So what have I been so busy doing?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

You've all been following along in the story of my life as evidenced by Turn the Page (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&postid=488564#post488564) and Turn Another Page (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=81139&highlight=turn+page), and I've alluded to this in many many posts in the past, so it's finally time to announce - we have sold the house and are going to go full-time in the motorhome!

Yes, closing on the house was on May 25th, so we are completely out of the house and living in an apartment for the time being. The house sold in less than 24 hours, so things all happened way faster than we expected. We sold 99% of our stuff, some over ebay, some on craigslist and some at our big Moving Sale. What didn't sell we either donated or threw away (you wouldn't believe the crap you accumulate over the years!). We did keep our beds, most of Terry's work stuff, my computer desk and Peanut's house and her boxes, oh, and a TV. We are renting furniture so we have something to sit on while we watch TV and eat dinner. ;)

We have both told our bosses and they are taking it as well as can be expected. For me, we have already started getting resumes in (a chef, applying for an office manager/bookkeeper job? :confused: ) and Terry just went last Tuesday to have his "exit interview" with his boss. Turns out his boss really doesn't want him to leave, so they're in negotiations - if the boss can offer certain benefits, Terry will stay until Thanksgiving. I've already told my boss I will be done around the end of August, so we'll see how things go and if I can stay longer (until November like Terry) I will, otherwise I'll leave when I said I would and let Terry support me for a few months while I lolly gag for the first time in who knows how many years. I kind of like that idea. ;)

So anyway, as you can imagine, it's been quite hectic around here trying to sell everything - oh, and we took a week's vacation in there too - and get moved and all. The apartment is nice, I suppose, but it doesn't even come close to comparing to the house, and I miss my nice quiet private back yard! The snots are settling in nicely and neither one really had a problem with the move at all.

I didn't want to say anything earlier because I wanted to make sure both our bosses were fully aware of our plans before I went blabbering them all over the internet, but now that they both know - Whooo Hooooo!!!! Is it November yet? ;) :D :D

Oh, and in case anyone has missed it, here's a pic of us with the motorhome that will be our full-time residence in the near future.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid198/pcd4f2118b529a44b0c3d7b4cce99b7b9/f0b5f13f.jpg

And here's two of Peanut and Cracker Jack enjoying the motorhome's comfy accommodations.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid198/p66fb9deec9be2dffadc96016c05929cc/f0d24dcb.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid198/p2150046ae3fa33bf9115f97fff4018a5/f0d23e43.jpg

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oops, forgot to mention....Terry is retiring, which is the reason for all this, so our tentative plans once we go full-time are to head to Arizona and the nice weather for the winter. Hopefully we'll get some type of job there, just to keep us busy and give us something to do, then when spring comes we'll decide where we want to go next. We want to travel the entire North America Continent. There are so many places we want to see and so many things we want to do and so many people we want to see! So it should be quite the adventure. Terry and Debbie's Big Adventure is what we're calling it. ;) :D

[moosmom]

Hey Deb,

WOW!! You HAVE been busy!! Promise that if you guys happen to get an inkling for coming through New England, will ya let us New Englanders know so we can set up a meeting??? I'd love to see you and Terry again and meet CJ and Peanut.

[caseysmom]

Wow that is awesome. I am a regular viewer at motorhomemagazine.com and there are lots of full timers out there.

Do you follow George aka tiogaRV? His blog fascinates me.

[shais_mom]

I wondered when you would spill the beans! :)
Good luck to you both!

[ramanth]

I'm so envious! :D

So, if you're living out of a motorhome... how do you get mail!?

[Vermontcat]

That is so cool that you are finally doing it! :)

I agree with Moosmom, you will have to plan a trip to New England.
You can visit her, then visit Karen and Paul on your way up to Vermont to visit me and Samantha and you will have to visit Sas at Camp Vermont too!
Unless you really like driving the motorhome in the snow I would recommend that you come visit in the summer or the fall. ;)

We will expect many photos of your travels and you will have to keep connected to Pet Talk whenever possible. :)

[Randi]

So it's finally out. ;) Oh Debbie, what an adventure. :D I'm so glad both your bosses are coping - I know you were a bit worried.

You certainly have a luxurious motorhome, so I'm sure you'll be fine travelling around - and you'll be the one to have met the most PTalkers within a year, I'm sure. :)

I'm SO glad it all worked out! Keep us updated!

((((hugs to you both, and scritchies to Peanut & CJ))))

[slick]

So, when can I expect you?? ;)

[Russian Blue]

....you will have to plan a trip to New England.
You can visit her, then visit Karen and Paul on your way up to Vermont to visit me and Samantha and you will have to visit Sas at Camp Vermont too!



So, when can I expect you??

I think you should swing by New England up through Ontario (visit Nakita and moi) and then head over to Slick, down to California. After that, I'll leave the journey up to you. ;)

You're living my dream! Can I come with you....I can wash dishes, clean windows, groom cats, take their photos..... :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

And so ...

The Adventure Begins! :)

Happy Trails to You! ;)

[jenluckenbach]

WOW! Sounds so exciting. (but scary too) I could never imagine not having a place to call home (you know, the kind who's engine doesn't break down or need $3/galon gasoline ) LOL


PA sure better be on your list of places to visit. No trip around the USA is complete without a layover at the Luckenbach cat house (and Catnapper's castle)

[Karen]

Hee hee - leave it to we Pet Talkers to plan your itinerary for you! You know, of course, that whatever state you visit, you have to let us all know so we can meet up - after all, I, for example, have met you and Terry, but never met Peanut, never mind Cracker Jack!

It's a big step, we're glad to celebrate it with you!

[slick]

I can wash dishes, clean windows, groom cats, take their photos.....
Hee Hee....well I can scoop the litterbox, make dinner, sweep the floor and help Kass wash and put away the dishes. Oh yes, I can also change bed sheets at 2am. Just ask Gini. ;)

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Yes, I certainly know how much stuff you can aquire over the years after moving after 29 years myself. How DID you servive all that??? :eek:

I hope you enjoy your adventures!!! Me, living in tornado alley, would worry about storms, but that's just the way I am. I want four solid walls around me and even that's not safe. I guess you can just drive away from storms, eh?
What about winter? Motor down to Florida or somewhere warm? :)

I'm glad Peanut gets to keep her little house!!!

Don't forget the camera!!! We want pictures. It will be the only traveling I can do from now on!!! :D

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks so much, everyone. I'm really excited and work is even more of a drag now that I know I'm a short-timer. ;) Sorry for all the following quotes, but I wanted to answer as many questions as possible.

Do you follow George aka tiogaRV? His blog fascinates me.No, I hadn't heard of that. Is that through Motorhome Magazine? We're regular subscribers too.
So, if you're living out of a motorhome... how do you get mail!?There are services available. We'll basically a PO box somewhere and when we know where we're going to be, we tell them to forward all our mail. If we're parked for a few months, we just have the post office forward the mail temporarily.
you will have to keep connected to Pet Talk whenever possibleNot to worry. Since we've done some pretty good traveling already, I'm already set up for internet access on the road. And also, hopefully some of the parks we'll be staying at will have high speed access. I couldn't survive without my PT fix!
So, when can I expect you??Not soon enough in my opinion!
Can I come with you....I can wash dishes, clean windows, groom cats, take their photos. and well I can scoop the litterbox, make dinner, sweep the floor and help Kass wash and put away the dishes. Oh yes, I can also change bed sheets at 2am.Great! The motorhome does NOT have a dishwasher and I just abhor doing dishes by hand. Don't tell anybody, but Terry helps out because he knows how much I hate it.
You know, of course, that whatever state you visit, you have to let us all know so we can meet up Not to worry! I plan on meeting as many of you as possible! I know sometimes we'll just be driving through a state and won't have much time, but whenever we stop for any length of time I will definitely be checking out the local PTers.
I guess you can just drive away from storms, eh?
That's right, MOFF! I know several people who left the Gulf Coast last fall to avoid Katrina and Rita. Some even went back afterwards to help however they could since our motorhomes have an onboard generator, stove and refrigerator. Oh, and oddly enough, I feel safer in the motorhome than I do in the apartment. We've already had something stolen out of our storage area, so even though we're paying through the nose for rent, this shows what type of people we live amongst. :rolleyes: :(

[Lobodeb]

Wow!!! What an exciting time for you.

I must have missed the invite to check out your moving sale.

I'm so happy for you that this is what you're doing and happy doing it. Have fun!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I must have missed the invite to check out your moving sale.

Oh drat! I didn't want to post anything here because all bosses were not notified at the time, but I should have PM'd you or something. We still have a few items left. A table, a silk palm tree, some pictures for the wall, we will have a TV and two beds (1 queen, 1 double) in November and a few other things I can't remember off the top of my head. If you're interested, PM me your email address and I'll send pictures.

[caseysmom]

Debbie, Fulltimer George has a blog, I think its www.vagabonders-supreme.net, I can't get to it from work. He keeps a journal of what he does everyday. He spends winters down in Mexico, I think he is in Wisconsin right now.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Well, as long as you have a radio to access the weather channel .... Have FUN!!! :D

[RedHedd]

Isn't there a Pet Talkers map somewhere here in the forums? We can plan your travels to ensure that you meet as many Pet Talkers as is humanely and felinely possible! :D You MUST come to San Francisco! I insist! :D

[cyber-sibes]

WOW! That is SO cool! And that is quite the motorhome- I was very impressed with it at your appearance at the Findlay picnic! We'll all be watching for your "travel-log" posts!

[catnapper]

Wow! how utterly fantastic (and COOL!)

Good luck on your travels and I do expect to see that big bus pull up behind my house one day! :D ;)

[Barbara]

If Terry is negotiating for benefits how about a trip to Europe? If it doesn't work out now I may not be seeing you here forever!
Because in a mobile home it may be a little problem to drive over :D
I hope nevertheless that our paths may cross somewhere on your continent :)

[smokey the elder]

Wow! I can't imagine living like that. Make sure your campsites all are Wifi hot spots! :p ;)

[jazzcat]

Oh wow, things are moving along now. I wondered when you guys planned to start the big motorhome adventure.

Okay, you two really need to visit the Great Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg/East Tennessee so just let me know when to expect you!

[ChrisH]

Oh, Debbie, I so envy you. Good luck and happy travelling! :D

[Rachel]

Wow! What an adventure indeed.

Although I'm a home body at heart, we do envision scaling down our living situation considerably within another year. You are my hero for being able to cut the cords with all that STUFF. Are you keeping any kind of a storage locker for things like mementos and personal financial records, etc.? How do you ever scale down with clothing? You live close enough to me to have those summer and winter and transitional wardrobes, or are you forever going to follow the sun and just need summer clothes? Please tell me how you can determine and decide what to keep and what to toss? AT least you will be escaping the dreaded real estate taxes we have here in Illinois.

How will Peanut and CJ adjust to this lifestyle?

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Gosh, our own live travelog - ON THE ROAD WITH T&Psmum & T! :D

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Wow, that's gonna be a whole different life!! This time it is not just "on a trip"!! I wish you both, and both cats ;) , a happy new life in your motorhome!!

he he, Peanut and CJ will be full-time roadies now :)

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

WOW... i'm so excited for you guys. Sounds like yall are in for some adventures for sure.

Good luck getting everything situated and ready to hit the road!! Give the kitties a real big kiss for me!!! :D

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks so much everyone. I'm SO ready for this!

Rachel, I'll try to answer some of your questions a little later when I have a bit more time, but basically, you only have so much room to move everything into, so you decide "Will this fit? If it must fit, where am I going to put it?" Everything must have a designated spot or it is gotten rid of. Well....that's the quick easy version of downsizing. ;)