My Path to (No)Madness!

[mattboyrd]

To the both of you, things have a way of working themselves out if you're willing to let them.
Neither of you would be here talking about your struggles if you weren't open to them working out in the long run.
You don't get bright skies without some clouds beforehand.


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[NoMadYesHappy]

"The Morning After"



Less than 2 minutes ...

Like all weather fronts, the most turbulence is typically at the point of change.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

To the both of you, things have a way of working themselves out if you're willing to let them.
Neither of you would be here talking about your struggles if you weren't open to them working out in the long run.
You don't get bright skies without some clouds beforehand.


Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

Thanks, Matt ...
I actually like clouds! 

 

[mattboyrd]

Haha! Me too, sometimes. The PNW winters tend to put a damper on that like though. Especially when you rely on the sun for your electrical needs.

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[Saunterer]

Thanks, Mascha.
Sorry to hear about your own struggles.  I know how you feel. 
I am encouraged by knowing that there are options, and find comfort in knowing that my story is not unique.  I hope that you do too.
When I can see past this temporary storm, I see a much more pleasant spring ahead of my daughter and I.  I'm looking forward the first blooms!
If, for what ever reason, you want to compare notes ... or like me ... just whine a little.  Feel free to reach out via IM.  I'm no wellspring of wisdom, but I can at least say, "Yah, I know what you mean!" 
I got a bunch of virtual hugs from someone this morning ... here, have a couple for yourself! 

Thank you - much appreciated and I'll be sure to follow up. It would be good to know your thoughts about the good and the bad of estate sales, and how to prepare for them. I'm ready to get rid of many of my material possessions, just to feel lighter and more nimble. I believe that your videos, once they get a wider audience, will be helpful to many people. You're brave to put yourself out there!

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

1) It would be good to know your thoughts about the good and the bad of estate sales, and how to prepare for them. I
2) I believe that your videos, once they get a wider audience, will be helpful to many people.
3) You're brave to put yourself out there!

1) I'll post my thoughts here and on YouTube after the sale closes tomorrow.  I've formed some thoughts already, but I want to close the loop before I lay them out...good and bad.  Seeing the check may have an impact too! 

2) While that was not my intent, that would be just grand!  It would make #3 worth the cost.

3) I am not brave.  But, this is an atypical action from me.  I tend toward the reclusive, and I am quite the introvert by nature.  Like many of my personality type, I've learned how to be outgoing and friendly, but it comes at a cost.  It sucks the energy right out of me.  I had a Facebook page a while back, but deactivated it because I was uncomfortable living my life publicly ... I still am.  But this ... this event ... has turned something on in me.  I don't feel like I am unique ... I'm sure I am not.  I also believe that the world in front of us is going to change, and lifestyles like the one here that Bob promotes so successfully, will become an important option for folks to look towards for hope, life, comfort, community and safety.  For reasons beyond my ability to explain, I felt compelled, believing it to be for me, to chronicle my passage in this public forum.  Maybe it is for me?  The feed back I get forces me to think, to evaluate who I am as a person, what my priorities are ... lots and lots of stuff.  It stings like "H" "E" Double Toothpicks, but maybe that's the point?  I am hemorrhaging emotionally, still mostly privately.  I would hate to find out down the proverbial road that it was all for nothing.  Yep, if someone gets something out of this ... that would indeed be just grand!  Having said the foregoing, I am looking forward with great anticipation to begin the next chapter.  Partly because most of the pain will be past, partly because it fits who I am by nature and somehow that just feels like an old shirt ... really, really comfortable!

THANK YOU for your words and encouragement.  It has more impact than you can know.

Peace.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

"The Third Day" 10 minutes, 3 seconds ...

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

"On the Third Evening" - A record of the aftermath:

 3 minutes, 58 seconds

 

[John61CT]

Don't take this wrong, maybe others are enjoying your vids, but personally unless the medium is necessary for demonstrating a technical howto, my preference is written text, easy to scan in a few seconds see if there's anything of interest.

I only click on a video when I already know it will be worth the time.

 

[SoulRaven]

Yep.  aGREED!  If I sold the house today, which is a very likely option, I could pay off all my debt now.  The math says keeping it would't net me any more equity over what I would have to pay in mortgage ... probably a loss.  But, my daughter, while an adult, is not yet self sufficient and needs a place to live.  We've talked about her coming with me, but I'd need (want) more space on the road.  Having a few years for her to work out her own way in the world is about her needs.  Having the couple of years 'til full retirement also gives me about $400 a month more and Medicare.

It's a tough decision and I want to be wise about it.

ALL of the comments here and above are hugely appreciated!

db
~

Hi db,
It is my thoughts that taking her with you on the road, would be giving her immeasurable and highly regarded life & living experiences which she may never have or get in her lifetime if left to her own devices and personal decisions after your homebound time limit is up and she is out on her own. 

Concerning your size of space if road traveling alone, and space needed if she traveled with you, maybe consider something in a between the two choices in size which may prove best for your own needs long term to already have slightly larger space than what you originally thought you'd need or want. Like others, who ended up buying a cargo trailer to pull for larger space, even tiny home sized trailers are bought and used/stored by some van dwellers. 

Yep, I'd jump at the chances to take her with me on the road and make it work out for the overall life's value, for her and myself, mostly for her and her learning skills for all future changes towards total well being. There's something very positive, for her, about a good long time of experiencing what most people would see as living a seemingly uncertain life or even the many who see road life as a dangerous lifestyle and have fear for you type of negativity on their speed dial on arguing for us on what is and isn't homeless or happiness or dangerous. She may end with enhanced street sense rather than fear of unknown by imagining the unknown and prevention of negative outcomes and she may even think of certain events, things or overall materialism with a lesser value than she did before her travels. 

That's just me, "philo-sophizing" social higher learning possibilities of the important kinds for finding the positives and enjoy true mental wellbeing, ability to make do & still enjoy happiness in nearly any and all scenarios in today's times and situations one could be pushed into through the lean and rich financial times which the majority of people will experience throughout life. Many, will not be well prepared and oftentimes will suffer depression and situational anger.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Hi db,

1) It is my thoughts that taking her with you on the road, would be giving her immeasurable and highly regarded life & living experiences which she may never have or get in her lifetime ...

2) Concerning your size of space ...

3) Yep, I'd jump at the chances to take her with me on the road ... mostly for her and her learning skills for all future changes towards total well being. There's something very positive, for her...

4) That's just me, "philo-sophizing" ...

1) I totally agree!  She will experience something unique within in the larger, "normal" social construct that few others of her peer group will.  I am excited for her as much as I am for myself.

2) I think we've got that (space issue) worked out, now we are on the verge of executing that plan ... mere days away.

3) Akin to item 1, yes, she will get something positive, even if it is something negative ... "that which does not kill us makes us stronger..." ~ Nietzsche.  What may be a challenge, hurdle, barrier ... will, when successfully navigated, add to her whole in a positive way.  Yep, right on!

4) I thot we were just talking?  I can't say, phello ... phyloph ... polyphylo ismmizing ... nevermind.  

 

[SoulRaven]

That is all great news. Your mindset is positive and resourceful and having some doubts and not "perfected ideas" which often brings some disappointments along many ends. I am glad for her to be going along with the traveling plans. None of those experiences will ever be wasted and will give her great resilence for follow through thinking and planning and gaining strength of mind for the future. You're right, negative experiences are growth or quit. Growth is best, and during the worst of times, being prepared by her living this lifestyle is going to serve her well from now on. In 3 years, discuss it with her. It'd be fun to listen in to that talk and real talk is not cheap either. 

People have paid for certain experiences, however faked it was, they paid while knowing they could be rescued any moment they'd decided they'd had enough. And therein is the non-value, ability to be rescued rather than having to always be resourceful to succeed past the experiences. Your daughter is very very lucky to have you as her father and you being willing to put her through these future "real thinking for success" experiences. Be very proud of yourself, you are quite strong of mind, and more so than you've given yourself credit for, from what I've seen & read in one evening. Most people would have collapsed to drink or drugs, but you didn't and instead you found solutions despite the pain of going through the movements. The biggest hurdle is letting go to gain the world and having true freedoms, so to speak. Many people would envy you, some would even envy that your wife made the mistakes she did through her own weaknesses, for whatever reasons she had, if any.

It will be interesting to follow you and daughter along for the coming days of stories ahead.

The last stanza of a poem by an unknown author is this - 

"A strong woman has faith that she's strong enough for the journey...
But a Woman of Strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong..."

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

The New House! 

About a minute and a half ...

 

[SoulRaven]

The New House! 

About a minute and a half ...

WOW that is a nice trailer! A 6' x 12' is impressive, potential for a 2 bedroom and a kitchen/bath! I can't wait to see how you build it up. Keep doing the videos & keep us posted, please.

I've been thinking of getting a 6x10 of same type. Here in AZ they can be found for around $1800 used & good shape. Problem is getting more "things" after getting rid of so many other things.

I noticed your license plate is Colorado. Are you familiar with David Diamond of Oppenheimer Ranch Project? David & Leah, live on a Permaculture ranch, I think it's an 80 acre ranch up there in the high country. I'm heading there Jan 2018. To be honest and not to cause fear, but we're already in the new Mini Ice Age because of the Maunder Minimum which is LOW to NO Sun spots on our Sun which causes hugely increased numbers of worldwide earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It was also the cause of the 1600 to 1750 Ice Age, evidenced by Art & Classic Oil Paintings of the era.

I've studied this for many years, since US Intelligence Community (CIA moved there back around 2006), NOAA & NASA GODDARD moved home bases to Colorado back in mid to late 2000's. Also I know this because I'm deep into ham radio for years and follow SolarHAM . The obviously low/no sunspot cycle was my first clue. Gulf of Mexico's Gulf Stream stopping after the Gulf Oil spill, is the 2nd huge clue. There are hundreds of clues to be open, honest & clear.
Their ORP main YouTube channel is Oppenheimer Ranch Project
David is a jokester, keeps light humor on a stressful topic.

 

[highdesertranger]

congrats, can't wait for the build out. keep us up to date. dang, it looks cold there. highdesertranger

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

1) WOW that is a nice trailer! A 6' x 12' is impressive, potential for a 2 bedroom and a kitchen/bath! I can't wait to see how you build it up. Keep doing the videos & keep us posted, please.

2) I noticed your license plate is Colorado. Are you familiar with David Diamond of Oppenheimer Ranch Project?  ... ice age.

1) Thanks!  I will cover as much as I possibly can on the build out ... yessir! 

2) Can't say that I am ... rings a distant bell, perhaps.  I'll give them a look before I turn out the light tonight.  Ice age?  Drat!  I was really hoping that the global warming thing was true.  I am TIRED of shoveling snow!  LOL!  Okay, seriously ... I read a book called After the Ice by Steven Mithen that examined archaeological finds around the world that dated back to just after the Younger Dryas period, 20,000 to 5,000 BCE.  I loved the book because he wrote himself into the scene, and conveyed his opinions as if he were sitting next to the fire with his tribe.  It was a very cool approach.  My take away was that life seemed much less war-like and full of leisure.  He painted a very egalitarian social construct that really attracted my attention.  It would be nice if we as a society could regain some of that pre-historic lifestyle and still keep modern heating and air conditioning.

Thanks for the dialog, And Goodwill ...

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

1) ... can't wait for the build out.  
2) ... it looks cold there.

1) Mee neethur!  I will keep as good a chronicle of the build as I can possibly muster!
2) It is "FLIPPIN'" cold!!!  -2 tonight, high of 19 tomorrow.

 

[SoulRaven]

1) Thanks!  I will cover as much as I possibly can on the build out ... yessir! 

Thanks for the dialog, And Goodwill ...

Um, yessima'am, might be more gender appropriate here
But it will be fun to follow along your buildout vids or photos. You do tend to move quickly in decisions or completing projects, and that is good too. I did some fairly nice self designed systems in my van, am happy with most of my van projects which are new & fast ongoing lately. 

I was thinking of my grownup kid last night, after we chatted about your daughter. My thought was, a parent who gives the gift of uncertainty to their child, is giving the greatest gift a parent could give. That gift, is typically a controlled gift, where even a parent would step in to help when they have to. Yours would still be typical controlled because you are stable and you do have a workable plan for you both, despite the new lifestyle being far different for most people who fear or feel lesser by not owning a home - which is uncertainty of the ultimate for most - owning a home. A home does not a stable man make. Stable is a strong mind, not a home is.

That Ice Age issue caused by this Maunder Minimum. It is more about food crop losses for entire seasons after a freeze destroys an entire crop over large areas, long before maturity and so harvest to market fails that season, which is now occurring frequently, and is issue worldwide. There is a growing "food insecurity" as well since majority of people rely on store bought food, rather than grow their own. What got me sickened, was the large family dogs and cats that went outdoors in snow to play or potty and out for less than 30 seconds & they froze solid nearly instantly halfway across their yards. There is more of that occurring. 2021 is the real hit, 2024 is the peak cold. 
About US Navy, John Moore & John Casey, I'll share more after you're ready.

The real joke is what is said on news - "Global Warming is causing record freezes, record snow & hail in Morocco, snow in Sahara Desert during summer, and Global Warming & Climate Change is causing record low temps worldwide!" yada yada BS BS BS'ers
Man I can hardly listen without . . . cracking up laughing. LOL, it's Climate Change all right. 
It is my sleep time, I think.

 

[Saunterer]

The New House! 

About a minute and a half ...

What a great find. You're moving fast toward your new life. Now if it snows, you can just go toward warm weather. Just a few more days till closing, right?

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

What a great find. You're moving fast toward your new life. Now if it snows, you can just go toward warm weather. Just a few more days till closing, right?

Yep.  This Friday!