The Beginning

I have always dreamt  of traveling the world twice.  Once to see it and the second time to linger in favorite spots.  For the last several years, my decreased mobility has thwarted those dreams.  The realization that a day of traveling can require a couple days of recovery makes a week vacation a waste of money and an exercise in frustration.
While visiting family and friends, I learned that a month somewhere is easier on my body, allows me to explore and rest, and allows my budget to absorb transportation costs, providing housing is affordable. This trip to Ireland started out that way, a month in Killkenny while the craft festival was there. I gave myself a year to save for it.
Entertaining myself at home is a huge part of my days.  Reading and researching Ireland became closer to a hobby.  My family is from there, the climate is mild, it's convenient to the rest of Europe.  The more I looked into it, the more I liked the idea.  I started talking to people about it, a friend and I made a deal that she would come to Ireland with me and I would go to Greece with her.  My cousin wants to go too, but the place my sister secured for us really didn't work for three.  How about extending the trip? Yes, that could work.  A month in Kilkenny, a month in Castlebar, a month in Dublin. That's a long time to be away from home...and still I wanted a side trip to London, Paris, northern France.  How do I make that work on my budget? So, I set up a gofundme page called movin' out, but I felt funny about putting it up on Facebook, so I didn't
Then I started thinking about what my cousin suggested, adding to the trip. A month with my sister in Killkenny, a month with my cousin in Castlebar, add in time with my friend and I could stay three months, except for my animals.  I have a small dog and a cat, besides that I can't pay rent in Colorado and rent in Ireland....unless, unless I move there!

Movin' Out

Suddenly, I can't wait...not anymore.  When I was 19 I was running away to Europe. A backpack, my dog and my favorite hiking clothes was enough for me.  My mother, unable to dissuade me, called in my favorite uncle. We met for lunch, and he did talk me out of it. I moved from the east coast to the west coast and decades passed...five years ago I moved to Colorado, it's beautiful here. It really is, sometimes I can't believe just how beautiful it is.
I've been saving and planning a trip to Ireland next August for almost six months now.  Secretly dreaming of finding a place while I was there and then moving, as if on a whim. While talking about it, a friend, a cousin and a sister have become involved as well.  Still, it's eight months away.  To keep myself entertained, while staying home and saving my pennies, I started researching both my Irish ancestors and Ireland.  The more I learned, the more I wanted to go and stay.  Could I really?
Along comes the election.  Two things happened that day, my brother Jimmy died and Trump was elected. Those two events may not be connected in any way besides the day, but inside me the connection is concrete.  It hit me, when the Donald is finishing his first term, I will be the same age my brother was when he died. Yes, I survived G.W. - both terms, but just barely. What could I possibly be waiting for? I'm not getting younger. As it is my body is not compliant, is this going to get easier at some point? Maybe it will, I hope so anyway, but I'm not waiting. My decision is made. I am moving to Ireland, not vacationing-moving.
I did three things to get myself started. First I put up a go find me page called Movin' Out. Next, I called a couple of people to break the news. Then I posted it on Facebook, for all the world to see.  Now, I am starting this blog, to record my research, encourage others who might also be considering such a move, rally support and keep anyone who cares informed of my progress. I hope you come along for the ride, this should be interesting!