You would think it would start raining already, wait that was Washington! I miss it sometimes especially now when the leaves start to change. I really miss driving down the road in front of Microsoft near our old place and seeing all these amazing yellow, orange and red leaves lined on the both sides of the road. It rained today here in Austin, so needed it, both the land and I.
The boys started back full-time schooling, we tried un-schooling for 6 months and the consensus with them was they were bored, so we came to a compromise. We are doing reading, art, science, history, geography un-school way, and math, language arts, language arts extensions, spelling using curriculum. If they get 80% or better I am cool with it, if they struggle we help and provide extra work.
They love it when I bake or cook, those are the days when I am not having to help much. In those moments I can relax and get things done. In the other moments they are just too chaotic!
Life has been good for us, living some what off the grid, getting ready to go full-time on the road is what we all can't wait for. We are each doing a bucket list of places we MUST see! I have places and things I want to see, the kids are basing it on things they read, saw and were taught.
You learn to live lighter, with less stuff. The kids have sort of adapted. It is hard not having all the space we had before and all the things we had before. We asked them, what did you love about the old life? They really just liked having their own space and their friends. So we have decided when we buy the RV, yes we are still looking, we will either buy one with bunks or rip out the dining table and put bunks in. This will allow them to design their space how they want it to be! Win - Win!
The fur-babies have adjusted well, maybe too well! I find them sprawled or curled up all about. They really have the life! They are really spoiled...homemade food, treats and the love of their human family.
I can't wait until we are on the road full-time! I don't know how long we will be on the road but in the end it doesn't matter. Far away today, there tomorrow! That is from the wise old hubby! :-)
Until later...
Friday, September 20, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Hot weather, bugs, lizards, and kids
It has been a while. I was busy! Starting a business is hard work ya know. The weather has been hot with that comes bugs! OMG the bugs are HUGE here.
I won't say it is always sunshine and rainbows but we try to be happy! We can't wait to be on the road. Looking like October-December time frame to be on the road FT. Just gotta find our RV.
Today rather than a mouse the cat caught a lizard. Poor thing he thought it was a play toy. Not good.
The kids have been doing well. Both asking me constantly for school work (I seriously can't wait until we get on the road). Each day presents a new way for them to bicker and fight. I really wish they would just get along and not just use each other as a source of entertainment.
You learn to live differently, not just more frugal but differently. Less things, less stress, less baggage. I still have to go through things and get rid of stuff. The kids are growing out of clothes and the like. You also learn what you can live with and what you can't. What you can't you just make space for.
We discussed our direction. We want to head WEST, for the winter until spring.We shall see!
Until later...
I won't say it is always sunshine and rainbows but we try to be happy! We can't wait to be on the road. Looking like October-December time frame to be on the road FT. Just gotta find our RV.
Today rather than a mouse the cat caught a lizard. Poor thing he thought it was a play toy. Not good.
The kids have been doing well. Both asking me constantly for school work (I seriously can't wait until we get on the road). Each day presents a new way for them to bicker and fight. I really wish they would just get along and not just use each other as a source of entertainment.
You learn to live differently, not just more frugal but differently. Less things, less stress, less baggage. I still have to go through things and get rid of stuff. The kids are growing out of clothes and the like. You also learn what you can live with and what you can't. What you can't you just make space for.
We discussed our direction. We want to head WEST, for the winter until spring.We shall see!
Until later...
Friday, June 28, 2013
The nitty and the gritty...
Ah time sure does fly when you are living YOUR dream (or attempting too) rather than chasing the American Dream. I have been blessed to have a job that I get to work from home doing. It allows me the freedoms to school the kids, enjoy the kids and our time together and be a workaholic. LOL yes I said that.
I have seen some un-becoming behavior from the boys, mostly I think due to the fact that I am working now. I don't think they like sharing me. My oldest thinks I am just having fun with online friends and playing games. He knows better, he requested to work like me when 18. LOL.
It is an adjustment for us all, that being said it is a job I can do anywhere! I can't wait to hit the road and not be stationary! Soon...very soon. So in light of that fact, hubby is also doing what I do from home now too, he has a much lighter schedule than me but it does earn a bit of extra cash to put into the RV of our own fund. We went from Class A/C to bunkhouse trailer, then back again to Class A/C. I dunno each day varies. I think for now, bunkhouse trailer, then 3-5 years motorhome. This will give the kids a space of their own. I don't imagine when we get on the road that we will be going for hours and hours. I really wanna see things, like the world's largest ball of string, does Chevy Chase and National Lampoon Vacation come to mind?! Yeah! Sweet! That is what I want to do!
Living on top of each other does require some getting use too. We take solitude in the fact that the kids can go outside for a bit, before the blazing 105 degree temp hits us, allowing us some time alone, or me time alone during the week. I am not going to say it has been all gumballs and games. It is hard work, we work really hard to manage daily. In the end we laugh because really we are happier. We have had the ups and downs with the kids. The questions about why we moved here for MY MOM. Why couldn't we just have stayed THERE? The whinning about the heat, the bugs, the dark, etc.
Let me say I was raised here in TX, and everything is much bigger here than other places. LOL The wasps are like three half dollars put together in a row, the snakes are rather large, the birds, etc.
Listening to the boys see their first firefly was pretty amazing. There is a light at the end of the tunnel just not sure if it is an oncoming train or the other end! My mom always said I would pay for my raisings, what she failed to mention is you never stop paying for them.
We finally have A/C in the car, while man says I doubted him, I really didn't. I knew one way or another he would provide me with A/C. I just get to hot and cranky and all that hot mess stuff. NOW we have A/C I am super stoked! I can get in the car in the 105 temps and feel ok to drive.
The fur-babies are all adjusted, the cat and two dogs get along well. The cat and the smallest dog sleep together often, then the cat switches and sleeps with the bigger dog, or perhaps it is the other way around. ;-)
I wish we had more space, and an outdoor kitchen, I am requesting that on the trailer we finally end up with, but if not that is ok. I will make do. I am STILL not complaining! I know crazy! ;-)
Until later...
I have seen some un-becoming behavior from the boys, mostly I think due to the fact that I am working now. I don't think they like sharing me. My oldest thinks I am just having fun with online friends and playing games. He knows better, he requested to work like me when 18. LOL.
It is an adjustment for us all, that being said it is a job I can do anywhere! I can't wait to hit the road and not be stationary! Soon...very soon. So in light of that fact, hubby is also doing what I do from home now too, he has a much lighter schedule than me but it does earn a bit of extra cash to put into the RV of our own fund. We went from Class A/C to bunkhouse trailer, then back again to Class A/C. I dunno each day varies. I think for now, bunkhouse trailer, then 3-5 years motorhome. This will give the kids a space of their own. I don't imagine when we get on the road that we will be going for hours and hours. I really wanna see things, like the world's largest ball of string, does Chevy Chase and National Lampoon Vacation come to mind?! Yeah! Sweet! That is what I want to do!
Living on top of each other does require some getting use too. We take solitude in the fact that the kids can go outside for a bit, before the blazing 105 degree temp hits us, allowing us some time alone, or me time alone during the week. I am not going to say it has been all gumballs and games. It is hard work, we work really hard to manage daily. In the end we laugh because really we are happier. We have had the ups and downs with the kids. The questions about why we moved here for MY MOM. Why couldn't we just have stayed THERE? The whinning about the heat, the bugs, the dark, etc.
Let me say I was raised here in TX, and everything is much bigger here than other places. LOL The wasps are like three half dollars put together in a row, the snakes are rather large, the birds, etc.
Listening to the boys see their first firefly was pretty amazing. There is a light at the end of the tunnel just not sure if it is an oncoming train or the other end! My mom always said I would pay for my raisings, what she failed to mention is you never stop paying for them.
We finally have A/C in the car, while man says I doubted him, I really didn't. I knew one way or another he would provide me with A/C. I just get to hot and cranky and all that hot mess stuff. NOW we have A/C I am super stoked! I can get in the car in the 105 temps and feel ok to drive.
The fur-babies are all adjusted, the cat and two dogs get along well. The cat and the smallest dog sleep together often, then the cat switches and sleeps with the bigger dog, or perhaps it is the other way around. ;-)
I wish we had more space, and an outdoor kitchen, I am requesting that on the trailer we finally end up with, but if not that is ok. I will make do. I am STILL not complaining! I know crazy! ;-)
Until later...
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Long time coming...
It has been a crazy almost two (2) months here. I don't know how time flew! Where to start!
I have been baking in the RV. What have I done?! Ahhh let's see...pretzels (sticks, twists, original - all salted and buttered, cinnamon and sugar, and cheesey ones. My fav are the salted and buttered ones. So easy and quick to make the kids love them! I have made bread loaves (many of them), we go through at least 1 a day. They cost me $.84 not including propane or electric (for the a/c). I have made cookies and granola bars.
The kids are doing well, they crave the structure of schooling which I am doing in an unschooling/mixed with all sorts of other schooling for them. They seem to have adapted well, still unsure but who isn't!? We haven't made many friends at least none like back home. We all miss back home, friends and family (chosen). I laugh and say, "It is hard to make friends after elementary school", kind of funny because my kids don't attend it anymore and we have had more friends since leaving public school than when we were in it!
Pets have adjusted well, lazy babies! They seem to love it! Now of course time in the tent and on the road, they feel that I can never leave home without them! Ah well everything is an adjustment period, boy do I sure hope so!
Mom and Dad are adjusting well...Mom is doing her thing at home, being SM - Super Mom!! Dad is working, commute isn't so good but it has to work for now. We have been looking for land to call base and an RVand truck.
Things are serene here. I keep telling people I have found my inner peace, but I think really what it is, is that I have found my inner balance. We are in the middle between both coasts, and in the Central part of the state. It seems to work well for us and I am happy. I could use more ME time, that has been a lost cause though.
Well the adventures continue, we can't wait to get our own RV and be on the road. Until then, this will do just fine!
Until later...
I have been baking in the RV. What have I done?! Ahhh let's see...pretzels (sticks, twists, original - all salted and buttered, cinnamon and sugar, and cheesey ones. My fav are the salted and buttered ones. So easy and quick to make the kids love them! I have made bread loaves (many of them), we go through at least 1 a day. They cost me $.84 not including propane or electric (for the a/c). I have made cookies and granola bars.
The kids are doing well, they crave the structure of schooling which I am doing in an unschooling/mixed with all sorts of other schooling for them. They seem to have adapted well, still unsure but who isn't!? We haven't made many friends at least none like back home. We all miss back home, friends and family (chosen). I laugh and say, "It is hard to make friends after elementary school", kind of funny because my kids don't attend it anymore and we have had more friends since leaving public school than when we were in it!
Pets have adjusted well, lazy babies! They seem to love it! Now of course time in the tent and on the road, they feel that I can never leave home without them! Ah well everything is an adjustment period, boy do I sure hope so!
Mom and Dad are adjusting well...Mom is doing her thing at home, being SM - Super Mom!! Dad is working, commute isn't so good but it has to work for now. We have been looking for land to call base and an RVand truck.
Things are serene here. I keep telling people I have found my inner peace, but I think really what it is, is that I have found my inner balance. We are in the middle between both coasts, and in the Central part of the state. It seems to work well for us and I am happy. I could use more ME time, that has been a lost cause though.
Well the adventures continue, we can't wait to get our own RV and be on the road. Until then, this will do just fine!
Until later...
Friday, March 29, 2013
WHAT is that smell?!
"OMG! What is that smell (reminds you of a Sir Mixalot song huh?!) honey?! IT was bad, and when I say bad, I mean bad. The downside to never living in an RV or owning one is that you don't know much of anything. FORGET what you read, start digging on RV forums for things that can go wrong!
So we did some research into "Sewer smells in the RV" and came up with some things to do/fix. We did the bleach and water to deodorize. We did the vent replacements under the sinks. We flushed it several times, and by it I mean the grey and black water tanks. The smell isn't so bad in the main portion of the RV now, but the BATHROOM...wow, it is pretty horrid. So I started searching for how to clean said black water tank, and came up with several options, "The GEO method", toilet wand flusher contraption, the flushing (we did), the replacements (we did) and some other ones, like ice cubes, etc.
Upon further investigation (GROSS!), I was peering into the black water tank via the toilet and decided that baby needed a massive cleaning. So either he is going to borrow if anyone has it, the flusher toilet thingy contraption, or I am bringing in the water hose and a trigger sprayer and going to tear into the disgusting tank via the toilet. Why? Cause the hotter it gets here the worse it becomes and just like I scrubbed the used RV down everywhere else, I feel it needs to be done in the tank. I am not going to keep being subjected to however old of poop smell that is!!!
The kids are spending a lot of time in the yard, thankfully! Every time I go out there, I get bit by something which turns into a major infection as I am allergic to everything that bites. So I sit in the RV mostly with the AC blowing trying to avoid the toilet at all costs. I keep having the boys come in to tell me if it is still the same smell or going away. LOL. Anyways, enough of that!
Until later...
So we did some research into "Sewer smells in the RV" and came up with some things to do/fix. We did the bleach and water to deodorize. We did the vent replacements under the sinks. We flushed it several times, and by it I mean the grey and black water tanks. The smell isn't so bad in the main portion of the RV now, but the BATHROOM...wow, it is pretty horrid. So I started searching for how to clean said black water tank, and came up with several options, "The GEO method", toilet wand flusher contraption, the flushing (we did), the replacements (we did) and some other ones, like ice cubes, etc.
Upon further investigation (GROSS!), I was peering into the black water tank via the toilet and decided that baby needed a massive cleaning. So either he is going to borrow if anyone has it, the flusher toilet thingy contraption, or I am bringing in the water hose and a trigger sprayer and going to tear into the disgusting tank via the toilet. Why? Cause the hotter it gets here the worse it becomes and just like I scrubbed the used RV down everywhere else, I feel it needs to be done in the tank. I am not going to keep being subjected to however old of poop smell that is!!!
The kids are spending a lot of time in the yard, thankfully! Every time I go out there, I get bit by something which turns into a major infection as I am allergic to everything that bites. So I sit in the RV mostly with the AC blowing trying to avoid the toilet at all costs. I keep having the boys come in to tell me if it is still the same smell or going away. LOL. Anyways, enough of that!
Until later...
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Happiness...
You don't find happiness after an experience like I had to go through and the kids witness, but I must say I found some! The trailer is smaller, but it is in great condition. I am still cleaning to my standards though. We have been here for three days now and are making it our own place.
My plants came from storage, they were only going to hold on so much longer! I am so happy they held on for as long as they did!! They are outside on our "deck" and happy. We watered our grass and the plants. It is so peaceful here. NO screaming/fighting neighbors, no loud kids (other than our own!), which might change. We have a slip and slide, volleyball net, horseshoes, and some other stuff set up now for the kids in our yard. Since we are stationary while we look for our own motor-home we are making due.
OK something you need to know...toilet paper as you once knew it is no longer! The one thing NO one has told me about is the TP! YOU have to use special RV TP. OMG it is horrid LOL. Oh well, will chalk that one up to getting use to living light!
I have always been a pack-rat, not saying I am giving that up but definitely get rid of a lot, yes more than when we first moved. Living nomadically is so freeing, in so many ways. There is less clean up, less to figure out what to do with, less you can carry simply because it is too big or you don't have the space!
I put the mixer out, we stored the appliances under the dining seat, the coffee maker is out, I just need to bake NOW! I am super excited, just need to make a run to the storage to get my pans (some were forgotten the other day).
Who knew living this life would make me so happy!? I do miss my family and friends back in WA, but WOW I think I was truly meant to live this life! The life of a gypsy or nomad. I think I can thank my mom for that one! Gypsy Rose II she said, as she was the first Gypsy Rose. :-)
OH and I love having a potty RIGHT there! Man asked the boys...wanna go camping?! First thing they said was "In a Tent?" LOL, then followed by "NO"! "AWWW" man said, "too soon?". Yes babe, too soon!
Until later...
My plants came from storage, they were only going to hold on so much longer! I am so happy they held on for as long as they did!! They are outside on our "deck" and happy. We watered our grass and the plants. It is so peaceful here. NO screaming/fighting neighbors, no loud kids (other than our own!), which might change. We have a slip and slide, volleyball net, horseshoes, and some other stuff set up now for the kids in our yard. Since we are stationary while we look for our own motor-home we are making due.
OK something you need to know...toilet paper as you once knew it is no longer! The one thing NO one has told me about is the TP! YOU have to use special RV TP. OMG it is horrid LOL. Oh well, will chalk that one up to getting use to living light!
I have always been a pack-rat, not saying I am giving that up but definitely get rid of a lot, yes more than when we first moved. Living nomadically is so freeing, in so many ways. There is less clean up, less to figure out what to do with, less you can carry simply because it is too big or you don't have the space!
I put the mixer out, we stored the appliances under the dining seat, the coffee maker is out, I just need to bake NOW! I am super excited, just need to make a run to the storage to get my pans (some were forgotten the other day).
Who knew living this life would make me so happy!? I do miss my family and friends back in WA, but WOW I think I was truly meant to live this life! The life of a gypsy or nomad. I think I can thank my mom for that one! Gypsy Rose II she said, as she was the first Gypsy Rose. :-)
OH and I love having a potty RIGHT there! Man asked the boys...wanna go camping?! First thing they said was "In a Tent?" LOL, then followed by "NO"! "AWWW" man said, "too soon?". Yes babe, too soon!
Until later...
Monday, March 25, 2013
Oh the horror...
I started hearing things, like "oh the husband didn't know you paid her money. He doesn't want to sell it." etc. So we go to pay our next payment (as they were suppose to be out yesterday and we pay today) and the man on the couch inside what is to be my home is very rude to us. He waves us off like flies, telling his wife to go take care of SEE the title first. Why?? Well good question, they never transferred it into their name and we don't want issues.
What comes next terrifies my kids (I am sure that nightmares of this day will haunt them). The man comes out starts screaming at me about how dare I bring a third party. HE decides who HE is going to sell to and it isn't going to be us!!! I calmly stood there, told the kids to go to the gazebo, and told him how I felt. I told him that we had an agreement, it was for $1,500 but then his wife came back and said he wanted $2,000. We said ok, asked when they would be out and we were told Sunday and the agreement was we pay upon their exit. They weren't, here we are just asking to see the title nothing more, nothing less.
We were always met with WHERE is my money or WHEN can you get it. Seriously?! I just want to see the title. We never even saw the slides work. RED flags were always going off, now this made it very clear. I told him I want my money tonight, he said it is at the bank and he would get it tomorrow. I said he has until close of bank business and I am calling the cops if it isn't returned by then.
Then I walked away and cried. I was crying not for the loss of the trailer, I wouldn't take it if it was free, but for the way I was treated!
Well...when one door closes a bunch of windows and another door opens. By a saving grace, a rental trailer came available literally one hour before this all happened. The owner was like if you want to see it (while hugging me, I was inconsolable), it was smaller but it is MUCH nicer she says. WHO knew it would be so awesome! We have our own fenced HUGE yard (grass was just planted), no neighbors, trees around us, a dry creek that fills when it rains, a fire pit and most of all a bathroom! HAHA!
Well off to help move us into the new trailer, for now this will work! We can still shop for what we want a Class A or C and just rent this. We are super happy, the kids are even happier than they were for the last one!
Until later...
What comes next terrifies my kids (I am sure that nightmares of this day will haunt them). The man comes out starts screaming at me about how dare I bring a third party. HE decides who HE is going to sell to and it isn't going to be us!!! I calmly stood there, told the kids to go to the gazebo, and told him how I felt. I told him that we had an agreement, it was for $1,500 but then his wife came back and said he wanted $2,000. We said ok, asked when they would be out and we were told Sunday and the agreement was we pay upon their exit. They weren't, here we are just asking to see the title nothing more, nothing less.
We were always met with WHERE is my money or WHEN can you get it. Seriously?! I just want to see the title. We never even saw the slides work. RED flags were always going off, now this made it very clear. I told him I want my money tonight, he said it is at the bank and he would get it tomorrow. I said he has until close of bank business and I am calling the cops if it isn't returned by then.
Then I walked away and cried. I was crying not for the loss of the trailer, I wouldn't take it if it was free, but for the way I was treated!
Well...when one door closes a bunch of windows and another door opens. By a saving grace, a rental trailer came available literally one hour before this all happened. The owner was like if you want to see it (while hugging me, I was inconsolable), it was smaller but it is MUCH nicer she says. WHO knew it would be so awesome! We have our own fenced HUGE yard (grass was just planted), no neighbors, trees around us, a dry creek that fills when it rains, a fire pit and most of all a bathroom! HAHA!
Well off to help move us into the new trailer, for now this will work! We can still shop for what we want a Class A or C and just rent this. We are super happy, the kids are even happier than they were for the last one!
Until later...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)