Well, it is official for real now - we are full-time RV'ers! We closed on our house this past Friday (Aug 29) and the check is in the bank!
I must say it is an emotional time - a roller coaster ride between the 2 extremes of happy/excited for the future, but the other side being a bit melancholy for the past, this will be the last place I live with my kids and husband as a family. This was our 4th house (3rd with the kids) but where they did most of their "growing up". This, when asked, is where they will say "home" is. This is where they brought their friends to hang out in the basement their father finished for them, where we took prom pics and had Thanksgiving, Christmas mornings, etc. I know - time for new memories in new ways in new places, but I feel I must honor the other side also. I don't want to brush it off and act like it isn't there. The past has taught me that doing that only prolongs the inevitable, that being it will hit at another time. Might as well go through it now, right?
So, we are excited for our future! Bill's last day at work was supposed to be Sept. 4, but he told them he would come back after our week in Pittsburgh (visiting our daughter) and work 2 more weeks. So, his last day is now Sept 26.
We have some time planned for, like Atlanta in Nov. and then to Clearwater, FL area to spend the holidays with my parents. Then, we will splurge and go to the Keys for 2 weeks (Bill says that's b/c he is working those 2 extra weeks!) We are signed up for the boondocking rally and after that - who knows?
Thanks again to everyone for your help and support! It means the world to us!
Bill and Kelly
bjoyce said
11:14 AM Sep 2, 2014
Congratulations!
Callie looks a lot like our Evita.
Terry and Jo said
11:20 AM Sep 2, 2014
Congratulations on your milestone.
You are right in that it is time for new memories. If you were to ask your kids about "home," I'd imagine that they will seldom ever say that they "miss" anything about the house, but that their memories will be more in line with what you, as a family, did.
Shake the stix n brix "dust off your feet" and move on. New experiences await you.
Terry
Lets get moving said
11:35 AM Sep 2, 2014
I agree with Terry on what the kids might say. Much to our surprise upon telling our kids what our plans are their first words and thoughts are along the lines that it's our time for "us" and they want us to follow our dreams. As a matter of fact one of the son in laws then went on to say his bucket list includes campground hosting in an rv in retirement!
So life goes on and your next adventure is beginning! Congratulations!
bigboomer said
11:38 AM Sep 2, 2014
Congrats! Trust us you will not regret one moment....now time to start the next chapter!
Safe travels!
Les and Sue
cherylbrv said
11:55 AM Sep 2, 2014
YAY!!!!!! Hope to see you at the boondocking rally! I can't believe we're all on the road now. I've been rooting for you!
cherylbrv said
11:57 AM Sep 2, 2014
P.S. - if you're members of Passport America, there's another rally a few days after the boondocking rally, in Sarasota, not too far from there. I'm hoping to attend that one too.
JackKim said
12:33 PM Sep 2, 2014
Congratulations! I know what you mean about the looking back and being melancholy about it. I wondered too what I would feel about not having a big home for my family to come to. And there is definately a loss there. But as with all things there the good and the not so good. And I am thankful for both.
I am excited for you and wish you all the best as you begin your journey!
You are not too far from where we are staying in Brookville PA. I actually get to go to Pittsburg for the first time tomorrow. We are going down to the Strip downtown. Then we will hit Costco. I am looking forward to it. My husband (not so much). But thankfully my BIL is driving. I have heard horror stories of driving in Pittsburg, but the way I figure it, you will get somewhere eventually. Lol. Not my husbands favorite atteibute of mine. But bless his heart he still takes me wherever I want to go.
Have fun over the next few months! It is exciting indeed........
NWescapee said
01:24 PM Sep 2, 2014
Congrats!!! Happy Trails down the road!!
WestWardHo said
03:09 PM Sep 2, 2014
Kelly & Bill,
So happy for you. You researched, you planned and you're doing it right. Wishing you many happy & safe miles, states and nights on the road for many years to come. 😄
Sherry
Jo And Craig said
05:07 PM Sep 2, 2014
So, so happy for you both. You will be just fine. Look at it this way... you will get to see us again in a few short weeks! If you were still in your S&B, this wouldn't be happening! Happy smiles along the miles! See you soon!
dianneandsteve said
05:53 PM Sep 2, 2014
Congrats and welcome to the club! It's time to get rid of the alarm clock and enjoy life on your schedule.
Safe travels!
LibertyLinda said
07:55 PM Sep 2, 2014
Yay Bill and Kelly, what a journey so far, right?
Now the 2014's have to send our prayers and mo-jo to Trace & Lee - :)
jrzygrl64 said
08:21 PM Sep 2, 2014
Thanks everyone! And you are right - Tracy and Lee listed next after us - its their turn now!
mylittledogs said
03:00 AM Sep 3, 2014
Congratulations on your sell. I to agree with your post. There is a lot of memories in the house we sold. But we to know it is now time for us.lots of years of hard work went into this dream. Good luck on your new adventure. Hope to see you down the road. We have been fulltiming 28 days now.
Kenny & frances
Diana and Jim said
06:30 AM Sep 3, 2014
Congratulations on selling your house! I'm sure you will enjoy your new freedom.
Diana (& Jim)
TheNewhalls said
09:58 AM Sep 3, 2014
Congratulations Bill and Kelly! Let us know when you get to Florida.
DebbieM said
11:15 AM Sep 3, 2014
Congratulations you two! It's now YOUR time! Enjoy it!! Maybe we'll see you down in Florida?
Fergizmo said
01:42 PM Sep 3, 2014
Happy, happy, happy!
jrzygrl64 said
04:42 PM Sep 3, 2014
We will be in Clearwater FL from Nov 23 thru Jan 1 then Keys from Jan 3 thru Jan 18. We have to find a place from then til the rally Feb 8 - yes we are going!
Thanks again everyone! Bill and I would love to meet up with anyone who's in the same neighborhood!
EBendana said
05:33 PM Sep 6, 2014
Congrats on your new status! We are also registered for the boondocking rally...looking forward to meeting everyone!
Callie looks a lot like our Evita.
Congratulations on your milestone.
You are right in that it is time for new memories. If you were to ask your kids about "home," I'd imagine that they will seldom ever say that they "miss" anything about the house, but that their memories will be more in line with what you, as a family, did.
Shake the stix n brix "dust off your feet" and move on. New experiences await you.
Terry
So life goes on and your next adventure is beginning! Congratulations!
Congrats! Trust us you will not regret one moment....now time to start the next chapter!
Safe travels!
Les and Sue
YAY!!!!!! Hope to see you at the boondocking rally! I can't believe we're all on the road now. I've been rooting for you!
I am excited for you and wish you all the best as you begin your journey!
You are not too far from where we are staying in Brookville PA. I actually get to go to Pittsburg for the first time tomorrow. We are going down to the Strip downtown. Then we will hit Costco. I am looking forward to it. My husband (not so much). But thankfully my BIL is driving. I have heard horror stories of driving in Pittsburg, but the way I figure it, you will get somewhere eventually. Lol. Not my husbands favorite atteibute of mine. But bless his heart he still takes me wherever I want to go.
Have fun over the next few months! It is exciting indeed........
So happy for you. You researched, you planned and you're doing it right. Wishing you many happy & safe miles, states and nights on the road for many years to come. 😄
Sherry
So, so happy for you both. You will be just fine. Look at it this way... you will get to see us again in a few short weeks! If you were still in your S&B, this wouldn't be happening! Happy smiles along the miles! See you soon!
Congrats and welcome to the club! It's time to get rid of the alarm clock and enjoy life on your schedule.
Safe travels!
Now the 2014's have to send our prayers and mo-jo to Trace & Lee - :)
Kenny & frances
Diana (& Jim)
Congratulations Bill and Kelly! Let us know when you get to Florida.
Congratulations you two! It's now YOUR time! Enjoy it!! Maybe we'll see you down in Florida?
Thanks again everyone! Bill and I would love to meet up with anyone who's in the same neighborhood!