April 5th
So we have an offer in on two different fifth-wheels and I am currently doing the deal-dance with two different companies. I am pleased that we put offers on two older ones instead of going for the Cadillac versions, but it was a tough battle. Once we looked at it as either getting the older one and going on the road or getting the newer one and gazing at it longingly from the house it was a quick choice! And, honestly, I couldn't bring myself to paint up the inside of a newer fifth wheel but he older one, no problem!
The "new to us" truck is named Big Red. We adore her and Alan just installed new side steps to accommodate for his less than graceful wife. I should have taken video of trying to get out of it before the side steps. SOOOO funny, one boy jumps out with a step stool and put it down, very prince charming style... The other boy would grab my crutches out of the back and bring them around, then Alan comes over to help me down. And the whole thing in reverse when we leave again! So today was a big deal as they all stood there watching me get in and out on my own. They were captivated, like they were watching the circus coming into town! I even got a round of applause. My family is so easy.
It's Friday which means I'll have to wait all weekend to find out if either company takes my counter offer. I started to have a mini breakdown thinking "oh no! What if we can't get either???? Where will we go???" Until Alan pointed out that, um, we do have a great T.T. (Travel Trailer for you non-camper types!) Oh Ya!!! So worst case scenario we move into that one on the ranch until we get one! A great exercise in more flexible thinking, and one I will need to reference in the coming months.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Why on EARTH would we do this?????
On yet another day on my way into the building, another monday, another hour earlier than many, kids in tow, howling, "For the love of god, if he likes to eat the waffle frozen let him have it!" a tiny phrase was uttered.
Henry, our substitue custodian was there to unlock the door. I asked him how he was and he said, "Livin' the dream Mrs. Hamilton, Livin' the dream."
I wasn't until later that night that Henry's comment started to resonate in the back of my mind. Like one of those bad 70's flashback, Henry's head floating in circles above me, taunting...."living the dream". Surely Henry's dream isn't to be a substitute custodian, despite his beloved status at our school. Then again, why not? He's a skate bum, works hard, plays hard, has great skater hair and a lift kit on his truck. He's 23 of course he's living the dream! Doing what he wants when he wants in order to live the life he wants.
A new head joined the 70's flashback, mine... what about me? I want to live the dream! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a teacher, it's a calling and I am brilliant at it. I adore it, I adore my students and they each know it. ("Sorry I made you crazy today Mrs. Hamilton, but you know I love you. Yes, Dylan, I know, Ditto. We will try again tomorrow!")
But over the years, I have felt like more and more goes into my students leaving less and less for my own kids. And the effects had become so obvious, my oldest slipping further and further behind, my youngest rarely having ever seen me without my laptop open and papers around my recliner at night. It was becoming harder and harder to ignore that my students were getting the best part of me. So, Henry, what is the dream we are living?
What would living the dream look like? It wasn't a mansion in Cali, not even a beach hut in Mexico. It was exactly what we spend a few weeks a year doing. Camping with our kids! Turns out we are pretty easy to please and when it came down to it, we really could be living the dream. So why not? If you could live your dream, wouldn't you?
Earthquake Putty, Who knew????
April 4th
Today our Quake Putty came in the mail. You know, that stuff that you put on the bottom of glass things to keep them in place. In an RV you use it to hold decorative things on the shelves. And it hit me, this is it! The countdown has begun! That little pack of putty, that has absolutely no use in a "sticks and bricks" house in Colorado was the wake-up call. 28 days to find the 5th wheel and move out to the in-laws ranch. 28 days to pack, sort and sell, 28 days AHHHHH!
This is the BEST time to make this decision. I am all lined up with a job I love, the option to purchase this house we know well, living on the park we adore. And this is THE season for the park. Friends and neighbors have come out of the woodwork, the park is filling with rollerbladers, hockey players and kids on bikes. It's a gorgeous time in Castle Rock. And yet, not one of us shows a bit of reluctance at the coming journey. Quite the opposite, we are all happily chucking out useless tokens, packing away the important ones and checking and re-checking the lists of things we'll want to take with us. Someone asked where we are going.... Hmmmm, I don't know, we haven't had time to plan that part, one step at a time!!! But make 'em quick!
Big Red, the new truck, is in the driveway, two RV dealers have our offers and we are awaiting the final word, resume's are in, and I am on day four of not sleeping due to an overactive brain! Only so much you can do from the pillow, so... back to work!
Today our Quake Putty came in the mail. You know, that stuff that you put on the bottom of glass things to keep them in place. In an RV you use it to hold decorative things on the shelves. And it hit me, this is it! The countdown has begun! That little pack of putty, that has absolutely no use in a "sticks and bricks" house in Colorado was the wake-up call. 28 days to find the 5th wheel and move out to the in-laws ranch. 28 days to pack, sort and sell, 28 days AHHHHH!
This is the BEST time to make this decision. I am all lined up with a job I love, the option to purchase this house we know well, living on the park we adore. And this is THE season for the park. Friends and neighbors have come out of the woodwork, the park is filling with rollerbladers, hockey players and kids on bikes. It's a gorgeous time in Castle Rock. And yet, not one of us shows a bit of reluctance at the coming journey. Quite the opposite, we are all happily chucking out useless tokens, packing away the important ones and checking and re-checking the lists of things we'll want to take with us. Someone asked where we are going.... Hmmmm, I don't know, we haven't had time to plan that part, one step at a time!!! But make 'em quick!
Big Red, the new truck, is in the driveway, two RV dealers have our offers and we are awaiting the final word, resume's are in, and I am on day four of not sleeping due to an overactive brain! Only so much you can do from the pillow, so... back to work!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
"Not all who wander are lost!"
Mommy's Two Cents...
________________________________________
April 2nd, 2013
I believe we are meant, as a family to do this. I believe turning my back on that is not honoring the gift and the message the universe has been sending. I feel, for the third time in my life, I am being called to something bigger than myself. Children and teaching turned out pretty well.
Not doing this would be too bitter a regret because it would have been something within our control. There are dreams we don't pursue because they are too expensive, we don't have the talent, the time or the money. But this is a dream we can actually live!
So, it is in that spirit we are off! Like a herd or turtles!!! We now have the Truck, and have purchased a Thousand Trails membership. We have paid off a big chunk of the bills and the closets are almost all cleaned out! We are speaking in terms of "when we go" rather than "if we go". Longterm plan talk has become short term plan talk! We are trying to sell off as much as possible to avoid a huge garage sale. And so far, not even a backward glance! We are all so excited we are buzzing!
I was worried today when we said to the boys it was time to clean out the closets and divide into STORE/SELL/DONATE and TAKE. I thought we would have all kinds of crying and screaming but no! They want to sell everything and build their "exit strategy" fund. We have promised whatever they make on their things at the garage sale is money they will have at the end of our year on the road to spend on their new bedroom. What a nice surprise! I wonder though if they will feel the same when they find that matchbox cars WON'T sell for ten dollars a piece! Now, off to find a credit card that will reward me in DIESEL FUEL!!!!!
Happy Travels!
Mommy's Two Cents...
________________________________________
April 2nd, 2013
I believe we are meant, as a family to do this. I believe turning my back on that is not honoring the gift and the message the universe has been sending. I feel, for the third time in my life, I am being called to something bigger than myself. Children and teaching turned out pretty well.
Not doing this would be too bitter a regret because it would have been something within our control. There are dreams we don't pursue because they are too expensive, we don't have the talent, the time or the money. But this is a dream we can actually live!
So, it is in that spirit we are off! Like a herd or turtles!!! We now have the Truck, and have purchased a Thousand Trails membership. We have paid off a big chunk of the bills and the closets are almost all cleaned out! We are speaking in terms of "when we go" rather than "if we go". Longterm plan talk has become short term plan talk! We are trying to sell off as much as possible to avoid a huge garage sale. And so far, not even a backward glance! We are all so excited we are buzzing!
I was worried today when we said to the boys it was time to clean out the closets and divide into STORE/SELL/DONATE and TAKE. I thought we would have all kinds of crying and screaming but no! They want to sell everything and build their "exit strategy" fund. We have promised whatever they make on their things at the garage sale is money they will have at the end of our year on the road to spend on their new bedroom. What a nice surprise! I wonder though if they will feel the same when they find that matchbox cars WON'T sell for ten dollars a piece! Now, off to find a credit card that will reward me in DIESEL FUEL!!!!!
Happy Travels!
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