One hundred days ago, the animals and I moved into Nellie. Now is a good time to reflect, take stock, and consider what I have learned so far. Here are 100 thoughts for 100 days.
THE MONEY/WORK PHILOSOPHY
1. I am doing far more on far less.
2. The greatest gift is pure, unencumbered, unadulterated time.
3. No amount of money could compensate me to have only 15 paid days off per year.
4. No matter how much or how little money I have, I worry about it. That hasn’t changed.
5. I met two women judges on my tour of Salt Lake City. It was nice to be able to speak in shorthand to other lawyers. I didn’t realize I missed that.
6. My days go by so quickly, it is hard for me to imagine how I ever found time to work.
7. As I write more I feel I am beginning to get my groove back. The law has a way of sucking your creativity right out of you. Legal writing is sterile writing.
8. People are surprised when I tell them I used to practice law. That always amuses me. I’m not looking much like a lawyer these days.
THE STUFF PHILOSOPHY
9. There has not been a single thing that I got rid of that I miss.
10. Purging is like a sport; I still purge stuff every day.
11. I still have too much stuff.
12. There are many items in the RV that I have not even thought about, much less used, in 100 days. I’ll give it a few more weeks, and those things are gone if they haven’t been utilized.
13. I did a bit of buying as I traveled through Wyoming. I must keep a check on my spending habits. I now realize I did not need that purse made from boots, and I will donate it to the auction at the convention I am attending next week.
14. I’m still trying to figure out cocktails on the road. Right now I’m storing everything in the ottoman, but it’s getting awfully heavy. My big home bar was such a luxury!
15. It is currently Halloween season – the time of year I would put up the graveyard and decorate the house for the season. I simultaneously miss it and am relieved that I no longer have to do it.
16. Shoes and handbags are still my obsessions. I am practicing saying no to myself more often.
THE RV LIFESTYLE
17. No matter where I am, I am home.
18. My friends were my saviors and helpmates through the summer as I prepared for this journey. I love them more than words can say, and I owe them a great debt of gratitude.
19. I am so proud of both animals, who have adjusted smashingly.
20. The inconveniences, challenges, and difficulties of full-timing are far outweighed by the joy of discovery and the sense of freedom.
21. While people in RV parks are polite, they are not friendly.
22. In the full-timing world, people do not stage and put out lawn furniture and party lights. It is quite a departure from the vintage trailer crowd.
23. Except when cooking, I do not allow open flames in the RV. All the candles are fake. The fireplace is faux. I have seen what fire can do to a motorhome.
24. Towing the toad is a breeze, thank heavens!
25. If truckers are resting somewhere, you will be as safe as houses if you rest there too.
26. Getting pedicures on the road is difficult.
27. Four hundred miles per day max, or six hours, including stops, whichever comes first. This is not a competition.
28. Every day the list of places to visit gets longer.
29. If you told me when I was 30 that this is what I would be doing 17 years later, I would have told you you were crazy.
30. I hope I will find good hairstylists on the road. I’m a little nervous.
31. I am a bit surprised by the people who did not visit me or take a tour of the RV before I left Seattle. I guess it’s all a matter of priorities – mine, and theirs. The flipside of that coin is I am amazed at the people who made a point to reach out and reconnect before I started this journey.
32. When I stop at rest areas I still get out and use the bathrooms. Habit, I guess. And, no reason to fill up the black water tank sooner than necessary.
33. The captain’s chair is the most comfortable seat in the house; I sit in it even when I am not driving (turned to face the living area, of course).
34. Nothing will make you wet your pants while driving like a huge gust of wind coming off the prairie, especially when it hits as a semi tractor-trailer is passing you.
35. As a kid my sisters and I never got to stop at the cheesy roadside attractions. Now, I stop for everything.
36. I know I made the right choice to buy a diesel pusher when I am climbing up or coming down the side of a mountain.
37. Some men have said some of the stupidest shit to me on my journey; I am compiling a list and will publish it at some point. Here’s a little teaser:
Man (Looking at RV graphics): “Don’t tell me – a man broke your heart and you became this tramp?”
Me: “Ummm, no. This is a life-long dream, to travel. Men have nothing to do with it.”
Man: “Oh.”
38. While I certainly prefer to have the slideouts open, I can overnight in Nellie with the slides closed, and it is not that inconvenient.
39. I should buy stock in Museum Putty, 3M Command Strips, and Velcro. I have “glued” down art and counter items so they do not need to be stowed while underway.
40. Corelle really is great for RVs. My bowls and dishes have fallen out of the cabinet and bounced along the floor without breaking.
41. Life is too short to listen to thin and tinny music; I have been much happier since I installed a sub woofer and routed the sound through all the RV ceiling speakers.
42. I have gotten Nellie through some very narrow construction zones, and so far, so good.
43. I am enjoying using Instagram and Pinterest to catalog the things I see on the journey, such as Carnegie Libraries, and old vintage and retro signs. It’s like a treasure hunt.
44. My gas mileage is not great, but at least diesel fuel is cheaper right now.
45. I am surprised and pleased at how little diesel the generator uses.
46. When I stay at casinos “for free,” I usually lose about 50 bucks. So there you go.
47. Next week I will visit an old friend I have not seen in over 30 years, and the following week I will visit someone who has been following my blog. Life is sweet.
48. I vacuum every day. I brought my Hoover Linx stick vacuum with me from the Atomic Abode, and it is just right for the job.
49. I am eventually going to miss having a tub, and then it will be time to check into a hotel for a few days.
50. I always think I need propane, and when I check I have at least half a tank.
51. It is comforting to travel with a dog who barks when something is out of the ordinary. Most RVers have at least one dog, and they are usually small.
52. There are days when I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. Sometimes it feels like a dream.
53. I am starting to realize that trinkets and tchotchkes hinder my ability to break down and move quickly. Time to get rid of a few more things!
54. It’s frustrating that the gauges for fresh water, gray water, and black water do not work properly. Whether they’re empty or full, they read 1/4 full. (Or, 3/4 empty, depending on whether you are an optimist or pessimist and which tank we are talking about!)
55. It is a thrill and a rush when I get to overnight for free. I can be penny wise and pound foolish.
56. The Tempur-pedic mattress in Nellie is the most comfortable bed I have ever had.
57. RV parks are just dismal. Most of them are close to traffic and have gravel and dumpsters and few trees to keep from ripping things off your roof. I am thrilled that my interior space is relaxing and comforting to me, as many times what is outside is not.
58. I don’t like convection ovens. Perhaps I just need to practice more.
59. I am glad I joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles. I am meeting some interesting people along the way because of that affiliation.
60. I haven’t run out of hot water yet. That ten-gallon tank seems to be plenty.
61. I am beginning to feel more safe and secure in my RV. I have developed a safety plan, which I will not go into detail here. This safety plan does not include a gun.
62. I am very content with the car I bought for this journey. The Honda CR-V is more than just transportation. It is the garden shed, the pantry, the back bar, and the attic all rolled into one.
63. I enjoy driving the RV, even more than driving a car. With air brakes, airbag suspension, jake (engine) brake, comfort steering, six-speed Allison transmission, side mirrors, and rear camera, it is made for driving, and it is a pleasure to drive.
64. I have a lot to learn about taking care of the RV. I’m looking forward to the basic maintenance class at the RVing Women convention.
65. While traveling cross-country, I have been in the bad habit of eating out instead of making food in the rig. On the drive through Wyoming I made it a point to prepare all my meals in Nellie. It’s really convenient and saves so much money.
66. I am proud of what I have learned and what I have been able to accomplish in a short time.
67. I hated history in school; travel has made me a history buff.
68. A space heater is preferable to the furnace in the RV, which uses a lot of propane, and the roof heaters, which are fairly ineffective.
69. I don’t like that I am less “green” than I was before. RV parks rarely recycle. I love my Nespresso coffee maker, and while the pods are convenient for the RV lifestyle, they end up in the garbage. Perhaps part of my journey will include working with campgrounds to improve recycling.
70. I am very happy when the city I am visiting has a tour company. It is a great way to learn about a town and cover a lot of ground in a short amount time.
71. Even though it has been 100 days, I am learning something new about Nellie every single day.
72. When I imagined full-time RVing I believed (in best Jane Austen-esque voice here) I would be far too busy with sightseeing and reading books and writing to watch television. HORSE PUCKEY! I now have DirecTV, including HBO and Showtime.
73. Speaking of DirecTV, sometimes that damned dish goes out for no reason whatsoever. I have old movies for those occasions.
74. Books on tape are life-savers on long drives with little scenery.
75. I love the people in small towns. So far I have been treated with kindness and curiosity. My hair color and my tattoos make them no never mind.
76. I have promised myself that, while driving, no matter what noise I hear inside the RV, such as things falling or shattering, I will not look back and take my eyes off the road. Whatever happened will still have happened when I pull over to take a look.
77. I am so happy when people read my blog and leave comments. That way I know I’m not shouting into the abyss.
78. Tupperware is still the best darned thing for RVs. I have Tupperware spice containers, mustard and ketchup containers, and sugar and creamer containers. I prefer the vintage stuff.
79. When I first moved into Nellie I was in “camping mode.” I slept in my clothes, did not shower at decent intervals, and ate like I was on vacation. It took a little while for it to sink in that this is my home and my life – not a holiday.
80. I am really glad I put the graphics on the car and the RV. People, mostly women, wave and smile as they pass. When I am stopped it has been a great conversation starter.
81. When I am not staying in an RV park, garbage becomes a real issue. I am constantly on the hunt for a garbage can. If I use a small shopping bag, I can always fit it in a public garbage receptacle.
82. My least favorite task is emptying the black water tank. If you have read my prior post, I’m sure this does not come as any surprise.
83. I thought I could live without a toaster, but I was wrong.
84. Most gas stations immediately cut off the fuel at $100. At truck stops there is no automatic cutoff, and the fuel dispenses twice as fast.
85. I needed more room for food storage then I thought, but I’m making it work.
86. The best parts about full hookups are long showers when you don’t need to turn the water off as you soap up, and doing laundry in the RV.
87. I can live in Nellie for several days without water or electrical hook ups, which makes me feel independent and secure.
88. I keep thinking about buying a folding bicycle, but I don’t think I will use it enough to justify the amount of storage space it will require.
89. The Wi-Fi in RV Parks is ridiculous. Many advertise free Wi-Fi, but you’ll be lucky if you can even check your email with it. Before I hit the road I thought free Wi-Fi would be at at my disposal just about everywhere. Well, I am paying far more for data than I budgeted, but it is well worth it. I upload information to the blog, check social media, use maps, and stream some of my favorite television shows. I am currently at 20 gigs per month, and that is still not enough.
90. I could not live without my iPad. It is my camera, my typewriter, my GPS, and my encyclopedia.
91. I must learn to slow down. I am on no one’s timetable but my own. There is no need to rush.
92. Even though there is a coach filter and another filter at the kitchen faucet, the water still tastes “funny” to me, and I buy bottled water. (See “green” comment above.)
THE HEALTH PHILOSOPHY
93. It has been 11 months, and I am not in remission.
94. I am beginning to think I have reached a new normal.
95. I am thankful for the University of Washington for its innovative and cutting-edge approach to my disease.
96. There have been many occasions when I was very thankful to have a bathroom with me.
97. So far using Walgreens for prescriptions across the country has been fairly convenient.
98. Giving myself an injection is not as hard as I thought.
99. I hate taking that poison, methotrexate. It makes me so nauseated. And, I have been taking it for a month, and it is not helping.
100. It is so clear to me now that my job was taking a huge toll on my health, and if I want to keep whatever improvements I’ve made, I cannot return to the profession.
This Post Has 46 Comments
WOW.. 100 days.. Time just flies by doesn’t it. I can say I’m so proud but I never thought for one second that this would not happen. I will say how impressed I am with all you are doing and learning about Nellie, being a full timer and yourself.
It does give me food for thought. My daughter suggested that I travel by myself and my hubby has no desire. My gut reaction was WTF.. I don’t want to travel alone but I’m reading and watching you succeed at this like a champ.. So maybe I will consider my options.
Thanks for sharing your life on the road.. Love you.. Judi/Ivan
Can’t wait to hear about the women’s RV convention! Really enjoying your updates!
Robin
Wow! Love your observations! Even though your health hasn’t improved YET, I have no doubt you are on the right path and I’m so glad you made the leap. Sometimes it takes our bodies more time to heal than we think is needed. I bet you’ll notice a shift within the next 6-9 months. I can’t wait to see you in November! Xoxo
You are too funny! And amazing and brave.
Did you just sit down and come up with this list? Or, have you been keeping a running list? Either way, impressive. I truly enjoyed reading this recap, twice. I think mostly because it made me feel all caught up. And, because #13 literally made me laugh out loud – and a lot!
No, no running list, but I have had a lot of time to think about it as I have been driving! Just for you, I posted a photo of the purse in the blog entry!
Tamera,you are a special person,we still remember your short stay with us those many years ago.
And I certainly remember that short stay as well! I still have the little stuffed elephant that Michelle gave me for good luck. Your family was so wonderful to me then and I can’t thank you enough.
I’m so enjoying your journey … thanks so much for sharing it. And #37? When is that NOT true? I can only hope it is a source of humor for you! Safe travels to you.
Tammy, this is great! I spend entirely way too much time on RV Trader than most people would consider healthy, so I’m thrilled that the overarching theme here is No Regrets and I especially like the fact that you don’t miss any of your old “stuff”. I doubt we will ever be able to go full-time (our recording studio takes up a nice chunk of space, talk about stuff) but we do plan on doing long stretches out on the road, so your insight is inspiring and helpful.
Oh, and there is a crazy-cool small town in the southeast corner of Iowa with more than a few good hairdressers AND an awesome tattoo studio. Just sayin’…
#35 – YAY!
#61 – good girl
#76 – harder than one might think, i bet
#83 – no one should have to live without a toaster
xoxoxo
TXW — You are not shouting into the abyss. I read every article, and I talk your blog up to all of our friends. Something I discovered this year on trips to Dallas and Atlanta: presidential libraries are really interesting. As you bounce around, you will surely come across them; you should check a few out to see if you agree. Cheers!
Thanks, ESN! I do intend to check out some presidential libraries. Well, at least the ones where the phrase is not an oxymoron. 🙂
Love the way you organized this post. Very informative. Went back and read about your black tank experience. Haven’t laughed that hard in a month. Plan on reading more of your blog, I like your style.
Just found your blog and can’t wait to finish reading it. I just retired in June at 57. We drove to Alaska during the summer and can’t wait to get on the road again. I sprained my ankle a month ago and still can’t walk very long so that has put a cramp in our plans.
Can’t wait to follow your adventures.
Love your thoughts, #17 & #47 are my favorites! You are living the life that my husband & I are dreaming about and planning for now. Someday we’ll be blogging from our RV. All the best to you and keep on keeping on…
Thank you, Shelly!
Just found your site (from gone with the Winns) You are a funny lady. Can’t wait to read the rest of your stuff. Safe travels and hope your health improves. PS. Hope you have fun in Shawnee. I grew up in Tecumseh. (5 miles to the south)
Having a great time in Shawnee! Bandana Red’s Steakhouse, Brown Derby Burgers, and pies at Benton’s! Yum!
I just booked marked your site. Like the poster earlier I found you while on the Gone with the Wynns site. Keep up the good work!
Rob, thanks for finding me and for saying hello!
I also just found you through Gone With The Wynns, and I’m really glad I did. I’m turning 50 in a bit over a month, and will be living on the road soon after that (when my DIY house truck is ready). Love the list and more than a few entries made me laugh, or solemnly nod, or feel a little twinge of jealousy. 🙂
I’ve followed you, now looking forward to seeing notifications of new blog entries showing up in my inbox.
Give the meds, and your body, time to do the healing work. Keep on enjoying your days in Nellie, and your critters. And your bar, which is one of the things I’m coveting a bit.
Hope you are having a great time RIGHT NOW. 😀
Parker
Parker, thank you for reading, and for your comments!
Love picking up new tips. Thank you. You were talking about maintenance. I would highly recommend The RVgeeks blog and YouTube videos. They have great advice. You mentioned Corelle, does your Newmar have tile floors? I’m curious about why you want/need a garden shed. That is one of the things I think I’m looking forward to shedding. 🙂
Elizabeth, thanks for the advice! The flooring in my rig has been replaced with industrial rubber flooring. The “garden shed” reference about the toad is because I store the outdoor furniture, BBQ, and outdoor rug in the toad!
I just reread this post – still my favorite – but I had missed your reply – probably missed checking the box at the bottom 🙁 I’d like to hear more about your floors – and anything else you would be willing to share about the interior changes to your rig and how those changes are working for you and holding up. I am always interested in things people have changed, how they are working out long term, etc. I have very mixed emotions about the heavy flooring material. The one thing I like about the LE over the straight Ventanas is the lighter weight floors. I don’t know why people are gaga over the tile. I very much want a Ventana 3434 (only produced in 2011, 12 & 13) but am concerned about the interior cabinet color. A turn around in the real estate market would be so helpful. It’s good you are enjoying your new life style, it is inspiring, and The Lady is a Tramp seems to have been written to be your theme song. A continuous loop blasting as you go down the road? Maybe not. Getting tired of it would not be good.
Add me to the long list of folks who just found your Blog. When I discover a new Blog I like to start reading from the beginning but I couldn’t find an archives on here ? Perhaps I missed it ? Perhaps this was your first post ??
Hi, Denise! Thanks for checking out my blog! If at the bottom of the homepage you pick one of the latest entries, when it is open the most recent posts will be listed on the right-hand side. There is a link under those latest posts which says, called “read all the posts in chronological order.”
In a few months, I too will be full time RV’n as a single lady! It’s encouraging to hear of someone else who is doing this! I’m 58 and retiring with a small pension and my rig is 15 years old – so my main concern is really about how well it will hold up and finances. I am a bit (understatement) of a clothes horse – so I’m curious about what I’ll end up bringing with me – I too love shoes – I have about 200 pairs – so which ones to bring? haha – look forward to hearing more about your adventures!
Tammy, I just spent the last ten days at the RVing Women convention. There is a solo traveler’s chapter and a full-timers chapter. They are great source of inspiration and a great way to network!
Tammy! My wife and I are in the final home-purge phase and getting ready to load up the fifth-wheel and head out for good. Anyone who has never tried to shed decades worth of detritus cannot appreciate the effort involved.
I hope our paths will cross. Cocktails on us.
All the best.
You’ve got a deal, Bud! Happy trails!
I discovered your blog via Gone with the Wynns. I started with your first entries and have been making my way forward. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Leslie!
So happy to have found your blog and looking forward to reading your posts. You have a beautiful command of the English language which is a rare gem in writing these days.
Your vintage Tupperware is a delightful bonus. 🙂
I have not yet read your health posts but I hope you have more good days than bad. I am a nurse who has currently found herself at the University of Washington Medical Center. I moved to Seattle in April 2015 for a nursing job.
Happy trails and safe travels!
Nikki, RN
YAY for U Dub! In my prior life I represented nurses in negligence and licensing cases. I have so much respect for what you do.
This is my first visit to your website and I feel inspired. Wow you have guts. Good for you. I cannot wait until I get on the road. I have some responsiblities to take care of before I do but when the time comes it’s blogs like yours that will make it a little easier for the transition. Thank you for sharing your experience with me. If you are ever in the Fresno area send me an email so we can meet up. Nellie is a beauty! Thanks Again!!!!
Thank you for saying so, Gina! One of the biggest reasons I started the blog was to let everyone know they can do it!
I too have just found your site through the Wynns. The first thing I read was your first 100 days. I have just retired and my wife and I have talked about full-timing or semi-full-timing. Each point you make is a precious insight. Every time I look outside to the fifth wheel, I’m itching to go, but scared as hell also. Thanks for the inspiration.
Tony, I get the scared thing! I pushed through my fears and misgivings and now that I am on the other side, I am so glad I did! Here is a piece I wrote about jumping into the abyss.
Great thoughts and I really like your numbered list of experiences!
Here is my way of dealing with “being green” and drinking water; I ruled out driving around the country and buying plastic containers of drinking water. We have too many of those in the dump already! I purchased a “misto” stainless steel container from Amazon for my drinking water. (I do not drink RV water even though it is filtered twice.) With the Misto I simply locate a grocery with purified water (Whole Foods, some Krogers, etc.) and fill my 25 liter container from their tap. Kinda heavy when filled with water so I suggest considering a smaller size. I keep the misto in an outside compartment and simply fill all of my inside containers from it when needed. Pure, fresh, drinking water with no worries or funny tastes!
Good luck with your travels, Randy
Hi There !! I too just stumbled across your site, though I have not had much of a chance to read many of your posts, I loved this one:
21 – I so hear you on this one, why is this?
27 – that is way more driving than I could do on any given day .. slow and steady wins the race
54 – no kidding why can someone not fix this ? you know the ol’ saying they can put a man on the moon, rovers on mars, but I still don’t know the level of my black tank
84 – I hate this
88 – now I feel strongly about this, get a bike rack for your tow vehicle and get a nice real bike. (I would recommend a hybrid or something like this) I travel with a mountain bike, road bike and cyclocross bike. Exercise I the hardest thing to ensure you get enough of while living in an RV. As Nike says .. Just do it …
Nevertheless, thanks for your thoughts, and I am looking forward to your entries.
First time to you blog. Happy 100! (yes I’m a little late) Reading your RV adventure till my own begins. Be safe.
Thanks for stopping by, Ernesto!
Love this list! I use museum putty in my house now. The livingroom lamps are locked down, since the cockers get WAY excited when people walk past my big picture windows in the front. You mean the Wynn’s didn’t talk you into a composting toilet? Wow! I’d like those for my house! (But, visitors would probably freak out.) The vintage tupperware is bonus. I personally, would need plenty of cupboards for cooking & storage. I like cooking. Get a bike that has electric as an option. It is just peace of mind if you take off all full of vim & vigor and then discover coming back that you really are a wimp! When you are in Sacramento, look up The Electric Bike shop (http://theelectricbikeshop.org). They can convert any bike into an electric bike. Great shop, great people. Love reading your blog!
Loving your blog and all the posts – oh and your hair….just like mine right now!
Just wanted you to know I’m reading 🙂