...and just like that, we have a new zip code!

In the Spring of 2022, my husband was given a new job opportunity that had us relocate from our home for 20 years in Massachusetts to Colorado - 2,000 miles away! 

Since that time, it's been quite a journey for our family and us. While our kids are pretty much grown and on their own paths, it was hard to say goodbye to the house that we lived in for so long as this crazy blended family. There are no rule books when it comes to blended families, and for better or worse - somehow we made it through to set off some pretty good humans into the world. So we put up the "For Sale" sign, packed up the house (and dogs), and drove to Colorado. 

It was hard - did I mention that? 

Earl had already been living in Colorado since May in order to start his new job; he flew back to Massachusetts so we could drive out to Colorado together with our dogs, Shelby and Seeley. We planned a 4-day drive in order to make sure we were not asking the dogs to be in their crate for unreasonable amounts of time (they were in there long enough, trust me). We scheduled potty breaks (for both human and pupper), and meal breaks and were lucky to find a few motels that took dogs for the night - we stayed at our friend's house in Nebraska we well (which trust me was a HUGE kindness to be welcomed into their home after being on the road for days - thank you, Todd and Jade! xx) 

When we arrived in Colorado on June 25th - summer was in full swing. It was a great time to make a move as we had sunshine and warm temperatures to help us at least 'feel' like we had some sort of summer vacation. 

Sadly, less than one week after we arrived in Colorado, we lost my precious boxer dog, Seeley, to cancer. I was devastated. Even as I write this, the tears roll down my face and I have a hard time remembering this moment. 

Being on our own in Colorado with very few people we knew felt isolating enough - having something like this happen I couldn't imagine how I was going to make it through. My friends and kids were thousands of miles and 2 time zones away.

Survival instincts kick in and life has a way of moving you forward whether you are ready or not. Over the course of my life, I have had to tackle and overcome things that I wouldn't wish upon anyone and I knew I would make it through - but I'll forever be changed by that 4 legged man upper. 

My girl Shelby is still here and she needs me.

Running in high elevation is TOUGH - as in 'there's an elephant on my chest and I've just smoked a pack of cigarettes' tough. Here I was, having just run the Boston Marathon in April of 2022, and in July 2022 it feels like the first time I'd ever run in my life. There was a point where I simply needed to start being a bit kinder to myself. 

We had moved away from our home. 

We had left our community.

We had moved away from our friends and kids.

We lost our dog. 

It was hard.

It became clear to me that it's OK if it takes a bit longer to be 'normal' and for things to start to become routine and I gave myself permission to allow for this. 

 

At the end of August, we closed on our house in Ayer, MA, and on September 16th we closed on our new house here in Broomfield, Colorado 80023.

It's super cute and 'checks' all of the boxes that we knew we would want when house hunting.

If anyone needs our new address for Christmas cards, it's 2388 W. 165th Place, Broomfield CO 80023!

Now that there is another change of seasons and autumn has arrived, there is a different vibe in our lives. We have our own home, my kitchen is back and we can now start to carve out our new path here in Colorado. 

It can still be overwhelming to think about finding a new doctor, eye doctor, veterinarian, dentist, etc. - those things will sort themselves out one at a time. I've started to run with a group here in Colorado and they are great people - as most runners are. 

Life looks a LOT different than it did a year ago in October that's for sure... and I have to admit that I'm excited to see where things go from here. Race this weekend in Boulder - a 10K in October feels normal to me; signing up for a Thanksgiving Day 5K as well - these things start to come to you if you're paying attention. 

Before I left for Colorado and for a short time after I got here I had been making some fun check in videos, those will probably start up again but it's been put on the back burner to focus on a few other things. 

Stay tuned, I am going to try and update this blog more than I have been as I know all 5 readers can't wait to see what I have to say! 

 Be good and be good to each other, Heather