MISSION SUNDAY

Holland has been researching motorhomes and figuring out what would work best for us, since we will be living in it full-time. There are limitations on both length and weight allowances - neither one of us want to try for a CDL: Holland would pass … I'm sure I would not. There are women semi drivers out there, but I give them kudos, but I know me and that isn't something I could pull off.

Outside of a CDL License, the total allowances are: 50 feet & 26,000 pounds T.O.T.A.L. (coach and towed vehicle combo); so we have been working steadily to come up with a workable solution that would allow us elbow room in the coach, and allow us to have a vehicle on hand to drive around when the coach is parked.

We didn't expect that there would be any house showings on Sunday, so we went exploring (1) to investigate vehicles (2) to search for a flat-tow trailer.

I dressed low-key & comfortably.

The art of illusion ;-)

Sparkly 'Cream' for browline; 'Leg Warmers' for eyeshadow; 'Plum' for added color; glittery 'Lionheart' for eye accent; 'Chocolate' for liners.

I was just tired of being stabbed underarm by my bra's underwire; it freaking hurts (I've got a short torso & the underwire jabs me) … I'd be wearing a jacket when out of car ;-)

Ready to roll …

We started in Longview, where we saw a cute bright yellow Rubicon Jeep, but there was not enough head or leg room for Holland; He's 6'4", and husky: there was no leg room at all for a long-legged man (Holland's knees were literally jammed into the dash; the seat barely moved backwards at all) - and we ended up in Centralia, where we checked out flat tow trailers (we'd still rather flat-tow a vehicle that we can back up without a hookup hassle).

On a mission to price a flat-tow vehicle trailer.

Running down a dream, looking towards wide open spaces.

Tom Petty - 'Running Down A Dream' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv4-m-cIZf4)

Dixie Chicks - 'Wide Open Spaces' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qgt2ODdwEU)

Length & weight are huge deciding factors; diesel is the better choice, but finances lead to gas fueled coaches.

It was lunch time when we got to Centralia, so we ate at Country Cousin Restaurant - Holland had never been there, so this is a memory we made together. We each ate a Reuben sandwich (not as good as the ones my granddaughter Alyna, makes - and half the size, too).

I eat there every time I am up that way :-)

Holland enjoyed the atmosphere, and finished his sandwich up while we talked about our new life unfolding.

'Country Cousin' restaurant in Centralia. I did not have to eat under the Pig sign today. LOL

Country barn atmosphere inside. I will miss this place; a 'Holsten cow' painted wooden model bi-plane.

On our way home, through Chehalis, we saw the iconic Yardbird - and decided to nip in for a childhood nostalgic trip down memory lane; we both had visited that store in it's heyday, and we talked about those memories.

And Shay texted me with another house showing notation :-)

We both saw the huge black Yardbird in Chehalis-WA. We both remember spending time in that early years 'shopping mall'; this access now blocked off.

So, 'Holland the Rebel' just drove right through the blockade.

Back end of the huge structure.

I never saw this baby bird before! Holland pointed it out; apparently he has. LOL

Front end.

Steps going n.o.w.h.e.r.e.

The 'Mall' has been empty for a looong time; flea markets and swap meets are held there now.

Another house showing, tomorrow.

We'll be checking out more vehicles tomorrow.

There is something out there for us, we just have to put in the legwork.

We trust Elohim has this whole thing under control - sale of this house, the perfect motorhome for us, and an affordable tow that will flow like a dream ;-)

HOPE & A PRAYER

We were up bright and early this morning - Holland's ex-BIL was coming over to collect the construction stuff Holland was passing over to him; Holland won't be using the things anymore, and Sonny can; so it is all being rehomed.

I had not met Sonny yet, and I wanted to make a good impression … so, I dolled up. Not in an over-blown way, but more than I normally do on Shabbat weekends.

When Shay called to ask if a 1'noon house showing would be okay today, I was glad I decided to doll up :-)

Today's Slay Kit …

Sparkly 'Cream' for browline; 'Lt. Gray' for eyelid; 'Gray' for liner; 'Charcoal' for liner & Glittery 'Illusion' accent. 'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Glam Black' Mascara; & 'Neutre Enflamme' Cream Blush.

'Pink Quartz' Lipgloss … and I'm ready to meet and greet.

It looks like I've gained a pound or two: Holland likes to deep-fry foods - ALL foods; apparently he likes me a little on the {fluffy} side.

I was on my way to the kitchen for another cup of morning joy juice, when I got another text from Shay.

My thoughts were happy ones; and I noticed a white pickup was in the spot Holland's red 4x is usually parked. Sonny and his boys had arrived.

I also noticed that Shay had come by, at some point, while I was dinking around with my makeup, and placed her name and Realtor number on the post set in place last evening:

2nd showing scheduled.

Holland's ex-BIL showed up with sons to collect, with Holland's blessing.

Holland's life driving away … a new life direction is being forged.

Second truck being loaded. Holland's 4x bed box also being packed up and hauled away.

Shay put her Name Sign up.

After the shed was cleared and Sonny and his boys drove away, I swept the floors again before Holland and I vacated the house. We drove over to Kelso to eat lunch at the mexican restaurant Holland enjoys. I tried something new after the main course - Holland suggested deep-fried ice cream. I am going to miss this little cozy nook when the house sells, and we hit the road.

Holland was telling me all about the different places he has lived in the south states, and I mentioned that I like the cowboy life - and he said he had been a cowboy for a while on his uncle's ranch. We talked about rodeo's, cowboy boots (he said he knows 'just the place' where I can have custom boots made to fit 'on the spot'), and old west ghost towns to visit.

This man I married is made to order; in every way, Holland is a perfect fit for me and the life I want to live :-)

Fried Ice Cream - DELISH! Cinnamon crusted before deep-frying.

I'm gonna miss this little restaurant in Kelso; Holland introduced me to it a week or so ago, and I LOVE it. Bob and I never ate here - that's a plus for Holland and I.

After we ate, Holland took me to a riverside county park he likes to visit once in a while. The trees - and river - were full of eagles everywhere you looked!

I have never seen so many eagles congregating in one place.

We watched them for quite a bit, and as we were leaving Shay sent another text :-)

Eagles; Gerhart Gardens Park, Longview-WA

SO Many!

Immature Eagles - no white feathers; & a mature eagle - white head & tail feathers. They were e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

A 5 PM Scheduling. ((((YAY)))), the house is drawing interest.

With time to kill while strangers walked in and out of our home, we decided to drive to Willow Grove, seat dancing to the music on the radio. I like that we pretty much like the same type of music ;-)

We talked about the exciting adventures we plan to enjoy in the near future.

We discussed the new life we are building together.

We watched ships passing, sea lions frolicking in the water, seagulls swooping and diving, and die-hard fishermen setting line and flinging poles.

We hoped and prayed one of the lookyloo's would be a serious buyer.

'Amoy Sunny' Ship, passing by anchored 'Pacific Honor'; Willow Grove Park. 'Amoy Sunny' is a Bulk Carrier built in 2006 (17 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. 'Pacific Honor' is a Bulk Carrier built in 2011 (12 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands.

'Brenton Reef' is a Chemical/Oil Products Tanker built in 1999 (24 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of United States (USA).

Significant waves kicked up - lapped near the 4x's front tires.

Hope & a prayer …

THINGS ARE HAPPENING ~Shabbat Eve

Our morning didn't start off so good; we had a major snafu going on and the problem couldn't be figured out.

It was puzzling.

It was frustrating.

It was eating up precious time we didn't have to spare … Shay would be arriving any time soon - and Holland had to get ready for a dental appointment. This thing needed to be figured out asap.

I finally said, "Let's stop for a moment and ask for Elohim's grace to help us get a  handle on how to handle this situation"; we prayed and asked for Elohim's input, and for wisdom to deal with the situation. We were able to find the origin of the problem, make a phone call, and set Monday aside to take care of the issue. Our thoughts were filled with gratitude :-)

We had both just settled comfortably with cups of morning joy juice, when my phone buzzed with an incoming text:

When I looked up from the phone's message … snowflakes were falling!

This is becoming "a Spring thing" instead of a winter thing, here in WA State. I like snow ((((in December)))), not when daffodils are sprouting and blossoming :-(

A.M. SNOWFLAKES

Fat, fluffy flakes.

My love gift phone, informed me that this unwelcome surprise of white flurries was going to be prolonged:

'Oh goodie' - NOT!

Just the other day we were enjoying a 60-degree day at Willow Grove …

I just want to be in a sunny spot of land, enjoying turquoise waters and  white sand - Holland worked as a contractor, and has worked all over America; he thinks Florida sounds good. I concur ;-)

Shay arrived.

Our day was going much better :-)

We visited for a while; and I gave her the listing papers I had completed last night (buyers info) before she left. I'm glad she and Holland hit it off - Holland is reserved around people, but her sparkle brought him out of his shell ;-)

Holland left for his downtown appointment shortly after Shay. While he was gone, I added a little sparkle to the day, myself {just in case}; with the house officially "on the market", I have to be public ready. I didn't get fancy, but I did get out of my pj's. LOL

Adding a little color to my face … glittery & sparkly 'chocolate' shadows.

Sparkly 'Cream' for browline; 'Mocha' for eyelid; 'Cocoa' for liner; Glittery 'Tango' for inner eyelid accent; 'Soft Brown' Brow Gel; 'Glam Brown' Mascara; & 'Coral Ember' Cream Blush.

Public ready …

ALL of this is being culled from my clothes cache; it's not {working} for me.

Around 4 P.M., the Realtor Sign Post was set in place - and we had looky-loo's right off the bat :-)

The house is officially Listed.

The Info Flyers had barely been placed in the clear envelope when we already had interested drive-by's checking us out.

Please Father!

Let this house sell quickly, and at an agreeable price.

Make a way for us to get a coach we will be comfortable in at a cost we will be comfortable with: Holland is a bear of a man at 6'4"; and I'm no Skinny Minnie, either. Comfort is essential. Cost (all the way around) is also essential.

I really want out of Longview.

I want to enjoy my new life with my new husband in a new location with a new mindset for both of us.

Holland is giving his contractor tools away tomorrow; this is a hard thing for a man like Holland to do. He has worked steady to support himself since he was 14 years old. Retirement is not comfortable for him. But, listening to him talk this evening, I do believe he is gracefully coming around and gratefully getting comfortable with relaxing and enjoying life :-)

We only get one life to live; thankfully Elohim has gifted us with a second chance to enjoy love again - and He has blessed us with a comfortable joint income to satisfy our gypsy souls ;-)

Thank You, Lord.

My heart is filled with gratitude this Shabbat eve for all that You have done for me. For all that You are doing for me. And for all that You will do for me.

I love/bless You & I thank You for loving/blessing me :-)

Thank You for this man you have given me to walk this life with.

Thank You for this Life You will help me live gracefully and gratefully.