Hello and New to Everything

[Roadweaver]

Hello, I have not slept since I made the decision to retire, buy an RV, then hit the road. I have only ridden with other RVers but have wanted an RV for many years. My plan for the first year is to travel 6 months and find a campground in FL for 6 months. That could change at any time. My family is very happy for me and has really gotten into the research, you would think that it was their RV. The only thing that we have agreed on is that it will be a motorhome. I have not told them yet but I am pretty sure that it will be a Phoenix Cruiser 2700. Of course that could change as well. This weekend, I have to go to two RV shows because my son wants to go but works on the weekend so we are going to the MD RV show on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, I am going with my daughter and her husband to the PA show. Anyway, I have been enjoying this group as a lurker and hope to learn much and meet you on the road. My retirement date is June 1, 2013, but want to get the RV early so I can get used to it. The hardest part is downsizing from a 3 bedroom apartment that I have been in for 20 years. As usual, I am talking too much so let me get out of here. I do that when I get excited

[sharon]

Welcome!! Excited is good, we do that a lot around here, so no need to apologize! Looking for that perfect home is the most exciting part...and the most exhausting. But as we can all attest to, you'll know that "perfect home for you" when you walk in the door. It'll be love at first sight. Kind of like the first time I ever saw Steve McQueen on the big screen. Keep us posted on how the search is going and join in any time with questions you may have. We may not have the answer, but we'll for sure have an opinion!

[Sandersmr]

Welcome - sounds like you have a plan! And I envy you, it will still be several years before I can retire. Even then, I don't know if I will ever go fulltime. We'll see. I do know that I want to do a lot of traveling.

[Travelinana]

Welcome Roadweaver,,,we love to share your excitement. Some say the fun is really in the shopping..I never really saw it this way but while shopping is fun the real fun has just begun. I just did the downsizing part and have to admit I wouldn't want to be starting it again but when you start your unloading of stuff, just take it one day at a time...it took me a few days to do this but I took the advice of others on the forum and learned to focus on one room at a time instead of jumping around the house like a jackrabbit..
Keep us posted on progress and I might add that when the stress of downsizing starts to weigh you down, just send us a long post telling us everything you have done so far and what your plans are for the next days ahead...I can only guess how many times I emptied my brain to my forum friends the past 3 months. I think you will find it keeps you focused and 'sane'.

[Travelinana]

Kind of like the first time I ever saw Steve McQueen on the big screen.

I laughed when I read this Sharon...My first time was the movie with Natalie Wood..they had a one night stand and she got pregnant. Of course they fell in love and I had dreams of it being me

[Roadweaver]

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome. My downsizing is so hard because I am a craft junkie and I travel with my job. I am a claims adjuster for bad weather across the country. When I get the call, I throw my personal things in the van and head anywhere in the U.S, I could be gone for months, in fact I just got back from 4 months in Kentucky. Every room is jam packed with craft stuff. My daughter's bedroom is my sewing room with 3 sewing machines, serger, felting machine and loads of fabric. My son's bedroom is my yarn room which is full of yarn, two full size weaving looms, and 2 travel size loom but don't forget the mounds of yarn and books I have collected around the country. Trust me that is not all....It has been my plan to have the RV by the end of March and move into it because that is when my lease is up but if I keep getting sent for 4 months, that won't happen. My son told me to check to the lease office because it might be cheaper to break the lease than go month to month. I have a double wide mobile home on my land that I have to have some work done and then get it rented....I was given the family land by my mother and I had this home put on it for them, when they died I just did not go back to it and now it has been vandalized but not unrepairable so. I am so happy that you ladies are here, my family has no idea what i am going through.

[carold]

Welcome to the forum. Seems like you're already a seasoned traveler albeit for work instead of "just because". If you've been "lurking" awhile, you know that others have had the same issues with downsizing, and especially Dawn who also had her sewing and crafts. It's great that your family is behind your decision. Have fun shopping around. Love RV shows. An upside is that you don't have to worry about selling a home. We do love pics. Maybe an avatar so we can put a face to the name? carold

[BirdbyBird]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations to all the steps you have already taken towards your goal. Your figuring out how to fit your "hobby" and crafting passions into an RV will be interesting....but I know that you will figure out some priority system and make it work.

And don't worry about too much information....if you have been a lurker you already know that value of sharing with one another.

.... if you start repeating the same information over and over again...we might have to have a talk.

[Dawn309]

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry, but I just had to laugh. You sound so much like I did a few months ago. I had a huge collection for my crafts. I had about 500 yds of material alone along with 2 sewing machines, serger, embroidery machine and knitting machine. I had drawers and drawers of notions. I also have all my jewelry making beads and findings. I had dreams of being able to take about 1/3 of that material with me when I moved from my house into my MH. I ended up not being able to take any of the material with me. I did fill a jumbo space bag with yarn and have that. It's in my brother's storage right now until I can clear out some more storage area in my rig. I did find room for all my machines except the knitting machine which went to my sister.

Nancy and I have been emptying our houses at the same time mostly. Believe me, being able to get on this forum and discuss all your frustrations and triumphs helps so much during this process. It is very hard, emotional work. I still hate the loss of my fabric stash, but as I have been reminded here, there are fabric stores all over the country. I am now living full time in my MH and I love it! I am at my first stop in this new life. Enjoy the shopping for your rig. I looked for months before finding the perfect floor plan for me. Looking for the right rig was a process too. I started out thinking I wanted a TT, then a 5th wheel and finally realizing I would be most comfortable in a MH. You will know what is right for you when you see it.

As Nancy said, take clearing out your apartment one day at a time. You have plenty of time before you retire. After you find the right rig for you, enjoy your trips in the meantime. I look forward to meeting you down the road somewhere.

[mtngal]

Welcome! Nice choice of rig too! I'm chuckling at the comment about fabric stores all over the country; a couple of my favorite knitting projects recently have resulted from purchases on the road when I needed something to knit. Seriously though, I can't imagine having the kind of supplies you and Dawn describe! What I have done a couple times with extra stuff was put together 'Beginner' boxes for younger friends.....one is now an avid knitter and the other is making earrings to sell. Makes me happy! Good luck and have fun shopping for your rig.

[longdog2]

Dawn is a great example for you. You just can't take it all with you. If you plan to keep your land and there is space, you might consider having a space for an RV with 50/30 AMP plug, water hook-up and connection to existing sewer added before you rent out. Make sure the renters understand that you will be there occasionally (might get you better renters too). You could also have a small storage building for those things you don't need seasonally. The kind of job you have seems like it might be ideal for a working on the road type of job. I like Diana's idea of kits for newbies because you won't get much money for all those supplies that you have stockpiled.

[retiredhappy]

Welcome to the forum. Glad to see how excited you are. Ahhhhh, craft supplies. I used to be a quilter and had lots of fabric. I found when I was fulltime RVing I really didn't have the time - there was so many other things to do. If I had wanted to continue I would have downsized to maybe baby quilts or pillows. Enjoy the learning process.

[Readytogo]

Weldome to the forum, I am not a fulltimer or a crafter, altho I did so ceramics when kids were little. Dawn will be glad I have someone else to pick on! Weldome from Wendy, in Alabama. And pepper (dog) and Fluffy (cat) Cat does not go camping, altho some have been successful at this!

[Bethers]

Welcome. Glad to have you with us. And The Phoenix Cruisers are great mh's. I don't think any of them are bad. Will be waiting to see if that's what you stay with. Amazing how things can change at rv shows

[Roadweaver]

Do I continue to post to this thread as I go through the trials and tribulations of downsizing and searching for the perfect RV? By the way, my blog is entitled The Adventures of the Geritol Gypsy because I was on the road with my job and I wanted my family and friends to know what I was up to. I have not posted for awhile but I think it might be a good outlet for me to write down what is going on in my head.