventures and I were so thrilled to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta last weekend. Post and pictures are coming soon. Someone took over 3,000 shots, so we’re working on curating the best for you. I’ll have tips and tricks for you, I was a newbie and I can tell you the best parts and what not to do!
We’ll be in Tucson again next weekend diving deeper into the restaurant scene. We are staying at a super cool hotel too, can’t wait to share it with you. We’ll be attending a lantern festival just outside of Tucson and we’re hoping to catch the leaf changing at Mt. Lemmon in the area as well. I’m head over heel in love with Tucson!
On the health front, there is one last elusive pound that evades me. I made it to my goal, but this is my stretch goal. I still weigh less than I did in my mid-twenties and I feel great. I plan on writing more about my new low carb lifestyle when we get into our new home (we are almost there!) and get back to a normal routine.
In the meantime, I'd love to know what you have been up to!?!?
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You have every right to mourn your cat. They were a family member, too. I understand where you are coming from, but don’t discount your own loss.
Wow. You have experienced so much loss, and it sounds like its been back-to-back! I am so sorry for you to have to experience this! I have been busy building relationships and partnering with others as to take my brand to the next level.
Andi, I am so sorry about the losses of Jessica and your friend. I know from experience we miss our pets — our family — long after they pass on. And your friend was so terribly young. What a fantastic smile.
I look forward to reading about your adventures and the new memories you create in the soutwest. And regarding your photo with the Moka pot — I plan to buy one of those when we get to Italy! I better get used to some stronger coffee. 🙂
I love this post Andi. It sounds like you are settling in again. Can you PM me what town you settled in & your phone number? I’ll be in Surprise in Feb and would love to see you.
I love this post Andi. It sounds like you are settling in again. Can you PM me what town you settled in & your phone number? I’ll be in Surprise in Feb and would love to see you.
I’m so sorry about Jessica. She was a beautiful cat!! I’m also sorry to hear about your friend.
We took a trip to New Mexico in the spring to see our 94-year-old second cousin. It was a beautiful trip and we learned lots of family history. Our cousin lives in Ruidoso and the mountains there are breathtaking.
Totally know how it feels to lose a pet.. I’ve lost many, we had 4 cats pass away :[
Pets are a part of the family, Im so sorry for your loss. On a happier note, we wanted to attend the balloon festival but it just didnt work with our schedule. Now that our kids are a bit older I really do think they would love to go to this. Hoping to make it work next year.
Matthew looks like he was such a vibrant man! I would have loved his energy! I am so sorry about your kitty. We have been there many times over the years and even recently this year. The sadness is real and it is okay to grieve her loss. We should not feel guilty nor compare one loss to another. Hey, I am loving your moka pot! The red is awesome!
I’m excited to know the list of restaurants you would be visiting in Tucson. I don’t have any impression about their local food specialties. The hotel that’s super cool is also quite interesting! I wonder what it is!
It seems that it’s been a wacky world this week everywhere! Sorry about the loss of your friend and cat. Don’t diminish the loss of your pet. So many of us feel like our pets are an extension of our families and they are!
Sorry for your loss. Have fun in Tucson though. I’ve always wanted to see a Lantern Festival. We are also riding a hot air balloon in December and I’m nervous more than excited! Yikes.
It is hard to lose a pet because they are so much a part of our family. I am getting to the age where I am losing friends also. It is not easy to go through. I thank God that I have Him to lean on and carry me through. I wish you the very best. God Bless
It’s easy to feel guilty about a lot of things when you know there’s always someone else off worse than you. I have to rejoice I had breast cancer because it was found early, had surgery, and I’m good. No treatments. So many aren’t as blessed.
It’s been a crazy week! We had to deal with a local fire threatening homes, my nephew is up at Sonoma State being evacuated, and my dad was in the hospital. EEK! There’s so much silver lining though so I think it all worked out ok.
I still think of the cat I had as a teenager. Kitty Grey was a special cat & my current kitty love reminds me of him every day. I understand your pain 🙁
So sorry for your friend, he was same age as my mom…I don’t how I would do without her. You have to focus on the positive stuff, even if it’s hard. This month for me has been just studying for University exams and tomorrow is the first Sunday I take as a free day and I’m going hinking with my sister and some friends. The rest of October will be studying and do some part time jobs, nothing so particular.
We all have loved ones. Whether they are furry or not, you should never feel bad about grieving. I will be praying for your friend’s wife and teenagers.
Pets are family too, you should mourn the loss