#19 A look back...a look forward

Things have really settled down now.  Starting to feel like the fun part of this journey is beginning.  I'm also starting to look back and put things in perspective.  I've read what I have written in the past.  I was pretty much going crazy during the process of moving lol.  But, I now know why.  Since this is a learning experience, let me elaborate:

Every time we have moved in the past, we just packed and went.  There was some purging, but for the most part everything went in a box and to the new place.  This time was different.  Everything had to go.  As a result there was the added stress of sorting through things..everything.  I had to choose wisely since we were only keeping limited items.  Some things were hard to part with; others not so much.  Adding to that aspect was the very short escrow and LJ not being around to help.  I had friends helping, but while appreciated, also added to the stress.  I felt the need to quickly sort, pack and eliminate.  In retrospect I kept things that should have gone and tossed things I wish I'd kept.  But some of that could just be donation remorse.  This was by far the hardest move we have ever done.  Now I have had time to reflect.  I almost wish we had saved nothing.  We are paying for a storage unit that holds things that really aren't that important in the big scheme of things.  I'd like to go through all that stuff when we get back to Reno in the spring.  Maybe now I can let it go.

Another thing adding to the high stress was Nevada Real Estate Law.  In California, when you sell a house, the buyer has 3 days to withdraw the contract, then it's binding.  In Nevada, the buyer can walk away up to the day of closing.  So here I was, emptying out the house of worldly belongings and furniture, all the time having that hanging over my head.  I realize now, that as the house emptied and it no longer looked like a home, I was worrying about the sale going through.  There was nothing the buyer had done to indicate she wouldn't follow through.  It was just knowing it was a possibility.

that was a nice $1500 win

Our friends have this beautiful home here.  We visit and I think about having a house.  But I'm
actually not ready yet.  I like the idea of being able to up and move when we want.  This first year it seems like we aren't really going many places.  Part of it is getting used to this lifestyle.  Part of it is winter is really not the time to travel.  I believe this summer we will move around a bit more.  In February we leave here for a couple weeks to go to Quartzite and Yuma....atv trip.  I know we will be in Reno from April -June to do taxes and allow me some gambling time. (I don't atv so it's my "me" time lol)  July we will be in Idaho to atv and just explore.  August is up in the air.
Middle of September we return to Utah...atv time....again.  
Middle of October we are back here in Arizona.  So at least we are moving around a little!


Since we didn't buy a toy hauler, our travel area is limited if we are pulling the atv.  In retrospect, as much as I love this home on wheels, maybe we should have considered that a bit more.  Larry has no problem pulling the extra trailer.  It tracks just fine and with the rear camera on the rv he can keep an eye on it.  He is perfectly legal in a few states, but unfortunately different state have different vehicle laws.  Legal here, not there.  It affects where we go.  So since we have the atv, we either leave it in Reno, travel and return to get it for the fall rides or we limit our travel area.

our home on wheels

I so love the storage and space this RV gives us.  It is so much nicer than a toy hauler.  But given LJ doesn't want to give up his atv that should have been thought out more.  We make it work, but it may not be the right thing in the long run.   It will be hard to give up the roominess of the living area, master bath.  The toy hauler when used to it's fullest potential allows for a separate family room and patio.  They do have half baths and decent kitchens, but a much smaller main living and master bath.  Nothing is perfect I guess.  Trade one thing for another.  Just have to decide, after some time of course, what the priorities are.  If it's live in comfort and limit the travel area when pulling the atv... stay with this one.  If it's being able to travel the entire US with the ATV, but not pulling the extra trailer, then we change to the toy hauler.  Priorities.

We have agreed to stay status quo for the two year commitment.  After all, we just bought it and we both enjoy living in it.  Should we decide to keep on with this lifestyle AND the atv, then we will probably need to sell and change types of trailers.  If the atv is no longer to be considered, then this trailer will be fine for years.

Another obstacle I have run in to is Medical. Of course, full timing in the RV really isn't the issue.  I discovered that any time I am out of Nevada, my health insurance only covers emergencies.  Nice.... That means if I need to see a doctor for a cold or flu, too bad.  Not covered.  When I went to get a policy for 2018 (Anthem blue shield left Nevada), I discovered that NO insurance had a policy that covers out of state thanks to the ACA.  And that included Anthem, even tho they are nationwide!  Crazy.  LJ on the other hand is fine because he is on medicare.  He is covered everywhere.  At least I have insurance should we get in an accident or I have a heart attack or something major.  Sometimes I think what's the point of paying that $900 a month... but then theres the mandate.  Thank you federal government.  At least our truck and RV are covered everywhere lol.  Not gonna let it be an issue.  I'll be 65 in 3 years.  I just need to stay healthy til then.

As far as living in the trailer, I rather like it.  The simplicity of it all is quite appealing.  We did have Satellite Tv put on the rig so we can have some semblance of normal life lol.  I like that now we can record shows for those days you just wanna sit in the chair and do nothing.  Plus we get all the news and movie channels so we can keep up what's going on in the world.  It's what we do at night when it starts to get a little cool.  Plus, to be perfectly honest, there's bugs at night.  yuck.. So I'd rather be inside.  We sprayed around the trailer and site so we don't have many, but those of you who know me know my dread of being around crickets.....and there are a lot of crickets here.  At night.  Ewwww.

As for our life so far.....Love it here in Arizona this time of year.  It's not too hot, but rather spring, early summer like.  Still shorts and t-shirt weather.  Pretty blue skies, slight breezes.  Makes being outside during the day relaxing and inviting.  Nights are nice, but again..crickets.  Ewwww.

It really isn't much different living in the trailer as opposed to a house.  Not as big, of course, but easy to take care of.  It is a stress free life style.  I have to admit LJ and I are together 24-7, 365.  It's not a lifestyle you should choose if you can't stand that much together time, lol.  We pretty much do everything we did when we had a house...except yard work, house work.  We go out, visit friends, shop, watch tv, walk the park, play cards and sometimes just sit and watch the world go by.  We have our "me" time when LJ goes to breakfast with Bruce or one of us simply goes outside while the other one stays inside.  Usually it's to watch tv.  I hate racing, he hates constantly watching the ID channel lol.  There is a tv outside so no one has to do without.

LJs lifestyle is the same as before.  He's replaced mowing lawns with the occasional dumping of holding tanks hahahaha.

Scooter seems to like it.  He no longer barks at everything that moves, except birds lol.  He has made a couple doggie friends.  He likes to be outside so he can keep an eye on everything.  I think he's outside more here that when we lived in the house...as are we.

I do miss my sewing room and being able to go to the casino when I want.  So I read and crochet.  I don't go shopping any more because there's nothing to buy and no place to put it.  We did have to replace our dining room chairs.  That was exciting, lol.  LJ was sitting in one and said "this seems a little wobbly, not real sturdy".  So let's wiggle our butt around in it a bit, I don't know, just to see what happens.  Crack.... oh that's what happens.  Oh and let's turn the other chair upside down without holding on to the open seat to see what happens.  Oh... it falls off and the screws come out.  Never a dull moment.  On the upside, we replaced the rickety crappy RV chairs with lovely new ones that should last for years.  And we found them at some little hole in the wall store and only paid $50 a piece for them!   I actually like them much better, so it was a good thing in the end.

So, all in all, I'm still glad we made this lifestyle choice.  It's nice continuing to watch the bank account grow.  It's nice to be debt free.  It's not perfect, but it's a good life.  I think the choice we made to stay put in one place was smart for the first year.  I also have changed my mind and think maybe we should travel a bit more in the future.  Places to go, things to see.  I originally liked just exchanging a house for an RV, but staying pretty much status quo.  I think I was wrong.  I find I get a little bored sometimes, but not enough to want to change the lifestyle...just maybe the scenery.

After reflecting on it....still the smartest decision we ever made.

old chairs on the left......                                                new chairs... much better