The Next Adventure Begins

So, let me see...when I last posted, my blog was called "Follow Your Feet: A Westbrook Tale." It was 2018 and we were getting settled into our newly built home...after having moved BACK to southeastern Pennsylvania  from Central New York, and living in campers for seven months while "re-building".  SO much has happened since then, I will just sum it up...

[DEEP BREATH]

 Aaannd... Don started his own septic repair and installation company, then we bought a salon so I could continue doing what I so enjoy, meeting and talking with many fascinating people, while creating great haircuts and colors, but be in control of my own schedule, materials and pricing.  We remodeled the salon and I hired a lovely young woman to work there with me - we worked together at a previous salon.  

We sent Isaac, the miracle horse, to a harness-racing trainer and friend who worked with him and raced him for one season.  It was pretty tough on him, physically and mentally, so Rosie decided to train him as a trail horse for now.  

Both our sons joined Don in our septic business, Westbrook Enterprise. Grace attended and graduated, as an esthetician (skin care specialist), from Metro Beauty School and Rosie graduated from high school.  

Now, 2020 arrives...thanks to Covid 19, my salon shuts down for two months and Don's septic business was reduced to repairs only.  With extra time on his hands and Will and Nate needing something to do, they finished up many projects on our 7-acre property - Woohoo!  Who knew what was right around the corner...

Back to our children for a moment - 

Our son, William,  met Hali in April...proposed in August.  AND, got married in September!  More on that later.  Nate decided to leave Westbrook Enterprise for the time being, now at an industrial manufacturing business, he lives in New Holland, PA.  He began dating a great young woman with a precious 2 yr. old.  Grace joined YWAM Redding - a missionary organization that is based in California.  After several delays, thanks to Covid 19, she finally made it out there in September.  And Rosie has been working at a local Tractor Supply Company, among other things, like pet-sitting, a stone supply company, and helping out Westbrook Enterprise as needed.

Now, my post title is "The Next Adventure Begins", so let me explain.  Don truly loves his space, the outdoors and agriculture. And, his growing septic business meant more big equipment, which takes up more space. Our 7-acre, rolling hill flag lot with the long, narrow lane, shared by several neighbors...well?? 

I kinda had a feeling back in 2018 that the property we bought and house we built were not our "last stop" in PA, but rather a resting place...an investment...meant to build equity for the next adventure.  However, I assumed...duh!... we'd rest there five or so years before looking to make another move.  

Buuutt...

Don's restlessness was growing.  And we started considering ideas, especially on that fateful day in March when the whole Northeast shutdown...one of which was moving the whole family to South Dakota!!  Yikes!  

Now, we were heading into the twilight zone...summer of 2020.  Don and I, scanning through some larger properties in PA on Zillow one day, stumbled upon something interesting. An old orchard...kinda run down-looking, but with 3 outbuildings.  A very plain, simple house, but a lovely front porch with a gorgeous spring-fed pond next to it.  37.5 acres!  And...only three and half miles from our current home!  "Honey, I think we aught to look at this one."  I suggested.  After doing a drive-by later that day, I declared, "Call the listing agent.  We need a closer look!"

One thing led to another, a deal was made, and we moved...a long arduous process that took an entire month due to the business equipment and all our animals...a daughter heading across the country and a son getting married!  Then, it took several weeks to get our 7-acre property all cleaned up and on the market.  

If you've followed my other blogs, you know that our family is often "on the move".  (If you are curious, find my previous blogs listed in my profile.) So, now that you are basically caught up on these last couple years, I invite you to join us on our newest adventure - bringing back to life this orchard, established in the 1920's, that is now our home!  I promise to share many photos...and my thoughts and reflections from this often-crazy, ever-changing life we lead!