Txjbird & Queenie on a Safari in a Safari

[Txjaybird]

It sounds like you're starting to have fun AND it looks like there is a bright light shining on you from the other end of that tunnel. Just stay on that path you're on and you're a gonna get there!
Ooooooooooooooooooie !

  Thanks for the words of encouragement.  Was able to get into new strg. unit and pretty much emptied out the van.  Semi collapsed when back home so hoping to get up about 3am and sort/pack/haul a load out of apt.  Ready to roll at sunrise I hope!!

Jewellann

 

[Txjaybird]

A "wiring cluster" whatever the heck that is is on order for the Safari at the mech. shop.  Picked up a 3pc 1burner propane stove for $8, it looks new, also a new whatever you call it with mini elec hot plate thingy that plugs into the ciggy lighter do dad to heat soup/water etc.,with 2 stainless steel mugs...new in the box for $5.

Started to try and work on packing stuff only to discover that not only my back is messed up, I can't close my right hand, it's raining, I'm bored, depressed, and HUN-GA-REE......since I love cooking I'm Gonna Have.......Mrs. Weavers Piemento Cheese, Ritz Crackers, and diet Dr. Thunder........Well that is 3 of the major food groups....ain't it?  Oh no!  I forgot the Puddin' cups, that makes 4 food groups, right??

Queenie and I both say RUFF  :-/

Jewellann

 

[Txjaybird]

When I was growing up Mama would often take Great Granma Quincy, myself and any of my sisters staying with us up to Ada OK. in a 1955 4 door tank that some refered to as a Buick Special  We'd visit the folks still living on farms and the old homesteads.  We always stayed at Great Aunt Pets double shotgun house.  Now this lady was a prize winning fried chicken cooker.  She was a big strong lady who'd catch a chicken wring it's neck and pitch it at us before either we or the poor chicken new what was happening.  We'd holler and run around while the chicken just ran around flapping it's wings and  not getting anywhere 'til it just fell over.

Lately I think I resemble that chicken  :huh: So many things that need doing and I just seem to go in circles without accomplishing much on any one thing.  Yet I'm wore plumb out...so far I stop before I fall over :s stumble yes but not fall over so far.

So I'm trying to prioritize and if my brain will kick into gear and I can focus on 1 thing when neccesary maybe I will be able to see that I have /am acutually making some progress.

This is what I've come up with.

1........Do the best I can on the apt in case I'm chosen at random next week as one of 40 apts.for a Federal Hud inspection. This is important because if your apt doesn't meet the guidelines it's weeks before you know it and the process of  another inspection starts all over. 

2.........Go back to clearing out the storage units and start early in the day because it's heating up down here.  This is hard for  me as I have very erratic sleep habits and often go many days only sleeping 2 to 4 hrs at a time. When I'm not rested I  just don't have the energy to do much.

3.........Have the work finished on the Safari startimg March 13.

4.........As a break from storage units finish the work on Aliner and continue clearing out apt. and getting rid of unused Items.   I sent a msg. to my niece in FL that if she needs/wants a freezer she can have mine.  It takes up space and I can't get in to it half the time anyways.

My goal is that by some time in May I will be ready to move from this apt. complex.  I don't know where we're [ Queenie] and I are going....NOT ANOTHER APT !   I have a lot of options with a few personal limitations to consider about this.

I'm so grateful that I found this site in Dec.2015.  Also for all the information here and the way people here help one another in so many differents ways.
 
In  2015 I was in a deep rut thinking "This is life?"   Since then I've been lucky enought to not only find a small T.T just big  enough for Queenie and I ,  I also was able purchase it.  Not always ez on a fixed income.

 So we now we  have a Safari and a Aliner and a group of folks that don't look at me like I've lost my mind when I say "I'm gonna sell everything and live in Van".  I had planned for years to go fulltime in a RV of some kind.  My birthday in July of 2011 was the goal set for that.  Well my survivors SS benefits were not what I'd been told they would be and cold feet and fear of the unknown sent my hopes into a " maybe someday" limbo.  Hopefully my someday is approaching soon, 6 years late is better than never...ain't it    

Jewellann and The Boss.......she's got me trained

PS   Any comments, ideas, suggestions are appreciated...I may not agree with 'em....I will consider them.  Was that toooo passive agressive   :angel:

 

[highdesertranger]

just keep moving towards your goal. baby steps are still steps. you will make it. highdesertranger

 

[AbuelaLoca]

If you haven't yet, you might check out flylady.net ... she has some great ideas on how to get organized just 15 minutes at a time! Whenever I need to, I just set my timer for 15 minutes and start a project... Loved your story of the chicken! And my mama grew up in Pawhuska, OK... the stories sound the same!

 

[Gunny]

Jewellanne, if you get bored you can drop over and help me sort through my crap. Or help with the dishes I haven't washed in a week. You know your lazy when you buy paper plates instead of washing the dishes. Many times I just look around say" eff it" and take a Xanax and go take a power nap.

Rob

 

[Txjaybird]

Jewellanne, if you get bored you can drop over and help me sort through my crap. Or help with the dishes I haven't washed in a week. You know your lazy when you buy paper plates instead of washing the dishes. Many times I just look around say" eff it" and take a Xanax and go take a power nap.

Rob

:huh:   OMG   Don't talk to me about no steenkin' paper plates    I have 3 kinds.....foam....cheap paper.....and the "good china" is fancy Dixie brand     Queenie only has 2 kind of saucers...foam and paper...you ought to see her when something sticks to  them that she really likes.  She'll give it a lick and the plate moves, she'll sneak up on it and give it another lick, this goes on until it's against something or I quit laughing and help her out.........paper plates are a recent addition to our daily dining supplies.

Sort thru CRAP!!  I'll do yours iffen you'll do mine [three 10x20 storage units and a 3 room apt with a big closet]

If I was there I sure would be helping out...... I'd rather do laundry than dishes especially if you a have clothesline.  Now if I'm a cleanin' someone needs to be a grillin'.........or I'll take drastic measures......SIC"EM QUEENIE...... YOU GO GIRL!!!

Take 2 Xanex and call me in the morning   :angel:

Jewellann

 

[Gunny]

I may have stumbled on my solution to a lot of my sorting and moving things. My upstairs neighbor came down to apologize for the loud bang on the floor a couple nights ago and he just got out of the Army and needs to earn a few dollars. I may have solution for both he and I.

The majority of my trousers and jeans don't fit, I'm told the steroids in one of my meds is the cause, I don't know. My biggest issue is what to do with my scooter while I travel. Still working on that. Good luck with yours..

Rob

 

[Txjaybird]

I may have stumbled on my solution to a lot of my sorting and moving things. My upstairs neighbor came down to apologize for the loud bang on the floor a couple nights ago and he just got out of the Army and needs to earn a few dollars. I may have solution for both he and I.

The majority of my trousers and jeans don't fit, I'm told the steroids in one of my meds is the cause, I don't know. My biggest issue is what to do with my scooter while I travel. Still working on that. Good luck with yours..

Rob

  I hope things work out for you.  The storage facility I use has 5x10 with roll up doors for around $30.  There is usually a waiting list.  Maybe if you're thinking about storage you might have to get on a list.  Mine has coded entry, 24hr video, police patrols and a tall fence with barbed wire.  For xtra $9mo = $2,000 ins. on contents.


Jewellann

 

[ArtW]

TJB, the freezer might be worthless to you, but it won't be to someone who needs it, maybe trade it for labor?

 

[Txjaybird]

 That's a good idea Art.......I Heard back from my niece on the freezer.......yes they can use it and were going to save/buy a new one.......I just thought of this...I'm "regifting" a freezer........A few years back I was helping a friend with some ins. issues......I thought the ins. owed him some $$$$$$ so we called and filed a claim...about a month later his $10,000 check was in the mail and my Thank You was a new freezer that I really needed.......now it's going to someone else that needs it.  The Story Of The Traveling Freezer     

Many years ago my almost new husband gave me a Hoover for my birthday.  I explained to him that Hoover's were not like power tools and since we had carpet in just one room I might not get to use my present very often     That was in July.  On our anniversary in Sept I recieved a bright shiny red Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 openfaced reel with a matching rod.   HE DONE GOOD 

Jewellann

 

[Txjaybird]

Our Tuesday began at 3am by 4am the van was parked across the sidewalk right in front of the apt. front door. { SO AGAINST THE RULES }   BY 6:30 am the van was loaded and we { Queenie } and I were at the storage facility.

I could not open the rear doors on the Safari.  They are hard to open and with my  problems with my hands it always take both hands to open the first door.  Today it way harder, taking a good look at the doors I came to believe that someone had tried to break into the Safari.  The door handle is recessed and the top part of it was not flush with the lower half.

So in the last week the fence around the back of the office and front of the maintenence barn where all the Housing Authority's vehicle's are parked was cut for the 2nd time in two mos. The 1st time they broke into the office complex also.  

 When I take Queenie out at night we are well lit by my back porch light,  anyone breaking into the fenced area  will certainly be able to get a good look at us and be able to identify me.  Sadly The lighting is so poor that I can not see the area of the breakin's.  There is only 2 other porches and a small yard before the fence.  My next door neighbor had someone in her car messing with it too.  So in 7ys that's 6 times I've called 911 on shots fired including the ricochet off of either my Mom's or my building's roof while I was trying to Queenie back inside when the yelling started.  One 911 call where I could hear a woman crying and begging someone to please stop, don't do that!  WE LIVE 4 blocks FROM THE CITYHALL & POLICE COMPLEX :huh:

I know this is supposed to be a " Captain's Log " and not the chaos I go thru just trying to get to the point that Queenie and I can go actually go somewhere draggin' our wagon behind us.

To be prepared for a "possible" randon HUD inspection on my apt. on the 8th and 9th I've been packing and moving stuff into storage with very little time for sorting.  It's OK because now I have room to start digging out and going thru closets and kitchen cabinets.

So while it seems like I'm going backwards instead of forwards any movement = progress to me.  I wish I had been able to do this in 2005 like I'd planned too.  I never thought my health would go down hill so fast.  So as Papa use to say " I better get while the getting's good "  

Jewellann and Queenie...........who has taken over the storage facility making friends and guarding the Safari while I do all the work!

 

[ArtW]

So
much
fun

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I am so with you on gettin' while the gettin's good!! In 10 years, when I might possibly be able to retire, I'll be too unfunctional to enjoy retirement! My thoughts are with you!

 

[Txjaybird]

So
much
fun

YEAH  like the DJ's use to say "AND THE HITS KEEP COMING"

Jewellann

 

[Wabbit]

... "AND THE HITS KEEP COMING"...

Seems like you have a trust in something, keep that and keep hope. After awhile, the hits just start to lose there threat. Peace!

 

[Txjaybird]

I am so with you on gettin' while the gettin's good!! In 10 years, when I might possibly be able to retire, I'll be too unfunctional to enjoy retirement! My thoughts are with you!

  Do you absolutely have to wait to retire?  From what I've read here and in my own experiance sometimes what we "planned" on having/doing when we retire is not what we get.

I hadn't planned on waking up one morning after 3wks on a new job with both arms numb from the shoulders down at 49ys old.  Or it taking 11 doctor's and 2ys on workman's comp and then another 2ys for SSA to agree that I was disabled and would probably not become employable again.  Then my SSD was $680mo which was almost equal to what I made with about 8 hours overtime in a week.  I had no savings when that all started and only by living very frugaly, foodstamps, and no rent and a few good friends was I able to survive.  Luckily I had a small piece of property with a water spigot in the yard and electricity in a unliveable house that I could sit my vintage Silverstream TT by to live in...oh yeah a gas guzzleing 20yr old 1 ton truck and thank goodness I had been able to pay cash when I had bought each one so everything was paid for.

If I was now planning on a future retirement the thing that would scare me the most would be providing healthcare for myself   Especially when the cost of medicines and supplies keep rising. Food prices are on the rise also, I think.  Then I'm older than dirt and remember when Tuna was in a 6oz can and cost 0.19.  My rebuilt tranny for my '57 Fairlane was $69 at Sun Automotive in Dallas TX........well at least I can still remember my memories......mostly.

I hope you find you a travelling vehicle soon.   

Jewellann

 

[Txjaybird]

Seems like you have a trust in something, keep that and keep hope. After awhile, the hits just start to lose there threat. Peace!

  I often heard "where there is a will there is a way" when I was growing up.  Seems like lately the way is either a hard pull up hill or a down hill run with no brakes.   I'm working towards a level ground in my life with as few bumps in the road as possible.........my old shocks are about wore out.....now how do they make those "Hopper" cars work  :angel:  I think I need some of that!!!

Jewellann

 

[Wabbit]

  I often heard "where there is a will there is a way" when I was growing up.  Seems like lately the way is either a hard pull up hill or a down hill run with no brakes...

Downhill with no brakes sounds both easy and exciting!

...now how do they make those "Hopper" cars work  :angel:  I think I need some of that!!!...

No idea, but it looks dangerous...I'll stick to playing it safe...

 

[Txjaybird]

Downhill with no brakes sounds both easy and exciting!


No idea, but it looks dangerous...I'll stick to playing it safe...

Only scarey/dangerous when you flip 'em over   :angel: Where's your spirit of Adventure?

Back To Work for me.

Jewellann