In it

Well, we rolled out of Florida on June 4th and brought a whole lot of good memories with us.  

My heart ached a little as we rolled down I95 - Mom beside me and a piece of moss from Dad's house on the top rail of the RV whipping in the wind - but I was excited at the possibilities and more good memories ahead!

We had a pretty uneventful trip from FL to AL - thank goodness! - minus a couple of gigantic rain storms.  I'm a bit concerned about the items we have stored in plastic tubs and our bikes/chairs in the back of the truck, but hey it is what it is and will be what it will be....  I did have to walkie Quinton along the way for an emergency poddy break, good thing we had one with us otherwise it wouldn't have been pretty! lol!
Haven't taken a road trip in quite some time, never one this big and never one that I have driven, this is all pretty freakin exciting!

Logan has been taking turns riding with each of us - one of our first stops I think Quinton told Logan to ride with me for a bit, because he switched pretty fast, just jumped into the truck and buckled Grandma in with him when it was time to go.  It was a good thing too, cause he kept a ramblin away, think he was trying to make sure I was awake, it worked too!  So, I'm guessin Daddy told him to make sure I was safe and wasn't sleepy - love my boys.

I look forward to my 'Logan turns' - he brightens the trip, when he not passed out - haha!

Most of the time he's very excitedly pointing out sights that he thinks are cool: mountains, plateaus, different animals and the occasional 'punch bug' followed by a bump on my shoulder.  I have even heard him singing along with me and the radio a couple times ... didn't say anything to him because I didn't want him to stop - love his lil voice. :)

When we stopped for a few hours rest in AL, we parked in a Walmart parking lot for a snooze.  It was raining and dark when we got there so we didn't see much of the surroundings.  Honestly don't think it mattered much where we were at the time, we were all ready to pass out.  When we woke about four or so hours later, the sun was out and we went right into the 'coffee making, excuse me while I squeeze by you because I have an early morning pee that just can't wait, pass me a pop tart please, who's takin Maxes out' routine.  I got to take Maxes out and I think I was the first one outside ... it was beautiful!  We were parked on a big hill with a tall tree line, blue sky and puffy clean white clouds around us.  I smiled, and then thought to myself ... man it has been a LONG while since I've woken up, stepped outside and felt happy.  The sky was brilliant, the air was clean with a breeze and the trees were so green - my spirit was meant for that.  

The feeling I had that morning, I hope to have every morning.  It made me feel alive, lifted.  I am so excited at the idea that it will be that way soon.  I am excited for my son to be infected with that feeling, for my husband to feel renewed, for our Maxes to be able to run free ... to be living, to be in it.  To be alive and to be living.

Mushy stuffs

So we officially have two more days until we roll out of Port Orange, FL (literally)!  I was able to keep myself busy with working on the RV, getting things in order at work for a transfer and other things - like the beach - and ignore the fact that when we say goodbye to FL we are going to be saying goodbye(for a bit anyway) to family and some dear friends.  

In the last week or so it has started to creep up on me and yesterday at work it hit. 

I'd like to reiterate what I tried to say last night at La Fiesta, I think it was filtered by tequila and may have come out all jumbled up, lol.  It's important to me to be clear in how I feel about those people that have come into my life over the last nine or so years.

I'm not sure when or how it happened, but somewhere in the nine years of me being at Walmart coming in to work everyday became more than just clocking in for a pay check.  Let me be clear : it has nothing to do with the company - it has to do with the people that are together in the trenches everyday.  As with all people there will always be those couple of jerks that aren't worth time or effort in knowing - but along with those few I've had the opportunity to come in contact with some pretty incredible people.  

You all have become dear to me - I have enjoyed working along side you for the last nine years and I have come to care about each of you.  Thank you for sharing in my life through the good times and the not so good.  Thank you for the support, both in my career and personal life.  Thank you for all the laughs, for keeping me going on the days that I just didn't want to be at work.  I'll miss you guys!  Promise to carry your your spirits - and when we get settled on our piece of earth, you are welcome to come visit!  

See ya out in it!

For any of you that would like to keep in touch: cdiets@gmail.com

   

She's Nekkid!

Finaly! Some time and wireless connection - oh how I've missed you interwebs ... now here's hoping my laptop battery hangs on!

We've started more in depth repair on Minnie's back wall - we have to - not much time left in Florida and she needs to be ready to roll!

I say 'we' and really I mean my boys.  After I starting taking apart the back wall from the inside, I got scared.  I went into full on panic mode - 'What have I done?'  and how in the heck am I gonna put it back together.  I kept hearing my husband's voice on the day I decided to attack and conquer the wall, 'Just be responsible for what you create out there'.  I was in no way qualified to be responsible for the mess I made, lol!  So, when we landed at Dad's house May 1st .. the boys went into fixit mode - thank goodness for boys!

She's coming along nicely and I'm almost ready to let loose of this sigh of relief.  Not sure how they're doin it, but they are and it's working out perfectly! 

Photos can say so much more than words, so here are some photos of her progress:

It has to get worse before it get's better, right?

Did you say you were hungry?  I'm sorry, the kitchen is closed due to remodeling.

She's a complicated RV, with layers ... like an onion.

Thank goodness we have a boy dog, he's not afraid to get some sawdust on his nose

Da daaaah!

We're almost there!  Hubby has been a very busy worker bee!  Today he has a couple of projects that he needs to have finished before Dad gets home from work, so they can possibly put the finishing touches on it tonight!

Things are progressing nicely, life in an RV is definitely different.  I think it will be much better once the stress of fixing the RV has come to an end.  Then we can get on with our adventure!

Stuff and more stuffs!

Coming out of a two day garage sale and we are pooped!  

With only 15 days left in our current house, I thought it was time to start surveying the RV for storage and start moving things in...like me and my newly updated/cleaned laptop(thanks to hubby <3).

~This post is coming to you from Minnie!~  

(We're sittin in the driveway...but still...lol)

Boy do we have a lot of stuff!  Some stuff I haven't seen in about a year and honestly forgot we had.  So that means that we are going to have to have another sale next weekend as well, wee!

Most of what is out there, sold ... but I've got a whole other load of stuff to add for next week!  Ya don't realize how much stuff you have until you take away all of the bookshelves, dressers, cabinets, etc.  It's amazing how much stuff ya have that you haven't touched in a while, so long you may have even forgotten ya had it, like I did.  

So... in preparation for our adventure to come in the next couple of months, we are lightning our load.  Mr.Adventure is going through all of our paperwork/pictures and scanning them to electronic storage and I'm working on emptying the house - starting with the kitchen.  Starting to finally see an end in sight!

For anyone trying to get down to the bare minimum, I recommend doing it in phases.  It's too dramatic/heart breaking otherwise.  Like going to get a hair cut and chopping it all off at once, versus a little trim each time.  I think I'm on round three or so of looking through my stuff and deciding what to keep...still have a couple more to go.

As my wise hubby keeps reminding me, if we haven't touched it in a year and it is replaceable ... we don't 'need' it.  Shocking to see in this 'buy more stuff' society I've been in for the last 33 years how little one actually 'needs' to survive.  This is turning into a liberating experience.

Alright, I must get back at it!  I've got some more things to get listed on http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites/ and get sold and a house to finish emptying!

More projects!

I had to take a break from the back wall.  We took the mattress and the bed frame out this morning, only to find that the back wall is not secured to the floor in all spots, sigh.  I saw the driveway through the gap. I think we're gonna need professional help ~cries~

Hubby cheered me up with a trip to Camping World! We got all kindsa goodies for life on an adventure :)

The boys installed an under the table drawer for secret stashes! Soap holders and dispensers for the shower area and loads of command strips for picture hanging.

 

Ooo and a banana hammock! Lol

 

 

Hubby is pretty good at coming up with crafty solutions to situations.  We had a 'Welcome' sign hangin over the dinette area that wasn't quite our style.  Took it down and were left with two lil annoying screw holes.  I'm paranoid about getting anything inside wet and thought for sure that water could find a way in through those little holes...hubby to the rescue!

Toothpicks and elmers glue, who woulda thought?  Stuck toothpicks coverred in elmers glue into the screw holes, clipped off the toothpicks left sticking out and dabbed up the glue areound the edges of the holes.  Tap the toothpicks flush with the wall, dab the toothipick with a brown marker to match the wall and voila!  Looks like there were never holes in the wall :)

Need to get back to tinkering around with Minnie, can't let the boys have all the fun! 

 

Diggin in!

Today's project: The back wall

There were a couple of soft spots in the wall and I wanted to make sure that there were no rotted/moldy spots.  So this morning, I started the peel away process.

 Gloves, check.  Homemade anti mold/disease mask, check.  I've got my towel laid down, box cutter and plastic trash bag.  All suited up and ready to go!

Let the peeling being!

As I dug deeper in, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the damage wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be.  The wood on each side of the window is still solid.  Definitely going to have to replace the wood below the window and probably the top piece too.  I'm not sure if it would be easier to cut around the good wood or to just replace the whole panel.

Left side:

Right Side:      

                                                

In the process of all this, I took a flashlight to the storage cabinets overhead ... looks like they are going to need some attention as well.

I'm thinkin I'm going to focus on one part at a time, trying to not get over whelmed with just the bit of work I did this morning.

I haven't peeled or cut any further than what is shown in the pictures.  Feeling in a bit over my head and I stopped to check out the interwebs for 'how to' advice.  Slightly frustrated with the current selection of help videos available.  Haven't found one that has actually shown/explained the process of replacing a water damaged wall from the inside of an RV.

Going to make a run to the store for some J-B Clearweld, come back wash Winnie and make sure all of her holes are completely sealed.  Just in case the rain moves in.

Minnie Winnie!

Mr. Adventure asked me the other day why I hadn't posted a blog post in a while, that he had been watching for one and hadn't seen one...


My response to him was somewhere along the lines of, "Well, I haven't really had anything to post about" - that my friends has changed!  We have been in a holding pattern of sorts...trying to save money and make steps toward bigger plan.  We have made a couple of purchases that have led us closer to our dream.  We've gotten a second vehicle - a full size F150(perfect for towing...) aaand drum roll please...

Presenting ...duh duh duh duuuh...

Winnie! Hubby has requested a new name for her, I guess Winnie is too generic - any suggestions?

This is the first RV that I've ever had - I'm excited for what is ahead!

Mr. Adventure has been one busy bumble bee!  He's been working on the mechanics, last night he installed a new water pump(I am very impressed at how quiet it is) and now we have running water without city hook-ups, yay!  Today he is going to tackle some lights that are out around the RV and I think he is going to check out the water/holding tanks, he thinks he found a leak in the process of replacing the water pump. 

I on-the-other-hand am more concerned with decor...who cares if we have running water, as long as it looks cute?! Haha!

I am pretty happy with the colors already in place.  It's funny, when I was growing up we lived in an old school house in NY that was build in the late 1800's.  Needless to say, the colors in that home were dark woods, green, yellow - you know, the 70'-early 80's colors.  I didn't care for them when I was younger and always said that my home would never have those colors!  Isn't it funny how full circle things come? Heh!  Today I love those colors, the early types, I guess they make me feel more connected to nature.  Maybe it goes even further, on a psychological level, the colors probably make me feel closer to my past.

Love that it already has the laminate floors, saves me the work of installing them.  I'm totally new at this RV decorating thing.  With a house, I know what materials to use, like which type of paint for what room - I'm not sure what you can and cannot use in an RV.  Lucky for me, I have a sweet friend-Mindy- that came over and seemed quite excited about RV projects, woo!  She had some great ideas and I'm looking forward to hanging out having fun with her!

So, got some big plans for this area!  A new mattress is a must.  Hoping to replace the mini headboard with a larger one - maybe one that wraps all the way around the sleeping area.  Mr. Adventure has suggested that we make a headboard that has pockets - I think that's a great idea!  Maximize space = key.  I'm a little nervous to remove that piece...the window had a leak at one point (if you look closely you can see the crap caulk job that was done - gonna fix that too) and there is a softness under it.  I fear that we're going to have to replace parts of the wall and I have no idea what I'm doing - lol!  Thank goodness for Mindy :)

Our little man is excited!  He finally has a bunk bed!  The whole time looking for RVs, we only looked at ones that had the bunk above the driver - had to make our son happy :)  I'd like to make new curtains, which should be interesting as I've only ever used a sewing machine in 6th grade home economics, lol!  Also going to have to make something to cover the dash window for privacy.  Half of that job is already done, there are snaps installed along the roof and sides.

Well, it's time to head outside and spend time with Winnie - Happy Adventuring!

Baby Steps

Alright I've got the water thing down.

I was cruising Facebook the other day and came across this picture:

Since seeing it, I've been thinking about how much I sit in an average day.  I'll give myself these last couple of weeks because I've been battling with my back - but pre-spasms ... I spent prolly about 90% of my day sitting - and the other 10% on the couch or in bed!  That's crazy!  Not sure why I can't understand my struggle with weight loss ... I'm not actively doing anything to help it along.

I'm the type of person that get's excited about something and I throw myself all in for the first couple of days and then I tend to fizzle out.  For example, I thought it would be awesome to complete a 5k (and I still do) so I started a jogging routine...a routine that lasted probably a week - including my 'rest days'.  I was doing better on the treadmill with my music -  who doesn't like a good jam session?! -  but in the last move, our treadmill gave up and quit it's now resting comfortably on the back porch.

In keeping with the change theme, I'm going to make a serious effort to not let that happen with this plan.

In talks with my chiropractor this last couple of weeks, I have asked how to correct my issue and prevent future flare-ups.  Aside from losing weight I mean, why is it that doctors no longer want to talk about weight?  If I was him that is the first thing I woulda said .. it would have been something along the lines of get yer fat self up, get moving and stop shoving food down yer neck! {LOL}  I guess most want to keep their license and avoid lawsuits.  Only when I brought up my weight and my need to lose it, did he offer up walking as a solution.  He explained that walking burns fat, unlike running that burns carbs.  When you run, you send your body into a shock and it starts burning the fastest and easiest thing it can find = carbs.  Walking gives your body a chance to search for the energy source = fat.  With the first in first out strategy, your body goes for what it has stored (fat) and burns through it so it can then store a fresher source (new fat).  It also gets your joints and muscles working.  Walking helps to generate fluid in our joints .. which I'm hoping for, along with weight loss, to help relieve the pain in my lower back.  So, using that theory, walking and eating lean foods should do the trick! 

I found a picture to show the benefits of walking:

And even more of a breakdown:

Here's a minute-by-minute rundown of what your body does when you're working on your walking:

Minutes 1 to 5
Your first few steps trigger the release of energy-producing chemicals in your cells to fuel your walking. Your heart rate revs from about 70 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), boosting blood flow and warming muscles.

Any stiffness subsides as joints release lubricating fluid to help you move more easily. As you get moving, your body burns 5 calories per minute, compared with only 1 per minute at rest. Your body needs more fuel and starts pulling from its carb and fat stores.

Minutes 6 to 10
Heartbeat increases from 100 to about 140 bpm, and you're burning up to 6 calories a minute as you pick up the pace. A slight rise in blood pressure is countered by the release of chemicals that expand blood vessels, bringing more blood and oxygen to working muscles.

Minutes 11 to 20
Your body temperature keeps rising, and you start to perspire as blood vessels near the skin expand to release heat. As your walk becomes brisker, you'll be burning up to 7 calories a minute and breathing harder. Hormones such as epinephrine and glucagon rise to release fuel to the muscles.

Minutes 21 to 45
Feeling invigorated, you start to relax as your body releases tension, thanks in part to a dose of feel-good chemicals such as endorphins in your brain. As more fat is burned, insulin (which helps store fat) drops—excellent news for anyone battling excess weight or diabetes.

Minutes 46 to 60
Your muscles may feel fatigued as carb stores are reduced. As you cool down, your heart rate decreases and your breathing slows. You'll be burning fewer calories but more than you were before you started. Your calorie burn will remain elevated for up to 1 hour.


I'm going to start with 30 minutes a day, I don't want to jump all in and then fizzle out.

 Maxes is going to be happy!

Cleansing

I've been toying around with the idea of starting a cleansing diet.  So, I began searching the interwebs for different plans - there are so many out there to choose from!  But, I noticed one thing they all have in common:

Water.


Back in my younger years I suffered  from chronic sinus headaches, I attributed them to bad allergies.  When hubby and I started dating, he noticed the headaches and how often I was getting them (at least twice a week, usually in the evening) and he suggested that I drink more water.  At first, I didn't buy into his theories - I'm headstrong and stubborn like that - how could he know what was wrong with MY body, he barely knew me?!  So, I shrugged off his suggestion for a bit...as the relationship grew and I started to realize how wise he is (throwing this line in here to see if he really does read my posts ;)) I began to take his advice to heart and I started to drink more water.  Miraculously, the headaches subsided - almost instantly!

I regret to say that as life has gotten busier it has become easier to make poor choices.  Way easier to grab that shot of sugary caffeine goodness from the vending machine than to eat high energy/healthy foods and drink water.

I'm currently dealing with a lower back injury.  I can't remember anything specific that I did to 'throw it out' ... more and more I consider the idea that my unhealthy life choices that I've been making lately have caused this latest flare up.  Why else is my body fighting the correction of the problem?  I've seen a local chiropractor three times already and will be going back tomorrow.  Seems I'm good for a day and a half or so after the visit and then I'm right back to the uncomfortable, painful flareup.

It's time to take it back to the roots.  Back to the basics of life:

Water.

Water plays such an important role in the universe.  It literally gives and sustains life. 

Think about it, we are made of 3/4 water.  Now go back and reread that sentence.  That's a powerful statement isn't it?  We spend that first nine months of our life in water.  We need it.  We need it at a primitive level.  So why don't we drink it?  Why don't I drink it? 

To quote my husband, I like "simple colors".  Rest assured, he doesn't mean that as an insult.  I take it as more of a compliment of our differences.  I look at things simply...and I enjoy pretty things. ;)  I've gotten myself a pretty orange cup - orange happens to be my favorite color (if you hadn't guessed by the site) - and I make it a point to fill it at least three times a day with ice cold water.  It measures twenty-eight ounces, I fill it to about twenty-four and add ice to fill it the rest of the way.  I have been drinking at least seventy-two ounces of water a day, sometimes near ninety-six.  To help with cleansing, I've been adding a squeeze of lemon juice to at least one of my twenty-four ounce treats.

Along with simple colors, I appreciate illustrations ;)  I found this while browsing the interwebs and thought I would share

 
Two (02) glasses of water - After waking up - Helps activate internal organs
One (01) glass of water - 30 minutes before meal - Help digestion
One (01) glass of water - Before taking a bath - Helps lower blood pressure
One (01) glass of water - Before sleep - To avoid stroke or heart attack


I interpret the glass of water to equal at least eight ounces.

Happy cleansing!
  
 
 

I've come to some realizations lately:

I've got to make changes in my life, for myself and my family.  I am going to begin my journey of wellness, both physical and spiritual and in that journey find myself.  The ultimate goal is to provide a life that is honest and free.  A life that my family can live without regret. 

Some would call it the American Dream - I suppose that is open for interpretation.  Not everyone has the same dream, do we?  For some it's money, power and possession ... others it's to make their 'mark' in fame.  For me it's simple: My husband, our son, and myself living in nature, self sufficient, safe, secure and stress - free.  Wealth for me comes in the form of happiness.

So, I thought I would document my/our journey.  I can't promise this blog is going to be entertaining but I can promise that it will be real.