March 2012 - The beginnings

 March 18th, 2012

Well here it is!  Our first post.  We are getting ready to begin our new life of full-time RVing.  Ray endured his second back surgery and on LTD.... so I (Deb) have been doing all of the lifting and  getting the trailer loaded with all the treasures that I cannot part with. I am sure after this summer, another junk out in the trailer will occur.  If I have not used it ..... it stays in storage.   The house goes on the market in two weeks, so the count down is on.  Our dog, Freya ( 2 yr old german shepherd) is quite unsure as to what exactly is happening as she sees all of our stuff moving to and fro.  Even though we have only been in this house for five years it is amazing what is either being sold or junked.   Ray's job since his surgery 2 months ago is to sell whatever he can on Used Nanaimo and with the money he bought a new camera so we will have great pictures for the blog .....at a later date!

The house is looking quite empty.  We plan to have it staged and will stay in the trailer in our driveway while it is up for sale only using the laundry and bathrooms, that way I will not have to clean every day while I am still working.

Insurance Concerns

With full-timing there's a lot of "stuff" going into the Kastle.  After speaking with the insurance agency we needed a new carrier.  We started to look at the replacement value of the contents which is much higher than the typical RV'er.  Our policy provided contents at 25% of trailer replacement value.  We've either taken pictures as everything went in or once in the Kastle.  These pictures are now on a stick drive in a secure location.  We made a list of everything and then "shopped" for replacement value.   This may sound a little over the top but in a total loss you need the coverage.  You may be shocked when you do this exercise. 

 

March 18th

Well.... that took a few hours to get the blog to look somewhat like I envisioned.  I'm sure I will update the photos when my photographer figures out his new camera!

 

March 20th

 Well .....it is trying to snow here in Nanaimo on this first day of spring!!!  Sure make us want to be somewhere sunny and warm .... but ohhhh it snowed in some parts of Arizona and the temperatures have cooled significantly until this weekend. (I'd still rather be there than here working!)

Ray is busy getting the trailer organized, with getting the satelite system working properly with the help of a technician.  Of course, the trailer isn't wired properly from the factory, so no wonder we've been stumped about getting it working properly. 
 

We should be putting the house on the market about April 1st so much dumping of junk has  occurred.  Everything separated into piles, do the kids want it? Do we sell it? Do we pay storage for it? or do we throw it out?  Do we want to take it with us in the trailer....will I really use it?  Lots of decisions.

Freya is sure getting big!

Wyatt and Freya

We met Taunia and husband Jason at their site.  Taunia is Jim Connor's daughter who Ray worked for in the Queen Charlottes.

Well back to dreaming!

March 22nd 

 Well another day for me working and another day for Ray to keep on task with carpet cleaning and getting the sound system working in the 5th wheel.  All of this in anticipation of moving into the trailer and putting the house up for sale next week!  Boring plans for the weekend, painting outside house trim, a large dump run and anything else Ray can throw at me!

Still dreaming!

 

2012-03-24 18:36

 

The rain finally quit!  Today was spent (by me Deb) pressure washing the driveway, porch, sides of house and sundeck.... I am one pooped puppy.  Tomorrow time to touch up exterior trim with oil paint.  The neighbours have declined the purchase of the house like we were hoping after thinking about it for 1 1/2 months so now the push is on.  We should be listing it April 1st or shortly thereafter.  I am making Ray and the dog move into the 5th wheel so the house remains clean other than showering.  So the count is on!

 

2012-03-25 18:17

 

Have to go to work tomorrow for a rest!  Did all of the trim work painting today on the southeast side of the house as the sun was shining and it was warm out.  Went through kitchen cupboards and consolidated spices etc.!  The trailer will be "loaded for bear" by the time I am finished.  The trailer will be picked up tomorrow by Arbutus for fixing the city water system that is leaking and finally, hopefully fixing the freezer door seal!   We have only waited since last June for that.  They will bring it back later this week I hope so I can finish loading it next weekend.  Our exit strategy seems to be on track!

Still dreaming!

2012-03-27 16:57

 

Well today Ray started interviewing real estate agents regarding listing the house.  After watching all of our programs regarding selling and buying on HGTV we know to ask some questions about what they plan to do for us to sell our home quickly.  We may not end up exactly where we hoped ..... but the dream of rving full time is pulling at us and we know that Ray cannot do the yard work any more after his second back surgery.  In a perfect world we would get our price and get it sold quickly....but we will have to be patient and we do have to September before Ray takes a cut in disability pay so fingers crossed.  The sooner it sells then the sooner I can join the crowd of retirees too!

Still dreaming!