Step 1 ----- Check

So I took the first step to freedom and sold my car. That is kind of an oxymoron, because my freedom to move about the world freely in a car has disappeared, but now I have to buy the truck of my dreams in order to pull the RV. I did not expect to sell my car so quickly and maybe it was a rash move on my part but the person who got it was a girl, 16, who was a good student, volleyball player and her step-dad was so proud of her, he wanted to get her this car. It was the right person for Ms. Bug to go to.

I also gave notice at my apartments that I would be moving out come September 16, so that is another reason to move forward, but honestly folks, I am scared to death. Six months from now, when I am writing about how nice it is to live in the trailer, about all the nice people I have met etc. etc. then I can read this and say..........PSHAW, you were scared. But I am.

So after I sold my car, I went to Target and bought a bike for transportation. I only live two miles from work, so this seemed a logical thing to do. Plus I want a bike for when I am living in the RV for quick trips to the camp store etc.

So Wednesday I get up and head to work, didn't make it. Front was heavy from laptop and files, went over curb and crashed. Busted my lip, my knee, didn't hurt my bike though. But bashed my self confidence. So I worked from home a couple of days. My son was supposed to come home and leave me his truck to use but on his way home his truck broke, so I had to send him money, then while he is in Merkel, TX visiting friends, he sprains his ankle and can't go back to work. SO, here I am walking, riding the bus and riding the bike to work during the HOTTEST part of the summer in TEXAS.  Not very good planning on my part. But I think this is God's way of preparing me for the warehouse job at Amazon. Who knows, I just know that I have to do this and even though it is very scary to become a nomad on wheels, I am gaining the personal freedom I have longed for.

As the time draws near.............

For those of you who don't know, I have decided to retire early and leave Corporate America and all the bullshit office politics that happen behind. I am going to buy an RV and a truck and work my way around the United States of America.

First job.........AMAZON.COM, yes you heard right. I will be working in the distribution warehouse for Amazon in Campbellsville, KY. Now this ain't no work for sissies, so I have started working out by walking 2 miles a day, usually in the mornings thanks to our lovely Texas heat.

I have also decided, at this time, cause I change my mind like I change my underwear, that I will spend next summer being a camp host at Kickapoo State Park in Illinois which is close to my sister IF i get selected. So I really need to find a paying job for January, February and March, if I can.

Have trailer will travel. 

Personally, my whole outlook on life has taken a dramatic upturn just knowing that I will walk out of this facility on Sept 4 and never look back. I cannot say that my years with Anixter were wasted, or bad, I had many good ones. And the people and friends I have made and met are well worth it. But since being in Dallas, it just hasn't gone well.

And speaking of Dallas, I use to say Houston was the armpit of Texas, and I based this on traffic and humidity cause I never spent a whole lot of time there. But if Houston is the armpit, Dallas is the ASSHOLE. I have lived here since 2009 and made NO, NADA, ZERO friends. and sweetheart, I know it ain't me. These people are snobs and have their noses so far up in the air they would drown during a downpour. They need to Thank God it never rains here for very long.

So in looking for places to "winter" until and if my hosting job in Illinois happens, I am considering Louisiana, or Kentucky even. Both at this point are volunteer positions where my site rent, electricity, water etc are paid for and no extra wages but I ain't giving up yet. I really need something where I can make some money. The job in Kentucky sounds really interesting and would utilize my tour guide skills. But I think it might be a little chilly in Kentucky in the winter. Louisiana sounds great due to weather and living in the swamp. Time will tell.

Until next time,
ADIOS & AU REVOIR
Terri

Mercedes

Picture # 2 is of our new addition to the family, Mercedes. Tyler named her Claus, but it just doesn't fit her. and honestly, naming a cat is a total waste of time. Mercedes came to us while I was in the hospital with my broken leg. Tyler's friend Benji had some kittens and Tyler brought one home, then sent me a text message showing me her picture. Now the idea was that she would go with Tyler when he left for work but that is still undecided at this point. I will say that Bentley, our other cat, has made a friend and plays with her all the time. Jake tolerates as do I. I don't like the mess she makes but she is a kitten and will growup. The water gun has come in real handy, in fact sometimes I don't even have to squirt.

January 2nd, and wish I could just get in my car, drive to World Market and look around. But they don't have the handy motorized shopping carts and I can't drive, so that shoots that idea in the ass. Boredum has set back in, need to start on my crochet throw for the living room, rose and grey. I think it will be very pretty when done. Waiting for yarn to be delivered.

A Year in Pictures

I decided to take one picture a day and post here. Since I am down with a broken leg right now, they probably won't be very exciting for a couple of months, but once I am on my feet, look out. LOL

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope you all have a wonderful year. As for me, I plan on traveling to see my cousin in Malaysia, my grandkids in Chicago, a fall foliage trip to New England and New York City and possibly a road trip to the Grand Canyon. I wanted to do an African Safari but money and time didn't work this year, so I will probably do that next year. Of course, I would like to go back to Paris but I will have to see how things pan out.

Picture #1 is Jake Elizabeth Sinclair. I know, Funny name, but Funny dog. He is 14 years old and smiling in this picture.

I also have two other pets, cats, Bentley and Mercedes, and there pictures will follow.

New Years Resolutions: Didn't really line anything out but because of my leg, I vow to get myself into better physical shape and to enjoy everyday of my life.

Paris, my dream come true

As many of you know, Paris has been a dream of mine for many years. So the opportunity became available for me to take the trip. I bought my ticket, reserved my hotel and purchased tickets to be used while I was over there. I left Dallas, TX on May 18th and switched planes in Chicago. Or rather I visited the Chicago Ohare Airport for 5 hours while they fixed a de-icing machine on the plane and finally arrived in Paris around noon on May 19th. I should have been tired, but I was so excited that I felt I could go forever. Paris Shuttle picked me up and delivered to my "home" for the next seven days, Campanile XV, on Rue Saint Charles. Having read up on my French Manners, I walked into the hotel and said, "Bonjour, Monsier". OF course he responded with Bonjour, and I asked "Parlez Vous Anglais?" and he said, sure, of course with a good old American accent. Lucky for me he was from Ohio and I could converse with him without the language struggle.

My room was 310 and for those of you not familiar with the European way, this would be an American 4th floor. My room was very small with large casement windows that looked out upon a school play ground and a small corner cement park with benches, trees and pigeons. I unpacked, grabbed my bag and camera and started walking toward the main reason I came to Paris........the Effiel Tower. And just as I always imagined, it was beautiful. Now some might say this is just an ugly tower, but if you look very closely, it is a piece of art, just like most of the buildings and architecture in Paris. I walked along the park and then decided to check out some more of the neighborhood. It was then that I pulled out my map and decided to head to Rue Cler. The buildings in Paris are all works of art. Each window, doorway and roof has such detail and intricate sculptures. This was one of the things I learned about myself. I enjoyed looking at the buildings almost as much as I enjoyed the people and the sights.

I walked down Rue Cler and at that point I knew that next time I come back, I will have to get an apartment so that I can shop the sidewalk markets and wine shops. I headed back towards my hotel, I was starting to feel my energy draining, but I was hungry so I stopped at a little brasserie and had a great quiche, salad and wine. It was great just to sit there and watch the people. My waiter spoke great English and recommended the daily special in order to save money. HINT: Each restaurant has a menu of the day, some have two. For example, menu #1 will be for 10 euros and you get a salad, main plate and dessert. And then there will be a menu #2 for 25 euros, same deal, you get salad, main plate and dessert but the fare is a little bit fancier, for lack of a better word. But in my opinion, I honestly don't think you can get bad food in Paris.