Alice Adventures in Raleigh - New Beginning’s

I do love going down the rabbit hole. Maybe it's because my name is Alice and I've always enjoyed being associated with "Alice in Wonderland". Never mind, that's too simple. I like complicated. My mind travels daily to new destinations, constantly flowing. I know how lucky I am as I have never been bored and never will be.  

In 2020 when I was going down the rabbit hole I was unaware of how I would get to know myself when I decided to move to Raleigh, North Carolina. Yes, I moved during Covid. After contemplating it for hours actually five years I entertained the idea of moving. 

I attempted to live in the home I'd loved, however  it wasn't working out. Everywhere I looked brought back so many memories of the past and those who were no longer there with me. 

Many of my family and friends  are comforted by staying in the home where their loved ones spent so many years with them. I learned at that point that grieving and life experiences take us in different directions as we age. 

So, after 6 months of living alone with "Covid" in my beloved home where my husband and I raised our two sons I decided it was time. I would take my son up on his offer and move to the "Capital City" of North Carolina from where I had lived in SC for 45 years. Obviously, I had absolutely no idea what this fabulous adventure would entail and how it would bring me home. 

So what do I do first? I don't remember going in any particular order. I decided to sell my house which meant finding a realtor while packing up all my things. This meant packing my belongings to take with me and store in Raleigh and packing things that I would need to have with me in my furnished rental. And oh yes finding a rental and a real estate agent in Raleigh who could help me buy a home during Covid in a sellers market. Don't let me forget telling my friends who I love and adore who were not happy when I shared my plans with them. And then after 66 days, I drove to Raleigh

with Josie my devoted "Labrador Retriever." 

A four hour drive brought me to my new digs. After getting settled in my rental

I began exploring my new surroundings. I enjoyed being with my grandchildren and their parents. My grandsons were being schooled at home due to Covid. What fun to get the chance to home school them on occasion. We could do so many things spontaneously and that brought about many adventures for our family. 

After saying I would never going on a dating site I did as I didn't know many people my age here. Turned out I met interesting men who showed me around my new city. I found a fantastic realtor was not only good at her profession, but very patient with me. There was Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and Hillsborough to explore. After months of shopping and learning about my new surroundings I landed with my significant other in definitely the best place for us only 20 minutes from my son's home. Coincidentally the couple I bought the house from relatives were some of my friends in South Carolina. 

As I stepped out of my comfort zone tackling what I wasn't sure I could do I felt younger, stronger, more confident and happier. And that is what I will continue to do as it really does help me grow and change leaving a smile on my face.

So writing this blog and being tutored in "tech" by my best friend is taking me on a new adventure. Yippee, here I come down the rabbit hole once again.