After every other great vacation I have always been glad to get home. Glad to sleep in my own bed and see all of my “stuff” again. This time was different. It became obvious when we chose to stay another day in Houston, and then chose to spend the night at Lake Georgetown, rather than going directly to our RV garage and unloading from there… We were both stalling.
When all the unpacking was done my sweetie asked, “Are you glad to be home?”
“No,” I replied. “This doesn’t feel like home anymore. That does.”
We spent thirty days travelling from Austin, Texas all the way down to Key West, Florida and back. White sand, purple sunsets, turquoise water, rustling palms, Cuban coffee and delicious fresh seafood… Why would I miss home?
I had taken all of my very favorite things with me, and I knew they were my faves because I did the “fire drill test” on them. You know, if your home was on fire, and you only had five minutes, what would you grab?
Favorites were about all I could bring. My 19-year-old African Violet came along. I affixed her to the counter near the sink with museum putty. In the bedroom, I had four feet of hanging space, two large-ish overhead cubbies, one dresser drawer, and two feet of medicine cabinet space. There was space for books, a jigsaw puzzle, my journal and our iPads and laptops in the dining area, although we had zero connectivity the whole trip.
We were forced into a social media sabbatical, and after I got over the idea of “missing something,” I had a blast! We both read Carl Hiaasen’s latest books–Bad Monkey and Razor Girl–then re-read Skinny Dip. Who else would you read on a trip through Florida except the man who’s been called “Florida’s sharpest satirist?” It was fantastic being right where his books were set.
Since I had been promising my dear sister an RV trip before she passed away, I brought her small Cloisonne urn with me. I did draw the line at taking her into Disney World though. That would have been just plain weird, right?
This morning we’ve decided we won’t be renewing our apartment lease when it expires in 60 days. Our highest priority is making sure we will have wi-fi access. The open road is calling, and I’m excited about this change!
XO Donna
11 thoughts on “Something’s Changed”
Funny how you arrived at that decision after you stopped moving. Maybe it was there, ahead of you, and you just needed to catch up to it. Very exciting! Leases and landlords and the clutter of life… goodbye to all that!
Mithra – the comment from anonymous is actually from me to you!
XO Donna
Great observations, Mithra!!
We don’t want to care for a house, and don’t care for leases and landlords and noisy neighbors… so, you’re right, goodbye to all of it!!
XO Donna
Donna your decision is brave and exciting. Are you selling everything or putting some of it in storage for “another day?” xoxox, Brenda
We are selling a lot! And putting some fantastic antiques, our comfy King-bed frame, in storage “just in case” we tire of being on the road someday. We already have a storage “closet” where we keep some hanging boxes for our winter clothes – which I hope I won’t need.
I love sandals and summer dresses!
XO Donna
Oh you are living my dream! Not sure I am there yet. But someday. Enjoy!!
Thank you, Michele! I wish we could have done it earlier – but NOW is perfect! Stay tuned for more details as the process unfolds!
XO Donna
Donna, I love this! How exciting, I would be envious if I weren’t so happy for you. This is so inspiring and definitely a dream of mine. I like how it’s been a gradual series of steps to get to this point, thank you so much for sharing your story! I can’t wait to see where the open road takes you. xx
Thank you for being such a great cheerleader, Esther, I wish we could drive there and come visit you!
I can’t wait to see where the open road takes us, either!!
XO Donna
Wow! What an exciting time! I’m jealous.
D
Please don’t be jealous… I’m only sharing the good bits with you! (Although you may get to hear the “dirty truths” in upcoming blog posts!)
XO Donna
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