END STRETCH

We are in the end stretch of new beginnings.

And we've gone through a change of mind concerning our new home: we have ditched the traveling diesel Coach idea … and are settled on a travel trailer.

The coach idea was a good one, but after doing walk-throughs on various RV Lots & intensive research on coach engines we decided against it (1) they cost waaaay too much for so little - they are luxurious rides, but they are also cramped rides; even the ones with slide-outs (2) they are way to heavy - the lovely wood features add bulk and  weight, and the driving pit eats precious living space; we were having a very difficult time trying to balance what we need in livable space in our new home + the TOAD load of a secondary vehicle (we want to visit every one of the lower 48 States; and every state had differing {Laws about weight and length). The sacrifices of necessities pitted against weight & length concern calculations never worked out to our satisfaction (3) Plus, If the Coach breaks down (for any reason - and the main reason is engine work), NO MECHANIC wants to work on them: I remember that my former in-laws had a diesel coach and it was always needing work … and they couldn't get anyone to work on it, forcing them into lengthy motel stays while they waited for their coach to be returned to them in working order. A mechanic will only deem it worth his time if he desperately needs the $$$; that is a huge downside of traveling in a coach motorhome.

We thought about a 5th Wheel trailer, too, but that idea quickly went the way of the Coach idea; for the same reasons … too bulky, too heavy, and too large (in height).

Coaches and 5th Wheel trailers are basically freeway travelers: we plan to do rural scenic routes, and boondocking, 95% of the time. A travel trailer works better for what we envision.

Holland's truck sold earlier this week, and we are buying a newer 4x pickup to haul the travel trailer.

The Plan as it stands today, is to get the sale of this house finalized (please God, let this be completed soon) … buy the new 4x, sell the Highlander the same day (returning back home in 1 vehicle) … and have a new home within a month's time.

Meanwhile, while we wait for all the legal-beagles to get up off their thumbs and get to work, we are scoping out things that we will need for our gypsy life.

A washing machine-dryer combo is a must:

Best Mini Washer For RV Living | Mini Portable Washer Review:

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

Holland found this video online, and it looks doable - even for me; it's not too heavy to lift, and I can easily get it in place for use :-)

And for my part … I've been doing research on best set-up locations throughout the country ;-)

Most of what I've researched is good; practical, and logical.

Some of it is nonsense and that hysterical nonsense will ruin backcountry camping for the foreseeable future as campgrounds were packed with eco-freaks and libtards that carried their political agendas with them from the urban jungles to the scenic backcountry hideaways. But, things are what they are following the government covid nonsense. 

States want to recoup the $$$$$ they lost. Gas prices, National Park entrance fees, and nonsensical road-use-taxes are what state governors are enforcing.

I remember when there was tolling on the I-5 Bridge crossing from WA to OR … as well as the Astoria-Megler Bridge; we always drove to Portland or Astoria from Longview, crossing over the Lewis and Clark Bridge to avoid the fee stations - it was a longer drive, but I never have issue with longer drives ;-)

However, Holland - like Bob, prefers the freeway when push comes to shove in a time crunch situation; so, we may eventually have to pay the fees when we pass this way every six months :-(

The covid nonsense changed a LOT in America - during the covid shutdown era: 

(https://drivinvibin.com/2023/04/07/legal-to-dump-rv-grey-water/)

The Boondocker's Bible 2019 Info: https://www.boondockersbible.com/knowledgebase/can-i-dump-my-gray-water-on-the-ground/

Boondocking: A Comprehensive How-To Guide for A Great Trip: https://www.rvtravel.com/boondocking-how-to-guide-2094/

The Nomadic Life Coming to an End: 

(https://www.rvtravel.com/campground-crowding-1099b/)

Tolling Fees Coming, to cross the Columbia River:

 (https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/apr/06/washington-senate-authorizes-tolling-on-i-5-bridge/)

With all of this being put into effect, Holland & I are still embarking on our dream for freedom and independence.

We are going to enjoy our life, and this great Country, while we have this opportunity of living and breathing.

We worked for it.

We have earned the right.

We are in the end stretch of our goal.

A travel trailer is not as luxurious as a motorhome coach, but a travel trailer is roomier and lighter - weight-wise, and that's important. And a travel trailer today is actually quite nice: the décor has been stepped up, and they are much more functionable than what people imagine them to be ;-)

It is true that they do not increase in value as a stick house does … but stick houses aren't really worth that much either in the long run, truth be told. While I am getting double what Bob and I paid for it in 2017; I am not getting full value based on what we also invested in it as far as upgrades go. And Holland has also put a bulk of his funds into this house since we married 92 days ago: none of that will be recouped.

So, arguments on either end fall short when it comes to the reality of {value}. MPO is that "value" relates to quality of life - the quality of life concerning this house ended 18 months after Bob and I bought it: it was a place to sleep, but the life planned for it ended when Bob's life here on Earth, ended. The only value this house holds now is what I can get out of it money-wise to kickstart my new life with my new husband.

A present - and a future - with Holland is my new "quality of life". We have a dream. We have a goal. We are actively engaged in what needs to be done to progress forward with the goal to obtain our dream :-)

Holland has no children; and my children have cut me loose and sunk the dinghy - I can't even beg a picture from them of my 8-1/2 yo grandson, who I haven't seen in 3 years. There are no familial ties for either of us in WA State: I am spending the inheritance no one wanted (I tried for 4 years to get them up here to claim it; they adamantly refused it) … and Holland and I can live comfortably on our combined income: we can do this because we both were raised poverty level and know how to manage on very slim pickings.

Our commitment is to each other and the life we are building together.

We are behaving responsibly concerning our soon-to-be nomad lifestyle, even if others think we've lost our marbles: we are double-checking our {Preparedness List}, and checking boxes as we move along. I am still chuckling over what one of Holland's friends told him the other day: "Just remember that you are one of the working class … not one of the crazy class." That remark was said with loving concern, and I appreciate this friend's brotherly love towards my husband; that loving concern has endeared this friend (a man I've never yet met) to me, for life.

W.e.a.r.e.d.o.i.n.g.i.t; and governing demigods be damned for their demandable money-grabbing agendas.

IDAHO ON THE RIGHT TRACK!

Idaho Governor Sign's Abortion Trafficking Bill Into Law: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/idaho-governor-signs-ban-on-abortion-trafficking

EMOTIONAL INTELLEGENCE

 

If You Use These 13 Phrases Every Day article: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/01/if-you-use-these-phrases-every-day-you-have-high-emotional-intelligence-say-psychology-experts.html

OLDER IS BOLDER

It's been a very busy past few days: the house sale is in it's final moments, I've been boxing things up … and we have both been trashing things that no longer fit our Life as we prepare for the New Life we are building, together.

The Highlander is up for sale - and Holland just sold his 4x pickup.

The Past is giving way to the Present, and making room for the Future.

Tuesday the buyers had a house inspection scheduled, so Holland and I took the Highlander over to Kelso to be serviced … then we went shopping for our new home; and tried a "highly recommended" buffet restaurant in Vancouver: both were failures.

Sparkly 'Pearl' for eyebrow; sparkly 'Charcoal Smokes' for eyelid; Sparkly 'Navy' lid color & liners; Glittery 'Illusion' for lid accent; 'Cobalt Blue' Mascara; 'Auburn' Brow Gel; Neutral Enflamme' Cream Blush; & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

Using the Inspection slot to get the car checked over before leaving town.

Dick Hannah's in Kelso has been totally revamped. WOW.

'House' hunting … 'Chasing A Dream' Blog Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/04/chasing-dream.html)

The Coach had been FLOODED, and was unsalvageable to us.

The Golden Corral Buffet in Vancouver was AWFUL.

NONE of the food was hot - 95% was cold; I left most of it.

Wednesday, I got a morning text from Shay about the Inspection … and since I knew there would not be anything the buyers could seriously bitch about, I was feeling confident about a quick process; I started unloading cupboards and filling boxes. Holland secured a storage space up the road, and we posted the Highlander For Sale on Craig's List … and got a dozen {hits} practically as soon as Holland's fingers left the keyboard ;-)

Storage Unit secured.

Letting go on both sides … we are embracing {US} with very little of the Past tagged.

There was a dealership interested in buying the Highlander - and no one was even batting an eye at the price we listed it for :-)

But by Supper time, we hadn't yet heard anything one way or the other about how the inspection went. So, we planned to meet with the dealership - and I shot a text off to Shay letting her know we'd not be in town Thursday.

Didn't hear anything back about the house deal … but a car deal was in the works.

We had already loaded the Highlander to the hilt and stacked boxes in the storage unit, and was working on unloading another haul, when Shay shot me a message - and followed that up with a call.

It was windy.

It was chilly.

Our tails were dragging … and I was not in the mood for nitpicking; so, I said, "None of what they are bitching about is concerning - these people are ridiculous; and I don't want their realtor/inspector (totally unethical to be both) in my house again - every time they are, they leave me with cleaning up to do. And there is no logical sense for the messes they leave behind. Tell them I am not putting one more dime into this house; and my asking price is firm; they either want it or they don't. If they decide to walk, someone else will step up, and put up."

If they want a brand new house, they can go shop for a brand new house - this house has been completely updated, and remodeled with fancy wooden and stone flooring throughout the house; Bob and I reroofed the house when we moved in, in June of 2017 … there are several smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide reader (both which we put in, because the previous owner refused to do so); if they insist more detectors be put in, they can buy and put the damned things in wherever they think they need to be. Yes, there is a S.M.A.L.L. (using the inspectors own words) puddle of water under the house. It is there because landscaping plastic and cloth tarp was laid down and covered with river rock surrounding the house (any moron with eyes open and walking round the property could see the cloth tarp poking through the river rock in places); the rainwater has nowhere to drain - and it dries up very quickly because it is SMALL. I have had contractor guys under this house scoping out the {concern}: I have been told that 'it is certainly not a major concern'. We live in Washington State for heaven's sake; it rains all the time, and the ground gets wet most of the time.

These people are being ridiculous thinking they can talk me into lowering my asking price: NO WAY. This house is worth more than I am asking, and if anyone is getting the short end of the stick, it is me because I will never recoup the money (big payouts) I've put into it since 2019.

I was getting irritated by the nitpicking nonsense that is holding this sale up. If they don't want it, let them say so and step aside. But I am not forking out anymore $$$ on this house. If they want it to define {them}, let them buy it and make it their own - like normal house buyers do, for Pete's sake!

Holland and I were both bone tired.

We have our own dreams, and we don't expect anyone else to finance them. We are also looking for a second-hand home to make our own.

And we were trying to get things done before the rain and winds picked up.

Before the call ended, I felt guilty for snapping out my reply. But not enough to cave in to the silly and senseless nonsense the buyers were carping about. Shay said she'd draft a response to them and stop by in the morning for my signature before we left town.

We drove to Lowe's in town to grab more packing boxes (just in case), and a clothes rack to set up in the storage unit to hang clothing items on.

More boxes & a clothes rack that can be used in storage … and the Coach.

Sitting in the Highlander in the parking lot, and talking about things we still need to do, Holland mentioned maybe getting a dually truck - and I said, "NO. Those trucks are ugly and too bulky in the back end." Looking out the windshield at that fat-bottomed truck parked across the way, I started laughing as my words echoed in the space between us, and said, "Trucks or women; you have a thing for big butts, Holland."

And he started laughing and said, "I do. I like big butts and I cannot lie." When he winked at me, we both laughed loud and long as the song ran through our minds; and I didn't care what people thought walking past our vehicle. It had been a stress-filled day and we needed the humor boost ;-)

Sir Mix-a-Lot - 'Baby Got Back' aka 'I Like Big Butts' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X53ZSxkQ3Ho)

This morning, the Gladstone Toyota Dealership fella called early - about 8 A.M. asking for things I was not comfortable giving him; we had been getting calls from other people about the Highlander (offering more $$$), and inquiring about Holland's 4x: and we weren't sure we would be going with the pushy Gladstone guy.

Shay came - I signed the papers that needed signed … and Holland made the decision to skip the Gladstone dealer altogether; I wasn't going to give him what he was wanting - and he wasn't going to come here to complete the deal: we'd been texting back and forth all morning with no give on either end.

Trying to get both deals wrapped up and secured.

Gladstone is hitting us with back-to-back texts … but I am not a fool.

I've already been led down a rocky primrose path; won't happen again.

Gladstone reply: not a good reply … guilting me n.e.v.e.r.w.o.r.k.s. I already told him ANY BUYER would NEED TO COME TO ME with $$$$ in hand.

D.o.n.e. with this clown.

The phone calls came in all day long; some offers were laughable, and most were from car dealerships that wanted us to come to them (the buyouts offered were considerably above our asking price) - and we told them what we told the fella from Gladstone: come to us. We're packing the house up. We're in the final stage of a house closing … we can't afford to lose a whole day burning up the road dickering with dealers who think we're desperate to sell thereby being easy to pick clean: NO. Plus, we now only have one vehicle, which means there would be no way to get back home once the Highlander transaction closed.

Another car dealer said he could come and do the deal in our driveway, digitally; another fella called from Fort Bragg and said he could send a cashier's check and be willing to wait for the check to clear before sending someone for it: we'll see.

Either way, I am not a foolish woman, and I hold the trump card: ownership free and clear ;-)

The Highlander will sell. If not now, then for sure later. We are not desperate; it was paid off in November 2018 - before I became a widow in December 2018, and it's been faithfully maintained and kept in good condition.

I know what I have. If someone wants it bad enough, they will come and get it without pushing a guilt trip to close a deal.

Pushiness, and rude behavior, just raises red flags to me.

Elohim will send the right person, with the right mindset and right attitude :-)

CHASING A DREAM

Once I decide to do something, I'm gung-ho to get it done.

I don't like spinning my wheels.

I'm not good at waiting.

I like to have my bases lined up for that home run hit ;-)

Holland is more low-key; but he is now on board to get things lined up and ready to 'GO'.

The house inspection is scheduled for Tuesday morning - after that the process will speed up, so we went Coach hunting this morning :-)

I was up and out of bed by 8 A.M. … and out of the house by 9 A.M. Holland was amazed I could move that fast. LOL

'Gentle' for browline; 'Urban Jungle Golds' for eyelid color; 'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Neutral Enflamme' Cream Blush & 'Glam Black' Mascara; & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.

It ALL came together in under an hour; ready to hit the road.

We planned on scoping out two Coaches that have snagged our attention for the past two weeks: we drove to Woodburn, Oregon first. It was raining heavily and Portland traffic was hellish (the only thing that could have lured me through Portland was the Coach); when we got to Woodburn, we could not find the sales lot. It wasn't visible. GPS wouldn't allow the full address. We couldn't find the directions on Google Maps. Holland finally called the Craig's List listed contact number, and by sheer luck we finally found the lot - it was a shared lot, that's why nothing was coming up on GPS or Google maps.

And the Coach we had been interested in, was nothing but a sales lure to get people pulled in to the lot. We had been on the road for 2 hours one way; we were understandably peeved.

We shut the salesman down when he tried to direct us to other coaches (and even started a spiel about a Colorado truck!), and got back into the Highlander.

A 2-hr. drive netted us nothing. But we did enjoy the time spent together. Woodburn-OR

We had decided before leaving home that we were not going to get frustrated or snappy with anyone (including ourselves or each other): so, we didn't. We just backtracked to Washington, and headed over to a sales lot there to scope out another Coach.

The sales lot was not open for business, but we were able to walk around the coach checking it out and gathering what limited info about it we could:

This is a nice Coach - but the sales lot was closed. Hazel Dell, Vancouver-WA

If this is still available next week, we'll get it.

We got some of the information we were looking for …

Holland is calling the sales lot tomorrow - and I am placing a fleece on it (as Gideon did when he petitioned Elohim).

If this coach fits Elohim's Plan for our lives, it will still be available when the $$$$ becomes available to us ;-)

We are chasing down a dream; but as always, in all things, we depend on Elohim's lead.

BLESSED SABBATH/COUNTDOWN TIME

This has been a busy weekend.

This has been a blessed weekend.

The house sale cleared Wednesday afternoon, and escrow was in full swing Thursday afternoon.

THURSDAY; escrow process is started.

Friday morning found me loading the back of the Highlander up again, and divvying up some things among my gal pals

Headed to my last Graysriver Sleuth Sisters; with gifts; Flower Pots for Linda; Silk Flowers & twig wreaths for Ramona; Terra Cotta Pots & Craft Ribbons for Becky.

A happy, yet bittersweet 'Goodbye WA!'

New experiences on the horizon.

The South is calling … Texas, in particular.

I intend to go full cowgirl. LOL

I'm already gone.

On my way home from Ramona's, I was excited to be getting back home - I never felt that way before Holland came into my life: since December 14th of 2018, I put off coming home as long in the day as I safely could. Then, I just came home long enough to fall into bed and repeat the process all over again the next morning. But since Holland and I married January 7th of this year, coming home feels good. Knowing there is someone at home that loves me, and looks forward to seeing me; makes my heart happy.

Holland is good for me. We share the same goals. Our mindset is similar - most often in sync. Our purpose parallels. Our life vision lines up.  We like being together. We laugh a lot together.

Holland is good for me.

Holland is my Home.

I can't wait to get home now :-)

Since we got happy news Wednesday, we've ramped up looking for a Coach we can personalize, and make our Home. We kicked around the idea of trading in both our vehicles on a new one … but circled back around to selling the pickup and keeping the Highlander to tow behind the coach; so, our total length will be 60 feet long (with tow vehicle) x 18 feet tall. And I will learn to drive the coach with vehicle in tow.

And we will avoid calimexarabia all together. Holland has pretty strong opinions about the place - and since it has embraced barack hussain obama as god and boasts being a gang and terrorist hangout, I'm in agreement with avoiding it.

I'm also in agreement about Texas ;-)

I've never been there, but I am curious. And I like Governor Abbott.

Holland is excited to be going back to Texas.

Holland making clear that calimexarabia will be avoided at ALL COSTS.

calimexarabia had it's moment in our life - and that blip was IT.

Reno is a repeat.

I'm proud of Holland: he is getting comfortable with the camera trained on him :-)

This afternoon we had an appointment downtown; so while we were out and about, we checked into a few things we are considering for our new lifestyle - it's happening.

Even though we can't do a whole lot until the $$$$ crosses our palms, it's countdown time:

Checked out a mini freezer at Manchester's, downtown.

And an electric bed - we WILL find a way to incorporate this into our motorhome.

Also checking into  flexible solar panels for the motorhome.

We are also researching best internet and cell server for our road gypsy lifestyle; we'll basically be {homeless} with no rooted address. We know living a full-time RV lifestyle can be done (we've both done that throughout the years) … we just have to tap into wise decisions while we set out to enjoy our freewheeling life ;-)