So I just realized I haven't posted for a week. Bad me. Not much has been happening lately. We both suffered really bad sinus headaches for two days so we just laid around and ached. Not much got done around here. Allergies can be really bad in the desert.
We did a bit more cleaning out of the closet and filled up another trash bag of useless junk. The hardest part is going through all the paperwork and determining what we really need. I can't believe how much paperwork we have. I decided we only keep tax stuff, manuals to current electronics we will sell later or don't know how to use properly and anything pertinent to now. This last category is kind of tricky because it is kind of the misc. file. I got rid of lots of old work related stuff. Why oh why did I keep all that!?!? Knowing that this is the first of many purges, we are probably keeping more than we should. But, anything that we get rid of now is less we have to get rid of later. The more I purge the easier it gets......
We are planning a big trip in July. We will be heading to Spokane for my cousin's wedding. We are taking two weeks and are driving. We plan on lots of sightseeing during this trip. Although it won't be a camping trip, we are going to throw the tent in the car just in case. We do have reservations for one night in Montana to stay in a cabin at a campground and we thought we might try to camp a few more nights on the road. There is so much to see between here and there. It has been hard to decided what we should see and what can wait. One of the things I am looking forward to with full time RVing is being able to take our time and see more. We will be able to take our time and go where and when we feel like it.
Enough procrastinating....back to work.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Taking Baby Steps
So we finally got motivated and started going through some boxes we had stuffed in a closet. Unfortunately, we kept getting interrupted by phone calls. When you live far away from your kids, you gotta take the phone calls when they come. We also had other things going on that kept us from getting through more boxes.So we didn't get as much done as we would have hoped, but at least we got started. We really don't have too much to go through at this time. As we get closer to an actual start date, we can start selling off the big stuff. For now, we just have some boxes and clothes to go through.
Fortunately, we got rid of lots of stuff when we downsized six months ago. We went from a big house to a townhouse. We took that opportunity to scale down quite a bit. At that time, certain people weren't as motivated to get rid of stuff as much as they are now.....(not mentioning any names because I think we both had some attachment issues.) We are both really seeing just how much we accumulate for no good reason. We tend to keep things just because we have always had them. We get attached to silly things that just take up space. I mean, do we really need 7 staplers. I can't even remember when the last time was I used a stapler. And don't get me started on pens, paper and envelopes. Really! What were we thinking!?!
We went and looked at 5th wheel trailers this week at a few dealers. It was nice because the units were open and we were not bothered by sales people. I was relieved because we are just looking and nowhere near ready to buy. Sales people just don't get that. Looking at all of them really got us motivated. I am always looking at Craigslist and other websites dreaming of what we will get. I am so ready to do this.
Here's some background on me:
Eight years ago, I lost almost everything I had when a tornado struck our house. I had to start over from scratch. I learned at that time, possessions aren't as important as we think they are. The important things are the memories we make in life. Those can't be taken away. The best thing to come out of that event is that my whole lifestyle changed. You could say, I had an awakening.
By the time Brenda moved in with me, I had replaced my furniture. I didn't have a whole lot of stuff but we sure filled up the house when she moved in. Before we moved out here to Tucson, we got rid of so much that we were able to rent a 22 foot truck to make the move. That was a major accomplishment. It took several garage sales, giving stuff away to family and many, many trips to Goodwill. However, since moving here, we seemed to have added back so much more stuff.
I really do enjoy living an uncluttered life. I tend to get overwhelmed when I am surrounded by too much. I feel so much better and life is easier when there is less clutter in my life. I am looking forward to getting that feeling back.
The best thing about an uncluttered life? Less to clean. That works for me.
Fortunately, we got rid of lots of stuff when we downsized six months ago. We went from a big house to a townhouse. We took that opportunity to scale down quite a bit. At that time, certain people weren't as motivated to get rid of stuff as much as they are now.....(not mentioning any names because I think we both had some attachment issues.) We are both really seeing just how much we accumulate for no good reason. We tend to keep things just because we have always had them. We get attached to silly things that just take up space. I mean, do we really need 7 staplers. I can't even remember when the last time was I used a stapler. And don't get me started on pens, paper and envelopes. Really! What were we thinking!?!
We went and looked at 5th wheel trailers this week at a few dealers. It was nice because the units were open and we were not bothered by sales people. I was relieved because we are just looking and nowhere near ready to buy. Sales people just don't get that. Looking at all of them really got us motivated. I am always looking at Craigslist and other websites dreaming of what we will get. I am so ready to do this.
Here's some background on me:
Eight years ago, I lost almost everything I had when a tornado struck our house. I had to start over from scratch. I learned at that time, possessions aren't as important as we think they are. The important things are the memories we make in life. Those can't be taken away. The best thing to come out of that event is that my whole lifestyle changed. You could say, I had an awakening.
By the time Brenda moved in with me, I had replaced my furniture. I didn't have a whole lot of stuff but we sure filled up the house when she moved in. Before we moved out here to Tucson, we got rid of so much that we were able to rent a 22 foot truck to make the move. That was a major accomplishment. It took several garage sales, giving stuff away to family and many, many trips to Goodwill. However, since moving here, we seemed to have added back so much more stuff.
I really do enjoy living an uncluttered life. I tend to get overwhelmed when I am surrounded by too much. I feel so much better and life is easier when there is less clutter in my life. I am looking forward to getting that feeling back.
The best thing about an uncluttered life? Less to clean. That works for me.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Just Do It-----NOW
"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful." ~ by Mark Victor Hansen
I found this quote the other day and posted it on my Facebook page. These were words I needed to here. So often, I say, "Oh, let's do that someday." Of course, someday never comes. There always seems to be a reason why we can't do something right now. So often, we end up not doing something because we let other things get in the way.
We decided about 6 months ago that we want to do more traveling and become full-time RVers. We have friends and family all over the country and we want to see them more. There is really nothing to keep us here in Tucson. We love it and will probably spend lots of time here once we start travelling. However, we love travel and adventure and this will allow us to see and do more with all these friends and family. The problem with all this talk is we keep saying someday. We put barriers in front of us saying we can't do it until this or that happens first. After reading this, I decided enough is enough. We have to put the plan in action.
Obviously, there are a few things that have to happen before we can go. I decided to make a list of the things that HAVE to be done before we can leave. First, we need some type of living quarters. I don't mind roughing it, but a tent and small vehicle won't quite cut it. To be able to get something more, we have to get some money together.
We also need to get rid of lots of junk. This will be a good way to make some money. We can start selling stuff and putting the money toward the mobile living quarters. There really is no good excuse to put this off-we just need to do it.
The only other issue we face is our aging dogs. Neither are good travelers and I don't know that they would adapt to this lifestyle. We took them camping once and it was a nightmare. Our dogs are definitely not willing to give up their pampered lives. The cats, I am sure, will adapt quite well. I am open to options of what to do with the dogs.
Just having a plan of attack has helped us set a realistic timeline. I want to be on the road no later than December 2012. I would like to get going sooner, but I figured by having a time frame in mind, it will get us moving in the right direction. I also know that by putting specific desires out into the universe, we will have more success getting what we want. Having a set date also changes the idea from a dream to a reality.
I found this quote the other day and posted it on my Facebook page. These were words I needed to here. So often, I say, "Oh, let's do that someday." Of course, someday never comes. There always seems to be a reason why we can't do something right now. So often, we end up not doing something because we let other things get in the way.
We decided about 6 months ago that we want to do more traveling and become full-time RVers. We have friends and family all over the country and we want to see them more. There is really nothing to keep us here in Tucson. We love it and will probably spend lots of time here once we start travelling. However, we love travel and adventure and this will allow us to see and do more with all these friends and family. The problem with all this talk is we keep saying someday. We put barriers in front of us saying we can't do it until this or that happens first. After reading this, I decided enough is enough. We have to put the plan in action.
Obviously, there are a few things that have to happen before we can go. I decided to make a list of the things that HAVE to be done before we can leave. First, we need some type of living quarters. I don't mind roughing it, but a tent and small vehicle won't quite cut it. To be able to get something more, we have to get some money together.
We also need to get rid of lots of junk. This will be a good way to make some money. We can start selling stuff and putting the money toward the mobile living quarters. There really is no good excuse to put this off-we just need to do it.
The only other issue we face is our aging dogs. Neither are good travelers and I don't know that they would adapt to this lifestyle. We took them camping once and it was a nightmare. Our dogs are definitely not willing to give up their pampered lives. The cats, I am sure, will adapt quite well. I am open to options of what to do with the dogs.
Just having a plan of attack has helped us set a realistic timeline. I want to be on the road no later than December 2012. I would like to get going sooner, but I figured by having a time frame in mind, it will get us moving in the right direction. I also know that by putting specific desires out into the universe, we will have more success getting what we want. Having a set date also changes the idea from a dream to a reality.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Be Gentle, I Have Never Done This Kind of Thing Before.....
So I have decided to delve into the world of blogging. I have been contemplating it for a while now and decided I should stop procrastinating and JUST DO IT! I have been reading several blogs recently and figured I could do it too.
I have decided to do this now for two reasons. First, I am in the process of starting a life coaching business and want to have a place for people to come get information, inspiration and motivation. Using a blog will help me network and get clients.
The second reason for doing this is to document my constantly changing life. In the next 16 months, we are planning on sell all our excess stuff and start living full time in an RV. We love to travel and explore.
We also decided the American Dream of owning a house and all the junk that comes with it is rubbish. All that does it cause headache and heartache. You get blinded by all the material stuff in your life you can't see anything. Having material possessions in your life doesn't make you rich....just deep in debt. I am sure some evil banker came up with this idea so that he could keep getting money from the borrowers.
So stayed tuned for the Adventures of Karin and Brenda..........
I have decided to do this now for two reasons. First, I am in the process of starting a life coaching business and want to have a place for people to come get information, inspiration and motivation. Using a blog will help me network and get clients.
The second reason for doing this is to document my constantly changing life. In the next 16 months, we are planning on sell all our excess stuff and start living full time in an RV. We love to travel and explore.
We also decided the American Dream of owning a house and all the junk that comes with it is rubbish. All that does it cause headache and heartache. You get blinded by all the material stuff in your life you can't see anything. Having material possessions in your life doesn't make you rich....just deep in debt. I am sure some evil banker came up with this idea so that he could keep getting money from the borrowers.
So stayed tuned for the Adventures of Karin and Brenda..........
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