"learned to manage our expectations." says it all.

Says Bill, enjoying the urban thang in Mesa, Arizona for 3 months.

Well expressed. You captured how one should set their initial expectations as if they were a whiteboard and you have a handful of different color dry erase markers. Whatever you think it will be, it will be different. Don't try to script it, just let it fall into place. Our master plan is already written. It's a blank sheet of paper.

Wonderful post Sherry! As one who is hoping to join the ranks this summer, I'm looking forward to all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, not the bad/ugly so much. It's all a total experience. We've camped all our lives with and without kids, sometimes for a month at a time and looking over old journals, I see we've already done so much and we're looking for MUCH MUCH more! I am glad you are loving it so!

--Debbie

Sherry,

What a great post. I can NOT WAIT to get on the road this year. I am so disconnected already from this S&B lifestyle. I have yet to read someone that has started the FT lifestyle and quit it because they hated it.

See you at the April rally.

Happy RV-Dreams & Journey's

Sherry, that was so beautifully stated. I love this forum. Just when I start to feel overwhelmed by what we have to do (we are in the final stages of getting the house ready to sell and downsizing belongings as well as purchasing a new truck and RV) and wonder if we are crazy to do this, I read something like your post and it renews my excitement and optimism. Thank you.
Jo

First off I’m sorry to hear about the tragedy in your life.
On a brighter note, thanks for sharing your feelings on your journey! Hey,, Seven Feathers is where we took our last motorhome and the 5th wheel before it for their shake down runs. Plus we have stayed there a few other times. It is a nice place.
Keep on enjoying!!!

Sherry, what a wonderful post!  It is obvious from the replies here that many are finding value in your experience.  Thanks so much for the kind words about RV-Dreams and us.

Howard and I are so happy for you and Jesse and that you are finding your RV Dreams with each new place or experience!

We are looking forward to seeing you at the spring rally!

 

 

Sherry,

I am very sorry to hear about the terrible thing that has happened in your family.  My prayers go out to you and your children.  

Thanks for your post!  I had Bill read it also, as I wanted him to see what a new full-timers perspective is.  To be honest, I am really not worried about that part at all.  I know I have a lot to do before we leave, getting rid of stuff, selling the house, etc. and that is what I worry about - how that will play out.  What if the house takes forever to sell?  That kind of thing is always on my mind and worries me a bit.  But, I believe once we pull out of the driveway for the last time it will be so amazing!  FREEDOM!  

I know Bill worries about the actuall being on the road - what if money gets too tight, what if the truck breaks down, what if something breaks on the 5er?  All these things worry him.  I am trying to drill it into his head that we are intellegent people and we can adapt and overcome and handle anything life brings us.  We have so far, we have done pretty well during our 28 years of marriage.  We have had some great times and some not so great times, but always come out on top and better than we were before.  On the other side, he is so happy and excited, knowing he will be giving notice and counting down til he can leave the office that one last time, although attached to that is that one last paycheck, so definitely two sides to that.  I think reading your thoughts helped him to see that it will be ok, even if things are not exactly what we invisioned.  It's all good!

Can't wait to meet up with you guys on the road!

Kelly

-- Edited by jrzygrl64 on Friday 10th of January 2014 11:31:35 AM

Kelly, please allow me to share my story with you... for what it's worth.  It might help you breathe and put things in perspective.

As fellow dreamers on this board have said (in so many words), life throw us curve balls.  Like 'em or not, they happen.  As Sherry and others have stated, they have had many challenges along the way, but flexibility is key.  Well, you sound a lot like me, so I feel your pain and I hope my story helps, if only a little bit. 

First, let me preface this by saying we have no children.  Up until about 2.5 years ago, we had been 'free' to do anything and everything we please, whenever the urge hit us.  We took at least 2 major vacations a year, traveling to various places including visiting family in Europe, and cruising.  (I once owned my own cruise business.)  My DH retired 5 years ago.  (I am still working.)  I/We got the bug to RV fulltime about 3 years ago.  I ate, drank, and slept RVing.  I have researched the lifestyle until I can't seem to research any more.  I already know which 5er I want to purchase and have considered how to decorate and what to put in it.  I have taken notes, bookmarked everything I will possibly need for our future travels, was probably the first Dreamer to sign up for the Spring rally in Tennessee, have read until I'm blue in the face, still keep up with many blogs, and you should see my spreadsheets!  (Sick!)  Yes, I was consumed!!!  For the longest time I woke up imagining I was in my 5er.  I pictured cooking in it, relaxing, and finally having time to read, for a change.  I was always imagining I was out there... sitting around a campfire, exploring nature, seeing and experiencing new things, spending one-on-one time with my sweetheart, meeting new people... seeing God's country.  My obsession with full time RVing was through the roof!  Well, life happens and nearly 2.5 years ago, we received a phone call from my DH's elderly aunt.  She was dazed and confused.  For us, that began a journey that would put our lives on hold... completely... to this day.  We could not even so much as go to church together!  Well, long story short, she has been in the hospital for nearly a month and is not doing well... at all.  As a matter of fact, we have been told we need to move her to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) which, as you may know, is not an easy task.  Life continues to throw us curve balls.

Quite some time ago, when I was posting more often on this board, I even counted down the years, months, days, hours, and minutes until I could retire.  Well, guess what?  Another curve ball.  I was eligible to retire last August, but couldn't.  Why?  Because I am a caregiver.

The moral to my story is this... no matter what our plans, no matter what we think our lives will look like, no matter how we think our lives will turn out, above all things... and this is key... everything happens in God's perfect timing!  As mentioned above, I was absolutely consumed with retiring and RVing; however, I do believe that He has been trying to teach me a couple of lessons... faith and patience.  I have, no doubt, kept the faith, and as difficult as it has been to learn patience, I have come a long, long way.  While I am a detail-oriented kook and have always planned everything to the nth degree (like a few other fellow Dreamers!), I have learned to take one day at a time... really!  It helps tremendously, it works beautifully, and it has certainly helped maintain my sanity (for whatever that's worth)!

So, after all this time, I feel I have come full circle and learned a lot along the way.  Looking back at what we have been through, the obstacles and challenges we have faced have been enormous.  But, when the Good Lord calls our dear aunt home, only then will we be able to start life anew... much wiser than before... and RVing full time when the time is right!

Best wishes!

Another "Jo"

-- Edited by Mary Sunshine on Friday 10th of January 2014 07:19:02 AM

Sherry,

That was an awesome post! Make me sitting here in my S&B wish all the more that it would sell fast. I cannot wait to get on the road. We do not even want to spend time working on the farm anymore.

You have made us feel even more excited.