Trial Run

Last week, after finishing up some nessessary commitments, I threw some supplies into my rv, packed up Izzy, and headed for a campground at Land of the Lakes in western Kentucky.

After setting up, I put Izzy out on her lead and took a few pictures. We were in a nice shady spot. It was a quiet peaceful place with few campers till Saturday.

When I had to be inside, Izzy would sit looking out the screen door watching the many squirrels playing around the tree trunks. She is a great little camping buddy!

There is a real nice playground there for families with children. You can see one of the tent campers back aways in the woods.

And there, was the lake!

Itook Izzy on her leash and walked down to the lake to get some ideas for painting sites.

I was a little blue on my last day there. One more night and I would be going home. Sitting in the camper late in the afternoon, I decided I had a choice to make. I could either set there and dwell on the past.... or I could make the most of the camping time I had left. I knew if I didn't put forth the effort and make a campfire, I'd regret it later.

I got word to the camp atendant by way of a nice camping couple, and they brought the wood. I paid for it and proceeded to start to build my fire. I had gathered small broken branches for starters during the wait. As I worked away at it, my mood began to change and I ended up having a great time of it. I even fried some yellow squash and onions over the fire to have with my left-over KFC and baked beans.

I sat up quite late, enjoying watching the flames and humming tunes. After the fire went out I went in to bed and had a very restfull night. I am already looking forward to my next camping trip.

So Much to Do and Learn!

Thanks to DD who showed me how to run the automatic screw-driver/ drill (?) a few weeks ago, I did learn something. We took the old screen-door off the front entry of the house. It was wood and had warped over time, to where it would not close at the bottom.

Remembering this recently reminded me of all the other things I did not know how to operate. Pressure washer, for one, and how to winterize it; the generator ( in case of another ice storm like we had a few years ago and were without power for a whole week) is another big-y. I learn best by watching and doing with another person; reading instructions flies over my head. Oh how I wished I'd have paid attention to these things while my husband was still alive .....
I am even wishing I knew how to run the bob-cat. I am sure I could find a step ladder or bench.... something to help me climb into it! (Sshhh! don't tell my kids, they will be calling me screaming "don't you dare try it, mom!") The back and side yard need smoothed out, limed, and re-seeded this fall.

But for now I need to start with little things, like changing out the workings of the commode tank in the master bath. It has been running water instead of shutting off when full. Two door knobs and locks also needing changed. There is so much more to do then when there were two of us .......................

New Changes

Now that its just Ms Izzy and me .....

... there are adventures "down the road" for us.

I have decided to take my paintbox on the road. And this delightful senior couple is helping to make my dream come true! Ready to give up the camping life they had advertised their little RV for sale. They were so helpful with information and just as gracious as could be.

I had been thinking about this for some time, as having an RV would serve a 2-fold purpose .... IF ..... I could find an affordable one in good condition. I miss my kids and grands in PA, but don't want to move back because of the winters. I also have other relatives and friends elsewhere. And I have gotten so excited about plein aire painting in the last year. I can pack Ms Izzy right with me!

So yes, I did end up getting this little 20' '89 Chevy Winnebago RV with a little over 30,000 mi on it and in immaculate condition on the inside! With no more rabbits to feed and no more chickens, I am free to come and go. As I know the Lord goes with me wherever I am, I am really looking forward to this next stage in my life!

Limbo

Weird place I seem to be in this week. Like I don't quite know this person who's body I am living in.... The ground under my feet does not seem quite stable .... Kinda like taking a hike and coming to a cliff smack dab in front of you. You can either turn around and go back, cutting the adventure short .... or you can take the leap across the chasm to see where pushing on might lead you. Put another way, you can climb the mountain that is in front of you, or you can stay in the valley ........... indefinitely. Its up to each of us, each and every day.

Aside from knowing I am surely a child of the King, who am I anyway? My life has always been so full, there had never been any question before. I was my husband's helper first off, helping grow a home honey business, raising a family, home-schooling, being a frugal homesteading home-maker, following my painting passion when I could. I was a mom, a grandma, a youth leader, a Bible-school teacher, 4-H organizer and leader, a foster mom, involved in animal husbandry and gardening, a factory worker. All of that involving having a husband and family.

Now for the first time in 48 years I find myself ....... alone......... with no one to depend on me. It is quite a dizzying concept. One thing I do know; I am not ready to retire to a rocking chair, or even an apartment complex for seniors. There is too much of life to be lived yet, and I hope to "live " right up to the moment I die.

A Different Road

It has been 2 months today since I lost my husband, and I was forced onto this road I must travel called Widowhood.

I am sure I must have been in the state of shock for the first 6 weeks, as his death was totally unexpected. I have been through the whole range of emotions, questions, doubts, guilt, sadness, confusion, hollowness in the pit of my stomach, lack of energy, and lack of appetite.

I received a letter in the mail inviting me to a grief and bereavement support meetings. I have gone twice now and feel it is has very beneficial for me to be able to relate to others in like circumstances.

I know that the Lord is my strength and my source, and He will see me through, although at times knowing it in my head and feeling it in my heart is 2 different things.

This blog will be the story of my journey. If sometime in the future I decide to allow others to read it, I pray it can be of some help to those who find themselves in similar situations.