The idea of a house and pet sitting lifestyle sounds great in theory and is pretty amazing in reality as well, but… what to do in between assignments? That is, if you don’t have a place of your own like us. Staying in hotels is cost-prohibitive, a hassle and contrary to our frugal manners. The chance that one house sit position smoothly transitions into the next is pretty rare as well. And, visiting with friends is not a long-term solution. So, what is the answer?

Having a base somewhere solves the issue of feeling utterly homeless or being in limbo for a definite or indefinite amount of time. Mark and I are fortunate with the ability to reside in a dedicated room, with our own bathroom and separate entrance, in the house of his parents. Our “on and off” home is located in Newburyport, a wonderful little town that is easy to explore by foot. It is a charming place along the Merrimac River, with some conveniences within walking distance and a caring set of in-laws. It does the trick for short periods at a time, while we await the next house sitting commitment. I love to just stroll the streets or the waterfront and capture the atmosphere whenever I need a break from writing, and the weather is decent…