Monday, November 17, 2008
Relaxed at Last
I have a long way to go, but I think I've got relaxing under control today. I'm juggling several tight deadlines with work and some personal deadlines of less urgency, and I'm still a human being, instead of just a human doing.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Journey
I was pretty busy the past week just handling the journey from Pennsylvania to Missouri. I've now timeshifted and here I am where I intended to be. I feel like I manifest my life according to my intentions--really! It's not as fast as a transporter beam, but I tend to get where I am going eventually.
The adventure of it all is not to be missed! I believe I manifested some vehicle problems because once the Uhaul was loaded to the max and the van was outfitted with cat crates and paraphenalia I got on the road and worried about what would happen if my vehicle broke down. And of course I got to find out. Apparently I can be calm, capable, and resourceful in stressful situations, thank goodness because I get a lot of them! The way I look at it, what's the alternative?
The first day of driving was uneventful. I got on the road Monday at 3 pm, the day before the election. I drove 350 miles and stopped at a rest stop just after passing the Pennsylvania-Ohio border, past Wheeling I think. The memories blur. I parked the long way at the end of the passenger parking lot because the truck area was full to bursting. The truckers were stopped lining the sides of the exit and the entrance, as well as taking up all available space. Even if a space was available I thought it more appropriate for my combination to park in the empty car area.
I slept until 3 am, though it was rough with kittens running about at first. What energy the little scamps have! I must have had a kitten careen off my scalp once to often because I found them crated up when I awoke. I plugged in the Smart Mug and set it on the highest setting, 160 degrees, spooned my instant coffee into another travel mug, then dressed and went to the loo while the kittens frolicked again. Then I crated them up, leaving my adult cat Kristi Belle Belle loose to relax wherever she decided. She's a calm and peaceful rester, so I didn't think she'd be a driving distraction. It took at least a half hour before the SmartMug had heated water hot enough to pour over my awaiting instant coffee, and I was ready for it after less than six hours of sleep. The sleep part was quite good, though. I had a bench seat in the van because it was coming back from Pennsylvania, and I did well there cocooned in several blankets and with bins stacked at the right height to fling my restless legs upon occasionally.
I drove another 50 miles and heard what I thought was a high-pitched whine, though I wasn't sure. I had over-drive off and lowered my speed from 60 mph to 50 mpg, and it seemed quieter so I kept going. Then I heard a grinding, whining sound, like a garbage disposal eating a rubber glove. Then the steering started to go sluggish and all the engine lights appeared. So I looked for a place to pull over and got my combination off the road safely, about five feet from the highway, but stopped about 8 feet short of a guardrail. Ruh-roh!
The first thing I did was turn on the flashers, and the second thing I did was consult my Garmin Nuvi to inquire into accommodation. I found an EconoLodge in Heath, OH that would take the cats. Then I called AAA and requested help for my van with the understanding that towing the Uhaul would cost additional. They got me a great guy in Heath who brought out a flatbed with a ball hitch the correct size. That was fun going back and forth with Uhaul to determine the size of the hitch. It wasn't properly posted on the equipment. Thank goodness I had personal lights to carry around and check things out.
Rick showed up and because I was so far off the road for safety reasons that he couldn't get my van hauled easily, I offered to start it up and back up the combination. But, it turned out that the serpentine belt was a goner and as a result of sitting for several hours with the flashers activated, the battery was dead. I had a portable charger we used to start the van and I backed it up 12 feet, which was fun without any steering available. But with that done, we jacked the trailer tongue off the ball hitch of the van, got the van onto the flatbed, then hooked the trailer to the flatbed.
Because I was travelling with kittens, kitty, and my entire work kit-and-caboodle it was necessary to put the trailer down at Rick's yard, then put the van down at the motel, where I checked in and took an hour to unload the van. Then Rick picked the van up to be serviced, while I set up my lab and worked. Because I'm a van packer I had a cooler of food and drink, a portable kitchen, and everything needed to live, work, and enjoy my life. The motel had a small fridge and microwave, so I was covered.
As it turned out the van only needed a new belt and tensioner ($350), including the second tow charge. I paid $65 for the Uhaul tow, and tipped Rick $60 for the entire adventure. Without his advice and willingness to help, I'd have had a lot more to worry about. The van was fixed in a day, but I was too late to get back in time for the election, so I "elected" to stay in Heath to work and relax as much as possible until ready to go. I extended the trailer rental three days, and stayed until Sunday morning. It took longer to load again, but I got on the road at 11:30 am, and arrived 600 miles later in Rolla, Missouri around 7:30. My bff Marie helped me unload at a pre-arranged storage room, then we returned the trailer. We had to use her truck's jack to get that danged tongue lifted enough for me to drive away from the trailer, then we put the tongue down on a large rock we found. After that, we stopped at a Denny's for a late breakfast where I left the kitteh's and the kittah (lolcats-speak) to frolick.
About all I had the time and energy for Sunday night was to unload the crew and some of the crap. Here it is now, 6:30 am on Wednesday and my kitchen is together, and most of the RV is together. I call my tiny trailer in Missouri "the RV" because it is so tiny-cute. The $2500 find for a permanent home that is paid for. I don't live "in it" any more than I live in a van. I live OUT of it. So, this week I'll work on the last of my sorting and downsizing while working on the current software project. Next week I'll start the next phase of my manifesting--writing, blogging, and making money on the internet. Stay tuned!
The adventure of it all is not to be missed! I believe I manifested some vehicle problems because once the Uhaul was loaded to the max and the van was outfitted with cat crates and paraphenalia I got on the road and worried about what would happen if my vehicle broke down. And of course I got to find out. Apparently I can be calm, capable, and resourceful in stressful situations, thank goodness because I get a lot of them! The way I look at it, what's the alternative?
The first day of driving was uneventful. I got on the road Monday at 3 pm, the day before the election. I drove 350 miles and stopped at a rest stop just after passing the Pennsylvania-Ohio border, past Wheeling I think. The memories blur. I parked the long way at the end of the passenger parking lot because the truck area was full to bursting. The truckers were stopped lining the sides of the exit and the entrance, as well as taking up all available space. Even if a space was available I thought it more appropriate for my combination to park in the empty car area.
I slept until 3 am, though it was rough with kittens running about at first. What energy the little scamps have! I must have had a kitten careen off my scalp once to often because I found them crated up when I awoke. I plugged in the Smart Mug and set it on the highest setting, 160 degrees, spooned my instant coffee into another travel mug, then dressed and went to the loo while the kittens frolicked again. Then I crated them up, leaving my adult cat Kristi Belle Belle loose to relax wherever she decided. She's a calm and peaceful rester, so I didn't think she'd be a driving distraction. It took at least a half hour before the SmartMug had heated water hot enough to pour over my awaiting instant coffee, and I was ready for it after less than six hours of sleep. The sleep part was quite good, though. I had a bench seat in the van because it was coming back from Pennsylvania, and I did well there cocooned in several blankets and with bins stacked at the right height to fling my restless legs upon occasionally.
I drove another 50 miles and heard what I thought was a high-pitched whine, though I wasn't sure. I had over-drive off and lowered my speed from 60 mph to 50 mpg, and it seemed quieter so I kept going. Then I heard a grinding, whining sound, like a garbage disposal eating a rubber glove. Then the steering started to go sluggish and all the engine lights appeared. So I looked for a place to pull over and got my combination off the road safely, about five feet from the highway, but stopped about 8 feet short of a guardrail. Ruh-roh!
The first thing I did was turn on the flashers, and the second thing I did was consult my Garmin Nuvi to inquire into accommodation. I found an EconoLodge in Heath, OH that would take the cats. Then I called AAA and requested help for my van with the understanding that towing the Uhaul would cost additional. They got me a great guy in Heath who brought out a flatbed with a ball hitch the correct size. That was fun going back and forth with Uhaul to determine the size of the hitch. It wasn't properly posted on the equipment. Thank goodness I had personal lights to carry around and check things out.
Rick showed up and because I was so far off the road for safety reasons that he couldn't get my van hauled easily, I offered to start it up and back up the combination. But, it turned out that the serpentine belt was a goner and as a result of sitting for several hours with the flashers activated, the battery was dead. I had a portable charger we used to start the van and I backed it up 12 feet, which was fun without any steering available. But with that done, we jacked the trailer tongue off the ball hitch of the van, got the van onto the flatbed, then hooked the trailer to the flatbed.
Because I was travelling with kittens, kitty, and my entire work kit-and-caboodle it was necessary to put the trailer down at Rick's yard, then put the van down at the motel, where I checked in and took an hour to unload the van. Then Rick picked the van up to be serviced, while I set up my lab and worked. Because I'm a van packer I had a cooler of food and drink, a portable kitchen, and everything needed to live, work, and enjoy my life. The motel had a small fridge and microwave, so I was covered.
As it turned out the van only needed a new belt and tensioner ($350), including the second tow charge. I paid $65 for the Uhaul tow, and tipped Rick $60 for the entire adventure. Without his advice and willingness to help, I'd have had a lot more to worry about. The van was fixed in a day, but I was too late to get back in time for the election, so I "elected" to stay in Heath to work and relax as much as possible until ready to go. I extended the trailer rental three days, and stayed until Sunday morning. It took longer to load again, but I got on the road at 11:30 am, and arrived 600 miles later in Rolla, Missouri around 7:30. My bff Marie helped me unload at a pre-arranged storage room, then we returned the trailer. We had to use her truck's jack to get that danged tongue lifted enough for me to drive away from the trailer, then we put the tongue down on a large rock we found. After that, we stopped at a Denny's for a late breakfast where I left the kitteh's and the kittah (lolcats-speak) to frolick.
About all I had the time and energy for Sunday night was to unload the crew and some of the crap. Here it is now, 6:30 am on Wednesday and my kitchen is together, and most of the RV is together. I call my tiny trailer in Missouri "the RV" because it is so tiny-cute. The $2500 find for a permanent home that is paid for. I don't live "in it" any more than I live in a van. I live OUT of it. So, this week I'll work on the last of my sorting and downsizing while working on the current software project. Next week I'll start the next phase of my manifesting--writing, blogging, and making money on the internet. Stay tuned!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Complexity
What's the opposit of simplicity? Why, that would be "complexity" and I think I've about got that covered!
First, it is Monday, the day before the election, and I'm in Pennsylvania. So with all procrastination accounted for I now have 33 hours to finish some software work, take a shower, and load the van, then head to Missouri to vote. Work will take about two hours, then another two to shower and finish loading. I could be on the road by noon if I hop to it. That means 20 hours of driving and perhaps 6 hours of napping to get to Rolla.
The complexity is that my 3/4 ton extended body Dodge Ram van is being followed by a 6 x 12 Uhaul trailer. When I said I simplified my life I totally forgot about the storage room and the vast amount of stuff I purchased during the past two months. Whoops! There is the $3500 in video equipment for my blogging plans, more jewelry supplies for my van industry, and clothes that I had to buy to show up at work a few times. What was I thinking?
Not only did I buy stuff, I acquired two kittens who will be returning to Missouri along with my special kitty Kristi Belle Belle. Hence the Uhaul, so the stuff can follow me whilst the kittens and cat can play inside the van whenever I stop. I will be so happy to get to Rolla, vote, unload the Uhaul into storage, return the Uhaul, pick up groceries, then settle into the RV with All My Cats. Oy vey! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
If there is any time in my busy morning I plan to video tape the youngsters with a Chihauhau before I leave one of the three musketeers with my former roommate, little bird. That would make me very happy, so it is a top priority today. If I drive from noon to midnight, at an average rate of 50 mph, then I should be able to make about 600 miles before I pull into a truck stop and sleep in between some big rigs. I won't be comfortable, so I should be on the road again by 4 am. If I drive another twelve hours I could be past St. Louis before rush hour. Or not, I'm not pushing myself.
First, it is Monday, the day before the election, and I'm in Pennsylvania. So with all procrastination accounted for I now have 33 hours to finish some software work, take a shower, and load the van, then head to Missouri to vote. Work will take about two hours, then another two to shower and finish loading. I could be on the road by noon if I hop to it. That means 20 hours of driving and perhaps 6 hours of napping to get to Rolla.
The complexity is that my 3/4 ton extended body Dodge Ram van is being followed by a 6 x 12 Uhaul trailer. When I said I simplified my life I totally forgot about the storage room and the vast amount of stuff I purchased during the past two months. Whoops! There is the $3500 in video equipment for my blogging plans, more jewelry supplies for my van industry, and clothes that I had to buy to show up at work a few times. What was I thinking?
Not only did I buy stuff, I acquired two kittens who will be returning to Missouri along with my special kitty Kristi Belle Belle. Hence the Uhaul, so the stuff can follow me whilst the kittens and cat can play inside the van whenever I stop. I will be so happy to get to Rolla, vote, unload the Uhaul into storage, return the Uhaul, pick up groceries, then settle into the RV with All My Cats. Oy vey! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
If there is any time in my busy morning I plan to video tape the youngsters with a Chihauhau before I leave one of the three musketeers with my former roommate, little bird. That would make me very happy, so it is a top priority today. If I drive from noon to midnight, at an average rate of 50 mph, then I should be able to make about 600 miles before I pull into a truck stop and sleep in between some big rigs. I won't be comfortable, so I should be on the road again by 4 am. If I drive another twelve hours I could be past St. Louis before rush hour. Or not, I'm not pushing myself.
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