random road mama ... vagablogs from the road

5 months. big changes. new location. settling in.

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Ahh, just gonna jump right back in and get to it.

5 months: All summer and most of the fall since I've posted.
Big changes: Traveled cross country. Again.
New location: North Carolina
Settling in: From RV to an apartment.

It happened all rather fast, actually. But, once we make our mind up. Well, you know...

I do hope you all had a wonderful summer. I spent the first half of the summer in Vegas, by the pool mostly. You tend to want to do that when it's 110 outside. The second half was spent traveling cross country to North Carolina. What a great trip. I see something different each time we traverse the US.

My fall has been spent gathering curriculum and doing school with the girls and getting them involved in some activities locally.

We will be moving into an apartment soon.

Temporary changes.

Permanent benefits.

Details coming.

Muah
xoxo

can you have it all? - 8 reasons the answer is no

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:42:00 +0000

It matters not how balanced, centered and altogether our lives may be. It really doesn’t.

Something or someone frequently suffers, inanimate and animate alike; namely our dreams we have for ourselves.

I’ll be frank.

Martha Stewart looked like she had it all together too and she did federal time, for.goodness.sake. Paula Deen, bless her heart. Her face gets photoshopped and airbrushed. Nobody’s got skin that smooth. Even at 25. Amen.

We’re all on a journey of discovery. Flaws and all.

I don’t plan on going to the pen, mind you, but I don’t always have the market cornered on balance either.

I want to be able to continue to travel and write.

I want it all. Do you?

Here’s 8, darn good reasons you can’t have it all:

If you’re afraid of risk. Pick your measure of risk and take it. Put yourself out there. Your very first risk might be acknowledging a dream you’ve given up on (RV travel, world travel, career pursuit, or love).
If you can’t manage your time wisely. Don’t struggle with jobs you can’t do; barter or outsource it instead. Do you loaf around when a task needs doing? On the flip side, are you all work and no play? Time is a commodity.
If you believe what people (or your competitors) say about you. People will surely talk anyhow. Give them something real to talk about. Do you. And do it well. Shake the haters off, including yourself. Self-hate is not constructive.
If you don’t know where you’re headed. Are you only surviving in the mundane versus living your dream? Where would you like to be in 1 month, 6 months, 2 years? Think about the steps you need to take to get there. And start making it happen. Create a plan of action.
If you don’t ask for help, because you’ve got it like that. Seriously?! Are we kidding ourselves? There are very few people who are born into success. Most successful people are self-made. They make it happen with hard work and a bit of support. If you need help, get it. Trade the kids for a night so you can get things done. Is there an online class you need to take to educate yourself? Search engines are my best friend. I’m college uneducated ;-), but Google accredited.
If networking scares the crap right straight out of you. I’m getting over this. It doesn’t come easy to everyone. Don’t be afraid to approach people about things you have in common. More often than not, they are flattered and appreciative. Go ahead. Give someone a self-esteem boost today. One person leads to another person. Exponentially. People squared. I like that. I’ll have to use that sometime…
If you think it’ll happen overnight. Unless you or I hit the proverbial jackpot, or can employ an army at our disposal to help us, it most likely will not come to fruition ‘yesterday’. Stop waiting for the windfall. Put your gloves on and get to work. Go back to your plan and work it. Is the shortcut you’re taking now worth it in the long run? Don’t take on water later because you forego plugging the boat now.
If you take on too many projects. We can’t try to do it all and do it well. Are you a dreamer? Pick one to stay focused on at a time. It will get accomplished faster. Dreaming is nice, but most dreamers are not doers.

What are the reasons you can’t have it all?

I appreciate your feedback. If this post resonated with you, you can share on Facebook or Twitter with the buttons below or leave a comment.

DOED week 4: sleep - are you getting enough?

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:18:00 +0000

Way back, I talked about resolving to get more sleep. Better sleep.

When I'm committed to it, I feel better. Work better. Play better.

Most people don't get enough of it and many of us who are in the bed for eight hours aren't necessarily getting quality sleep for those eight hours.

Are you lacking truly good sleep?

I live an unconventional lifestyle, so it isn't always easy to keep a regular schedule.

I have work days, school days, travel days, event days. Every day is different.

You might be wondering why I chose the subject of sleep to be included in this series, but as you'll see, sleep affects every aspect of our lives.

Sleep or the lack thereof, has a direct effect on my

motivation
mood
health
diet

And probably a whole gammet of other things which I haven't yet made the connection.

I can be more effective and efficient when I'm well rested. My perspective is entirely different. On everything. I can think clearer. I can act more deliberately.

You may be digitally overloaded, but any overload is compounded by the lack of rest and the resulting void caused by it. This mini-blog series was designed to make us aware of how and why we are spending our time. It was created to help you implement time-saving strategies and use that time elsewhere.

I've been contemplating something different for me: a different sleep schedule. Typically, Americans work from 9-5.

Wait for it...
Why shouldn't I sleep from 9-5?

Currently, I'm on the west coast and the day breaks at 5am; beautiful mornings that I haven't been taking advantage of.

The RV is quiet. Outside is still asleep. I can work with quiet, people.

I will try it and tweak it as needed.

Being overtired frequently causes hyperactivity or an inability to rest peacefully. It may mean falling asleep, but not being able to stay asleep. On the contrary, it might mean not being able to fall asleep for hours and then getting only a couple hours of sleep before having to wake.

One last thought on digital overload before this series comes to a close: logging into my email or social media, or researching something I'm working on, is a definite recipe for delayed sleep. My mind begins working; starts making a to-do list for the next day.

This last week, I made a concerted effort to go to bed without that 'one last look' and the result was better sleep.

Are you not able to focus? Feeling groggy or irritated?

Try a different schedule or take a thirty minute siesta in the afternoon if you're able. Try several things and see what works for you.

You'll be better and feel better for it.

I hope you've enjoyed this series as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

don't believe the hype, kids & rvs do mix: FOTR blog carnival IV

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:37:00 +0000

When we started on the road two summers ago, we knew that we had to make room in our fifth wheel for our girls. We had owned it for a couple years before going full time, and knew that when we lived in it every day, we would need to make some adjustments. An uncomfortable fold out sofa bed was okay for vacations, but it wasn't going to cut it for our new lifestyle.

We started by removing the two recliners in the large slide and replaced them with bunk beds. Each daughter had their own space and this worked out perfectly. There was room for their special things tucked away in a corner: daughter 1 had a pink lamp that she wanted to hang from her bunk and daughter 2 had a special windchime she wanted to keep. They each had their quiet time, especially when they hung a sheet tucked under the mattress or tacked to the ceiling for privacy.

This second year, we made more changes; only to an older motorhome instead. I took more liberties with this RV and made it more like home. I wanted the girls to feel really comfortable - we were going from three slides to none and they were getting ready to have to make some big changes. There was no room for bunkbeds so we had to reevaluate and improvise. My husband and I decided to give the back bedroom to our girls and we would sleep on an IKEA sofa bed in the living area. We wanted them to be able to retain a space they could call their own and we wanted to retain access to the kitchen at night. They now share a bed, but were able to paint, buy pillows and make curtains for their new room. This made the transition easier since they were part of the decorating process.

Another way we are able to accomodate the girls is by stretching our closet space and using our tub for clothes. I installed a bar and daughter 1 uses it as her closet now. Previously, she shared a cabinet with her sister and the space was overrun with unruly clothes. She is a teenager now, too, and her clothes are larger. The shower option is a win-win for all. I don't hear any more fighting and daughter 1 thinks I'm the bomb. Winning combination!

I would eventually like to take the queen mattress out and give them their own twin, but being that our fresh water tank is under their bed inside, means even more modifications... a little thing called our converter and panel box is wired under the bed and is incorporated into the bed frame. Little thing, big pain. Electric and water don't mix too well, so I'm thinking I'll have to get a petition endorsed by OSHA for hubby to even consider it...

For anyone thinking about going full-time, I would definitely recommend a personalized space for your kids. They will most likely have to compromise on some things, but a personal space, be it however large or small, will make a big difference to them in the long run. A space of their own might mean: a box of special things that no one else can touch, a small desk area that belongs only to them, or a bit of space in a cabinet for them to keep some things besides their clothes. Keeping it simple keeps it uncluttered.

Living on the road with kids can definitely be done! If you want to read about more families who have made an RV a home, join us over at http:// www.familiesontheroad.com/carnival.html#4 for this month's blog carnival to learn more.

DOED week 2 - unclutter your blog feed

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 23 May 2011 20:26:00 +0000

There were too many. Feeds that is. Yes.there.were. There were homeschool blogs, travel blogs, home and garden, DIY, and even a photography blog. I've never, and I stress never have taken a decent photo in.my.life.

Maybe that's why I followed the blog in the first place. I don't even remember subscribing to it. And I never read it. Maybe that's the reason I still can't take a decent pic worth uploading to my blog!

Some blogs no longer posted regularly so I unsubscribed. Others posted every time they took a breath and I was growing tired of meaningless content. Several just didn't interest me anymore.

Now I follow way less than even half, than I did originally and I am surprised at which ones I omitted and replaced with another.

I'm learning more about myself and what actually inspires me in this season of my life. Six months ago, my feed reader would have looked completely different. Two months, even.

Have your interests also changed?

Are you inundated by frivolous blog activity?

What project are you currently working on?

Are you still learning something from the blogs you're reading?

Are they keeping you dreaming versus you actually making something happen for yourself?

Decide what is vitally important to you.
Pick two, maybe three interests and follow blogs in those arenas. Ten total would be a good start, maybe even a good finish. That will keep you busy. Indefinitely.
Mark your calendar for 6 months from now to reevaluate your interests, unsubscribe to those feeds if necessary and move on. There will be some blogs that I will always follow no matter what. Don't take a Nazi approach, but be discriminating at the same time.
Use only one reader for your feeds. I had feeds in a couple different places and it was just too confusing. Now I have one. There are many readers to choose from. Yahoo has one, Google offers another. Keep researching until you find one that you like.
Only check your comments when you log in, if you also maintain a blog . I was having emails sent to me when a subscriber commented. Blogger also notified me when I logged into my dashboard that a comment needed to be moderated. I was getting double notifications and spending uneccesary time on the computer.

The goal of this series is to make us aware of our time and how we spend it digitally.

We all want to be creative, fulfilled and efficient at what we do.

Eliminating, one by one, things that are time-stealers also means that we are carving out nuggets of time for something else we'd rather be doing.

For me, this means time with my family, writing for blogs (mine and others), or reading those blogs that inspire me to be better, do better and live better.

Your time is valuable. It belongs to you. Choose how you want to spend it.

If you feel inclined to share, do so below through, Facebook and Twitter :-)

blogging botox - a virtual facelift...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:08:00 +0000

It's official. The face is sagging a bit. Not mine, but the blog. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be making changes.

I'll be streamlining it a bit more, making it easier for you to navigate. Cleanliness is next to godliness, ya know... I want you to be able to go directly to what you're searching for. So, out with the laborious scrolling and hello tabs. My to-do list is pro-creating right before my very eyes! Progression never looked so good on you , baby!

You can look forward to:

a broader scope of relevant content. (I will still be covering my travels.)
more links to things and people I love. Sharing is caring, lovey.
more connection - I know some pretty rad peeps and I know you do too. Let's connect. And then connect them. New friends are stepping stones to fulfilling relationships, rewarding careers, and personal growth. Never think that you can't learn a 'lil somethin somethin from people. The learning curve is endless!
video blogging (vlogging) - I want to put a voice and face to my name for you. I want you to know me more. There's something about the face to face, er, face to screen connection. I'll be experimenting with a Skype feature also.
an introduction of what I offer professionally. I will be offering a variety of services for you. Included in my portfolio will be my past and present projects. Look for my portfolio and services tab coming soon.

It's ambitious. Whatevs. I'm up to it!

I've decided against a holding page in the meantime. Random Road is still live, mi amor.

Stay. Return. And exodus with me.

DOED week 1 - cut your email by half...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:52:00 +0000

A short while ago, I was receiving emails on a continual basis from a multitude of sources: insurance carriers with whom I no longer had a policy, real estate companies, giveaways, joke forwards, chain letters, clothing retailers...You name it, and it made its way into my inbox. A portion of the mail was sent to me because of a legitimate query on my part. Five years ago. Yeah.

Always in a rush, I wouldn't take the time to open a new window and unsubscribe. Deleting them seemed easier.

Not anymore.

Would you like to cut your emails by half?

We'll use these 3 priniciples to make it happen.

Unsubscribe
Sort
Empty

I know some of you have impeccable inboxes. Others, myself included, not so much. Don't get overwhelmed and daunted because you see numbers in the triple digits when you log in. Do a few at the time, here and there.

Skim over. Read them. I know. Just get it over with. There's not much more that needs saying here.

Unsubscribe -Do you have 5 seconds?

Use them to unsubscribe and opt out. It saves me countless minutes I would inevitably squander later. Open the emails and scroll to the bottom. Usually, there is an unsubscribe link. Do yourself a favor and click it. Now...wait to hear the choirs of angels singing... Do you get alot of clothing or retail messages? Opt out of those emails and check your favorite retailer's web site only when you are ready to shop. (Sounds like a good idea for a series on money). All their sales and promotions are listed on the site. This prevents needless shopping just because you can't pass up a good deal via email. Use this same strategy for all marketing email that you don't want to receive any longer.

Weigh the relevance of the actual content of each message. Is it still interesting to you? Are you still doing business with the sender? Do you really enjoy receiving those jokes during the work day? A true friend will understand your plea to be omitted next time. You won't be sorry.

Use your nifty Spam button. Oh.yes.I.did. I never had used it before, and I don't know why. Now I do. It's spelled T.I.M.E. I thought I didn't have it, but by taking the time to innoculate all those poisonous, anonymous links, in random emails from senders with names I couldn't pronounce, I saved it in the long run. It's only one extra click that will pay big dividends later. Take advantage of it and use it. In short, work smarter, not harder. Boo-ya.

Edit your social media settings. Six months or more ago, I was tiredofbeingtired of the notifications from Facebook and Twitter excessively showing up in my inbox. I was notified every.single.time. a friend, a friend of a friend, or group I had joined, made a change. It was like the 'six degrees of separation' on steroids. Seriously. It was utterly ridiculous. All those little boxes in the account settings menu? Yeah. Mine were checked. By default. Shame on you, social media. Now, my inbox was getting notified about everbody and his brother. Again, always in a rush, I had never edited my settings. Tell me that someone other than me has continued to just check and delete these emails too. Indulge me. Please. Thank you. We'll talk more about social media in Week 3 on May 30, 2011.

Sort - Decide How You Want Them Organized

Create folders for your contacts. If you have never done so, try it. I did this a couple of years ago, but needed to do it again. I have acquired new contacts that are sending consistent mail that I want to receive. Moving email from my inbox to folders that I've created, helps keep my inbox clean and my mail culled. I no longer have to scroll through an endless maze to find a certain message. Some of my folders are labeled by a sender's name, a few are sorted by group names that I belong to with multiple contributors, and others are by sender and the year I received them. This is wonderful to create memories for later. This all sounds very complicated, but I assure you, it isn't. It saves an enormous amount of time. There are countless ways to organize your folders. Choose which one works for you.

Empty - Fuhhgedduuboutit!

Delete, delete, delete. With the remaining email in your inbox, decide if it's worth saving. It may be a onsie-twosie that you only get occasionally (Christmas letter from a friend you don't see anymore or have a relationship with, an annual letter from a school your child no longer attends, etc). Ask yourself if it carries weight with you personally or just weighing your inbox down, and then make a decision.

Your inbox should be eye candy now. High five yourself. No one's looking.

In the next challenge, posting on Monday May 23rd, I'll be talking about the blogging world.

Digital Overload Elimination Diet - curious how to get started?

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:15:00 +0000

The 300 square feet, plus or minus, that I call home is relatively in order. Everything and everyone has its place. My everyday belongings are minimal. Physical clutter is in check.

Mental disarray caused by unproductive time management stands at attention right now, though. I have saluted them and sent them on their way. Some things had to go.

We are indoctrinated early that life is to be lived at a whirlwind pace; that we should expect life's greatest moments to be very few, and tucked away, taking understudy to the mundane of making a living.

Don't we all want a different existence?

I've talked before about getting overwhelmed easily. A weakness, but a personal truth nonetheless.

My lists, quasi-bucket and others, have a way of rearing their anesthetic heads and paralyzing every motivational bone in my body. There are some things I want to do, and cannot bring to fruition, for reasons beyond my control - whether by way of poor timing or a void of resources. Others are attainable and only require an investment of time, more education, diligence and a measure of patience. The remaining, rely on friends' time, resources or knowlege. Too much of my time was spent focusing on the things that I cannot do and cannot control. Frustration is the end result and it isn't healthy, nor is it productive.

All these factors, added to an overload of unwanted or unsolicited emails, blog feeds, social networking, and lack of good, restful sleep, just sent me over the edge. I realized that I needed to simplify and streamline my time and how I chose to spend it. I needed a change of perspective. It was time for an evaluation. I started tackling the laborious, time consuming and tedious things that I could change, one by one. The process continues.

Do you want to know how to get started?

Join me for this 4 week blog series, Digital Overload Elimination Diet, illustrating how eliminating and detoxing from the mentally taxing things in my life that weren't a stepping stone to betterment, have proven to be super worthwhile. You can too.

On Mondays, you will be challenged:

to cut your emails by half
to spend less, but more effective time on social media
to evaluate your blog choices and make changes
to rethink your sleep habits

Lest you think that sleep sticks out like a sore thumb in the mix of the digital clutter challenges, we'll see the fusion and make the connection later.

Starting Monday, May 16, 2011, we'll look at how email can be a mental stumbling block. I can't wait to get started. Have a wonderful, thought provoking, inspiring weekend!

I will be spending mine celebrating my anniversary.

please? and thank you...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:02:00 +0000

I am still in Las Vegas, very far away from NC, my home state. So, after almost two years of traveling in the RV, I am realizing more and more how the south has this whole manners and courtesy thing pegged.

I assumed that most everyone used these words as second nature. Fail. No, definitely not everyone.

And not even most everyone. Two things have made me realize this: different regions in America are not as polite as others (I am in no way talking about Vegas in this post, btw) and there are people in my life that don't use them at all or even very often. Over the years of adulthood, I became desensitized to it. I credited it to their culture, or how they were raised, or the kind of job they do each day. Over time, the rationalizations on their behalf have eventually become bitterness on my part.
I find that I don't have much tolerance anymore for a store clerk who is rude or people who try to walk over me and my kids while I'm out shopping. I realize this stems from feeling slighted or discounted in other situations that don't have anything necessarily to do with that particular offender. I don't know if it is because my girls are getting older and I don't want them to be women who take for granted others' feelings or if it's that I don't want them to be women who become use to people in their life talking to them that way. I am trying to find the fine line of teaching them compliance/being easy to get along with and then being taken advantage of. There is a difference and this is so hard!

In the south, women get a bad rap for being "cantankerous" or "rebellious" for being confident and self-assured. But I can say most definitely that it is not like this most anywhere else. So... I love the south, but I don't like the imposed and generational stigma that women are a bit less and therefore don't need as much in their lives to be content.

Cultures are definitely different; all have some good and some bad. But, I don't care what language you speak, or where you come from: Please and Thank You are universal. Stop blaming your culture for your mistake. The south is my culture, my home, my love...but I will stop blaming it for things that I have not made happen in my life because of it. I will take the good from the bad and never stop using polite words.

~~2 words~~. 3 words.
Use them.
As much as you can.
Every day.
Anyone in your life will appreciate you for doing it.
I use them and I expect my girls to use them.
Shame on you if you don't. It's only a matter of time before not using them stops working for you.

california closets should be jealous....

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:06:00 +0000

Can I just tell you how excited I am about my new closet space? Doh! I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Our shower/tub combo in the RV has gone unused since October. It's a gas issue-one of those mysterious smells that no professional can put their finger on. They're all, "No, I can't find any leak." No more money out the window for someone to look at it again and again. But, there is definitely a smell; a strong smell. Enough that the dog gets sick if we leave him in the RV for an extended amount of time while we're gone and when we return, we start feeling funny too. So, no showers and hot water since then. The gas is turned completely o.f.f. I wash dishes in cold water and use an antibacterial dishsoap. We've been showering at the campgrounds where we stay if we're not boondocking. (Not all showers are created equal, but that's another post.) So far, so good.

Well, good gets better amigos, because I just added another closet to my RV. Halellujerrrrr.

Score!

I put in a rod and gave Daughter 1 her own closet. I scored major mom points for this. I've got all sorts of blackmail and bartering ideas up my sleeve now. Not only that goodness, but I was also able to hide the wicker laundry hamper in there too. Boo-yah! It previously was next to the TV in the living area. It never held all the clothes anyway, and always looked like it threw up all over the floor. I.was.done.with.that.

If she spews, it lands where I don't have to look at it :)

All my canned drinks, bottled water and linens that (ssshhh) always took residence in the booth now have a home too! Yes and Amen. The quilts and towels sit on a seat in the shower. That in itself makes me a feel a bit better. I sorta had the heebie-jeebies thinking about my linens on the floor of the tub. I don't care how much it's sanitized, I just don't think I'd be able to get over that.

Looks like we need more drinks...

So all four of us can eat.
At the table.
At the same time.
Glorious.

I forgot how much Daughter 2 talks incessantly while she eats. Bite. Talk. Swallow. Inhale. Bite. Talk. Swallow. Inhale. Repeat.
I didn't remember how Daughter 1 sits on her haunches like she's ready to pounce while she eats.
I recalled how much I'd rather sit at the table than on the sofa.
Good times, good times.

So, when you come to visit me, you can now eat at my table and not have to look at my dirty underwear at the same time.

Just keeping it real, y'all... you'll thank me.

oven-baked pencil sharpener...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:40:00 +0000

I woke this morning to find a pencil sharpener in my oven right next to the bagels. Last night there was fighting; the typical, "I have no room and you're being selfish", quibbling from Daughter 2. Daughter 1 was all, "I'm working here. Can't you move somewhere else. I was here first!!" After the speech about we all have to compromise, and I know we're all tired of being squished and crammed, yadda yadda yadda... I had to get creative. I made an "office" for Daughter 2 out of the oven door, a step stool and some pillows.

Yes.I.did.

And voila! We have an office. And a pencil sharpener in the oven...

Torn Between Two Loves...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:22:00 +0000

I love books. Lots of them.
About all sorts of different things.

I have books stacked under my sofa bed in the floor. There’s the few that are stashed (sshhhh) in the cab area; the ones between the hamper and the wall; and finally, the ones neatly organized in the TV cabinet in the living area. I am an avid reader. When it rains outside or doesn’t. When it’s cold or isn’t. When I have time or don’t, you can find me reading something. I get stress relief and therapy. My thirst for knowledge is quenched. It’s multi-tasking at its finest. And depending on the situation, it’s free.

So what’s the problem?
I live in less than 300 square feet. Yeah.
Therein, lies my dilemma.

See, I’d like to think that I am a progressive traditionalist. Is there such a term?

I relish each Facebook message I receive from you. I’m eager to read my emails from you about the blog. I feel super loved. I like texting for its no nonsense straightforward approach, just as much as any other girl, and seriously don’t know how I’d function without it. But… there’s just something about personalized snail mail or a phone call from an old friend. The traditionalist in me wants to cling to the smell of a new book. I like the feel of the pages of a well worn book between my fingers while I think of all the people who might have owned it before me. This girl wants to read the last page first. She likes to dog-ear the corners of some of the best pages because bookmarks tend to fall out. She likes to see the color of the paper and highlight the text. This girl is unashamed to say that she writes in the margins and doodles oddities while she daydreams about what she’s just read. She is hanging on tight to the few books she has left that haven’t been forced into hibernation, otherwise known as storage.

I run to the book that reminds me in a crisis to put my big girl panties on and deal head on with what life is handing me. My child training book series is harbored safely in the back on the left and they remind me of when my babies were little. I can’t part with the cookbook that my brother gave me the Christmas before he died. All of these books and a few more make the cut. Period. I’ll make room. But what about new ones I’d like to read? A library card hasn’t been much of an option with my lifestyle. There’s a weight issue also. The RV’s, not mine :)

So, I’m torn between two loves: books and my need for technology. An e-reader was the best option. It’s lightweight (not necessarily light enough for my budget), but it’s worth it in the long run. And it will be a long run, my friends, because as long as this girl has her sight, she’s reading.

Capt. My Guy gave me a Kindle for my birthday in October.

I was a little apprehensive to download my first book. I mean, what if I didn’t like it? What would I say to my husband if I had to bring myself to admit that I liked books better? What if I missed the smell? Highlighting and underlining in the traditional sense was certainly translated during the migration to digital e-readers, but…

But. But. But…

I was running out of questions and excuses. There was nothing left but to give it a spin. And it hasn’t stopped spinning since. A plethora of reading material at my literal fingertips makes the luxury list, friends, no doubt about it. Digitally cheaper than a hard copy too.

Not like my Kindle?
Lo siento, Amazon. What was I thinking?

I can always go to a musty old library.
And visit a bookstore.
Or frequent an eclectic coffee shop…

If I want to sniff books.
But who does that kind of thing anyway?

Jeesh…

List of Stuff, Part 3...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:42:00 +0000

In an earlier post, I blogged about a sort of bucket list, which had things I'd like to do, or places I'd like to go. It is a combination of a couple lists, some from long ago and some more recent. Some things are already crossed off because I had been able to do them since scribing a portion of the list years ago.

I am slowly, but surely, working on the list.

In no particluar order.

Last month I was able to check off number 34, eat Thai food. Num Thai in Key Largo, FL has some of the best house rice. Evaaaa. Their sushi? Divine. Too bad, I'm not still in Key Largo.

Albequerque, NM

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:36:00 +0000

This town was a delight. Old Town was quaint with shops and classic adobe homes. I loved the art around town. There were beautiful sculptures and the bridges were like none I've seen any other place. The landscape was stark and crass with its jagged edges but the people were very warm.

leaving the campground

never got the story behind this mountain...

loved the art

I got my kicks on Route 66 ;-)

crossing the Rio Grande River

we also crossed the Continental Divide between Alb. and Gallup, NM

We were only in Albequerque overnight but I enjoyed every minute.

Amarillo, TX

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:31:00 +0000

Traveling on I40 West, outside Amarillo, we stopped at Cadillac Ranch on Route 66. I was stoked. There's no gift shop or quaint welcome center, just an unlocked corral gate to gain entrance to the long dirt road on the farmland. It is definitely a ranch, though. I liked the unassuming way this Texan has just opened his homestead for visitors. Artists. Journalists. Families. Gypsies. Photographers. There was a journalist/photographer from Colorado leaving as I was coming through the gate. He was headed east.

Basically, it is just a row of vintage Cadillacs buried halfway down nose first. The fun part is being able to spray paint anything you want on the cars. I had a blast. I enjoyed it as much as the girls. You just can't go west and not hit Cadillac Ranch :)

Fellow travelers, I thank you for leaving behind nearly full paint cans for my enjoyment :)

Somewhere In West TX, Betweeen Childress and Amarillo

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:19:00 +0000

We pulled into a rest area to spend the night with other roadies. Driving for more than a couple hours in the dark, we hadn't seen very much but just assumed that the great expanse of West TX had remained the same. Every cow had a twin and those twins were cloned. I swear I've never so much cattle. One ranch after another. Sadly, I saw dead cows at the fenceline and wondered how long it would be before they were found. Oil fields. One-lane dirt roads that lead off into the abyss of no-man's land.

oil, cattle and a few cacti

The terrain was consistent but the critters changed a bit

I saw this cute little shop when we stopped for gas, but it was closed

West Texas was a long, dull and quiet ride, but it provided much time for reflection.

Sulphur Springs, TX with Share5.org

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:14:00 +0000

After 16 months, I finally saw our friends again! We traveled and worked together for a month in the fall of 2009. We had met online through Families On The Road several years ago but had never met in person until September of 2009. Up to our introduction personally, we had spoken on the phone, email and Facebook so I felt like I already knew them. The first time we ever spoke was on our launch date of July 4, 2009. Chad and Amy called to surprise us and to wish us well. I was comforted. I was quiet and reflective after having pulled out of the driveway that morning, and it was a washing over of peace to know that they cared and that other families were likeminded. We visited the Creation Museum near Cincinnatti upon our initial visit in Sept. 2009 and they came back with us in their RV to Kentucky, where we were parked. They ended up staying with us through October 2009 working on a project in Dawson Springs, KY. After completion, we all went to Atlanta to work the Catalyst Conference and said our goodbyes there. They were on to Mexico and we had to go back to Kentucky.

It was great to see them after all this time. I was awful sad to say goodbye again. We were able to celebrate their youngest daughter's 1st birthday with them. We were treated like kings with great food, "hot, as long as we want" showers, unlimited use of the washing machine. And Amy cut and colored my hair. Yep. I didn't know what to do with myself. Well,.... I did know. I almost dozed off while she was cutting it. I am so blessed to have friends like them. They are currently off the road and settled in Sulphur Springs, TX in a cute little house and a wonderful church family. Click here if you'd like to read more of their story and their mission.

Bethany Grace, what a miracle she is

Chad getting to the frosting before she does

Amy and Bethany

Chad saying his goodbye

one last pic before the goodbyes and tears

I am hoping it won't be another 16 months until I see them again. They are trying to get us to go to Mexico with them. Again. They're making it very hard to say no. Why are our visits always timed immediately before their missions to Mexico? I'm not brave enough to ask God that question yet. Ridiculous. I know, right? He knows what I'm thinking already anyway...

Nawlins, LA, Y'all...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:42:00 +0000

After the FOTR rally and Key Largo, FL, we headed up the panhandle and onto New Orleans. What a treat. The weather was wonderful. 75 degrees. Not bad for February. Unfortunately, there were still visible signs that Katrina had wreaked her havoc and had her way with the Big Easy. Much had been rebuilt, but there are some sections of town that have been deserted. Downtown was a different story. It is vibrant and thriving. I was glad to be extended southern hospitality after so long. I like to be asked if I'm having a good day and if I need help finding anything. Every state and town is different, but Nawlins delivered, y'all.

I had some fabulous beignets (french doughnuts) and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde.

Delish.

Spilling over with utter goodness

No trip to New Orleans is complete without visiting Cafe du Monde

We:

rode the ferry to Algiers, a community of historic homes with classic southern architecture.

walked and shopped on Canal Street

tried on some pretty rockin' masks

in all different shapes and colors

got a history lesson about the Mississippi River

visited this super cool eclectic shop and got a fantastic bumper sticker

sat and reflected awhile in the St. Louis Cathedral

and watched as the residents began preparing for Mardi Gras

All in all, I had an amazing time in New Orleans, but wouldn't want to be there during the festivities :)

FOTR (families on the road) Rally 2011

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:26:00 +0000

So.Much.Fun.

I so enjoyed my time with my FOTR family. Most of us have been friends online for several years. The rally was held in Cape Canaveral, FL January 20-23, 2011. My entries are a bit out of order. I just realized that I had not even posted about it yet.

Quick recap.
16 families, I believe.
40 something kids of all ages.
Movie nights. Campfires. Sangria. Dessert Potluck. Science experiments which included a homemade bomb.
Oh, yeah!

Some of us continued on to Orlando together after the rally. We just couldn't bear to be apart. There is a kinship with us gypsies and our kids. We are proof to each other that we're not crazy. That we're not damaging our kids for life. That bonds of friendship aren't broken by distance. Or continent. Or time.

I have one friend returning from Australia reuniting with his family after a short job stint in Australia. Another family who will be leaving shortly to spend the spring in Europe. And one country music singer who is an absolute hoot. Families with adopted children. Families with little ones and families with older children not traveling with them. A family who started Fulltime Families magazine, that has given me an opportunity to write for them. Three single moms (mad props to single mamas doing this with their kids!). A family promoting wellness and sustainable living. Another family new to the road doing outreach. True free spirits.

Dynamics galore.
Each with a story and how they made it to this life.
And as I sit here tonight thinking of all my framily, I miss them, but happy too because, each of our stories have woven together into a precious book; a book with a wonderful introduction, an engaging middle...

But without an ending...
Just new chapters to be written.

Hands Down, The Best Hands On Fun I've Had In Awhile...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:13:00 +0000

Still in Key Largo, we went to John Pennekamp State Park today. It was our second visit this week. We just had to come back one last time before leaving tomorrow morning, and boy am I glad we did. The weather gave a 50% chance of rain. Didn't know it until 5 minutes before rolling Roxy down the highway. Our unpredictable life is rarely more than 50/50 anyhow, so in true randomroadmama style, I declared that we were going for it.

Yeah. I have a tendency not to look at the weather much when all there really is, is sun.
And sun.
And more sun.

I left the snow behind a few weeks ago, so snowstorms and ice are off my radar. There's been only one day of rain since arriving in Florida 3 weeks ago. To prove my point that roadschooling can happen anywhere and be about anything at any given time: my girls and Capt. My Guy swam and made nice with the manatees this afternoon.

Yes ma'am. The real deal. All 8 feet of baby mama and 5 feet of her baybay.

There were several manatees, but this pair put on a show and reveled in the attention. Baby mama foraged to her heart's delight on the sea plants at the bottom while baybay rolled and curled around our feet. Unafraid of the big humans lurking for another touch, baybay amazed us all and left us wanting more.

Avery snorkeling and touching Baybay

Baybay

Angel touching Baby Mama

Capt. My Guy and Baby Mama

The girls and I hoping for another sneak peek

I am so glad we went for it. And for sure will do it again if given the chance.

John Pennekamp State Park, randomroadmama thanks you.
Can you take a stab at what we're learning more about tomorrow?

PS. It never rained. Not one drop.

RV Pics Finally! Drumroll...

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:36:00 +0000

She is finished. And so are we. For awhile, anyway. I wouldn't necessarily mind another project, so if you need help with yours, I'm open to that. I'm only half kidding. Sorta.

Roxy proved to be good to us after all and has cleaned up nicely. Poor girl, she was just waiting for someone to lend a little encouragement. There are many people who donated materials and time, that I want to give a shout of thanks to:

The Crosmun's in NC for blessing us with Roxy,
Russell Hott for helping w/the radiator and Kelly Hott for the chat in the meantime,
My parents for helping us tear out the old stuff in the very beginning,
Brenda Laskowski for helping paint and make the slipcovers,
Judy Holt for altering the kitchen table curtains,
Lakewood Carpet for donating the labor and all flooring,
IKEA for being so affordable. Just sayin'...,
Billy West in Dawson Springs, KY for his hard work,
Chris & Shilah Barnes for their help. And for telling us we're not crazy after all...

Here are a few of the pics:

To see the entire album, you can view my Flickr slideshow to your left.

We've been living in the Pace Arrow for 4 months now. The girls have the bedroom and Capt. My Guy and I have the front IKEA sofa bed. It has worked out nicely.

And I get to wake up to a sunny yellow kitchen every morning. Love it.

Words... More or Less

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:37:00 +0000

Today is a day of words.

Some too easily spoken.
Others not breathed enough.
A few that may never be said.
Many that are said too much.

The words said today are full of hurt; swollen with resentment and anger. Words festering with the intent of masking what really is and hiding it under a ridiculously ugly incognito; words that are chock full of unhappiness. Verbiage from the rawness of acid in the soul that just won’t cease it’s bubbling and corroding. Acid-words rooted in the core of one's being; by the calcification that is caused by nursing them. Feeding them. Fertilizing them. Marinating on them. Brewing them until they explode like the hot lava that they are, melting all who stand in the path of their liquid release.

Steel-wool words bore a crater into whom they are directed. A dark cavernous place perfect for the incubation of your own piercing words. It’s a vicious process. One that I cannot participate in, one that I won’t participate in. A voracious parasite attachment; eating through and consuming everything around it; eventually sucking and draining the very life from which it feeds.

My humanity is hurt. My flesh is grieving. Angry. Done. Repulsed. Reminded. But the supernatural that is within me is comforting and soothing, pacifying and shushing the cries within my heart. So, I’m just going to sway with it, rock back and forth to the lullaby of my Savior who in times like this neutralizes the acid, sweetens the raw bite, and reminds me of the truth and what He says about me instead. Even so, in the waking destruction of the molten mess, I know that I am loved. I am forgiven and only in that can I extend it to the thrower of the stones who is apparently hurting as bad as I am now. Words are like stones, once they are thrown they cannot be taken back. Stones are like words in that they can be thrown back.

But I won’t do it.
I just won’t.
As much as it hurts, I just can not.
As strong as the pull is, and as magnetic as the tugging of the undercurrent is;
I just can’t.

Reconciling the way things are, in my heart, is a tough thing, but being reconciled to others is even harder.
I can’t make something that isn’t.
I can’t will it to be.
I don’t have the capacity to make it so anymore.

So, I will continue to be rocked and sway to the lullaby…

4 Months Squished Into 1 Post....

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:13:00 +0000

So 4 months has passed since I last blogged.
The looming thought of having to put 4 months into words has been very daunting.
Terrifying even. Where do I begin? How do I possibly catch up? Or can I?

So, I will keep it simple and that will have to do.
July. Nashville, TN and Michigan.
August. Western Kentucky.
September. Eastern Kentucky.
October. Kentucky and North Carolina.
November. Kentucky.

The RV remodel is finished. More or less. There are a couple items left to complete but it is what it is.
I vow not to take photos until they are done. Photos would just mess the whole thing up.

I am adjusting, sometimes through gritted teeth, to the transition.
34 feet + 3 slides = manageable. Comfortable. Doable.
34 feet + 0 slides = smothering. Dysfunctional. Chaos. Clutter. (at times)

The girls have the bedroom and my guy and I sleep on an IKEA sofa bed in the front. I was a little worried about this decision, but it has by far been the smoothest part of moving into this RV. Smart call. The girls love having their own room. Mama likes them having their own room. No more stuff in the living area. They have their own closet and cabinets now.

So, I’m adjusting to a different environment and though it feels like home because it’s just the way we wanted it to look, some days like today are hard on the psyche. Bad weather, non-compliant students, and more stuff I’m tripping over that must go to Goodwill. That is when it stops raining, of course.

The weather here the last couple of weeks has been rainy, cloudy and cold. Weather.com agrees that it will stay that way for the immediate future. If I can just make it to the end of the year when we head to a warmer climate, I’ll have it in the bag!

On a brighter and exciting note, I have two publishers who are looking at my book. I am thrilled with the possibilities. I have already started on my second book and will be working on that throughout 2011. I will know more hopefully soon.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to your Christmas with family and friends!

Knee.Deep.In.It.All.

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:18:00 +0000

We got it.
The 1983 Pace Arrow is now ours.
Best of all?
It was donated to our non-profit!

After coordinating the arrangements, my family and I left Nashville and picked it up that same afternoon in North Carolina.

Speechless. But only for a minute. There was too much work to get started on.
The craziness began.
Immediately!

There were the parts under the hood that needed replacing right away to make it somewhat dependable to drive. There is the carpet that HAD to come out. And the furniture. And the radiator.The radiator is the thorn in our side right now. Who knew that the one that we need would be so hard to find? Not to mention, expensive? Aahhhh…I am still researching and looking online. I’ll let you know how that all turns out.

For today, and tomorrow, my mom and I are working on sewing curtains for the front windshield. She had some drapes in her house that she didn’t want anymore, so, a few stitches and four hours later, I have new curtains for the front windshield. I can’t wait to get them installed, but that will come after…

The paint.
New furniture.
The new flooring.
The new blinds.
The new kitchen counter.
Cabinet hardware from our sticks and bricks house.

Busy, busy, busy.
And tired.
In a good way.

My family and I are knee-deep in the remodel as we speak.

There's more. My husband got a phone call from a friend in our hometown. He is donating a car for us to tow behind the RV.

We are currently working on finishing the remodel, getting the tow dolly and tow car and taking everything back to Tennessee before we leave for Michigan mid-July!

All this within a two week period has made my head spin.

Here's a sneak peek at a before picture. This is what we're working with.

Stay tuned for after pictures!

We’re Not Crazy, We’re Just A Little Unwell… ha!

noreply@blogger.com (random road mama) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:56:00 +0000

I mentioned in my last post that I may have some news and that I’d blog about it when I knew more.

Well, I know a little more, but not much.

My guy got a phone call from a friend at home in North Carolina who was telling us about an RV for sale. Ironically, we had just left NC a week earlier and soooo wish we’d been able to see it while we were still there! He emailed some photos a couple days later and after looking at them, we are seriously considering it. This may be the opportunity for us to get an older class A and sell our fifth wheel. It will be a major change for my family to downsize again, but I am excited about the possibilities this decision will afford us. There are definitely pros and cons to downsizing to an older class A. (and when I say older, let’s just say, that if she were a human, she’d be drawing retirement, ha!).

Not really.

But she is 27 years old. Whoaaa!

She looks to be in decent shape on the inside and has had only two owners.

My guy and I are working out the logistics now, and figuring out what we’re able to spend remodeling it. Thankfully, our background is construction and development. I don’t question the demo and rebuild aspect of this RV as much as I might the mechanical and automotive side of it. Miguel has restored a classic 69 Mustang Mach I, that belonged to his dad, and built a race car with the help of a great team. I’m hoping that the experience he got from these two restorations will come in handy for this project if needed. It’s an eye-opening experience to go into unknown territory, but the landscape we’d like to revisit is being virtually debt-free again.

The wheels turn a little easier that way. And faster.

Literally and figuratively.

Puns totally intended.

I am hopeful that whether this particular class A becomes ours or not, that the right RV will come along for my family. Either way, it’s our desire to sell our fifth wheel and get something that will be paid for.

I’ve been asked, “how in the world will you guys live in that little space”? and, “you’re going to downsize again”?

The only answer I have is, that I am totally trusting on God to send the answer, Jesus to give peace about it, and the Holy Spirit to deliver the discernment to make the right decision for our family.

I don’t know how much more will be asked of me.

Or what further will be expected from my family;

But what I do know is that we are on a journey that may not necessarily ever have a destination on this side of heaven.

I think that’s part of the trip;

That in the layovers, flat tires, descensions, and hopefully more ascensions than not, of life, there will be some meaning.

Some clarity revealed.
Morsels of knowledge gained.
Precepts of wisdom given.
Nuggets of hope restored;

And maybe not necessarily for oneself, but through me for others and their own journey;

That what I learn in these moments of life, provide someone else a roadmap along her exodus.

So, what does all this about our next possible transition mean to me right now? And how can it relate to you?

I know that less is more in the grand scheme of things, (even though my scope ain’t always so grand, my friend). I tend to get a little jaded. And microscopic. I am able to see the big picture, I just tend to give myself allowance to zero in on the implications of ‘now’ and not ‘then’. I don’t know the morsels, precepts or nuggets just yet, but I do know that I’m looking forward to rolling debt free if at all possible.

That’s the spiritual side of this whole journey, but there is the human element that screams,

“I’m not crazy, I’m just a little unwell”....