Click. Click. Click. That is the sound of everything falling into place. All of the dominoes that we have lined up this year have gradually fallen down smoothly and happily. And so a new phase of life begins in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
We continued our UHaul roadtrip with the pets riding up front with us and behaving pretty well for the most part. While in hotels, we would feverishly respond to the emails from the man handling our mortgage, waiting to see if Randal's home in Arkansas closed and then if we were approved and then if the appraisal successfully came through. Click. Click. Click. There was a chance that we would be able to close the day after we arrived.
Of course, along the way, it was important to make some stops in significant places. Which of course, is Atlantic, Iowa. Randal and I thoroughly enjoyed the Amana colonies and he got his photo taken with the horse that has patiently stood by for years while the Jochims took family photos.
And then we arrived in Atlantic to see Chris in Mary's home, patiently going through Mary's treasures. Randal enjoyed Bonneson's and we walked the main street of the town. It was so nice to show him this very important place that has played such a vital role in my life.
We drove through Nebraska and Wyoming, driving late into the night because Nebraska tourism is rampant in June evidently and for 200 miles, everything was booked. We stopped in Salt Lake City for Randal to finish the paperwork on his Arkansas home and then drove through the Great Salt Desert, which might look like an ice sheet, but is really all very salty salt.
And then we arrived in Oregon after driving through some very desolate Nevada country. It was a welcome signpost and we happily posed with our little family.
It is a wonderful house and we can't wait to truly make it ours. It is geothermal and has a fantastic backyard and patio. The basement is finished and there is a large garage complete with a deep freezer as a "gift to the buyer." There are lovely attic bedrooms and beautiful space downstairs where we'll sleep, cook and enjoy ourselves! While it is a bit dated in its style, it will give us many projects in the future. We couldn't be happier with it.
It even has a great hike a couple blocks away. While it steep, when you get to the top of the ridge, you can see the whole town as well as Mount Shasta in the distance. Downtown is a 20 minute walk 
away and the hospital only takes about 15 minutes. We love the neighborhood.
Of course, the largest domino had yet to fall.
Some might think that it is foolish to buy a house and move across the country without a contract, but Stephanie and I had visualized success and practiced so much that we both felt ready to pitch to the senior administrative team at the hospital. She joined us from Bend last weekend and we feverishly practiced, made packets for them, and gave ourselves continuous pep talks.
On Monday, we pitched. It went very well and we got excellent feedback from nearly all of the administrative team (not quite all, but most liked us!). We were told that we would get an answer in a couple of days.
On Wednesday morning, we received a rather terse email from the CEO of the hospital asking to speak with us. While we waited for our meeting with him, we feverishly sent text messages back and forth about how it would be okay if we didn't get it; the world wouldn't end; we would pitch to another town; it would be OKAY.
And then we spoke to him and he couldn't have been more excited. "We're on board and we welcome you to the Sky Lakes Team!" He was just as happy as we were about our clinic. We had jobs!
CLICK.
Everything is moving quickly now. We're searching for a space to set up our clinic, which will spend 2/3 of the time working with individuals and groups and 1/3 of the time working within the community to make a healthier built environment. We're feverishly trying to apply for a large grant, which would substantially expand our project. Hospital orientation starts on Monday. And thus, I am the Program Director for the new Wellness Clinic at Sky Lakes Medical Center that I am starting with my partner Stephanie, the Medical Director.
As Stephanie and I looked for potential space for our clinic this week, I looked out my window and saw a double rainbow. "Look! Stephanie! A double rainbow!!"
"What?!" She asked.
"It's a sign! It's a sign that this is working! That it will work! It's a great sign!"
And so it is.
We continued our UHaul roadtrip with the pets riding up front with us and behaving pretty well for the most part. While in hotels, we would feverishly respond to the emails from the man handling our mortgage, waiting to see if Randal's home in Arkansas closed and then if we were approved and then if the appraisal successfully came through. Click. Click. Click. There was a chance that we would be able to close the day after we arrived. Of course, along the way, it was important to make some stops in significant places. Which of course, is Atlantic, Iowa. Randal and I thoroughly enjoyed the Amana colonies and he got his photo taken with the horse that has patiently stood by for years while the Jochims took family photos.
And then we arrived in Atlantic to see Chris in Mary's home, patiently going through Mary's treasures. Randal enjoyed Bonneson's and we walked the main street of the town. It was so nice to show him this very important place that has played such a vital role in my life.
We drove through Nebraska and Wyoming, driving late into the night because Nebraska tourism is rampant in June evidently and for 200 miles, everything was booked. We stopped in Salt Lake City for Randal to finish the paperwork on his Arkansas home and then drove through the Great Salt Desert, which might look like an ice sheet, but is really all very salty salt.  |
| Maizie confusedly enjoys her first giant salt lick. |
 |
| Randal and I celebrate the sale of the Arkansas house and the short-lived influx of money into his bank account. |
And then we arrived in Oregon after driving through some very desolate Nevada country. It was a welcome signpost and we happily posed with our little family.
Amazingly enough, we were able to sign the paperwork the day after we arrived in Klamath Falls. We met the Boyds, the couple who owned the house for over forty years, and promptly fell in love with them. It is obviously a loved home and they were quite pleased that we were moving into it so happily. Neighbors quickly came out of their homes to say hello and I keep intending to make a list of everyone's name before I forget them.
It is a wonderful house and we can't wait to truly make it ours. It is geothermal and has a fantastic backyard and patio. The basement is finished and there is a large garage complete with a deep freezer as a "gift to the buyer." There are lovely attic bedrooms and beautiful space downstairs where we'll sleep, cook and enjoy ourselves! While it is a bit dated in its style, it will give us many projects in the future. We couldn't be happier with it.
 |
| Our first dinner in our new home. |
away and the hospital only takes about 15 minutes. We love the neighborhood.Of course, the largest domino had yet to fall.
Some might think that it is foolish to buy a house and move across the country without a contract, but Stephanie and I had visualized success and practiced so much that we both felt ready to pitch to the senior administrative team at the hospital. She joined us from Bend last weekend and we feverishly practiced, made packets for them, and gave ourselves continuous pep talks.
On Monday, we pitched. It went very well and we got excellent feedback from nearly all of the administrative team (not quite all, but most liked us!). We were told that we would get an answer in a couple of days.
On Wednesday morning, we received a rather terse email from the CEO of the hospital asking to speak with us. While we waited for our meeting with him, we feverishly sent text messages back and forth about how it would be okay if we didn't get it; the world wouldn't end; we would pitch to another town; it would be OKAY.
And then we spoke to him and he couldn't have been more excited. "We're on board and we welcome you to the Sky Lakes Team!" He was just as happy as we were about our clinic. We had jobs!
CLICK.
Everything is moving quickly now. We're searching for a space to set up our clinic, which will spend 2/3 of the time working with individuals and groups and 1/3 of the time working within the community to make a healthier built environment. We're feverishly trying to apply for a large grant, which would substantially expand our project. Hospital orientation starts on Monday. And thus, I am the Program Director for the new Wellness Clinic at Sky Lakes Medical Center that I am starting with my partner Stephanie, the Medical Director.
As Stephanie and I looked for potential space for our clinic this week, I looked out my window and saw a double rainbow. "Look! Stephanie! A double rainbow!!"
"What?!" She asked.
"It's a sign! It's a sign that this is working! That it will work! It's a great sign!"
And so it is.
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