Leaves, leaves, so many leaves ... it must be Fall

One morning last week while driving to work I noticed the leaves turning different colors and when I returned home it seemed like those same leaves were on the ground leaving the tree naked. Sure enough, it's Fall alright. The cool nights prove it. I wanted to snap some pictures but never seemed to find the time. But Fall waits for no one, not even me. I looked out my window this morning and noticed that my lawn covered with leaves as was my neighbours. Therefore it's true Fall is here and soon yes very soon winter brrrrrrrrr. Fall seemed to sneak up on us. It's like Fall captured summer and winter is lurking not far behind.

Truck Campers

This is a link to the latest technology for Truck Campers. (Click on the Title). It's impressive, but it makes me wonder if all my fur kids could be comfortable living in it. they do enjoy sleeping on my bed at night and it would be a bit of a jump up and down don't you think?

Feeling Better

Well I am feeling much better since my last post. I managed to get two days of work in last week. Today I did the usual shopping stuff, domestic things around the house which I have to finish tomorrow.

I have noticed that the leaves on the trees are turning pretty colors. It looks nice as where I live we have lots of trees. I am also noticing fewer RV's on the road. i think they have headed south for the winter. I wouldn't want to drive a big rig like that in the dead of winter.

Slowing Down ...

Good Morning,

I am home sick from work today. I guess the work week has caught up to me and I need to rest for a few days. I finished the week and had an important appointment this morning which had to be post phoned. You know life goes on whether we are at work or not. We need to remember that we are not indispensable. Chilling thought when we think that what we do in a day can be done by some one else. Well that leads us to only one conclusion: we can and are replaced very easily.

However, since my identity is no longer wrapped up in my work this thought doesn't really bother me. I am glad that someone else can pick up and do my job. My feelings are likely influenced by my up and coming retirement. The only difference then will be that I won't be calling in sick, I will just be sick at home with the dogs by my side.

Well, I better rest for a while, maybe watch Oprah or Ellen.

Almost Mid-Work Week

This week certainly started out with a bang!!! It didn't help that I was away from my desk for a couple of weeks. Since my basket was full to things to do I began making a list and prioritize. Now, that's a pretty good plan if you could concentrate on the list. However, the nature of my work lends itself to responding to things on an as needs basis, but I digress.

The past two days I did manage to accomplish some things maybe not exactly what I had plan on my drive to work. On my way home from work I decided that I can only respond to so much in a day. I will do my best, my very best and the rest, well there is always tomorrow, a new day, to work on my list.

Haida, my shepherd who is at the beginning of this post is nudging me ... remember your fur kids they too need to be fed or are we on your list too???
Cheers

Sunday Afternoon

I just lost a whole page of what I wrote an will have to start again. Don't you just hate when that happens. Oh well, modern technology does have its mysterious quirks.

What I had written before was about spending a lazy afternoon with my dogs and thinking about full timing as a retirement option. In my previous post I mentioned some of my research that I have done and learned to date. Some people on the forums suggest visiting the factories that build motorhomes. I think that's a great idea. The factory which is closest to me which I am aware of is in Winkler Manitoba. They manufacture Tripee e RV's and are not too far from where I live. http://www.tripleerv.com/. This is something that I can likely due next Spring or early summer apparently the factory conducts tours of their facilities. In the meantime I will continue my reasearch both online and visit the local dealers. Apparently there is an upcoming show that one of the dealers will host in February 2008. I have already maked my calendar as I plan to attend.

I also think it's important to have a Plan B, just incase full timing has to be put on hold for whatever reason. In that case I can always resort back to my inittal plan of moving to the country and living in a much smaller place than I own now. I am keeping my eye on that market too as you never know what may be down the road. Plans do not always work out the way that we want them to. but then again that is life isn't it?

Summer-Fall 2007

Summer is almost over and Fall is around the corner. I enjoy all the pretty colors and then it's winter. In this part of the country we usually get lots of snow. I like winter too, except of course for the blizzards and slippery roads, but for the most part I do like winter!
Earlier this year I was checking out the realestate market in the surrounding areas where I live. the housing was about half the price of what it is in the city. Well since that time the market value of my house has more than doubled. The realestate market is booming and will likely to continue for some time. This has changed my thoughts about retiring in Canda. I decided I coule be more adventuresome by purchasing a motorhome and traveling throughout the USA and Canada. I can stay in areas as long as I want and move on to the next town whenever I chose. Just think, getting up in the morning with a cup of java in hand and looking out the window of my Recreational Vehicle (RV) and seeing a lake with mountains in the background! Just imagine having a different view every few days or weeks.

I have started my research on the net of the various RV sites and forums. I have posted on some of them asking questions as I am in the beginning stages of this journey. My biggest thing right now is learning all I can about RVs and the RV full timing lifestyle. I have looked at new RV units and also pre-owned RVs. The two classes I am looking at are Class A \- a motor coach and a Class C/ mini version of the motor home. The top unit is a Class A
2008 and the unit here is a Class C. The major difference being that front is a van front. they say it's a wee bit easier to handle than the Class A. But that is debateable as the Class A's from what I understand are very easy to handle also. There is more room at the front that can be used as living space.

The people in the forums are very friendly and helpful. I have already spent many hours on the net researching and it seems that the more I am learning it leaves me wondering as to whether or not I can learn all I need to know to be able to handle all that goes along with the RV life style. The people on the forums tell me that there are many helpful people along the way that will offer their help to anyone who needs a hand.

We a couple of RV dealers in town and I have visited with both. It's interesting the difference in prices of their RVs seeing they are located in the same city. I also have answered some RV ads for pre-owned units. There is one that I saw a Class A 1999 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 36.5 feet in length. The Rv is very well looked after with many upgrades. It looks like brand new ... his asking price I felt was a wee bit high for the age of the RV. I have been looking at similiar units online for much less. I have noticed that he still has the unit for sale. If I could get a better price I would consider purchasing it. However, right now I chose to still look around and get more educated with the market so I can ask the right questions when looking at other units.

Back in 1999, took a leave from my job and moved to Laredo Texas. I loved living there and decided that I would like to live in that area once I retire. Since I am a Canadaian citizen I still hae to come up to Canada every six months (I think) and also have a Canadian address while I am on the road. This is another area that I need to research more.

This past summer I decided to downsize and had a garage sale. I will do the same thing again next year and hopefully be on the road either spring of summer of 2009.