Another update - Day 1920 (Year 6, Day 94

Zephyrhills, FL

When I last wrote 10 days ago, Mitch was out in Albuquerque doing an assignment with the AF Nat'l Guard, and was to return around midnight on Wednesday (I should have updated the blog on Wed., 2 days ago, but work was crazy busy.  Not that it isn't right now, but I really need to get this down).  Anyway, the job ended a little bit earlier than expected and they had another job up in Burlington, Vermont.  So instead of sending him home on Wed, he was sent up to VT instead.  The job may not be finished by today (Friday) but he made it very clear that he needs to be home on Monday and Tuesday which is Rosh Hashanah.  So the deal is that if the job isn't finished by this weekend (2 co-workers are staying longer), they will fly him back up there next Wednesday, to return the following Monday in time to be home for Yom Kippur.

Meanwhile, on the way to pick up my groceries yesterday, the truck wouldn't start (the last time I had truck problems was when Mitch was in Reno.  I'm beginning to think I'm being tested!).  The problem is most likely bad batteries, which were replaced only in December and are under warranty.  I found a local distributor / mobile tech.  He removed the batteries yesterday for testing and return and will come back today with new ones (waiting for the shipment).  Hopefully!!!

Meanwhile, Mitch is expected to return within minutes of the start of Shabbat tonight.  Can't believe it's been 10 days we've been apart (seems like only 2 or 3!)

What's going on in our lives? - Day 1910 (Year 6, Day 84

Zephyrhills, FL

As always, nothing exciting.  Haven't explored any interesting places.  Life as always.  Of course, always grateful that we're alive, have our health, have food on the table and a roof over our head.  Some day, perhaps, our dream to travel where and when we want will come to fruition.

For me, most days my 10 active clients keep me fairly busy. Thank goodness they ALL don't have needs on the same day!

For Mitch, he is still (since Dec. 2018) looking for employment.  He gets calls almost daily from various recruiters and has many irons in the fire, but no firm offers yet.  A bunch of very interesting ones (including for a cruise line) that we're hoping for.  At the moment (today, 9/17 thru next Wed. 9/25 midnight), he has another one-off assignment installing WiFi at an Air National Guard airforce base.  In July he did this in Reno, NV. Now he is in Albuquerque, NM.  If he can do 2 of these jobs a month, we could survive financially, although I have mixed feelings about him being gone.  On one hand, I enjoy my freedom and the lack of having to clean up clutter; on the other, I miss him terribly.

Today, the campground has hired a company to trim all the trees here.  They are currently cutting down the tree above me.  I hope they know what they're doing and it doesn't fall on me!!!

Update from yesterday's post - Day 1900 (Year 6, Day 74

Zephyrhills, FL

Wow, another milestone day (#1900)!

So... nope, not happening, at least not with Butter.  Owner changed her mind and isn't ready to give him up yet.

We'll keep looking for that perfect pet!  If it's meant to be, I'm sure its path will cross with ours.

Possible new family member??? - Day 1899 (Year 6, Day 73)

Zephyrills, FL

Ok, the argument since we started full timing 6 years ago, was whether or not to get a pet (we needed to re-home our 3 kitties as they were old and none of them would have been able to travel well).  For years, we've been literally "on the fence" -- one day thinking yes, it'll be great and other days thinking about all the reasons not to (particularly either for dogs not wanting to walk it in inclement weather and cats, not wanting to modify the trailer to accommodate a convenient place to put a litter box, plus the risk of having it claw up the furniture).  How much energy and dedication were we willing to invest in training?

 Nearly every day has been a struggle as to getting off the fence and deciding where we want to be.  Emotionally, we've desperately wanted a "fur baby" to join our family, but practically we've given ourselves lots of reasons why it wouldn't work.  We've been living vicariously through other people's pets.

With my arthritis problems and both of us needing much more exercise, we came to the conclusion that having a dog would FORCE us to go out for a walk at least 2-3 times a day.  Strong argument for the reasons to do so.  So we started researching (we want a rescue or a re-home, not from a breeder, puppy mill or retail store).  We had a criteria list a page long, including a dog that doesn't require a LOT of exercise (would be happy with 2-3 short walks a day) and that doesn't have a high energy level.

I found a Facebook group devoted to lost & found pets as well as pets that need new homes.  Someone contacted me almost immediately.  She has a shih-poo (cross of shih tzu and mini toy poodle) that needed a new home because she had a toddler and another one on the way and couldn't give it the attention it needed (she has it's parents as well).

This dog meets just about EVERY criteria on our LONG list.  So... on Sunday they are going to come here to meet us and to determine if they think we're a good match.  They really don't WANT to re-home it and are not in any rush to do so, but they know that it's important to do so since they can't give it the attention it needs (it's a very young couple with a 2 year old and another on the way).  They want to make sure it's going to the right and best home.

I know this will be such a home.  Question between now and Sunday is (and the question which is the reason we've been sitting on the fence for so long) is whether we are ready for the commitment of a pet.  I think we are.  "Where there's a will, there's a way."  For me, the greatest reason that's been holding me back for a dog is not wanting to take it out for a walk to do it's business in bad weather (far more reasons for a cat).

I truly think, after 6 years, that we're ready.  Can't wait until Sunday. Will post the results.  Fingers crossed that my next post will be an announcement of our new family member!

PS: here's a photo of "Butter Ball".  Feel free to Google "shih poo" for more photos and info on the breed: