From all corners of the country came wonderful invitations from friends, many whom I had never even met in person, inviting me to move out near them. As I discussed this with Kevin, our youngest son, he spoke words of wisdom. "When the right thing comes along, you won't have to decide. You'll know!"

Enter my good on-line buddy, Billie Williams. (Read all about Billie and her wonderful books here.) She and her husband Tom had a house they had bought right next door to them. They had not rented it, and it was mine for the amount of their payments on the house, which was less than just our lot rent in Grand Forks. They said they would drive the 542 miles to get me and bring my belongings back in a U-Haul Trailer. Tom was about to retire, so "moving day" was set for April 22.

As the day got closer, and I was still going through all of Ivan's belongings and trying to decide what to do with all of them, packing my own things to take, I began to get nervous. What if they were just kidding me? What if they got to Grand Forks and they couldn't stand me? What if...what if...what if... And I used to accuse Ivan of having "what-if-itis"! I had to laugh when Billie told me, after they arrived, that she was afraid that when they got there I would change my mind and tell them to go back home, that I wasn't ready to leave Grand Forks.

But, despite a downpour the entire morning when we loaded the U-Haul and very high gas prices to pour into the tank on Tom's truck, we were on our way. We ate our last meal in Grand Forks and the next two meals on the road. One of the meals was in North Dakota, the next one in Minnesota, and the final one in Wisconsin. As we headed east, I was thrilled with the scenery. There were TREES--something that was always lacking in North Dakota to a gal who grew up in the middle of the Chippewa National Forest. I felt like I was going home!

Tuesday night, Apr. 22, I slept in my own bed at my new house. I can't explain this exactly, but I woke up in the middle of the night and thought, I'm where I belong! I think it was the first time I've had that feeling since I left Venezuela the last time, in 1971!

Wednesday all of my earthly possessions were moved into the house. Sadly, Billie hurt her back when they moved the TV in. Please pray that it will straighten out soon. As I started putting things away, everything seemed to have a perfect spot where it should be. I had set a goal of having everything unpacked by May 1. People laughed at that. As I worked my way through box after box, determined to get rid of each box I tripped over, I ended up boxing myself into a corner in my office. I had to call Billie and have her come rescue me! She laughed at me! The nerve! It really was sort of funny--or at the very least dumb! Anyway, she helped me fold up the boxes and I am no longer a prisoner in one room! 

In just five days I had everything in its place. Not bad for an old lady, I mused. There were only two things missing: a refrigerator and a sofa. The refrigerator problem was soon solved, when Billie and Tom bought a new one for their house and I inherited their old one (which really isn't that old). The sofa? Well, it's been resolved--sort of. You will see the rest of the story on the "Living Room" page.

I have set up this website to take you on a tour of my very own house. I feel like I am a little girl again, playing house, only this time it is for real.

Am I scared by facing a new future? Yes, a little bit. It is all new territory. But it is a whole lot easier than it would have been anyplace else. The idea of somebody I have never even met face-to-face doing what Billie and Tom have done for me is absolutely mind-boggling. I trust all of you have a "special angel" in your life when you need them too.

If you ever wander through Wisconsin, please be sure to send me an e-mail to let me know when you are going to be in Amberg. I have three extra bedrooms upstairs. Oh, and give me time enough to get some beds or cots up there!