Where's Chris? A little catch-up

[oregontocal]

Trudy sent me a PM, checking on how things have been going, and this is what I wrote back.

I've been kind of busy with moving in, finding furniture and household supplies by scouring garage and estate sales, and thrift stores, searching out places in town to buy fabric and patterns, finding my way around (learning which streets go where), meeting people, getting set up to do the packing and shipping for my friend Lou's online business, http://www.focusknobs.com/ and taking care of changing my email address, with all that entails, beginning to dig the garden (slow work), learning how really cook again, and doing a lot more sewing. Although I've done a lot of quilting, it's been quite a while since I've actually sewn clothes. So, I found lots of vintage patterns on eBay and will see how many are usable. It's so nice having room to sew again. It was way too difficult trying to figure out how to do it in the MH.

My ex-FIL, the one I helped take care of last spring in Portland, died last month, so I'm flying up to Portland Thursday for his memorial service. In order to get a reasonable plane fare, I need to stay there for 6 days, so will do that as well as then fly down to San Diego for another 6 days to see my mom and friends. I wasn't planning on being gone that long, but for $350 instead of $700, I'll do it.

I've been reading both forums off and on, but it seems like I'm living such a different life right now, very far removed from fulltiming for two years. I will be taking the RV out on a trip to Missouri in April to meet a friend, so need to repack it with some necessities. I got pretty tired driving from Kansas to San Diego around Christmas, then coming all the way back in early February. I go through stages of wondering if I should sell the RV because it doesn't make a lot of sense to pay the loan, insurance, and upkeep when I'm not using it all that much. Then I decide that it's the best and cheapest way to travel, as well as the most fun, and have second thoughts. So, perhaps I'll plan some more trips, like going to our church's General Assembly in Salt Lake City this summer.

My good friends Rich and Fran, whom I worked with in Kanab, Utah, have also bought a house recently, up in Nebraska. They're going to stop by here on their way up there in early April. They're still workamping at Glacier Nat'l Park this summer, though.

I love reading about all your adventures and will write occasionally. I am still thinking about all of you. This forum is so much fun!

[Sparkle]

I was wondering what happened to you. I answered to your new e-mail, but figured you were busy, as you were! I hope it all works out for you. You could have the best of both worlds...your little house, and your RV for trips.

[Bethers]

Glad to hear from you. And I, too, figured you were busy getting settled in. Hope to hear from you regularly with all the fun things you find there.

I cringe at the though of changing my one email. Hope I never have to - have had it for about 10 years now - and it'll be bad enough if I ever have to change some of the other email accts I have. Definitely know it must be a pain.

Good luck in all the settling in - and have fun sewing.

[oregontocal]

Beth: It always amazes me that Microsoft and other companies are able to do so many fantastic things but no one has yet been able to figure out how to notify everyone in one fell swoop about an email address change.

Sparkle: I did get your email, but just hadn't had a chance to reply yet. Thank you, though.

[Cedar518]

Chris, it sounds like you have been busy in a nice way,... settling into that cute little place. Our forums are for everyone, not "full timers" so don't be a stranger,... look at me,.. only a part time camper in the summers. I'll be looking forward to pictures. Reading about your sewing makes me want to get out my machine and do a project. it's been tooooo long!

Glad to hear from you!

[Orchid]

I was just thinking that you hadn't posted in quite a long time and must be in your stick house by now. What are you planning to plant in your garden, flowers or food or both? Glad to hear you're keeping your RV for now. You seem to get so much enjoyment from traveling in it. Keep us posted on your new adventure. Cheryl