We're speaking shorthand with each other these days. In conversation, email and instant message, we're using letters where others use words. While those around us might not understand, we do.
What are we saying? Allow us to interpret.
GCTW = Going Camping This Weekend
GSH = Gotta Stay Home
TMTD = Too Much To Do
KYEOTP = Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
YGTI = You Get The Idea
What's the most common shorthand we're sharing with each other these days?
GGO
What does that mean?
Gotta Get Out!
Oh yeah!
Kitty Report
Boris and I came home for lunch today to check in on our girl kitty. The anti-inflammatory was good until mid-morning, so we thought it was important to see how she was doing by midday.
We're pleased to report that she seems to be doing well. She's a little stiff and a bit tentative at times. But, she seems to have a handle on it. And, for now anyway, so do we.
Our fingers (and paws) are crossed.
We're pleased to report that she seems to be doing well. She's a little stiff and a bit tentative at times. But, she seems to have a handle on it. And, for now anyway, so do we.
Our fingers (and paws) are crossed.
A Big Job and A Little Emergency
This weekend found us at home with an extensive list of to-dos. Boris got right on it yesterday and tackled a big job: cleaning the carpet. With his trusty Rug Doctor, he covered just about every inch of carpet in our house. And, boy did it need to be cleaned! We'll do it again before we put the house on the market, but now we know how it all works. By the looks of things, it works great.
While Boris took on the big job, I did a bit of purging here and there. This afternoon I finally spent some time on my big quilt project, finishing my fourth of nine rows. I didn't have the same sense of vigor about our household tasks as Boris. I needed to recover from a week of emotionally unattached but incredibly draining work. (Am I looking forward to starting another one tomorrow?)
Today started with some emotional excitement of a different nature. Just after her breakfast, our girl kitty was exhibiting signs of lameness in one of her rear legs. She and I were both freaking out about it, so Boris took us to the emergency vet clinic. (Why do these things always happen on weekends?) The symptoms were intermittent, which we learned was a good sign. And, otherwise she was alert and reflexive. The ER doc checked her out and suspected it is most likely intermittent pain from a strain or a bite from her brother. After some mini blood work, a shot of anti-inflammatory, some subcutaneous fluids and a serious wad of cash, we were on our way. She's had a couple of episodes since we got home, but she doesn't freak out about it. (So, neither do I, really.) Now, she just stretches it out and seems fine. We have no idea if a cat can get leg cramps, but that's what it looks like. Anyway, we'll keep an eye on her and decide if she needs to see the regular vet tomorrow.
So, as another weekend comes to a close here we sit - with clean carpets, some progress made on other projects and a well-cared for cat - one week closer to becoming fulltimers.
While Boris took on the big job, I did a bit of purging here and there. This afternoon I finally spent some time on my big quilt project, finishing my fourth of nine rows. I didn't have the same sense of vigor about our household tasks as Boris. I needed to recover from a week of emotionally unattached but incredibly draining work. (Am I looking forward to starting another one tomorrow?)
Today started with some emotional excitement of a different nature. Just after her breakfast, our girl kitty was exhibiting signs of lameness in one of her rear legs. She and I were both freaking out about it, so Boris took us to the emergency vet clinic. (Why do these things always happen on weekends?) The symptoms were intermittent, which we learned was a good sign. And, otherwise she was alert and reflexive. The ER doc checked her out and suspected it is most likely intermittent pain from a strain or a bite from her brother. After some mini blood work, a shot of anti-inflammatory, some subcutaneous fluids and a serious wad of cash, we were on our way. She's had a couple of episodes since we got home, but she doesn't freak out about it. (So, neither do I, really.) Now, she just stretches it out and seems fine. We have no idea if a cat can get leg cramps, but that's what it looks like. Anyway, we'll keep an eye on her and decide if she needs to see the regular vet tomorrow.
So, as another weekend comes to a close here we sit - with clean carpets, some progress made on other projects and a well-cared for cat - one week closer to becoming fulltimers.
Does it show?
A co-worker passed by my office one day last week and I noticed something different about her: a "baby bump". She has yet to make her news public, but it is suddenly obvious that in four or five months she's in for a big lifestyle change. When she finally decides to announce that she's going to be a first-time mom, her co-workers will smile, cheer and clap. As we offer our hearty congratulations, we'll think to ourselves, "Yeah, we already knew."
As someone else in the office who has big changes in store within the next six months, I began to wonder. Is there a fulltiming equivalent to the "baby bump" that will give it all away before we're ready to announce our plans?
As someone else in the office who has big changes in store within the next six months, I began to wonder. Is there a fulltiming equivalent to the "baby bump" that will give it all away before we're ready to announce our plans?
Objectives
Driving home from work yesterday, I contemplated this question: What do we want to accomplish while we're fulltiming?
At the risk of making this lifestyle change sound like a work project (which it's not!), I started to make a mental list. At home, I asked Boris for his thoughts on the question.
"I don't want to think about it that way," was his thoughtful reply.
I know. I know. Neither do I. My thinking is that if we can get clear on a few "big picture" objectives before we go, if there's anything we can do now to help set things up for success life on the road, I don't want to miss that opportunity. And, somewhere down the road we'll ask ourselves how things are working for us as fulltimers. Intuitively, we'll know that we love it (or we don't). Checking in our objectives will give us an idea of why. Besides, right now fulltiming feels like it's all about getting rid of and moving our stuff, selling our house and getting out of here. While I'm fine with all that, me thinks I'm needing to get a clearer view of the bigger picture here and the really good stuff that's ahead of us.
Am I overthinking this?
Maybe so. For now, I'll keep it really simple.
Our fulltiming objectives:
* To enjoy ourselves and each other everyday
* To experience the freedom to explore North America when and how we wish
* To live simply and spontaneously
* To express our creativity
* To reinvent what work might be to us, if anything
* To be active in a community of people who are passionate about doing the same things we are
Sounds good. No, actually. That sounds GREAT!
I'm ready to get to work.
At the risk of making this lifestyle change sound like a work project (which it's not!), I started to make a mental list. At home, I asked Boris for his thoughts on the question.
"I don't want to think about it that way," was his thoughtful reply.
I know. I know. Neither do I. My thinking is that if we can get clear on a few "big picture" objectives before we go, if there's anything we can do now to help set things up for success life on the road, I don't want to miss that opportunity. And, somewhere down the road we'll ask ourselves how things are working for us as fulltimers. Intuitively, we'll know that we love it (or we don't). Checking in our objectives will give us an idea of why. Besides, right now fulltiming feels like it's all about getting rid of and moving our stuff, selling our house and getting out of here. While I'm fine with all that, me thinks I'm needing to get a clearer view of the bigger picture here and the really good stuff that's ahead of us.
Am I overthinking this?
Maybe so. For now, I'll keep it really simple.
Our fulltiming objectives:
* To enjoy ourselves and each other everyday
* To experience the freedom to explore North America when and how we wish
* To live simply and spontaneously
* To express our creativity
* To reinvent what work might be to us, if anything
* To be active in a community of people who are passionate about doing the same things we are
Sounds good. No, actually. That sounds GREAT!
I'm ready to get to work.
Pepe's
This one's for our friends in the Rio Grande Valley.
Boris picked me up for lunch today.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"Pepe's on the River," I replied.
"Yeah?" he replied. "Me, too."
We'll make it a date...someday.
Boris picked me up for lunch today.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"Pepe's on the River," I replied.
"Yeah?" he replied. "Me, too."
We'll make it a date...someday.
Roughing it Smoothly
I'm pleased to report we found our way safely home yesterday, by the light of day, and didn't miss a single turn. Today, we faced the cold hard reality of work. Ugh.
Reflecting on our wonderful winter weekend away, I was reminded of a comment made by a passerby yesterday at a gas station not too far from our camping destination. After filling up, we hooked the jeep back up to the moose and got ready to hit the road. While we were checking the turn signals, a gentleman passed by and made a comment to Boris.
"Roughing it smoothly, I see," he said.
With his mind focused on the towing process, Boris' response was automatic.
"We're working on it," he replied.
As the miles flew by on our way home, we talked about the passing comment. It may or may not be a common saying in the RVing world. We wouldn't know. After all, we'll still newbies. New or not, we like it. In three little words it sums up what we're moving toward.
With all the comforts of home and our trusty side-trip transport following faithfully behind us, we do have all the comforts of home. And, while we've had our ups and downs so far along the way, we could definitely sum it all up as pretty darn smooth.
Roughing it smoothly?
We really are working on it.
Reflecting on our wonderful winter weekend away, I was reminded of a comment made by a passerby yesterday at a gas station not too far from our camping destination. After filling up, we hooked the jeep back up to the moose and got ready to hit the road. While we were checking the turn signals, a gentleman passed by and made a comment to Boris.
"Roughing it smoothly, I see," he said.
With his mind focused on the towing process, Boris' response was automatic.
"We're working on it," he replied.
As the miles flew by on our way home, we talked about the passing comment. It may or may not be a common saying in the RVing world. We wouldn't know. After all, we'll still newbies. New or not, we like it. In three little words it sums up what we're moving toward.
With all the comforts of home and our trusty side-trip transport following faithfully behind us, we do have all the comforts of home. And, while we've had our ups and downs so far along the way, we could definitely sum it all up as pretty darn smooth.
Roughing it smoothly?
We really are working on it.
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