Saturday, May 25, 2013

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!

51 comments:

  1. So glad your happy.......I hope you have a perfect weekend as well!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have a lovely weekend - its so important for your home to be in a location that feels right. I am glad you have found yours. Lily. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Teeth are my life!" Oh do I understand that one.
    So glad you are happy where you are, makes me think of our upcoming move back to Hawaii-- that's where I am the most happy.
    Have a beautiful weekend Kim!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Interesting look at your history...With all those great memories and such a beautiful spot I could not imagine moving

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing a "look back." You truly live in a magical spot...filled with love, slobbery pupkiss, and lots of waggy tails. PERFECTION!
    Wishing you and all of your loved ones a splendid weekend...
    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kim, I just love all your "numbers" and the beautiful place you call home! You have carved out a lovely life for you, Carl and the pups and you are the only ones who can decide if its just what you want. Sounds like heaven to me.

    Cheers and hugs,
    Jo (8,030 days in this location) with Otis, Eddie, Bitsy, Stella and Zkhat

    ReplyDelete
  7. There is something to be said about roots and a homestead. No matter how long the commute, home provides the sanity anchor that keeps us from drifting off into the sea of despair. Hail the good ship Golden Pines.
    ''''what's that? - Easton ends loves to Annie, Roooooooo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a beautiful spot! Worth a commute - as long as it isn't in L.A. traffic!

    -The rotties

    ReplyDelete
  9. It was a lot of fun to look back with you. I adore all of these photos!

    ReplyDelete
  10. i have fond memories of my short stay in virginia. we only lived there a year but a more lovely year cannot be imagined.
    thank you for a glimpse into your past!
    have a wonderful long (i hope) weekend. you both deserve it so. xo
    and annie is still with you! how wonderful is that!
    hugs from me to every single furry.
    and to you dear heart! LOL.
    goes without saying.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's amazing how time goes by...

    ReplyDelete
  12. You sound well settled at Golden Pines...hope you have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bloom where you are planted is what they say, and you certainly have done that! :))

    Enjoy this Holiday week-end!

    ReplyDelete
  14. this was filled with so much peace. and satisfaction. thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love this post! Have a happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anniversaries are wonderful times to stop and reflect. You sound happy and content and so you should - anyone who devotes so much of herself to making life better for other creatures deserves happiness herself!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a sweet and informative post Kim. I think I've been reading your blog for at least 3 years. Wow -- time does fly when you are having fun with friends.

    So glad to have met you. xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Whta a lovely post . Is a 2 hour commute a small price to pay to live in paradise?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful photos of your goldens and the green lawns, I can see why you love where you are living.

    ReplyDelete
  20. As a fairly recent follower, it's lovely to have a potted history. I completely understand why you've stayed in your beautiful home.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The nanme " Golden Pines" is so suited to your photo of one dog, grassy areas and your home.Beautiful, and yes, changes,memories, fosters and keepers, all make your life what it is today. Thank you so much for sharing with us, today, and all other days, I feel as though I could be right there with you and all your 4 legged family.Fond greetings, Jean

    ReplyDelete
  22. Kim
    You have a gorgeous spot, so peaceful,enriched with nature, and all kinds of wildlife, plus the beautiful crew.
    You and Carl have built memories, 18 years plus now but I can't imagine the 2 hour drive. That sucks but so worth it at the end of the day.
    My drive is only 1/2 hour each way and pod cast's are the only thing that keeps me sane.
    Have a great weekend and I just love the flash back pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What good and loving people you are, you two. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. After that commute, Carl needs a peaceful haven to come home to, to recharge!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Kim, Oh how I loved reading your story(or part of it). I am so looking forward to seeing Alaska this July and hope to find a good "sled dog" place that we can go on an excursion. There are so many that I have no idea which would be the best to visit. You and Carl have hearts of "gold" to have given such love to so many goldens. Hope you have a wonderful and restful weekend.
    Love, Noreen & Hunter

    ReplyDelete
  26. You do have a lovely home and I'm sure the peace and tranquility are well worth sticking around for.

    Lovely picture of Tod and Drifter!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Howdy Kim, lovely to hear about your life and where you live. My hubby too drives a long distance to get to work and back but we love where we live and it's worth it. You have done an amazing job with your fostering especially adopting 15 of them. Your photos are gorgeous. Hope your weekend is perfect. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Y'all!

    Been catchin' up on your adventures. When I dropped by I was thrilled to get to catch up on the last almost 2 decades of your life...Y'all are so blessed with your 4 legged family.

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

    ReplyDelete
  29. I loved reading the history of how Golden Pines came to be. We didn't have very long commutes from our piece of paradise, but after almost 23 years it will be difficult to leave here someday. The only thing that will drive us away will be the inability to keep up with the property maintenance.

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hello Dear Kim, you are a Angel to me, finding forever homes or adding to your beautiful home so many rescues.....Love your wonderful story and wish I could come live at Golden Pines with you and all your Fur Babies, :)....Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend my friend, Hugs Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Its fun to look back over the years. Your place is beautiful and what you have done and still do for the goldens is amazing!!
    Home is where the heart is!!

    wags
    Jazzi and Addi

    ReplyDelete
  32. We know how you feel Kim. Where you are right now is where you are ment to be. Its home and has been to many of your furrys. There is a certain kind of love that lives at Golden Pines... its love from the heart- and it gives.
    Such a beautiful post.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  33. Golden Pines has captured you and I think you are all the better for it. It really means something when the memories you share have contributed so much to so many. Thanks Kim.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Lovely post, Kim.
    We enjoyed the 3 or so years we spent in Alaska. Wasn't long enough.

    *hugs* God bless. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a wonderful story, the story of your life, so peaceful, filled with love and rescues. Wishing you all the best!

    ReplyDelete
  36. This post made us warm and comfy. You must stay at Golden Pines. It is only Golden Pines if you are there.
    Please give Wendy a hug for My Vickie
    Bert

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a beautiful post. And you have a life filled with love, peace and beauty. :) Love all your photos. Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  38. No doubt about it...Golden Pines is home. Thank you for filling us in. You and Carl have done so much for so many pups, and still do.

    ReplyDelete
  39. You sure have created a beautiful home for you and your goldens... Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a great name for a cat Drifter!!! A really great name!!!
    I don' expect to ever get another cat or dog but I will remember that name and if another cat comes along it will be "Drifter".
    THNAK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT!!!1 I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I can tell how much you love your gorgeous home and your family. It's fun to learn a bit more of your history. I was surprised that you didn't have dogs until 96 - you seem like a lifetime dog mom! Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love your history at Golden Pines.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I did not know you previously lived in Alaska. It's just beautiful there!! You have a gorgeous piece of property and I can see how difficult it would be to leave it. I can't even imagine a 2-hour commute every day....yuck! :) Love the look back at the critters of your life. Have a Happy Memorial Day!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Our place looks somewhat like yours downunder but I cant let my 7yr old goldens free to roam because they will chase the wallabies and chooks. You have inspired me to look at goldens who need a home when these two are not with us any more. Let the young families have golden puppies to train up. Wonderful work you do. Joy

    ReplyDelete
  45. You know that you have found your special place when you put such time and effort into living there.

    Sounds, and looks lovely.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  46. We hope you have a great weekend.

    :D

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  47. It sure sounds beautiful Kim, I know I love reading about it!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Commute does not matter when your home is the Golden Pines. We just celebrated our 18 years too (well 19 not counting last years). Love the photo of Tod and Drifter. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Golden LOVE n Woofs

    ReplyDelete
  49. Such a lovely post! Great pictures. I like the picture of your cat Drift and Tod. You have a beautiful house and yard. You've had so many pets during these years. Those animals have been lucky to find you!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Lovely post Kim. Two hours commute is lengthy but oh the pleasure when you get home !

    ReplyDelete
  51. I loved this post and knowing more about you Kim! Understand the desire to be in the same time zone as family. We currently have a son in Alaska!

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!