This feels like a really big step!

[1gooddogandme]

So, this is something I felt I've needed and wanted to do for a very long time but instead I've just kept plugging away, with life in general, and feeling like I'm missing out on almost everything. When I talked to my daughter about doing this in 2009 ( I had closed my agency in Idaho and moved home to Oregon) she hit the roof saying, "that's one step away from being homeless!!!" so...I kept plugging away with life in general. I don't want to feel like I'm missing out and just plugging away anymore..tomorrow I'm looking at some used Class B's and on February 16th (my birthday) I have an appointment with Social Security to start that payment (not much but it will work I think) and telling the county mental health agency where I work that I'm GONE the first of June. I don't have any real money and I'm upside down in my current vehicle so getting a decent deal, on a small van or rv, is going to be a challenge but what isn't.
Hope this isn't too long or not up to forum standards; I tend not to post stuff, ever. But thanks for reading.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome 1gooddogandme to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. highdesertranger

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard 1gooddogandme!
Your story is shared by many here , I'm sure many will reply here on your intro thread.
Not a big step , just a bunch of smaller ones . Your daughter might just change her opinion when she sees how much fun and adventure you're having. Send her lots of pictures of all your new friends and breathtaking scenery!

 

[Wabbit]

Hiya! Its your life, you live yours and let others live theirs. I used to get flack from my family, but the smarter ones see and hear how much happier and just plain content when I'm out and about. My mom came around so much she now says she's envious. That might just be her being a supportive mom, but it didn't start out that way. Best of luck!

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[mayble]

Welcome!
Funny story - I have two daughters, and while they haven't said much, I suspect they are worried their mom is losing her mind.
I sent them each a copy of Bob Wells' book "How to Live in a Car, Van or RV", and Ken Ilgunas' "Walden on Wheels" for Christmas.  Now they send me links to vans for sale, and talk about how they can have a shower and five cats in a van (I suggested a motorhome).  
I think the lifestyle is contagious, once the misconceptions are stripped away.  Your daughter probably imagines you'll be dumpster diving and bathing in the sink at a gas station.

 

[SoulRaven]

Welcome! With my daughter-in-law, when I told her about full-time RVing, she told my son "Can we do that?" and he said " Yes, when we retire." That was nice, but not necessary as I have been making my own decisions for some time now.

I have found that taking risks makes life exciting! Sometimes a little too exciting, but most things can be handled. I see so many say "I could never..........." and yes, you most likely could as once you are in the moment, you're busy handling the details and forget all about the fears that made you think that you "could never". I think many are pleasantly surprised at what they do when their heart and head are in it.

Good luck! Life is short which I am sure you realize by now if you qualify for SS, as I just applied a couple of months ago. I was actually discouraged by the intake person who told me I could get a whole $200.00 more if I waited 4 more years. Well, 30 years ago 4 years wouldn't seem like that much but it sure does now and if I can't make it on my limited check at this point, $200.00 in 4 years wouldn't make much difference.

So, life is short and we should be grabbing some serious joy before the end!

 

[1gooddogandme]

Welcome!
Funny story - I have two daughters, and while they haven't said much, I suspect they are worried their mom is losing her mind.
I sent them each a copy of Bob Wells' book "How to Live in a Car, Van or RV", and Ken Ilgunas' "Walden on Wheels" for Christmas.  Now they send me links to vans for sale, and talk about how they can have a shower and five cats in a van (I suggested a motorhome).  
I think the lifestyle is contagious, once the misconceptions are stripped away.  Your daughter probably imagines you'll be dumpster diving and bathing in the sink at a gas station.

Thanks to everyone for the welcome! Who knows, maybe I will be dumpster diving and washing up in gas station sinks; truth is, I've lived my entire life by my own standards, whether right or wrong,(which is why I'm not rich I guess). What my daughter said made some sense in 2009, I still had to work... but now doing this makes the most sense to me. I haven't even talked with her about my current plans.  So I'm off today, driving to a dealership in Oregon, where there are a bunch of used Class B's for sale..I owe 3000.00 more on my car than it's worth; this is not going to be the deal of the century and I know I'll have a substantial payment but if I can just get the wheels under me the rest will take care of itself.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums    

It's interesting that you are wanting to go out alone now.   I'm presently reading a Book  titled "The Alchemist" and it seems to describe the quest of so many here. 
If you are in good health you may always find a better situation in other parts that you travel to.   Perhaps even a life partner.   But sitting doing the same will
predictably produce the same results.

All the best in your travels.

 

[1gooddogandme]

Welcome aboard 1gooddogandme!
Your story is shared by many here , I'm sure many will reply here on your intro thread.
Not a big step  , just a bunch of smaller ones . Your daughter might just change her opinion when she sees how much fun and adventure you're having. Send her lots of pictures of all your new friends and breathtaking scenery!

Thanks for the kind words rvpopeye. My daughter likes the idea of the American dream; lots of stuff, big house and new cars..hard to believe I raised her as a single parent, but bottom line..I think she wants me happy, so she'll come around..eventually.

 

[1gooddogandme]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums    

It's interesting that you are wanting to go out alone now.   I'm presently reading a Book  titled "The Alchemist" and it seems to describe the quest of so many here. 
If you are in good health you may always find a better situation in other parts that you travel to.   Perhaps even a life partner.   But sitting doing the same will
predictably produce the same results.

All the best in your travels.

Thanks for the post eDJ. Being alone isn't really new to me, in fact I prefer it so the "loneliness" they refer to, in this lifestyle, probably won't be a problem. I've always wanted to wander but life had a way of interfering with the quest. I don't know about a "life partner;" I think I'll be more concerned about figuring out how to dump a black water tank. "The Alchemist" is a brilliant book but I think this will be more akin to "The Grapes of Wrath." :s

 

[1gooddogandme]

Hiya! Its your life, you live yours and let others live theirs. I used to get flack from my family, but the smarter ones see and hear how much happier and just plain content when I'm out and about. My mom came around so much she now says she's envious. That might just be her being a supportive mom, but it didn't start out that way. Best of luck!

Thanks for the encouraging reply "Cry."

 

[1gooddogandme]

Welcome!
Funny story - I have two daughters, and while they haven't said much, I suspect they are worried their mom is losing her mind.
I sent them each a copy of Bob Wells' book "How to Live in a Car, Van or RV", and Ken Ilgunas' "Walden on Wheels" for Christmas.  Now they send me links to vans for sale, and talk about how they can have a shower and five cats in a van (I suggested a motorhome).  
I think the lifestyle is contagious, once the misconceptions are stripped away.  Your daughter probably imagines you'll be dumpster diving and bathing in the sink at a gas station.

I think I posted a reply to you, "mayble," in the wrong section..I'm not great at this, I neither twitter nor tweet. I don't have Facebook because I can't see how anyone would care what is going on in my life; I'm not even that interested.  I have to say though how much watching Bob Wells' videos have helped..I don't just watch them, I study them, like I'm in school... so your idea of sending the book is a good one. Thanks!

 

[rvpopeye]

The Black Tank is not as intimidating as it may seem.
For that instruction and any more you might have the answer is a post away right here.........

 

[Phantom Blooper]

"That's one small step for a woman, one giant leap for vankind."

Just follow your dreams and let the rest follow theirs.....

Good luck!

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Woohoo!! Please let us know when you find the right vehicle!! I'm still searching for mine and I'm starting to wonder if fear is keeping me from seeing the potential... oh well, when it's time to leap I know I will! My kids are all on board with this as they've heard me talk of traveling all their lives! None have offered to support me, though ;-)

 

[wagoneer]

ginormous comes to mind

 

[DannyB1954]

Tell your daughter that you will always have a home, her's.
She might encourage you to vandwell.

 

[eDJ_]

1 good Dog & Me wrote:

"The Alchemist" is a brilliant book but I think this will be more akin to "The Grapes of Wrath."

LOL,  Well.....lets just hope those grapes come to make an enjoyable wine for you real soon. 

 

[1gooddogandme]

Welcome!  With my daughter-in-law, when I told her about full-time RVing, she told my son "Can we do that?" and he said " Yes, when we retire."  That was nice, but not necessary as I have been making my own decisions for some time now.

I have found that taking risks makes life exciting!  Sometimes a little too exciting, but most things can be handled.  I see so many say "I could never..........." and yes, you most likely could as once you are in the moment, you're busy handling the details and forget all about the fears that made you think that you "could never".  I think many are pleasantly surprised at what they do when their heart and head are in it.

Good luck!  Life is short which I am sure you realize by now if you qualify for SS, as I just applied a couple of months ago.  I was actually discouraged by the intake person who told me I could get a whole $200.00 more if I waited 4 more years.  Well, 30 years ago 4 years wouldn't seem like that much but it sure does now and if I can't make it on my limited check at this point, $200.00 in 4 years wouldn't make much difference.

So, life is short and we should be grabbing some serious joy before the end!

Hi Snow Gypsy,
Since I had my appt. today at SSI, I wanted to wait before I replied to your very honest post. Today is my birthday, 65, and I will receive 1213.00 a month; she also said maybe I should wait another year to earn another $100.00 a month. I don't think so, I've started the payments and when I reach the "allowed" 16,000.00 a year, I will be off. I figure by the end of May.