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

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Catching up


My last travel post was about the days leaving the North Rim in October.  I traveled through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to arrive in San Antonio the week of Halloween to help my daughter sew a costume for my granddaughter.  I stayed in San Antonio until January 2nd.

I hope to still post about my travels in October, but have writers block or something, just not interested in writing. I hope to have all my blogs printed (I have already printed the year 2011) and it would be nice to have all my travels recorded.

I have decided not to spend close to $100 a month for internet.  I do not stream movies or TV or watch a lot of videos. I do not need it for business purposes, so I am currently using my cellphone as a hotspot.  Most of the workamping jobs offer some type of internet connection and there are always libraries or McD, etc.

So, with slow connections and limited monthly data, I rarely open my laptop.  I can read blogs on my iPhone through Feedly and I have done a few short blog posts using the Blogger app - but I have decided not to make the internet a big part of my life.

With plans to go to the Chicago area in late May, I decided to work Income Tax Season instead of working a summer job. For most summer jobs, I would have to commit to working from Mid April until Labor Day or later. I may decide to work a shorter summer season, like the 2 month stint I did at the North Rim.

I am currently in Aransas Pass, TX working at a CPA office, my RV site is about a 10 minute walk from the office.  I work about 37 hours a week, Monday through Friday.  Much less stress than when I owned my own tax prep business.  I don't have to worry about software, employees, bills, vendors, phone and internet working, etc. I am enjoying preparing the returns and helping out the clients that always seem to be weary of taxes.

Although this is not considered a "beach" town, it is on the Gulf and there are a few parks and marinas. Walmart and HEB are within walking or biking distance, and the library is less than a mile away. I can ride my bike around on the weekends to enjoy the scenery.



Enterprise Rent-a-car is nearby and they offer a $9.99 a day weekend rate. Last weekend I drove to San Antonio to visit my daughter and her family. It was cheaper than fuel for the RV and paying for an RV site. 




I don't think I will give up totally on the blog and still enjoy reading and following along with everyone.


12 comments:

  1. Good to hear you are doing well. I'd have a hard time justifying $100/month for internet, maybe. Lucky I have my phone as a hotspot too. Sounds like you'll be making some Real money to help your travel expenses. Hope you don't disappear off the blog for good. Take care.

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  2. Welcome back! Gosh it feels like greeting an ole friend. Looks like your are enjoying g time with your cutie pie. Don't work to hard!

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  3. nice to see a recap from you..glad to hear that all is well with you and your family!

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  4. Good to see a post frm you. You can post every day or just occasionally, there are no rules. You can write your blog in word or someother off line platform , prepare your pics and then go online and drop them in and publish. It is a way you can get them ready for eventual printing. I'm sure your daughter would like to have them someday.

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  5. As long as we get an occasional update from you, we'll all still be here. Blogging should be fun - not work. My friend (also retired IRS) and I were talking this week-end about tax returns and we both stated very emphatically that it would be "never again" for us - except for our own.

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  6. I was on the "other end" of taxes... doing year-end reconciliations, getting out the W2's and 1099's.... sending in year-end reports to various tax agencies. I loved it... BUT... if I had had my druthers... I'd rather have been outside more. There's some advantages to being in one's 70's ;-)

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  7. I am thinking of up grading my phone just to have a hot spot and get rid of Verizon. The rate keeps going up every time I turn around and as for traveling like everyone else find free wifi.

    My how your baby has grown. Time just seems to fly doesn't it.

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  8. Awwwwwwww, darling little gal!
    And yes, I do understand about the cost of internet connections. It's getting ridiculous. And besides, to me, blogging is just a trivial part of life that holds so much more than writing on a blog. I am with you 100% on choosing to be with work/family/travel. Blogging can just be a fleeting record once you can get something written.

    Excellent travels.

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  9. Thanks for the update. It seems like a lot of bloggers are running out of gas these days, ourselves included.

    Mark

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  10. HI Teri, I also pay $100 for internet. It's a lot.I'd like to pack up all my things and hit the road. Will be doing that soon. I love the photo at the top of your blog with the red rocks...where is it?

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  11. It sounds like things are going well for you. Doing taxes while working for someone else sounds like a great idea. When tax season is over, you can move on when you want. It's good that you are forgoing the Internet charges, but I couldn't do that. So much of what I enjoy centers around my computer and the Internet. It's my entertainment - at least for now. Take care and let us know how you're doing from time to time. :)

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  12. I wondered where you had gone and finally went looking for you. sounds like you have thought this all through and made some good decisions for yourself. I would rather work tax season than summer too. Miss your posts and comments.

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Hi, I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Drake Tax Software

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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