Living in Santa Barbara

It's hard to believe that we've been in Santa Barbara for a year. My daughter-in-law convinced me to start a blog so that I would not have to repeat my stories over and over again. Good idea, Shelley! So, here I am . . . and here is our life in California.

Let me begin by saying that we are blessed beyond measure to live in such a beautiful place. Our home is walking distance from the beach and as I sit here in my kitchen, I am looking at the ocean and the Channel Islands. The sun is glistening on the water and I scarcely believe that this is my life for the next . . . who knows how many . . . years.

Dennis' business brought us here last September. For several years the owner of his company had been clammoring for us to move here but when he announced to Dennis that he was going to retire and that if Dennis did not take over the reins of the company he would be forced to hire from outside the company . . . Dennis said, "okay, we'll move." Our biggest stumbling block was leaving our family - parents, children and grandchildren - and friends! The comfort of living in the same community for 30+ years is not fully appreciated until thrown into an alien environment. I had to buy a map to find my way to Target which is in Ventura (37.5 miles away). Thanks goodness for friends and family who have been keeping us company. We've enjoyed having them here and sharing our surroundings with them.

One Saturday after a particularly busy week, Dennis and I were lazing around when he proclaimed, "I think we are wasting Santa Barbara." That phrase has become our mantra and we are making an effort to explore the central coast and its beautiful little hamlets. During our little jaunts we have stumbled on some interesting and lovely little beach towns and explored the beautiful and diverse landscapes of the mountains and desert. And, I haven't seen this many rvs since I was last at an LSU home game! I think everyone owns one out here.

I have put a camera on my "birthday wish list" so hopefully, in the near future, I will be able to share our travels with you accompanied by photographs.

Thanks for joining us on this little "ride".