It was one year ago today that I began my 3-month leave-of-absence from work.\u00a0 We had, of course, been spending a lot of time in Patience before then, but had a home to live in until the start of September, 2012.\u00a0 Jett was full-time from that day, but I lived for a week as a guest of her sister in North Andover, commuting (ugh!) over an hour each way to Cambridge.\u00a0 It was not until a year ago today that I began my full-time-in-an-RV experience.<\/p>\n
I have done several retrospectives along the way, but I need to do another, I think.\u00a0 A year of full-time living in an RV is a significant milestone and, like a dog, I must mark it.<\/p>\n
I think the bottom line for me is that we proved that we can do it.\u00a0 We haven’t missed the house a lot and in general the accommodations have been comfortable.\u00a0 Yes, we have fought, but no more than we would have fought in a house, I think.\u00a0 The fights were not due to cramped quarters.\u00a0 And we have enjoyed the travel, though the pleasure has been tempered by me working and by Jett having to deal with both her son’s divorce and a series of medical disappointments.\u00a0 She still has not had the cataract surgery that we expected would be completed six months ago.\u00a0 So we have seen glimpses of the pleasures that a full-time RV lifestyle can bring, but many of those pleasures have eluded us this year.<\/p>\n
We are also a year closer to true retirement, but I still haven’t figured out the magic formula for making ends meet when I stop working.\u00a0 The fact is that we spent a LOT more money this year than I expected.\u00a0 It is imperative that we trim our expenses if we are to continue doing this long-term.<\/p>\n
This week I need to figure out whether I can continue working remotely.\u00a0 If my employer says no, then we have a major decision to make: either I try to find a job that will allow me to work remotely (not easy and not likely to happen in the 5 weeks before we must depart for Florida) or I take Social Security earlier than I would like and we scramble to both cut costs and earn extra money.<\/p>\n
We also need to part ways with Cha-Cha.\u00a0 He is 13, can barely walk and just isn’t enjoying life.\u00a0 While I hate the thought of putting this good dog down when he isn’t already on death’s door, I also can’t see taking him on the road again.\u00a0 He doesn’t enjoy travel as much as Grace and is unlikely to live until we return to MA next spring.\u00a0 At the very least, he soon will be unable to get up and down the stairs.\u00a0 It is better to put him down here at home than wait until it is urgent and try to find a vet in Florida to do the deed.\u00a0 It will be painful for both Jett and me – and I think Grace will be extremely sad as well – but it needs to be done.<\/p>\n
We also need to deal with Jett’s physical problems.\u00a0 The cataracts have to wait until her other problems subside and we don’t know how long that will take.\u00a0 Until the cataract surgery is done, she is unable to drive at night and can barely read.<\/p>\n
So, a year into the full-time RV experience, life is not the carefree lark that we would like it to be.\u00a0 But it is still an adventure.<\/p>\n
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It was one year ago today that I began my 3-month leave-of-absence from work.\u00a0 We had, of course, been spending a lot of time in Patience before then, but had a home to live in until the start of September, 2012.\u00a0 Jett was full-time from that day, but I lived for a week as a … Continue reading