Took part of the day off yesterday.

I took a little break in the process of moving yesterday. After I finished moving and sorting all the bathroom stuff, I took Kathy and Anthony up on their invitation to go to their camp.

Kathy and I went kayaking. Now, keep in mind that I have only been in a kayak one other time, way back in the 80's.  I am proud of myself, and so glad that I did take a chance and bought my own kayak. I didn't whine once or capsize. I am adding a waterproof camera to my wish list tho. I took my phone, double bagged in a zipper bag, but it was hard to use thru the plastic and I was scared to death that I was going to drop it. Plus, each time I used it, I had to remove one of the bags. But the afternoon was a great success and I had fun! It has been a long time since I have done anything fun. I WILL do it again.

Both of these pics were taken with my iphone thru a zipper bag. And proof that I really did do something somewhat athletic. I didn't break out my kayak, I used one of theirs instead. Although I am considering setting mine up an heading to the island in the middle of Island Pond before I leave. I have been here 14 years and haven't been on the lake yet.

Here are some more pics I took yesterday. It was nice to be snapping pictures again. Although I am having trouble figuring out the file process in the macbook still. So ended up uploading these to my picasa web album and have imported them from there.

It was just so nice to be doing something other than downsizing and moving. They even invited me to stay for dinner and sent me home with some home grown lettuce. We had freshly caught trout, salad, corn on the cob and coleslaw for dinner. Was very good and much appreciated! Back to it today.

I will be taking my first shower in Ody this morning. I spent the night in the building, by the time I got done futzing with the photos, it was just too late to move anything else out in preparation for morning.

I do believe Kali Cat has already moved into Ody. She doesn't like coming inside. I pretty much had to force her to come in last night. She wanted to curl up on the bed in the rig. 

My tattoo repair is healing nicely. The way it should have the first time. Very little tenderness or redness. I kept it covered up while out on the lake yesterday. And the paddle action didn't hurt my shoulder, and I am not sore or achy today. Yay! Good to know. Now all I have to do is try the bicycle again. Still need to put air in the front tire, the seat cover finally came, and I want to try lowering the seat a little. I may have to get a different bike if that doesn't work. This one may be too small.

Moving in to Ody sooner than I had planned.

Went to take my shower this morning...no hot water. I believe the flow sensor on the instant water heater has gone bad. Nine days to go. I'm not fixing it. The building is being torn down, so why bother?

I have hooked up the hose to Ody and have figured out how it works. Drained the holding tanks - both of them- the black tank by accident, but it only had water in it anyway. For now, I have left the gray water open. No sense in filling it up again.

I am in the process of moving the bathroom stuff out and will sort and toss and try to reduce the four bags of stuff I have loaded. Way too much stuff that doesn't get used on a regular basis.

Kali Cat is already out there snoozing away. I think we are going to sleep out there tonight. I will need the coffee maker, some filtered water, my macbook and bose speaker, and we should be good for the evening and night. Will be our first night out there together.

I had planned on completing the move this weekend, so a day or two early isn't any big deal. I will have some stuff to sell this weekend, and moving out sooner will help with that.

The workroom is pretty much done

Yes, I got the work room cleared out finally. Yay. I had been putting it off, and putting it off. That leaves the pantry, and I will be very selective there, and the upper kitchen cabinets which are tiny to begin with.

I have created some more space with some rearranging and I took the bed apart this morning and put all my quilts except Jake's under the mattress. I may eventually move the extra sheets and blankets there too. Just by doing that I freed up 1.5 bins.

I also got the wall pockets hung, and you can see Jake's urn in the upper left, and that is secured to the wall. He isn't going anywhere he isn't supposed to. 

I went and got my tattoo repaired today. It got infected the first time, my own fault, didn't have the right ointment to put on it. Don (Don's Tats) redid the whole thing at no charge. He did an awesome job.

This is how it healed after I got the infection under control.

This is what it looks like today, fresh from the artist. 

Much, much better! 

This afternoon I am making a batch of turkey quinoa meatballs for the freezer. Cooked a couple of chicken thighs for dinner. Two more in the freezer. 

I think Kali Cat has already moved into Ody. She was there when I went off to get my tattoo repaired, so I just closed the door and left her there. She wasn't too upset when I got back. And she is out there now having an afternoon nap. 

I check on her periodically when I am running back and forth between the fridge and the oven.

More curtains

I did up two more blackout curtains for Ody yesterday. Cut one full sized packing blanket in half, used one for the big window over the bed and the other half is now hanging over the door. I ordered some black bias tape edging because of the batting inside the blankets. I will do the window over the sink and the bathroom window when that gets here. Plus the raw edge on the door curtain. Get them done while I still have the sewing machine. I hate sewing by hand. Plus, I am not very good at it.

The back side of the curtains are black. It is kool that the gray on the inside coordinates with the window toppers. Not only will these block light, they are added insulation and will create privacy.

I didn't remove anything from Ody yesterday. I did do some sorting and rearranging which created some more space. I need to finish packing up the work room and pantry and toss what I am not keeping. I don't think there will be a yard sale this weekend after all, but maybe just a few things out for sale.

I sold two of the three quilts yesterday and put the third one back in Ody. It was the one I liked the best anyway, so I am going to keep it. Maybe even change over to it right away. It is blue and will go nicely with the rig's color scheme. I have moved a few more of Kali Cat's things out there, even fed her out there yesterday. 

It was rainy and nasty most of the day so Kali Cat and I took a nap together in Ody. 

The sound of the rain on the fiberglass roof is quite different than a metal roof, but isn't bad. Shouldn't be too hard to adjust to that.

Time to get some work done. Would like to have the work room at least, finished today. I'm running out of time.

Getting down to the wire.

I'm starting to feel the pressure now to get the building emptied out. Spent a good part of yesterday putting in some wire shelves to optimize some of the dead space. I put a shelf in the cupboard over the sink for the smaller stuff. It was wasted space.

And one in the printer cubby, a small one for ink cartridges and stuff. Then one on the base of the tray table. No sense in loosing that floor space.

Jake's urn is in and secured, plus a couple of other hanging hooks. And I moved some stuff from the work room. I really am going to have to reduce some more. I can't keep everything I want to keep. :( I could consider storing some stuff, but didn't want to do that. My friend Iola offered some space in her storage container. I am going to try not to do that tho. So today's goal is to remove some stuff from Ody. I am going to have to be even more ruthless than I was the last time.

It is looking like Kali Cat isn't going to get to keep her cat tree. Not enough room. I haven't given up yet, maybe we can keep one level. Will give it a try.

I need to get the Jeep sold, the washer and dryer sold, and finish moving the work room and kitchen/pantry. Plus the bathroom needs to be done too. Other than that, I am just about done. I have until Thursday evening to get stuff moved in and out of Ody, will have another yard sale Friday and Saturday and then donate the leftovers. That should wrap it up finally. Then comes the big stuff like removing the fence (sold), the heaters and other fixtures that have been spoken for. I will continue to use the bathroom in the building right up until closing. Might as well use it while I have it.

Ernest came and did the yard for the last time yesterday. It looks nice. He flushed out a good sized toad. I discovered it taking refuge in the courtyard. 

My volunteer sunflower this year is growing in an odd spot. Right between the bark and the wood of the stump. It has about a half dozen buds on it. I'm sorry I am not going to get to see them all bloom.

Surprisingly, I am actually sleeping half ways decent on my makeshift bed. Took a few nights to get used to it, but having it on the storage bins is working out. Going to need those bins in a couple of days tho, so will most likely have to start sleeping in Ody. Planning on doing that the last week anyway. Want this place emptied out and only the bathroom in use by then. I do miss my recliner tho. Tried the zero gravity chair, but that is only good for relaxing. Can't just put my feet up, when I do that, the top reclines. Makes it hard on my neck to watch TV or read. I have been sitting at the counter watching on my little macbook air instead, with my bose speaker. So happy I got that.

I am stressed. I'm afraid I am not going to get it all done, even tho I am almost finished and have almost two weeks to go. I am scared, big changes. No home to come back to. Driving unfamiliar roads with a rig I am not used to driving. Not going to have a car. This will be the first time since I got my drivers license that I will not have had a car. Basically, fear of the unknown. What if I don't like full timing? Where will I go? I won't have enough money to buy a place since it took so long for me to get out of here. Worried about Kali Cat and how she will take to the road. Her age and health. So many things to worry about!

I did get the height measured yesterday while Ernest was here. 9 ft, 6 in. I should fit thru most underpasses. Even the one heading to Norton. I thought I was going to have problems there. I will just have to stay aware of my surroundings.

It has stopped raining for the time being. I guess it is time I get to work. Lots to do.

Small accomplishments

Started out with intentions to clear out the work room (again), but got side tracked. I figured while I still had the sewing machine, I should do the blackout curtain between the cab and the living space. I used a new packing blanket, a piece of scrap pipe and a couple of pipe mounts. I now have a nice heavy curtain that will block air, warm or cold, and light between the front and the back. The black side is facing the cab.

I still need to do the window over the bed and over the sink, plus the door. Not quite sure what I will be doing there, but have a couple more packing blankets I can use. 

Kali Cat spent some time in Ody voluntarily yesterday. She actually waited for me to open the door so she could go in. I closed the screen and checked on her periodically, she seemed content.

I do need to get the front seats covered, I really don't want cat hair embedded in them. And I guess she might be getting that mini quilt too...but we'll see. I still have my washer, so maybe not. I made up a litter box for her yesterday too. It ended up between the front seats as it wouldn't fit on the floor in front of the passenger seat. I guess I will use that area for storage...cat storage...food, litter, etc.

I think I am going to go see if Toni sold the kennel she had there. I'm thinking it will fit nicely in the front passenger seat. I will have to do some measuring. Kali Cat won't like it, but I can't have her trying to get in my lap all big eyed and scared while I am driving. Her carrier is at the post office and I will be picking that up this morning, but I'm hoping I won't have to use it. I am really worried about her adapting at her age.

I had to give Kali Cat a flea treatment the other day. She has been scratching for a while, but I never saw any signs of fleas until Thursday. I promptly treated her. The scratching increased, she dropped some dead fleas, and doesn't seem to be scratching much this morning. Progress. She has never had them before. A sure sign she is getting old.

Her new thing is jumping up on counters. She has done that several times in the last week or so, and takes her time getting down when I yell at her. Last night she refused to move, and I gave up. This is her sitting in the four inches behind the laptop. She just wants to be near me.

One more Friday Night Live campfire for me after last night. No pics this week. It looked just like the last five. I will snap a few at the last one.

Well, off to try and get something accomplished this morning. Hopefully the craft room.

Oh, I ordered the Straight Talk mobile wifi. It won't work up here, but should wherever there is a Verizon signal. (Or is it TMobile?) Either way, I am going to give it a try. Got the 5 Gig card. See how much I use in a month. I can always add to it, and if I find I am using a lot more, will switch to Mellenicom. Trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible.

Unofficially official

Received a forwarded email yesterday confirming the August 8th target. I don't have any paperwork yet so it isn't "official". But close enough to work with.

I started out with good intentions yesterday, my goal was to get the work room cleared out. But I am hesitant to put any more stuff in the rig, I'm afraid that it is already over weight, but I still need to move some stuff in. I guess I need to just go ahead and do it, and then figure out if I have to get rid of some ballast after I get her weighed. It was also just way too hot and humid to do much. I did get the cargo hitch basket rigged up. Got some square u bolts, used a metal packing piece I had saved from when I bought the washer and used Jake's tool box to create a "trunk" for Ody.

At the moment, I have tools in there. I may have to relocate them when it comes time to load everything up, but will figure that out then. The bottom of that tool box is about a half inch thick, so I am not worried about it breaking, but will probably strap it anyway. It should travel just fine the way it is. I don't have the key for the push button lock, and I refuse to pay 30 to 50 dollars for a replacement, so I will just have to use padlocks. Those I already have.

It is and will be much cooler today. I need to walk, didn't yesterday. And I need to get the work room or the pantry cleaned out. Once I get those done, I will need to work on liquidating the rest of the stuff that I can't take with me. Sorely tempted to just donate or give it away and be done with it. But I could really use the cash.

I have to say, this time in my life is very unsettling. I am finding that I am procrastinating, mostly because I am scared. Everything is unknown at this point, and I won't have a home to come back to. I'm not crazy about driving, did enough of that when I was a copier tech. I used to make Jake do most of the long distance driving. I hate driving through traffic and cities, but am hoping I will adjust. Getting rid of a lifetime of stuff has been painful, still is as I am not done yet. I have never been one for big changes, and I have a major life change in front of me right now. All of this would be so much easier if Jake were doing this with me.

No paperwork yet.

So, it is still unofficial. No email or paperwork has arrived yet. They had better get it together and get it sent out soon as this place isn't sitting empty like the place next door. 

I took Ody out and up the road for a quick test drive before I dropped her off to have her coolant changed. She has quite a steering wheel shimmy. I had him check the tires, but she is going to need an alignment and possibly re-balance the tires at a real truck place. I also need to get her weighed to make sure she isn't over weight, and if she is, figure out what to bail.

I now have a spare upper radiator hose and fan belt, but need to order the very expensive lower hose assembly. Found one online for about half the cost of buying local and it is OEM. Will get that ordered. Ordered the Feliway pheremones for Kali Cat. Am hoping they will take the stress out of riding for her. She isn't going to be a happy kitty and I am hoping I won't have to cage her. Time will tell.

Made my appointment to get my dragonfly tattoo repaired. Lost a lot of it when it got infected. I have the right cream to put on it this time. It should heal nicely.

So much to do and yet no firm date. Sigh....

Update:

Just got an email from my attorney. It basically says that a date hasn't been set yet and won't be until some time next week. I wonder where the 8th came from? Either way, I won't know anything for at least another week.

A date!

Just got the unofficial word....August 8th! I knew it would happen fast when it finally happened. That is less than three weeks away. Two weeks from Friday to be exact. Wow!

I am just about ready. Need to get Kali Cat set up out there, finish sorting and moving my stuff out and finishing up the cargo area. We spent some time out there yesterday. Went out to fix lunch, KC came with me. She liked the tuna juice and just relaxed and snoozed. Will have to spend some time with the engine running too.

I need to get the Jeep sold, get the hitch basket rigged up...figure out where everything is going. See if I can't get all that done in the next week or two and then do a dry run in the driveway the last week.

Going to have to deal with the utilites...internet - electric. Will have to start making lists. I'm going to be busy.

Today at 1 PM, Ody is having her coolant drained, flushed and replaced. Getting together some spare parts. Fan belt, radiator hoses, etc. All recommended by Mike, my brother. I let myself a note to remind me to disconnect the shore power before I start her up.

I am really wound up now...need for it to sink in. Wow.

LED Bulbs

I ordered my LED replacement bulbs for Ody this morning. They weren't cheap and I needed 12 of them. But they will save me huge amounts of power, and I will only have to do it once and it will be done. I did order one spare...just in case. I also ordered my Road ID this morning. ( http://RoadID.com/invite/4GBTB-TAFZ4PZ44XR ) I put my name on it, the fact that I am diabetic and my Advanced Directive registration number on it. The AD has all the other important info that might be needed if I can't answer for myself. There are other things I need, but I can only do a little at a time. I sold the macbook pro, and that is what is paying for the light bulbs. Just about an even swap.

I got rid of the yard sale leftovers yesterday. Lost half a day waiting for them to show and pick the stuff up, but it is gone and the porch is the emptiest it has been in years!

I do have a few things that I didn't donate that still need to be sold, but can sell them individually. The cart, chrome shelf, quilts and the lot of rings. Planning on breaking down the ring lot and selling them in smaller quantities. They don't seem to be selling as a large lot, and I can probably get more money in smaller lots.

I figured out a way to make the bed a little more comfortable. I have four of my storage bins under the mattress to lift it off the floor. The mattress is sturdy enough that it isn't drooping and it is much easier to navigate. I don't have to roll over onto my knees to get out of bed. I can just sit up and get up. The plastic bins seem to be holding up OK too. I wasn't sure they would.

The rugs are all gone. Including the matching rug to the ones I put in Ody that was in the kitchen . I considered keeping it for outside the door, it is an indoor/outdoor rug, but I didn't have an easy place to store it when it isn't in use. So I let it go.

Today I need to take the laptop to the post office, walk (it has been several days), spend some time outside figuring out what has to go and how. And maybe figure out the cat situation in Ody. I have been avoiding that, but need to deal with it soon.

I ordered a cat carrier the other day. I'm hoping I never have to use it, but will have it just in case. I had two of them. Loaned one out and gave one away. Never got the loaned one back. The new one is soft sided and can be folded up for storage, so I guess it all works out.

I sold my recliner Friday. Now I have to learn how to live recliner free. When I wake up at 2:30 or 3:30 in the morning now, I just get up since I don't have the recliner to switch to. Will have to learn how to nap on the mattress laying down instead of in the recliner. So many changes!

Will today be the day I get a closing date? Time will tell.

I'm done.

I'm finally done with yard sales. Only a few things to sell individually at the last minute. Yay. So very tired of cheap people, and dealing with people in general. Everyone asks about the sale, when I will be leaving and some even asked how much I am getting for the place. WTF?! Since when is kosher to ask that? Especially strangers! Too many questions, not enough answers.

I'm donating the leftovers to Second Chance VT in Barton. They are supposed to come pick the stuff up. Hopefully today so I will be done with it.

The mattress and computer chair did not sell which is just as well, I am still using both. I lifted the mattress about a foot with four of my plastic storage bins. They seem to be holding up just fine and it is much easier for me to get up and down. I miss my memory foam, but I can live without it for a little while.

I'm feeling tired, stressed, impatient and fearful, pretty much all the time. Tired of waiting, yet afraid to start. But I keep moving forward.

I was gifted with a Jessie's Little Kitchen pizza last night. Bacon, broccoli and mushroom. This was Jake's favorite pizza and I really like it too. I hadn't had one in a couple of years, mainly because of the expense and lately because of the diabetic thing. But I am so glad I got to have one before I left. Thank you Jenn Hanlon. Yum! And I won't have to cook today either.

This week I need to concentrate on cleaning up the stuff in the yard. Plant pots, green shelving, etc. It all has to go and I will see if I can get someone to come get them. I also have the work room to sort and pack and the pantry. The bathroom will be last as I am still using it daily. 

Just waiting..

Just waiting for the closing date now. All parties have come to an agreement. Finally. :)

Could it be?

Could it be possible that we have finally reached an agreement between all the parties involved? That I might actually be leaving Island Pond for good? Finally? Just waiting for the final word and then the closing date. I don't imagine they will let any grass grow under their feet once everyone is in agreement.

With an actual closing date, I could get things wrapped up at last. 

A bench, a table and a wheelbarrow...

Just a few more of the things that are gone. The table was built by Jake and is a nice, sturdy work table. I had been using it in the courtyard for the fountain and plants, but the fountain and plants are now in the little red wagon.

The pansies have gone by and are now compost. The fountain seems happy in the wagon, but I may remove the base and just set the bowl in the wagon. 

This is the bench that is gone. Was also Jake's. Sigh...

The "moose" lilies are blooming. They are actually Wild Canada Lilies, but when we brought it home, it was taller than the shed so we dubbed it moose lily. For several years it reached over the roof of the shed, I have photos, but can't seem to find them. This year they are just little ones, and am wondering if the parent plant died over the winter and these are the babies. Either way, they are beautiful and I think they have a new home to go to soon.

I have had my little burst of energy this morning. It is another hot and humid day, so I'm thinking a quiet day with lots of iced tea and a book.

A few more things gone.

This morning I sent out three boxes to unsuspecting people. They will know who they are when they arrive. More stuff dealt with. :)

I still have three quilts left, the small cupboard, and the skinny chrome shelving. Those will have to go outdoors when I have the yard sale this weekend. I was hoping the last weekend would be the end of it, but I still have quite a bit of good stuff left. I did fairly well tho. Can't complain. :)

The mattress I pulled out of Ody didn't sell, so I dropped it on the floor, washed the cover and a set of sheets from the yard sale and am using it this week. I do have a hard time getting up once I get down there, but am managing. Although, I feel like I am furnishing my first apartment or a dorm room. Using milk crates, lawn furniture and a mattress on the floor. Notice the blankets as curtains...I'm too old for this crap. :)

I will be adding the remaining rugs to this weekend's sale. The other two have already been moved out to Ody and are on the floor. I did break down and go out and get my little portable Keurig. I had been using the french press, but I'm not crazy over the silt and grounds in my coffee. I have the Keurig and plenty of kcups, so I might as well use them until they run out. 

Kali Cat caught herself a mouse in the wee hours this morning. Indoors. She was so proud of herself she had to announce it with chirps and meows. I praised her and tried to go back to sleep, but it wasn't in the cards. I'm getting really tired again. Not sleeping well again, not that I ever made it to sleeping well, but I had been doing better.

Here is a photo of Kali "Jungle" Cat the other day when she was relaxing in the day lilies. 

I finally got my cloud drive working - without the wireless adapter. Go figure. I also am very pleased with my Bose Mini Bluetooth speaker. Big sound from a little speaker. Will be perfect for Ody. I have been using it during the day with my ipod for tunes and at night with my ipad for TV. I'm getting used to watching TV on the smaller screen, it isn't bad. It was the volume and speaker wires I had issues with. Although, you can't connect more than one device at a time. I have to physically turn off bluetooth on the ipad or ipod before I can switch to the other. I haven't tried it with my phone or macbook air yet, but I am sure it won't be a problem.

This morning I have been phasing myself out of the chamber website, emails, etc. Backed up the website and then sent the login info to the new webmaster. Changed a few other things at the same time. I just discovered that I missed the meeting for July. Spaced it. Didn't realize it was the 2nd Tuesday last week. No one said anything or asked me about it. Guess I wasn't missed. That also explains the step up in finding alternatives. Nice to know I am so easily replaced. As Jake would say..."it is what it is".

Yard Sale continued....

More yard sale

I am hoping I am just about done. Actually had a pretty good day yesterday. None of the quilts sold. But I can sell those online, they are easy to ship. The rest of the stuff has to go. 

I just want it done. Once and for all.