By Caroline Patrick

Relocation or the Chaos of Moving

There are many reasons for relocation: Job situations, the big D or divorce, flood, or other natural disasters, cost of living, or choice. My recent change was due to my husband’s recent retirement and our choice of climate was based on our love of Washington States magical San Juan Islands environment.

"Rain, rain, rain," was the warning heard from many friends, relatives and co-workers. We smiled and nodded, knowing all well the northwest’s reputation for its liquid atmosphere and cold north winds. Living and working in the area for many years, we knew the weather patterns of this state. Many people don’t realize a "banana belt" winds its way through a couple of the main islands, and that is where the main search focused. Familiar with the sometimes weekly downpours Washington has to offer, our spirits remained uplifted as we search for property from Oregon’s coast to the Puget Sound as the time for the good life grew near.

Married for many years, we contently planned the next phase of our life with the comfort of knowing each other’s wishes and desires and incorporating these ideas into the perfect home and location and floor plan. All I need is a studio, a desk, the perfect Feng Shui friendly house, a car that runs well, cold climate and windows with a tree-filled view.

My partner needs a large shop, office, easy chair, fireplace, water view, fishing, a new boat, cool climate, new truck, new riding tractor/lawnmower, and a house that needs no "fixing". Sounds fairly easy to find such a place. Right? So the process begins, and chaos naturally finds its way into the best-laid plans. Moving energy always creates change. I have lived many years and have learned not to plan. You should live in a state of awareness, not expectation! So the adventure began with quick trips to Oregon and Washington looking for the perfect place to retire.

The initial trips began in Oregon. Living in near the Columbia River, Portland, Bend, and Sun River, we were familiar with the climate and the excitement of the water and mountain activities, but my husband became insistent to live on the coast of Oregon, and would only look within a certain area. He can certainly be stubborn at times and so can I, but his manner became stern and final. Homes with good Feng Shui’ed design were hard to find, so property became our target. Building sounds wonderful, but we have experienced the trauma of this choice a couple of times, and I didn’t care to experience the process at a distant location.

Time continued to slip away as we failed to communicate on my idea to downsize and his idea of a three-car garage to hold his wants. I’m sure this scenario sounds familiar to anyone who chooses to stay married. I began to give up any hope of a studio in the home or a cozy corner with a big red chair! What I couldn’t understand was his unwillingness to even look at property or homes on the other side of a bridge where a popular gated retirement community existed. This was his original plan and now he was looking at strange 1960 makeovers.

Back at the motel I called our son and daughter to check in. We have been known to move quickly in the past, and our children think their impulsive parents should check in every month or so for phone numbers and locations. An example of our son’s experiences with our wanderlust habits is as follows: while attending college at Arizona State University many years ago, he was asked by a friend, "Where do your parents live?" Our quiet son tilted his head as if to evaluate the question and answer the question in an accurate manner. "I don’t know!" he commented as he looked at his watch, as if for an answer. "What day is it?" he asked his colleague. Figuring it was Friday he replied "Hawaii, I think." This statement explains my life living with a heavy construction man. Building powerhouses and planning huge projects for companies takes a certain type of person. Once his sets his mind to a project it’s hard to change his thinking.

Speaking to our son, I mentioned his father only wanting to look at land and homes on the south side of the river, which meandered through the little town, presenting the subject in a humorous fashion, so I thought, which didn’t set too well with his father looking at the expression forming on his Dad’s face. He crossed the room in a quick fashion to finally explain his reason to his son, who would perfectly understand why the north side of town was a no-no. "There is no bass fishing in those lakes, the water is too cold," he roared. I began laughing hysterically, thinking it was a joke. His facial expression said it all. He was serious, and I was totally in shock.

This story continues as house hunting turns from a delight to a project. Stay tuned as my dilemma unfolds.

We have found a delightful, wonderful house on an island called Guemes with good Feng Shui and adventure in the making, with a six-minute ferry ride to the mainland of Washington State. I have opened an office in Anacortes, Washington, called Caroline’s Feng Shui Concepts on the main street called Commercial Avenue. 2511 to be exact. Zip is 98221. The phone is hooked up, and you can reach me at (360) 293-2268. The websites are the same and the newspaper column will continue with the Herald and other publications with a question-and-answer format in some papers.

I miss everyone, but life continues, and I’m helping raise two grandchildren, ages 3 and 5, as an added attraction as we all get situated in the northwest. My days are crazy at the present, but between PTA, cupcakes, Power Rangers, soccer, ferry schedules and Feng Shui, I am blessed with life’s process and her lessons. Stay tuned for Feng Shui suggestions during the process.