Dusty Thursday

[BarbaraRose]

Good morning gals!

There is very little wind this morning so I am not sure why there is a brown haze of dust in the air. Maybe it is windy further north and just blowing the dust down this way.

I need to get up and start cleaning this morning. I have been putting that off for too long, altho I did get some things done yesterday. I think I will clean the bedroom, bath, and kitchen today. Then as a reward, I will work on a fun project afterward. I have a few that I want to work on.

Today is the 5 year anniversary of moving into this place! Hard to believe it has been 5 years already! That is the longest, by far, of any place I have ever lived, other than my childhood home. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer!

I still plan to buy a space at the Escapees Co-op in Casa Grande, AZ, like where Beth has a lot in Benson. Their waiting list is only 6 months now. But I don't want to put my name on the list until I sell here. If my name comes up before I am ready to buy it, they put my name back to the bottom of the list, so I am better off waiting I think. Anyways, I am thinking I would do the same thing that Beth is doing, sort of. I would use that lot in the winter while I am on the road full-time. But once I decide I don't want to keep traveling, I would buy a large travel trailer to park there to be more comfortable living in, pretty much year round, other than taking smaller, shorter trips in the summer by car or a camper van. I had thought about buying a park model or mobile home for a home base, but the lot rents are so high that I could never afford that option. The TT option would be much more affordable and still comfortable. Thanks Beth for the idea!!

Have a good day!

[Othersharon]

Good afternoon all. Goodness, it’s been another crazy day for me again. My good friend and her DH came up for a visit. Between her schedule and my crazy life we just haven’t seen each other since they got back from their winter in Myrtle Beach. Buddy just didn’t want to settle down. He was so excited to see them. We were talking about the treadmill situation and danged if she didn’t get him walking on it. She showed me her idea to get him walking and it worked!! If I wasn’t so thrilled I’d be embarrassed! But the main thing is that we can use it when I can’t get him out for a walk and any time in between! When I walked them out to their car I noticed how long the grass is so think since the wind is blowing like crazy and we haven’t had any rain since early this morning I think I’ll get out and mow it in a bit. The humidity is supposed to start dropping this afternoon so it won’t be bad in the sun. About it from here today. Hope you all have a good rest of your day.

[Redetotry]

Good Afternoon all, It's in the mid-80's but feels warmer to me out there! It could be my temper though that is responsible from trying to deal with Frontier after they switched me over to their fiber optics! It worked ok for about 2 weeks then I started getting static on all the house phones. to the point they were useless. I had a landline through AT&T but when Frontier switched us to fiber optics they took my landline and put it on Frontier. All my phones all had so much static I couldn't use them and today I have no dial tone they are all dead except a phone connected with a cord instead of cordless has been ringing it is at least 38 years old. I spent 45 minutes actually talking to a person at Frontier and finally convinced them since they couldn't fix it remotely to send someone out tomorrow. Amazing I thought it would be at least a week wait.
Barbie I hope you get your place sold soon and can move on down the road The medical system is so messed up I can't imagine what you are going through. Pat I'm sorry your year has started off with so many health issues I hope you feel better soon. Martha sounds as though you need to be one step ahead of Luna she is too smart and probably reads your mind.
I think I need a nap and maybe a glass of wine to relax! Sharon, I just saw your post about Buddy walking on the treadmill don't be embarrassed they are like kids and do opposite of what you say.

[IrishIroamed]

...
I would use that lot in the winter while I am on the road full-time. But once I decide I don't want to keep traveling, I would buy a large travel trailer to park there to be more comfortable living in, pretty much year round, other than taking smaller, shorter trips in the summer by car or a camper van. ..

Just something to think about Barbie...
Casa Grande is only an hour away from me in Apache Junction.
I also have the same thought of this being my home when I get off the road, for a short while anyway, but the summer heat (right now 106° with a feel like of 109°). I'm thankful for the full size A/C (not a swamp cooler). The trailer would never be able to keep up with this heat and could possibly freeze up.

A/C had been running over a month already and electric bill hasn't been to bad, so far. I'd suggest looking for a mobile home. Some monthly rents may work with your budget. I"d hate to have you spend money on something that after a year, wouldn't work, and then be moving again.

Maybe consider looking to a bit higher elevation. For example Globe AZ is only 2000' higher than AJ and the temps, the couple of times I've been up there this summer, is 20° cooler.

[JudyJB]

Good tips from Cheryl!

I went out to get some frozen cherries today--had to go to Gordon Food Service store to find them. Got a 5 lb bag and dumped half of them in my biggest pot, along with a lot of sugar and some SureGel. Cherries are melted and I was able to grind them up with my immersion blender, so they are all ready to start cooking, but I just finished dinner and need to put some water in rig before it gets too dark and the mosquitos come out. I also need to wash and rinse the jars to put the jam in and then process it.

I gave away all the jam I made last winter. Mostly, I give a jar to people who have helped me with stuff. Yesterday, I made bread and gave a small loaf to each of two couples--one to couple next door. They always seem lonely and come over to talk when I see them. The woman is 72 and has had chemo off and on for 16 years, if you can imagine that. Other small loaf went to couple down the way who chatted and brought me a couple of potato pancakes the other day. Anyway, it is nice to have something homemade to give to friendly people.

Also cleaned out cupboard where i store food containers and got rid of the lids that did not match anything or the containers that were missing lids! Much easier to deal with now. Tomorrow, I also need to do some cleaning out under my bed. Real mess under there!!!!

[snowball]

the aide was here today...I think mom likes her better as she didn't give her a lot of guff
but she did find a couple of sores hopefully we caught them fast enough... need to be more on top of it... still need to plant the plants but they are actually outside...
it took longer to take care of her than I expected...
hopefully the lowered price will help you get your place sold Barbie.... sometimes one needs to wonder about people and appointments ... my semi plans for the future is to find a place in Q where I can live most of the year leave there just before memorial day and return after labor day weekend depending upon family things. If that happens I want to find something stationary and have the access to either A/C or the other cooling system guess we will see when the time comes...
my grandson told me the colors he wants or his afghan I actually may have most o one color I bought it on a whim thinking maybe someone would want it .... and have had no takers hopefully it's the right color...I just need to locate it and the other colors are colors that again I may have some left over from other afghan's
it's so hot in here a little late to open the door but sure wish we had done so earlier
oh Sharon what was to secret to getting Buddy to walk on the treadmill??

you all have a great day
sheila

[BirdbyBird]

Thank you Cheryl and Sheilas for caring enough to give some feedback and ideas for Barbie to ponder. Barbie, you have bemoaned the long summers and summer high temperatures for the five years that you have been in your current home. You acknowledge that you don't deal well with heat. Consider Cheryl's observations of what she knows regarding the variations in AZ temperatures before you commit to another "jump" that will not serve you well. I know that you have always wished to be able to travel for some time after selling your home and purchasing a used RV. Seriously consider your real budget and your history of living within a tight financial budget...without a major change in your working. As you already know ability to earn extra money in the future will still be limited to your background experience,diversity of skills...and a biggie....your health.
If you do take up a nomad life, you need to be comfortable dealing with all the unpredictable issues, anxiety producing and potential stressors, that one runs into living as a Nomad. Also think ahead about the medical (doctors and Specialists) that you may need to maintain the health that you have fought to maintain. As you and other have often have recounted, finding good medical personnel and support services isn't always easy. It is difficult to find when you are sitting still. Harder to find if moving around. Think ahead of what you will need in the way of a "landing" when decide to come off the road for whatever reason. CHeck out the weather extremes and be realistic to what you want or can handle. CHeck out the overall cost of living. Costs vary greatly by state and/or region. And access to quality medical care (especially for older individuals) greatly varies by city and states..... Here is hoping that you are successful in getting your home sold as you have dreamed. Here is to making careful decisions and choices about your future.... be that immediate and long term..... Tina

[BarbaraRose]

Thank you for all your info and suggestions.
I have a lot of time while I wait to sell the house to come up with lots of different ideas, and I change my mind alot. I am sure once I get on the road and see how it all goes, I will come up with other ideas/plans as I go. I may find out I hate being full-time within a year, or like Beth, may love it and stick with it for many years.

My current plan is to make Arizona my "home" state and get health insurance and doctors thru ACA there, and use my brother's address for my "home" address for mail, license, etc.

As far as later coming off the road, I really don't and won't know for sure until that time comes. Then I will figure it out. I am just throwing out my thoughts and possible options for now. Tomorrow, I might have a whole new idea!

Tina, you are right. I do hate the heat. But I do plan to spend the winters there and will boondock as much as I can during that time to save money for summer traveling. I can look into all my options for the summers when that time comes.

Casa Grande is a perfect location for me, with it being within an hour to Phoenix and Tucson which gives me a lot of options for doctors, stores, etc, plus being so close to my brother and SIL. Also it has the large gourd farm and festival there so that would be very convenient too. I like the smaller town feel as compared to big cities (I didn't like living in Phoenix at all) and has all the basics in town that I might need close by. It is also a good base for traveling east, west, and north to states I most want to visit. Not to mention, AZ is a lot more affordable than California (gas, food, etc).

Like you all say "jell-o plans".

[Bethers]

Barbie, it's also a very affordable option. I learned there are ways to work around the heat and the cold. Like me, the night owl, is actually getting up between 5 and 6 am now for the wonderful temps and walks I can get in then. This will be my first entire summer here, but I also know I can pull my class c out anytime for a respite into cooler temps here in Arizona and in New Mexico. I love South Dakota, MN and WI, so while I still can travel the hottest months I might find the most inexpensive ways I can to visit those areas. I do know I wouldn't go north with winters again year round, nor would I stay in many southern states, including South Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama or Florida. The heat and humidity are totally not doable for ME for more than a very short time. I'm living on a shoe string budget now and actually have money left over and not touching my savings. Good luck with whatever you decide.