Suprised and Pleased

I really fretted about going to this mode of travel for my cats.  I wasn't sure how they would take it.  They would not even go close to a car before l set out on this adventure.  They were even smart enough to know that if l grabbed them in my arms in the house and headed out the front door that they would be going in the car and would start squirming the minute my feet led me towards the door.

Now they just chill the whole day in the van as l run around on appointments.  It really is amazing the turn around they have made.  They are so casual about riding in the van now.  To think how many hours my mind would wonder; hoping they would be okay.  It took them maybe half a day to adjust.

Sure there was a time when Charlie made a dash for the door, once she got out, realized she didn't know where the hell she was and boogied back in the van like her ass was on fire.

They hop back in that van whenever they feel threatened when they are out at the campground, whether it is someone walking by, a loud noise, another cat (happened once- Charlie was out and  got surprised by another cat, they hissed at each other, l opened the door, she ran in.  Let's just say "scared the shit out of  ya" has truth to it.

Tommy has learned to knock on the van door.  I kid you not.  When they are out and it's nice weather, but not nice enough to have the side door open all the way (or it's nighttime), l shut the side door just so it closes, but doesn't grasp the latch.  So if you were to hit it, it would move.  Well, when Tommy is out and wants back in and the door is like that, he will paw it to make a noise so l know to open the door for him.

They have always been trained to come when l call, or whistle.  And for the most part, they do.  Best Cats ever!

They pretty much sleep the whole day away, but l guess they did that at home too, especially when no one was home to let them in and out.

I Don't Have Much

I don't have many belongings left, but l have too much.  It is a tight squeeze in the van, and will need some reconfiguring and purging, yet again.

I have a whole bin of work file folders and then another of personal file folders, with spill over from the work one.  I may have too many blankets, and of course, l have four pillows.....but those are a must have!  It's amazing the shit you collect over the years, and l have purged, with a capital 'P'.  I have to go back over it again and let more go.

In the back box l have tools, which l really don't want to get rid of, just in-case.  And l will never part with my hammer (since it does double duty as my starter :-)  )  Give me time, and l will get ride of stuff.  Especially if l have to move it too many times.  I'll become heartless and toss it.

That being said....l am amazed at how much this little van holds.

 

Not Much Stuff....But Still Too Much

I have been purging my belongings for a couple years now.  I've moved a lot and always give away/sell stuff every time l move.  And l still have enough donations to make a couple of trips to the salvation army this week.

It's amazing how much stuff we have as a society.  In the last 40 years we have gone crazy buying things, while actually trying to buy happiness.  Garages are no longer for cars, but for overflow from the house.  Storage lockers are plentiful throughout North America (a relative new phenomenon the last couple of decades).  We all have stuff we don't use/need/want.  And we still buy more.....

I'm hoping this move will free me even more then the freedom of travelling around in my camper van. I'll be breaking free from the consumerism, will you join me?

Un Packed My Suitcase

Sunday l unpacked my suitcase.  It probably won't be packed again for a very long time.  And l am good with that.  That suitcase taught me a few things.  It taught me how little l need to get by.  It taught me that no matter how much you pare down, your shit is still heavy.  It taught me how to mix and match my clothes so that it didn't seem that l was wearing the same thing twice in a two week period.  It taught me l can get by with two pairs of shoes, one a running shoe or comfortable walking show, and one a dress sandals or heal to match my clothes.  It taught me l don't need as much costume jewelry as l think l might.

I'm not sure l will miss my suitcase, as much time as we have spent together, l will be glad to let it go.  If it meant that l wouldn't be travelling anymore, that would be a different matter.  Since l will still be travelling, it's not a biggie!

Now to pack up the camper van, it shouldn't be as much as a challenge (l'm sure l will still pack too much) for me as people who haven't spent the quality time with the suitcase!

8 Days until l'm Homeless

Do you ever wake up with a  thought that has crept from your subconscious  to the front of your mind? Crept forward enough to wake you?  I did,  this morning at 5 am.  I woke with the thought that l will be homeless is 8 days.  Okay that is a bit dramatic, l won't really be homeless until 23 days.  8 days is how long until l am no longer working for the job l am at.

Of course l will have my van that will be my little mini home, but in all aspects, l will be homeless.  By my own doing.   That has got me a little nervous, l can not lie. Nervous enough to wake me.  It will be an adventure, and by my own choice, but still scary when put like that.

There is a lot of unknown with the job l am going to.  First of all, l am the rainmaker.  So it is up to me to get accounts and then sell the ads.  I have a little more responsibility with the new job ( and way more freedom too).  I will have a better company behind me, a reputable one that has been around for 26 years, one that values honesty and customer service( l like that).

In the past l have made changes in my life, one segment at a time.  This time it will be the whole kit and kaboodle.  How's that for flying by the seat of your pants.  Things are moving fast now, it's like my pants are on FIRE.

Day 24 Temptation

There are only 24 days left until l step into another phase of my life.  Just 3 1/2 weeks.  It's coming up fast.

And then l get a temptation.  Work (current job) approached me to go to Alaska for 6 weeks.  The thing is, l have a conference booked with my new job in Palm Springs the first week of April. So it would seriously conflict.  I was tempted, Alaska is usually a good place for us to make money.  The cost to me could be a serious set back with my new job.  I could tell them something has come up and l can't start beginning of April (and still go to the conference).  But l don't want to.  Metaphorically, shall we say, my bags are packed.  I have started my countdown.  I'm ready to move on.

If l went to Alaska, there are no guarantees.  No guarantee that my partner will book me lots of appointments(she tends to not do well when she's working a different timezone and the fiancee is home when she SHOULD still be working), no guarantee that people will take the appointments (we have been there just recently, and people tend to spend less, or not at all, the more times we visit them).  There is a guarantee that l don't like this company and l hate lying to customers.

The only guarantee l have that it will serious set me back in my new job.  I need to get things lined up for the summer to make it successful.  But l can not lie.  The temptation was there for a while.  I did toss it over in my head, and woke up more firmly decided on me passing it by.

Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder

Beauty  truly is in the eye of the beholder.  I could be hyper-sensitive to all the commercials of the 'must have's' that are continually pounded into peoples heads, as l scale my life down to what l can pack into my van.

This morning on Good Morning America, while l was eating my breakfast at the Comfort Inn in Marshfield l could barely contain my shock that they were doing a feature story on nail polish that cost $5,000. a bottle, it contained actual GOLD in it.  No that price is not a typo,  $60. per nail, each time.

Who would even think of spending money on this?  That is a $720 manicure. WHAT???  Seriously??  And l  to even consider this news-worthy???

Then today on one of my appointments l was in a bike shop.  Not the motorized ones, but the peddle your ass off kind.  There were many for $1,000 and $2,000, l also saw one for $3,300.  That's almost as much as l paid for my van.  Okay, l could see if you were a professional bicycle rider, but the average Joe?

If just seems so....collapsible, this crazy mentality for excess.  As l said earlier, it's probably that l am just hypersensitive to it since l am running in the opposite direction.  Things that make you go......hmmmmmm.

Amish in Wisconsin

 

[caption id="attachment_594" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Amish horse and buggy"][/caption]

 

I am in Marsfield, Wisconsin for 11 days.  Not much to do in the area, it's cold here, not much snow and it's a small town in the middle of the state.

The other day when l was travelling from Marshfield to Colby for an appointment, as l was at a stop sign a horse and enclosed buggy went by me.  At first l was surprised, and then l thought, "how cool it that!".

When l got home l looked up the Amish lifestyle on the Internet where l learned that they use horse and buggy for travel,  they don't use electricity, they don't heat their homes  or cook with gas, if they have a phone, it's not in their house, and usually shared by a few families and located between farms, and they still use animal power to farm their fields.

Today l saw another go by when l was on the way to the store to grab some food for dinner.  This buggy wasn't enclosed, the family inside looked cold.  They had a blanket covering their legs but the upper half of their body was protected from the frigid weather by their coats.

It made me think, they don't have to worry about rising gas prices.   l wonder if l could get a couple of horses to pull my van.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Work

I'm back in the office today.  For a half day, l think (don't have a bunch to do, just need to set myself up for next week).  I actually enjoyed getting up and out the door, a little bit of routine, a little bit of purpose.

That's the thing about commission sales, you gotta make the hay while the sun shines.  That's why l'm here today.  I don't have to be,  it will make the next two weeks a bit easier on me by being here today.

I was thinking last night while l was trying to fall asleep, it's probably a good thing that the weather is a bit cold to be doing modifications on my van.  The reason is, l was poking through others peoples pictures online with regards to their van set-ups, and l might change my mind on what l had planned for mine.  This way l get to stew about it, and try to figure out as well as l can, what will work best for me.

Of course l will still be itching to put those plans in place,  in good time.

Access vs Ownership

Today I have been watching some little snippets of videos of people living small on www.faircompanies.com .  Not by living small, and not enjoying life, but by getting rid of all those things that society pressures us into accepting as normal, and living with smaller homes, less stuff, less imprint on the planet.  But a higher quality of life and to do the things that make us happy, getting out in the world and experiencing life, as to just experiencing the commute, the four walls of the office, the rat race that we have put ourselves in.

In one of the videos a guy said the term "Access verses Ownership".  I haven't heard it put so simply and eloquently before.  Who says we need to own it all, why not just have access to it.  It is usually cheaper, and therefor less time needed to be trapped by those four walls to pay for it.  Think about it.  Our society is actually helping us get there with the technology that is being developed, if only we could pry our minds off  of the need to "own it".

Think about it.  The list is endless.  Instead of owning the land, some of the best landscapes are owned by the government and therefor, we can access them for free or for a very nominal charge (and we don't have to cut the grass or shovel the snow).  Music is now available as downloads for your ipod, MP3 or what ever your device.  Do you really need to store that CD Jewel case?  Movies, same thing, Netflixs or Redbox is so cheap, and require no storage.

We have a storage epidemic across North America, never before in time have we had so many self-storage places for people to store their junk (except for the odd person who is using those storage places for a short period of transition from one place to another).  Garages on homes no longer park cars, but all the little must haves that we possibly think we can't do without.

Access vs Ownership, Freedom vs Chains.  I think the two sayings have the same definitions in this case.

One Step Closer

I'm done in the garage for now.  A friend of mine will be inheriting almost two full sets of pots and pans, a Flat Screen TV (which l haven't watched in over 6 months), some towels, my favorite gigantic wood cutting board, and bake-ware.

I really cleaned house last time l did this, so not much left to go through this time.

I've still got my clothes to go through, but l will wait to get closer to travel date before l let go of those, they are easier to dispose of in those bins in the shopping malls.  I'm not talking about those dumpsters, but the recycle clothing bins.

The hardest part will be getting rid of all the little shit.  The gadgets, the multiple flashlights, you know the stuff you never use....but might.  Kind of like, the life you want to lead, but don't.

Slither in the Back Door

 

[caption id="attachment_461" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Union Station Toronto, most scenic part of the trip"][/caption]

That's what it felt like on the train today.  I'm not kidding.  I felt like l was slithering into the few towns we stopped in on my way to London, Ontario.  As we left Union Station in the downtown core of Toronto we got to see the back yards of some of the homes of Toronto.  And the sight left something to be desired.  I'm amazed at the junk some people literally throw out in their yards.

Of course, prices tend to be less for your home if you are living beside railroad tracks....so....enough said.

Every-town we seemed to slink into the back door to the station.  My $60 train ticket saved me a whole whack of cash.  Why?  Well, l had this silly romantic desire to travel Canada coast to coast by train, and then also Alaska down to Victoria, BC.  What l discovered is, as romantic as that sounded, l think it would make me loopy.  The ride was nice, but what fun would there be if l couldn't get out and explore the towns l was whipping by?  Do l really want to see the crappy homes that line the tracks in some of the most beautiful cities in the country? Or do l want to poke around in the areas that catch my eye, and even lay down my hat for a night or two?  I think you can guess.

 

Little Steps

Now l may sound brave  and all that at being able to go on this adventure.   But don't for a minute think that l didn't have the "Gulp" moment.  I have been taking little baby steps toward where l am at now.

I stopped by a friends last night after l had left a deposit on the van and they said "you don't seem very excited".  And l wasn't, l was quiet.  It could have been because l had driven so long ( three hours each way to look a the van), and as l said earlier l was a bit zonked from living in this time zone (Eastern) but working Alaska's. l was deep in thought, thinking is this it?  Did l do right? Is this the van?  Do l really want to travel?  It's a moment of reckoning.  Of course, l expect many more of those moments of reckoning/reflection to come as my life progresses.

As l wrote the blog last night announcing my purchase l was starting to get the excitement bubble.  It started in the pit of my stomach and then travelled up to my chest.  I live for moments like that for the moment of feeling alive.

If l made the wrong decision on the van, l can change it down the road (pun intended).  If l made a wrong decision on travelling solo (cats' don't count - :-) ) l can always come home.

That is one thing that l have learned in my life, and l taught a friend of mine who had the habit of doing it, and that is to not paint yourself into corners.  You can put down the paint brush at any moment and jump over the line, no one will care if you change your mind, true friends will welcome you back.

[caption id="attachment_336" align="aligncenter" width="290" caption="Painting yourself in a corner"][/caption]

Carp Diem

One thing l didn't mention about my recent purchase.  And that would be the reason that the people were selling their van.  They had only bought it a year ago September.  They had big dreams of doing what l plan on.  Driving casually around North America, seeing the sights, enjoying the views and the people they were to meet along the way.

But something happened.  And it happens far too often.  Their health too a turn in the wrong direction.  The gentleman on the couple got bowel cancer.  It's been treated and is being watched.  He was in great spirits, but sad that they can't go live their dream.  And if that wasn't enough to side track them, the lady of the couple has hip problems.  She can no longer get in and out of the van.  Surgery is scheduled for May 2012.

The van never left their driveway.  They've been retired now for a couple of years, and now the enjoyment of those years has to be re-thought.  I'm sure they are still enjoying their retirement, but some of the glimmer has been rubbed off by their limitations now.

I may be impulsive, l may move around a lot, l'm just trying to live the life l want to live and not one society tries to dictate to me. I don't want to be this couple, that put their dream off to another day, only to

I Jumped!

I've jumped in the pond.  I've made the commitment.  I'm on my way.  My mode of travel come April will change from this.....

[caption id="attachment_315" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Current mode of getting around the country"][/caption]

 

To this......

[caption id="attachment_316" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="My New Mode of Travel"][/caption]

 

I've put my deposit down and will be picking it up just before Christmas.  I guess you can say it will be a gift that will keep on giving.

I'm one step closer to my travel date in April.  The open road, on MY  schedule is calling me.

 

Best Gear to take for Shopping on Black Friday

Okay, l'm stealing this idea from some women in the Los Angeles.  The best gear to take with you on Black Friday to help you get your discounted items.

 

[caption id="attachment_278" align="aligncenter" width="268" caption="Black Friday Shopping Accessory"][/caption]

Pepper Spray

 

Seriously?  What kind of madness is this?  Does this mentality run rampant in those crazy shoppers?

I guess it's less harmful then the shots that were fired at another store!!!!

Blogging

I have been writing a blog for just over a month on WordPress, using Host Gator as my web hosting site.  It has been a learning experience, but l have learned.  I have enjoyed writing on my blog, some days l think "l haven't got a clue what l will write about today", but eventually something happens or an idea strikes me.

It is filling a need in me, and l would like to thank all the people that take the time to read my blog.  Since l have started blogging, l have three other friends that have started to.  I'm not saying that l influenced them, quiet the contrary.  I was blogging in silence.  My friends didn't' even know l was doing it.  They told me about theirs, and that gave me the courage to tell others about mine.

So, if you are thinking of starting one.  Do it.  You can do it free on Blogger or WordPress (wordpress has two levels, one free, the other requires a host - that is what l do with Host Gator).

If you start one, click this link (yes, l will make a commission off of it) and then send me your link so l can follow it.  I also make a small amount of money by you clicking on the ad's over on the right side.  And if you are going to buy anything from Amazon, if you enter from my blog into Amazon, l also get a small amount of money.  It costs you nothing, you just buy as you normally would do.

Thanks for stopping by my blog,  say Hi anytime!

Cheers,

Tammy

 

 

The Jitters

[caption id="attachment_166" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Road less Travelled"][/caption]

 

Wow.  I can't believe l have the jitters.  Why, you may ask?  Guess what, l'm going to tell you.  It's part  therapy, part entertainment, to get it out. And  calms my nerves.

I saw an ad for a van on Craigslist 2 weeks ago.  I was really interested in it.  The catch was, l was out of town for 3 weeks, and wouldn't be back in town until after the person had left the country.  I was a little down about that.  But then l thought, it wasn't meant to be.  My Mom always said "everything happens for a reason".  So with those words, you tend to deal with things a little more gently.

Well, last night l got an e-mail from the guy, and as it seems, his plans have changed and he will be in town longer.  And he hasn't sold it yet.

Last night, l was feeling, great, how perfect.

This morning l woke up and was feeling "Oh shit, l might actually have to buy this thing and go travel."

The feeling l experienced this morning, reminds me of the same one l experienced when l had decided to go across America in my car 10
years ago.  I had the jitters just prior to leaving.  I think when you put a dream out there, and think about it constantly, when the planning all comes together, there comes a point when you have to do it.  You have to jump.

I’m pretty adventurous, l’ve travelled a lot, l change my life constantly for the “new” thrill, and  l still have the jitters about this  adventure?  I guess  experiencing  the jitters again has made me realize, that me, who can change things so easily, can still get the jitters, l guess l  now have to be more understanding for all the people that don’t like change, how DAMN SCARY change can be.

For my first road trip I put all my stuff in storage, dropped my cats off at my sisters then drove around US for almost 2 months.  It was a great experience, except it was too fast.  I did as l call them “20 minute” tours of all the places l stopped in.  l felt l was in a race to finish it.  I didn't take anytime to stop and experience the places l was in.  I wish l had, but l was to programed to feel guilty for having so much time off.

I was planning on staying at hostels along the way, but l also spent many a night in my car in the Walmart parking lot.  It was chilly sometimes.  I wasn't really prepared to use my car as a sleeping arrangement, but l did.

I bought a US park pass and l made a point of at least doing the “20 minute” tour of every park along the way.  This time l want to do it slower.  I want to smell the roses.  I want to breath deep.  I want to write as l go.   I wrote the first time too, little snippets home to a select e-mail list (Blogs didn't exhist then).  My original plan was to write more, but l was too busy flying through all the town, l forgot to make time.  Ok, l didn't forget, l just felt that there was always a fire under my butt and l had to keep moving.

Last time when l experienced these feeling prior to a trip I spoke to a very good friend of mine who travelled all the time.  She had spent year long furloughs in places like South America, Asia, Spain.  She said even she got nervous before a long  trip.  10 years ago l breathed deep and jumped in. That’s all l have to do this time to.  Breath deep and jump.

Christmas - Keep It Local

With Christmas coming, and so many businesses still struggling in our local economy, let’s be the change.  Let US be the ones to help our fellow people in the community.  By us doing a little thing, we could be the grass roots of change.

How about for Christmas presents, we shopped locally.  And by locally l also mean, made in USA or made in Canada (wherever you live), or services offered by local citizens.

There are so many options, this is just a list l’ve got, l’m sure you could come up with more.

- Give the gift of a message, haircut, manicure, or pedicure – keeping local merchants busy and feel good for the receiver.

- Send a maid to clean your Mom’s house.

- Send  a gift certificate for lawn care, snow plowing, light hanging, driveway sealing.

-Buy crafts made by local artisans, sold at flea markets, farmers market, and church bazars.

-Eat at a local restaurant, enjoy each other’s company, and be “present” with your guest.

-Give a gift card for the local coffee shop, when times are tough, this is a nice little luxury.  Or
a local bakery, fresh made pastries are delicious.

-If they have a pet, how about a gift certificate for the local groomers.

-Plan a family outing and go skiing, bowling, a game of pool, the local arcade, the choices are endless.

Here’s one that our family has done for a couple years, on Christmas Morning we go to a homeless shelter and drop off coats, hats, mitts,
gloves, and blankets, and  a lunch bag with homemade sandwiches, cookies and a piece of fruit.  Then we stay and chat with the group for a while, they are so appreciative of the gifts. There are about 10 family members that do it, it’s a tradition that gives as well as receives.

Forget buying stuff imported from other countries/ economies, let’s support our own.  We can’t wait for the Government to fix our problems; they can’t see the forest because of the trees.

Continental Divide

 

Today l drove over the Continental Divide twice today on my adventures.  I found it fitting that l passed it today, l have been pondering my decisions, faults, and qualities.  I usually do a lot of thinking when l drive.  Sometimes the radios on, more often then not, l drive in silence, with only my thoughts as company.

There are times that l celebrate my spontaneousness.  I love that l handle change well.  I actually go running towards it.  Stagnation for me is like a little death.  I adapt well to new things.  I go to the well, take a sip, if l enjoy it, a long drink.  If l don't find it to my taste, l put down the ladle and move on, without regret.

I am generally a very positive, optimistic person, and even if l feel l made a mistake, l know in the long run, it was for the best.  Now that being said, sometimes.....

I wish l was a bit more like "the stickers".  You know the ones.  The ones that can stay at a job, or in a relationship they don't like for years and years.  Sometimes l think if l was a bit more like those ones, my life would be easier.  At least in societies eyes/standards.

Alas, that's not me.  I missed getting my share when they were handing that quality out at birth.  Love me or leave me, l guess.

I'm getting more and more comfortable with my decision to travel on a more permanent basis.  There are two friends in my life that know the extent that l want to travel.  That l plan to pick up and move into a van and travel.  I am at my own continental divide.  I can lean one way, and conform to the norm.  Secretly dieing a little more each day.  Giving  up on dreams, smashing them into nothingness, trying to ignore them (until l snap).

Or l can lean to the other and  l can scream out to the world and say, "Who cares what anyone thinks.  This is what l am doing".  I don't know how it will work out.  I will have to live day by day, that is what l thrive on anyways.  And for the people that judge me, Oh well, l'll try not to return the favor.



It's getting closer to the time that l can runaway.  I actually feel it is more of a running to.