Organizing And Decluttering Is Stressing Me Out

Because of my decision to start working toward being a full-time RV’r, I’m going to be selling some of my furniture, and giving things to my daughter in an effort to start downsizing. I hate the thought of having to get rid of my things. I had to give away half of my things already, when I moved into my condo from a house. That was hard enough. What if I regret giving away, or selling the things that I might really need? Where will I store the things I want to keep? If my daughter takes my bookshelves, where will I put all the stuff that on them?

I know I can’t take the furniture with me when I start RV’ing, but I’m not sure how long it will be until I can actually sell my place and buy a motorhome. I need to still be comfortable in my home while I work out the details and organize everything I need to do, before I can commit to becoming a full-timer.

The doubts are keeping me awake at night, and causing me to stress about whether I’m doing the right thing. I know they’re only things, and I’ll enjoy the free space once their gone, but it’s hard to decide what to let go of and what to keep. I also know that getting rid of all the clutter will make me feel good. It’s actually a relief to me when I’m able to get things out of my space. It feels freeing.

I think I’ll use my Outlook calendar, and start planning one task to do each day. That way I can feel I’ve accomplished something every day, which means it was a successful one! That’s good for my morale. It’s almost overwhelming to know where to begin, and I’m sure once I start actually organizing my tasks, it will get easier. I think I’ll make it an 8 week plan, which is a realistic timeline for me. Wish me luck!

Haircuts Anyone?

I’m going to start getting rid of my stuff in preparating for becoming a full-time RV’r. All the years of furniture, clothing, accessories, dishes, etc., that I rarely if ever use will have to go.

I’ve decided to start cutting hair as a way to make extra money at home. I can buy a used salon chair for about $150, and a nice big mirror used, for a decent price. I have a 2nd bedroom that I can set up as my ‘salon’. I already have all of the styling things like curling iron, flat irons, rollers, clips, etc. The only thing I can think I’d need to buy would be proper lighting, a cape, and neck coverings.

I am completely self taught, and have cut hair for years, but haven’t pursued it for at least 10. I’ve ordered a “Haircutting for Dummies” book, and another book on hairstyling and cutting techniques. Not that I think I need them particularly, but it’s always good to brush up on the latest styling trends.

If I do one basic cut a day for $10, that would be an extra $300 a month, which would more than cover my park fees if I decide to spend the summer at the lake from May to October. I’ve offered someone $350 for all their camping gear that’s listed on Kijiji for $450. I’m hoping that being the end of the month, they might be a little more willing to negotiate on the price, although even at $450 it’s a great deal. That would start me out next spring with at least the basics. The listing has a lot of extras: two 6 man tents, a dining tent with rain flaps, Coleman propane stove, lantern, Coleman grill, pots and pans, enamel dining set, double air mattress, rechargeable air pump, an axe, Coleman flashlight, 2 water air mattresses, 1 tarp, tent pegs, rope, extra poles, BBQ utensils, plastic water holder, 4 propane cylinders, cups, cooking utensils & more! I’ve been pricing camping gear, and everything is SO expensive if you buy it new, so getting everything in one go at a great price would really be helpful.

Going Crazy – Back and Forth

I just responded to a post on a blog that I follow called Starstuff: An Unexpected Journey. I thought that my response to her post would be a good blog for the day. She is struggling with the decision to chuck it all in and go on the road, just like I am. We’re both trying to break out of the traditional mindset, and let ourselves be free of the things that tie us down. This was my response to her comments.

>>>>> One minute I’m so excited about selling up and buying an RV, but the next minute I’m thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn’t sell. I worry about not having a sticks’n bricks home when I’m elderly. What will I have to come back to if something goes wrong? What if my pension doesn’t cover my expenses if I have a mechanical breakdown? If I get sick, who will be there for me?

I can’t afford to put my furniture in storage while I “try this out”, so I have to sell everything in order to make the move to an RV lifestyle. I still feel connected to so many things that I own. When I moved to a condo apt from the house that I had, I had to downsize SO much, and ended up giving away a lot of things just to get rid of them. I knew I only had 800 sq. ft. of space, so I couldn’t take half of what I owned.

I had to deal with boxes of Christmas decorations of which there were MANY, my daughters bear collection (which I had been saving for years, but she didn’t even want), my favourite loveseat and chair, my moms dining room set, MY dining room table and chairs (which is in my sister’s basement), awards, certificates, framed pictures, kids toys, a guest bed that I wouldn’t have room for, my good china (which my daughter took), DVD’s, all my extra dishes, silverware, pots and pans that I wouldn’t have room for, baskets, extra linens and pillows, gardening supplies, Tupperware, it was a nightmare! I ended up giving hundreds of dollars worth of stuff to the guy that plowed my driveway, just so he would clear out my garage and basement of what was left. It was so sad for me seeing all of those things I had accumulated over the years, going down the drain. I’m feeling that way about selling my condo, and knowing that I’ll have to let go of basically everything I own. It can be paralyzing, and it stops me in my tracks at times.

Please keep blogging about your experiences. Hopefully we can make this change together. One good thing I thought about yesterday…. I can cut hair while I’m on the road! I could make some extra money at boondocking sites, because I’m sure if there are people around, a lot of them could probably use a trim or a haircut. I’m not sure how if would work in a campground, but when boondocking I think it would be fine. So maybe my brain seems to be accepting the change I want to make, and giving me ideas for how I can do it! >>>>>>

So that’s my mindset right now. I’m feeling conflicted about committing myself to giving up my traditional lifestyle, and trying something completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve always loved small spaces, so I wouldn’t have a problem living in an RV, but it’s the squeezing through the uncomfortable stuff that keeps me stuck. I know that people won’t approve, especially my daughter. Her husband will probably thing I’m nuts. I don’t want to be the crazy mother-in-law!

I’m Beyond Frustrated!

I took a week or so off from my search for the perfect camper. To say I’m beyond frustrated would be an understatement.

My first plan was to buy a used travel trailer, park it on a lake north of where I live, and spend the summers there. Little did I know that many parks have age limits on trailers that they let into their spots. I was looking at a beautiful 1982 32′ Terry travel trailer, and the park owner said it was “pretty old”, but as long as it was in good shape it would probably be OK. The park fees are $2,500 payable in advance, so with the cost of buying the trailer, plus the park fees, I couldn’t afford it at this point. The trailer sold before I could even get the money together, so it was on to Plan B.

To save money and get my feet wet, I spent a lot of time researching tent/SUV camping, with the thought of sleeping in the back of my Toyota Highlander and having a tent to put my gear in. I wanted to attend a boondock gathering in Quartzite, AZ in January, but I let some people talk me out of that option, and didn’t have the money to outfit myself with all the things I’d need within 5 months anyway. Everything is so expensive when you buy it new. I’d also need a portable solar power source, which would cost me about $450 and I can’t afford it right now, so I’m stuck.

My daughter was concerned about me traveling alone, so far from home. It’s 2,400 miles one way to Quartzite. She said that she knows how much I need a comfortable bed (I have fibromyalgia and sleep apnea), and she’s worried about my health. What if I have an emergency of some sort? I told her I have CAA/AAA in case of a vehicle emergency, and out-of-country medical insurance for $5 million. I do understand her concerns thought, as she’s seen me through a lot of health issues over the years. I DO need a comfortable bed, but I thought I could be pretty comfortable with an inflatable mattress and foam pad in the back of my SUV. I have to admit that driving that far on my own for the first time, would be an exhilarating experience, half fear, and half excitement. Fear of the unknown, and excitement at being able to travel inexpensively and see parts of the U.S. and Canada that I’ve never seen before.

My next thought was to sell my condo and my Highlander, and buy a used RV. I’d park it here in the summers, and travel through the U.S. south and west during the winter months. That would be a HUGE decision, so I’ve decided to give it a lot of thought. My Toyota has been so reliable, comfortable and cost efficient, that I’m extremely reluctant to sell it, especially for an old RV that may or may not need repairs.

The tent camping with my Highlander would be the ideal, and least expensive way for me to travel, but I’m afraid of the lack of security. At least with a camper, you can close and lock your door, but with the SUV that may not be an option in the warmer climates. I’d buy a tent that attaches to the back of the car with an extra screened in room. That way I could still sleep in the back of my car, but have the extra room of the tent which would allow me to keep the back hatch open. They cost about $400, but if I could boondock it would be a very inexpensive way to travel.

There’s someone in Toronto who has nearly everything needed for camping, for sale at $450.
1 – 6 man tent (3.6 x 2.4m)
1 – 6 man Coleman tent (3.6 x 2.4m)
1 – Screened dining room tent (with rain flaps)
1 – 2 burner Coleman stove (propane)
1 – Coleman lantern (propane)
1 – Coleman grill (propane)
1 – Coleman cooler (with 2 ice packs)
1 – Coleman cooking set (Frying pan, pots and lids)
1 – Coleman enamel dining kit (plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery)
1 – Woods double sized air mattress / bed (with built-in pump)
1 – Woods rechargeable air pump (plugs in auto lighter or electrical outlet)
2 – Folding lawn chairs
Other accessories:
1 – Axe, 1 – Coleman flashlight, 2 – water air mattresses, 1 – tarp, tent pegs, rope, extra poles, BBQ utensils, plastic water holder, 4 propane cylinders, cups, cooking utensils & more.

This lot would certainly outfit me almost completely, but the tents wouldn’t be the type that attach to the SUV. I know that even without the 2 tents, it would still be a great buy. I’ve priced out a lot of the things listed, and it would easily cost me double or more, what this person is asking for all their gear. I’d have to wait until next week when I get paid, to see if it’s still available. I’m also going to find out how much it is to camp in my favourite trailer park, with a tent. Maybe I can try starting out in a campground here, and still have all of September and the first part of October to fiddle with things and get used to what I need, and what I want.

My Search For The Perfect Camper

I found this adorable vintage 1969 camper trailer on Kijiji. It’s called a FAN ….an acronym for it’s inventor Frederic A Newcomer, which was manufactured in LaGrange, Indiana. Very few of them made their way into Canada. They were guaranteed for a lifetime and feature a one piece roof and unique round centre beam on the chassis for extra stability. This is the highly rare floor model know as a Roadchief, which features a rear kitchen, mid dinette and front gaucho. The raised roof at the front of the trailer was an option to give an extra 6 inches of headroom for the double bunk.

I love the decor she’s got going on inside. Love the colours, the feeling, and some of the vintage accessories. It also has an awning, which is great!

The owner is asking $3,500 for it, and unfortunately I’m not ready to buy just yet. Probably by the fall I’ll be in a better position to purchase something, but for now I’m still doing my research.

I hope that when I’m ready to buy, that this little cutie is still available, and there’s another one that I found online that I’m interested in.

It’s a 1977 Edson Trailer, currently on sale for $1,650. That’s quite a difference from the price of the FAN. I love the colour of the stripes on the outside. This one sleeps 4 people. Dinette converts to a bed and so does the couch. The washroom consist of a corner sink and a toilet. They do have a portable shower unit for outside that comes with this trailer, but I’ll likely be camping in a park, so hot showers will be available anyway. All flooring, curtains and upholstory have been redone. From what I can tell from the pictures, the new flooring looks like a light wood laminate. The appliances run off of propane and electric. Lots of storage. Awning in good shape.

I don’t mind the new upholstery, but it’s not really the vintage look I’m after. I could certainly decorate around it though, so it’s still a contender.

I like the fact that this couch folds out to what looks like a twin size or 3/4 bed. I’d like something that I can leave made up as a bed all the time. I’m not crazy about the thought of having to make up a bunk every morning and night. The only thing that would prevent it is if there are cupboards on the wall facing the sofa, but it might be workable.

The two piece washroom is basically a clean slate! It looks clean and in good shape. Just white, with vintage harvest gold sink and toilet. I can work around that. I should be able to find lots of late 60’s and early 70’s vintage linens and accessories at yard sales, consignment shops, Goodwill, Value Village, and the Salvation Army Thrift Shops.

This is the colour scheme that I’d like to eventually work with.

Isn’t it pretty? And so girly! This is going to be totally MY place. I want it to be feminine. I’m not one for ruffles and lace, but I love vintage jewellery and have quite a collection. I’m planning to incorporate some of my pearls, maybe as curtain tie-backs, some crystal beaded necklaces around lamps, and some drop earrings on whatever I can find to hang them on! The rest will be tailored linens, with soft turquoise, pale green, light tan, and coral. I’m getting so excited planning my new space!

More Research On My Dream Camper

Thoughts From A Happy Place

I’ve done some more research on my favourite camper so far, and asked more questions. In the listing, the owner said the fridge might need some attention, so I asked her how much attention it needs? She said it may or may not work. She said they haven’t tried lighting it in a few years, because it really sucks the propane. Due to my concern she said if it were her, she would just buy a nice used bar fridge to replace it. Considering the trailer is only 15′ long, I wouldn’t want to take up any floor space with a bar fridge.

This is my first red flag that it MAY not be the one for me. I don’t have anyone who can do repairs for me, and to buy a proper RV fridge ranges anywhere from $500 – $900 for a new one, plus the cost of installation…

View original post 655 more words

Comparison Shopping For Trailers

Thoughts From A Happy Place

I started off my search for the perfect camper, with 15′ – 17′ little cuties that were basically the size of a bedroom. They were really sweet, decorated in a cottage style, and were going to be minimal maintenace for me. After about a month of research, I’ve come to the decision that I actually need a bigger trailer than I originally thought.

I was on one web site that dealt with what type of camper you are going to be: RV camper & Weekender; Vacationer; Snowbird; or Full-Timer. I fell into the Snowbird category, because I plan to basically live in it for 5 months of the year. I would occassionally come home to check on things, but the trailer park I want is only about 1.25 hours away, so coming home for appointments, hair cuts, or family functions will be something I can do in one day, and…

View original post 1,863 more words

Downers Who Try To Crush Your Dreams

Thoughts From A Happy Place

I was really excited earlier this afternoon, after speaking with the man from the trailer park I’m interested in going to, and placing a call to someone who had a lovely 34′ trailer for sale. Then my neighbor came over 😦

When I first started talking about camping again, my neighbor thought it was a great idea and was interested in buying a trailer herself. She even asked me if I would mind if she was in the same park as me. Even though I wasn’t really crazy about the idea, I said I wouldn’t mind. Every day she changes her mind about whether she’s going to pursue it or not. So today I started telling her about what I’ve found out about, and that I’m really getting jazzed about everything. She proceeds on a very long-winded and disjointed ramble about it. Long story short, she proceeded to suck all…

View original post 2,465 more words