Remember that when you leave this Earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given, a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. -St. Francis of Assisi

Monday, November 7, 2011

Relaxing........Rainy day

Camp Lakewood Campground : Effingham, IL

Although I had a lot of phone calls to make today, I did not feel stressed or rushed.

This RV park has super fast wi-fi and the stereo in the coach is a really good quality with good speakers. I have listened to a few TV programs on the computer, also.  I am glad that I decided not to mount a TV screen in here, and decided to go with a good laptop, instead.  I can listen to the news or other programs on the computer.

After the mad rush to make sure the house was empty and trying to get out of Chicago before the RV freezes, it is soooo nice to be able to take my time with things.  It would have been smarter to make this move in the spring, but actually the timing of everything has worked out.

I still have to organize the cabinets and drawers and empty a few boxes of stuff that I put in the coach.
I don't want to keep these boxes in the space behind the drivers seat, this is just a temporary thing until I figure out what I need and what I can get rid of.

Many bloggers talk of selling their houses and going full-time.

I am so glad that I made this decision.
But, it is not an easy thing to do.

Emotionally and physically, it is exhausting. (I'm not trying to discourage anyone.)
And then there is the guilt for doing what I want and not staying around to help others.

If you are planning to do this, you will probably question yourself about why you accumulated all of this "stuff" in the first place. In 1988, we moved out of our first home into the house I just left. Back then, 23 years ago, I remember saying that this house would be sold with all of the contents included, that I did not want to go through the process of moving stuff again.

I think of my Grandma Mary's house, it never seemed to be cluttered and her basement was empty except for the washer and dryer. It seemed like maybe things were simpler then.

I didn't learn my lesson, and the difference now is that I didn't just pack it all into boxes and move it into the basement of the next house.  I could have put things into storage, it would have been less stressful and easier - just pack up the boxes and drive over to the storage area.

Storage is costly and I probably won't ever use the items again.

I had to deal with it now, I didn't want to think about it anymore.

My family and friends have most of the larger items from my home, I am glad that someone could use them.

I am not living a spartan life in the coach.  I have kept some things that I like to have around me. I have some quilts that I have made or purchased. I have decorated the walls and have photos. I have enough, but not too much.

It's been raining on and off all day, I am all warm and cozy in my little house.
There is more rain in the forecast. I am waiting for some phone calls tomorrow, so I will stay here Tuesday night, also.

large site with deck, table and firepit

The rain stopped around 3pm, I went for a walk around the campground, this is a very nice place, well maintained and clean and it's probably very busy in the summer. They have a boat ramp and its looks like they rent canoes and rowboats.

Update: Ended up staying here for 4 days, didn't want to drive in the rain and it was very peaceful here, parked by the lake.

9 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about storage bldgs. I still have one full of stuff I don't need. After fulltiming it for six years, I am in an apartment wishing I was back in my fifth wheel. I AM going to go full time again, as soon as I can! I miss the freedom and my RV friends.

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  2. My brother and I are working on everything we had to put into storage when my Mom died 2 years ago. We're hoping to be done with that this month.

    Our path to full timing is going to take years and I'm working hard so we can someday do this as well.

    It looks very peaceful where you're at, I think you made the right decision but I can see why you might second guess yourself.

    Have a great week,

    Erik

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  3. It definitely is a very emotional and scary move when you give up all the security of your known world and home to move into about 300 square feet with wheels. But oh the adventure that is ahead of you. New worlds to see and new friends to make. I can't imagine living any other way now.

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  4. I used to be able to carry everything I owned with me. Now I have a bigger RV and a storage shed. Must be time to downsize again.

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  5. Really nice site you're at. So happy for you that things are coming together.

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  6. Though I haven't actually 'joined' your followers list, I've been following along on your blog for quite awhile. I have about a half dozen blogs that I read daily (or catch up on weekly/monthly, depending on what's going on in my life at the time!!)

    I just wanted to send along a big 'Congratulations' to you on reaching your 'full timing goal' I think you are going to just LOVE the whole experience/adventure -- though it won't be without it's 'moments'!!

    It's good to read that you are relaxing. . . . that's definitely something you should be doing right about now -- after the months of preparing and working hard to get everything accomplished. Hopefully, you'll be able to 'let go' of the guilt soon -- I think we all 'go' to that place in our minds/hearts from time to time. But, then, there are other factors to consider that help balance things out abit? (for instance. the years of 'being there' and doing for our family members/loved ones and will continue to do whenever we are able going forward). I recall that when I was downsizing/weeding out 'stuff', I'd say to my daughters, with a big grin on my face, 'I'm dong you a huge favor here, ya know!!"

    Hopefully, we'll have the chance to be in the same area of the country one of these days and can meet, sit around a nice campfire and have a good chat!

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  7. I can sense your peace beneath all the other stuff. Good for you! Life is good.

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  8. It sounds like you're finally on your way to.....wherever the road takes you. I am envious and hope to experience the freedom you seem to be finding. Congratulations and have a great journey!!

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  9. I just your space. I have never seen a camp ground that had decks. Not that I have been to many. But looks like our Monday was the same rain. I wouldn't have mind if I wasn't leaving and had to dump my tanks. It stopped long enough for me to get that done.
    Your words tell how much mor relaxed you are. Iam happy to read that. :) You have done the right thing. Sometimes we need to be there for us.

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Hi, I welcome your thoughts and comments.

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It is the sandstorm that shape the stone statues of the Desert. It is the struggles of Life that form a person's character ~ Native American Proverb