Epcot gets an A+ from me

I suppose being free has something to do with it, tee hee. If you make it you simply must take a ride on Soarin'. It's a new ride and it was so magnificent. It is just like being in a glider over most of California. We saw Napa Valley, San Fran Golden Gate Bridge, the Redwoods, Pacific Ocean, Palm Springs, San Diego, Azao Borengo, Las Angeles, anyway you get the idea right? OMG, it seemed like we were flying over all these places. You know how some people dream they are flying? That is exactly how it felt.

Of course we had to go to see Nemo and friends. It was a cute little ride and I'm sure it would have been mesmerizing to small children. Nemo has the cutest giggle.

I had to see what was in the famous sphere. We rode on the spaceship experience which was pretty cool. By the time we finished it was time to head to France where we were going to partake in a dessert bar and watch the fireworks. We walked through the countries, stopping for a while at China to watch the Circle o Life. When it was over, I felt as if I had been there.

It was a great trip to Epcot. Here are Billy, Richard and Cindy. Also, Cindy and I had to have our picture made in front of the water fall going into Soarin'.

Later...

Disney's Magical Express

I just rode on the Disney's Magical Express from the airport and it was magical. They were playing a video about all the parks, of course. Anyway, it took about 35 minutes from the airport to get here. My plane touchdowned at 11:45 and at 1:10 I was walking into the Beach Club Resort. Disney send luggage tags to put on your suitcases. You never have to touch them again. They get them at the airport and deliver them to the room in about 1 1/2 hours. That's magical!

Check-in was a breeze because Cindy had done everything previously so I just had to pick up my card key. Then the trek, OMG, getting to the room was such a maze. I think I walked two city blocks to get to a really great room.

My morning didn't begin too well. I was a little sick at my stomach so didn't eat anything, well I tried but had to pull off the road on the way to Debbie's to get rid of it. Yuck. I am feeling somewhat better but will probably lie down for a little while, at least until I get my luggage with my bathing suit in it. I can't believe I did that. I was in such a hurry to get out of town I didn't think of putting the suit in the carry-on.

Oh, this was the first time I have flown with a laptop. It was a breeze. I had packed it in my rolling backpack and just wheeled it around, couldn't stand the thoughts of carrying it myself. I love those wheelie things. I had inadvertently put my moose in my carry-on. Well, they stopped me and pull it out and said, "this is illegal." She told me I could take it and put it in my bag or she would have to throw it away. I told her I had already seen my bag go away so she would just have to toss it. She said well let me check it. She took it over to a little machine and brought it back to me and said it wasn't a danger and I looked reasonable so she let me take it. Whew, because I had paid quite a bit for that dang moose and I didn't want to see it tossed. I moved it by golly!

Going to Epcot tonight. It's just a "few" steps away so guess I don my tennis shoes and walk over.

Later...

Daytona Beach Here I come

Tomorrow I fly out of Nashville to Orlando. I am meeting my DF, Cindy, there to finish up her conference, which includes a trip to Epcot. I have never been and am really looking forward to it. Then Wednesday we head up the coast to spend four nights at Daytona Beach. I am soooo ready for some R&R. Seems like I have been full speed ahead for a couple of months and it will be nice to just chill for a while.

After the beach, we head toward Jacksonville where Cindy will fly back to Nashville and DS, Jonathan, will pick me up and I'll spend the next week with he and Taylor. I am looking forward to that as well. Jonathan will be having some abdominal surgery and of course, Mom wants to be there for him during his recovery. I will really get to play Gran because GD, Taylor, will have swim practice six days a week and she plans on having a sleep over while I am there. Also, we are going to scout out RV parks in the area so I'll know where I will be going for December.

That's about all to report. I know, I'm a little boring right now but that's okay, I deserve it.

Oh, I almost forgot. I met, via phone, one of the ladies from the women's rv forum last night. She was travelling from NC to WY and had to come through Nashville. Unfortunately I didn't get in touch with her early enough for her to stop in Nashville. She stopped in Clarksville and by the time we connected I chose not to drive to Clarksville so late.

Anyway, ReAnn, and I talked for a while and found out we will probably be in the same place in the Keys in April and May. She is going to be workkamping at the same resort where I'll be staying. She is an intesting lady. She just completed work with the Peace Corps. I can't wait to meet her face to face. This is her first long trip in her Minnie Winnie. Good luck, ReAnn. Happy travels.

Later...

My RV Insurance

For about the past year I have been checking rates for full time RV insurance. Today I spent about an hour with my Farm Bureau agent and found out that I can keep my insurance with Farm Bureau. All I have to do is get a renter's policy to cover my liability and they will adjust my mileage on the RV and there you have it. I can stay with Farm Bureau (which I wanted to do) and get the coverage I need. I will be saving 1/2 monthly on what my quotes from other companies for "full timers coverage." WooHoo That gives me a little more money during the month to drive a few more miles. LOL

Later...

I Stand Corrected!

My RV friend, Margie, corrected me in saying in her comments that I "am houseless, not homeless." What a big difference that makes! Thanks Margie.


My house was on the market for 26 days, Mar 5, and then on March 30 got a contract and negotiation took two 1/2 weeks of the contract and I moved out on April 20 and closed on 4/21. How fortunate was I? My angels were certainly working in my favor, guess they want to see me hit the road too.

Sedona is having a little struggle getting accustomed to her new surroundings. She has to mark the yard, I mean every blade of grass. She has to find new places to nap. She doesn't have as long a hall to chase her toys when we play fetch. Oh my, the struggles of a dog. But, as soon as she gets used to it this week, she will be going to Theda's for a while. I'm heading to Daytona Beach next week and then will be spending time with Jonathan and Taylor for another week or so. It's time for me to get away and soak up the sun!

It's official-Papers signed, sealed, delivered.

This is the official date, 4/21/09, of becoming homeless. Well, I say that tongue and cheek, not homeless because I am at friend, Cindy but I have signed the papers on selling my condo getting ready to fulfill my dream of RVing full time. It will happen in Sept or October, 09 unless the economy crashes more than it already has.

It feels so good and liberating. I thought I would feel differently right now but it all seems so right.

Tonight is the first night that Cindy has been here since I moved in. This is gonna work because we are compatible and that's important but we both like our space and we make arrangements for that. Plus, she is generally at her house in Clarksville and it's a win-win that I am here while the house is empty.

Had a couple of margaritas tonight. You know I have to get rid of all that liquor. It's too heavy to carry around in Somewhere, LOL. It's not that I have all that much, it's just a means of celebrating today.

Later...

Moving from the Condo to Cindy's-Done!

It has been a very long weekend but at last I can sit back and relax for a while. My nephews, Roy, Jerry and great nephews, Josh and Jacob came over from Etowah to help me move on Saturday. Jonathan and Taylor were here to take my furniture they wanted. They rented a truck to drive back to SE GA. With the help of everyone, Jonathan got started back for his 10 hour trip around 11:30. He was glad to get back at a decent time on Saturday night.

Sunday, Theda and worked all day and brought things over to Cindy's and then loaded the car with things to go to Somewhere. I brought the remains from my garage sell and Cindy and I will have another sometime within the next few months.

Somewhere is getting full. Debbie and I went up today and she organized my kitchen for me. I checked out the pots & pans I had taken and some wouldn't fit into my stove and others were duplicates. So I brought a lot of things back to go in the aforementioned garage sale.

I think I would advise anyone who is planning on doing this to take a few months for downsizing and revisit your "stuff" many times to see if indeed you will use it or is it something else to hang onto. I'm sure I will do that several times.

Once I get things the way I want them I'll have to take Somewhere to be weighed to make sure I'm not over the recommended chassis weight. I'll probably do that when I get her new tires.

I'm feeling so liberated! It's one step closer.

Condo closing is tomorrow and it'll be official.

Later...

Still packing

Termite letter is done. I am sitting on go until April 21. Everything has passed, inspection, appraisal so I'm good to go.

Well, at least in the selling of the town home, I'm good to go. I still have so much stuff. Trying to decide what goes to Cindy's and what goes to Somewhere is amazingly tough. Taylor has been such help to me. She said last night, "will all this stuff go in Somewhere?" Good question, Taylor. Guess I'll find out. At least I'll have a few months to sort through that stuff at Somewhere to see if I indeed need it.

This is all so exciting. Hard to believe I'm on schedule to fulfill my dream. Please gas stay low and don't sky rocket again. Please stock market, do a really big rebound and let my $$ work for me the way it is supposed to. Gee I don't ask for much do I.

My neighbor, Judy, came over today and bought my plastic storage shelves so those are out of here. She also got some of the wire things in my closet (not attached) for hers. It's good to get that stuff out of here. Thought I was going to have to resort to Craigslist again. I'm gonna miss Judy, she was the perfect neighbor. Always there when you need each other and not noisy.

Later...

Appraisal and Inspection-Good to Go!

Just thought I would stop in and say, yippee, the appraisal came up to what the agreed on price is and the inspection is nit picky but all I had to take care of was the electrical panel. All systems are go for April 21.

I picked Taylor up at Theda's today. Before we left T had to take me on a golf cart ride around the park. She drives well. She wants to go a little fast but with her Dad and Gran's lead foot, guess that's to be expected.

Tomorrow T goes to Debbie's. It will be interesting to see what she has up her sleeve with T. I get to go to work. Thank goodness for my friends. Someone once said "It takes a village," and it does.

Later...

Taylor arrived

Taylor, my granddaughter, flew in yesterday and as I picked her up at the airport, I barely recognized her. She is growing up too fast, 12 going on 30. She is almost as tall as me. I have a busy week for her, she will be glad to get home.

Yesterday, Taylor, Theda and Sedona went to Theda's house at Johnsonville State Historic Park for a couple of days. Taylor had originally said she was going to do a report on the Civil War and wanted to go back to Theda's park to do some research. Plans were to do that today and I would pick her up on Monday night and we would come back on Tuesday. Those are still the plans but what has changed is the report. Taylor said, "I have a 98 in that class, why should I do a report?" So she gets to go have fun on the trails and maybe do some shoreline cleanup depending on the weather.

Got the electrical panel repaired today according to the home inspector so we are good to go. I think home inspectors are a racket. What good do they do?

The craft room is dismantled and it looks just like a bedroom now. We loaded Theda's 4 Runner up to the top yesterday with all the craft stuff in it. She also enjoys crafting so if the mood hits, she will be able to use some of my supplies. Plus if I get the urge to do something else, she has a perfect spot to be creative.

Later...

Last projects

I finally finished my two projects that will probably my last until I get all settled. Here they are: The table can be broken down into two pieces for travel. I did the parrot to follow my theme of It's 5 o'clock Somewhere.

I started the flamingo several months ago to post in my front window when I am parked. I have put off completing it for quite awhile but I knew I had to finish it before I tore down my crafts room. I probably should have used a lighter grout on the flamingo but I had the black mixed for the table above and didn't want to mix another round. Black is so messy to work with.

The craft room is just about torn down. Theda is coming this weekend and will take most of it over there. The tools for stained glass is so expensive so I wanted it to stay with me so I could put my hands on it when I was in the mood again.

Things are really looking up for the move. I had a couple come by today who bought my dresser (thank to Becky) and they carried it off. Don't have but a few more things to sell.

I pick Taylor up from the airport tomorrow. She will be w/me for the week and it couldn't happen at a better time. I sure will be able to use her help.

I just got off Skype with my family who are together in East TN for Easter. It was just like I was there except when they started bringing their desserts over and eating in front of the webcam. Shame on them, boy it sure looked good. Just reminded me of what I am missing.

Later...

So Much Happening-My Heads Spinning

Quick update, I do have a signed contract on my condo for a cash sell. Appraisal and inspections are to happen on Friday. I am scheduled to be out by April 21, whew! I'll be moving in with my DF, Cindy. She is only about a mile from me and she is not there most of the week so it should work out well and I can save some money that I thought I would make on my house. What a win-win!

I have decided to work until at least September and maybe October. I still want to live my dream in the Keys in Jan/Feb, 2010 and to do that I really need to run a full paycheck out until Jan 1 which will have me working until October and then take the next three months on leave. Sounds like a plan.

I had wanted to stay in Bluewater RV Resort but with a whopping $4000 mo, that won't happen. I may work my way down and be there for April/May when I can enjoy snorkeling & playing in the water. I hear it is still too cold to do that sort of thing in Jan/Feb. Like I've said all along, plans are in jello.

My BFF, Debbie, is basking in the sun in Hawaii! Good for her. While she is gone I have been keeping her poodle, Duchess. OMG, it is so funny to watch Duchess and Sedona together. See they are both only dogs and are both getting used to having all the attention. That's not the case when they are together. We kiddingly named Duchess, "the black stalker" because she is constantly following Sedona around. Sedona tries to ignore her but the first night, I didn't get any sleep. See, Duchess is used to sleeping at the foot of the bed under the cover. Sedona is used to sleeping at the top of the bed (around my shoulders) and out of the cover. Sedona would grunt and then there would be a grunt from Duchess, back and forth all night. Sedona didn't like sharing "our" bed with another dog. Gee, wonder who would be alpha dog in this situation? Anyway it has been very time consuming to entertain 2 dogs. No more thoughts of getting a friend for Sedona, nope, nada! Duchess leaves tonight so everything should get back to normal.

Real Estate Status

Just a quick post to say I'm still negotiating. Here goes Counter #3 and we are sooooo close. I'll know after 5 tomorrow if they have accepted this counter. Gosh, could this really be happening. We began so very far apart and now we are narrowing the gap. Been wandering around the house and putting things in the car to take to Somewhere just in case I have to move quickly. April 21 will come quickly so I'll have to get on the stick.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up but it sure would be removing that big hurdle toward hitting the road. If this happens, it will probably September before I get out of dodge. I figure it will take that long to make me feel good about extra $$ in my pocket for the road.

Updates as I get them.

Later...

Real Estate Update

Showed my condo for the first time on Monday, 3/30/09 and by Wednesday, 4/1/09, had a contract. Now, don't get too excited. They low balled me. I sent my counter in today and they have until 5:00 pm tomorrow, Friday, to let me know. It would be great because it is a cash sell but they offered me about 18,000 below what I was asking. I don't think so. One would have thought is was an April's fool joke if I had not seen the contract. Keep your fingers crossed.

State government is implementing a smoking penalty next year on health insurance. If you smoke, you will pay a $50 per month increase on your health premium. I have been dabbling in smoking again after being quit for 6 years, well actually, I'm probably full blown smoking. But I'm gonna quit again and this time for good. Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me. It's tough. Yes, I could kick myself every day for picking up that first one thinking I could just smoke one. NOT!

I'll brief you on the status of the contract for the house. It would be too cool for her to accept it but, if not, there will be another.

Later...