It's 5 a.m. Turns out this is the only time I have had to update you all since we purchased "Wanda the Wildcat" on Tuesday. As soon as she was in front of the house things started to move at the speed of light! Normally, not an issue but we still have work, a "normal" life to attend to and I'm on crutches and recovering from another ACL surgery so Alan is doing the lion's share of the manual labor. We are both exhausted physically and emotionally but still so excited to start this journey in a couple months. We are pushing hard to be out of this house in 10 days, (AHHHHHH!) and will spend the last month of school out at "the ranch" in Franktown in order to save rent. We are blessed to have patient in-laws who will let us park there!
So many friends from school and all over town have come to help us out. We couldn't do it without our Jenny, she is here every spare moment to pick up where I can't help out. So many people have helped in so many ways, we are eternally grateful to you all! From listening patiently while I have a mini break down at work to putting price stickers on everything in sight, I am blessed to have a community of friends in Castle Rock. The boys are really excited, especially to move out to "Pappa and Gramcyns". Jacob is showing a few signs of stress here and there but they are coping well overall. Seeing all of their stuff moved out to the garage sale was unnerving until the tallied up the total they would have for their "coming home" fund. Both have planned numerous sleep overs in the next month or so to get in some extra friend time.
No doubt about it, this is the "not so fun" part of the adventure, but I have faith it will all fall into place, and I don't say that lightly. But for now, I am going to try and grab a few more minutes of sleep before the garage sale!
L.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
New Trailer is Ours
The Hamilton family now owns the 5th wheel that will take us across the country, our 2007 Forest River Wildcat is being packed. We are now preparing for our giant garage sale that is going this weekend to try and get rid of all those things we dont need and dont want to store. I will post several pictures of the new trailer in a few days so we can share it with everyone.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Big Daddy's First Post
So gang,
I have been so busy taking care of other things around the house so I have been unable to get a post on our blog. Several people have asked me why I would want to do this crazy thing, going on the road for a year with my family. Well, I give the same answer, I am tired of the day to day garbage that goes along with working in corporate america. Life is just to short to deal with companies that dont really care for the people that work so hard for them. At the end of 2012 I decided that I just didn't want to wait for my kids to grow up before traveling around the country.
So all that aside, We are headed to Longmont CO tomorrow in a snow storm to pick up our fifth wheel and turn over our travel trailer. I am so excited I dont think Ill be able to sleep tonight thinking of all the ways we can do to make it home. Our first outing with the new rig will be on the 10th at Chatfield with a bunch of friends so we can work out any kinks. Thanks to everyone who follows us on this journey into the wild blue and dont forget to forward this blog on to everyone you know.
Alan
I have been so busy taking care of other things around the house so I have been unable to get a post on our blog. Several people have asked me why I would want to do this crazy thing, going on the road for a year with my family. Well, I give the same answer, I am tired of the day to day garbage that goes along with working in corporate america. Life is just to short to deal with companies that dont really care for the people that work so hard for them. At the end of 2012 I decided that I just didn't want to wait for my kids to grow up before traveling around the country.
So all that aside, We are headed to Longmont CO tomorrow in a snow storm to pick up our fifth wheel and turn over our travel trailer. I am so excited I dont think Ill be able to sleep tonight thinking of all the ways we can do to make it home. Our first outing with the new rig will be on the 10th at Chatfield with a bunch of friends so we can work out any kinks. Thanks to everyone who follows us on this journey into the wild blue and dont forget to forward this blog on to everyone you know.
Alan
Friday, April 12, 2013
April 12th
The LIFESTYLE Diet
Turns out memories may be without price but they do have a weight requirement!
For those of you who don't indulge in the camper lifestyle, your vehicle can only pull so much weight. Big Red is a beast but she can't be overburdened for too long a stretch. So between the weight of the Fifth wheel, the "stuff" inside it and any water or (ick) waste product in the tanks, we don't have a ton of wiggle room. We have 3200 pounds to be precise. All day, the number has been running through my head, 3200, 3200, 3200... How much do my memories weigh? Turns out, too much! It's not just the weight either. To avoid a monthly storage unit fee we are stashing things in the basements of generous friends, and then the discussion becomes, how much space is it worth? Do I store my Grandmother's buffet, the one piece of "real" furniture we own? Or instead use that space to store my recumbent bike, a T.V. and a box of my favorite curtains???
This whole week has been about the loss that I knew was coming at some point. No, not the loss, the FEELING of loss. It's only a year, and what are we loosing? Nothing that can't be replaced. Nothing that can't be re-purchased. It's the promise, the illusion of time that we take for granted. The feeling that I am loosing experiences with my community. And it comes in tiny waves that sneak up, a beloved friend and scout leader making the summer schedule we won't be a part of. A friend planning a game we can't come to, a camping trip we won't join in on. Students who were SO SURE they would be in my class next year... But, as they say, "Tomorrow is promised to no one, " And this is a season of change. So, we are sticking to our guns, getting used to telling people that we are doing this totally crazy thing, and learning that grieving over the loss of things is allowing possessions to posses you. And, as my Brilliant Husband says, Ikea is a wondrous place! We can replace at all, and get Swedish meatballs to boot!
Happy Trails...
The LIFESTYLE Diet
Turns out memories may be without price but they do have a weight requirement!
For those of you who don't indulge in the camper lifestyle, your vehicle can only pull so much weight. Big Red is a beast but she can't be overburdened for too long a stretch. So between the weight of the Fifth wheel, the "stuff" inside it and any water or (ick) waste product in the tanks, we don't have a ton of wiggle room. We have 3200 pounds to be precise. All day, the number has been running through my head, 3200, 3200, 3200... How much do my memories weigh? Turns out, too much! It's not just the weight either. To avoid a monthly storage unit fee we are stashing things in the basements of generous friends, and then the discussion becomes, how much space is it worth? Do I store my Grandmother's buffet, the one piece of "real" furniture we own? Or instead use that space to store my recumbent bike, a T.V. and a box of my favorite curtains???
This whole week has been about the loss that I knew was coming at some point. No, not the loss, the FEELING of loss. It's only a year, and what are we loosing? Nothing that can't be replaced. Nothing that can't be re-purchased. It's the promise, the illusion of time that we take for granted. The feeling that I am loosing experiences with my community. And it comes in tiny waves that sneak up, a beloved friend and scout leader making the summer schedule we won't be a part of. A friend planning a game we can't come to, a camping trip we won't join in on. Students who were SO SURE they would be in my class next year... But, as they say, "Tomorrow is promised to no one, " And this is a season of change. So, we are sticking to our guns, getting used to telling people that we are doing this totally crazy thing, and learning that grieving over the loss of things is allowing possessions to posses you. And, as my Brilliant Husband says, Ikea is a wondrous place! We can replace at all, and get Swedish meatballs to boot!
Happy Trails...
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
April 10th
Alan has asked that I now IDENTIFY MYSELF when writing so you can all tell the difference between us. Of course, as the self proclaimed "funny one" I am certain you will be able to tell who is who but he is concerned... so it's ME!
I am blown away by how things in our life can shift on a dime, even when you were so sure footed a moment ago. Of course, people who have lost someone they love unexpectedly or had a fire or natural disaster are well versed in this. But for the majority of us, we live our days "knowing" where the safe footfalls are and not thinking too much more on the subject.
We are getting a taste of that uncertainty. There is no doubt about it, the sand has shifted here at Chez Hamilton and things are slippery! Boxes in each room, all labeled, taped, and in various states of packing. New rules like, "Garbage in white bags, donate in Black bags, store in Rubbermaids" being shouted across the house. Unexpected reminders of what we are going to miss keep cropping up. Emotional inventory taken every few hours..."Am I okay with missing our yearly baseball game and fireworks with friends???? Is this worth it?" So far some painful but clear yes, it's worth it. Taking the emotional temperature of the kids on a daily basis as well. Watching them for subtle facial hints when we say "So, this is apple T.V. it's what you can watch on the road instead of regular T.V." Or "You can use our You Tube channel to make and publish videos for friends back home." So far, the only response has been "Cool!" There have been some late night, pitter patter feet by the bed, "Mom, I'm going to miss having sleep overs with friends..."
We will figure it all out, together, team Hamilton. I have some of the same feelings I did that day in the hospital nearly 10 years ago when Jacob came into the world We welcomed him to "Team Hamilton" and knew that the sand had shifted, things were never going to be the same and we would make it work as a family. We know now, as we did then, there are tears, and laughter ahead, and a whole world of learning for all of us in our own way.
Count your blessings friends...
L.
Alan has asked that I now IDENTIFY MYSELF when writing so you can all tell the difference between us. Of course, as the self proclaimed "funny one" I am certain you will be able to tell who is who but he is concerned... so it's ME!
I am blown away by how things in our life can shift on a dime, even when you were so sure footed a moment ago. Of course, people who have lost someone they love unexpectedly or had a fire or natural disaster are well versed in this. But for the majority of us, we live our days "knowing" where the safe footfalls are and not thinking too much more on the subject.
We are getting a taste of that uncertainty. There is no doubt about it, the sand has shifted here at Chez Hamilton and things are slippery! Boxes in each room, all labeled, taped, and in various states of packing. New rules like, "Garbage in white bags, donate in Black bags, store in Rubbermaids" being shouted across the house. Unexpected reminders of what we are going to miss keep cropping up. Emotional inventory taken every few hours..."Am I okay with missing our yearly baseball game and fireworks with friends???? Is this worth it?" So far some painful but clear yes, it's worth it. Taking the emotional temperature of the kids on a daily basis as well. Watching them for subtle facial hints when we say "So, this is apple T.V. it's what you can watch on the road instead of regular T.V." Or "You can use our You Tube channel to make and publish videos for friends back home." So far, the only response has been "Cool!" There have been some late night, pitter patter feet by the bed, "Mom, I'm going to miss having sleep overs with friends..."
We will figure it all out, together, team Hamilton. I have some of the same feelings I did that day in the hospital nearly 10 years ago when Jacob came into the world We welcomed him to "Team Hamilton" and knew that the sand had shifted, things were never going to be the same and we would make it work as a family. We know now, as we did then, there are tears, and laughter ahead, and a whole world of learning for all of us in our own way.
Count your blessings friends...
L.
Monday, April 8, 2013
April 8th
Clearly it's a time to sit back and count our blessings and remember that we CHOSE this, otherwise I'll have to go into the fetal position and rock myself until the crazy quits and that could be a very long time!
This is exhausting! We are trying to sell or store everything we own in 20 days. And still, of course, work full time and raise the kids, and then they have the audacity to ask for food???? WHAT???
I'm on crutches trying to take it easy so as not to go through yet another ACL, which doesn't help at all. It's really a mess right now, thank goodness for our friend Jenny who has swooped in the last few days and done her "White Tornado" impression, cleaning kitchen cabinets, closets and everything else she can get her hands on! Two loads to the Task Force, a garage full of things to sell and things are on craigslist, which is, I am now finding, my own private hell.
I told my administrators today, it was fantastic. They were very supportive and excited for us, which of course makes so many things so much easier. My concerns about Jacob's (Our oldest son) acceptance of this were somewhat assuaged today when his writing project was a letter home to us about how excited he is and the things he is really looking forward to. The most important of which is the possibility of meeting Uncle Si of Duck Dynasty. So things are rolling along, and there is yet another box calling my name, one major step down, many more to come... And as Uncle Si would say....
And you can take that to the bank, Jack!
Clearly it's a time to sit back and count our blessings and remember that we CHOSE this, otherwise I'll have to go into the fetal position and rock myself until the crazy quits and that could be a very long time!
This is exhausting! We are trying to sell or store everything we own in 20 days. And still, of course, work full time and raise the kids, and then they have the audacity to ask for food???? WHAT???
I'm on crutches trying to take it easy so as not to go through yet another ACL, which doesn't help at all. It's really a mess right now, thank goodness for our friend Jenny who has swooped in the last few days and done her "White Tornado" impression, cleaning kitchen cabinets, closets and everything else she can get her hands on! Two loads to the Task Force, a garage full of things to sell and things are on craigslist, which is, I am now finding, my own private hell.
I told my administrators today, it was fantastic. They were very supportive and excited for us, which of course makes so many things so much easier. My concerns about Jacob's (Our oldest son) acceptance of this were somewhat assuaged today when his writing project was a letter home to us about how excited he is and the things he is really looking forward to. The most important of which is the possibility of meeting Uncle Si of Duck Dynasty. So things are rolling along, and there is yet another box calling my name, one major step down, many more to come... And as Uncle Si would say....
And you can take that to the bank, Jack!
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