The Aspect Of My Life

Friday, December 21, 2012

Monday, December 17, 2012

Along Came A Spider

I had a coupon for three free nights at the Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort so I have been here for a few days enjoying all the luxuries of a full hook-up as well as the numerous hot water mineral pools.  Feeling so luxurious after four nights of dry camping.  The park is across the road from the Salton Sea which is another beautiful area for camping.
Salton Sea Camping Area
Today I was enjoying lunch outside when this BIG spider came walking down the road.  I have never seen anything like it but I am guessing it is a tarantula.  What a beauty.
Tomorrow I am off again for more dry camping.  I had some problems with my generator on the last dry camping experience so I am hoping that new house batteries have solved the problem.  My generator worked fine for awhile but then it puttered out.  The only way I could start the generator was by starting the car motor and as soon as the motor was turned off, the batteries would slowly lose power and everything would start to dim.  I had the batteries checked and the reading said they were not holding a charge so with two new house batteries, I really hope that is the end of the problem.  Otherwise it will be a cold few nights!

Off to the Slabs and Quartzite.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Through The Looking Glass

In front of the Integratron
I heard the call for the 12-12-12 Celebration at Joshua Tree, CA and I answered.  And it was amazing!

I spent the night of 12-11-12 camped at the Joshua Tree National Park and was treated to a dark sky filled with stars.  I saw shooting stars and an orange explosion in the sky which is something I have never seen in all my star gazing and may never know exactly what that was, other than a beautiful sight.

Joshua Tree National Park Images
On 12-12-12 I entered the Joshua Tree Retreat Center where I remained immersed in beautiful, loving light for the next three days.  We did ceremony within a medicine wheel, walked a labyrinth, journeyed within an earth energy vortex and activated our pineal gland.  We danced, released, laughed, cried, hugged and wrapped ourselves within a bubble of Love. 

We also went to the Integraton (http://www.integratron.com/) and rode the vibrational waves of crystal bowls and danced with the many orbs that showed up. 

Three Days Surrounded in a Crystal Grid
View Outside the Retreat Center
We Even Had a DJ!
Integratron
Orbs Inside the Integratron
Crystal Bowls
Jovanna With Beautiful Orb Upper Right
Close Up of the Orb
It was a magical time of ascension, gathering with ascended masters and light beings.  I now feel so very full and replenished and glad I answered the call.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Propane Leak

First the carbon monoxide detector went off.  Took me awhile to figure out what the heck the beeping was and then get the detector off the ceiling and turn it off.  The batteries should have been replaced November 2010 so I just figured old batteries were the cause of the beeping.  I have known that to happen sometimes.

About 20 minutes later the LP gas detector went off.   WTF??????  Muted the beeping, got down on my hands and knees and crawled around to see if I could smell any gas.  Couldn't smell anything.  Ok, settled back in and dang if that beeper didn't go off again!  I kept muting it, but it kept beeping back on.

So I pulled in the slide and turned off the propane, figuring at least that might take care of the problem until the morning when I could get a repair person to take a look at it.  Still kept beeping!  I knew there must be a problem, but it is late at night and really nothing I could think of to do except ride it out until the morning.  Pulled the fuse on the gas detector to silence that horrible beeping and opened some windows to air out whatever gas may have accumulated, but still didn't really smell anything noxious.

I woke up around 4:30 AM and this time I did smell something, and it smelled really bad.  It was then I started to get worried.  I opened all the windows and the door and got myself outside.  But then I started worrying about my neighbors.  What if there is some type of explosion?  Sure, I am safe but what about the neighbors next to me?

I walked to the office, really having no clue what to DO, and decided to call Maria because she has such a wonderful brain and maybe she can help me think of my next move.  She doesn't know what to do either!  Dang!  It is not quite 5:00 in the morning, I am walking around with a blanket around me for warmth and clueless what to do in this type of situation.  I am thinking about calling 911 but under that number is the number for the onsite manager so Maria and I agree that seems to be the most logical next step.

I really hate waking people from their slumber but I see no other option.  I call the number and a woman groggily answers but says she will put some clothes on and meet me at the office.  She meets me there and opens up the the lounge where I can at least be warm and safe until we figure out what needs to be done.  She calls one of the workampers, just so happens he is my neighbor, and the three of us congregate at my motorhome and all agree, yes there is a bad smell in here but no obvious leaking.

The plan for the rest of the evening is that I will leave my door wide open as well as the windows until the morning when I can call a repairman that lives in the park.  Good plan and until at least 8:00 AM I will sleep in the lounge out of any potential harm.

The lounge had a great sofa and I had some really good sleep until it was officially opened at 7:30 AM. A little after 8:00 AM I called the repairman and he met me at my motorhome shortly thereafter.

As soon as he walked up he said he smelled sewer.  Hmmm..I told him, but my LP gas detector went off!  He said sometimes that happens.  This is new to me and I don't have the nose that he has to distinguish between propane and methane gas.  But he went through every possible connection to see if there were any places that propane could be leaking and came up with nothing.  Well that made me feel better, but why am I getting sewer gas??  And this is why:
See that white pole, that white pole that is just outside my windows?  That is a sewer pipe, an uncapped sewer pipe, so when it maybe burps, it burps right into my rv.  And opening all my windows just made it come in even more.  It is not propane my dear, but sewer gasses.

It is now in the process of being corrected and I learned some very valuable information regarding the different smell of propane versus other gases.  The repairman was a wonderful teacher, very thorough and while he was here I also had him fix my electric step which was jammed out of alignment.  All for the grand total of $40.

I appreciate all the people who worked with me in the wee hours of the night and especially Maria who answered a call from a friend in need.

But she did say "don't call me again about shit".

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Life

You must understand the Whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand, for all that is life.

~J Krishnamurti♥

Sunday, December 2, 2012

December 3, 2012

    We Three Kings of Orient are...Bearing Gifts, We Come From Afar


Planetary alignment that will take place Dec 3, 2012 is dead-on alignment with the Pyramids at Giza. Night Sky in Giza, Egypt on December 3, 2012, local time … one hour before sunrise compared with the Pyramids at Giza

Planets inline: Mercury / Venus / Saturn

I have just read so much about this I am dizzy.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Letting Go

The Art of Dharma
October 3, 2009.  That is the day I closed the front door of my house in Eugene and opened the door to a new chapter in my life.  I can barely remember not living a life on the road.  Now, three years later....

I am glad I have kept a blog.  At times it has been uncomfortable sharing my life and personal thoughts with friends, family and total strangers but it has helped me remember the vast and huge life I have led over these years.  It helps me remember all the places I have been, all the people I have met and all the challenges I have faced.  This new life has certainly not always been easy, but easy doesn't promote growth, doesn't bring you to your knees or raise you to your heights.

Guy Finley made the following statement, "The secret of letting go is knowing that life will give you something better than whatever it asks you to give up".

And I have found that to be true.  I miss nothing of what I gave up.  I don't miss a spacious house.  I don't miss the beautiful objects accumulated over many years.  I don't miss having a car, a large bathroom or a fully stocked kitchen.

I have also had to let go of friendships and people I have loved.  Saying good-bye one of the hardest experiences.  It is a constant in my life.

In return I have been given countless friendships and encountered people from all walks of life.  I have explored land that has made my heart sing. Seen sunsets that are divine works of art and starry nights that made me feel small within such an immense cosmos.

I have been given time to read and write.  The gift of countless hours alone with myself exploring who and what I am.  Always in a state of transformation and initiation.

No, not easy.  But in the letting go, allowing the letting IN.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Just To Prove My Point

The bald man singing and playing the guitar in this video is the same man that was leading the jam session the other night.  Told you it was good music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er0E9spNLTc

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Bald Men Jamming

Kiss, Kiss
I have never seen so many bald men in a park before.  Big, beautiful, shining hairless domes.  This park seems to have an over abundance.  And tonight when I went to a jam session, there they were again, amazing hairless musicians.  I have been to jam sessions before, but this was by far the best music I have heard.  I would have paid money to hear such good music.

I met a lovely woman at the pool yesterday.  We seemed to share so much in common and chatted non-stop until water polo began.  Her husband was there this evening, the lead bald man jamming and there she was, strapped into her electric bass guitar jamming right along with them.  Whodda thought?

So here is a big shout out to all you beautiful bald men out there, rocking and jamming and looking and sounding so amazing.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Buckeye, Arizona

Backyard View While in Needles, CA
I stayed in Needles an additional night.  The land is so amazing it makes it hard to leave.  And since it was a new moon the stars were another added bonus.  Feels like I haven't seen a sky like that in such a long time.  I also had a neighbor that I thought might be interesting.  I did have some wine and conversation with him, but come the next day I was ready to leave.

So now I am in Buckeye, Arizona.  My neighbor while in Lincoln City, OR told me about this park and I decided to check it.  I really did not want to spend any more time at the park in Mesa I have stayed the last two winters and I am happy to have found an alternative.  I like this park just fine.  It is smaller, quieter and CHEAPER.  It has a nice outdoor swimming pool, good internet and before my new neighbor showed up, the space felt big enough.  I will miss out on line dancing, but I plan to pick up water volleyball so it seems like a good trade.  I may even go play cards tonight.  Not sure about that one yet.

The park is Leaf Verde (http://leafverde.reachlocal.com/?scid=1471759&kw=8293008&pub_cr_id=7552712791) and it suits my needs for the time being.  They do not have cable so the funny thing is I am now back to watching football on my original 9" TV.  What a laugh on me.
At Least I Have a Tree

Monday, November 12, 2012

Best Story Ever

I find myself once again back in Needles, CA.  I was here three years ago and stayed at this very same park.  Nothing to write home about, I just loved the wide open land and mountains that surrounded the park.  I wasn't thrilled with the site they put me in and was thinking I would never again come back to this park, until I was asked to join the group of winter residents.

It was a large group, sitting outside freezing in the cold early evening temperatures, keeping themselves warm with wine and other assorted alcoholic beverages.  I was offered a seat and sat down to enjoy their stories and get to know my neighbors a bit better.  This was by far the best story:

A man, who was not there this evening, sold his Harley to buy his girlfriend some new dentures.  Then she up and left him.

Ok, maybe the retelling isn't as funny as when you are sitting around hearing it first hand, but I thought it was one of the funniest stories I have heard in awhile.  Maybe I was just too long on the road today.

I did have a very challenging, long day on the road.  It took me 30 minutes to find a gas station that was 5 minutes from the park I stayed at last night.  I needed help unlocking my gas cap because I was turning it the wrong way.  My electric step somehow no longer works.  I even needed help plugging into my electrical outlet (use two hands to lift up the outside unit).

It has just been one of those days.  One of those days where someone else's story seemed much funnier than my own.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Petaluma, CA

Maria and her husband stayed in Deerwood for a few days and it was during that time that I picked up my Aspect.  While they were there Stan unexpectedly got a job outside of San Francisco, bought a 5th wheel and headed South.  Hmmm...sounded like a plan.  And that is why I find myself so unexpectedly settled into a KOA park in Petaluma.

Maria and I have spent some time exploring the area and yesterday took the ferry to San Francisco.  My favorite part about the day was the beautiful country side we drove through when her GPS took us the scenic route, causing us to miss our intended earlier ferry time.  But it was an amazing magical, mystery tour and I hope we go back to explore the area. 

Because it was such a hot day, my other favorite part was riding the ferry back and forth to Fisherman's Wharf.  Other than that, I am not such a fan of big cities.

These are sights I much prefer:

Beautiful view of Mt. Shasta from the Weed rest area
Trees outside my front door
Petaluma Fountain
Maria and I sitting in front of that Fountain
Not much going on today other than the multiple times it took figuring out how to roll in my awning.  Dang I miss my power awning!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A New Aspect

2005 Winnebago Aspect
Well, here it is, the first pictures of my new home.  It is a 2005 Winnebago Aspect.  It is 26' with a slide, entertainment center over the cab and 14,000 miles.  It has much more outdoor storage, a slide out pantry in the kitchen, a big wrap around couch that I LOVE and has just about everything I had on my wish list.  Except an automatic awning.  And I really, really, really miss my automatic awning.  First on my list of future improvements. But the slide makes it feel so much bigger on the inside and the dinette table can easily be elevated for those times when I need a table.  For now I am enjoying the lounging area but not real happy about the exposed zipper.

I have only lived in it a week and haven't done any decorating but here are a few more pictures.
Bedroom Looks About The Same
Entertainment Center (strange to have such a BIG TV!)
With The Table Down......Still A Work In Progress
Slide
Manual Awning Tilted to Allow Rain Run-off
Today I started my journey South and I love the way it drives.  Nice cushy driver's seat, good radio, feels tight and even though it is a bit bigger than Minnie, it feels smaller.  Because I had planned on keeping Minnie and needed more space I purchased a cargo carrier which is now on the Aspect and carries a newly purchased bike.

It took three years to get Minnie just right so I expect it will take some more adjusting before I am totally settled.  But for now, it feels really, really good.

(These are pictures from other 2005 Aspects to give you an idea of what the table looks like when it is elevated and the slide out pantry)




Sunday, October 21, 2012

Changes

I have been back in Eugene for a month, a month that has felt like a week and also an eternity.  I knew there would be many loose ends I needed to tie up while in Eugene but I didn't anticipate the stress and the chaos I would feel.  It has not been an easy month.

I continue to grieve the loss of Koko.  I am still tangled in a legal situation with my son.  And as if all of that was not enough, I have committed to trading Minnie in for a newer model.

I found a motorhome that finally felt right and if all goes as scheduled I will do the trade out on Tuesday. 

Another chapter to my life is about to begin. 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Just What I Needed

Blurry, but Funny
With the passing of my dear friend Koko, I feel even more blessed to have Maria in my life.  I didn't want to be alone in my grief so I went to Florence, OR earlier than anticipated so I could spend a few nights with Maria.  It was just what I needed.

We went to the Chowder Blues and Brews Festival and laughed ourselves silly.  And we danced.  A lot.  Maria spent some time dancing with a 90 year old dance instructor but I guess I ditched him on the dance floor because he was trying to instruct me on the finer nuances of the dance moves.  It was BLUES music for gawd sakes and I had the blues!  I needed to allow my body to dance untethered and no instructor was going to rein me in.  And it was just what I needed.

We had good food, good brews, good laughs and good music.

And it was just what I needed.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Koko the Weaver

My dearest of friends, Koko, passed suddenly and unexpectedly on September 19, 2012.  Each day I wake up and have to remind myself that yes, she is really gone from her physical body.  I cannot imagine my world without her.

I met Koko my second time to Glastonbury, England.  She owned a B&B and I stayed there every time I returned over the next 5 years.  She always told the story of how I arrived over her door step, dropped my bags and called "Koko..I'm home!".  And whenever I was with Koko I did feel that I was at home.

We traveled together to Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall.  Twice she came to visit me in Oregon and we traveled through Oregon, California and spent a memorable week in Sedona, AZ.  In Cornwall we camped in her "condo" tent (it had a separate bedroom on each side of the tent and was large enough to cook in!).  Koko always traveled in style :).

But the thing I remember most is how she walked all those many lands we traveled.  Every step she took was sacred.  She walked in Beauty.  Countless times we would stop and create a ceremony honoring Mother Earth.  We created a labyrinth on the beaches of Ireland.  While we were in Sedona every day was a different ceremony.  Once she picked me up at the bus station in Bristol, England and before long we stopped at a cave along the road side to drum, tone and honor the Land.  Everywhere we went was a sacred pilgrimage for Koko.  She showed me her world and then shared it with me.

She was also a Weaver of people.  While sitting at her kitchen table I met people from around world.  I met people from South Africa, Wales, Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland and the United States.  We all congregated at Koko's table and all of our lives were impacted.

She woke up each day like a kid, ready to embrace whatever magic the day held.  And she in turn created magic out of each day.

It is not often you meet someone who changes your life forever, in such a profound way.  But that is who Koko was, to everyone she met.  My heart deeply feels her passing but I know she will always be with me, my constant traveling companion.
In Ireland with Koko (second from right)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Last Man Standing

Well, almost.  There will be one workamper left after today.  Since I have been here 9 workampers have left.  One left so quickly I never even met her.

This has been my experience of the management style:
You arrive happy to start the season and happy to have such a pleasant management couple to work with.  The agreed upon working hours are great and there are a few other workampers to befriend.  Because you are so happy, you want to please the couple and do your best work possible.  That is when it starts to get interesting.

Nothing, nothing, is good enough for them so you try to work even harder.  They just keep raising the expectation bar until you crack.  And most left.  And when they left, others were expected to pick up the slack.  The management couple actually said it was easy for them to always get other workampers.  But I guess it wasn't so easy for them as we never got anyone new until just recently.  And that man is working so many hours he is actually paying them to work here.  A few conversations with him and he has come to this realization.

They made it clear from the beginning that they would not tolerate any gossiping.  I thought that was a good policy until I realized they didn't want any of us talking together because then we could compare notes.  I kept to myself but as each person prepared to leave earlier than anticipated, they came to my door to tell me their stories.  No one left on good terms and no one had anything good to say.

But I stayed because I liked the park and I liked the job.  And I learned a great deal for future workamping jobs.  I will always have a written agreement that specifies how many hours I will work.  That came in handy when they asked me to work extra hours and I could refer to my agreement and politely decline.  Another woman in the office started working extra hours for them and in the end she was working 5 days a week.  Her choice, but she just couldn't say "no".  A written agreement makes it easier to decline.

I did stay out of the gossiping, but it also kept the workampers from feeling any sense of community.  It was only upon their leaving that we bonded.  Beware of managers who don't want workampers socializing together!  I constantly had the feeling that we were being watched and scrutinized. 

Beware of managers that leave notes instead of personal communication!

Beware of managers that immediately become defensive if you ask to talk to them!

Beware of managers that are too young to have the maturity skills necessary to manage!

Beware of managers that believe they are your "boss" and you are an "employee"!

As I said, I learned a lot and now I am ready to be done.  Today is my last day of work.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Short Timer

My summer workamping job officially ends on September 15th.  They are happy for me to stay as long as I want, but I haven't quite decided how long that will be.  Should I stay or should I go?

I have reservations at my favorite park in Eugene for the month of October so there are several weeks to fill before my October 1st date.  I am not thrilled about working more days but still love this particular park and not sure where to go from here.  Another park on the Coast?  Pay extra money for a park maybe not as nice as this one?  Head to Eugene earlier than anticipated?  Decisions, decisions....

My motto is "don't make a decision until you need to make a decision" and since the travel bug hasn't bitten yet, I guess I will just wait until it feels right to move.

Until then I am snug as a bug inside of Minnie on this cool and misty day with plenty of football games for amusement.  But I am now officially a short timer.


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sand Sculptures

We were late.  The tide was coming in and some of the sculptures were being drawn back into the sea.   I didn't have my camera.  But I did have my cell phone and luckily captured just a few of these amazing works of art before they were gone forever.
Beautiful Castle, Even If a Bit Blurry
Another wonderful weekend on the Oregon coast.



Sunday, July 29, 2012

Bye Bye July

Magical Thyme Garden
Where did July go??  It slipped by as quickly as May and June.

I went to Human Nature Festival, had one of my best July 4th, went to the Oregon Country Fair (http://www.oregoncountryfair.org/index.php) and last weekend went to the casino in Florence, OR and to the Thyme Garden in Alsea, OR (http://www.thymegarden.com/).  That was all just in the month of July.  Wow, what a busy summer!

I still love being stationed in Lincoln City and having the ocean right across the street.  I love having a fairly constant stream of visitors and taking the occasional mini vacation.  I enjoy working in the office and the weather has been spectacular.

It has really been one of my best summers ever.

There Goes Another One

We have lost another workamper, this time my working partner.  I check the people in and he escorted them to their sites.  We had a great working relationship and I am going to miss him.

This is a new experience for me, so many people leaving, and not on good terms.  Maybe the owners are starting to wonder as well....

The count now stands at 5 workampers gone, 4 still remain. 


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Changes

The park started to change the day I came back from Human Nature.  My favorite workamping couple was pulling out the next day.

I have had my issues with management, which I have since resolved, but my favorite couple couldn't get past some of their discontent and had planned on leaving the end of July.  When they talked to the managers and voiced their concerns they were asked to leave, only given three days to do so.

I was so sad to see them leave as they were very social and I could always count on having a good time while they were around.  Next thing I knew another workamper had accepted a full time assistant manager job in California and will be leaving this week.  That makes a total of four workampers no longer working in the park.  What once felt like an over abundance of workampers now feels like an empty nest.  Management seems to think this is a normal process during the summer but this is my first experience of workampers leaving mid-season and I don't like how it feels.

They have asked if I want more hours, my answer being NO, as there are no plans to hire on more workampers this late in the season and few workampers to take up the slack.  I am usually a team player, but the problem has been there has never been a sense of team at play.  That has been the big problem and why my favorite couple wanted to leave.  They wanted to feel valued and that they were part of a family, if only for the summer.  The reality has been that we all keep to ourselves. 

It may be because it is a small park and there are two managers on site.  I feel they are watching my every move so I keep a low profile.  Another factor has been that the managers have a workamping couple they are very close to and the four of them have excluded everyone else in all their gatherings and outings.  When it is so obvious that can cause some hurt feelings.  Remember junior high and that feeling of exclusion?  Kinda like that.

Management is now trying to correct those earlier missteps and we are all being invited out to dinner and they have been particularly friendly.

 I'm just thinking it is a little late for this season but maybe next season things will be different.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Re-Entry

Back from Human Nature Festival.  It was rainy, muddy, buggy and unbelievably HUMID, but I had a wonderful time and watching my son play on the main stage was the absolute highlight.  These young people are passionate about their music, their lives and raising their consciousness.  I love watching them, listening to them and had some amazing conversations.  I want to take them all home with me.
Main Stage During the Day
Main Stage at Night
Benny In the Booth
Ben Spinning at Quiet Camp
Marisa Spinning an LED Hula Hoop
Three Stages, Non-Stop Music
Three Tired Campers (Ben, Marisa and Ralph)
 I was parked very near the main stage and with non-stop music, I slept when I could.  I soon realized I had no ear plugs on board so when it got really bad I balled up some cotton balls and stuck them in my ears.  It helped, a little.  Ralph slept with me two of the nights and eventually we were both so exhausted we made good bed mates.

All I can say is.....I Wanna Go Again!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Human Nature Festival

I'm going festing!  On Thursday Minnie and I are heading off for three days of music, dancing, art and fun.  And...I get to share it with my son!  I'm so excited!!

"This festival asks its attendees to stop, pause, and praise the land of which surrounds them. As it states on the festival’s main page, “Human Nature is an exploration into the human psyche through sound and light. Multiple stages meander throughout the creek, creating the setting for mystical journeys that transcend genre and category. Time and space converge each night to meld reality and sense with sensibility and in one of the most beautiful coastal properties in the Northwest! Human Nature is an event that leaves nothing desired, and everyone fulfilled.” This sense of fulfillment derives from the festivals emphasis on community and insight. For example, there is an opening ceremony, a segment in which the music is not playing, where one will speak of the power of gathering."

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Sharp Dressed Man

Maria ran away from home and I ended up with  a surprise visitor for the night.  I was exhausted from three very busy work days and glad Maria showed up for conversation and our usual laugh fest.

We decided to go for dinner at the Roadhouse, an easy walk down the hill.  I certainly didn't plan on meeting or talking to anyone other than Maria so threw on my oldest sweatshirt and gave my hair free rein to be as wild as it wanted to be.

I should have known better.  Isn't it always when you look your worst that you run into people you know or meet someone new?  So, yep, that is what happened.  Enter the sharp dressed man.

Maria and I were sitting at the bar and he took the chair one down from Maria.  The last time we were at the Roadhouse Maria struck up a conversation with a cowboy so no surprise that she was soon conversing with the sharp dressed man.  I liked the sharp dressed man and it seems he liked me as well.  But it was quite evident that this well groomed man was not a "full-timer".  Everything about him seemed too meticulous.  He was not wearing shorts, or tennis shoes, a ball cap or  T-shirt.  His nails were perfectly manicured (although he assured me he had never in his life had a manicure).  This was a man still working in corporate America.

I have been full timing for almost three years.  I live in RV parks or out on the desert.  I shower in whatever facility is available, sometimes going longer than I will ever admit.  I try to get my laundry done once a week and the last time I got a hair cut I cut it myself (braided my hair into two pigtails and chopped off the ends).  Every now and then I get a manicure or pedicure, but it is still a rare occurrence.  I do my best to keep up some type of beauty routine for my face, massage lotion into my hands and feet each night and try to keep an assortment of clothes that can be worn for any occasion.  But I don't often get an occasion to wear those clothes.  I live in a 25' motor home, sleep alone and there is not much need for too much grooming. 

And this new man I met has got me thinking about the effort it would take to be a little more groomed.  Would I really have to shave my legs more frequently and take a shower more often?  Do something more to my hair, pluck my eyebrows?  I am not sure I am up to the task.

So I am not sure if this man will call me again or not, but he sure got me thinking about this easier lifestyle of mine and if a full-timing woman and a corporate man even have much in common.


Thursday, June 14, 2012

More Surprises

Donlyna and Becca
Deerwood RV Park has always been very good to me.  I met Maria and Todd there and this last Spring I met Donlyna.  She was my neighbor for a month and we had some wonderful conversations.  I also came to know her daughter through some time we spent together.

Another total surprise when they came for a short visit.  I enjoy them so much I want to live with them in a commune, on a piece of land with some other beautiful people.

This seems to be a dream for so many people and I am hoping some day it will be realized.