I have never been one to enjoy flying the friendly skies during the holiday season, trying to avoid long security lines and schlepping luggage through crowded airports at all costs. This has never invoked a sense of peace in me, and even less so in hubby, whose looks during the times we have ventured onto airplanes during this joyous season would keep anyone at arms’ length. 😲
After a lengthy autumn road trip to visit family and friends and before the frigid weather descended upon the Midwest, we opted to take a more laid-back approach to the holidays this year and still escape from home. We found ourselves getting back behind the wheel three short weeks after we arrived home, this time not to hopscotch across the country but with a single destination in mind – Albuquerque.
We have recently discovered the joy of housesitting, something I have read about and questioned others about for many years. I always seemed to push it to the back burner instead of doing the research necessary and developing a profile for ourselves. This year I took the time, did my homework, and jumped in with both feet. We have completed three sits and are now doing a fourth, spending the holidays in a beautiful setting, looking forward to visiting friends, and immersing ourselves in the local culture, of which there is plenty.
Housesitting is not something you would want to consider if you don’t like getting lots of slobbery, grateful kisses, but is especially rewarding if you need a fix of the furry 4-legged variety.
Since we are still doing lots of traveling, we have opted to not have a pet in our lives right now, so for us this has been the next best thing. This type of adventure has also put us in position to explore areas new to us, which always broadens our lives.
While we settle into this lovely Albuquerque home and prepare to enjoy the sights, sounds, and aromas swirling around us this festive season, we are grateful for the time shared with family and friends this year, as well as the friends I have met in the blogosphere. You have all enriched my life more than you can know. I will be forever thankful for all the wisdom you have imparted, the beautiful images you have shared, and the intriguing destinations you have added to our travel list.
May each day of this holiday season fill you all with a sense of wonder and awe and find you looking forward to a new year with a daily sense of gratitude. We wish you the happiest of holidays and a 2019 filled with countless new adventures, good health, and lots of love!
Paint Your Landscape 
Hi LuAnn, Really interesting on the housesitting….I would be apprehensive about this and you made a good point about doing your homework. I am a new blogger and I really like your words……how blogging has enriched our lives, wisdom imparted and images shared. I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy holiday season!
So far we have had nothing but positive experiences, and hopefully will continue to do so. Thanks so much for stopping by Erica. Happy holidays to you and your family and a 2019 filled with wonderful adventures and lots of love and laughter.
Have lots of fun. Life is short. Miss you guys. Frank
Thanks Frank. Life is indeed short. You and Margee seem to be making the most of it. Happy holidays! See you two soon.
We have only done a little house and pet sitting but enjoyed our fury friends very much. There are so many ways to see new places Have fun and keep sharing.
Thanks Debbie! Happy holidays to you and your family.
Your current house sit sounds wonderful, LuAnn, and the dogs and cats are so cute. I’d love to play on the beach with Kaia. Thank you for all the beautiful words and images that you’ve shared on your blog. I look forward to reading more in the new year. I’m wishing you and Terry the happiest of holidays and a 2019 filled with good health, lots of love, and countless new adventures, too!
So far we are having a great time in Albuquerque. Housesitting has been a wonderful way to get our furry friend fix. Happy holidays to you Natalie and a new year filled with lots of new adventures!
I’ve recently been thinking of mixing some pet-sitting gigs in with our full-time travels, so I love hearing that it’s working out so wonderfully for you and Terry! Anyone who has you guys care for their home and beloved furry companions is lucky, indeed. 🙂
I’ve always wanted to be in Albuquerque or Santa Fe for the holidays—it must be magical! Many blessings of love, peace, joy, good health, and adventures to you both in the coming year! Miss you guys!!! oxoxo Laurel & Eric
So far we are really enjoying our housesitting gigs! We have been blessed to have such special pets to care for. Looking forward to spending the holidays in NM. Our wish for you and Eric is a new year filled with magical adventures, sprinkled with lots of laughter and love, and of course, good health for all of us. Hugs to you both! We will need to find a way to reconnect with you and Eric soon.
Yes, we do!!!! We miss you!! Thanks for the wonderful new years wishes! 🙂
Isn’t house sitting wonderful! We always enjoyed it, though we’ve had a few close calls with wandering cats.
Wishing you and Terry and all your family all the very best for the holiday season, and may 2019 be all you could wish for.
Alison
Housesitting has been so special. We had a cat in Tulsa whose owners let wander outside, but then told us she wandered off for several weeks once. Needless to say, we didn’t let her out and she sat longingly looking outside. 🙂 Here’s to a magical 2019 for you and Don.
LuAnn, The housesitting sounds like an interesting adventure. Thanks for sharing that.
Susan
My pleasure Susan. Happy holidays to you and your family!
LuAnn it’s very interesting to hear that you have gotten into house sitting. Can I ask if you have a home that in turn someone house sits for you?
Wishing a wonderful holiday season and looking forward to following your adventures in the new year.
We are really enjoying getting our pet fix and seeing some areas of the country as well. We are hoping to get a gig in Canada one day. We sold our home in Sedona several years ago when we took to the roads full-time in our RV. Part of me thinks we should have rented our home instead as it would have made a great place for a home exchange, which several of our friends have done. The RV resort where we winter would not allow others in our RV when we are away, nor would someone most likely want to live in such a small space for a home exchange. Happy holidays to you and Dave. I will be following along on your adventures in the new year.
So glad you’ve discovered the joys of housesitting – isn’t it wonderful!
It is really special! Happy holidays!
Hi, LuAnn – I’ve never been to Albuquerque. but it’s been on my list since I’ve been 12 (thanks to David Cassidy)! Enjoy your holiday. Please share an update on how you enjoyed your time there. I’ve never done a house-sit before, but I have done numerous home-exchanges which have all been incredible.
Albuquerque and the surrounding area is wonderful, given all the pueblos in NM. We are looking forward to enjoying the local foods and immersing ourselves in the festivities. I will be posting about our experience. Happy holidays to you and your family!
How clever of you to find ever more interesting ways to fund your adventurous life.
We are really enjoying this new way of travel. Merry Christmas Gale!
What a perfectly wonderful idea for the holidays. We are seriously contemplating doing house sitting as we really miss having dogs and cats around us!! What beautiful ones you “scored” on this home sit and like home exchange this looks like an ideal way for extended travel where you feel more as though you live in a place than are a tourist in it
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. Thank you too for all your support and enthusiasm on our blog. Love reading you guys and sending you all the best that you wish for yourselves
Peta
We are loving the fact that we can get our pet fix while staying in a beautiful setting! Happy holidays to you and Ben! I am looking forward to reading about your adventures in the upcoming year. Hope 2019 is a healthy, happy year for you both, filled with wonder and lots of love.
Love all your holiday friends! Sorry we missed you on your back west. Have a wonderful holiday in Albuquerque:)
Happy holidays to you and John. We still have hopes of hiking with you two at your new home.
Whenever I think of Albuquerque where I spent a couple of Christmases and summer vacations with relatives as a kid, I always think of the Bugs Bunny cartoon “take a left turn at Albuquerque!” We did some housesitting during our years of full-time travels (Guatemala, Curacao, Costa Rica, Texas and Florida) and I’ve been thinking about updating our profile and applying for some in France or Spain in 2019. Like you, I love “slobbery, grateful kisses from our 4-legged friends.” Wishing you and Terry a very happy Christmas and looking forward to seeing you in 2019! Anita
I hadn’t thought of that Bugs Bunny cartoon in years! I have been thinking about housesitting since we lived in Mexico several years ago and met a woman who had been doing it in several places across the globe. We would love to branch out and do some international sits. Merry Christmas to you and Richard! We are hoping that you two are around when we come to Portugal next fall. I don’t know if you received my email this past week.
So looking forward to our paths crossing in Portugal! I did receive your letter and, watch out, I sent a tome back to you. A Merry Christmas hug to you both. Anita
I can’t tell you how excited we are at the prospect of meeting you two. Look forward to reading your tome. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a super year 2019! With lots of love Ute xx♥
Merry Christmas to you Ute. I hope the upcoming year is everything that you dream of.
I love all of your animal photos. We’re getting our cat fix at Fearless Kitty, and although we miss having our own, it is nice not to have the responsibility of caring for them 24 hours a day. I bet there is another dog in your future one of these years 🙂
Have a fun Christmas!
Happy holidays to the two of you! Glad to hear you are getting your kitty fix. As for another dog, we can certainly see that someday, along with a nice little kitty. 🙂
How does one spell great? Great header image! Great assortment of feline and canine portraits! Great new direction for both of you — as well as treating us to new photos of you both! Happy holidays!
Thanks Lisa! Happy holidays to you as well. Here’s hoping we all have a new year filled with wonder, laughter, good health, and new adventures!
What a fabulous thing you are doing not only for you but for your friends and your furry friends as well!
Merry Christmas!!
It’s been a fun gig!
I have done a lot of animal sitting, but for friends and neighbors. Since you have started this, I am hoping I can do some in other places, some day in the near future. Looking forward to hearing about what you have been doing in the Albuquerque area.
We are finding it to be a great way to travel to areas of interest.
I’m gad you discovered house and pet sitting, and dove in with two feet. Isn’t this the most perfect lifestyle? Especially when wanting to explore areas in comfort and craving those cherished animal moments without the responsibility of having our own? I hope you had a fantastic end of the year in Albuquerque and that your 2019 will be exciting and rewarding as well!
We are finding housesitting to be a wonderful way to travel. We are still in Albuquerque, where another white lab has been added to the mix – little 2-year old Fitzgerald, aka Fitz. He is a love. Happy 2019 to you and Mark!
Hi LuAnn,
Just catching up on my reading…am intrigued by the housesitting gig. It seems to have been a positive experience for you, and a great way to get pet loving in!
Hoping your holidays were grand and that 2019 shares only its best with you…here’s to more connections in our blogosphere…
So far housesitting has been a great addition to our traveling plans. It’s been wonderful to get a furry friend fix as well. 🙂