A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Hi all
I haven't had allot to say lately, so thought I'd jump in and say HI !!
As you know, I sold my 5th wheel in September and moved into an apartment in Des Moines (Iowa). I got a new cute little car, a nice one bedroom apartment and a part time job at Petco. Lots of changes, but I'm really happy to be off the road. I enjoyed my time as a RV'er, but found I wanted to be home. I wouldn't trade that time for anything - I learned allot about myself and found out what was important to me.
I still have allot of things I'd like to do, but I'm working on it. Right now I'm looking for a place to do some volunteer work - I'm going to check out a retirement community as soon as I get over this dang cold. They want people to volunteer during their ice cream social and of course they want people to just visit the residents. I think I'd like doing that.
I've been trying my hand at cooking some actual food - I've made a couple of things that have turned out OK. That still needs work !
Molly and I are really happy the weather is finally getting better - we can get out and walk again !!! This winter was pretty bad and it was either too cold or too icy to do much walking. It's been super nice to get out and get some fresh air again.
My apartment is on the first floor and there are a couple of big pine trees just outside so I've had allot of birds at my feeders - I've enjoyed that and Murphy the cat has spent allot of time by the window.
I have a new frog, Chomp. He's a Pac Man frog and is a weird, but cool pet.
I've been out dancing with my sister, her husband and their friends - I love doing that ! It's been years since I had been dancing. I found a new lady friend that enjoys scary movies, so we've gotten together to watch a movie and we're planing our next movie night. I've been out to eat several times with family and am just thrilled when we can do something on the spur of the moment !
I really am happy here and am looking forward to whatever is next !!!

Trudy,

I'm so glad for you that life is treating you well. Given time we all find out where "home" is for us. You still have a place in our campfire circle,... so don't be a stranger.

Great to see your post!

Hi, Miss Trudy!
I always love hearing from you. I sure miss your humor and wacky pictures. Most of all I'm happy that you are happy! Whatever floats you boat. You go girl! I know I'd never be able to go fulltime as I need permanent roots and my family near. Just how some of us are made. Good luck on the volunteer job. I think you'd be great at visitng/helping out with the residents at a senior home.
Please check in often if only to say "hi".
Hugs!

Hi Trudy, sounds like you've found the lifestyle that works for you. That's what it's all about. You encouraged a lot of women to try something for themselves, so you did good Yes, please keep us updated. Love hearing from you, no matter what "road" you're on. carold

You should consider getting your dog and/or cat certified as a therapy pet and then you can take them with you to visit the seniors. They love having pet visits! Check with your local Humane Society about certification classes.

Thanks for the update, Trudy. You've been missed. And I'm also glad that you found where you want to be. Now, don't be a stranger!

Good to hear from you.

I thought of you recently when a lady pulled into a site next to me with a 5er. She couldn't back her's up and went around the cg asking guys if they could back her in. The reason I thought about you is because you had a 37 ft, her's was 27 and you handled yours a lot better than she. She said it was her first time in a tight spot like a state park. I'm proud of you as I was her. She was just starting out full timing too and she had never camped before either. I told her about you and how proud we all were of you and how inspirational. Miss you. and you will be great at anything but volunteering at the retirement home will be a blessing for them.

Stay in touch.

Hi Molly, RE therapy certification. You can check on line for testers near you. The two bigger organizations are Therapy Dog International and Delta Therapy ....Delta certify all sort of animals- - cats, rabbits, birds.... You might check with a particular facility that you are interested in. Many facilities welcome well mannered dogs regardless of whether they have formal certification or not. The certification and annual registration DOES provide you with liability Ins......

Either way, the dogs are well loved and appreciated. I just think how much having contact with an animal would mean to me if I were to end up in a similar situation with no animals in my life.

I'll add my "glad to hear from you" to the others. Just because you're not RVing anymore doesn't mean you can't stay in touch on the forum.

It just makes me laugh to think of my Molly dog being a therapy dog ! She needs therapy !!! I love her with all my heart, but she is a big of a freak. We're perfect together
My cat Murphy would be awesome however - I've never met such a laid back, sweet natured kitty !! I might see what it'd take to get him certified.
Thanks for the idea.

You can definately get your cat certified! A great lap cat is always welcome at a senior facility. Cats have a knack for knowing who needs them the most and bring comfort to them.
One of my ferrets (Moxy) would have been a great therapy pet, but they won't certify ferrets. I would bring him to visit my mom in the nursing home and he would sit still in her arms (not at all typical of a ferret, especially a baby ferret!) and the other residents were very curious about him and wanted to pet and hold him too. He loved the attention! He never acted calm like that at home but always became that way when we went to visit my mom. He just seemed to know...

so good to hear from you Trudy sounds like things are well with you! have missed you as well...not sure where our travels will take us but we will be in Iowa in April and headed back to UT via something later in the month. If we make it to Des Moines will give you a pm I guess
have a good one and check in more often ok
sheila

Hi Trudy - So nice to hear things are going so good for you. I think Molly would make a great therapy dog and she could enjoy it right along with you. My daughter rescued her beautiful Reddie (red hair Pom mix) several years ago and certified her for therapy. Reddie loves everyone and is so sweet and she was the perfect therapy dog. Kristie says Reddie is the best $5 she has ever spent. These days Kristie doesn't do therapy with Reddie because she just had her boy/girl twins 3 weeks ago today. And, Reddie along with my daughter's other 2 dogs loves the twins too.

Keep up the positive Trudy. You sound happy and it is so nice to be around family - when we want to!! And, enjoy visiting at the retirement home.

Linda

Ditto what everybody else said, Trudy. I check your blog every couple of days looking for updates!