THE END STRETCH

 Hallelujah!

Tomorrow afternoon will be our Official 'On The Road' Day.

Last Friday's buyer nonsense set us back: we expected a check … and got another disappointment instead. We had to reschedule buying the pretty red 4x; and lost out on a 5th Wheel buy in Creswell-OR, as well - so, I did an internet search for a new 5th Wheel, and chased a smokin' deal all the way to Indiana, where the price for the 5th Wheel we were now focused on, was considerably cheaper. I asked Holland if he'd consider driving there to nail the deal down, and he said "Yes! If we can save that much money, you bet I'd do it."

So, that's what we're going to be doing very shortly :-)

Holland has been wanting another dog (he had to put his down, in December 2022); but all the dogs he wanted {"to keep you safe"} were killer dogs, and I nixed every one of them. I do not like german shepherds, rotts, or pits: these are the breeds he wants, for the very reasons I do not want them. Plus, those breeds stink. He was getting frustrated with every nix. I agreed to a Husky because the pups are adorable, and the dogs are kinda gentle, and pretty much stink-less: but the price for one was crazy steep; and Holland nixed that. He suggested a pound dog, and I nixed that, "No. 98% of those dogs have been abused and will come with baggage that may never get sorted out. If we do get a dog, we should get a puppy; and that way it's not going to be mentally twisted and mean. We can train it, and steer it's behavior in ways that suit us and our lifestyle." He said, "Okay we want a dog, and you want it to be a puppy that is hypoallergenic - let's see what I can find on Craig's List."

That is how we came to have our little furry traveling companion, Bleu :-)

MONDAY: The check arrived for deposit: I am a 'tenant' now, for the next 3 days; the bulk of this will go towards a new truck & a new 5th Wheel trailer.

Holland said he'd drive to Indiana to save thousands of $$$$ ... so, that's what we're doing.

The Floorplan is what works for our new life journey. We both like the farmhouse theme.

This is the Plan to go get our new 5th Wheel.

We also saw this cute little puppy on Craig's List and knew he was 'the one' for us ;-) 7 weeks old and the price was right. His little face was begging us to come and fetch him.

This is what Bleu will look like (sans tail) when he reaches maturity.

Yesterday was a Banner Day - everything happened a day later than anticipated because the Buyer's Loan Agent was an ass … but, we finally got the ball rolling today.

1) We got the 4x we wanted: bright red and a BEAST 😁

TUESDAY: Interesting things, somewhere near Sandy-OR.; headed towards Gresham Ford.

The truck we bought to haul our heavy home behind us, like turtles. We both like the color, red ;-)

Selling the Highlander, next.

I was glad my big man was behind me the entire way to Vancouver-WA from Gresham-OR.; with walkie-talkie contact, safer and more reliable than cell phones. I hate city driving - having my husband so close behind me was very comforting.

2) We sold the Highlander to Car Max, in Vancouver-WA, for a very good price; it was worth it - and then some. The Highlander was the last remaining thing in my life, from my life with Bob. We could not tow it without damaging it's mechanisms; plus, now Holland and I can start our new life together 100% New 😉 Holland has also sacrificed things that meant a lot to him. We are both learning to bend so that our marriage can be strengthened - thereby enriched 😘

Our first major purchase together - an F-350 Power Stroke Diesel, to haul the 5th Wheel we will be purchasing to travel the USA, in.

The new 4x is a BEAST - I'm 5'2" … but I'm going to tame it. LOL

At CarMax in Vancouver-WA, to sell the Highlander.

Sold the Highlander at CarMax in Vancouver-WA, for a very good estimate appraisal … and it wasn't even 'show ready'.

This is the girl at CarMax that sealed the Deal.

I did manage to get into Betsy without any additional help.

3) Late last evening, we drove the Beast to Olympia to collect our 7 week old furry {son}, who we had intended to name "Kid" after sharp-shooter, Billy the Kid; but when we saw him (a blue heeler) Holland said, "He certainly is blue." And that's how our fur-baby got his Name: "Bleu" (yes, I did spell that correctly; it is French for blue).

He is a lovable character, and will be spoiled rotten 🥰

Hoping to get the puppy before the weekend.

Europe - 'The Final Countdown' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hj8M8XZpis)

MAP Lacy from Longview; 1 hr. 6 mins via the I-5 N

We finally got Bleu; and he seems happy with us; Bleu's tail has been bobbed already.

Bleu is such a handsome boy … and he's already won our affections.

Today … Holland is installing a fancy stereo-GPS system in the 4x; and putting a 5th wheel hitch, and brake control thingee in the 4x, with the help of his best buddy, Tim: they are going to miss each other a lot - but we will be back here every September & March: it's not like we will be dropping off the face of the Earth. Finding a way to see my friends when we jog back up this way, will be trickier now that we have the Beast: Ramona's driveway is tight, and the Beast is long and huge.

Shay stopped in to collect her Realtor's Lock Box, and left a gift for us - she's so special to me. I am glad we are friends.

#Aa - Shay's gift to us for a new life journey.

She knows I record e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. LOL

If everything continues to go smoothly, we should be heading to Indiana to collect our 5th Wheel, tomorrow morning 🙏 - we can get one, now that we have the Beast. We are driving to Indiana, rather than buy a 5th Wheel locally, because there's a $17,000 difference to buy one in WA, or OR. I'm always up for a looong drive, and Holland is always on the lookout for ways to save $$$$. It's a win-win situation ;-)

In the meantime, I'm doing laundry, finishing up last minute packing … and enjoying "the baby" :-)

The baby is napping while Holland and I do our 'final count down' stuff.

NO HITCH - another freaking snafu we don't need! The sales guy ordered the wrong one; hopefully we can get one when we get to Indiana.

HUH?

 

So, we woke up this morning expecting to collect on our house sale monies - and then go fetch our 4x Ford, sell the Highlander, and head south in Oregon, to purchase a 5th Wheel.

Holland had an appointment in Castle Rock around 9 AM; so he left early with the promise to be back home by noon to go to the Bank and set things up there for our gypsy life on the road.

The weather was on the warming side, so I delightfully dressed light.

I was in a good mood. 

Some people think I dress too young for my age … but, I dress for me: it doesn't matter what {age} I am . I wear whatever (clothes, makeup, or jewelry) appeal to me.

I am in the end game of my life: I will wear what I want to wear … and how I want to wear it. Holland doesn't have a problem with what I wear - or how I wear it - and his opinion is really the only one that matters to me ;-)

I'm going for vey colorful eyes, to match my blouse colors, today ;-)

Sparkly 'Pearl' eyebrow; 'Mauve' eyelid color; glittery 'Lionheart' inner eye accent; 'Fuchsia' outer eye accent; glittery 'Tango' center eye accent; 'Navy Blue' upper eyeliner; 'Forest Green' lower eyeliner; 'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Millennial Pink' Eyelash Builder; 'Burgundy' Mascara; 'Neutral Enflamme' Cream Blush, & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

NONE OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO, HAPPENED :-(

The morning hours fell away; and so did the plans we made in good faith with these house buyers.

As morning edged into afternoon, and Holland was backing into the carport (still no word from the Title Company to call to come collect the money); so, I called Shay and asked if she knew what the holdup, today, was.

Not the News we were expecting this morning.

We were concerned - yesterday, we had put $$$ down on the red 4x (Yesterday's Blog Post) with the understanding we'd be picking it up this afternoon … and today, the buyer's Lender is sitting in his thumbs, instead of cutting the check; the papers have been processed and signed off on: it's noon already; let's get this thing rolling!

HUH? Reason given for the moolah screech halt.

Needless to say - we were not happy. We are not rich people, and we did not want to lose that $$$ we had ponied up yesterday to secure that red 4x. We immediately called the Ford dealer to see if they would grant a grace period over the weekend.

Meanwhile, we had been intercepting various phone calls being jockeyed around all morning long (trying to secure the truck, and trying to pin down the 5th Wheel we had our eyes/hopes on) - it got pretty frantic trying to keep up with the incoming query calls; Holland at one point said, "Baby, let's make a deal that no matter how frantic it gets - we don't get angry at each other." DEAL!

Three things happened this morning: (1) the truck dealer was understanding, and will hold the truck until Monday afternoon. Hopefully, by then, we can close the deal :-) (2) Shay investigated … and the hang-up is with Fed Ex getting the House Title from A to B: it's a 3-hr. diff between coastal times, so there will not be any money coming our way, today. GRRR! But I made it c.l.e.a.r. that Monday is the deadline with these bozos - If I don't have the money Monday, I'm not accepting any more excuses from them. These people have been a major pain in the ass since the get-go; every day it's a new snafu with these people that has me shaking my head, and asking, "HUH?"  (3) we got tired of the shifty run-around with the Creswell-OR 5th Wheel dealer … and just decided to move on. There were too many "HUH?" moments throughout the convo, that didn't make sense.

Our brains ached trying to understand all the crap we were dealing with.

We decided to give things a rest for the next 24 hours.

We drove to the River to unwind, and reset our balance.

On our way to the River, {Domains} were being established - out of Holland's mouth ;-)

A bullshitter doesn't get very far with me.

And the day's bullshit continues …

I called him on his bullshit spiel & stopped the nonsense pronto.

The 4x is STILL OURS. Christine is working hard for us, and gets the moola when the deal is sealed, Monday.

After relaxing for about an hour, we came home and started researching more RV's that would suit the new life we plan to build, on the road.

Holland found one, and asked me to check it out, saying, "I think it would be perfect for you, Baby. As soon as I saw the name, I said to myself, This is the one she'll love: she had a wolf, and the color of this wolf logo is just about the same bluish-silver color her wolf was'. So, what do you think?"

Ditched the Creswell-OR dealer - and switched our attention to Ellensburg-WA …

I looked at it, and said, "Let's look at the floor plan; it looks like it will suit both of us - and has everything we need, and have asked Elohim for."

He said, "This will really be your decision, Baby. The house is your domain - a happy wife makes for a happy life." And we laughed because it is true ;-)

Then I said, "I like what I see - you did good, hun; let me see if I can find a walk-thru video that will show us more."

Floorplan; it has everything we both want - and need, individually; and it looks waaaay better than the other one we passed on.

Cherokee Artic Wolf 3910SUITE:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVHosfrQZ0o)

Elohim never closes a door unless He opens another one.

We are trusting in His Plan for our life.

We know He is never caught by surprises; and He always prepares the way before we set our feet in motion :-)

We liked what we saw. So, as soon as we get the 4x - and fit it with a hitch, we'll be off to Ellensburg to see if we can collect on the Artic Wolf.

In the meantime - between now, and then, Holland put our new camera together. Then promptly fell asleep.

Holland put the camera together that we plan to record  our gypsy life, with.

My poor husband is so tired. He's been researching non-stop for things to make our on-the-road-life a good and satisfying experience: he loves me.

Watching him relaxing after this stress-filled week, I think to myself how lucky I am to have this man in my life. Elohim greatly favored me with His love when he put Holland in my life.

While Holland is relaxing by sawing zzz's … I am going to relax by enjoying a new taste ;-)

I'm relaxing in my own way. LOL

FALLING IN PLACE :-)

Things are finally falling in place.

Monday, while surfing the internet, Holland found what we hope and pray will soon become our new home: it has everything we petitioned Elohim for - and it's roomy, too. Things sure have changed since my last 5th Wheel 'full-time wheeling' (1995 to 2001).

RV's are more than campers now … they are like tiny homes, with just about everything one would want in a home.

MONDAY; 5th Wheel: THE WINNER;Layout, with 2 full baths & a full wardrobe - things we couldn't find in other RVs.

2022 Sabre 38DBQ Forestriver Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel @ Couchs RV Nation a RV Wholesaler RV Tour:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdw76-DbDR0)

I'm glad we finally decided on something: I was getting nervous. Monday we have to be out of this house - and I prefer being in a home of my own again, rather than in motels until we find one that fits. Motels are not free room and board - and most now are asking for a month's stay rather than a week, or two: that comes with a $2,000/$3,000 tab. I do not want to want to blow through our principal before we even get to spend it on us!

So, I prayed about the situation ;-)

Tuesday, I sent a query text to Shay.

Tuesday.

Shay contacted me the next morning … and again, later in the day: things were falling into place quickly :-)

This morning, we woke up with an upbeat mood: finalizing this house sale and getting on with what we need to do was uppermost in our thoughts :-)

Full-on color today ;-)

'Pearl' for browline; 'Mauve' for eyelid color; 'Conquest' for inner eyelid accent; 'Purple' for  outer lid accent & upper lid liner; 'Lt . Blue for lower lid liner; 'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Neutre Enflamme' Cream Blush; 'Cobalt Blue' Mascara & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

More paperwork was shuffled back and forth this afternoon; and more demands were made by their lender: but we still didn't get any greenbacks - and those moronic buyers and their agents from hell had the gall to ask for another walk through to make sure everything was still the same as it has been the past walk throughs (just about every other fricking day!): what are they hoping to uncover????

And MPO is that until my palm is actually crossed with some green, this house is still mine, no matter what paperwork was signed.

They are BUYING my house - not renting it. And the note is past due.

But, I refused to let their pettiness ruin my day, and derail my life plans.

We went shopping for a truck, and a 5th Wheel, anyway ;-)

Holland had noted some truck lots to check out, so we headed off to Portland-OR.

St. John's Bridge, from Linnton-OR side.

Crossing the St. John's Bridge; Portland-OR

Our first stop; Ford Lot in Sandy-OR; the advertised truck was pretty spendy for a standard 4x; and the color didn't appeal to either of us.

Gresham Ford Lot. The pickings were slim …

THEN - we SAW {IT}! The color was perfect & the price was right :-) AND it was already prepped for a 5th Wheel Hitch.

The red 4x is the pickup we need to haul the 5th Wheel, when we get that.

Holland was on the phone making a low-end bid on the red truck as we passed this fancy restaurant …

We were hedging our bets by checking out 4x's at Vancouver Ford, while we waited to hear back from Gresham Ford.

$$$$ laid down to  claim the red 4x; we pick it up tomorrow.

The DEAL IS SEALED via the air waves - the red 4x is ours! This was definitely a 'God thing'.

Our package had arrived while we were on the road; now we can set up our YT Channel.

Once we left the Title Company nonsense behind, the day went smoothly and Elohim came through for us :-)

Tomorrow, after we deposit the sale check, we'll go pick up our new truck; then come home and get ready to vacate Monday.

Then, we're thinking we'll go claim our new 5th Wheel over the weekend, and start getting that set up for our new life's undertaking.

We can't wait!