With our departure date getting closer and closer, I've been spending a ton of time worrying about all the things that aren't ready yet, getting nervous about leaving those I love, and driving Smyrish crazy at the same time. All this anxiety has started to take a toll on my body and my mind. So, I am taking some time here today to think of all the good things, and centre myself, and try to push out all the negative thoughts that have been consuming me the past couple weeks.
1. The furnace and the stove are working in the camper. We won't freeze, and we can eat proper food again!
2. It's October 13th, and I am wearing flip flops and a summer dress.
3. I should have all the curtains finished by Friday night. Privacy, here we come.
4. It's been three weeks, and I have yet to give in and buy a pack of cigarettes.
5. I am not a hoarder.
6. The dogs can be outside as much as they need to be.
7. Sears Mastercard and HSBC are no longer a part of my life.
8. I will get to see many friends and family members at social gatherings in the next 2 weeks.
9. I am comfortable in this camper. It feels like home.
10. My husband is willing to help me with everything I need to get done for myself, as long as I ask.
11. Plans for Christmas in California.
12. Eight more shifts at work. Only eight more. Eight. I can do it.
Oct 13, 2010
Oct 10, 2010
Thanksgiving and Camper Living
Well, we've officially been living in our Scamper Camper since the 29th of September, and today we are "celebrating" our first holiday in our home on wheels. When I woke up this morning, Smyrish asked me what I was thankful for, and due to the lack of caffeine,and a liver full of vanilla vodka, all I could think of for an answer was "Pillows, I'm thankful for pillows." He one-upped me by telling me he was thankful for his beautiful wife, his home that can go anywhere and the dogs. He's a smooth operator, that one.
So far, camper living has been both fun, and challenging. Anyone who knows me, knows that I like things to be neat and tidy, and everything needs to be in its place. The last couple weeks, I've been struggling with the fact that everything isn't in its place, because we are still doing work on the camper, and there just isn't anywhere to put it all yet. Hopefully this week it will all get put together. I'm sure the fact that I'm still getting used to not smoking hasn't been helping my attitude, but this morning I feel refreshed and positive, and I know that it can only get better from here. It has been nice to have a yard for the dogs, and the weather has been positively splendid, and I feel like I'm getting to enjoy a few more weeks of summer camping.
Smyrish has been working his ass off getting everything working, and I've been doing mostly nothing, due to my lack of knowledge in all areas of construction and electronics, so I'm just waiting for my turn to be productive. I'm making curtains, and today I will start making new cushions for our benches, and then it'll be time for us to make this house on wheels a home. I'm starting to get really excited about hitting the open road, even though in the back of my head, I do have a few worries. The unknown can be both exciting and terrifying.
The next couple weeks are going to be insanely busy, trying to get all our affairs in order, getting the camper done, and saying good-bye to all our friends and family. We've got birthdays, a wedding and our official going away party coming up, so with any luck, we'll get a chance to visit with everyone at one of these functions.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank everyone who has helped us work on the camper, given us a place to park and live, and has been positive and encouraging and helpful when hearing of our travel plans. We know we're crazy, so it's nice to know that you're all okay with it.
Now go out and enjoy the sunshine and record breaking temperatures.
So far, camper living has been both fun, and challenging. Anyone who knows me, knows that I like things to be neat and tidy, and everything needs to be in its place. The last couple weeks, I've been struggling with the fact that everything isn't in its place, because we are still doing work on the camper, and there just isn't anywhere to put it all yet. Hopefully this week it will all get put together. I'm sure the fact that I'm still getting used to not smoking hasn't been helping my attitude, but this morning I feel refreshed and positive, and I know that it can only get better from here. It has been nice to have a yard for the dogs, and the weather has been positively splendid, and I feel like I'm getting to enjoy a few more weeks of summer camping.
Smyrish has been working his ass off getting everything working, and I've been doing mostly nothing, due to my lack of knowledge in all areas of construction and electronics, so I'm just waiting for my turn to be productive. I'm making curtains, and today I will start making new cushions for our benches, and then it'll be time for us to make this house on wheels a home. I'm starting to get really excited about hitting the open road, even though in the back of my head, I do have a few worries. The unknown can be both exciting and terrifying.
The next couple weeks are going to be insanely busy, trying to get all our affairs in order, getting the camper done, and saying good-bye to all our friends and family. We've got birthdays, a wedding and our official going away party coming up, so with any luck, we'll get a chance to visit with everyone at one of these functions.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank everyone who has helped us work on the camper, given us a place to park and live, and has been positive and encouraging and helpful when hearing of our travel plans. We know we're crazy, so it's nice to know that you're all okay with it.
Now go out and enjoy the sunshine and record breaking temperatures.
Sep 21, 2010
The Final Countdown
In nine days, we'll be living in our camper in V-Man's backyard. Nine days. That's just crazy how quickly the end of the month came. I've been on holidays from work for 3 weeks, and have been packing and cleaning and trying to get all the "inside" stuff done, while Smyrish works on the camper. The camper has turned out to be a lot more work than we had originally expected, and I'm not gonna lie, I am getting worried that it won't be ready in time. But, I do have faith in my husband, it will be. It has to be.
We've decided to leave here on November 1st and head to British Columbia. Once there, it is still up in the air about where we're going to settle down first, but after we stop in and visit some friends and family along the way, I'm sure we'll have a clearer idea of where we want to go.
We've decided to leave here on November 1st and head to British Columbia. Once there, it is still up in the air about where we're going to settle down first, but after we stop in and visit some friends and family along the way, I'm sure we'll have a clearer idea of where we want to go.
Aug 18, 2010
Me So Sleepy!
I don't know what it is, but for the last week or so, I just can't get enough sleep. I feel like I'm going into winter hibernation mode early, craving a warm bed and homemade soup all day, every day. For instance, I slept for a good 9.5 hours last night, but I literally dragged my body from my bed at 11:30 this morning, and only because my bladder was so full that I figured if I didn't, I would have some explaining to do when Smyrish saw what I had done to the mattress. I guess I could have just blamed the dogs though, now that I think about it.
Maybe that's my problem. I'm spending too much time with the dogs. All they do is bark, poop and sleep, not unlike me. They are sleeping right now, because pooping on the kitchen floor was hard work, and they need to re-energize in case someone comes to the door and they need to bark uncontrollably.
Maybe when summer comes back, I'll feel a bit more alive. But until then, me thinks it's time to lay down and have a nap.
Maybe that's my problem. I'm spending too much time with the dogs. All they do is bark, poop and sleep, not unlike me. They are sleeping right now, because pooping on the kitchen floor was hard work, and they need to re-energize in case someone comes to the door and they need to bark uncontrollably.
Maybe when summer comes back, I'll feel a bit more alive. But until then, me thinks it's time to lay down and have a nap.
Aug 10, 2010
Movin' Right Along
Well, things are starting to come together as we get closer to our departure date. I'll admit, I was getting a bit worried, and there are still a couple financial things I need to deal with before I can leave here, but I'm trying to think positive, and hope it will all get sorted out asap.
I recently traded my good friend Mabel the Ford Focus for a Ford F150, and that same week, we found a camper that our pocket books and the new truck can handle and will meet our needs for the time being. We are going to give notice at our apartment on September 1st, and as of October we will be living in a friends yard in our camper. We are hoping to be gone shortly after Halloween.
The apartment is getting to be pretty sparse. The rest of the furniture will all be gone in the next week, and we have been spending a lot of time sorting, selling, organizing and throwing out items. I must admit, seeing the apartment in the state it is in now saddens me. I've never felt "at home" in any place I have ever lived in, until I moved in here with Smyrish and Das Piper. This apartment has many many memories, good and bad, since before I became the new roommate in a long line of roommates this place has housed over the past eight years.
This apartment has seen its share of laughter and tears, fist fights and sexy times. It's seen us through dinner parties, clothing swaps, and countless visitors who just needed a couch to sleep on, and a shoulder to cry on. I was here when I learned that my dad had died, and was given a bed to lay on and cry until morning. This was my first home with my husband, and we made it our own once we had it to ourselves. Our neighbors and caretakers are a bunch of characters that deserve their own sitcom, and the neighborhood is my favorite in this entire city.
Moving will be bittersweet for me. I want to go, I need the change of scenery, but I'll be bawling my eyes out when we close the door for good next month.
I recently traded my good friend Mabel the Ford Focus for a Ford F150, and that same week, we found a camper that our pocket books and the new truck can handle and will meet our needs for the time being. We are going to give notice at our apartment on September 1st, and as of October we will be living in a friends yard in our camper. We are hoping to be gone shortly after Halloween.
The apartment is getting to be pretty sparse. The rest of the furniture will all be gone in the next week, and we have been spending a lot of time sorting, selling, organizing and throwing out items. I must admit, seeing the apartment in the state it is in now saddens me. I've never felt "at home" in any place I have ever lived in, until I moved in here with Smyrish and Das Piper. This apartment has many many memories, good and bad, since before I became the new roommate in a long line of roommates this place has housed over the past eight years.
This apartment has seen its share of laughter and tears, fist fights and sexy times. It's seen us through dinner parties, clothing swaps, and countless visitors who just needed a couch to sleep on, and a shoulder to cry on. I was here when I learned that my dad had died, and was given a bed to lay on and cry until morning. This was my first home with my husband, and we made it our own once we had it to ourselves. Our neighbors and caretakers are a bunch of characters that deserve their own sitcom, and the neighborhood is my favorite in this entire city.
Moving will be bittersweet for me. I want to go, I need the change of scenery, but I'll be bawling my eyes out when we close the door for good next month.
Grace in Small Things #50
1. Today is my first day back at work after a 2 week holiday, and it is raining. Makes going to work easier when you aren't missing out on sunshine.
2. The kitchen is cleaner than it has been in weeks.
3.Catching up with long lost friends at Folk Fest.
4. Smyrish is organizing his stuff.....he has lots and lots of stuff.
2. The kitchen is cleaner than it has been in weeks.
3.Catching up with long lost friends at Folk Fest.
4. Smyrish is organizing his stuff.....he has lots and lots of stuff.
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