Sunday, April 17, 2011

Another Week Closer

 

Yes, it’s one more week closer.  I can certainly relate to Gypsy, boxes, boxes, everywhere boxes.  At least she will be done a lot sooner than me.

I have been really busy going through a lot of STUFF.  I am trying to get some things together for a yard sale next Saturday.  My neighbor is having one then, so I will make a poster of some sort  with a list of the things (and prices) that are for sale and my address and phone number. 

                                           FOR SALE

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Hopefully I will increase the RV fund.  Last Saturday I sold the solar patio light and the small fountain.  I brought it out to Lupe (she is a coworker) who lives in south Sacramento.  We had lunch and visited for while.  She has a nice home with a pool.  She also has converted parts of her home into a studio and a one bedroom apartment that she rents out.  She will make good use of them.

                                                          GONE

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                                screened canopy

Then on Saturday I gave the screened canopy to my neighbor,  It was up all winter and the high winds did a bit of damage.  The same winds ruined hers too.  She said that she could fix mine so I just gave it to her.  I also have a lot of concrete blocks and patio wall building blocks and pavers and another small pond that I will try to sell too. 

If  I can sell some things then and the have an “estate sale” just before I move.  Every thing that I plan on taking is making it’s way into my bedroom.  I have also started putting things into boxes that will go into the fiver basement that I will take my daughters in AZ.  There’s also a box for Ted, but he will take his next weekend when he will be here for Easter.  I wonder if I can sell my Tuff Shed too.

A lot of things are beginning to happen.  Hopefully I will be in fifth wheel by June or July.  I will have to find a park to put it  and then get a tow truck later.  My plans are to continue working so that I can build up my saving a bit.  I will also be able to figure out my usage of propane and electricity and how long I will have to go before I have to dump the black and grey water before I am actually on the road, generally learn how to live in an RV.  It will also give me time to set up workamping situations for when I actually retire.  While going through some papers I found my old resumes.  That will help when I start looking for work once I actually retire.  Does anyone have any ideas as to where to begin looking in the Phoenix area or central Texas area?

One of first places that I will probably go will be Arizona where two of my daughters live and the on to Texas where another daughter and my sister live.  There are a lot of other places that I would like to go but they can wait.    

The Adventure begins!

Again,  thank you for visiting

Susan and Angel             http://whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/

Saturday, April 9, 2011

We’re Back

Friday   

It’s been awhile since I posted.  The normal stuff has been happening but I just haven’t been in the mood to write.  No excuses, just busy, mostly work and just feeling a bit down when I think about doing all the things that have to be done before I can get out on the road. 

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My daughter did not get the transfer to her work’s Sacramento office, so she won’t be taking over my mobile home.  Now I have to develop another course of action.  A lot of the things that I was going to give to her, I now have to find new homes.  I guess I will have to figure out how to use Craig’s List.  I have some twin beds, a couple of armoires, one for a computer and another for a television, file cabinets bookshelves and a bunch of other STUFF. 

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A couple of weeks ago I went to  the winery to listen to Steve perform . He plays the keyboard and sings. It was an enjoyable evening.  I really don’t do much other than work and sleep for four days and then on the weekends it is catch up time.  During Lent I also go to a midweek church service that we have after a Soup/Supper.  Each Wednesday some one will make one or two kinds of soup (all of them are really yummy) and some one else will bring bread.

Last Friday and again on  Sunday I did some more research.  There was an RV show at the former McClelland AFB.  There were a couple of fifth wheels that would have worked, but I can’t do anything yet.  I spent quite a bit of time just sitting in one just talking with someone about what my plans are.  I felt so much at home.  I know that this lifestyle is what I really want.

Saturday

This morning Angel and I went out to Arco Arena to another RV show and again went through a lot of fifth wheels.  There were a few that had everything that I would like to have, but of course I won’t be able to afford one of those.  When the time is right I have faith that everything will fall in to place and that I will get exactly what will be best for me.

I had a bit of shopping to do, so knowing that I would be going into stores where I couldn’t take Angel,  I took her home.  Off I went to Costco to stock up on the ingredients for my protein  shakes and Sam’s Club to fill up the car (still under $4.00 {3.95 9/10}).  On the way home I stopped at Folsom Lake RV.  They are always nice and share information even though they know that I am not ready to purchase any thing yet.  It is family run and they are always very helpful.  Today I spent about a half hour with Billy who shared a lot of information and experiences with me.  

Home now, and there is so much to do and sort through.  One of these days I will have everything that I want to take with me in one place and the rest divided  as to where it will go, to sell, donated, given away or tossed .  Every day I get a little bit closer.

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It’s time for bed.     I hope that you all are having a great weekend!

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel       http://whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 21, 2011

Visitors, Errands and Planting

 

Thursday I left work early to pick up friends from Georgia.  They would be spending the night and flying back to Atlanta on Friday morning.  I hadn’t seen Jack for quite a long time, although Mary has been to visit every few years.  It was great to visit with them.  I brought them home so that they could rest before we went out to dinner at the Olive Garden in Citrus Heights.  Jack and I shared the Chicken Scampi and Mary had the Eggplant Parmesan.  We all enjoyed our meals.  I still think that the salad and bread sticks are great.  I was able to bring some home for another meal later.  When we got home I made some peach/pineapple sorbet for our dessert.   I have a Vita Mix, so it was so easy and quick and very good.

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We caught up on what we all have been doing.  Jack is still recovering for heart surgery and doing well.  Mary is in the process of setting up a trip to Ireland and Scotland in June for her and Jack and several other people.  I wish that I would be able to go.  I really liked Scotland and would love to go to Ireland.  I’m sure that they will all have a wonderful trip.

Friday morning I made a big omelet to share, toast/bagels, and coffee for breakfast.  We then got moving so that we could get them to the airport by 9:30.   Mary called to let me know when they got to the gate and when the got home (a half hour early).  They evidently had a tail wind.  

On the way home I had some business to take care of at my lawyer’s office and ran a few errands.   What those errand were, I don’t even remember now. 

Saturday I went to Costco to see if I could find a Fireproof Lock Box for keeping important papers and such that I will be able to take when I get out on the road.  I’m afraid that they didn’t have one there, (only regular safes), but I will have to order it on line when I’m ready to get one.  I didn’t get out of there without buying something. (fat chance that will ever happen)  I bought some Spring bulbs and planted them when I got home.  I sure hope that will brighten up the patio.  I now have to fix the gazebo.  What with the high winds that we had, some of the framework  came apart.

Later in the evening I went to our annual Saint Patrick’s Day (plus 2)  Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner at church.  Our men’s group puts this on as a fund raiser.

Then on Sunday there was church and afterwards I went home and rearranged the bedroom furniture for when Mellissa and the kids get here.

Today was another boring day at work.  Just thinking about it makes me tired and I need to get to bed.  Tomorrow morning will come early.

I hope that everyone out there in blog land had a good weekend and will have a better week.

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Good Night to all and thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel      whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 14, 2011

Balloons, Ball, and Baby (Angel)

 

Another boring week at work, although Thursday I gave my lungs a complete workout.  I didn’t know that I had so much hot air and surprised that I didn’t pass out.  There were several of us that in between calls that blew up 217 balloons to fill up our supervisor’s office for  her birthday.  This was for Friday when I wouldn’t be there.

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                              That’s Kimi trying to work amongst all the balloons.

Sometimes we do have fun and always eat.  There was a pineapple upside down cake.

This is where I was on Friday.  Another day of physical therapy.  I now have a lot of different exercises that I can do at home for strengthening and balance.  I also have some that I can do in a pool or preferably in a hot tub.  I really like to be warm.  This can be tougher than it seems.  Try rolling a ball up and down the wall.

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Two hours later, after all the exercises here, it was into the pool where I got to run and paddle around and again doing more resistance and balancing acts.  Reward was the Hot Tub. 

Later I went to IKEA to get some linens for a couple of twin bed that my neighbor gave me for Mellissa’s kids when she gets here.  I am really looking forward to having overnight guests on Thursday.  Mary and Jack are from Georgia.  They have been visiting other friends in Reno for a few days and after visiting with me they will be flying back home on Friday.    Mary was here for a visit last May, but I haven’t seen Jack since I was there in 1995.

Saturday was another day of cleaning and a bit of yard work.  I also watched a couple of movies on Netflix.

Sunday was church and I finished the guest bedroom. 

I will finish this and get myself off to bed.  I hope that everyone out there had a great week end.

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Good Night All and thanks for visiting

                                         

Susan and Angel                   whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Exercise, Good Deal, and Clipped Nails

 

One more week closer.  Each day while I’m at work, goes by so slow and the weekend go is over before you know it.  Friday was the day that I went for scheduled Physical Therapy to work out a plan for water aerobics along with strengthening exercises.  I can do them at home and some of them I will be able to do at work.  Everything that I do has one thought, being healthy enough to be able to RV full time.

The rest of the day I did a bit of shopping and started looking for cars or trucks and took another look at some 5vers at a local RV dealer.  I sure wish that the waiting was over and I could start the next chapter. 

Both Friday and Saturday was absolutely gorgeous compared to the past couple of months.  A taste of Spring!  Now when Winter is truly over it will really be nice.  I was able to get my laundry done and met with Gypsy for a bite to eat at La Bou around noon.  We then went to the a dealer to look at some RVs just to see what’s available.

Afterwards I took Angel to Pet Smart to get her nails clipped.  While she was getting her nails done, I wandered around the store and got a Pedi Paws so that I  can do them myself and found a new sweater for her. (a really good deal, regularly $16.99 for only $4.25)  The rest of the day I got a little more done around the house and then watched a few movies on Netflix.

I woke up Sunday morning to rain.  After church I thought about going to see “The King’s Speech”  but changed my mind and just went home, made few phone calls and watched a few more movies.  It’s still raining. It is supposed to be over by tomorrow. 

Now it’s time to start thinking about another work week, so it’s off to bed.

Thanks for visiting

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                                           Angel in her new sweater.

Susan and Angel

Monday, February 28, 2011

Report on the Birthday Weekend

 

This just a quick report on this past weekend.  Friday I met with a new orthopedic doctor for my annual follow up after my knee replacements.  X-rays shows that everything is just fine.  Next appointment in another year.

Later in the evening Sam, Gilbert and I went to The Winery to listen to Steve perform ( on the keyboard and sing in his own style).

Saturday, I got a little bit of sorting done and donated my two huge TV’s to group doing an E Waste fundraiser. Then I had to get all “dolled up” for my company’s dinner/dance.  Ted came in from San Francisco to be my “date”. 

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At the end of the dinner, it’s a tradition to give the centerpiece to someone at table.  Ted won,  his birthday was the closest to the day of the dance.  He chose one of the vases that had orchids in it and shared the other two with others at the table.

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We enjoyed the dinner (really nice buffet) and the entertainment.  They had three couple, some of them were from “Dancing With The Stars”.  They gave demonstrations of the various types of dances and even gave a “dancing lesson to 900 people at once.

                         

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                I took a couple of videos but haven’t figured out how to insert it.

Sunday was Ted’s birthday.  After church we went to Costco to pick up things for his birthday dinner (of course, he cooked it) at Steve and Kyle’s. Kyle is a great hostess.  we had a great salad, fried tilapia filets, sautéed baby spinach, red potatoes and cherry pie with vanilla ice cream and hand whipped cream.  It was all delicious. 

Today I took off work to get some more preparation done.  One more step closer to the goal. 

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I really need to finish this and get to bed. 

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel               http://whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/

Monday, February 21, 2011

A Little of This and a Little of That

 

It’s been another week since my last post.  As usual “work” is just something to just get through.  Just the normal stuff along with a monthly “one on one” with my supervisor.  All good feedback, even a “proud letter” from a customer.  She knows that I’m in retirement mode, but still encourages me to keep up the good work.

Last Wednesday night,  I made a trip out to the Sacramento International Airport to pick up one of my friends, Kyle.  She was returning from a visit with family back east.  I got there a little early and instead of circling the airport past the terminals, Angel and I waited in the “cell phone” lot for free.  It is really handy, you can wait for up to three hours.  We waited for about 30 to 40 minutes.  She called me when she landed and after she claimed her luggage.  I picked her up and we were out of the airport in minutes.  Fortunately there was only light rain on and off on the way home.

During the week I was able to get much of the banking done.  The credit cards are paid off and  most of my bills are set up for payment as they come in each month.  I’m trying to set everything up to be easy to take care of when I am on the road.  Just one more step in the process.

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This is the beginning of the project that I started last weekend, now to plant some grass or ground cover in between the pavers.

Unlike the previous weekend, it rained on and off all last week, so on Friday and Saturday I just slept in.  I was able to get the much of the product for my business moved into my “storage” area (aka converted part of the living room)  and watched movies for most of the day.  Sunday we had a meeting and a potluck in the afternoon at church.  As always lots of great food, and of course I ate too much. 

It is now the beginning of another work week.  Upcoming things, an annual follow up doctor visit for past knee surgeries on Friday, company dinner/dance on Saturday and Ted’s birthday on Sunday.

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                                             My Pillow Puppy

I think I will join Angel and get to bed.

As always,  thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel          http://whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/