We've hit the road . . . change your bookmark!

Now that we're on our way, Gearing Up will no longer be an active blog.  Please follow us on http://simplymobetta.blogspot.com/.

Moving right along

When I use the word "we" in many of my blog posts related to repairs and remodel work, believe me when I say I am referring to us as the royal we, for my husband is the one doing all the work; I simply encourage and take pictures.

Having said that, we finished the master bathroom a couple of weeks ago and it is gorgeous!  Looks much bigger than before.

First floor - almost done

Craig and I got a lot done yesterday!  I actually had a Sunday off and it was nice to be able to work together.  Even though it rained and the humidity was high, the trim paint dried quickly.

The living room taped for trim paint.

I washed most of the blinds from downstairs (two more to go), then it's onto finishing the dining room -- the room that is now the office -- and touching up the kitchen.

The window sill before paint!

The other window sill before paint.

I'm ready for drier weather so we can get outside and spruce up the mailbox area and our front porch. 

And, as usual, we are constantly purging and deciding what to keep, what to donate, and what to trash.  It's amazing how many glasses two people can collect over a few years! 

Selling the house

Well, we've listed the house and are now preparing it for showing. We're painting most of the interior, rearranging furniture, and, most important, purging!!
When you live in an RV, you don't need a lot of "stuff." Material possessions are prioritized, then realistically handled. We're donating, giving away, or trashing.
I'm really looking forward to not having any furniture! I like the idea of having everything I/we need already in place.
The countdown really is on!

The work table (a/k/a the liquor cabinet).

The office/catch-all room.

The family room (already painted).  Catch-all room number 2.

The guard dogs.

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It's interesting how, sometimes, events occur or you meet certain people at just the right time. Craig and I decided to travel for the Fourth of July holiday.  We biked the Virginia Creeper Trail from Whitetop Mountain to Damascus, VA.  Absolutely gorgeous . . . even in the rain.  Yes, it rained almost the entire time, but we loved every minute and view.

We stopped at Green Cove Station, where we met the husband and wife hosts.  While we were chatting about the station, the wife told us that she and her husband were full-time RVers.  We, of course, got all excited and began asking questions.  They told us they have a Keystone Montana, which is what we've planned to buy.  They both explained how they came to Green Cove Station and how they've been able to see the country as full-timers - volunteering through the U.S. government.  Our conversation with Jean and Bud served to re-affirm to us that we were making the right decision.

It was a wonderful visit and we left the station determined to make our dreams come true.

Yesterday, while we were in Lowe's Home Improvement deciding on carpeting, lighting, painting, etc., we ran into a good friend who happens to be a realtor.  When we told him why we were there, he offered to look at our house before we put any money into it.  He advised us to wait to do any improvements that may not be necessary for the house to sell.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.

Are you serious?

"Are you serious?"  That's usually the first question I get when I tell someone that my husband Craig and I are chucking it all to live full-time in an RV.  Not next week, mind you, but hopefully next year (fingers crossed).  

The questions that follow are usually time-related.  Everyone wants to know when it will happen.

The most popular comment -- by far -- is, "I've always wanted to do that."  That statement surprises me.  I'm amazed by how many people believe they would enjoy life on the road.  I wonder if it's because we're overworked, overstressed, overwhelmed, and overdrawn.

And, finally, another popular question is, "What made you decide that you wanted to do that?"  It's not a complicated answer and I always answer it quickly.  For me, it really is something I always wanted to do.  I've had relatives who were very active in the Airstream community.  They traveled all over the country and loved it.  Craig's parents lived the full-time RV life and he has wonderful memories of visiting them wherever they were (he was an adult by then).  (Whew, I can't imagine what it would be like living in a 38' RV with children.)

I also have a terrible, incurable case of wanderlust.  I acknowledged and accepted it years ago.  In fact, where I live now is the longest I have ever lived anywhere.  I've even beaten my hometown residence record.  I was born in a city and when I was two years old, my parents bought a house in the 'burbs.  We moved out-of-state shortly after I turned 18.  So, I lived in my hometown for just about 16 years.  In May of this year, I will have been a resident of a wonderful town in North Carolina for 17 years.  Time flies and now it's time for me to do the same.

I invite you to join me on this journey as I get ready to drastically change not only my life, but my entire style of living.  I hope you enjoy the ride.