Wedding Song - God Knew That I Needed You

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

TODAYS DREAMS~TOMORROW'S REALITY

Holland had a dental appointment yesterday afternoon (we are trying to get all the dental & medical stuff done before we hit the road) … but before we left to cross the River from WA to OR, I culled more clothes out of my side of the closet: it was necessary, and I was brutal.

Another bag of clothes for the Goodwill … all mine; I never knew I was such a clothes horse! This make 4 overfilled bags, total count.
This is how much I've culled, trying to downsize to fit an RV 'wardrobe'.
These 'hanging clothes'  is what is left; + 2 of Holland's coats.
Text; leaving the driveway for Holland's dental appointment in Rainier-OR.

I'll go through Holland's clothes Wednesday morning: packing up {keepers} and ditching the rest - he trusts me to do this ;-)

Anyway; the stuff I am sorting through, and culling, will be dropped off at a Goodwill location along the route we take to shop for a truck and a trailer. We know what we want in both, but we also know we want to stick to our agreed Budget line. Plus, we do not have money in hand yet, so we are taking the time between now and then to budget shop.

Holland's appointment completed and back in WA, we decided on a leap of faith, to jet across town - cross the Cowlitz - and eat at Soltero's :-)

We hadn't heard back from Shay … but we enjoyed a celebratory meal, anyway ;-)

I knew the property appraisal would pass with no snafu's. The house buyers are getting a sweet deal - I've kept the house and lot maintained (with records attesting to that fact), even though I didn't really start living in it full-time until last year. Following Bob's physical death, I couldn't stand to be in the house more than waking up and falling into bed at night: I was gone all the daylight hours from 9 AM to 9 PM (and sometimes much later depending on how far I drove all day long). There hasn't been much wear-&-tear on the house or lot since 2018 after my life was seriously altered.

And even though I have Holland in my life now, and we have been living in this house full time - Holland always knew I wanted to sell and start fresh in new digs with new hopes and dreams. Thankfully, he is on board with that :-)

We have a Clatskanie-OR address we have paid rent on, and plan to update our driver's license a.g.a.i.n. (third time since December 2022 for me - twice for Holland), so we don't have to pay the hefty WA sales tax we'll be hit with when we buy a new vehicle and new home from OR lot dealers. We've visited several WA truck and trailer lots and haven't seen anything at all that piques our interest.

We have seen trucks that will fit our new lifestyle, in Oregon; so we'll buy in OR.

We've seen trailers in Idaho, Iowa, and Texas, that are what we want in a new home - and will travel those distances to purchase one if need be … but Holland is trying to keep the buying field in Oregon, to get both licensed there, where the taxes on both won't suck our bank balance dry ;-)

So, we celebrated - in trust mode that we'd be out of the house and looking forward to seriously trolling truck and trailer lots by the end of this month.

Location …
'No Name' lunch dish. DELISH! And I didn't have any food allergy complication :-)
Tom Petty - 'Refuge' song:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kkpDpL84-8 & Tom Petty - 'Breakdown' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsKsFU766Io)

By bedtime, we still hadn't heard from Shay, but I wasn't concerned: she's a busy gal with work, and her kids.

I know Elohim is "on the job"; He already has what we need ready for us … we just have to do the footwork and find it :-)


***************

This morning, I had an early morning appointment downtown to apply for a gun permit, so I jumped out of bed and got ready to get it done.

My new husband doesn't know anything about me, except what he knows from our time spent at Oak Point: he basically thinks I'm a piece of nice fluff with a cushy house, and real nice car - he doesn't know that I was raised dirt poor and know how to survive (he says he was raised poor too, but our views of 'poor' are very different: he comes from a monied family with a recognizable Name: I do not); he does not know that I drove several pickups, and a van, before I drove my smaller cars; he doesn't know that I was a crack shot when I was married to Bob; he doesn't know that I have lived on the road (before and during my marriage to Bob). I have told him all this, but he didn't know me before last year … and all he knows of me is that I was widowed - I dress nice - I own a house & a car, outright - & Bob left me a comfortable income (not rich, but not struggling, either) ;-)

He is in for a surprise.

I will rise to every occasion he is worried I may not be able to handle.

Holland is going to be surprised at how proficient I can be; and he'll be bragging on me when we come back up this way in September ;-)

Sparkly 'Charcoal Smokes' eye color with glittery 'Lionheart' inner eye accent; 'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Burgundy' Mascara; & 'Neutre Enflamme' Cream Blush; 'Primrose' Lipstick & 'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss.
Tom Petty - 'Running Down A Dream' song:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzE1UGwIWt0)

The Permit process (fingerprints & FBI questionnaire) went smoothly, and the lady entered my hair color in, as 'Graying' because this year's recent Driver's license (my new married Name) picture shows me with red hair; it's a mystery to me, too, but the hair color showing is definitely Auburn - even though I am 66 years old and don't dye my hair; and am showing a considerable amount of {graying}.

So, I asked Holland what he thinks. He said, "Your hair isn't gray-gray, but it's 'threaded' with gray". We both agree that it is no longer red - of any shade ;-)

Does my hair look red? NO. It's crazy - but Auburn is the color showing on my Driver's License Pic.

Anyway.

The process is done, and I should have my carry-permit in a few weeks.

And, we did eventually hear from Shay: she said, "Congratulations! The house is sold; and it's the highest selling price in the entire Park."

The property appraisal for the buyers, was approved … and we'll be vacating before property taxes and space rent is due: direct answer to my prayer :-)

Shay will be coming by tomorrow for a final agreement signing.

The house sale is secured: HALLELUJAH!

The agent wants to walk through one more time, Monday or Tuesday (to make sure we don't steal a toilet; can you believe that???) - then, it's d.o.n.e.

Our moving day is April 28th.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSING FLOW :-)

Today's dreams are tomorrow's reality :-)

Sunday, April 16, 2023

FINANCES

Financial security matters no matter where you live - or how you live.

Rich, or poor, a budget is the backbone of financial security.

Holland and I will be living on the road for the next few years … but we are not rich people: we just have a dream, and we understand that we must live within our means.

Holland has  friend that is concerned for our adventurous side. Tim recently said to Holland, "If you insist on doing this (he thinks we are being risky) … just remember that you are part of the working class, not part of the crazy class."

Not to worry Tim: we understand fully that we are of the working class sector of society.

Budgeting our meager income is an absolute must.

As I stated above - we are not rich, but we both do come from poor backgrounds. Our goal is to live within our means and enjoy a reasonable quality of life.

11 Habits Of The Rich vs The Poor (Financial Literacy).(https://www.newtraderu.com/2023/04/15/11-habits-of-the-rich-vs-poor-financial-literacy/)
The Key To Building Wealth Is Investing In Self-Liquidating Debt.(https://www.newtraderu.com/2023/04/13/the-key-to-building-wealth-is-investing-in-self-liquidating-debt/#:~:text=Self%2Dliquidating%20debt%20refers%20to,the%20underlying%20asset%20produces%20income.)

PERSONAL WELL-BEING

Though I personally do not agree with psychology as a whole, sometimes there are diamonds in the rough to be gleaned ;-)

Relationships can always use introspective activity.

I'm comfortable with my age; everyone does not get to live 66 years - I am blessed, and I live gratefully. I wear what I feel comfortable wearing … and what my husband likes to see me wearing; but keeping up on fashion do's & don'ts as we age is kinda-sorta important; only a fool enjoys being a fool. I am not a fool.

And lastly, I support the right to bear - and use - firearms when it comes to personal safety. NO POLITICIAN SURROUNDING THEMSELVES WITH ARMED BODYGUARDS will ever disarm me; by {law} or otherwise. Our American Constitution makes that abundantly clear. End of story.

24 Dimensions of Compatibility in Long-Term Couples.(https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/202304/24-dimensions-of-compatibility-in-long-term-couples)
The Joy Formula: 10 Daily Rituals of Exceptionally Content Individuals.(https://hackspirit.com/the-joy-formula/)
10 Characteristics Of Emotionally Intelligent People In Relationships.(https://hackspirit.com/emotionally-intelligent-people-in-relationships/)
The Deeper Meaning of Awareness.(https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-meaningful-life/202304/the-deeper-meaning-of-awareness)
4 Ways To Embrace Your Age With Style & Grace.(https://sixtyandme.com/embrace-age/)
Fashions That Age You. These Simple Mistakes Make You Look Older.(https://www.thefunpost.com/en/older-fashion-making-look?ly=native_one & https://www.itsrosy.com/Fashion+Mistakes+That+Make+You+Look+Older)
WA dems Proposed Assault Ban Will Do Nothing To Address Root Cause Of Violence.(https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article274220345.html)

Interesting Info; Life On The Road.

This is not an actual Blog Post - it's more of stored RVing info for me, personally; but if someone else gleans a little info, too, that's a good thing ;-)

In a few weeks, Holland & I will be setting out to explore America: Holland has lived in and worked in nearly every State on the mainland, so he is more familiar with the freeways and state cultures than I am - most of what we will be experiencing on the road will be new experiences for me.

I am excited. I want to be as prepared as possible for anything and everything along our route. I also want to maintain body toning exercises, and healthy food menus ;-)

How Long Does It Take To Drive Route 50?(https://lazytrips.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-drive-route-50 &  https://www.wideopenroads.com/route-50-road-trip/)
Santa Clarita; City to Change Up Rules Regarding Overnight Parking, RVs.(https://signalscv.com/2023/04/city-to-change-up-rules-regarding-overnight-parking-rvs/)
Disingenuous Department of The Interior Public Lands Rule Will Jeopardize Access To BLM's Public Land.(https://www.rvtravel.com/department-interior-lands-rule-erode-public-access-1100b/)
National Parks Beloved by Hikers, Now 'Ticket Only'.(https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/national-parks-beloved-by-us-hikers-now-ticket-only-fsp37kt09 & https://www.afar.com/magazine/these-national-parks-require-reservations-for-summer-2021)
Popular Wal*Mart Shutters, Can You Still Park There For Free?(https://drivinvibin.com/2023/04/15/walmart-closing/)
How My Husband & I Learned To Live & Travel Together Despite Our Very Different Styles.(https://www.travelawaits.com/2876297/how-i-learned-to-travel-with-husband-despite-differences/)
Amazon Cuts Ties With Campers.
(https://drivinvibin.com/2023/04/16/amazon-campers/)
When Is The Best Time to Exercise, We Asked Experts.(https://www.realsimple.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-exercise-7479948#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20he%20says%20that,morning%20workouts%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20adds.)
12 Best Fruits & Vegetables For Gut Health, According to RDs.(https://www.realsimple.com/best-fruits-and-vegetables-for-gut-health-7378020)
10 Foods & Joint Pain. Stop The Inflammation & Pain. Eating these 10 Foods, Helps.(https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2021/04/top-10-foods-that-fight-inflammation.html)
How Magnesium Affects Your Sleep & Anxiety.(https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2023/04/how-magnesium-affects-your-sleep-and-anxiety#:~:text=What%20about%20better%20sleep%3F,help%20with%20insomnia%20more%20broadly.)
Why Your Phone Charging Cable Needs An USB Condom.(https://www.howtogeek.com/885947/why-your-phone-charging-cable-needs-a-usb-condom/#:~:text=USB%20condoms%20ensure%20you%20have,without%20any%20malware%20or%20problems.)
Finally, New Hose Quick Connectors Stopped All Leaks.(https://www.rvtravel.com/shownew-quick-connectors-stop-leaks-1100/)
The Environmental Protection Agency Is Pushing For A Controversial New Rule.(https://www.thestreet.com/automotive/the-environmental-protection-agency-is-pushing-for-a-new-rule-you-wont-like#:~:text=This%20week%20the%20Environmental%20Protection,street%20off%20of%20American%20roads.&text=The%20EPA's%20new%2C%20stricter%20emissions,be%20electric%20vehicles%20by%202032.)
Discover the 9 Most Snake-Infested Rivers In The United States.(https://a-z-animals.com/blog/discover-the-most-snake-infested-rivers-in-the-united-states/)
Two Snakes To Know On Your Walks, Jogs, & Hikes Around Maryland.(https://patch.com/maryland/across-md/2-snakes-know-your-walks-jogs-hikes-around-md)
Hikers Warned to Beware Cold, Stressed-out Moose After Woman Attacked; Idaho.(https://www.advnture.com/news/experts-warn-hikers-to-beware-cold-stressed-out-moose-after-attack)
Video Shows Colorado Tourist Learns A Painful Lesson Trying To Pet A Moose.(https://www.advnture.com/news/video-shows-colorado-tourist-learn-a-painful-lesson-trying-to-pet-moose)
Yellowstone Bison Tears Into Tourists' Car Like A Can Opener.(https://www.advnture.com/news/yellowstone-bison-can-opener)
Watch Careless Photographer Get On The Wrong Side of Angry Bison In South Dakota.(https://www.advnture.com/news/watch-careless-photographer-get-on-the-wrong-side-of-angry-bison-in-south-dakota)
Texas Hiker Shares Video Of Sudden Bison Attack As Warning To Others.(https://www.yahoo.com/video/texas-hiker-shares-video-sudden-132452061.html)
Cow Elk Violently Rejects Yellowstone Tourists' Mating Dance.(https://www.advnture.com/news/cow-elk-violently-rejects-yellowstone-tourists-mating-dance)
Yellowstone Guide Captures Moment Tiny Bear Emerges From Den.(https://www.advnture.com/news/yellowstone-cub-den-video)