“Now that I am here, I can say without reservation that those hours of anxiety were ill-spent. I love it—Portugal, Setúbal, all of it.” These words are going to be my mantra. As a chronic 3am worrier (guns, student loan debt, retirement, trans rights, racial inequality, the world falling apart, the list goes on). Most of these things are out of my control. I remember so many things, though, that were ill-spent moments. Someone asked me if I had anything I would do differently as a new mom if I ever were again (I won’t be having more kids, but can reflect) and I said I would snuggle them and spend time with them WITHOUT worrying about what comes next. Easy enough for me to say to imaginary new mom me. I wish older, retirement age me could somehow bestow some 20/20 hindsight words of wisdom on current me as I muddle through trying to make the right life choices for future me and family. But sometimes I think that if someone had played a 30 second video clip of my current life to 20-something me- maybe a clip of the boys in the stock tank pool or hiking or just being silly and dancing or even snuggled up reading a book in our house in California- that the beauty of it would have blown 20-something me’s mind. I never would have dared to dream so big. I wish I could travel back to hold my own hand and tell me that it will be ok, that I don’t need to do everything at once, that I can enjoy and stop worrying and snuggle up at 3am.
I just finished reading your blog - for the first time - and I'm going to subscribe! I loved it! It feels like I'm right there with you guys, with all the excitement and joy of exploring :) I very much appreciate your pictures of Setubal! Thank you!
I found you from the link in Shanna's Blog! My Husband and I are making the leap to Portugal on the 8th of October!!! We are flying into Faro and staying at an air B&B in Tavira for two months, while we scout out the different areas for Home! Bless you guys! Hopefully we'll run into you in the park!
Thanks for sharing! We are hoping to do this move August 2022, so, of course, I clicked on your post on the American in PT FB page. Im now excited to dig into some more of your writing here and see what I'm in for! Congratulations and enjoy your summer!
Lo, thank you so much for sharing with us your first week of your new life. It's all so beautiful and inspiring and lovely. I feel content and calm after reading your words. And I feel excited. I love your desk, your view, your new wheels, and Vila. 😀💚
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story, your writing is beautiful, so glad I saw your post in AFIP . I'm looking forward to your future stories. Congrats on the big move, the house looks fantastic!! We are hoping to move later next year and Setubal is definitely a contender :)
Ladonna, I love ❤️ you story. Today I just returned from Portugal myself. I started business there last year and I building the foundation for a permanent life in Portugal as I transition from USA to Portugal. Very excited and look forward to more of your stories and one day meeting a fellow expat . Thank you 🙏
Ladonna, I am so excited for you and your new adventure. It sounds inspirational and let me know when those books come out as I will be avidly waiting for them and I am happy to be an editor if needed.
It looks like I myself will be going on a new adventure soon, to an old place, a place that has held my heart and where my heart currently resides. After a year and a half of not seeing my partner, I amicably left my job, had the fun of trying to find a new one in late may and early June and Talay and I are off to a place I love. So the actually short goodbyes begin, and sadly I won't get to see everyone (Travel in Indonesia is somewhat restricted here) but its time for a new adventure. Another one. I will genuinely miss Indonesia, I love the culture and the people here, but the one person whose super important to me isn't here and so it begins. So excited to read more of your adventure, the good and the bad and I hope you keep up your blog.
Congratulations, LaDonna. Your blog has proved so inspiring as we contemplate a move somewhere. Leaving the Bay Area is a doozy, but I'm glad to see you're beyond content and have the company of your daughter, husband, dog and soon bird in tow, along with your creative mind and endless gratitude. What a beautiful place in the world you've picked! I've truly enjoyed reading your saga, the anticipation, the planning, and now, the arrival. Wishing you continued contentment, fortuitous serendipity, and creative inspiration.
“Now that I am here, I can say without reservation that those hours of anxiety were ill-spent. I love it—Portugal, Setúbal, all of it.” These words are going to be my mantra. As a chronic 3am worrier (guns, student loan debt, retirement, trans rights, racial inequality, the world falling apart, the list goes on). Most of these things are out of my control. I remember so many things, though, that were ill-spent moments. Someone asked me if I had anything I would do differently as a new mom if I ever were again (I won’t be having more kids, but can reflect) and I said I would snuggle them and spend time with them WITHOUT worrying about what comes next. Easy enough for me to say to imaginary new mom me. I wish older, retirement age me could somehow bestow some 20/20 hindsight words of wisdom on current me as I muddle through trying to make the right life choices for future me and family. But sometimes I think that if someone had played a 30 second video clip of my current life to 20-something me- maybe a clip of the boys in the stock tank pool or hiking or just being silly and dancing or even snuggled up reading a book in our house in California- that the beauty of it would have blown 20-something me’s mind. I never would have dared to dream so big. I wish I could travel back to hold my own hand and tell me that it will be ok, that I don’t need to do everything at once, that I can enjoy and stop worrying and snuggle up at 3am.
I just finished reading your blog - for the first time - and I'm going to subscribe! I loved it! It feels like I'm right there with you guys, with all the excitement and joy of exploring :) I very much appreciate your pictures of Setubal! Thank you!
I found you from the link in Shanna's Blog! My Husband and I are making the leap to Portugal on the 8th of October!!! We are flying into Faro and staying at an air B&B in Tavira for two months, while we scout out the different areas for Home! Bless you guys! Hopefully we'll run into you in the park!
Warmly,
Cheryl & Andreas
Wow! What a beautiful place! So glad you are happy.
Thanks for sharing! We are hoping to do this move August 2022, so, of course, I clicked on your post on the American in PT FB page. Im now excited to dig into some more of your writing here and see what I'm in for! Congratulations and enjoy your summer!
Lo, thank you so much for sharing with us your first week of your new life. It's all so beautiful and inspiring and lovely. I feel content and calm after reading your words. And I feel excited. I love your desk, your view, your new wheels, and Vila. 😀💚
SO inspiring. Bravo. So many places to photograph....I wish I was there shooting you. XO
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story, your writing is beautiful, so glad I saw your post in AFIP . I'm looking forward to your future stories. Congrats on the big move, the house looks fantastic!! We are hoping to move later next year and Setubal is definitely a contender :)
Ladonna, I love ❤️ you story. Today I just returned from Portugal myself. I started business there last year and I building the foundation for a permanent life in Portugal as I transition from USA to Portugal. Very excited and look forward to more of your stories and one day meeting a fellow expat . Thank you 🙏
Ladonna, I am so excited for you and your new adventure. It sounds inspirational and let me know when those books come out as I will be avidly waiting for them and I am happy to be an editor if needed.
It looks like I myself will be going on a new adventure soon, to an old place, a place that has held my heart and where my heart currently resides. After a year and a half of not seeing my partner, I amicably left my job, had the fun of trying to find a new one in late may and early June and Talay and I are off to a place I love. So the actually short goodbyes begin, and sadly I won't get to see everyone (Travel in Indonesia is somewhat restricted here) but its time for a new adventure. Another one. I will genuinely miss Indonesia, I love the culture and the people here, but the one person whose super important to me isn't here and so it begins. So excited to read more of your adventure, the good and the bad and I hope you keep up your blog.
-Adrienne
Wonderful story, beautiful pics! Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration!
So beautiful!! Congratulations! xox
Congratulations, LaDonna. Your blog has proved so inspiring as we contemplate a move somewhere. Leaving the Bay Area is a doozy, but I'm glad to see you're beyond content and have the company of your daughter, husband, dog and soon bird in tow, along with your creative mind and endless gratitude. What a beautiful place in the world you've picked! I've truly enjoyed reading your saga, the anticipation, the planning, and now, the arrival. Wishing you continued contentment, fortuitous serendipity, and creative inspiration.
Beautifully written!
<3 so beautiful - YOU, the writing, and the place.
So, so dreamy. Congratulations on the move — looks like a lovely life ahead!!