Bit of a scare - Day 1942 (Year 6, Day 116)

Zephyrhills, FL

Last night (Friday night, Shabbat), we were woken up very abruptly at about 11:30 pm, when 2 simultaneous, loud alarms went off: our weather station, and my phone emergency alert.  Almost in unison, they both said "this is an extreme severe weather alert.  There is a tornado in your area.  Take shelter immediately."  Being Shabbat, we weren't on emails or anything to learn that there was even a watch in the area so this caught us off guard (then again, at 11:30, we'd have been sleeping anyway).  There is a tropical disturbance in the gulf, but the effects were supposed to be flooding and storm surges along the coast; and we're about 40 miles from there.

In any event, we quickly threw on some clothes, ran to the truck (with the sky opening and crossing the lawn in ankle deep water) and very quickly drove 2 miles to the 24-hour CVS, where we sat it out in safety and comfort for about 1/2 hour, while watching the weather broadcast from my phone (we only grabbed my phone and a magazine to read--Mitch's idea!). 

There were 3 tornados; the closest one to touch down was about 20 miles away.

Thank G-d we are safe and we were quick enough to run for cover. And thank goodness for a 24 hour store!!!

More on the holidays - Day 1936 (Year 6, Day 110)

Zephyrhills, FL

Yom Kippur services were very inspirational and the fast was relatively easy.  I hope we've been "inscribed in the Book of Life" for another year, and for a sweet year filled with good health and prosperity (and I wish that for all my friends and family!)

Still a few more holidays to go: Sukkot (Sukkos, depending on Sephardic or Ashkenazi pronunciation) is the Festival of Booths, where we (1) commemorate how our ancestors lived in booths during their travels in the desert, and (2) to physically internalize how G-d provides for all our needs -- when we are commanded to live outside, in a very non-permanent structure (we don't actually live in it, but we do try to spend as much time as possible in it, including meals).  Mitch is currently outside building our sukkah (the 4th time since we've been on the road).  A full description can be found here (including the link to the YouTube video showing the origin of our Sukkah in the Sky):  https://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/2016/10/sukkot-day-851-yr-3-day-118.html

Unfortunately, our shul will not be holding Sukkot services for the first 2 days, so we will pray (and shake the lulav/etrog) at home.  The following week are the final festival days of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (google it!).  Then we're done with the holidays until Chanukkah.

Still thinking along the path of leaving here for the Raleigh area first week of November, but it's totally dependent on whether (1) the place Mitch was given work will come thru (they didn't this week and it's looking very doubtful); and (2) if there's anywhere in the area for us to stay that we can afford (there are 2 mobile home parks, but last I heard, they didn't have any open sites). So it's a totally PIBE (Play It By Ear) situation.

Will keep you posted....

UPDATE:  Sukkah finished.  Here, with and without Mitch sitting in it:

   

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: