Sunday - Day 252 - Pink is our new Blue

Who says boys can't have pink things? 

My son is secure in his boyhood because I tell him so.  He is all boy and walks around like a mini tough guy.

So when our fellow campers offered up a few items that belonged to their little granddaughter how could I say no?  It all began with a push mower.  Their granddaughter was simply not into it, but Ty loved it.  He loves to drag his mower inside the RV, because it's his.

It all began with this little mower,
which Ty absolutely loves. 

Ty doesn't know his colors and he certainly does not think some colors are gender specific.  Ty could careless about the color of his toys.  

When we inherited a used little pink car, all he knew was this was the best little car he ever had, it was fun to play with and made lots of cool sounds.  I thought it was a nice gesture, and for free this little car has brought a lot of happiness to my little man. 

Ty's PINK car

Now a pink car was no big deal.  However, today we were offered a mini futon just like the one Ty already owns and loves.  We agreed to take the chair before we learned it was just a little different from his red Cars couch, this one was a pink Dora the Explorer futon.  It was brand new and it was useful, so inside the camper it came. 

Ty doesn't seem to mind that his new mini couch is pink, he just knows he has two cool little chairs to make himself and all his 'buddies' comfy.  When we push the two futons together, he puts his feet up on one and snuggles with his blankets on the other.  This kid has it made!

Ty's PINK Chair 

Pink is the new Blue in our house and I had no idea it would be totally okay with me until today. 

My son is happy and that's all that seems to matter. 

Saturday - Day 251 - A little comic relief

There is nothing like a little comic relief to break up the day, the week or to get a new month started.  

We been planning this evening for months, Ron White was coming to Daytona Beach playing at the Peabody.  We had a fabulous evening with good friends and good entertainment.  

It was a nice change of pace to have Chelley, Greg, Debbie and Robert all together sans our children.  A true adult evening, one that does not come about often. 

Getting ready in our little living space was a tad challenging, but John and I managed, taking turns in the bathroom and coordinating haphazardly. 

I think the act of getting ready in the RV, for an evening out, is a comedy routine in itself.  What would John or I talk about if we were stand up comedians? 

Living in our RV has its benefits, were constantly on a diet due to lack of room for food in the pantry.  This makes getting ready for an evening out much easier when we are all sliding past one another by the bunk beds, it is an acrobat act in getting ready. 

Squeezing in and around the boys bunk house, in and out of a tiny bathroom, and changing multiple times in the living room makes for a fun filled, lively chaotic experience.  

Sneaking extra time in the bathroom while my husband showers was only part of the routine.  

No one told me the simple life included sharing a tiny bathroom with a big dog, while trying to apply makeup with one leg up, the other steady.  

Packing two boys up, in the car, all ready for a babysitter, in heals, makes it all the more death defying.  

What happens when you combine one woman, getting ready for a rare night out, with a camper full of four other male species?        A frock in' nut house!!

Friday - Day 250 - Surprise!!

John and I had anticipated we'd be in our new house before Christmas.  Mid December was our estimated close date.  

We had our progress walk through for the house yesterday and it ended with a big surprise. Our builder looked at his clip board, looked at us and announced, "expect completion sometime between Christmas and New Years."

John and I processed this information rapidly and looked at one another, smiles soon spread across our faces. 

We would be spending Christmas in the RV.  All of December in our camper and we would bring 2014 in with a new home. 

I was very surprised, but in a relieved way.  We were planning to pay for the entire month of December at the campground regardless, and now we had an additional month, mortgage free.  We would be making the best, most unique memories celebrating Christmas, while still living in the RV.  Santa visits everywhere, even little kids in a campground. 

One day we will look back on our lives and we will long for our easy-going camping lifestyle.  James will definitely remember it well.  Ty will see photos and will not believe he was a little guy sleeping in a big boy bottom bunk.  

Celebrating Christmas here is the bow on top of the entire experience.  

By the time we move out, we will have lived in the camper roughly 310 days.  
Two more months isn't very long, after all, we already have eights months to reflect on. 

Thursday - Day 249 - Halloween

Trick or treating in our campground, not very fruitful.  Although, James did get a nice Halloween goody bag from the caravan of decorated golf carts that the retires were driving.   I really should have snapped a photo, it was quite a sight to see, and extremely creative.  

James in his transformer costume

We were neighborhood bound to our future home.  Haley and Jack came to join their brothers for Halloween.  John had class and Marcella had plans with her friends. Greg, Chelley, Max and Dylan met us a little later in the evening.  All the boys had this whole trick or treating thing down pat. 

James & his big bro, Jack

Ty & his big sis, Haley

We met all sorts of scary and interesting characters.  A few scared the bejesus out of Ty. 

It was Ty's first Halloween where he could truly participate. He needed a little help at first.  He did not understand you can not  walk into people's homes after they answer their door.  The entire getting free candy from strangers thing was an entirely new concept for young Ty.  He held on tight to his treats until I finally convinced him to drop his candy in his treat bag.  He was very cute and funny overall. 

By the end of it all I had him saying "Trick or Treat!" On demand and "Thank You" once he had his candy.  He was a good little dragon. 

Ty was a good little dragon, invading homes

I would have to admit the experience was extremely fruitful.  We had lots of 'mommy' favorite chocolate treats.  Twix, Milky Ways and Kit Kats galore.It was quite the happy and easy little trick or treating escapade.  

Another Halloween here and gone.  Next year will be very different, living in a nice neighborhood, lots of activity and kids to participate in the festivities.  Something we hadn't had in quite a while.  It seems we are moving at the right time for the boys to benefit from having a good neighborhood to enjoy, especially around the holidays. 

James wanted a photo with Halloween decorations in a deli

Wednesday - Day 248 - New Kid

James has a new kid in his class.  He is Swedish, from Sweden.  He looks Swedish and he sounds Swedish.  He's an interesting new addition to the class.  

James does not realize he and his new classmate could have ancestors in common.  I told James he is Swedish too, but I don't think he understands the concept of his heritage. 

The fact that he and his new Swedish friend look like exact opposites doesn't help me make that comparison, but maybe that is exactly why I want James to learn and understand.  

Although, James may look like his me, he can not deny his father's roots, which could not be any more different than mine.  This makes him unique, an excellent gene pool mix.  He will identity with many backgrounds as he gets older.  

In the future, I look forward to visiting all of the places my children's grandparents came from to ensure they feel connected to their heritage and history.

Sweden (25%)

Italy (25%)

Puerto Rico (25%)

Germany

England

Ireland

In the meantime, it is my job to make sure James and Ty know that although people may look different on the outside, we are often surprised at how similar we all are on the inside.  

Our similarities often out way our differences. 

Tuesday - Day 247 - Mixed Emotions

Disappointment is an interesting emotion.  It eats away at our insides, picking away at our excitement, and the dreams our future held on to.  Those dreams suddenly deflated into a sad little mess of despair.

Today's disappointment was compounded with yesterday's disappointment.

For only a second I wondered, "What did I do?"  Then I knew better and asked A better question, 

"What better lies ahead?"  How has my future been altered, an unexpected turn for the better. 

I like cliches they always ring with an aspect of truth.  This is why they become cliches.  

"When one door closes, another one opens."  

I am certain when opportunity passes us by, another is waiting close behind.

'When One Door Closes, Another One Opens"

An excellent career opportunity passed me by.  I suspect I would have felt better if they told me they didn't like me, I was unqualified or not a good fit for their organization. Instead, I was told I lived too far away.  They were fearful I'd find a better opportunity, closer to home, after working for them for a year or two. 

A small part of me couldn't help but consider there was some truth in this.   Would I invest in myself knowing what I could be worth after becoming a CPA.  Probably not.

With the disappointment lingering and knowing how difficult it is to land a decent interview in my county, my job search will continue.   It continues with a little more vigor, a bit more knowledge and a lot more confidence compared to when my job hunt began. 

If I was on a reality show called "Job Hunters", I would easily be able to describe my dream job. Work close to home, make more than decent pay, have realistic hours, under a CPA and for a stable, profitable company.  My own office, working with fabulous people would be an added bonus. An excellent incentive plan, with flexibilty around vacations would be the icing on my cake.

Maybe my ideal position is a bit lofty, but a girl has got to have her dreams.  And I like to keep mine large and alive.

Monday - Day 246 - House Hunters

Yes it's true!  John and I auditioned for House Hunters.  We did it solely for the experience and if we actually were on the show it would be a little snapshot into our lives for the entire world to see.  What fun!  

Our audition video\

We have a such a unique story, and the producer I've been corresponding with for almost a year, agreed.  He was certain we would make through....if only ...... We described our dream home in the most detail.  One more take and maybe we would have nailed it. 

I admit, the producer gave me a strong recommendation, get that dream home described in detail.  We also shared our search process in the Fly In community and on beachside, not to mention we live in our camper!!  How could they not want to take our story?

After waiting about a week, I learned the show gave us a 'pass'.  That's a nice way of stating you're rejected!!  

It's not so bad getting rejected from one of my absolutely favorite, guilty pleasure, television shows.  Yes, it's stings just a bit, and it is drenched with disappointment and questions of "Why not us?"  

But, at the heart of it all, I was literally a nervous wreck recording a seven minute audition video.  I was all tongue tied, forgetting what I wanted to say, not making my mental visuals clear for the entire world.  How could I begin to speak at length for a profession thirty minute show?  I would have most definitely embarrassed myself.  I am sure of this.

But a little embarrassment never killed anyone.  A little bruised ego only helps it bounce back stronger and healthier.  

That's what we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better.  But, admitting it, writing it, and sharing these feelings actually does make me feel better.  It's not really that bad or a big deal.  

It just is.  And to me that IS okay.  

I may not have made it on House Hunters, but I tried and not many people I know can say they auditioned for House Hunters.  Or maybe if they did and they can not admit they too were rejected. 

And then I think..... Maybe, just maybe, John and I will have an opportunity to relocate overseas at some point in the future.  hmmmmm, I wonder if International House Hunters will take us?  I'll be ready and prepared.  I like that show just a little bit better anyway.  

The great thing about dreams, is that they are unlimited.  

Never say Never!