Meet your neighbors

My interview this week was within walking distance, just four blocks away from my home. But then anywhere you want to go in Odessa is within walking distance. The weather is beautiful, the birds are singing and the people are friendly along the way.

I first met Bill and Vikki Pichon last summer while my husband James and I were taking a walk. They were sitting outside on the front porch of the lovely old Victorian-style house they had recently purchased. I was invited in and given a tour through a fascinating work in progress. I was totally impressed and can't wait until it is finished to see it again.

Bill's family came over from Belgium in 1850 and settled in Illinois. He was born in 1965. When he was 14 years old, he moved with his parents, two sisters and one brother to the Seattle area. He said he had a hard time adjusting to the gloomy weather. His parents are now gone, his father having passed on eight years ago and his mother two years ago.

Vikki was born in Seattle in 1969 and grew up with two brothers. Her mother is a homemaker and her father, now retired, was in the printing industry. He comes to Odessa occasionally and helps them with the remodeling of their house.

Bill and Vikki met at a church youth group when they were teenagers in 1984 and married in 1990. They have two children, a daughter Jessica and a son Justin. Jessica and her husband Kenny have two children and Justin and his wife Janelle also have two children. They live in Sultan, Wash., just outside of Everett.

Bill worked for 27 years in the apartment industry as maintenance supervisor. For the past five years, he has had his own business as a handy man. As I observed the work throughout the house, and it was obvious that he is very good at what he does.

Vikki worked as a bookkeeper at the same place. They own seven rentals in Auburn and have spent the last two years fixing them up. One of Bill's hobbies is investing in real estate and remodeling homes. He also loves fishing, and I do believe he is in the right place for that. Vikki loves scrapbooking and being with her four grandchildren.

I asked Bill what brought them to Odessa and he told me they were looking online for a vacation home. They looked around eastern Washington and found Odessa. But it is not their vacation home, and they say that by the end of next month they will be completely moved in. The plans are for the house to be totally remodeled by the end of summer.

They love Odessa and are very happy to be here. They love the fact that everything is within walking distance. Bill says, "The big O on the hill is awesome. It feels like we have stepped back in time 40 or 50 years.

They are looking for any old pictures or any information on their property, so if you can help them, stop by 04 West Fourth Avenue and say hello. They would appreciate any information you can provide them.

Welcome to Odessa, Bill and Vikki.

Until next time, enjoy life!