Wherever You Find Love, It Feels Like Christmas!

It's been two years since we sent out Christmas cards and so much has happened since then! 2009 was filled with a bit of disappointment as our plans to take over and run a motel on the Washington coast fell through and we found ourselves temporarily setting aside our dreams while we regroup and work towards it in the future.

Kris also had a physical setback in December of 2009, shattering his arm and totaling his car in a car accident. We were attending our dear friend's wedding in Leavenworth WA, (Kris was even performing the ceremony) and on the morning of the wedding, he and the groom were struck by a pickup. Kris broke a couple of ribs and his upper right arm in six places and his friend Rob suffered broken ribs and a back injury. Despite the accident, we were able to celebrate their vows, just a day late and heavily drugged.

There wasn't much time to rest on our laurels upon returning to Idaho either. After much discussion, we decided to accept a move with Walgreens, where Kris works. They were expanding into the state of Maine and were looking for transfers. So Lindsay single handedly packed the house and in January, we left it and our kids in the loving and capable hands of Kris' mom and brother while we flew out to Portland Maine!

    For a couple of months, we lived in a little motel room and Lindsay worked on her novel and did lots of cross-stitching. Kris, who was unable to work in the stores because of his broken arm, worked in the district office as the district administrator.

    Finally, after too long without our pets and a place of our own, we rented a trailer home in the nearby town of Topsham (Pronounced Tops-uhm) and flew back to Idaho, where we bought a new Element, a reddish orange one we named Stormalong. Rich built us a clever little sleeping platform in the back of the car and we stuffed everything we would need in Maine underneath and the dogs and cats above and hit the road to our new home, 3,000 miles away!

    Currently, we are still living in the trailer in rural Topsham, where we've built a screened in porch to watch the cardinals and wild turkeys that play in our backyard. Lindsay is working as night auditor for The Captain Daniel Stone Inn and Kris is an Executive Assistant Manager for Walgreens in Portland ME, which is about 35 minutes away. It's also the only drug store in the nation that sells live lobsters, which Kris is in charge of.

    We're also involved in other side projects, both working on novels, which will be published later in 2011 and Kris is selling stickers and sculptures online in an Etsy shop called Deeply Dapper.

    Maine is an interesting place, both far different and strikingly similar to Idaho in many ways. We love the long, colorful Autumns and the rugged coastline. (though we find ourselves missing the Oregon/Washington coast) Maine is also filled with wonderful historical buildings and sites and there are many gorgeous old cemeteries to visit. We had a great time showing it off to our friend Jen and Lindsay's parents and sister when they visited this fall. They especially enjoyed the fresh lobster rolls from Red's Eats.

    We do miss our friends and family. There's a sense of isolation from being so very far away from everyone. But it's allowed us to concentrate on our writing and our kids and we are really looking forward to 2011! If only there were any decent Mexican restaurants out here....

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Merry Christmas from Lindsay, Kris, Ludo, Pooka, Clover & Sassafras!

The ROUS FAMILY -