MORE TESTS & DR. APPOINTMENTS

Temp. 57 degrees with humidity @ 87%. We are getting a lot of heavy rain today and high winds. It should be over later tonight. Clear skies tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, I am scheduled for an MRI and an appointment with orthopedist on Thurs. We will see what the verdict will be on the broken foot - surgery, plaster cast, air cast, boot? Since I leave for a weeks vacation in St. Marteen on Oct.26, I'm hoping for a waterproof cast if it has to be casted. Also hope it will be a walking cast or I may have some difficulty maneuvering. What ever, I'll deal with it. I am definitely going (I've never been and have been really looking forward to this trip.)

I have been working on downsizing and purging but this has thrown a little monkey wrench into that. I can't manage too well on the crutches handling boxes, etc.  But as soon as I get a plan of action on the foot, It will be full steam ahead. I need to get this all done by the end of the year. I want to keep my plans for full time on target for early January - right after my birthday.

This has made me think of life in general and how we all need to roll with the punches. There will always be some obstacle we will face along the way and we have to be able to handle it and keep on track. I guess it's a matter of seeing a glass half full or half empty thing. A positive attitude goes a long way toward success. One thing I know for sure, I am positively looking forward to my new life as a full timer

SAFE TRAVELS TO ALL . I hope I'll meet you down the highway.

Broken ankle & a chink in the plans

In the blink of an eye, snap, 1 broken ankle.

This was my week end to work - one out of every 9 weeks. Not so bad. But this was not a good one. I finished up my shift, getting ready to close out the day, cash out and turned to put papers on the desk. The body turns one way and the ankle rolls sideways. SNAP!!  I catch myself mid fall. Since I work in a Drs. Office, it should be ok, but the docs already gone. I drive myself to the hospital, they take an  X-ray confirm it's BROKEN.  It's immobilized for now, I'm on crutches til I see the orthopedist and see what the next step will be.

Now I'm leaving for a weeks' vacation at the end of the month with friends to St. Marten's. The beach, and some R & R (which now I'll really need). But I'm still going. I may have to make some adjustments along the way, but we'll deal with it. My biggest concern now - is it a clean break? Just healing and stay off of it for 6 weeks or will I need surgery. If so, that will cause a chink in the plans since it's only 3 weeks away and it takes time to get these kind of things scheduled & executed.  

I hope to stay on course for my travels beginning early 2014. Fortunately it's my left foot. I can still drive since  I have automatic shift. 

Stay safe, fellow bloggers. I hope to meet you down the highway.

Health check ups & shots

Thanks Al, Tina and Carolyn for the comments and encouragement. I will take your advice and have been following as many blogs as I can to get all the help you/they have to offer. RV Sue is my idol and I would love to be able travel as she does but do want a little more "people contact." Though I've been following a lot of blogs in the background (reading older posts) I am now trying to rsspond on a semi daily basis. Good advice from my fellow bloggers. 

I'm getting some health issues in check, annual physical, eye exam, dentist, flu and shingles shots to prepare for hopefully 9 months on the road beginning January if all goes well. I am looking at retirement at that time when I turn THE BIG 65. 

I have a 2007 chevy Tahoe with low mileage, tow package & new tires in great condition that I am confident will be a good tow vehicle. I continue to look at trailers and do like RV Sues set up but I want something a little larger maybe 22". Also continue to downsize and get rid of a lifetime of "stuff". I'll be glad when thats done.

Safe travels to all my fellow bloggers. Hope to meet you down the highway.

Decisions, Decisions

I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I really want and need in my " new home". There are so many options available. After traveling in 5ers for over 15 years with my husband,  I know I need to make the adjustment to something smaller - more manageable for my solo travels. 

How have others made the decision?  I know I want a trailer since I want a separate car for sightseeing, etc. and have a good tow vehicle. But do I buy new or lightly used? I have been going back to the beginning of the blogs I have been following and checking out the processes others have used to make their choice. There has been a lot of great advise and suggestions given both by bloggers and followers. The guess we all go through the same process at some point. This information is so important to those of us just starting this journey.  Any advise, suggestions anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Today was spent with my daughter, sister and niece going through and giving away some more "stuff" in my continued downsizing, purging effort. More decisions about what I need and want to take with me. Well, tomorrow is one day closer to departure day - hope to meet you down the highway.

Downsizing & craigs listing

Today I continue to downsize & clean out my storage unit as I list some items on Craig's list for sale. I am going through clothes, a ton of knick knacks and cabinets to see what I will take with me, what goes to family, good will, thrift store or just discard. It's a lot of work but sooooo liberating. Only have a little over 3 months and then I hit the road. I bought a new to me tow vehicle a few weeks ago & have been looking for the perfect trailer. There are so many options available but I guess when I find what's right for me, I'll know it. I bought a new GPS since my last one needed updated maps & was not working right anymore. It's cheaper to just buy a new one with lifetime map updates. One step at a time & slow and steady wins the race. All this will be worth it when I can just sit by a lake or stream, boon docking, relaxing with a good book. Tomorrows another day - Come along with me & maybe I'll meet you down the Highway.

A New Beginning

Today is the day I have been working toward for a while now. I have made the decision to buy a travel trailer & go "on the road - again". Here's a little background info on me. I am a widow of 7 years. I have traveled (it seems like in a previous life) with my husband of 30+ years. We had a home in Florida & even though we did not full time, we did a lot of traveling & camping in 3 different 5ers. Each new one being bigger & having more slide outs, requiring a bigger / heavier tow truck. I loved & cherish those travels & times we spent together. Now after putting my life back together, going back to work for a few years, and reconnecting with family - it's time to simplify & spend some time doing what I love (traveling). Hence, this blog to keep me connected to family & friends & hopefully make new contacts along the way. I have spent many hours researching the full time lifestyle & reading blogs. Rvsue, Bayfield Bunch, Sassy'sondaroad, Me & my Dog, Mr. Nimbles, Chuck & Gerri just to name a few. They have been an inspiration & a wealth of information.  As I continue to down size & rid myself of the accumulation of "possessions" I have gathered, I feel lighter with each passing day. I did this 15 + years ago when my husband & I moved from PA where we had lived our entire lives to Florida - here I go again. How do we fall into the trap of collecting all this stuff?? I will greatly appreciate any help, suggestions, input from those who have traveled before me. I hope you will follow along & I can meet you down the highway.