We're posting this from our new mac. Not worried at all about it. And, we can't wait to buy another and leave the world of Windows behind us!
The Worm
Not much time to post tonight. We're busy scanning two computers to make sure we're not infected with the Conflicker worm. We've kept both up-to-date, but we must confess that our virus software expired a couple of months ago. So, the scanning continues.
King vs. Queen
One of the things we wondered about when we bought our moose was how sleeping in a short queen-size bed would compare to the spacious king-size bed we have at home. With an average height between us of about 5'11", we remedied the "shortage" with the addition of a custom-made bolster to make up the difference. (That nifty solution is working out great!) What we couldn't change, however, was the width of our mobile sleeping surface. The two of us and our furry bed mates would have to learn to sleep with 960 fewer square inches!
After spending 50 nights on the road over the last 9 months, we now have some conclusive data. So, we wonder no more. And, since the topic came up in conversation with some of our Winnie buddies this weekend, we have some valuable comparative data, too.
Our conclusion: In the queen, we tend to sleep better. (That may have something to do with the fact that most of the time when we're sleeping in the king, we have to go to work the next day.) We also sleep "more together", as one Winnie groupie described it. It's nice! In our king, the four of us tend to claim our real estate and settle in for the night. With the queen, we figure out a cozy combination that works for all of us. And, we know exactly where everybody is. We can reach out and touch 'em! The queen leaves us lots of floor space and plenty of room to move around in our rolling bedroom. Plus, now that Natasha has decided to make a quilt for our Bullwinkle bed, it'll save hours of sewing time.
So, the verdict is in. The queen rules!
Great Weekend
It's the last morning of a three-day outing with our Winnebago group. We've been having too much fun to post!
We've been hanging out at the Coyote Valley Resort in Morgan Hill, just south of San Jose. It's a new park with all the amenities in a beautiful location that's just of Highway 101. If you're passing through the Bay Area and want to spend some time exploring, we highly recommend making this your home base. San Jose is about 10 minutes away. And, from there you can take a train to San Francisco. Not a bad way to go, if you ask us.
It's time to head off to breakfast. Then, we'll be packing up and heading out. There's this place we have to go to tomorrow. But, we don't want to think about that just now.
More later on Bullwinkle's Travels.
The Quilt
My biggest to-do before we hit the road is to finish a quilt top I've been working on for almost five years. (Five years!) Back then, when I had a lot more time on my hands, I willingly volunteered to make one as a gift for my favorite sister-in-law. It's a queen-size "Double Wedding Ring", which if you know quilting you have rightfully declared me insane. And, if you're not a quilter, just know that it is one really complicated (and obviously time-consuming) project. I mean, yes, we have to figure out how we're going to rid ourselves of most of our possessions. But, I'm telling you, this quilt is a bigger deal.
Last weekend was a significant one in the birthing process of this quilt. Within 24 hours, I hit a significant setback and achieved a major milestone.
The setback: This quilt consists of 9 rows of 9 blocks. When you do the math you come with a total of 81 blocks, right? When assembling the last of the 9 rows, I came up one block short. I can't tell you how many times I've counted these wonky little blocks and come up with 81. But my many miscounts came up with the same disappointing result. So, I started at the beginning and constructed the last block. It was as if I had been playing a five-year game of Monopoly and had to go back to "Start". After assembling 31 pieces of fabric into the final block (See, I am insane!) I was back in the game.
The milestone: The rows are done! Again, if you're not a quilter this means nothing. But, if you are, I can hear your virtual cheers. (Thank you!) This queen-size quilt is now in 9 easy pieces. All I have to do now is sew those 9 into one and I am done. I'll keep you posted.
Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel on my biggest pre-fulltiming to-do, I feel like we really are getting there.
Now all we need to do is figure out what to do with all of this other stuff!
A Place for the Interim
When we put the house on the market in six weeks or so, our plan is to vacate the place and live in Bullwinkle. With two cats and a couple of people involved in the whole process, it just seems easier this way.
We've been scouting for a place to park the moose, the cats and ourselves for awhile that isn't too far away from work. We've read about fulltimers who have found a great campground just a few miles from their office, but for us that is definitely not the case. Living in a very urban area, where real estate is precious and expensive, we have to go many miles before we find a suitable spot to live in our RV.
Yesterday, we ventured to the suburbs and checked out the RV Park at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. It's an hour away from work by train, but it'll definitely work. Very friendly folks, plenty of room and great surroundings. We're ready to call it our home away from home while the stick house is on the market.
How soon can we move in?
We've been scouting for a place to park the moose, the cats and ourselves for awhile that isn't too far away from work. We've read about fulltimers who have found a great campground just a few miles from their office, but for us that is definitely not the case. Living in a very urban area, where real estate is precious and expensive, we have to go many miles before we find a suitable spot to live in our RV.
Yesterday, we ventured to the suburbs and checked out the RV Park at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. It's an hour away from work by train, but it'll definitely work. Very friendly folks, plenty of room and great surroundings. We're ready to call it our home away from home while the stick house is on the market.
How soon can we move in?
Back to Mac
As we prepare for life on the road, we've been thinking a lot about what technology to take along. One thing has been clear, we need two laptops. One of us (who shall remain nameless) tends to hog the one laptop we have. And, as we've previously reported, our current laptop seems to be on its last leg. We'll retire our desktop computer before we hit the road. So, a couple of laptops have been on our shopping list for some time.
This opportunity to start fresh, as far as computers go, got us thinking. Long, long ago we were the first kids on our block to get a Mac. And, we loved it. After a year or two, we bought a bigger, better one. We loved it more. Years later, we had a falling out. We were both using PCs at work, and our Mac seemed more and more foreign. So, we went to the dark side and bought a PC (the very laptop Boris tore apart yesterday). Since then, we've bought a PC desktop or two and the laptop that's now on its last leg. In recent years, Apple has crept back into our lives. We both have ipods that we use every day. And, those nifty Mac TV commercials have captured our attention. Now that we're in the process of simplifying our lives, it seemed like the perfect time to go back to Mac.
And, that's what we did. Yesterday afternoon, we headed off to our local Apple store. (Judging by the massive crowd we saw there our economy is doing just fine, thanks!) A very helpful Genius showed us around and introduced us to the new version of our old friend Mac. We took a cute little Macbook home, which Boris has commandeered. (That's what I get for hogging the dying laptop!)
No worries! We'll get another one...soon. And, maybe we'll need a couple of those cute little i-phones, too.
It's so good to be back.
This opportunity to start fresh, as far as computers go, got us thinking. Long, long ago we were the first kids on our block to get a Mac. And, we loved it. After a year or two, we bought a bigger, better one. We loved it more. Years later, we had a falling out. We were both using PCs at work, and our Mac seemed more and more foreign. So, we went to the dark side and bought a PC (the very laptop Boris tore apart yesterday). Since then, we've bought a PC desktop or two and the laptop that's now on its last leg. In recent years, Apple has crept back into our lives. We both have ipods that we use every day. And, those nifty Mac TV commercials have captured our attention. Now that we're in the process of simplifying our lives, it seemed like the perfect time to go back to Mac.
And, that's what we did. Yesterday afternoon, we headed off to our local Apple store. (Judging by the massive crowd we saw there our economy is doing just fine, thanks!) A very helpful Genius showed us around and introduced us to the new version of our old friend Mac. We took a cute little Macbook home, which Boris has commandeered. (That's what I get for hogging the dying laptop!)
No worries! We'll get another one...soon. And, maybe we'll need a couple of those cute little i-phones, too.
It's so good to be back.
Creative Destruction
We're getting down to the business of getting out of here. With a multitude of to-dos, we each have made some good progress today.
Boris pulled a 15 year-old laptop out of the depths of a closet. While it's been years since we've touched the thing, it does have data on it that we wouldn't want to fall into the wrong hands. He tried to boot the old boat anchor up and was unsuccessful. So, he opted to take it apart.
After a half hour or so of tinkering, there were ancient computer pieces all over our breakfast counter. He delighted in the pleasure of taking something apart that he wouldn't have to worry about putting back together! After soaking the hard drive in salt water, he gave it a few bashes with a hammer.
With that creative destruction complete, that old PC can now be disposed of properly.
Boris pulled a 15 year-old laptop out of the depths of a closet. While it's been years since we've touched the thing, it does have data on it that we wouldn't want to fall into the wrong hands. He tried to boot the old boat anchor up and was unsuccessful. So, he opted to take it apart.
After a half hour or so of tinkering, there were ancient computer pieces all over our breakfast counter. He delighted in the pleasure of taking something apart that he wouldn't have to worry about putting back together! After soaking the hard drive in salt water, he gave it a few bashes with a hammer.
With that creative destruction complete, that old PC can now be disposed of properly.
Full Speed Ahead
Now that our guests are gone, that's it! We have no more commitments in this house. So, from this point forward, it's full speed ahead.
I can't believe how fast the time has flown. Here we are, where the only thing between here and fulltiming is all the stuff we need to do to get this house on the market and sold as quickly as possible. Now, nothing is in our way.
Even with all the work we've done to get ready over the past several months, there is still a ton to do. It's time to really get started.
There's no stopping us now!
I can't believe how fast the time has flown. Here we are, where the only thing between here and fulltiming is all the stuff we need to do to get this house on the market and sold as quickly as possible. Now, nothing is in our way.
Even with all the work we've done to get ready over the past several months, there is still a ton to do. It's time to really get started.
There's no stopping us now!
Nuts and Prozac
Boris, the cats and I are enjoying a few quiet moments before our tourists find their way home from their first big day of sightseeing.
Shortly after our guests arrived yesterday afternoon, we asked them what they wanted to do. Their reply was unanimous: "We want to meet Bullwinkle!" So, we loaded everybody up and ventured out to the storage place to meet the moose. Much to our surprise, as soon as we pulled up out came their cameras. Snap, snap. Bullwinkle was an instant celeb! We were touched that they were inspired to take pictures of our home away from home.
Within a few minutes, we put Bullwinkle through his paces, setting the auto levelers and extending the slides. Once we had created as much space inside as we could, we invited the family in to see the place. They ooed and ahhhd for the duration of the tour: the whole four minutes.
With the initial introduction behind us, the reality of what we're up to began to sink in. As the eight of us stood in the 300 square foot space (rather comfortably, I might add), I could see the look. Sure. At first, they were excited for us and eager to see all the features Bullwinkle has to show. But, when they began to realize that in a relatively short time this will be our home for awhile, they began to wonder what we were really up to.
They think we're nuts.
Oh well. To each his own.
And, what does all this have to do with Prozac? Nothing, really. It's just that Boris took our girl kitty to the vet today. She's been piddling where she shouldn't, and I swear I've seen recent evidence of her leg problem from a month or so ago.
So, what's today's diagnosis? Her leg is fine. And, the piddling has nothing to do with the piddling parts of a cat. Instead, the good doc says its stress. Perhaps a new cat that's moved into the neighborhood or another animal passing by the place where the dirty deed has been done.
What's the cure?
Prozac! A couple of milligrams once a day should do the trick.
Already, she seems like one happy cat.
Shortly after our guests arrived yesterday afternoon, we asked them what they wanted to do. Their reply was unanimous: "We want to meet Bullwinkle!" So, we loaded everybody up and ventured out to the storage place to meet the moose. Much to our surprise, as soon as we pulled up out came their cameras. Snap, snap. Bullwinkle was an instant celeb! We were touched that they were inspired to take pictures of our home away from home.
Within a few minutes, we put Bullwinkle through his paces, setting the auto levelers and extending the slides. Once we had created as much space inside as we could, we invited the family in to see the place. They ooed and ahhhd for the duration of the tour: the whole four minutes.
With the initial introduction behind us, the reality of what we're up to began to sink in. As the eight of us stood in the 300 square foot space (rather comfortably, I might add), I could see the look. Sure. At first, they were excited for us and eager to see all the features Bullwinkle has to show. But, when they began to realize that in a relatively short time this will be our home for awhile, they began to wonder what we were really up to.
They think we're nuts.
Oh well. To each his own.
And, what does all this have to do with Prozac? Nothing, really. It's just that Boris took our girl kitty to the vet today. She's been piddling where she shouldn't, and I swear I've seen recent evidence of her leg problem from a month or so ago.
So, what's today's diagnosis? Her leg is fine. And, the piddling has nothing to do with the piddling parts of a cat. Instead, the good doc says its stress. Perhaps a new cat that's moved into the neighborhood or another animal passing by the place where the dirty deed has been done.
What's the cure?
Prozac! A couple of milligrams once a day should do the trick.
Already, she seems like one happy cat.
March Madness
We're both big NCAA basketball fans. So, we love this time of year. With league tournaments being held this weekend, and "Selection Sunday" set for tomorrow afternoon, we were prepared to kick back and let the college hoops flow over us.
Then, our team lost.
Yes, our beloved Kansas Jayhawks blew it early in the Big 12 tournament this week. As season league champions, they were expected to perform well in the tourney. But, they lost their first game.
With our team out of it, we decided to busy ourselves this weekend with the many other "to-dos" around our house. Boris' sister and her family are arriving tomorrow and staying most of the next week. So, we've been tranforming our cozy home for two into a bed and breakfast for six (plus us). Six guests is a record for this place. We're pushing our house to the limit as far as sleeping quarters go. Thankfully, a co-worker had two twin size aero beds to lend. And, we managed to find a configuration for both of them in our home office.
With sleeping for an additional six, we needed all the bed linens we could get our hands on. We cruised out to see Bullwinkle today and rob him of a mattress pad, blankets and every pillow on board. How convenient to have a place we can go to grab extras when we need them in the other place.
While visiting our moose, a thought occurred to us about how to deal with the madness of a house that will soon be bursting at the seams. We could, it dawned on us, let our guests have the house and spend the week in Bullwinkle.
We'll see how it goes!
Then, our team lost.
Yes, our beloved Kansas Jayhawks blew it early in the Big 12 tournament this week. As season league champions, they were expected to perform well in the tourney. But, they lost their first game.
With our team out of it, we decided to busy ourselves this weekend with the many other "to-dos" around our house. Boris' sister and her family are arriving tomorrow and staying most of the next week. So, we've been tranforming our cozy home for two into a bed and breakfast for six (plus us). Six guests is a record for this place. We're pushing our house to the limit as far as sleeping quarters go. Thankfully, a co-worker had two twin size aero beds to lend. And, we managed to find a configuration for both of them in our home office.
With sleeping for an additional six, we needed all the bed linens we could get our hands on. We cruised out to see Bullwinkle today and rob him of a mattress pad, blankets and every pillow on board. How convenient to have a place we can go to grab extras when we need them in the other place.
While visiting our moose, a thought occurred to us about how to deal with the madness of a house that will soon be bursting at the seams. We could, it dawned on us, let our guests have the house and spend the week in Bullwinkle.
We'll see how it goes!
90 Hours
That's how many I've worked in the last week, give or take a few hours.
And, you wondered why we're planning a great RV escape?
As I've mentioned before, I am a career workaholic. But, this last week took the proverbial cake. And, it was an exceptional week by any measure: a mega, one-time project that had to be planned and prepped to be executed over the weekend and the first two days of this week.
Now that I'm on the back side of this brutal execution, I'm relieved that the project went well. The next several weeks will be about cleaning up and catching up, of course. But, the bulk of it is done.
It's been interesting to exert such effort while in my state of emotional disconnection from my work. I stood by my declaration not to care about the place, and instead channeled all my passion into this project. Sure, it was a challenge. And, sure, I loved it.
But, now that it's just about done, I notice my tired workaholic body is shifting it's attention. Now, it's really time for us to get out of here!
But, first, I have to get some sleep.
And, you wondered why we're planning a great RV escape?
As I've mentioned before, I am a career workaholic. But, this last week took the proverbial cake. And, it was an exceptional week by any measure: a mega, one-time project that had to be planned and prepped to be executed over the weekend and the first two days of this week.
Now that I'm on the back side of this brutal execution, I'm relieved that the project went well. The next several weeks will be about cleaning up and catching up, of course. But, the bulk of it is done.
It's been interesting to exert such effort while in my state of emotional disconnection from my work. I stood by my declaration not to care about the place, and instead channeled all my passion into this project. Sure, it was a challenge. And, sure, I loved it.
But, now that it's just about done, I notice my tired workaholic body is shifting it's attention. Now, it's really time for us to get out of here!
But, first, I have to get some sleep.
We Have Clearance!
A quick look at my calendar this morning reminded me that today is a red-letter day. At the top of today's date I long ago scribbled the word CLEARANCE! and a very happy smiley face.
Today marks a work anniversary for Boris. And, it's an important one. Today, Boris vests in one of his employee retirement plans. So, that chunk of money that was off limits can now be his. (Well, ours!) Of course, he has to leave his job and get a few years older before we can touch it without penalty, but you get the idea.
So the word at the top of my calendar page has significance. To others, it might signify a not-to-miss department store sale. But, to Boris and me, it means that from this day forward either one or both of us has clearance to quit our jobs -- No questions asked.
We probably won't quit today. After all, Boris still isn't feeling well and it's his anniversary. And, I'm knee deep in this monster project. (Thanks for the good wishes, lovely readers!)
But, it's so nice to know we can!
Today marks a work anniversary for Boris. And, it's an important one. Today, Boris vests in one of his employee retirement plans. So, that chunk of money that was off limits can now be his. (Well, ours!) Of course, he has to leave his job and get a few years older before we can touch it without penalty, but you get the idea.
So the word at the top of my calendar page has significance. To others, it might signify a not-to-miss department store sale. But, to Boris and me, it means that from this day forward either one or both of us has clearance to quit our jobs -- No questions asked.
We probably won't quit today. After all, Boris still isn't feeling well and it's his anniversary. And, I'm knee deep in this monster project. (Thanks for the good wishes, lovely readers!)
But, it's so nice to know we can!
Boris has a bug
I've been completely overwhelmed at work with a huge project that will encompass the rest of this week, the entire weekend and most of the next week.
Boris, on the other hand, has been sick.
He has a really nasty bug that, thankfully, we learned today is not strep. It's a big, bad cold bug.
It's no fun around our house these days.
No fun at all.
Boris, on the other hand, has been sick.
He has a really nasty bug that, thankfully, we learned today is not strep. It's a big, bad cold bug.
It's no fun around our house these days.
No fun at all.
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