Rosh Hashanah - Day 1925 (Year 6, Day 99)

Zephyrills, FL

This is the first time since we've been "on the road" that we were in the same place for both Passover and the High Holidays (which we consider to be Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot).  The longest we were ever in a place was 9 months in Asheville, NC, but it looks like here will be even longer.

As always, the services both days were mostly inspirational, spiritual and occasionally boring; they were from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  They were followed by a really awesome lunch spread (which isn't very common; in the past we were invited to people's homes for a fancy lunch).

Of course, returning to reality met me with 41 client emails, so I'm totally exhausted; been a long working day (note: NOT complaining!  Work is good, although I'd prefer to be in full retirement!)

Nothing new with Mitch.  His alleged new boss (who allegedly hired him but hasn't given him any work yet) said he call him today (almost 5:00 and still nothing).  The plan at this point (and plans are made in bubbles!) is that if nothing gets firmed up by the time all the holidays are over at the end of October, we are going to move up north, to the Raleigh area, and settle down there for a while while Mitch looks for employment in that area.  Yes, there are cold winters, but still not as bad as NJ. It gives us the chance to be closer to our beloved daughter and we absolutely love the Jewish community there.  But again, I emphasize that plans are made in bubbles.  There's also a chance there won't be anywhere for us to stay (can't afford the Fairgrounds where we usually go until Mitch works, as it's about $1K/month) and the 2 mobile home parks, last I checked about 2 months ago, didn't have any sites available.  So who knows?

Really looking forward to the day when we can travel where and when we want.  This isn't the lifestyle we had planned when we took to the road.  Not that it's at all bad and I'm really enjoying it.  Just wish we could travel a little bit more.  But my philosophy of life is that we're exactly where we're meant to be at any given moment.  So I'm trying to make the most of every moment we're here in Zephyhills.

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:

Some excitement? Day 1891 (Year 6, Day 65)

Zephyrhills, FL

Hopefully there will be NO excitement, but we need to be prepared, as the first major hurricane - Dorian - is being forecasted to hit our area.  Today is Thursday and it should arrive on Sunday into Monday.  We decided it really isn't feasible to leave here with the rig.  But the contingency plans to ride out the storm are (1) go to a shelter if that's an option; (2) stay at the shul or possibly someone from the congregation's home; (3) find a hotel (not a great option as we don't have the $$$). 

Assuming the rig is ok when we return (if we need to leave at all), we have filled the water and propane tanks so we can survive for at least a week if the power goes out.  We have plenty of food and bottled water.

This is a bit scarier than the tornado warning we had a few months back.  We lived thru Sandy in 2013 and had no power for 3 weeks and although we were blessed with no damage beyond a tree limb pulling part of the gutter down, there was so much destruction all around us.  On the bright side, there are quite a few permanent residents here in the park who have lived thru many FL hurricanes and all said that the worst was Irma in 2017, and then there were only lots of branches down.

I have every confidence that we'll get thru this just fine.  But still, it's scary.  Just need to have faith.... and a plan!

Still nothing - Day 1876 (Year 6, Day 50)

Zephyrhills, FL

I know it's been 25 days since I've written.  Unfortunately, there's really nothing exciting or different going on in our lives.  We haven't been out and about to explore due to (1) no discretionary income as Mitch is still out of work; (2) my severe arthritis (bone on bone in my left knee and same in the left hip, and a bit of degeneration in my right knee and right shoulder); and (3) oppressive heat and non-stop thunderstorms (typical Florida summer weather).

Of course, when Mitch does finally get a job offer, I'm sure we'll have just days to pack up and move.  He currently has quite a few irons in the fire, most of them being in Tampa, Jacksonville and Raleigh.

There were a few repairs made this month.  The valve to the black tank was stuck in the open position, which is not a good thing!  (the black tank holds the sewage; gray tank holds the water from the sinks and shower).  The reason is that a lot of water is required to break down the paper and other solids, so the stuff sits in the tank, breaking down with all the water that you flush with, until it gets full and then you open the valve and it goes down into the sewer (when you're attached to a sewer line).  If the valve is open, then the sewage goes straight into the sewer and the solids don't have a chance to break down, which means they will stick to the inside of the tank and eventually build up into a very  hard "poop pyramid," which blocks up the tank so nothing can get past it.

Anyway, that was a fairly easy fix (by an RV tech) which was just to replace the valve.  Warranty covered that expense.

The other repair was fairly major which involved our front awning which was on it's last legs and finally just gave way when Mitch was in Reno.  It took a while to get it repaired because of the non-stop rain, but we finally had a few hours this morning that they were able to get it done (it started pouring just as they put in the last screw).  Normally, I'd say since an awning isn't as important as, say, the frig or a/c not working since we really only use it to block the sun or sit outside in the shade, it was critical here because the torn fabric prevented the awning from resting flush against the trailer, which would be extremely dangerous to drive with, especially on the interstate at 70mph.  So we really couldn't move anywhere until it was fixed.

So, that's life in a nutshell.  At least my work is keeping me very busy most days.