Saturday, April 5, 2014

Transition....

Transitioning into this new life has been a little more difficult than I expected. I am preparing to retire from a career that has been somewhat defining for the past 25 years, and at the same time downsize from a 2000 square foot house to a 21 foot RV.  And dealing with the looming uncertainty of having no homebase, no destination and no real plan. I guess it's not surprising that I'm a little weirded out.

On Thursday Purple Heart Pickup came and picked up approximately 25 boxes of stuff. I was pretty appalled when they were done, because it didn't really look all that much different. Although yesterday after I got rid of a few more things all of a sudden the house started looking emptier. In one or two rooms at least.  


I worked a 1 to 9 tonight ( Saturday) and will work a 6 to 2 tomorrow. That's working out pretty well, Saturdays are a nice day to work, and Sundays are not too bad. And I get two shifts in in one 24 hour period.   It's much nicer to do the Quick turn since I have the little rolling home not far from work. I'm kicked back now with my little propane heater and my little LED light going listening to the wind blow. I'm still only going to get a few hours sleep, but at least I don't have an hour drive at 5 AM.


Don't get me wrong, I'm still really looking forward to retirement and traveling. No doubt about that. It's just a lot of change at one time.  

10 comments:

  1. I guess all of use full-timers have gone through that process, and it seems monumental. In fact, it really is. But it's definitely do-able, and so worth it when it's all done and you're on your way. You'll see. At least you seem very organized about it, which not everyone is. I just had an estate sale and got rid of everything in three days. Lazy - but effective. :)

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  2. Thanks.....the estate sale idea intrigues me. Did you have someone come in and handle it? I'm all about taking the lazy way out. :-) The organization only extends to stacking boxes, the inside looks like a bomb went off. :-) My friend sent me text yesterday saying "I wanna come stay with you for a day or two on the way home from NY." I replied "You'll be sleeping in the RV in the driveway." :-)

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    1. Yes, I hired a company. They came in and tagged everything. I got a percentage of the sales, and a higher percentage if I allowed them to bring in the dregs of other peoples' estate sales that didn't sell. I opted for the higher percentage. I had to leave the condo while it was going on. I went back one night to sleep, but it smelled so bad in my bedroom with all the really old crappy things from other sales - I took The Palms to the beach for the duration. They did a good job, first day everything was about 3/4 of the original price, second day 50 percent, and third day 25 percent. Everything that was left I sold as a lot to a company for $100 just to get rid of it. Then... the condo was empty. They clean it afterward. They actually got a big black mark on my carpet and had it cleaned for me. Perfect! The Realtor came in and we listed it for sale. I didn't do a thing. :)

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    2. Wow, thanks for all that info!! I'll look into it. I had a huge auction at my Dad's house, but they don't seem to do that around here.

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  3. Yes, the weirding-out sounds very normal. You've been tethered for a long time; free-floating feels funny!

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    1. That's a good way to put it! I confess to feeling a touch maudlin when I wrote this, barleywine (9% alc beer) will have that effect on me sometimes. :-)

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  4. If we ever decided to do this, I would have an estate sale. I have gone to many and helped put on a few. The people who run them come in and make and organize everything, take care of advertising, and arrange for pick up of all that is left, unless you want to deal with it. They take 25 to 30% around here! but you would be surprised what will sell. If you decide to do one, I would start saving the stuff you are giving away. All manner of stuff sells. Let the estate people decide what you should get rid of before the sale. Just found your blog and will be following.

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    1. Thanks, it sure sound like something I should look into.

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  5. Hello Gail,
    I read a lot of full timer blogs and most have been full timing for a long while so it was kind'a refreshing to find one who's just starting out. Congrats on retirement! I love being retired.
    I wish I had "remembered" the camp hosting thing, I'd come across it in the late 80s and thought yeah that's what I want to do... so 20 years later I didn't remember it. SO now I'm kinda starting over with the retirement plan. Having to sell my house, getting the trailer as I've decided that to go that route.

    Well have a great week, also I've sailed the Spirit, as sister ship to the pride... I love to cruise too...

    Have fun selling and packing...

    Carlene aka Waianagal

    I don't have a blog, yet.

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    1. Hi Carlene! Yeah, it will be a big change, but a good one. Down the road I think the camp host idea will be good. Right now there's so much I want to see and do I can't imagine staying in one spot long enough. :-) I imagine that will wear off after a while.

      Cruises are great...I'm hoping to do another one soon. You really can't beat it...room, board & getting to see cool places. Love it.

      I think the estate sale is the way to go. I go camping for a week & come home to an empty house. I really like the sound of that!

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