Monday, July 13, 2009

I am known for

One thing I am known for is changing my mind. I have though long and hard about making a trip by myself across the U.S. in a van. I feel because of my back problems and my newly diagnosed congestive heart failure that I am not going to make this trip. So for now I have decided to move to Paducah Ky. They have a thriving Arts community that I would love to live in. So that is the plan now -- when my daughter Teresa comes back from boot camp and her AIT training I plan to move to Paducah.

http://www.ilistpaducah.com/site/index/
http://www.paducaharts.com/

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

It's been a while since I've written

Webfetti.comTonight I really felt the gypsy bug again. I wanted to drive and see green grass and trees. It makes me really want to buckle down and prepare for a year long journey


Camp Fire







Sunday, February 22, 2009

Well I'm trying to change

I had a good report from my doctor's visit so I celebrated with a coffee and brownie. That cost as much as 1/2 a night at some campsites. So I'm trying to get myself to think in that way.

Webfetti.com

Thursday, February 19, 2009

A change in mind set

When I think about making this trip and all the expenses that go with it -- I get a little overwhelmed. I have money that comes in every month so that is a big help. But my problem is that I spend what I have. I don't spend a lot on myself as I spend money on things for my business.

So from here on out I am going on a buying freeze. If I don't absolutely have to replace something broke or wore out, then I'm not going to buy it. I want to make sure that I have money up front in case of emergencies so I don't have to worry as much. I also have to get used to living in a very small space -- so my possessions can't be first.
Webfetti.com

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

First Steps

Now realize I'm not leaving till Feb 2010.

The first thing I need to do is trade my car in for a van. I want a late model or new van so I won't have to worry too much about break downs as much with an older model.

Once I have the van I will take out the middle seats, create the bed in the back, make it "Pink Pretty," and add electricity so that I can plug into camping sites.

I also need to get my passport because I really do want to go to Canada and possibly Mexico.

There are items I will need since I will be living in a van without a bathroom!!! Coleman has portable showers, toilets, and other equipment. I will buy a tent with a screened room and a two burnner propane stovetop so I'm not in the van all the time.

Right now I have a desktop computer but will buy a laptop. I will also trade up my cell phone to a much more robust cell service.

I need to paln out my trip and start making some reservations in some of the camp grounds.

I have to work with my doctor so that I can have blood test on the road when needed.

I have to decide what part of my business I will be taking with me and how to arrange shipping etc.

There are two RV/Camping orgs I need to join -- Good Sams Club, Passport America, and AARP

Whew! I know there is a lot I'm not even thinking about.

Gypsy Girl in a Van

I have always wanted to do this. I had planned to go to Paris this spring but I am helping with my grandkids till my daughter goes to boot camp this summer. So when she gets through with her boot camp and training I plan to go on the road. I will buy a van and convert it. I will live in this van for a year traveling from place to place. I plan to take my business with me and not only sell on line but at shows too. I'll soon be 56 with my children grown and no one I need to take care of besides me, I think it is time to live the gypsy life I have always dreamed of. I will keep you posted on the steps I'm taking and how it turns out. I don't plan on leaving until 2/2010, so I have plenty of time.


Sunday, September 14, 2008

More Pics






More Pics






Pics of family





My grandmother

I noticed one time that my hands looked just like my mother's and grandmother's hands. Our hands always fascinated me so when I found a story about hands, I adapted it for my grandmother's life.



Grandma’s Hands
Adapted from the Poem “These Hands”
These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I used all my life to reach out, to grab and embrace life.

They caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.


They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life. They were constantly folded in prayer as my son went off to war.


They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I held my first born child. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.


They wrote the letters and trembled and shook when I buried my husband and saw my children married.

Yet, they were strong and sure when I learned to put food on the table for my family as a single mother. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.


They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.


But more importantly, it will be these hands that God will reach out and take, when he leads me home. And He won't care about where these hands have been or what they have done. What He will care about is to whom these hands belong and how much He loves these hands. And with these hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.