OUR FIRST YEAR

     After years of brainstorming ideas we finally agreed to our retirement lifestyle and had a plan, we were going to embrace the life of the full time "gypsy" RVer's.  Dwain and I had to compromise on some things in order to achieve this goal.  First I would be leaving my job security of 31 years, was I ready to leave the career I had known and loved for 39 years, this was difficult but Dwain was so miserable at his job I couldn't see him continue this daily unhappiness.  I gave my 5 1/2 month notice I was leaving, wow that was so hard to do.  I wasn't leaving because I was unhappy, I was moving on to a new chapter in my life, retirement.  I still cried, they had become my family.  Second we had to give up our home of 23 years, that was much easier, poof gone.  Third I had to sell off half of all our/my "stuff", 3 yard sales later that disappeared and wow cash in my hand for traveling.  We had agreed upon storing some items that I was emotionally unable to part with, Dwain on the other hand felt he could sell or get rid of everything...Really.  We purchased a 40ft. cargo container and placed it on friends property.  As we began to fill the container with my items, Dwain had an epiphany, he now figured out he too could keep some of his tools and other paraphernalia guy things.  Needless to say the container is filled and I still have that sense of comfort knowing that my "stuff" is waiting for me if and when we choose to end our traveling journeys.  Finally saying adios, that came quick and unexpected, when we got the call from Oregon that my father was now requiring full time care, two days later Dwain and I and our 3 furchildren were now moving to Grants Pass to care for my dad.  God had a plan for me, as I look back on the change of events I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to retire when we did, and be allowed to go and care for my dad as he passed from this life on to his next. 
     As many of you know me...I don't do well with change, I am the type that lives in the same house for 23 years, stays at the same job 31 years, we don't rearrange the furniture, we keep the same pets, and "BAM", no house no job no furniture, 2 of our loved pets and my dad of 86 years all gone in less than a year.  Life is filled with peaks and valleys, this past year there were alot of valleys, you just have to pick yourself up and dust yourself off, and get on again.  Life is but a dream, and we are going to get ours.  Let the good times roll!!!