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

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Where to next?

I have agreed to stay on this refuge until the middle or end of March, I do not really have a specific end date. They asked me to stay as long as I can. My daughter lives a short distance away, so I don't mind staying here.

Today its cold, rainy and very windy. Today's plan was to ride my bike around the refuge - instead I am staying inside, searching on the internet and looking at maps, trying to figure out where to go and what to do for the rest of the year. 

I have applied online for a few jobs and hope to hear back from them this week, now that the holidays are over and everyone should be back at work.

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When I turned on the radio this morning, the very first song was "I Hope You Dance" by  Lee Ann Womack.

My late husband and my daughter danced to this song at her wedding, he really liked this song.  I really hate typing "late", but I have been confusing some people when I talk about my husband on this blog or at work, etc. I guess starting to add this word is necessary and is all part of the healing process......

Back in 2001, the CD was sold in a little book.  I gave a copy of this to him on Sweetest Day 2001. It is one of the items from the house that I keep in the RV.


I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance ... I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the chance to dance
I hope you dance ... I hope you dance
Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back at their years and wonder
where those years have gone.
I hope you dance  ...  I hope you dance
I hope you dance.




So, where to next???

I have decided to stay in Texas in 2013.  It's a HUGE state and there is a lot to see here.  Since 1999, my daughter has lived hundreds of miles away. Although we send texts every day and call each other often, its not the same as living in the same town.

South Padre Island is my kind of town, easy to get around on foot or bike and they have a free city bus that goes around the Island and also goes across the bridge to Port Isabel. I will be able to enjoy time with my family and be a beach bum or maybe get a job - and I may look into some type of self-employment opportunity again.  

I will probably travel around Texas in my RV for a month or so, after March 15th, before deciding if I will settle on the island for awhile.   My dad is talking about a train ride from Chicago to San Antonio to visit us.  

I may head over to Rockport in April, it is still my favorite "Texas Coastal Town".  I'm looking for more small towns like this - with RV parks in or near town, for walking around town or to bike a mile or two to town.  If you have traveled through any towns like this - please leave a comment, Thanks.

State parks and places out in the country or the middle of nowhere have their place in the RV lifestyle, but I have discovered that I am happier if I can get out and explore the small towns and cities on bike or foot.

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And, yesterday, I bought some lumber and a long "piano hinge" to start on my bed/storage box project for the RV.  Hopefully I will have some pictures soon.

14 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good plan to me, Teri! I have never spent much time around water being the desert woman that I am but I hope to this summer...I too think I would like a nice funky town most of the time..Happy New Year!

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  2. May all your "dances" be good ones this year dear sister.
    Many blessings. I really enjoy hearing about your experiences!

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  3. Teri, whatever you decide I hope the new year is good to you.

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  4. I can really understand your wanting to be physically close to your daughter. Luckily she is also in a great area. I also love that song and imagine that your husband would want you to dance. I don't know anything about Texas towns though.

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  5. You have to follow your heart when traveling. Personally I don't care that much for Texas, especially in the hot and sticky summers. I'll enjoy Texas through your eyes.

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  6. Check out the Hill Country towns. I like Bandera and Fredericksburg.

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  7. Good luck with the heat and mugginess down there. Head for the hills! :)

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  8. I'm not a real Texas fan so no help from me. But I hope you have a fantastic 2013 no matter where or what you do.

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  9. Happy New Year Teri,
    I to love that song.
    I hope you find everything you are looking for in this new year. I hear so much about the Texas coast. Would love to go there someday.

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  10. Great song and I do like that area very much. There have a been a few moments here ... that I kicked myself for leaving...

    I like Port Isabel, South Padre, Rockport, Port Aransas.... all that stuff.

    I am with you on the places to walk around. important.

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  11. I love that song. And as for the Texas Gulf Coast, it's a gem.

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  12. I like that song! The song "Could I Have this Dance" by Anne Murray was the one my late hubby and I considered our song. I still cry every time I listen to it, but I do listen from time to time .... just to remember.
    I thought the same thing about TX as I was traveling through. There is just so much there to be explored! Rockport is not far from where my daughter lives.There is a nice little lake (White Rock Lake on the n.e. side of Dallas. No camping but a beautiful one to visit.

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  13. You have an interesting lifestyle! I enjoyed reading some of your blog. Now following--hope you will follow back. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to reading more of yours.

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  14. Wow, half the size of mine and you hope to do yoga inside? When you finish yours, if that works, come do mine!

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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