Off into the Wild Blue . . .

Believe it or not . . . its tomorrow that we leave for Mexico. This journal entry was based first on the beauty or withered beauty of this Zebra Swallowtail but, upon closer investigation . . . its about how I'm feeling, now, during this process of leaving and taking off on an adventure.

The intensity of leaving behind my life that I so love here in Oregon and launching out into territory unknown is finally hitting me. Saying g'byes to friends, planning in participating in my last "Ashland First Friday Artwalk", finalizing our house sitters, packing last minute things into the RV and planning what I'm wearing the day of the leaving . . . is bringing it all into reality. I've never been (but am willing to learn and am changing) great with change and I'm mustering alot of courage here to do this trip.

I've been blessed with some obviously "serendipitous" guides and coaches for this trip. Teaching one of my previous "Personal Journaling Classes" taught at the Art Center, I was graced to have as a participant, Cheryl, now my dear friend. In conversation we discovered she had a long history with Mexico, had lived there for 4 years, even worked there in a bank and has driven her fifth wheel by herself down into Mexico!!! All along preparing she has been kind, generous and encouraging.

A couple weeks before our take-0ff date, she and a friend of hers (also interested in traveling to Mexico) came over for brunch. She's given us que cards in Spanish, maps, books and more. And for the "Chef" (my marvelous hubby) she brought this lil lovely boquet of flowers. We laughed and joked and she continued to answer silly questions and make fun of our concerns. Setting us (well,probably me) more at ease with the endeavor.

Then another "angel" along this path came from right in the Ashland Art Center. One of my favorite peer studio artists, Dale Muir (http://www.ashlandartcenter.org/pages/homeDaleMuir.html), has a sister who does very much the same "thing" Roland and I are doing, except on a regular yearly basis! She too has been a great guide. She kept us current on the possibility of traveling with a group, "caravaning" and we just barely missed traveling with her. Sadly, her place on the beach wasn't going to be ready to receive her until December 10th, so she'd be departing later than we needed. But just keeping in touch with her experience and suggestions made us feel like we were not alone.

So, I'm packing my things. Yep, trying to decide what could work weather and climate-wise. Then thinking, will I use it enough to warrent taking it - does it take up too much space, does it weigh too much. The one suggestion I'd gotten to take along Christmas Lights because the Mexican people REALLY get into celebrating Christmas didn't go over well with my "frugal packer" husband. But . . . I did notice theres a box of lights in the trunk of the vehicle we are towing. :)

So, wish me well, its just me and my Divine Spirit taking off. Requesting prayers for safety and harmony and . . . off I go . . . into the wild blue . . .

Ending of a Month ~ Beginning of an Adventure

Ok, here's another awkward post ... but, we're aiming at honesty here, so here we go ...

It's been peculating probably for a year, this episode in my life. At first I was startled by it, resistant, then, realizing that it truly was a dream of my husband's, I've now begun chewing on accepting it. This episode (are you ready?) is, the possibility of moving to Mexico. Yep, waaaaaaaaaaay down south, out-of-the-country Mexico. He's been sampling homes, cities, villages, health insurance etc. for over a year. Together we've begun talking about our needs/wants and now have taken steps to go spend some length of time down where we'd both consider possible.

The first step was getting a vehicle that got better mileage (yeah, I was ALL behind that, good for the planet). So over a period of weeks, we stumblingly (is that a word?) acquired a new red (I'd gone for a more earthy color, but buying used ...) PT Cruiser. It's mileage is around 28mpg as compared with the 11mpg of Roland's truck and it functions better for me to carry paintings/art necessities than the sedan we'd first considered. Now, I'm finding this zippy lil' PT kinda fun ... and ... she will be a vehicle we can tow. Yes, tow (are you ready again?) behind our newly acquired [gulp] 28 foot RV.

There, I've said "it". I've never been one for the ostentatious, nor a "giant" carbon footprint, nor what feels like extreme extravagance but, here she is. After considering value for re-sale and storage and quality, this was the best option. I still waver between embarrassment and acceptance when I walk out in our yard and see her. But my husband has always been so very attentive to our "nest" and requiring quality in our home, I'm settling into this. Just the other night we enjoyed our first dinner and movie in "Tiffy" (yes, we've named her). And it was a pleasure ... warm, cozy, even romantic.

We plan to test her out on a couple local camping expeditions this Spring/Summer, followed by a Winter trek to Mexico. There we'll sample the reality of this dream for both of us. I've spoken to many artists/friends and am finding there is a huge ex-pat number who do and have done just this. One of my students worked in a Mexican bank, another artist's friend found much more success after moving to Mexico and other's have told me of the numerous possibilities of teaching classes. So I'm chewing, I'm chewing.

Love to hear any and all of your input ... I have learned, my opinion/perspective may not be the only or best one in existence. So "The Travels & Learnings in the Life of an Artist & Spiritual Seeker" continue ... appreciate your traveling along by my side :)