Hello Debe - it wasn't really a "pause" that prompted this change but a preponderance of things that happened to come together and arrive with a well-deserved decision. 

Maybe you are mastering pondering among the many other qualities in your "toolbox".  You're more than ready for any challenge.  Nicely told.  

Debe if you are going to have an "aholism" a "workaholism" is the one to have.

Debe there is so much wisdom in this posts......WOW.  I had a feeling you had had covid and I'm glad you didn't get stuck or cause the entire chip to be floating at at sea for who knows long.  It's amazing how turning what looks like a nightmare into a blessing comes at us slowly.....but then it hits and it's like OMG this is the best thing that every happened, right?  I am so so happy for you guys and your lake home. Growing up with that live style (albeit we had a home in town as well) as amazing.  The sunsets, the nature, the walks, the animals etc etc.  And know you've living the life! Alleluia!!

Good evening Debe Maxwell, CRS ,

Loved everything about your post! Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRS, Broker, Instructor is right It's amazing how turning what looked liked a nightmare into a blessing! So happy for you and Ray!

Hi Debe, Sounds so wonderful to be back in nature and enjoying your second honeymoon. It has been a strange year and a time for us all to reinvent our way of thinking and life. 

It definitely makes me want to appreciate living new people more and being in a gathering like never before!

Janice Zaltman There is some thing about nature that brings a certain sense of stability and safety in the middle of all this craziness. Very good stuff!

Hi Debe:

Life has a way of teaching us things, often when we don't expect it, or want it. What a blessing for you, and Ray!

Jeff

Well Debe, you rock too together with Anna and Carol!  What an amazing post.  Could not stop reading if I wanted to.  The confluence of serendipitous events was clearly designed specifically for you and Ray.  Sounds like the beauty and healing of Nature at the lake grounded you beyond your expectations making a dramatic shift in a life-long value of workaholism.  What's interesting also is that you didn't set a New Year's resolution to reduce the hours in your work day. It happened naturally - the lake did it!

Just love the story.  It's like the natural elements nourished your cells and you couldn't resist the feeling good it produced.  It just feels too good! I'm happy too for what it means for you and Ray.  An excellent thing that even got better. An inspiring post.

Even workaholics eventually realize there is more to life than just work, haha.  It sounds like your Dad handled it well and always put family first.

What a wonderful story and what a fantastic silver lining in this crazy year. Slowing down and spending more time with family.. priceless!

Thanks for sharing this story of life in the pandemic, Debe. I enjoyed reading it.

Life has a way of slowing us down when we least expect it.  Glad you were able to take a different approach to business and enjoy the reason we work so hard...to have stabliity and time to enjoy our families.

Congratulations on the Lake house and your new phase of your relationship.  The house and views look amazing!

Hi Debe- Loved your post and your insight. Life has a way of throwing us curveballs or detours in the road.  It then becomes our choice as to how we're going to handle them. I'm glad you're taking the time to enjoy that beautiful lake home!!!  

Corona has shown me how i can divide my work between the office and home and how realistic it can be to take some space in my house to focus on task but still be able to find a stopping point to spend more time with the family

I agree, some very positive things have risen out of this time. I'm grateful you got better - sorry, you had to experience it first-hand. You know how I feel about Nature, and I honestly believe, it's a connection that we are all craving. It makes me so happy to hear you are committing to more time at the lake with your sweetie, staring at the sky, and just being. Bravo. 

I probably became more of a workaholic.  But starting to smooth that out a bit.

Thanks for sharing your story, I couldn't agree more. It's not what happens to us, it's how we respond to it that makes all the difference. 2020 has been the best year ever for my marriage and my business.

Hi Debe,
Gosh, I don't even know where to start with commenting on this post. First of all, I'm sorry you were so sick but... the Lord works in mysterious ways and that was certainly the start of a whole new way of life, wasn't it?  Sometimes we need a slap on the side of the head to make us do what we need to do.

I was a workaholic as well.  Buying a house on the Columbia River (on Lake Entiat) was one of the best things we ever did.  In order to get to our house you had to drop down off the main road into a private cove. I felt like I was going into a resort and on vacation each evening and coming out into reality each morning on the way to the office.  It was a nice escape.  I'm glad you found that at your Lake home.

All things work for the good if we allow it to... even a pandemic.  

Carry on...

Wow.  That was a whole new turn of events for you and your family.  The sunsets are gorgeous and I can see why you'd want to spend more time at the lake house.  I think you're not alone in that regard these days.  And don't beat yourself up for "working" less - life is short, so enjoy it.

I love that the pandemic has literally forced us to stop being workaholics.  I cannot imagine what it was like for you to go cold turkey like that!  In Iowa, we were deemed essential.  I sold many listings at the height of the pandemic, buyers and their agents coming in with masks and gloves.  Sellers opening doors to closets, turning on all lights, opening cabinets....all to make sure that no one needed to touch anything else. The result was still multiple offers within hours of listing!  The interest rates definitely kept things moving.  Thank you for sharing your reflection on this interesting year.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. I'm so glad you were one of the ones who recovered from that horrible virus. Also glad for you that the pandemic turned out to be a positive game-changer.

But then, of all people, I would expect you to find a way to make the best of whatever life throws at you!

Great post! Thanks for making this content!

It took a long time for me to finally realize that working continuously is not healthy physically or psychologically. I discovered that taking more vacations and spending more time with family and friends is more exciting than working continuously, The value of life IMO  isn't measured by wealth but by personal happiness. Great post.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice! Jeff