As I priced and placed each item on the table for sale many moments of relief were felt. Finally, we’re clearing out some items that we’ve held on to for too long.
Let it go, just let it go.
We were as ‘ready’ as we could be, the preparation time had run out. Clearly, we weren’t tickled about seeing the weather forecast leading up to the Biggest Thrift Sale we’ve had in 32 years. The night before, we had a hail storm roll through. Imagine our panic in wondering if the tent and the outside items we had strategically placed for optimal enticement to buy would survive without damage. Thankfully everything outside just got very wet. None of our windows broke either!
My bleeding heart took some hard hits with the dime to Nickle-sized hail. Many delicate branches broke. Hopefully, the plant itself will recover.
Most of the beautiful blossoms on the flowering crab trees fell to the ground too. I’m glad I took photos of them that morning!
The morning before the storm was lovely with clear blue skies. In retrospect, we needed the nice weather to complete the sorting and pricing process for the sale. And to make last-minute decisions about what else to sell.
Then it down poured. A weather rollercoaster brought us a cold and windy Saturday. Nice weather would’ve made it more fun for all involved. Despite the weather, we did sell A LOT of stuff.
For those interested in the trinkets from decades past, here are a few photos to peruse.
The antique dealers and collectors took much of those items, as per the norm. The thing that I hadn’t seen before was the vintage version of the Handy Twine Ring Knife. The person who bought it knew exactly what it was and chuckled at their partner who thought it was a guitar pick.
As items were sold, we’d rearrange the remaining items and it would look like a whole new sale each time a person walked into the hanger. Yes, even a plane kit was for sale.
The comments as people entered the door were entertaining to listen to.
“WOW!!!!”
“Wow…with a glance our way…I bet I’m not the first to say that?”
“This must’ve taken you a LONG time to prepare?”
“Is this a shop that is open all the time?”
“How many families are in on this sale?”
“Your clothing prices are better than Saver’s.”
“How much for the ________ that is behind the rope?”
When we said there are more items across the yard in the barn and toys in the tent. Their expressions were priceless.
“Hold my stuff, I’ll be back after I check those areas out.” It was fairly rare to have them come back empty-handed.
Did people move stickers and reprice items? Yep. Did people pocket items? Probably. The ultimate goal was for the items to leave and find new homes. That did happen. A younger me would’ve been watching people like a hawk.
This time, “Just let it go!” was my motto.
Mr. sold the motorcycle he had when growing up and the one he bought himself after college – both were a last-minute, “Let’s try and sell this, okay?” The dealer that bought it sells parts from pre-1981 models to a place in Europe. Go figure.
The motorcycle we rode together when we dated and got married held a special place in our hearts. It was fun to ride, and I always felt safe with him driving it. But it needed repair and was simply in the way. Now that it is gone, the spot is clear for his Smoker! Did Mr. cry? Nope. Did I? Nope. Did I take a picture or did he? Nope. Sigh. I’m sure there is one somewhere. We just let those “Aw…it’s gone.” thoughts go.
I can’t tell you how many times I sighed to clear my thoughts by saying, “Let it go…just let it go…the memories are enough.” Today – the skies that were clear are clouding up and the furnace is running.
It got down to 40 degrees overnight…I wonder what this week will bring and how chilly it’ll feel as we take down the tent today? See you back here again next week. Thanks for stopping by!!
Post Inspiration – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “clear.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
PS – Did you know that was a twine cutter? What do you collect that you’re leaving behind for your family to sell or collect themselves? What is new with you?
It’s a twine cutter, cool! If I were in the area I would have loved to stroll through the items. There are a few things I would buy right now! Have a great week, guys. 😎
Aw, wish you could’ve shopped and listened to/told some stories. I hope you’re hanging onto happy memories of your visit back to MI. Have a great week, John!! Stay cool.
Quel travail!
Allez-vous déménager par la suite?
Translation: What a job! Will you be moving afterwards?
LOL – No moving plans for us. Our niece had moved a few years ago and her kids are growing up – so many of the items were hers. My in-laws had decided to downsize stuff too. It’s a big job that’s for sure!
Holy cow! All that was yours? Are you sure you had enough can openers 🙂 ? I would have bought the Live Better Electrically tin for my EV.
It was a combination of 4 families worth of stuff. I think we heard “Holy cow!” several times too. It’s amazing those can openers were some of the first things to go. You have excellent tastes – that LVE tin was cute and went early on too.
My goodness that’s a lot of stuff!
Yes, indeed! 😲😲😲
Oh my word! I had no idea you had that much stuff to sell. What a job. It must feel great to have it behind you. Wowow.
Sorry about your bleeding heart, but it is really healthy looking and I’m sure it will do fine. 🥀
Yes, lots of stuff. I must confess that it was mostly my in-laws stuff. We had a few boxes of things and some larger items. MILs cleaned out a mancave, storage space, plus our niece had moved a few years ago and was clearing out items too.
Thanks about the bleeding heart…this morning it is 34 degrees, now I’m worried a bit about frost. 🥶 Like you said, it looks healthy otherwise, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it survives! Winter has no place in my yard until after the fall! 😊🌹🌺🌼🌻
Wow! That was a huge sale, bet you’re glad it’s done! Your bleeding heart is a tough plant. It will come back next spring just fine.
Motorbike….no photo….no make or model….disappointed Shelley 🙂
Somehow I knew you’d be disappointed. Sorry, I gotta find the photos of the motorbikes – maybe next post. The models were Yamaha XJ650 Maxim (1981) and Honda SL125 (1973).
Both good bikes, thanks Shelley 🙂
😁😎 You’re welcome – Mr. agrees with you – he loved riding both of them.
I’m sure my daughter is happy that your sale was too far away for me to attend. My garage would be holding many things I don’t need but would have had a hard time passing by. Sorry about the hail, that’s sad. I’m glad you got some beautiful photos before it came.
LOL – I bet even Faith would’ve found something she couldn’t pass by 😉
Thanks about the hail and the photos. It is sad. I’m thankful there wasn’t any damage to windows or cars. I hope you’re having a great week!
When I say “let it go” I’m giving stuff to Goodwill, but you upped the game. We did a garage sale once…
LOL – yeah, we let go of a lot of stuff. We will be taking a trip to our local thrift shop or calling them to come and pick up our boxed and ready to go donations.
You’d think we’d learn how much work they are. . .every time we say, “We’re not doing another sale like that EVER again.” We’ll see. 🤔😣😆
Okay, Shelley, I have two questions: 1)Where were you storing all of this stuff before the thrift sale? In your house? 2) Exactly how many bottle openers does one need?
You had a huge amount of work to do in order to have this sale, so I hope you are now finding some time to relax. Have a wonderful Monday and week.
Hi Mary – LOL. Well, most of it was not my stuff. We did have about 7 boxes worth of toys/clothes that we had stored and a few odd items that we tried to sell before. The rest of the stuff was my inlaws, neices, and neighbors. I have no idea where or why they had so many bottle openers. I was astonished by that too. It must’ve been a thing to collect back in the day. My stepfather had a large collection too and we saved a dozen of them to display in Mr.’s man cave. You know, so our kids have to sell them or keep them someday. The bar was full of someday we’ll use that or it’ll come in handy.
We are taking a break from thinking about it – I can’t wait to get my gardens ready for flowers, etc.
Thank you – I hope you have a great week too!
I’m sure I would have come to your sale if I’d been close by. I love huge sales like this. Glad you did good on it.
It’s a shame about your plant. Hail is so destructive, and so far we’ve been lucky not to have a big one come through.
Aw, that would’ve been great to see you at the sale! We’re happy we did as well as we did despite the weather and a HUGE (bigger than our sale) estate sale that was nearby.
Yeah, the plant took a beating, but survived the frost two nights ago, so it must be determined to thrive this spring.
I hope you get an eye appointment soon and get glasses that are clear. I know how frustrating that can be and how wonderful it is when they are finally clear and working again!
So proud of you both for being detached and letting things go like that!
Not easy at certain times of
Life but looks like you both reached a new phase in life!
I am wondering where you stored all
Of this stuff!
—
Oh and I recently dropped off a few more of my FIL’s items at the hospice thrift store (where they value items so much and keep thanking your for the donation) anyhow – I included a chair from my office – it was last minute adding it to the car but I think I was done with it for a while – it was so cute – a short white chair that I think I got from TJmaxx, anyhow – I love that it is gone and releasing items can feel
Oh so good
Thank you, Yvette. It’s been interesting to let go of things that we treasured over the years. I think we are ready to let go before we cycle into the ‘aw, let’s keep it for the grandkids’ stages. There were many places the stuff was stored. Most of it was not our stuff though, it was the other 3 families. Where they stored it? Closets, shelves, on display, and in hidden boxes.
That’s wonderful that you have a hospice thrift store. I wish we had one. I’m sure they appreciated the white chair. I agree with you, it does feel good to release the items and let them go, especially when the next person is so happy to have found it.
I was proud that we were able to ‘let it go’ when we knew that the next person was buying it to resell and make a profit. That typically irks me, but not so much this time. More power to those people who are making a living by reselling items. I do know that if I had young kids right now, I’d be going to sales to get clothes and shoes to save money!
Congrats on your book being available on Amazon!! Way to go, you should be so proud of yourself. 🙂
Hi Shelley – you note about different seasons of finding goodies when the girls were little – well that was what I told my boys when they were throwing brand new stuff away! “Mom, it’s trash”
And then we had the whole talk about how someone else’s done item could be sued elsewhere – and how some second hand stores have good missions – but what really sunk in was when I said how blessed I was many times when I found a gently used item at just the right time – woo hoo! And it also helped to remind the that all this buying and selling of used “goodies” does save the landfill a bit!
—
Have you heard of the show called “Reacher”? This one is the latest version based on the book and in it – the main character – likes to get his clothes from thrift stores! Fun little touch however – he didn’t wash the stuff first – yuck!!!
—
Oh and I the twine cutter seemed like a bottle opener to me too!
–
Regarding leaving stuff for grandkids – I think “less” left
Can be more for them — and we will
Hand pick the items we leave behind too –
Or try to –
— your comment reply reminded
Me of Paul Muchinsky – he was
One of my favorite work psychologists – he passed away in 2015 and Shelley – he left behind a huge “pin” collection.
Those little metal pins that are definitely a generation past! ((And did you ever wear pins? I had some on a Jean jacket in the 80s)
Anyhow – in the last couple of years I have seen that the
Children and grandchildren are selling the pins at auction .
Hmmmm
Maybe they really want the pins to go to
Someone who values them – but I also think the money would be helpful ! Ha
Hi Yvette, your comments always spark more thoughts for me to consider.
My youngest’s first job in HS was at Saver’s. She scored so many ‘cool’ clothes and learned about saving the environment, she’ll gladly shop at thrift stores. She even goes there and find items that aren’t her size, but she loves the fabric and she modifies them herself so they fit just right. I’m not quite that handy, but I am tempted to start doing the same thing.
I haven’t heard of Reacher – I rarely watch TV. I would definitely wash items before wearing!!!
I have a collection of pins that were my step-father’s. They are preserved in a wooden glass case. I have yet to figure out how he got them in there. I’ll have to share it as a post someday. I had a jean jacket that I loved in the 80s and have a picture of me posing in it. I showed it to my youngest the day I was planning on parting with the jacket. She took the jacket, still wears it to this day, and she puts PINS on it!! All it takes is a few decades and everything returns. Maybe I should try auctioning them off?
On a silly note, many of the clothes that I had stored still fit me and are back in style. Shh…don’t tell too many people, but I’m super excited to have ‘new’ items to wear that didn’t cost me a new dime to buy!
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Shelley – you Seem so frugal and just wise with your money
I remember when a while ago you shared about the remodeling project and noted that era of being conservative (something like that) and now a remodel….
It stood out to me because it felt so healthy financially wise –
Anyhow – when my step daughter was going – we got robbed of so many visits and dealing with the ex was not easy (the ex passed away 2019) – and we did or best to work though the challenges – but I mention this because I was like really shocked when my step daughter came to visit and said she shopped at a thrift store with her mom and sister.
And Shelley, she said they had to put stuff back – and could only get so many items – she was 12 at the time and now is a moth her of two and prefers not to shop thrift . But back then I was shocked because the ex was a snob and they had an almost million dollar 4,000 square foot house in CO!
And not to make my comments too long here (but you share in a way it gets us chatting) but many thrift stores are turning away stuff – esp clothes ! Because of fast fashion and the throw it away society we live in!
—
I saw a commercial a while back showing young Gen Zers and it had to do with recycling clothes -I don’t remember the details but the message was clear!
— but I had no idea that clothes are flooding the landfill at an alarming rate!
—
Also heard a radio program about the dangers of microfibers from cheap clothes and how those fake fibers are negatively impacting the streams and lakes. I guess new filters are being added to washin machines to try and catch the plastic fibbers and other Misc
-//
So! Your daughter wearing your jean jacket reminded me that she is likely wearing a good quality fabric (or not) but likely
And how cool that she puts pins on the jacket and enjoys it!
That just make you smile to see it!
-/
You bring up many great points, Yvette. I am pretty frugal, so much so, I kept more clothes from the boxes I was sorting than I’ve done in buying new clothes. Mr. found his favorite winter coat at a thrift store. We hang onto stuff until it isn’t wearable anymore. Or that doesn’t fit. It makes me sad to hear that places are turning away clothes. Lots of thoughts running through my head now.
The cheaper fabric is definitely something that concerns me. I’ve been doing some experiments with elastic and fabric softeners. So far, if the fabric is cheap, and the fabric softener for static isn’t used, the elastic degrades at a rapid pace. Interesting eh? We’ve gone from ALWAYS using a Snuggle sheet to rarely using one and it’s quite enlightening. For the items closest to our skin we avoid them as much as possible. Sheets, towels, underwear, etc.
I am happy my daughter is wearing my old jacket. It was back when Levis didn’t have the stretchy materials, so it is good solid denim that is lasting and aging well. 😊
Hi again – smile
I am not sure if the stretchy material is bad or not – but I sure do love head that have the bit of spandex or elastic – and lightweight jeans are a gift!
The denim jacket your daughter now has reminded me of an article I read about the roots of jeans and denim.
Something about the farmers overhauls and material that was for labor and had a function
Then something about Diana Ross had old and worn jeans that someone wanted to buy (MJ) and how the early 80s had the stone washed and worn look….
Anyhow – It is pretty awesome that her jacket is aging well and more important – that she likes it!
—
The hubs and I had a little time to watch TV last night and we ended up watching half of Lauren Greenfield’s Generation Wealth (Prime) (he had not seen it and it has been a while since I did – and Shelley – I must have been multitasking when I first watched it because so many parts I don’t recall )
Anyhow – you have to check it out sometime and let me know what you think !
It is about discontentment – wealth and how my his enough –
And addiction to stuff (or work)
–
The documentary depicts the opposite of what we have been chatting about – the frugal and simpler approach to things.
—
Oh and re: fabric softener sheets
Heard a local DJ on a Christian station suggest using dryer sheets as air fresheners in children’s backpacks – drawers – under beds – etc – and I wanted to call in and bite the chemical exposure with those sheets – but did not ave time.
It reminded me of the small but accumulative toxins we are exposed to and ***sigh****
Just take it one day at a time and make small changes without getting overwhelmed or too preachy to others I guess is the way to go – hahaha
It’s so fun to read your comments, Yvette.
Jeans did serve quite the purpose. I have a quilt top that my grandmother handsewed from tiny strips of jean fabric and flour sacks. I want to finish it some day. The value we put on clothes and using them for every purpose possible has definitely gone by the wayside IMHO. Probably why I hang on to scrap material. It was modeled to me growing up. I’m thankful that my kids have enjoyed some of the things I’ve hung on to and have also taken their own paths to what they want to keep or not.
I haven’t watched that documentary – you make it sound interesting. We have Prime and never use it for movies. Shame on us. I’ve been watching a lot of other documentaries – so much to learn out there, that’s for sure.
Those darn fabric softener sheets. I had no idea how bad they were for us until I started looking into it. I don’t miss using them as much as I thought I was supposed to do before. LOL
Yes, one baby step at a time is the way to go. 😊🥰
Hi – one baby step at a time is right – and I actually still do use fabric softener and dryer sheets – but not in every load and only occasionally – it they are also the least chemicals kinds –
but maybe I need to look into it more – hmmmm
My sister uses vinegar and that did work for towels but well, um….
Baby steps!
—
The Jean fabrics and flour sack material sounds really special and like it could end up being a very cherished item (like those framed dresses we sometime see).
-/
Oh and regarding Generation Wealtb doc – ***warning*** it is a little graphic – It needs to be because it is a mix of the photographers work and she interviewed porn stars and rich teens and then followed up with some of them for this 2018 documentary.
-/
Okay wishing you a great rest of your day!
Hi Yvette – for some reason your reply went to my spam folder. Sigh. Yes, I agree – baby steps are the way to go. I shake my head at myself often – “How in the world did I think this was okay to use/do/see/eat all these years!”
I would like to finish the quilt someday. Someday…!
I’ll keep that in mind if I get a chance to watch the documentary. There’s so much information that will be coming out soon. Many of us will experience mind-blowing thoughts that question so much we’ve been told to believe as true.
I hope you’re having a great week.
Thanks Shelly – for rescuing my comment and then replying
– my first week of June has been quite delightful and hope your month is off to a good start too
😊☀️🌸🌸🌸
You’re welcome! So far, June is off to a productive start. I’m glad to read yours is going well too! 😁
Oh fun, I love a good sale. Congrats on letting it go!
Hi Rebecca – this was a lovable sale, that’s for sure. We’re happy to let things go and now we’re wondering what else we should part with. Best to keep on that path while the mood strikes.
I hope you’re gearing up for a fun summer with the boys.
Thanks for stopping by – it’s always a treat to hear from you. 🥰
Wow Shelley – when you said you were having a sale, I thought “well, it will be big, but never thought it would be this big” … an industrialized sale. I did recognize a few vintage items that I’ve seen in the past and I still have one of those rulers that fold up – hmm. No one is left after I’m gone to clear away the clutter and the things I now hold dear – all those assets are to be left to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, so I guess they get to do the honors.
I told you it was going to be BIG! LOL. Those who get to go through your belongings will find many treasures. Enjoy them all while you can.
PS – your comment didn’t need moderation this time. WTH is going on with WP? I’m glad it seems to be fixed!!
When I saw the hangar I knew I had misunderstood bigtime! Yes, like Erma Bombeck wrote once about wishing she had not been so conscious of saving things “for good” if she had her life to do over. I’d better start using my “good stuff” too. Another blogger tells me that I keep going to her SPAM folder … this was right after you said that. Gremlins in WP?
I need to deliver my boxes of donations to a thrift store so that I’m not tempted to add them to the next sale.
I like Erma’s advice.
That’s so weird about the comments. I had that happen to me once, and I can’t remember what resolved it. Try running a free version of Wise Registry. You’ll be surprised how many errors it cleans up! Run it often.
Ha ha – that would be me, picking out some to KEEP, thinking “it wasn’t their time to go.” 🙂
Yes, I like Erma’s advice … now to follow it. I see my clothes and realize I made a mistake not just leaving the at-home job and actually going to a normal job and wearing those clothes. I was a clothes horse and loved clothes and accessories … a waste as I’ll never wear most of them now. I live in casual clothes and even a step below “casual” – sweats most of the time, short/tee-shirts all Summer.
I will try Wise Registry – thanks for the tip Shelley. Last week I lost my connection to work – the VPN did not work at all.
I’m with you on the clothes I ‘needed’ for meetings, etc., and now that is rare. Even Zoom meetings don’t require the majority of the items in my closet. I enjoy the comfort and ease of at-home attire.
I hope Wise Registry works for you! Man, computer issues are such a pain. I hope it is all working for you now.
Makes me feel badly thought – I used to like wearing earrings – even that is a rarity now.
I got to work today – my boss said he cannot remote in now and said “well great it works for you – but your fix broke my computer.” No comment on that. Then it worked fine for four hours. I shut down for a short break, then returned and couldn’t get into any of my Word files – everything else is okay. Message said I had no permissions to access, though I could get into accounting. Tried to call the computer guy and his cellphone said “all circuits are busy” and I can no longer text him – he switched phone providers, so had to e-mail him this time. I told him not to mess with permissions, etc. until I finished the June invoices. Computers are indeed a pain.
Do you use Malwarebytes Premium on your own computer? I have it, but uninstalled the update about 3-4 years ago as it slowed my system remoting in. I get a pop-up that says to update my Malwarebytes … now that I use a VPN, perhaps I can do it, but before it would only display 1/3 to 1/2 of an internet site/page.
I’m with you on the earrings too – I’ve got it down to 2 pairs that I go between when I do wear them. I didn’t want the holes to close.
Computers have been acting up for me this week too. Your situation sounds frustrating, sorry! 🙁
We have a VPN that Mr. set up, I should really find out more about how it works. If I find some good tips from him, I’ll email them to you!
I do the same thing Shelley. Making sure I poke an earring through to keep the hole from closing up … and remember how excited we were to get our ears pierced? And did you bug your mom to let you get it done? Where’s that enthusiasm … I’m wearing a pair tomorrow. 🙂
He finally fixed the computer thankfully. The first time he had to upgrade the VPN and the second time just by rebooting my work computer. Before this computer guy, I could restart my computer remotely but he changed the permissions, so I can’t.
I thought about getting the VPN through Malwarebytes, but wasn’t sure if two VPN downloads would conflict with one another. Do you use the one Mr. set up for personal use or for work? My work VPN is “Open VPN Connect”.
I hope you have a nice pair of earrings on today! 😊😎 Yes, I think I wanted my ears pierced. But, oh, Linda, if I told you about my ear piercing experience, it might make your stomach turn…. Okay, why not…I remember that day just like I was sitting at the kitchen table holding ice cubes on my ear lobes and a potato slice behind it as my mom and her friends pierced the first ear lobe. I must’ve blacked out – I can’t remember the second earlobe. But it worked and my ears have been pierced ever since. I was vigilant in taking care of the new holes so that I wouldn’t have to go through that again.
I’ll check with Mr. about our VPN and send you an email. We have WIFI in our house and cables and use it for both personal and work. It’s way beyond my skillset!
I did wear earrings yesterday – first time in ages (rather than just poking the earring through the hole). That is a different experience – that’s for sure – you must have thought about it and just fainted away. 🙂 I don’t remember where I went – it was before the earring stores had kiosks in the mall and pierced your ears if you bought a pair. I’m not good at configuring anything computer-wise if there is a concern I will disconnect something and cause issues for me personally or at work, though I can configure if I have the password and plug it in. I did learn a lot after my boss and I moved out on our own as I had to troubleshoots with the computer guy so he did not have to drive an hour for a “fix”.
Yay for earrings!!! Yes, it was quite the experience. Both of my kids went to one of those kiosks. One fainted, the other did just fine.
I’m the same with computers as you are. I rely on Mr. for every glitch I have. This morning while writing my blog post, my computer froze and rebooted. Thank goodness I had saved a few times so didn’t lose everything. Computers can be so maddening to deal with. That’s impressive that you learned as much as you have without a computer guy within driving distance.
About twenty years ago I had a boss, (attorney), who wanted to be a doctor. His grades were good and he had not yet decided his specialty. He was in pre-med or an internship – I cannot remember now, but they were on rounds and he had to watch a procedure with a lot of blood and he fainted at the sight of it. He was whisked away where medical personnel examined him and asked if he had low blood sugar, had been ill, etc. – what could make him faint?? My boss knew the sight of blood made him faint, but covered that fact up and said he had been “under the weather” so he was given something to eat, had a nap and was to join on rounds later that day. Blood was being drawn – he fainted again. So yes, he could have been a doctor who did research or some area where he did not interact with patients, but he left that chosen career and became a medical malpractice attorney instead.
I hate when that happens – I need to back up my blog … not done it in a few weeks. thank you for the reminder!
Wow – that’s a turn of events, good thing he found out before he completed his schooling. I faint when it’s my own blood, but can deal with it when it’s someone else’s blood. I can’t watch them draw blood on my own arm. Thank goodness there are people that can do so.
I pay for automatic backups, it’s still frustrating though when the computer just reboots on its own. Grr. I hope you got your back up done.
Yes, can you imagine that you plan on a career in medicine and have to come up with another plan after pre-med, etc. He had a good career as a med mal attorney though so all was not lost.
I actually was down all day at work today again – cannot get into any files. The computer guy was on another job and may call me tonight (I said okay as I had no work to do all day today as my boss was getting ready for a seminar in California so gave me no work, so I got caught up in Reader – yay).
Also, in getting caught up, I read the blogger who traveled cross-country’s latest post. I was wrong about her/husband having traveled 5,000 miles – it is 5,000 miles to go home as they are going the quickest route possible, but they have traveled 8,000 miles already and she had a map where they’ve gone since last September in her latest post. They are staying at her brother’s place for a week, the heading home.
I can imagine wanting to switch careers – I think it may happen more often than we’re told.
Dang computers…I hope you got it resolved. That’s nice your boss gave you a day to catch up on Reader. YAY!!
Wow – 8000 miles with another 5000 to go. My boss and his family were going to do that with their kids several years back. Their plan changed suddenly, and I think in retrospect they’re thankful the plans changed. It’s nice you got to catch up reading about this couple’s travels.
I keep hearing how people changed careers and life direction due to the pandemic and downsized their careers to do something more meaningful. That is great if you can still pay the bills. For me, it is great working from home and walking every morning before work, but I did take a pay cut to do that, but I like the flexibility and less hassle. (Most days anyway ….)
Yes, I somehow thought it was 5,000 each way, but they are taking a quicker way home and expect to make it home in five days. It’s quite an adventure and at least your boss doesn’t have big regrets due to the change of plans. I forgot to say that they are also traveling with two dogs (one big, one small) and a cat. Sandra posts photos with a short narrative daily, so I’m usually behind keeping up … I got caught up in Reader totally last night and likely won’t make it over there tonight.
I think one of the positives of this whole pandemic is to see the resourcefulness and resilience of people. I agree – you still need to pay the bills and the cost of them is likely skewed due to the rapid inflation.
Wow – traveling pets too. That’s quite the adventure.
I’m glad you got caught up in Reader. Great job!
I don’t know how they did it – towing the Jeep behind the RV and it’s a big RV. She’s shown photos of it during their trip. They are now in place for a week visiting her brother, then start for home. Yes, pets as well – ambitious.
I did catch up, but now two days behind again. 🙂
🤗😊
Here’s the poem I mentioned Shelley – just delete if you want to after you’ve read it :
“If I had my life to live over…
Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.
My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.
If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.
I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television … and more while watching real life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.
I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the Earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.
I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.
When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more I love yous … more I’m sorrys … more I’m listenings … but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it … look at it and really see it … try it on … live it … exhaust it … and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.”
― Erma Bombeck, Eat Less Cottage Cheese and More Ice Cream: Thoughts on Life from Erma Bombeck
I remember that poem, thank you for sharing it. It is fitting and great advice 🙂