Adjustment...Transition...Change... Well Worth It

When we jumped into this new to us way of living, we hit the deep end with all the gusto we could muster and still never touched bottom but definitely went way over our head. As the saying goes, 'go big or go home', well, we went big going home.

There have been so many different changes going on at the same time, it has been hard to focus on just one thing and see it through. The biggest obstacle in this is that, although we call ourselves full time RVers, we are in fact half time RVers. The weeks that Brad works are the weeks we stay in a hotel. That's just the way it is. His crew stays in the same hotel to be able to leave together for their ever changing job sites. On his off days we live in our Arctic Fox [that I love!]. Since our main reason for our new chapter was time together, this works well but has some challenges.

I believe that most of the challenges will be conquered once we are fully set up in the Fox, have rid ourselves of everything we do not need or love and have our transition to hotel routine down to a simple move. Sounds easy, right? Well.... Ok, we have significantly reduced the amount of stuff we own but we still have a nearly full 8 x 10 storage unit. Obviously, we cannot pack all of it into the Fox and it still be comfortable to live in and light enough to pull. So, what we did to begin with was fill the basement [large storage area under the bedroom] with tubs to go through. The plan is to go through them and then grab more when we are in town. So far, our plan has taken a backseat to other issues. Getting Brad's health back on track was the main thing but also spending time with grandkids. Now, we have the holidays quickly approaching but I am determined to get this done. Once we find our groove, we will be able to do more of what we really want and that is to see and do all we can together, while we can.

Two other major adjustments have been financial and time spent together. The first was expected since we went from two incomes to one. There is nothing to do but adjust to the change when your expenses stay about the same but your income is considerably less. It would be easier if we were both conservative with money but where's the fun in that? Opposites attract, so, together we learn to keep an eye on what, where and why money is spent. At the same time, we also get to brush up on our communication skills.

Among other things, the new amount of time spent together also has us brushing and improving communication. Up until my last day of work, Brad and I were only together on his off days [not counting weekends I went to see him or vacations]. I worked 8 hours a day for five of those days. He would normally get in late on Tuesday and then leave around lunch the following Monday. [I am not complaining, just setting the scene.] The time we had to spend together was when I was back from work and the weekends. However, [Again, I am not complaining and would not have changed this for anything.] we shared that time with my dad while he lived and Brad's mom until her recent passing. My point is, we went from little face time to 24/7 'you're in my space' kind of time and that was... well... an Adjustment. I am laughing as I write this because it is laugh worthy. Not so funny when you are in the middle of it but soon, we will look back and it will be hilarious.

We have done a lot of running around on his last couple of sets of off days but this one coming up will see us in one place for the whole time. I am looking forward to getting much accomplished while also letting Brad have an actual off day or two. The man needs to rest so a day or so of veggin' out will be good for him and in turn, good for me.