OK, You Asked For It

I've had several friends suggest--rather vehemently--that I start blogging again.  It has been forever and Blogger has changed a lot since I last posted.  Trying to change my design hasn't worked out too well so you can't really see my title but I am still keeping it as Sand Between My Toes.  It is just desert sand now, not island sand.

As some of you may know, my husband was diagnosed with Cognitive Disorder Dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia which affects his speech a couple of years ago.  Last fall I realized that I could no longer do this on my own and needed to be near family for help and support.  I thought about returning to Ohio to be near my son and his family but he reminded me of what winters are like in Ohio so we opted to go across country to San Diego, California to be near our daughter and her family.  We put our trailer in Sanibel up for sale and on March 19th we turned the keys over to the new buyers and set out driving west.  Since Chuck can no longer drive, I did the entire 2700 or so miles myself!  Never dreamed I could do it but I did.  We arrived at Karen's on March 25th and were welcomed with open arms.

We then began looking for new digs.  We opted for another trailer and looked at several in 55+ Mobile Home Parks in the area close to Karen.  Some were too small. Some were too claustrophobic. Some were too "cementy".  The one we settled on was old, dirty, and in horrible shape but it just seemed right.  I knew that it would take a lot of work and my daughter and son in law thought I was nuts but said they would help so April 16th we signed the papers and were owners of a 50 year old 55' Mobile Home in El Cajon Valley Mobile Home Park just 10 minutes from Karen's. It has taken weeks and weeks of cleaning, painting, new carpet, new drapes, new bedding, new dishes, pots and pans etc etc etc.  But yesterday, Wednesday, June 13th, 11 weeks after we arrived in California, we finally moved into our new digs.

I will never be able to thank my daughter and her husband for housing us, supporting us, and helping us for all those weeks.  There is still work to be done and both are ready and willing to help out--in exchange for a LOT of babysitting!!!

Then

Now

Dining Room Before

Dining Room After

Living Room Before

Living Room After

My Bedroom Before

My Bedroom After

Office End of my Bedroom Before

Office End of my Bedroom After

My Bathroom Before

 

My Bathroom After

Chuck's Bedroom Before

Chuck's Bedroom After

I haven't posted any pictures of the kitchen yet as that is still a work in progress as is the 2nd bathroom.  But I will add those as they are finished.  

Here are some pictures of my "yard" and a lot of the reason why I chose this place.  It definitely will never equal my Sanibel deck but I eventually hope to make it my little sanctuary someday. 

 The Killer Cactus!