Camping Research

There is so much information online that it's overwhelming. At the same time, it feels like there isn't enough. I'm researching for our first Airstream journey next week, and it's exhausting.

Originally we thought we'd go to Usery or Lost Dutchman to try out the trailer for the first time, but the weather here right now is ridiculous. Yes those campgrounds are close to home and don't require us to maneuver many winding roads or steep climbs, but did you hear me say it's 107 degrees? I'm not camping in the desert in 107 degrees. There are hardly any trees, it's all dusty, and it's freaking hot. So the mountains it is.

We decided on Payson because it's the closest cooler place. The forecast calls for rain on Monday, though, so I took a brief, manic detour in my research to find out more about the Grand Canyon. I think that trip may be a little too ambitious for our first time, so I'm back to focusing on Payson.

To avoid the rain and allow it to dry out (That should only take a few hours since it's still Arizona.), we'll head up the mountain on Tuesday and back down on Friday. Hopefully our batteries last that long as there are no electrical hook-ups. We'll conserve. We're good at that. There are some hikes we've wanted to check out for a while, so we'll do that and maybe go play in a creek. We'll explore, play, and relax.

In the meantime, I've been looking through campground maps, online campsite photos, and site details. Attempting to find the perfect campsite to reserve without seeing it in person is enough to drive a person mad. I'm trying really hard to locate our spot but probably not hard enough on staying sane. There's so much to consider. Back-in or pull-through? Shady or sunny? Will the Airstream's door face the campsite or the other way? These things matter to me, so I'm doing my best to find just the right spot, and I'm afraid of leaving anything to chance at least this time. Thank you, camping websites and Google Earth.

I think I've done all I can today. My eyes won't stay open, and campsites are starting to jumble together in my brain. My pal Aimee is heading to New York City next week, and she said she's studying Central Park like there's going to be a test! We're cut from the same mold, and I think we should both call it a day and get a fresh, focused start tomorrow morning. We'll probably find exactly what we're looking for as soon as we get back from our morning runs. Here's hoping.

Butterfly in the Crosswalk

Do you know that scene in You've Got Mail when Kathleen Kelly sees the butterfly in the subway? I was reminded of that this morning.

I was driving Elizabeth to tennis camp, and we were stopped at a red light. We were the first car at the light, and as I was looking ahead a butterfly flew right in front of our car. I exclaimed, "Look at that butterfly in the crosswalk!" We both smiled and watched it cross the street.

After it got to the corner, it turned right and crossed the road again in the crosswalk. Then it made another right and crossed that side of the street in the crosswalk. We kept smiling in awe but lost it after that. It was the weirdest thing. I love weird.

Fall Break So Far

It's only Day 3 of our fall break, yet I feel like so much has happened.

We bought a car. I laundered all our clothes. We visited GiGi. We witnessed a lunar eclipse. Elizabeth started tennis camp, and Matthew entertained a friend. Brian and Matthew toured the police station with cub scouts this evening, and I spent today trying to figure out where our first camping trip in the Airstream will be.

Looking ahead, we still don't know exactly where we'll go, but it's happening next week. It won't be too far, but it will be far enough away to get out of these 100 degrees and into some shady pines. We're leaning towards a three-day trip to Payson. We're learning the ropes and excited to start this adventure!

Pièce de Résistance

All those people who may have been thinking we put the cart before the horse can now, well, stop thinking that. Last night, after much ado, we purchased our Airstream's tow vehicle. With the help of our sales associate Bobby Kennedy (completely true and totally had me feeling good about this) and zero help from a bitchy sales manager (whom I may have mentioned in a previous blog), we now own a 2010 Platinum Toyota Sequoia. Our rig is complete.

After we made the deal, I brought the kids home while Brian sealed it with the dealership. He finally drove it home, literally, at 11:30 pm. We moved some cars around and managed to fit it into our garage. It dwarfs our Highlander; look at that little elf!

We still have the Honda. Brian's going to drive that thing until the engine falls out. For now we plan to use the Sequoia predominantly on trips, and we may sell the Highlander once we both feel comfortable in the Sequoia. It's the most car either of us has ever driven, so it's going to take some getting used to. It rides pretty smoothly for its size, but parking is another issue. I'll be going at a snail's pace in parking lots for a while and probably doing a lot of backing up and pulling forward and backing up and pulling forward and backing up.... You get the idea.

Now that we have our tow vehicle, the pressure is on to hitch up the Airstream and get going. We have our rig. It's color-coordinated. Our list of destinations is long. Now all we need is some nerve.

Why Ya Gotta Be So Mean?

I was introduced to a woman tonight. Within twenty minutes I called her mean right to her face. She was being mean. She was also just doing her job.  But I know I hurt her feelings, and almost immediately I was angry at myself for being mean.

I don't know her story. I don't know if she was having a horrid kind of day. I don't know her at all. The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became. She's probably one tough broad, but what if she isn't? The odds of me having this kind of effect are slim, but what if my words were her tipping point?

I emailed her and apologized. If she laughed, I don't even care.

Karma. It gets me every time.

Negative Nelly to Positive Paula

Fall break came at a good time.

Elizabeth's eye is puffy tonight. Not sure if it's pink eye, but we'll have that checked out tomorrow. I guess it's a good time to get sick; she won't miss school.

I feel like I'm coming down with a head cold. Today my eyes were watery so I had to wear my glasses, and my nose was running so I sported a red nose. I feel rundown and tired. I see a few days of rest in my future. Because I can!

Lastly, maybe a two-and-a-half week vacation from school will help cease the talk about the school's wing-eating contest two days ago. We get it. Teachers ate wings. Fast. The wings were spicy. Then the most competitive man won. The whole thing was disgusting. There is nothing shocking about any of it except that people enjoyed watching it. I'm so glad I couldn't be there and am looking forward to everyone putting that one to bed already.

It's time to forget about school and relax for eighteen glorious days.

The Field Trip from Hell

I've been on many field trips with my kids. I've even been on field trips as a substitute a couple times. While they are usually loud, chaotic, and take forever, they are also usually fun. This third time, though, was not.

I'm a decent substitute teacher. I guess so because teachers ask me back. I follow the plans, keep the kids in line, and normally manage to have fun. I'm great when things go as planned. However, let's just say I'm not someone you want to have around in an emergency situation, and if bodily fluids are involved, well, count me out. You think you know where this is going, but you don't.

It all started off well at our city's Environmental Education Center. Three moms came along, and each was in charge of six kids. I had seven kids and, as expected, had some of the kids with behavioral issues. We did ok, but maybe that's only because halfway through the trip I had to abandon my group.

One of the mom volunteers let me know a girl in her group was crying. "She won't stop. She says she doesn't feel well." So I went and got her and she stayed with me for a while. She said her head hurt really bad, and she would cry off and on. When she told me her belly hurt, we hurried inside to the restroom. We made it no farther than the lobby when she stopped in her tracks and vomited.

I turned to look at her, and my face probably scared her to death. Her nose was bleeding into her mouth, and her vomit was bloody, too. I grabbed another teacher to get some help, and I rushed her to the bathroom in case more was on the way. By now, both this kid and I were frantic. I'd never seen anything like that, and my first thought was that she was hemorrhaging. I'm not a doctor or nurse, but she'd been telling me her head hurt so my irrational state of mind assumed she was bleeding out of her head? I don't know. My thoughts went to all kinds of bad places in a very short amount of time.

Our feet led us to the bathroom to clean her up, though. As one might expect at a place called an Environmental Education Center, there were zero paper towels in that restroom, and there's only so much you can do with two-ply toilet paper. The amount I would use was not environmentally friendly. When the guy arrived with a first aid kit, he put on gloves and took over while I washed my hands with enough soap and water to also be considered environmentally unfriendly.

After she was cleaned up and settled for a bit, she had some water and they gave her some crackers. I sat with her for about forty-five minutes before the principal arrived to take her back to school. Then I washed my hands of all of it, literally and figuratively.

I don't know what happened after that. I hope the school nurse was able to contact her parents so she could go home. Her day was definitely worse than mine, and I hope she's feeling better soon.

I'm off field trips for a while. Also, this would be a good time for it to be Friday. Ugh. One more day and then we're all off for two and a half weeks. Fall break, you are right on time.

Foiled by Facebook

You know I was off Facebook for about a year and a half, and life was pretty darn sweet. For the most part, I was relaxed, calm, and in a good mood. I was blissfully ignorant about all that was happening with my "friends." Then I accidentally hit a button, and I was back on the book. However, this time I took precautions for the benefit of my emotional well-being by hiding close to everyone except Moms Demand Action and its sister organizations. I was not going to be bothered by photos of what people made for dinner, envious of the fabulous nights out people were having, annoyed by photos of pre-teens standing with their hands on their hips as though they are posing for paparazzi on the red carpet, or disgusted by comments made by my friends' friends.

It's been three months since I rejoined, and let's just say things are grim again. When you remove everything except something that is, at its core, so negative, your news feed becomes quite dark. Everyone hears about the mass shootings, but not everyone hears about the mom in North Carolina who shot her children's father right outside the elementary school while children looked on in horror. Or the thirteen-year-old boy in Indiana who shot a three-year-old because he didn't realize the gun he was playing with was real. Or the South Dakota man who killed his wife, four children, set their house on fire, and then killed himself. Or the Alabama man who sat down in church next to his girlfriend and then shot her in the shoulder, their infant son in the hand, and then the preacher in the leg. All these incidents, and loads more, happened within the past three days. I'm telling you; it's grim. 

I know I'm supposed to be inspired to act but, to be honest, it's starting to feel like there's no way to change Americans' minds about guns. They want them. They think they need them. They believe they're safer with them even though statistics prove that they are not. Everyone needs to get a clue. Perhaps if everyone read what I'm reading..... It all boils down to this. The risk of harm is greater if you have a gun. It's greater. 

Just ask this guy from the best article I read on Facebook this week. Click and read. Thanks for that one, Facebook. Really.

Sit Down and Shut Up

This afternoon I went to the first of four Parent Advisory Council meetings at the school district's administrative offices. A parent representative from each school sits in on a meeting with the superintendent once per quarter. It's a way for the higher-ups to connect with parents, and our superintendent does most of the talking. She has a presentation prepared, we listen, and she opens it up to questions or concerns. I say nothing yet enjoy observing the parents who are apparently unable to say nothing.

The only time I do speak is when she requests that we introduce ourselves by stating our name, the school we are representing, and mentioning any other schools our children may be attending or have attended. I say those three things. Then I marvel at some of the other parents who have so much more to say. Such as:

• I've been involved in every other volunteer opportunity at the school, so naturally the  principal asked me if I would be on this council, too.

• I'm also on the booster club board. My wife and I are the booster club. And I teach Art Masterpiece to, oh, about eight classes.

There were more, but I can't remember their exact words. Rest assured, any additional information suggested that we should all bow down to their awesomeness.

We're all volunteers. Yes, principals know us, know we care about our children's education, know we are interested in supporting our school, know we don't have a steady day job, and that's why we were asked to be there. But thanks for letting us know you are a super volunteer, lady. You too, booster club president and Art Masterpiece teaching extraordinaire. You're most definitely better than the rest of us.

The superintendent is a class act, so she was patient, gracious, and appreciative with her thanks. Now that's worth bowing down to.

Weekend in the Woods

We spent Friday evening through Sunday morning in the pines near Flagstaff. Matthew's cub scout den went to Camp Raymond just outside of Williams, and all but one of the families were able to attend. So, for maybe the last time, we (over)loaded our Highlander and headed up the mountain with our camping gear.

It's quite interesting to see how other families do things. Sometimes I found myself thinking, That's a great idea! Other times, I stopped myself from saying aloud, You're doing it wrong. I know I've learned a lot about camping in the last few years--mostly from my friend Jennifer--and new campers are easy to spot. They fall into one of two extremes: they have nothing or they have the best of everything. I saw both this weekend.

I won't, but if I had to judge, I'd say we are pretty good campers. We are organized, efficient, know what we need, and definitely know what we don't need. I didn't wish I had anything, and I think we used everything we took. That's good camping.

Casa Nakai

Though we arrived a little after 7 pm on Friday evening, we set up fairly quickly even in the dark and we're sitting around a campfire in less than ninety minutes. We ate our packed sub sandwiches for dinner in the car on the way up, so all we had to do was relax that night. Though a little cold (mid-40s), we had a comfortable night and were ready to face the day's activities in store for Saturday.

The kids had a good time. The camp theme was newbie campers (pay attention, parents!), so they learned all about camping basics. Sort of. I mean, it's loosey goosey at cub scouts, so the volunteers do what they can and the scouts do what they want.

bandana design

first aid (carrying a stretcher)

blow guns

making a fire with a fire starter

Elizabeth did a few of the activities, too.

making the ever-so-complicated paracord bracelets

Nature Hike

Matthew posing with "Newbie Camper," the camp's mascot

air compressor rockets were a hit

They'd set up their rockets on the launchpad.

Then run away Mythbusters-style

The obstacle course was fun.

Once the formal activities were over and they redeemed their station tokens for a junkie prize, the boys were excited to have some real fun back at the campsite. Let's face it. All boys want to do is run around and get dirty. And that they did.

The parents and siblings, on the other hand, were just glad to sit around in the cool, crisp, clean air and chill.

And cook dinner.

It was a fun weekend. I don't know these families as well as Brian does because I don't go to the cub scout meetings regularly, but they are very friendly and kind people. I had more fun that I thought I would. I knew the kids would love it and Brian would be happy to chat with these cub scout buddies of his, but I wasn't sure how I'd fit into the mix. Turns out, going in with an open mind always helps. I'm already looking forward to the November campout. Maybe we'll even be able to take the Airstream by then.

Say Something

I cut myself on the back of my ankle while shaving this morning. I stuck a corner of a tissue on it. At 10:00, a second grade student told me there was something on my leg. 10:00! She told me after I had walked around that school for two hours, including a group restroom break and making copies in the workroom. And there was a staff breakfast in there. A staff breakfast! The worst is that another sub walked into school this morning right behind me. There is plenty of work, lady. No need to sabotage your peers by humiliating them.

I always discreetly tell someone when there's something in their teeth, their fly is down, or if there is tissue stuck to their legs. Please promise you'll do the same.

Officially Official Now

We own an Airstream!

Brian met with the previous owner today to make the funds transfer at the bank, and now we are the proud owners of this 2006 Airstream Safari 25 FB. Since the rest of us had to be at school all day and miss the excitement, we all drove down to the RV storage place (where it will stay until we find something to haul it) to try it out together.

We took some photos, but it was dark outside and the beautiful aluminum-lined interior walls don't make for good photos due to all the reflecting. You'll just have to come and see it in person sometime. You are welcome anytime.

Open it! Open it! Open it!

Happy Kids

Unflattering Angles

Elizabeth demonstrating the trailer's roominess

Can't wait to use that screened door in some gorgeous, cooler places.

More Demonstrating :)

We are happy it's ours. Now it's time to "live riveted."

So Tired

I'm so tired that this uninteresting blog may put you to sleep.

I picked up Matthew from school this afternoon, and then headed to the rival school across the street where Elizabeth gets her bus. While we waited in the hot car for her to arrive, I fell asleep. Sort of. My eyes were closed, and I could feel my head bobbing forward. I thought I should open my eyes, but I could not will myself to make it happen. So I stayed like that until I heard Elizabeth open the door. In the meantime, Matthew was busy entertaining himself with the seatbelts. That's what it sounded like, anyway. 

I wonder if anyone in the parking lot saw me dozing. Probably. I was surrounded by windows after all. I realized later tonight that my decal of Matthew's school might have promoted some judgement from the hoity toity school across the way. "Did you see that H-- mom sleeping in her car? Probably on a bender, that one."

I guess I should try harder to better represent. Then I better get to sleep! 

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Everyday, we get one more yard.

Nothing much new here, other than I've been reading Airstream blogs for almost a week. There are many. Many. And perhaps this one might turn into one someday. Who knows? It could. It probably won't. But it could. In the meantime, I'll keep reading about others' adventures to gain inspiration for our own. We're really excited to hit the road.

Most of those blogging folks also have Instagram accounts, and I decided I should join so I could see their awesome photos. And maybe, just maybe, once we get going in our Silver Twinkie or Chipotle Burrito, I might be able to share some gorgeous filtered photographs, too. This is the second time I've tried to join Instagram. The first time was maybe a year ago, and I was on there for about five or ten minutes. Truly. I couldn't figure anything out, a bunch of weirdos I didn't even know started "following me," and I thought, Heck with this. Forget it! without having shared even one photo. I had a similar Instagram experience yesterday, but with the help of my pal Jill, I have a better handle on things this time.

Yes, 4Airstreamers is up and running on Instagram. Well, it's up. Nothing's running. Not even the real Airstream because we're still liquidating and awaiting a title and also looking for a tow vehicle. Yeah, we're doing things a little out of order here, but the most important thing is that we're doing something. With patience, everything will come together swimmingly. I am keeping the faith. Completed transactions. A transferred title. A new-to-us vehicle purchase. (Please let that search end soon. Please. It's maddening.) Travels begun. Trips and memories made. An active Instagram account documenting it all. I have lofty goals.

Wish us luck. Please.

Do Your Homework

I said, just do it!

We now begin Matthew's daily homework session with this video. Historically, Matthew has had an intense dislike of homework. He hates it. It probably hates him back. I've hated this time of day for quite a while, and I also hate that there's so much hating going on.

Well, things took a turn a few weeks ago after I met my friend Jennifer for coffee. She introduced me to Shia LaBeouf's motivational speech. Shia LaBeouf? Yes, Shia LaBeouf. He's relevant again even though he used to be famous. Anyway, in the midst of Matthew's homework complaints that afternoon, I silently rose from the kitchen table, picked up my phone, found the video, and played it. Matthew attentively watched, laughed, said, "That guy's crazy," and then just.did.his homework.

The video works!



Matthew's right. He does look crazy, but I did a little research and it turns out this was a project for a college art class in London. Students were encouraged to submit a 30-second script for Shia LaBeouf. He graciously performed thirty-six students' work before a green screen, and now anyone (who knows how to do these kinds of things) can insert any background they want. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of variations online, but the Just Do It piece is by far the most popular. And quite possibly, the most useful.

Settling In

Friday evening, the kids and Elizabeth's friend from school went to the symphony with me. Matthew wasn't excited about going, but Brian worked late so he was forced to tag along. Eventually he came around, and we all had a pleasant evening out.

The best part for me was meeting Elizabeth's friend. Lydia is very polite, gracious, and seems like a very sweet girl. She's smiley, happy, doesn't act like she's seventeen, and she takes school seriously. She reminds me of someone. Oh ya. Elizabeth.

In a few days I'm volunteering for the first time at her school by selling dance tickets during lunch. My motivation for volunteering isn't what it used to be; I signed up because I have a dental cleaning earlier that morning so already had the morning off. Plus, I thought this would be a fantastic chance to meet the rest of her school friends.

I'm glad Elizabeth has found her happy place. It was shaky with the academics at first, but she's found a good groove and is learning how to juggle better. Math is still a challenge, but she continues to try hard and it's been paying off. They weren't kidding when they said you really should give your child nine weeks to adjust. I'm glad she and we stuck it out. She loves it there. It's a good fit.

I'm so thankful.

A Year Ago

Last year on this day, after about two and a half hours of sleep, I headed out the door on my first substitute teaching assignment. It was for a first grade teacher at a school I'd never been to before, and I spent the day alone with twenty-five six year olds. I arrived an hour earlier than I had to, switched my emotional state from frantic to calm nearly every moment, and did an awesome job of pretending to know what the heck I was doing. Whether that impresses you or not doesn't matter. I impressed and surprised myself, and I'm happy I decided to give subbing a try "for two days."

I had no idea I'd love it so much. The flexibility is fantastic; if the job description doesn't seem too desirable, then I decline with the push of a button. The hours and work days are often perfectly aligned with my own kids' schedules. I also truly enjoy the challenge and excitement of doing something different nearly every day. I learn or relearn something daily, and the kids are usually fun. I love when they seem happy to see me in the hallways or even outside of school. The pay is decent, and I feel productive and have a strong sense of accomplishment at the end of most days.

I don't know what prompted me to give this a try, but I sure am glad the thought popped into my head. It's been a good year.

Streaming the Dream

Dreams do come true. Here's proof:

Ours!

That's right. We made the move. After much careful consideration of our finances and plenty of discussion about how the RVing lifestyle would fit into our current schedules and obligations, we decided that now is the time. Our kids are old enough to appreciate seeing the places we want to visit yet young enough to still want to travel with their parents. We've been searching Airstream classifieds for months and found this beauty last week. It seemed to have quite a lot going for it; it had the floorplan we liked the most, was within our budget, and not only was it in Arizona, it was five miles away in Chandler.

I called the private seller on Monday. The kids and I went to check it out on Tuesday, and Brian and I went to see it today. Though it won't be official for a few days because of some banking transactions, we made a deal with a handshake, smiles, and even a few tears. We are soon-to-be owners of a 2006 Airstream Safari SE 25FB. We are Airstreamers!

Here are a few photos of our purchase:

Our floorplan (top) has a queen bed in front and panoramic windows on both ends.

Though it is almost ten years old, it is gently used and in excellent condition. There are minor imperfections, but they're cosmetic and we can live with a few scratches. The trailer is structurally sound, safe, and everything functions properly. We are over-the-moon excited and look forward to hitting the open road soon.

But, we still need something to tow it. On to the next task.

Civil Disobedience

...not really.

Today I went to my first political protest. I joined about twenty-five other women and men with Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Americans for Gun Safety outside of Senator Jeff Flake's office in Phoenix. It was energetic, uplifting, moving and, though obviously out of my element, it honestly felt good to take action.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, though. I signed up last week, but every day since brought more anxiety because I wasn't sure what to expect. Add the disgusting shootings happening on Phoenix freeways at all times of day, everyday for the past two weeks, and I started to doubt whether I should go. If I didn't get shot on the freeway on my way there, would the opposition show up and be confrontational? Will they be armed? Will the people driving by see us and shoot at us? Are the people whose side I'm on going to go nuts and get me arrested? Yeah. I had a lot of situations playing out in my mind.

I finally decided that I would go. Because I care. I care a lot. So I carpooled with a few ladies, and they eased my mind about some things yet produced new worries that I hadn't yet thought about. However, I wore my running shoes (my only survival strategy that I apply to nearly every potentially dangerous situation such as electrical storms and flying in airplanes), and maintained a hyper sense of alertness at all times. That included staring at these freeway signs about every five miles along the drive.

How very reassuring, ADOT.

We made it to Phoenix without incident, arrived at the senator's office, and our driver/leader of the protest let them know we were there. Congress is in session this week so the senator was in D.C., of course, but our leader was able to speak to a few people from his office. We congregated outside on the sidewalk along Camelback Road. We held signs. We chanted. Cars honked their horns in support. Our leader gave a speech. A gun violence survivor who lost her daughter spoke. A former gun dealer (and father of three) who got out of the gun-selling business after Newtown spoke. It was all very inspiring and gave me hope.

Two men who do not share our opinion were there, too, with confusing signs like "Guns save lives" and "Come and take it." They photo bombed and annoyed us, but they've also been known to bring their AK-47s to things like this so I was glad they had only signs. But do 2,191 Americans really use guns in self-defense daily? What in the world? Show me the citation for that statistic, please! Are they firing these guns or simply walking around intimidating people? I really wanted to ask, but I followed the protocol of not engaging with them in any way. I smiled right past the one who tried to talk to me. This was the man who brought his semi-automatic weapon to Sky Harbor Airport a few years ago and drank some coffee at Starbucks simply because he's allowed to. Almost just as nutty, the other guy today brought a stroller with a newborn baby. It was 95 degrees and very humid in Phoenix. That poor baby deserves so much better.

Negatives aside, it was a very peaceful event. I wasn't loud, and I mostly followed others' leads or helped to carry things, but as it progressed I grew more and more comfortable.  I look forward to attending similar protests and rallies. If you'd like to join next time, we can carpool.

Sour Grapes

Whew. That was close. I narrowly avoided shoplifting at the grocery store tonight. Before you call The Fuzz (Sorry. Elizabeth is currently reading The Outsiders, and we're all about the lingo, Pony Boy.), know that I'm exaggerating.

It all started last week. During an emotionally rocky hormonal shift, I found myself uncharacteristically down. It was rough. I was wallowing in self pity about everything from having no fall break vacation plans to the fact that my shopping cart was full of Kroger-brand groceries. Oh, such first world problems!

During this tormented period, I overheard a mom at school telling another mom at school about cotton candy grapes. "They are soooooo good. They taste like candy. Cotton candy! They really do. You have to get them." Well I like grapes, and though I'm not that in to cotton candy, I was intrigued enough to wonder what these things tasted like. But, five minutes later I forgot all about that conversation and went on with life.

Until I went to the grocery store. I was in the produce section grabbing some 75 cents a pound peaches, 99 cent lettuce, 50 cents a pound bananas, and 97 cents a pound red grapes. That's when I saw the cotton candy grapes. The $4.99 a pound cotton candy grapes!

And that's when I almost lost my shizz in the produce section. Who cries over grapes? Well I scanned my cart of frugally purchased items, and I did not immediately understand why I could not justify buying those grapes at that price while that single mother who is a hair stylist can.

A couple days later, once back to my rational self, I finally did understand. It's not that I couldn't; it's that I wouldn't.  That lady, whom I also noticed has been driving a new car this year, is probably swimming in a pool of debt. And possibly even a diving pool in her backyard. Our financial situations are vastly different, and our spending habits are polar opposites. Enjoy now to the fullest or save for later? There's no right or wrong way to live. But I'm almost certain I'm balancing better than she is. Maybe. Who knows.

The point is, I'm not crying over the grapes or fall break or my old car. And though I'm still curious whether the cotton candy grapes really taste like cotton candy, there were none in the store today for me to try. And by try I mean picking one off a bunch, throwing it in my bag of cheap grapes, washing it at home, and popping it in my mouth. After all, I've seen people sample a grape before buying a bag. But gross! The germs! I thought I'd concocted the perfect plan.

But no. Thankfully, too many others bought out the expensive grapes, so I didn't turn into a criminal (in my own mind...because I totally would have regretted it and villified myself).

It all worked out. And these cheap grapes don't taste a thing like cotton candy, but they taste like grapes and sure are sweet.

Why We Work

Relaxing at the end of the day, Brian and I watched an older episode of Modern Family. I'm either really tired or a big geek, but that sitcom really spoke to me tonight, particularly Cam's closing voice over:

"There are dreamers and realists in this world. You'd think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not, the opposite is true. See, the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from flying too close to the sun. And the realists? Well, without the dreamers they might never get off the ground."

Yep. That's us. Better together. I'll leave it up to you to figure out who's who, though I don't believe you'll scratch your head over it too much.

Getting Closer

I think we might do this. Soon. Sure, a few things have to line up just so, but the four of us took some steps today towards our dream.

Actually, we started last night. The kids and I sat in a cozy chair and Googled images from as many national parks of the West that we could think of. Elizabeth said we must see the Grand Tetons, and Matthew is all about the grandiose Sequoias. I'm game for both but am dying to see Yosemite and the Washington trifecta of Olympic, North Cascades, and Mt. Rainier. We have big plans!

So this afternoon, we hopped in our non-tow vehicle of a Highlander and made a visit to the RV dealership. They have mostly new Airstreams, and at upwards of $75,000, those are pretty much out of our price range. However, the dealership's range of inventory allowed for an excellent opportunity to try out different sizes and options with the whole family. We realized 20-feet is too small, 30-feet is too large, and 25-feet is just right for our small family. We also favor floorplans with a queen bed on one end and the dinette on the other. Those plans have the pretty views in the best living spaces, while the bath and kitchen are towards the center of the trailer. We like that.

What's remarkable is that I was able to locate a very promising pre-owned Airstream for sale in Chandler. I called the guy today, and we're checking it out tomorrow after school. Though still a major investment, the price is not so grand that we wouldn't be able to send the kids to college. I'm not getting ahead of myself, though, because even if we love it we have absolutely no way to get it home.

We did stop at the Toyota dealership today to do some truck research. I never thought I'd own a pick-up truck. In fact, growing up, we made fun of people who drove trucks. They weren't popular in White Oak or McKeesport. We were city folk!

After looking at trucks for thirty minutes, I still don't think I could own one, let alone drive one. The Tundras are so massive, and I am not a cowboy. Nowhere near, and I felt ridiculous in it. However, a Sequoia seems like a nice option. We'll continue looking, particularly for used opportunities from private sellers.

Right now, Brian's reading through The Newbie's Guide to Airstreaming, so it would appear he's on board with this plan as much as the kids and I are. Hopefully we have some good news to share with you. Soon.

Funky

That's me lately. But not in the good way.

Take a couple of boring weekends, insufferably hot weather, two cars on the fritz, a sick kid, a stressed out kid, a sore foot and neck, and loads of bad news from faraway places, and I'm down. Down! Then I think of all I have to be grateful for, and that only makes me feel worse about being down.

Sometimes you can't help it; your body chemistry is so out of whack and there's no stopping that emotional plunge. That's probably why most people take pills. Or drink. Or exercise like I used to do. But now that I apparently hurt all over every single time I move, well, my coping strategy is gone, so I am forced to sit there and sort everything out in my head without running through the neighborhood with music blaring in my ears to distract me.

There was a pleasant distraction last night, though. Brian was watching Ironman or some movie with Ironman in it, when he flipped the channel during a commercial and You've Got Mail was on. That's one of my favorite movies, he knows it, and he kept it on. And for an hour and a half, I was distracted enough to enjoy myself.

It's nothing more than a silly romantic comedy, but I love the story (down with you, big boxes!), the characters ("All this nothing has meant more to me than so many somethings," and "...how about some coffee, or drinks, or dinner, or a movie...for...as long as we both shall live?"), and the music (always the music!). I should really buy that soundtrack.

In the meantime, today I was inspired by this song featured in the movie:



Dream when you're feeling blue. Okay, Roy. I did. And I took it a step further by looking through Airstream classifieds and used pick-up trucks and larger SUVs online. We're no closer to two major purchases, but it was fun to dream.

Kid News

I have good news and bad news.

First with the bad. Matthew has strep throat and an ear infection. He missed the past two days of school, and his teacher told me lots of kids had strep or scarlet fever the past week. With a three-day weekend approaching, I figured I better get him checked by a doctor. So we went and got the diagnosis as well as some antibiotics. It works out that we have no plans so he can have these three days to recover.

As for the good news, Elizabeth has slowly managed to bring up her D in math to a low B. She worked hard for this; it hasn't been easy. There are three weeks left in this quarter so it ain't over yet, but she's breathing a little easier and smiling a lot more. I'm really proud of her and told her she should be proud of herself. 

So now it's time to rest a bit and relax. Time to heal and time to celebrate. Here's hoping!

Force Friday

Tonight, people have Star Wars on the mind, lining up to buy these toys at midnight. Force Day? Hadn't heard of it until a few hours ago.

No, I'm not in line. Mostly because I'm not a big Star Wars fan. Yes, I do realize it's a classic, but that doesn't change the fact that I have fallen asleep every single time I've tried to watch one of those movies. I'm just not interested. But if you are, then may the force be with you.

An Interesting Fact

I had a few moments to kill before my PE classes at school began this morning, so I helped with some copying. Then I decided to look through the teacher favorites book in the office and read everyone's last line. Here they were to include an interesting, unknown fact about themselves. Some were, in fact, interesting, such as the teacher who backpacked the fifty-mile Maryland portion of the Appalachian Trail in high school, while others were rather boring: I like sports. Some facts weren't news: I was a Buddy Holly impersonator and used to know Michael Buble. Yawn. I already knew that. Then others either didn't want to try or truly are not interesting at all and left it blank. Honestly, I felt too many left it blank.

Then I began to wonder what I would have written? I, too, would have been tempted to ignore the question because it required energy and effort, but then I'd be concerned I'd appear uninteresting. And I'm interesting, darn it!

But what would I say? I completed a marathon? I did a triathlon in the ocean? Nah. If those don't come across as bragging, then those accomplishments would probably be seen as something everyone else does in their thirties. So. Not. Interesting. Then what else is there?

I used to play the piano really well?

I hardly (not heartily) play guitar now? 

I met Mr. Rogers when I was in college?

I found myself really grasping, so I decided to go with humor. So this is what I came up with.

I have an intense fear of these guys:

Those wind sock guys, wind puppets, air dancers--whatever you want to call them--make me anxious. Their unpredictable movements cause extreme unease. It's probably a control thing. I just don't know what they're doing or where they're going next. They're as bad as jazz. I just can't handle them.

Now you know.

Someday

This.

Yes. That right there. That's why we're not going on a fall break vacation. It's why we're saving our money. Those are exactly the experiences we want for ourselves and our children. Those are our dream vacations. We want to go to places we haven't been, see things we haven't seen, and be right in the middle of it all, living simply in our lovely travel trailer.

The sooner the better.