We're finding a very unexpected blessing of not being tied to a house and yard. In mid-Feb. we unexpectedly cut our winter in AZ short by a couple of weeks, cancelled an art show in NM and a chance to explore a bit of southern NM on our way to TX to hurry to Dallas to be with Dale's Mom during her last few days on earth. We were blessed to be there and blessed to be able to support Dale's Dad through the final days of his Mom's life, the funeral and burial. Then we were hit with yet another ice storm to hit Dallas and their coldest night on record for this winter, but we knew we were in the right place for a very specific reason so we threw on a few more covers and got through the storm.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but we've just decided to extend our stay in Texas by another 2 weeks. Never, in our all planning, did we think we'd spend 6 weeks of winter / early spring in Texas ever again in our lives.
However, due to the passing of Dale's Mom, support that is needed for his Dad and our ability to change our schedule, we're finding ourselves rearranging plans based on what we feel is best for his Dad and in the long run, what we feel is best for our peace of mind, we're going to hang out here a bit longer. We did decide to continue with our plans to spend a week in OKC when the grand twins are on spring break and Dale's Dad absolutely did not want us to cancel or change plans for that week.
Feeling so blessed that while we are both still working that we have the ability to change plans, cancel or postpone some of Dale's work (self-employed) and be there when we are really needed by someone in our immediate family. Not having a house / yard to worry about and having the ability to travel (maybe faster than we planned), having the ability to extend our stay at will, etc. is an advantage of this FT RV life we are just starting to really comprehend. We always knew it was possible but are just now experiencing how much easier it is to deal with the big moments in life and death when we have our home on wheels ready to change direction whenever needed.
I just kept thinking today that if we didn't have the RV and still had the house, one of us would be in TX and one in WA, who knows what I could "break" in the house and be on my own to fix while my handyman husband was 2300 miles away. So happy we are in this together and have learned how easy it is to change our plans!! So grateful that we have this flexbility and freedom while we continue to live in our home on wheels.
Lucky Mike said
10:53 PM Mar 5, 2014
I wish We had a like button sometimes.....reading a post like this helps one feel warm knowing life has twists and turns but will always lead to the brighter side!!
NWescapee said
10:57 PM Mar 5, 2014
LOL, Mike, wishing for a "like" button to your response. Knowing all the twists and turns in your life and your absolutely amazing "giving" to this community helps all of us see the brighter side!
Jim and Barb said
11:01 PM Mar 5, 2014
Very cool.... It is nice that that you are able to stay longer. We are looking forward to the days when we will have that flexibility and freedom!
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
07:01 AM Mar 6, 2014
Thankfully you should have some better weather for awhile.
And your absolutely right about not having to worry about whats going on at "home". Home is where you park it...
Technomadia said
09:13 AM Mar 6, 2014
First of all... my deepest condolences on the loss to your family, and sending you both much strength for being present and there to help family navigate through everything.
What you are discovering about this lifestyle if one of the blessings I cherish most. This time last year, I was in the exact same position as we walked with my father through his final days, and stayed around to help my mom out for a couple months afterwards. And we're back here again right now to help her sort through some of the other remaining tasks.
For us, our mobile lifestyle has nothing but enhance and strength our ties with loved ones. And I wouldn't trade the quality time I got with my dad in his final months and years for anything.
Wish you warmth as spring descends upon you,
- Cherie
PIEERE said
09:14 AM Mar 6, 2014
Dale and Ruth; Your post warms my heart and touches my soul!!! Sometimes I get complacent and think I am the only one who experiences life's bumps and bruises. Your post has given me a brighter outlook in trying to look at the flip side of the coin!!!
Dale I bet your Dad is so happy that you both are there!!! My daughter came down in October and stayed a week; it was a very enjoyable time we shared together; dinners out; cooking dinners in..first-time for both of us to visit the Music City.
Wishing you both the best and have a momentus visit with the twins!!! PIEERE
Dog Folks said
12:15 PM Mar 6, 2014
Glad everything is working out for you.
Flexibility is one of a hundred reasons this lifestyle is better.
What other lifestyle allows you to discuss, and then decide where you are going to live next, and how long you want to stay?
cherylbrv said
01:35 PM Mar 6, 2014
As time is starting to get closer, I'm beginning to have 2nd thoughts. Posts like this help me to stay focused and on track and remind me why I so badly want this lifestyle!
jrzygrl64 said
04:07 PM Mar 6, 2014
So sorry for your loss, but also very glad you were able to be there. Being with your family during difficult times is so comforting. In the past when things have happened, there has always been something to rush home for. Counting down the days until that is no longer an issue.
Camper Chronicles said
08:42 PM Mar 6, 2014
I am sorry about your loss as well but inspired by your ability to make lemonade when life gives you lemons. We have been talking about the potential increased flexibility glad to shared your living it.
el Rojo and Pam said
07:28 AM Mar 7, 2014
Hi Dale and Ruth,
It was great getting to meet y'all the other day. I hope everything is going well with Dale's father. We all know it will take time, but with you being able to stay a while should help things should be easier for him. I know you will enjoy the time with the grand twins, try not to spoil them too much....naw, go ahead, spoil away.
Pam and I think of you often during this time of your life.
Can't wait to see you again.
Red
TRAILERKING said
12:02 PM Mar 7, 2014
There's your button you wished for!
JackKim said
03:54 PM Mar 7, 2014
Love this........I too am looking forward to the flexibility that the road will bring. Thanks for the reminder as I am getting anxious to get going.
Our sympathies on your loss.
Kim
MarkS said
06:14 PM Mar 7, 2014
I've said it before and I am unanimous in this... Full timing will let us spend time with the grand kids we would have never had. Other family and friends too. Being career military has it's perks but remaining close with people is always a challenge. Long lost military friends have come out of the woodwork with Facebook. Living in a treller will let us visit them and rekindle friendships that otherwise would go by the wayside. Spend time with family that would otherwise be too far away and generally fill each day with satisfaction that would not be achievable tethered to a house. I can't wait to be free!!!
Bill and Jodee said
06:25 PM Mar 8, 2014
All of you will be forever grateful for the time this lifestyle gave you during this sad, sweet time. Thank you for reminding me it's about more than good weather and beautiful vistas. As Mark said, time with family and friends is the best reward for jumping out there.
Bill and I went to high school in a very small company town where we knew everyone. After graduation there were a lot of years without contact but then reunions became an annual event where we get to see many of our bestest, oldest friends. Still, there are many who cannot make the reunions each year and as time marches forward we know we might never see them again. One of the many reasons we are looking forward to the fulltime life is the ability to go see these great friends where they live. We are so looking forward to that flexibility!
Jodee
WestWardHo said
11:54 AM Mar 9, 2014
Another LIKE button! It's wonderful that you can follow your hearts and spend time with Dale's Dad. We've changed our tentative "Jello" plans quite a few times since we've been on the road and most likely will again. We like not spending our down time doing yard work and cleaning house! We love the increased opportunity to spend time with friends and family.
We're finding a very unexpected blessing of not being tied to a house and yard. In mid-Feb. we unexpectedly cut our winter in AZ short by a couple of weeks, cancelled an art show in NM and a chance to explore a bit of southern NM on our way to TX to hurry to Dallas to be with Dale's Mom during her last few days on earth. We were blessed to be there and blessed to be able to support Dale's Dad through the final days of his Mom's life, the funeral and burial. Then we were hit with yet another ice storm to hit Dallas and their coldest night on record for this winter, but we knew we were in the right place for a very specific reason so we threw on a few more covers and got through the storm.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but we've just decided to extend our stay in Texas by another 2 weeks. Never, in our all planning, did we think we'd spend 6 weeks of winter / early spring in Texas ever again in our lives.
However, due to the passing of Dale's Mom, support that is needed for his Dad and our ability to change our schedule, we're finding ourselves rearranging plans based on what we feel is best for his Dad and in the long run, what we feel is best for our peace of mind, we're going to hang out here a bit longer. We did decide to continue with our plans to spend a week in OKC when the grand twins are on spring break and Dale's Dad absolutely did not want us to cancel or change plans for that week.
Feeling so blessed that while we are both still working that we have the ability to change plans, cancel or postpone some of Dale's work (self-employed) and be there when we are really needed by someone in our immediate family. Not having a house / yard to worry about and having the ability to travel (maybe faster than we planned), having the ability to extend our stay at will, etc. is an advantage of this FT RV life we are just starting to really comprehend. We always knew it was possible but are just now experiencing how much easier it is to deal with the big moments in life and death when we have our home on wheels ready to change direction whenever needed.
I just kept thinking today that if we didn't have the RV and still had the house, one of us would be in TX and one in WA, who knows what I could "break" in the house and be on my own to fix while my handyman husband was 2300 miles away. So happy we are in this together and have learned how easy it is to change our plans!! So grateful that we have this flexbility and freedom while we continue to live in our home on wheels.
And your absolutely right about not having to worry about whats going on at "home". Home is where you park it...
What you are discovering about this lifestyle if one of the blessings I cherish most. This time last year, I was in the exact same position as we walked with my father through his final days, and stayed around to help my mom out for a couple months afterwards. And we're back here again right now to help her sort through some of the other remaining tasks.
For us, our mobile lifestyle has nothing but enhance and strength our ties with loved ones. And I wouldn't trade the quality time I got with my dad in his final months and years for anything.
Wish you warmth as spring descends upon you,
- Cherie
Dale I bet your Dad is so happy that you both are there!!! My daughter came down in October and stayed a week; it was a very enjoyable time we shared together; dinners out; cooking dinners in..first-time for both of us to visit the Music City.
Wishing you both the best and have a momentus visit with the twins!!! PIEERE
Flexibility is one of a hundred reasons this lifestyle is better.
What other lifestyle allows you to discuss, and then decide where you are going to live next, and how long you want to stay?
It was great getting to meet y'all the other day. I hope everything is going well with Dale's father. We all know it will take time, but with you being able to stay a while should help things should be easier for him. I know you will enjoy the time with the grand twins, try not to spoil them too much....naw, go ahead, spoil away.
Pam and I think of you often during this time of your life.
Can't wait to see you again.
Red
Our sympathies on your loss.
Kim
Bill and I went to high school in a very small company town where we knew everyone. After graduation there were a lot of years without contact but then reunions became an annual event where we get to see many of our bestest, oldest friends. Still, there are many who cannot make the reunions each year and as time marches forward we know we might never see them again. One of the many reasons we are looking forward to the fulltime life is the ability to go see these great friends where they live. We are so looking forward to that flexibility!
Jodee
The flexibility is awesome.
Sherry