17 days to go...

 Packing -  3/4 of my belongings are packed, one thing that this process has taught me is we all collect too much stuff! I'm thankful that for the past year because Anders and I were planning this eventual move so I have already sold or tossed out so much "stuff".   I have only allowed myself one box of Old memories ( my kids school papers, baby books, etc ....)  I already have plans in my new house to have one wall that is full of built in shelves with designated spots of memories, one shelf exclusively for things that were Anders, and I can't wait til I can put them out again already.

Its exciting to be planning my future, yesterday I talked to an electrician whose going to go to my new property to install a new 30amp outlet outside to hitch up my camper to. This will make it so I won't have to worry about blowing fuses when I fire up the microwave or the toaster over  .. and if I find I need it I can get another one of those cool 4.2 amp infrared heaters for my bedroom.  He is also going to work on a quote on wiring up my new mini home.  

Also great news for me I have so many people lined up to help me move my heart is overflowing and a couple 3 hours from here who offered but I said thanks but no way, but I'm so touched that they offered to help, Lisa your a good friend but stay home * insert heart here!  I'm so happy that I have finally relaxed about the whole scenario, I'll stay in the Cabin until the Camper can be moved , heck I might even bring a can of paint to cover up the weird walls and I'll hang up some of my paintings and pictures in there to make it look....  well better!  

Still waiting for the closing confirmation from my lawyer but meanwhile I pack a little everyday, and look forward to my journey.

Don't worry be happy

😎  Yes I have indeed decided to NOT worry anymore.....I wonder how long will this last? 

I miss you Anders....

Can't control what happens so whats the point of worrying? I have to try to channel my inner voice of Anders as he never worried about ANYTHING! I remember being with him on his ship and we were at a dock somewhere, ( if I mentioned this story he would know exactly where this happened he remembered everything!) Anyhow , sitting there in his office on the ship doing a crossword puzzle while he worked, all of a sudden the lights flickered off and then on. He looked at me and I said, what was that? " nothing" , So they flickered again, a bit longer this time. " No worries , thats not my department" ....okay then an alarm went off....." okay now THATS my department, lets go up to the wheelhouse, and I said "why", " oh thats the fire alarm"  i was freaking out, he was calm and just got on the radio to get the situation ...it was over in a half hour or less. He was so good at his job, Captain, fire chief, whatever.

Anyhow I'm packing, a little at a time as I still have 18 days to go, so I'm forcing myself to NOT pack everything yet. Whats nice is the buyers are keeping my big TV a my dining room table, chairs, beds, so I will have places to sit and sleep even the night before closing...thats one big happy face for me.

Have decided that I will lease a UHAUL on Saturday the 13th ( if indeed the closing stays at the 15th) will pack Saturday and Sunday if I need both days, Go to the closing on Monday and start unpacking, Will move the camper the next day so will spend the first night in the cabin with the wood stove ( after we get the chimney cleaned) course moving the camper is dependent on weather and good roads, so you know what? I'm not worried about that either, because I can stay in the cabin ( even though whew its rough) But it will be fine, just like camping..:) Once again, I'm so looking forward to this. Simple living, enjoying nature, healing my soul!

19 days to go

 

So I made it through my first Thanksgiving and Christmas without Anders, thanks to my supporting friends , wonderful family and an invite to my wonderful son in laws family's Christmas Eve get together.  Brief moments of guilt would creep in with my subconscious whispering "really should you be laughing right now? Your husband passed away just a short time ago" But you know, I know very well that's exactly what he would of wanted. His whole life he hated seeing anyone sad. So I powered through. 

The hardest part is seeing my Grandchildren's achievements  knowing just how proud he would be of them seeing them play sports, create things, etc and then I have to go back to my belief that those that pass away are still here with us watching those achievements. So once again I power through.  

I took down the Christmas Tree the day after Christmas only because I wanted to give it to my goats, they LOVE Christmas trees. It made them so happy. :) After all thats what its all about making people and critters happy..:)

I spent a lot of time packing up more stuff yesterday getting out of the Holiday Season ups and downs and getting back into the , holy crap how am I going to do this, sell one house, buy some land, move the camper, move all my stuff, my chickens, dogs and cats.....breathe Donna!

I can't WAIT until this is all done and I'm at the land, living day to day, planning what I want to do tomorrow...

So now I'm living with piles of storage crates and piles of stuff waiting , I sent a request through the realtor to see if they would let me move in the day before closing since that way it would be a Sunday when hopefully there would be more people available to help versus on Monday a work day. If so I'll spend my first night in the "cabin" and then the camper could come in the next day when the driveway didn't have so much traffic.  My brain is on over drive. Course they might say no, and I haven't got the official ITS ON ! The appraisal is finished and the value was found though so now just waiting for the underwriters and the lawyers to say good to go.

Meanwhile I can't believe its almost January and I'm out doing chores in a shortsleeved shirt.  BUT now I'm hoping that this weather holds out until January 15th!  Today I'll pack up more stuff , maybe even haul some stuff out to the garage incase the sellers so nope you can't move in until closing day and the buyers want in the house on closing day....what a crazy system...so anyhow if your reading this stay tuned if there is anyway you can help carry stuff out of the house or in the house, or drive some stuff to the land in the back of your truck or car...:) I'll buy the pizza!

Its Christmas?

 So yes Christmas is coming, I did put up a tree but admit to not spending too much time decorating it, The lights are peaceful though and I put Anders Santa Hat on top.  Izzy said I needed to put the presents under the tree so I did that too, Christmas shopping was a bit different too, I really wasn't in to it and not really sure how I did but I'm done so thats that.  I guess Christmas just isn't the same this year understandably, hoping next year I can partake in it a little more.

Wednesday the house was appraised, the person who came said she already checked out the comps and didn't feel there would be a problem getting the value out that the buyers offered but I'm still not packing anymore until I get the official word. I've done a bit more though, One room upstairs totally empty, cleaned and door shut. The master has just a couple things to bring down with some assistance so I don't scratch the new floor up there. 

I'm amazed how little I have to move since I've cleaned out so much and the buyers are keeping a bunch of larger items I offered them. Simplifying is awesome. 

I've been making lists, lists and more lists, things I need to buy, people I need to call, things I need to do, you name it, I've been chatting up a lot on the facebook group I belong to , surviving winter in an RV, they have given me so many tips on winterizing my camper!  You'd be surprised how many people live in a RV full time, and so many who live in the northern states and Canada. I really like it when I'm taking to people and they support me and not tell me I'm crazy and I'm going to freeze to death *insert crazy face here. I'm still really excited about it, although still stressing a bit about the logistics of the actual move so I try not to think about it , I've actually slept amost 8 hours for a few nights in a row with the help of my magic benadryl tablet.  So somethings have eased my mind a bit, others not so much.  

I'm so happy that the longest night has passed. the days are starting to get longer and it won't be long until we notice the difference!  I so look forward to spending so very much outside again. It's been years since I've been able to spend all day outdoors.  

So the next step is to get through Christmas and New Years Even without Anders, remembering the games we used to play while watching the ball drop. I'll probably watch some movies and play games on my computer.  then it will be pack, pack, pack, and start moving somethings into the camper. whew.....

Being Grateful for what I DO have...

 So much joy in my life yesterday *insert big heart here! My two wonderful Granddaughters spent the day with me, we played games, watched a movie, took apart more lego sets, did some crafting/art. Also before we left their house for mine when I picked them up, I got a video chat call from my Children and Grandchildren in Germany * another heart here!  It is a season that brings so much joy but admit it's not the same for sure this year.  For the most part though I'm mostly able to hold it together by thinking and being grateful for 

1. The time Anders and I did have together and all the fun we had and joys we shared, sure those memories bring some tears but I know they always will and thats okay.

2. For my family all of them , children, grandchildren, sisters, brother ( and the in laws too!), aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Love them all and appreciate every message I get from them.

3. For the fact I have a roof over my head and food enough to eat and to feed my critters.

4. My three kitties, two dogs, chickens and goaties. ( for those who haven't heard because of my concern of a big move for the goaties, I asked and the new owners of my current house have offered to keep my goaties so they can live out their lives here where they are familiar and feel safe. Goats don't handle stress well at all and I'm so grateful for them for doing this for me.)

5. Grateful for all my friends, those I get to see in person and those who support me from a far thats one good thing about the internet! Also the fact that so far I have two offers of help with loading up my UHAUL on the 14th - would love all the help I can get as I admit now this is my biggest stress factor ( there has to be something right?! )  

Loading the Uhaul on the 14th, then 15th selling one house, then buying property later in the day, hopefully the weather cooperating so that Ryan can move my camper to my property,  I went to look and indeed the people taking care of the property have had the driveway plowed so that there is room to park it . But honestly if he can't move it that day I can stay in the cabin until he moves it or in the camper where it sits at my daughters so I really should stop worrying about that part....( easier said than done) I need to make a set of steps with a landing for the camper for the dogs though as Whiskey just turned 13 and the current steps on the camper I'm pretty sure he won't like ) Which is why I may spend the first night on the couch in the cabin. 

This is where my camper will sit way back there , I look forward to moving all the wood piles  and burning them in the wood stove inside that "cabin" . I am excited but I just need the logistics of the move to happen * insert crazy face here! 

Friday I laid down so puzzle mats on the non carpeted part of the main camper floor and got some scatter rugs to help with wet dog and people feet. I have a big rug I'll put down there once its moved and leveled because the slide out exposes more of the floor. its going to be so cozy. I also got window covers for the really cold nights and clear plastic to cover them all to help with the drafts. I installed my new Electric heater, will need help installing the propane one once moving day gets closer.

Here it is with the slide out ,  What makes this doable with all the critters is the fact there is a garage, and inclosed spot for my chickens and the "cabin" where a wood stove resides so we can all hang in there if we feel cooped up on a day to crappy to do stuff outside. Although both my dogs laze the day away mostly so I imagine Montgomery on the big bed in the gooseneck , whisky on the couch and me in the rocker chair, hanging out while I read, puzzle, crochet, or watch movies on those days . Course Montgomery loves to be outside but will have to be on a run as he will run away otherwise , Whiskey I'm grateful is a homebody and never ventures away from Mom. As soon as I'm able I'll be fencing in some of the yard for the chickens and dogs.

Yes some think this is crazy, but I can't wait for it to happen, I'm totally lost in this "big" house now, two floors of rooms that I have no use for.  Course in February I'll be making lots of phone calls getting quotes on building my new little house..:)  My adventure is getting closer  28 days to go! 

Another Day in my life

So yesterday I decided to take a break from my brain and took a walk to the store, it's not that far away so total was only a 1 1/2 miles but it felt good to get out for a walk, got a nice cup of beef stew from their Deli so win, win. My days are filled with slowly packing up boxes, taking apart my mass of lego sets, wrapping Christmas gifts, watching movies, playing games on my I pad , doing crossword puzzles. Somehow I can't read yet and can't get my brain wrapped around my usual workouts which I know would make me feel great but I'll get back to it I know once things are more settled.

I bought this ship captain statue years ago at Christmas Tree shop, its so funny because it looks so much like Anders :) Eventually he will stand guard out on my teeny houses front porch. He was standing in the closet and while cleaning it out I found Anders briefcase and the last suitcase he used traveling to the ship. In it, his "lost" wallet,  a plastic bag with notes from the guys at the golf course when they ran a "vote him out" campaign, that was so funny. Those guys sure knew how to have fun, the last few times he was able to golf with me helping him putt, my heart was overwhelmed by their kindness. 

Yesterday I got an email from his company that I needed to fill out paperwork for his pension etc, Then of course that made me realize I needed to do the same for Canada Pension as well. I spent 4 hours or more printing and filling out forms , looking for documents, today I'll get signatures and documents certified . Happy that I have a friend who went through this 7 years ago so I have an idea how its all going to work out.  Its a bit stressful for sure and another reason I'm happy that the house sale is in.....a month and a day!  Speaking of which realtor called yesterday to tell me that the appraisal is scheduled for next Wednesday! One more hurdle to cross and then I'll start moving everything I can move myself to the main level of the house.

So far I have two people ( Jen and Nancy <3) ( plus I'm sure my family) available to help move boxes to the u haul and out. The more the merrier! What I'm happy about is I'm only moving a few things that I can't move out to the U haul myself! Starting over from almost scratch and really working to live more simply is great. Somehow with the help of a tiny Benadryl pill slept 8 hours last night plus the sun in shinning so thinking a walk after lunch will be in order. Currently watching George my deck Squirrel eating his daily sunflower seeds, he's around so much the dogs are even used to him ! 

Count down 32 days .....

I

 

Its getting real

The universe attempting to get me to relax.... 

Everyday is a reminder that this sale and sale and move is going to happen and coming closer! Yesterday the future owners of my current property came in to take some measurements for some projects they are going to do before their move in. So one last time the dogs and I headed out and drove to Big Lots for more plastic storage totes. Boxes will do fine for some stuff but clothes, my fabric etc I'd rather not have critters attempting to move in and get cozy seeing as though I really don't know the time line of my future home since in my attempt to NOT stress myself further I am waiting to get quotes on excavating the site, cement, and framing until I have crossed a few bridges here.  

Hoping to close on the same day January 15th, will the weather be okay to move my camper? Will the current owners of my new property have the driveway cleared well enough to get the camper down in front of the garage, will I be able to get Freds to attach a big propane tank to the camper so I don't have to keep filling 20lb tanks, can I get an electrician to hook up a dedicated outlet outside for my camper so I don't have to worry about blowing fuses. Hoping to have some folks help to load the u haul on the 14th and unload it on the 15th.  Do I send out a party invite? *insert heart/smilie face here.  Whats the weather going to be like, praying it won't be freezing, when Anders and I moved here we were blessed with a "feb thaw" in January, can I hope for that again?

Yea so sleep well some nights better than others, since that isn't even my entire list...plus the fact Anders chair sits in front of my empty. 

Now don't get me wrong I am excited about the move ONCE I GET THERE!  Sorry I shouted..:) But I so am, getting up everyday to the quiet of the woods, getting a fire started in the cabin, carrying for my animals, walking along a road with such beautiful views of the mountains. On nice days having a campfire in my front yard , taking walks with friends, and yes even getting those phone calls made for quotes on the stages of my future home and planning Anders going away party.  ( I still don't know what to call it but I kinda like going away party, he didn't want a funeral or a celebration of life I think mainly because he hated seeing people sad, so in a way I am kinda liking the fact that the party will happen in spring when the pain of his loss isn't quite so biting. ) Still deciding where to have it, as I think my daughter is right having on my new property isn't really feasible since there is no where to park. Those details can be worked out later though.

This page is definitely  showing you how my brain is working too many things to think about. Meanwhile I am packing a little at a time since I have a month left here so I don't want to pack up everything but once the appraisal is done I'll move everything to the main floor at least.

Oh the kitties are in for a surprise! 

Roller Coaster Riding

 

You're thinking "Why did she post a photo of a package of bagels?"  Ya, I know I did it there is a point to the photo.

So yesterday I went and ran some errands, I have a love/hate relationship with errands these days. I used to go through the stores saying Hi or good morning to everyone I saw, now days I admit I almost avoid eye contact incase I see someone I know and they stop me to say how sorry they are. Hey, I totally get it and I do appreciate it but then that grief that I had tucked inside gets a chance to leak out. There are some places in the store that I'm more vulnerable to that . The deli, where I always bought Anders a 4" thick chunk of Havarti cheese for his fancy danish sandwiches, Oranges for awhile there during Chemo he ate 8 of those clementines everyday, theres a few other spots too but this time it was the bagels that bit me. I love Cinnamon/Raisin he hated them so I never bought them. So when I picked them up I had to stop and take a few deep breaths. Silly thing to tear up over bagels...

It was a dry warmish day yesterday so with Anders talking in my ear I knew I should get the car washed. Thing is I HATE the car wash, all last year or so I was going alone but I would always call him while I was there his voice has ALWAYS calmed me. So yep I had to buckle up and deal with it. I survived to tell the story and I know every time I go it will get easier.  My stop at Agway to get grain, minerals, salt and birdseed had no issues as he rarely went into there with me.  

I came home put away the groceries and packed up another box of stuff, I'm glad I have over a month to do this as I still am freaking out over how the transition is all going to happen. 

Pack up current home in U haul , less the things the buyers said they'll keep thankfully my bed so I will have a place to sleep that night!  Go to closing on current home thankfully new owners say okay leave the u haul till you can move it. *insert heart here   Go to closing on land , move u haul to land , when will camper get there? All depends on the weather, If the weather is nasty thankfully I can just stay in it where it sits until Ryan can move it.  Once its there I need to build some nice wooden steps to make it easier to get in and out of it.  Plug it in to the cabins electric current and take a deep breath! Then I'll have an electrician put in a dedicated RV plug outside the cabin along with an outlet to plug in some lights I can hang around to light up the area in front of the cabin at night for when I need to bring out the dogs, and have Freds come up to hitch the big propane tank to the camper for my stove and space heater. I'll also need to build a roost for my little chickens and an area where then can get there food but the goats can't since they'll be in the same area for now.  Although once again new owners say I can leave them as long as I need to *insert another big heart here. All the while my brain thinks of this paragraph as until I'm there I will wonder...

My brain got a break for a bit though when my family came up and got a Christmas tree from my neighbor and I decided I would too since she sells them for $25.00 so it will make a good snack for the goats later , yes I'm going to move a Christmas tree.  First time I have decorated one for years though as the girls have usually have done it, it was my wonderful son in laws birthday yesterday though so they had things to do . <3  I picked the colored lights because they seem more cheery to me than straight white, I wanted them to twinkle but for some reason I couldn't find the twinkle bulbs.  I just picked the first 20 ornaments I grabbed out of the box in no particular order and put Captain bear and Anders santa hat on top. Looking at it actually makes me smile which is a great thing!

Big storm coming tonight I guess into tomorrow could get a ton of heavy snow so I'm going to take it easy as I'll be shoveling the deck a lot ....wheeeee!

Lists , Lists and more Lists !

 

This photo I "borrowed" from one of the groups I belong to on Facebook, people who live in their campers/RV full time all year round all over the country. So for those who greet me with "YOUR GOING TO FREEZE" instead of way to go, have fun, this is for you :) 

Now keep in mind I am NOT going to live in my camper forever, just until I get my little 650' house build and ready to move into.Once I'm there, I honestly am not going to rush about it, I want to make this as stressless as possible I've had enough of that for a lifetime.

I am a list maker, I always have been. I get up in the morning and think about the things I need to do for the day and I write it down. Now I have lists of lists....I'm hoping it makes for a more peaceful transition.  I am starting to make piles of things that will go to the camper of course: things for entertainment games, art materials, cooking, eating, cleaning, things to keep me warm. Another pile to go in the "cabin" which are things I might want easy access to: my extra clothes, sewing machine, my business stock and fabric all which will be stored in plastic totes, a couch to sit by the wood stove with the dogs and then the rest will get stored in the garage for either permanent  storage or until the house is built.  

My Grandchildren were here for a bit yesterday we watched Christmas movies , Izzy crafted, Maddy and I played some games. It was just what I needed Love those girls so much!

I emptied out the chicken coop/greenhouse yesterday of everything except the chickens and their food and water. They will be easy to move I have a couple crates and luckily I only have 9 chickens, I hope my new neighbor across the road won't mind hearing Coffee my little rooster!  The goats I still am wondering about them, I worry that this move is going to stress them out and being senior citizens thats really not a great thing. But I'll do everything I can to make it easier for them.  

We've got a big storm coming in tomorrow so I'm going to run into town to get a few things so this addition to my upcoming journey will end now. 

The wait begins

 

Christmas is weeks away but admit not feeling the joy of the Holiday season for reasons I'm sure you totally understand. However because of this venture I'm on I'm not engulfed in grief I'm looking towards the future.  I am so grateful that Anders and I were able to talk about all this in the last few months before he passed.  He was such a brave man, never complained and was never afraid. Not sure if he did this for my benefit or not but I'm thinking yes, he hated to see people sad. Regardless he prepared me for this future and I'm grateful.

I'm not putting many decorations out, just enough to make the place colorful. I treasure things I have that have been passed down or given to me from family for this season, gives me a connection somehow to them.  

This week I got my heaters for the Camper as I don't expect the onboard HVAC to do much in Vermont winters. I got a really neat electric infrared heater that evidently you can actually heat your house with if you put one in every room, it only pulls 4.2 amps so will help me not blow fuses in the camper something my online "surviving winter in an RV" has taught me! I also got a highly recommended propane heater that I'll only use in the daytime. Course once I'm actually living in it I'll get some foam insulation to skirt the bottom and the gooseneck and slide out. Insulate windows and the door. Yes I've research this venture!  Some think I'm crazy, but you know I'm excited about it. HONEST!  

BTW I didn't HAVE to sell my house I could of stayed here forever but it just feels so empty, its way to big for just me and my critters and way too much land for me to take care of when I really want to enjoy my life. The last seven years I've spent caring for my Husband and I wouldn't trade that for anything. Thru sickness and in health , when we say those vows no one really considers what it truly means, ask me I can tell you.  Anyhow, I look forward to going back to the gym, to walking, hiking, doing some fun runs, working on cleaning up my new property as oh my its has plenty to do but luckily less that an acre!

Here is where I'll be living for the winter :) How cool is this?

Now here is my future....:)  I can't wait to sit out under the covered porch and watch the rain.

Yesterday I said I was going to take a run to the dump and to Big Lots however I didn't. I ended up taking longer than I thought to clean out more stuff from drawers etc, and replacing the zipper on Izzys coat. It's cold out today 6F currently  but a clear blue sky, ( always sunny on really cold days since there are no clouds to cover us in a cozy cloud blanket in the winter) Anyhow I will run those errands today.  While I wait for the word on my house to be appraised for its future owners.  Once thats done that I will really start packing. :) 

One day at a time

So a week after Anders passed, a piece of property came up for sale on the same road my daughter and her family live on. It was interesting as it is on a road I've always loved and it had storage, a well, septic, electric and a rough apartment. Well I did make an offer on that land and we worked it out but during the house inspection we found a lot of issues, second to the fact that because it was vacant so long some one had decided to come along and broke in by ripping out an air conditioner left in a window, and they proceeded to rip out copper piping, the  heat was off so pipes burst and whalla no more apartment to live in. However it does still have all the other amenities so another deal was made and yes this is where I will be in the near future. Plenty of storage to keep all my belongings in the garage section since I have really downsized. It feels good to just keep whats important.  

There is also a handy spot for my little goats and chickens , I'll be lugging water from the Johnson spring until spring since I can't turn on the water there since the pipes were cut and I don't want to spend the money to heat it , however I may keep the wood stove burning in there maybe...as its only 350' in the apartment So you say, where will you live then? Whats your plan?

Here it is my future home! ( for now)

A 31' Nomad camper with bump out , sleeps six so plenty of room for me, my two dogs and three cats. I've joined two groups on facebook with people who live in these campers year round full time and learned a lot of things I can do to keep warm in the winter.  I look forward to the peace of winter, doing the chores of surviving , walking, reading , watching movies , snowshoeing and planning my future.

For now though, yesterday I spent cleaning out the drawers in the living room, listed a piece of furniture for sale ( someone coming to pick it up today!) I feel lucky that the people buying my house are going to keep some of the bigger pieces of furniture I have here, whew! Beds! My hand painted chairs, Tv yay! So here in the living room, just the couch, a table a few end tables and lamps and thats it for this room! Well a few boxes of stuff too can't wait til the house appraisal is done and I start putting everything in one room to figure out how big a van I need to move! 

Today I'm going to go through the stuff in the garage and run to the dump again....sounds like fun? Well its progress....Oh and the closing has been changed to the 15th and I begged the lawyer to figure out a way for both to happen on the same day he doesn't promise that will happen but the buyers have vowed to take care of the goats and chickens and let me park the u haul here until closing on the land ( my heart melts at ever kind gesture and it lets me know even further that I made the right choice on who would live here and take care of this property like we did) 

Today I'm going to replace a zipper in my Grand daughters coat, and clean out the drawers in the dining room, might make a trip to big lots to see if they have those good plastic storage boxes with lids that shut tight. Then a person comes at 2:00 to pick up that piece of furniture that even though I listed it this summer and no one wanted it, now because I listed it for almost nothing people are coming out of the woodwork wanting it and saying I didn't ask enough for it. Go figure. 

The passing of an important life.

 Once again I've decided to restart my blog on suggestion from my sister so she can keep track of my life as it is about to change big time well, actually its already changed big time but day by day from now on its leading me in a different direction.

     My husband Anders passed away a month ago today as I type this. Even typing this its hard to believe. I know he's not here but for anyone who has known me awhile knows that even though we were together for 22 years 1/2 that time he was on a ship so honestly it feels like he's just gone back to work.  Funny thing is? When he passed I think thats just what he did. If you believe in life after death as I do then you understand how I could feel his spirit just up and leave when he slipped away. He loved his job , something not many people can claim. He was proud of his position as a ship Captain, As I was so proud of him too. We all heard the stories of how big the ship was and so many of his adventures, He was a very well respected Captain though and did things with that ship that many can't even do in a car!  

     Regardless, he loved his Grandchildren and his golf Game oh yes and me too , he called me his Country Girl, our life was filled with laughter and love.  We loved to play games, backgammon, badminton and mini golf.  Often having year long competitions that would end on New Years Eve with the winner having bragging rights for the rest of the year.  Unfortunately each of those fun things ended as his health declined year after year after his diagnoses of mesothelioma 7 years ago. 

     Last fall we decided that life would be easier if we sold our home and got a small place with an acre of land, less for me to care for and closer to our family .  We thought we'd be taking that step together but once again, his heath took a sudden turn for the worse so during the last few months of his life we talked about my future and what it would look like , it made him feel better to know I would be okay. Even the last few days of his life he would crack jokes just to make me smile.  

    I got the house cleaned, painted, patched and friends helped me put down a new floor upstairs, my wonderful son in law helped me fix up the stairs going down to the 1/2 finished basement. The house was listed last Wednesday and yesterday I signed a contract with closing on the 19th of January. He will be coming with me by way of his Urn and his ashes that I will spread on my new property ( we discussed that too) 

    So I take the steps alone but I know he watches over me from time to time, I'll fill you in on my next steps soon.

Donna Mae