Great to be on Track to Getting on the Road

When I wrote the original blog post I outlined some goals for the following 27 months to prepare us for full timing.  At the time they just seemed logical and I figured they would be modified by time and reality.  Reviewing them this morning I see they are still spot-on and we have been successfully working on all of them! 

This is the last week of the full medical fast with eight weeks of transition and maintenance to follow.  To-date we are down 131 pounds.  Of course I wish it were a 50/50 contribution but naturally 86 of those are Bill's amazing success!  Still I am feeling soooo much better in this lighter body and we both remain committed to continue losing as we move to the next phase.  Getting the weight off was a big goal for us, one that would make other goals possible.  So being successful here has been inspiring and motivating in more ways than just the weight loss. 

For Bill the weight loss was directly related to getting his diabetes under control and getting his knee replacement surgery done.  Today he has reduced his diabetes medication by 90% from what it was prior to the weight loss, and his knee surgery is scheduled for November 7 (the official last day of the fasting program)!  I would say he is definitely on track!!  I am so proud of him.

We continue to make reasonable improvements to the house for resale value while not indulging in upgrades that we would only be able to enjoy for a short time.  Getting the two ugly trees removed from the front yard was a big part of that.  Exterior paint and a small concrete pour will finish up the curb appeal.  After that there remain a few interior and backyard fixes that fit our budget and can be completed in the next 18 months. 

The move here two years ago prompted some major purging from our two individual houses but we still moved plenty of stuff with us!  In preparation for cutting our living and storage space by 90% we are successfully unloading what we won't need while significantly modifying our "buying more stuff" practices.  Okay, maybe significant for me; Bill has mastered the "need not want" filter and buys very little.  With very few exceptions, nothing new comes in without something old being moved out.  I have planned a yard sale for early next month so other people can pay me to get rid of it completely. I've always been a big fan of that practice!

Getting together with family and friends continues, although the whole "no eating" thing does impact your social life.  It is so eye-opening to realize how often we eat as part of just getting together with people!  If you don't barbecue or go out for birthdays or other holidays then What do you do?  We traveled to Clear Lake for July 4th and spent four days with Wayne and Marilynn and Kurt and Cindy and their three boys.  It was a wonderful visit and the fireworks over the lake were the best I've seen in years.  Last weekend was  Aunt Kathy's 80th birthday party in Fresno and we went up for the two days.  I met the rest of his clan and might even remember all their names for a couple weeks.  What a great bunch of folks!  A short rain shower cooled things off during the party and then the weather was cool and perfect for the weekend.  Bill continues to be active in his men's organization and I meet new people from the community every month as part of a group I started in July. 

October 12 we go to our first RV show in Pomona.  I'm looking forward to getting inside some of the coaches we think we like from the pictures and descriptions on-line.  We have toured some used ones at our local Camping World but have pretty much decided we want to buy new and take advantage of the warranties.  With the nightmare Janis and Nick had with their last used coach and the fact that this will be our home for several years we believe the expense is justified for a new unit. Also making sure we have the safety and technology upgrades from day one is important as well.  We understand that there will be modifications down the road as our personal needs become apparent from experience, but we don't intend to skimp on the important things up front.

There are some skills I want to learn before we head out, like grooming Tessa, dying my hair, driving and towing with confidence (I've driven a 28' motor home with a toad but I think a fully packed and loaded 34' rig on mountain roads may be a different beast altogether), and basic first aid (human and doggie).  I'm looking into some winter classes that should also be lots of fun!  Maybe there's a "healthy cooking in a small space" class out there too!!

Everyday we are ready to hit the road.  Everyday we are ready for Bill to retire.  Everyday we  want to be living in nature.  Everyday we are successfully working toward our original goals.  Everyday we are one day closer.

The Challenge of Living in the Now

No plans here to catch up on the last six weeks.  Maybe it's because it's summer and so many fulltimers are in wonderful cool places with oceans or lakes or forests outside their windows but this has been a rough month for being "not-on-the-road."  I once again found myself living in blogland with intermittent perusing of RV online sales.  The first step is admitting.......well I have fallen off the "live in the now" wagon to which I was committed.

Last week I took a couple days and went to visit Janis and Nick in Sacramento.  After months of trials and tribulations and one mixed-review trip to Oregon they have finally purchased a brand new Tiffen Phaeton and I was able to get a quick tour of the coach.  It is a great rig and I know it will be perfect for their planned travels.  At 36+' it is bigger than I want for us, and the type of traveling we want to do, but do think a similar coach of 34' would be wonderful.  I especially like the neutral interior decor which is such a pleasant change from the usual gaudy patterns they use on valances and seating. With a residential refrigerator and washer and dryer they will once again be able to "field test" those things to help us decide if we will want them too.  I suspect no amount of nay-saying from anyone will convince Bill we don't need that outside tv though!  They take delivery tomorrow and then head north to end up in Canada and the Olympic Peninsula - but I will be loving life "in the now" right here at home!

Truly our "now" is pretty wonderful.  We are right on track with the weight loss with Bill down over 65 lbs and me at 30.  Our overall health is greatly improved and we continue to stay motivated.  Our program doctor has suggested Bill schedule his knee surgery for the end of the year as soon as possible. This will enable him to reserve a date and keep us on schedule.  I suspect with his weight loss and new knees I will be working hard to keep up with him next year!  So I should be grateful I have 21 months to get in shape!

While in Sacramento I also stopped by the old office.  Wonderful to see the people I worked with - truly wonderful!  What a great group of folks I got to spend all that time with.  I miss so many of them.  Do not miss the work.  Do not have any sudden desire to return to that world, that pace, that time away from my life.  Do Not.

That was my life "then" and the visit helped confirm that my "now" is a good place to be.  The call of the road is loud and I can expect it to distract me and pull me into the bliss of daydreaming of our adventures out there.  Like so many lessons this one may need to be learned several times.........oh yea, I have 21 months!

If All Homes Were on Wheels NO One Would Be in the Southwest This Week!

Yes, it's summer.  Yes, it's supposed to be hot in July.  No, we do not live on the face of the sun so this heat wave is ridiculous!  Records are being broken in Death Valley and Las Vegas and Phoenix - and Boise, Idaho.  Apparently no place west of the Rockies is safe. I worry about the plain states as this high pressure system moves east.....and will also be relieved to see it move out of our area.  Sadly we will always be reminded of this period with the tragic loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona who perished fighting to save the town of Yarnell.  15 of them in their twenties and all known and loved in their community, it is very sad.

When we are on wheels we will spend our summers in the Pacific Northwest or in the higher regions of the Rockies.  Temps along the Oregon coast have stayed in the 70's this week with rain and fog as well.  Sounds like heaven.

The weekend in Laguna was wonderful and just what I needed to sate those itchy feet for a bit.  We hiked the Laguna Headlands and spent time at the cottage reading and beading and enjoying the catharsis that is girl-talk.  Although Laguna Beach is very crowded this time of year and the residential area where we stayed is jammed with houses, our little cottage was a wonderful and homey retreat.  The patio and small garden area are particularly inviting and relaxing. [Photos thanks to Michelle because I still can't remember to take them!]

 

 

Wrapped up the time in San Juan Capistrano in a delightful area of old residences near the train station that many have turned into lovely artisan shops. My favorite kind of place to spend time browsing and shopping and little buying. 

And of course the best part of being away from home and the man you love is coming back to both!  We had fun stories to share with each other and got excited about traveling together all over again. 

This weekend we head to Clearlake, CA for the July 4th holiday with family.  Wayne (Bill's big brother) and his wife Marilynn have a great little place on the keys and we are looking forward to a nice visit.  We are flying most of the way then renting a car in Sacramento so it doesn't really qualify as a road trip.  Yet we will see things we haven't seen and do things we haven't done and enjoy being together with family. 

The road beckons, as do the cooler temps..........

Still Moving in the Right Direction

We continue to be excited about our future on the road and to work on the goals we set to make it happen.

Bill gave me an electronic photo frame for my birthday last month.  He saw parts of my Pinterest board "Let's Go There" loaded with great places I want to see, and thought getting them off the board and up where we can both drool over them was a good idea (smart man).  Today I finally sat down to get it loaded and after learning the importance of resolution (thanks Jeff) I now have 50+ photos of amazing locales scrolling beside me.

Some places either one or both of us have already visited but they are places we want to see together or places we want to return to for a longer stay.  Just thinking about spending weeks rather than days (in some cases hours) at Sedona, Arizona or the California Redwoods refreshes my excitement about our plans!

Everytime I read about another fun place that other bloggers already on the road have found, I can add that picture to the frame (if there is a photo available with the proper resolution of course....).

Not surprising, I did scratch my itchy feet and make arrangements to spend next weekend in Laguna Beach.  I have a great friend from high school who lives down the coast and we are renting a little beach cabin with no plans other than to walk the beach and have morning coffee on the patio.  I'm even looking forward to the drive down Interstate 5 so know I'm ready to be on the road.

Bill is doing so well on the medical fast!  He's down over 25 lbs in under two weeks and has been 100% on program.  Me?  Also 100% on program.  How much have I lost?  Yep - 7 lbs!  Enough to make every woman hate every man........almost.  Fourteen weeks to go, with 4th of July at Clearlake with the family to really give us a challenge, and I'm confident we will BOTH be successful in meeting our goals.  It sure makes you rethink how much time and money we spend on food for entertainment, food for comfort, food for socializing.  If we can hold on to what we're learning this summer we'll have a great start for eating light on the road.

Itchy Feet

 

At the end of April we took a 9-day road trip in our little SUV.  It was wonderful in all possible ways and upon arriving back home both of us were ready to go again.  I started blog-binge'ing on every full-time rv'er blog I could find and Bill started logging all the places we had already traveled together.  We had been planning the big move in 2015 but it was that April trip that really sealed the deal.  If we could enjoy traveling together in a few cubic feet and hauling luggage in and out of numerous hotels, then certainly taking the comforts of home with us will be the greatest experience ever! 

And I want to do it now.

It is no coincidence that I started this blog immediately following that trip.  I found myself obsessing (one of my more endearing traits that comes as no surprise to those who know me) over motorhomes and campgrounds and hiking locations and weather patterns as if we were loading up and taking off in two weeks.  Preparation is certainly a key to success but I mean I was in the mindset of doing it all before Cinco de Mayo!  So the blog was a way to focus on the reality of time and those things yet to be accomplished before we can actually hit the highway.

And I still want to do it now.

Yesterday I was researching something completely unrelated to travel (part of my self-prescribed therapy) and found myself looking at weekend retreats (side effects?) for next weekend when Bill will be camping with the guys.  Living in Southern California there are numerous places within driving distance that make you feel like you have traveled to another world.

And I really want to do that now.

My best friend Janis and I make an annual trip to Bodega Bay in her motorhome and spend a week on the beach.  With the exception of one day trip in the beautiful surrounding countryside we spend the time reading and relaxing and walking her dogs.  We were scheduled to be there this week but the motorhome-gods felt this was not the right time to go and alas we are postponed until November.  Perhaps it is that missed trip as much as the great trip that have combined to create this compelling desire to travel somewhere else.

And I should do that now.

Maybe just a quick trip up to Ojai for a personal retreat, or down the coast to see a good friend and get my beach-fix.  I don't think it will take much to scratch these itchy feet - not time nor expense.  One true advantage of being on a full-fast is that food is no longer something to be planned or purchased.  I can take Tessa if I want and I don't have to go far.  The hotter weather is a factor but having the wind gone also opens up other possibilities. 

Okay, I'm totally doing that now.

Introducing the Fluffy Dog

We are both dog lovers and have been blessed to have several wonderful pals in our individual lives.  When Bill and I reconnected in 2008 we each had old dogs who we adored.  Over the last five years we have lost each of them and in November of 2012 found ourselves sadly "dogless".  Not fans of tiny dogs, we were still ready for smaller than the big shepherds who had been members of our families for decades.  As we were already talking about life in an rv, we also liked the idea of non-shedding, or at least "less shedding" dogs.  There are several breeds that met our criteria but I was especially drawn to Labradoodles and Soft-Coated Wheaton Terriers.  While puppies are wonderful and don't come with the baggage of their previous lives, neither of us wanted to buy a puppy when there are so many homeless dogs out there.  My shepherds were rescues and I never regretted bringing them home.  So the search began. 

You just don't find Wheatons in rescues but there are several wonderful "oodle" rescues out there and I started checking daily for a new doggie to join our family.  A friend reminded me that Craigslist also has a dog listing so I started checking there as well.  Close to Thanksgiving there was a 2 year-old labradoodle listed about 50 miles away.  Contact with the owner revealed a family who had to relocate to a home that didn't allow dogs.  They were heartbroken to give her up but wanted to actively find a new home for her rather than take the chance with a rescue.  I was still working and although we tried a couple times, we couldn't coordinate a time to meet.  During this time other people were making arrangements to see the dog and every time they didn't show up.  Two days after the owner's "final day" he got in contact to see if I was still interested.  I didn't hesitate.  My son and I jumped in the car with a leash and blanket and drove the fifty miles. 

Matted coat and sad eyes, with a rope for a leash, we met her.  She was scared at first and whined most of the return trip, but when we got home she was more relaxed and started checking out her new digs.  After a trip to the groomer she had her vet checkup where she got a clean bill of health, confirmation that she is about two years old, and speculation from the vet that Tessa is more likely Wheaton than doodle.  Too funny! 

With few exceptions like an affinity to spread the bathroom trash all over the floor and a couple food snags from the table she has turned out to be the perfect dog. 

 

 

I've never had a dog that really "cuddles".  I mean she puts her paws around you and hugs.  She will lie in your lap for hours or race around the house like a dervish - depending on her (and your) mood. 

 

She has not always been "welcoming" to others entering the house and we had some concerns about everyone being here last weekend.  We had nothing to worry about.  She just seemed to know that everyone was family and special to us.  She loved every single one of them.  I kept telling Bill that when she was gone Monday morning we wouldn't know where she went because every one was saying they were taking her home! 

 

So that's our fluffy dog Tessa.  I believe it is no accident that those other people didn't go meet her back in November; that her previous owner kept my number.  She was supposed to be with us and we are blessed to have her in our family. 

 

I can't wait for her to be a part of our travels!



Spending Time with Family and Friends.....All at Once!

One important goal for our next two years is making opportunities to be with family and friends. Our travels will certainly include visits to folks we care about but for the most part we will be out there on our own.  There will be long stretches of time and distance between us and those we care about.  So while we are stationary in a sticks and bricks house we want to be better at reaching out and visiting.  Otherwise I suspect we will look back with regret at missed opportunities.

So let's have 40+ of our favorite people over for the weekend!  And take our wedding vows and make food and play music and drink beer (let's do lots of that) and eat cake and talk and laugh and play together!  Wow, what a blast! 
 

 



It was so good to see every one and to get caught up with some we haven't seen in way too long.  Just as fun was sharing our plans to be fulltime travelers and to find support (and some envy) from those closest to us.  It's easy to question yourself when you decide to take a leap of faith and change to an alternate life style.  You wonder if people will think you're crazy and send you down a road of doubt with questions you haven't considered..... but nope, none of that from this bunch.  Every one thinks it's a great idea, especially those signing up for the stuff we can't take with us!  And that is great too because where else do you want your precious things to be than with family and friends?!

 

The weekend also validated the importance of this goal.  There is great value in making the time and space in our lives for people.  We are blessed with wonderful (crazy) family and friends so to miss any chance to be with them is a loss.  I suppose we could have used the weekend event to check off the goal as accomplished, but instead I'm motivated to build on it.

 

Tomorrow we pick up our supplements to start the medical fast on Friday so this weekend will be the polar opposite of last weekend in the food world......also a good thing!

 



Sometimes Your"self" Is the Biggest Job to Get Done

One major goal before hitting the road to spend long stretches of time away from the conveniences of metropolitan healthcare and rv repair is getting ourselves healthy and fit.  Now neither of us have allergies or asthma or phobias that keep us from doing things.  We are exceptionally healthy when it comes to avoiding the flu, the common cold and generally "being sick".  However we are both far from being "fit" and suffer the health complications that come with being overweight. In addition, Bill needs to have both knees replaced to regain the flexibility and agility necessary to do the hiking we want to do and the rv maintenance we need to do. 

This is one area where that 27-month timeline is closer to "too short" rather than "forever from now".  So with the encouragement of our doctors and the support of Kaiser's weight management program we signed up for a six-month very calorie-restrictive diet and behaviour modification plan.  It began with a group orientation last week that outlined all the damage we are doing to our bodies by being overweight (uh yeah, we live in these bodies....) and the various programs available to get the weight off.  Before we went I already knew, and Bill had reluctantly agreed (because he's no fool) that we would join the strictest full-fast program to kick start our physical transformation.  These are six-month programs and they only do one program at a time so when they announced the first program (not a full fast) didn't start until mid-August I was worried we would have to wait as long or longer for our program.  This would really push Bill's rehab from the knee surgery (on hold until the weight is off) into the far end of our timeline.  The gods were smiling on us though and our program starts May 23!  Just enough time to rush through some lab work earlier this week, meet with the program doctor, and start the first week of the fast after our wedding reception (more on that later).  It was great news and is always validating to have our plans come together so perfectly!

We both know how important this "job" is to the success of all the others we need to complete. It will be miserable and difficult and satisfying and uncomfortable and exhilarating all at the same time.  We will question our sanity at thinking we could really do it, and look for excuses to get out of it, and at least once will believe we can get the same results on our own - hopefully not at the same time!  Which is one reason that doing it together is the best way.  One of us will drag the other kicking and screaming through the week, and then we'll switch the following week.  But we will succeed on this big job and at the end of November we will be truly thankful to be right on track to reaching our goals!

Here's to a healthier us!

27 Months Isn't Really That Long......

.......it just seems like it today.  Today being the first day of capturing our pre-journey-journey on "paper".  After dreaming and imagining - and buying that non-winning Powerball ticket - Bill and I have committed to living on the road full-time before the end of Summer 2015.  This includes living a focused life for the next two years: enjoying life at home while spending as much time as possible with family and friends, improving the resale value of the property, paying off those final couple of bills, adding to our savings, getting healthy and fit, selling the house, purchasing a motorhome, Bill retiring, and taking all necessary steps to realize our goal.  When we look at being successful in all of these areas, 27 months seems about right!  Some of it will be really fun - like working on the house and buying that motorhome.  Some of it - like getting in shape and selling the house - maybe not so much.  But I am confident that all of it, fun and not, will be worth it when we hit the road. 

This blog will track our efforts, successes and set-backs, and perhaps even be useful to other couples who have similar plans in the future.  There are already several great full- timer blogs out there that I follow enviously every week.  They motivate me to work on the dream, to know that it is very do-able for us, and to document our own journey-to-get-to-the-journey. 

In July of last year I decided to make December 31, 2012, my last day of work.  There were several factors that led to that decision, some were economic, some were familial, and all told me it was time to be done with the job.  After 26 years with the same organization it was a significant life change.  Bill was comfortable with my early retirement and even figured he could tolerate having me home every day!  Once the decision was made, I thought those six months would drag by.  Instead they were gone in that well-known flash!  There were several steps to take for retirement and I was glad I had more than a couple months .  Other important dates and events during that time  were a blur, and boom! it was Christmas, my office was packed up, and everything was ready for my replacement. 

Not once have I regretted early retirement.  I don't miss the work, the travel or "being part of something big and important". I can meet all of my financial obligations. I am never bored and wonder daily at how others struggle keeping busy in retirement!  I enjoy every day and love the freedom of no schedule. For all of these reasons I am confident that I made the right decision. 

That confidence is part of my foundation for this next big life change.  The other part is Bill's enthusiasm for the whole idea.  Together we will do what it takes while we   celebrate the easy steps and survive the challenges.  Sharing this adventure with him makes it even more exciting.  We will also be sharing the road with our fluffy dog Tessa but she won't have much to contribute during the preparation period.  Still, I'm sure she will show up in these pages over the next two years.

And so we begin.......