About 6575 days or 18 years

~One of my peonies~

This weekend marks about 6575 days or 18 years that we have lived in Virginia.  We left our very comfortable life in Alaska and came here because of Carl's job and because I wanted to at least live in the same time zone as my family did.  We arrived here with very few belongings, one car and one very stressed out 15 year old cat named Lucy and with no idea what the future would hold.

In 18 years we've had six different cars and I've worked in six different dental offices.  I even took a sabbatical from dentistry and a good friend and I worked together at Office Depot.  But "teeth are my life" and after a few months of working in retail, I returned to what I knew.

~Annie~

While we may have gone through cars and I've changed jobs a few times, we've also lived at 3 different addresses and had 3 cats. Our first dog came to us in 1996, a handsome Golden Retriever named Tod. And in June of 1999, we added our second dog named Wendy, who as you know, is our treasure, and is still with us. She was our first 'rescued' dog, and after her came the dogs we fostered for the rescue and placed in new homes.  I don't know exactly how many we have found new forever families for, but I know it's around 50. Carl and I have "officially adopted" 15 Goldens from the Golden Retriever Rescue, and that does not include the 11 Goldens that became "long term fosters" or Sam, Charlie and of course Todd who found their way to us.

A favorite picture from the past, our first Golden, Tod, and our second cat, Drifter

Through the ups and downs, additions and subtractions and changes in the past 18 years, we have had a busy and full life.  With Carl's nearly 2 hour long commute each way we have seriously thought of moving closer to where he works.  But each time something stops us and for now we are going to stay put and enjoy our life in this peaceful place that we call home.  Nowhere else feels right, because our lives and Golden Pines, despite our long commutes is perfect for us.

I hope you have a 'perfect' weekend!