Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Lots of Moves in Alabama

Talladega Creekside Resort RV Park and Cabin Rental Sign
Talladega Creekside Resort Sign
We were staying at Talladega Taz RV Park and Campground and when we'd go into town we'd pass this sign we couldn't read from the high speed road. I wanted to go and see what was down this little road. Oh my gosh it's a campground and it's gorgeous! We moved the next week to Talladega Creekside Resort RV Park and Cabin Rental. We loved it there and that well kept secret was home for a few weeks and it was time to move again. The people all around the area are so nice. The day of the big nascar race in Talladega we went to the Anniston Museum of Natural History, then looked around the mall, and got some pizza. We always had a good time but that's because of the company more then anything else, of course.

We knew we were going to Montgomery or Selma for about a week then Friday we learned it was Selma, Alabama. Friday after work we zipped up to Hendersonville, TN so Todd and his friend could work on the truck all day Saturday and then straight back. Sunday was laundry and grocery shopping and we moved on Monday. It's a four hour drive to Hendersonville so I have a feeling this weekend we'll be staying in watching movies. We'll go explore Montgomery soon I'm sure, it's only about an hour away.

These flowers are all over Alabama but I can't figure out what they are. :-)


We should be going to Houston, TX next where I'll get to be Todd's assistant! My health has gotten much better but I'll still have to take time off often which is fine with the company because Todd will have work he can do by himself too. This job can last about a year but I think we'll have hitch itch before then which is OK but as long as we're there I'll have an hourly wage and dental and vision insurance, lovin' that. We'll also love the warmth this winter!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Five States in Five Months

We've now lived in five states in just under six months!
Sheeba
This really is even better than I thought it'd be. We love being on the road and staying different places. Last time I wrote we were in South Carolina. That was our favorite campground, Forest Spring Family Campground, so far. The owner is so nice, the place is quiet, and nearby Seneca has the best laundry mat we've ever seen. Check out these washers. I know you can't really see how big they are but the two sitting next to each other are eight load washers! They sound a bit like an airplane during the final spin! Yep, those are credit card readers on them.

Todd's Dad and the newest member of his family, Sheeba, came to visit. It was great seeing them! How adorable is she? She was being a good girl waiting for her Dad to say "OK" she could come get her treat.

I thought that teardrop with the slide was so cool Todd got a picture of it for me. The pic under that he found online and we thought it was funny so there ya go. The monster camper is either just so wrong or just so right I just don't know! Ha! First time we get this baby stuck I bet I'll know.

Then we went to Norcross, Georgia for just a few weeks. That was the most interesting city we'd ever seen. We hope to go there again someday. The diversity is amazing. There are all kinds of different languages written on all kinds of businesses along with English. I've been to cities that had China Town and the like but here all of it is together with Korean text on a building right next to the Salvador Bakery next to the Mexican restaurant by the International Farmers Market. Indian, Greek, and Chinese restaurants are abundant too, just to name a few. It was quite a surprise that the campground was in the big city! Paved roads even... in the campground! Wikipedia is completely wrong about Norcross because this place is huge. Todd trained but had a little delay due to rain and the holiday (Labor Day) but passed everything and we're off again!

I was so worried about getting on that crazy Atlanta loop to come to Alabama. No problem and we were on our way to Birmingham! Helena, AL actually. Todd had computer training there just for a few days and we were off to his first regular job here in Talladega, Alabama. Yay Todd! Funny, we saw the sign on the way here for I65 and Todd said "we could take it and be home in no time". We said simultaneously "weeee aaaare hoooome"! hehehe We should be here in Talladega for one to two months. The outskirts have way more RVs than I've ever seen in such a small place.

I've been studying almost non-stop. jQuery is the new subject of choice. I get so wrapped up in it I just can't believe the clock when I look at it. The heat should be tapering off for Todd by the end of the week but he doesn't complain. All is well.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Drink Me!

Todd's last post made me laugh out loud. Thank you, Baby!

We tell each other the other one is perfect often, sort of goes like "you're perfect", "no, you're perfect", "nope, it's you", "na, all you ", "like so totally you" (in our best 1980's teen-age valley girl voice). "Totally... you." and so on. I know, sickening, right?

So, last night he said "you're perfect" and my reply was "I know, right? Why don't other people know that? I think you should tell the world!" heheheeee

I know I'm nowhere near perfect but anyway... made me think of my favorite ad though I've never had that wine. I am the middle sister, Jan Brady, step aside! I have two older and two younger sisters.

Perfection

Carrie wanted me to announce to the whole world that she is perfect!
And, she is!!!
Well......At the very least, She is perfect for me!
JUST SAYIN'

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Work, Work, Work

I've been working day and night to get my template site, Positively Digital, started! Time now for a couple of days off. (Update 8/19/2016 - Positively Digital is now closed.)

Todd basically has a job, just waiting for the drug test to come back. Then we'll be off to Georgia for training! I love moving the most. The couple of hours it takes us to get everything packed and hitched up feels like eternity to me! We'll be moving a lot with his new job too, Yay!

Two  of our friends, Mike and Leti, moved on today. We'll probably stay in the same campground with them again in Georgia! Then it'll probably be a while before we get to see these fun people again, but we will.

We've been taking walks in the evening when the weather is perfect, this place is gorgeous too and we do like it here very much!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

More Pictures From Cherokee

Sequoyah


Eternal Flame Cherokee is an amazing place.

We are happy to be at this much smaller, quiet campground here in Westminster, NC. We got here Monday but I haven't been out of the camper since then. I have health issues that have gotten worse over the past few years and now I'm to the point I can no longer hold a regular job. I'm working on an online business I can do from home (where ever we're parked). I'll put a link in a post after I get a little more done with it. Todd is looking for a job in nearby towns and will be the sole supporter of us both, bless his angel heart!

I'm feeling much better today so I can clean the camper and then we'll go do laundry, yay! Our friend Susie found some beautiful waterfalls so all six of us friends here will go see them tomorrow, double triple YAY!

I'll leave you for now with a slideshow of more pictures from Cherokee. We saw a waterfall there too!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Time to move on...

Well, we had a great time work camping in Cherokee, NC, but it's time to move on. We are now camping at a cute little campground in Westminster, SC called Forest Spring Family Campground. We will be staying here for a while while we figure out what our next move is. I am probably going to have to get a job outside the campground for a while to make ends meet. It's pretty rural here though. I hope I can find something. We would like to go to Savannah for a while if we can find some work down there.
We are staying here with some good friends we met in Cherokee, Mike and Leti and Steve and Suzie. We are having a great time.
(Edit - Posted by Todd)


Monday, July 1, 2013

Bears in Cherokee, NC

There are these beautiful painted bears all over downtown Cherokee, North Carolina.


We took more pictures I'll post soon and  we'll get a lot more of gorgeous Cherokee and the Smoky Mountains. We've been getting an incredible amount of rain but I'm not complaining, it keeps the high temperature in the mid 70s to mid 80s range.

Todd's doing great working in maintenance and I'm working in the store more and love it.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Maiden Voyage

May 1st, 2013

We're getting up a little later then we planned to due to a previous late night phone call with the guy we bought the trailer from. Todd remembers some things he needed to get done in town (sweet thing has done ALL the getting done by himself). We pack dishes, put anything that could fall low, mostly under the booth seats, picture frames and other breakables go in towel bins and sock drawers. I ask Todd "what can I do? I'm the crew, just let me know". "Nothing", he says, "I got it", in a gentle but sure voice. I chat a bit with our neighbor outside and we say our goodbyes. Todd says "just hop in the truck while I make one more round". "OK!" Popping out to thank the owner of the park and we're off... almost.

BAM, BAM, BAM! Oh crap! (Or something like that. ;-), as the truck jerks). We get out of the truck, looking around, the owner asks "are you still hooked up to something"? No, Todd checked and checked everything again and again. A tighten of the sway control, another look around by us both (like I know what I'm looking for.. just somethings that might hit another) looks good. Here we go... BAM BAM BAM! "What the ever lovin'...", get out of the truck, déjà vu. OK, get up the small hill, bound to make a little noise right? On the road BAM (jerk)! Son of a.. OK, T pulls over as far as possible but we're hogging most the lane on a narrow two way street. Before he goes out I say "I'll stand behind the camper to make sure people go around" he says "no", in a much more stern voice (you ain't my daddy). I say I'll be careful I don't want him to get smooched to get the reply "no, stay right there". "Aye, Aye Captain" (damn! I'll be watching rear view mirrors closely.) Another tighten and here we go... almost.

So on the major road we stop at a red light and the lady in the car ahead of us gets out of the car. I say "hi", she says "your door's open". Look in the rear view, a flappin' in the wind, T says "make sure it's closed". It's the door on the trailer that doesn't fit right because the whole wall is broken and it's a replacement door. I run out and slam it like there's no tomorrow.

We make it to what was the Kmart and pull into the big, empty parking lot. Todd's looking at things and I'm hungry so I say I'll get us some food and stuff and just then it started to rain. This is starting to sound like a country song.

We're on the road. The night before Todd told me what he was really worried about was the truck breaking down. He had our mechanic come out twice to make sure it wouldn't. Before we even got out of Hendersonville the check engine light came on. I said "just keep drivin' Baby, don't look at it". We figured it was the mass air sensor anyway so onto Lebanon and we stopped at Family Campers. A nice young man checked, confirmed, and turned off the idiot light.

Off to North Carolina! The manager of the campground where we're workamping is amazing and gave us great directions so we didn't have to deal with steep grades so we ignored Garmin. Went to eat at a diner around midnight and the server told us there's a rest stop nearby while our campground was an hour away at the most. We decided to go for it. Parking in the front Todd walked to our site and back. We decided to tiptoe in so Todd took the noisy sway bar off.

After a day of ups and downs, little worries, singing in the truck, different physical elevations, eating at strange places, grinnin' like monkeys (all day), and unbelievable uncertainty, we crept into our site, quiet as a mouse. We didn't dare try to hook up or park just right, just got in and that's when the most incredible thing happened... we got to climb into our own comfy beds that we know and love! What could be better than that? Ever? After traveling, and you're in a different state, your own comfy bed, with the sheets you like and the pillow that's just right.

May 2nd, 8:00 am local time (7:00 to us)

We woke to a hammer banging. Todd set out to get the trailer parked correctly and hooked up and again I'm trying to help. Then I hear a woman say "Carrie?" "yes, hi!"! She's the assistant manager and so super nice! She was going for a walk before her shift. What a pleasant surprise and a wonderful soul to meet! Then I took a short walk over to the creek roaring over the rocks and looked way up at the smoky mountains all around, wow, really, am I really here? YES!

I couldn't stay awake all day so went back to bed. Waking up I started putting things where they belong wondering where Todd was. Looked out the window and there he is talking with a camper with two beautiful dogs, a King Charles and a big white cutie pie. I said hello to them through the window and they seemed to say hello back with tails waggin' trying to come closer. Then we stopped at the office to get our work schedules. Oh my gosh, they gave us a few days to settle in! Thank you!

In the following days we looked around town which I really do think is the most beautiful town I've ever seen. Cherokee, NC. Ate at a place that had "Indian Tacos", not terribly impressive. Moved everything to clean up after the invisible monkeys who obviously had a party in the trailer while we were on the road, and settled in.  We went to Walmart in a different town. There are no typical retail stores here, just mostly tourist stores and we enjoyed looking around. Todd's Walmart phone didn't work here so we asked and the assistant manager and she recommended Verizon's "Home Connect" and they let you pick your area code so we picked a Nashville one so we could remember it.

May 6th, 2013

Today was our first day workamping. It was so great! The people we met are exceptionally nice! AND down to earth. We worked so hard, like we do and they'd tell us to slow down but with our excitement and enthusiasm it was futile. So, oh my gosh, we're walking around stiff. They are so gracious they sort of said "told ya so" without being condescending  AND they even tried to get me to take a break but I wanted to get the whole front part of the flower bed weeded so I didn't. I have learned my lesson, Don't go from a desk jocky to gardner in a day! Todd told the manager we want to work a lot and we're both on for 40 hours each so I better wrap up and get to bed.

This is the best and craziest thing I've ever done in my life! I am truly happy!

I want to thank so much these wonderful people who have welcomed us, taken us in, and trusted me with a golf cart too!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

I Stand Corrected!

After a crash course training my replacement at the office - she is outstanding! Very smart, friendly, organized, focused, customer oriented, patient, and has a sense of urgency! I wish I could've spent more time with her but I know my job is in very capable hands and oh, I can breath a sigh of relief. She can email me anytime... anytime! Best wishes to you, kindred spirit!

Today was my last day there and goodbyes are difficult but something I'd better get used to, being a vagabond and all. We're headed for North Carolina in the morning! We're so happy to be working and spending time with the good people of Happy Holiday RV Village!

Todd is spending some time with family right now after a day of more preparation. Most he tells me I don't understand (all that hardware) yet but I want to learn, so I will.

The first move has to be the hardest. Here we go!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

One Week to Go!

Now it's time to get ready so Todd is making sure the nameless truck is ready and we'll see if we can part with a few more things to lighten the load AND my car is now on Craigslist. Whew!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

"Like the Pine Trees Lining a Winding Road...

...I got a name, I got a name." Her name is .. drum roll, please... Serenity. "Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?" Now we just have to name the truck.

In case you didn't know the first quote is Jim Croce and the second Lionel Richie.

Today has been amazing, like the whole day was an epiphany. "Signs, signs every where signs.." (Five Man Electrical Band). It really seems like God and/or the universe is telling me it's OK, go, get out, get a workcampimg job, be free, don't hold back any longer, if you wait until everything is perfect and all ducks are in a row you'll never go, go, dang it, just go!

Guess I was just in a singin' mood.  :-)

(Little update) I know this says "Posted by Todd and Carrie". I, Carrie, sometimes forget to sign out of our main account, sorry.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Hitch Itch

Oh my gosh, we do have hitch itch bad but we have things we have to get done first. On the very positive side, I do want to see this beautiful lake in the spring and summer (as long as temps don't reach 110° again)!

I was worn out today at the office thinking I've been doing the same things, looking out the same windows for eight years now, God it's hard to keep my eyes open. I'm trying so hard at work to make it easy for the person who replaces me so concentrating hard keeps me awake. Putting comments in Excel worksheets and adding difficult formulas and macros because s/he will have so much more to think about. Customer service is #1 and they have to be so organized. Tooting my own horn I guess but I will be impossible to replace. I swear I wish the owners would retire and shut the place down instead of selling it like they plan to, they even have the buyer.

On another note, we've met really, super nice people here. The kind you can really count on. This campground had terrible water problems and Todd and other campers fixed it the best they could. We do have water and we're getting the pressure worked out here, in the trailer, very thankful. One of the campers offered a gallon of water if we needed it (when water was off), which I thought was amazing but our tank was full, "thank you so much anyway!".

We've met people who have been here from days to twenty one years! A lot of people stay here years, I don't know how. When it's freezing and windy here it feels like a window is slightly opened. Trying to stay for 239 more days. Please wish us luck!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

First Week in the RV

We're so happy to be here! We've met super great full time RVers and love not listening to upstairs neighbors like in the apartment.

Seems like if something could go wrong it did but maybe it did for good reason. We've especially learned RVing in freezing weather isn't for us. As soon as the propane furnace turns off it's very cold in here so we're going through a lot of propane, about twenty-five gallons in a week and a half. The little electric space heaters try but can't keep it warm enough in here.

I'm no stranger to the high price of propane. When I had my adorable little 1,152 square foot house in the country the only thing that used propane was the heater and the propane bills averaged $2,000 a month for three months. Of course I had to buy a new electric HVAC unit I'll be paying on for many, many years.

There's something wrong with the water flow to the campsite we're in so we're using the water hook-up from the next (vacant, of course!) campsite so Todd went and bought a longer hose and it isn't insulated. He did insulate the one we thought we could use but now if it's going to freeze he goes out and unhooks and empties it out after one morning we had to thaw it out in the bath tub! Efforts to make it to work by 9:00 for me has been futile all week long!

So, we moved our take off date up to Saturday, November 30th, 2013 at noon. We're hoping spring weather gets here soon and my job hires someone full time so I can train them. We have a lot we want to add to the TT like solar panels and a 100 gallon water tank. We'll need a sway stabilizer too then off to warmer weather forever!


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The Truck

Well, even though it was inspected before T bought it, it had problems that were undetectable. Engine problems that no one could really pinpoint exactly. T knew he wanted to get rid of it, was drinking gas and dirtying oil like no one's business - T and the truck, just kidding. He had already put new tires, shocks, a bad ass hitch and other things on for towing but that isn't the point of this post.

The point is, he's such a good man. The thought crossed our minds, we could sell it knowing something is wrong, the thought crossed quickly and was out of there. We knew we lost a lot of money and we don't have it to lose but T put a craigslist ad up, explaining that we don't know what's wrong but something is and it might need a new engine. People answered not even reading the whole ad and Todd told them "it could need a new engine". It wasn't looking good and then someone replied "I had the same truck, loved it, wrecked it, saved the engine, I have the engine for it! Would like to talk about the trade you mentioned, I have a Suburban"! Oh my
gosh, just what T wanted!

The truck traded was so cool but rough ridin' for me. We drove only a couple of hours and my back was stiff. The young man who traded was perfect for it. In his twenties, I'm sure he will enjoy four weeelin' in it!

We were redneck royalty for a minute and loved it!

And since it was an even trade we don't have to pay taxes again, just the 15 bucks or so to transfer the title.

Here She Is...

Toad Carrier?
Miss America!

OK, she doesn't really have a name yet and we don't have a toad, obviously. Except the one who lived in the plant on the porch until s/he grew up and moved on. I think s/he was a frog, anyway...

One time I wanted to show Todd what I had done with the blog template on his laptop, so I mistyped "toodandcarrierv" into google and up popped "toad carrier"! We laughed and we still think of ourselves as Toad Carrier. Is that her name? If she doesn't get one soon it will be.

You can see she laid on her side but she's up Baby! Trying to get her cleaned up as we only have a few days left until we're all one no matter what our names are. :-) There's kitty litter in the window sills but that's fine, I'll get it out. Todd has been working hard on getting TC ready to live in, we only have a few days left!.

The kitchen faucet leaked, the thermostat was gone, fridge didn't work, and the water pressure was crazy pathetic. He's doing it and I've gotten some cleaning done, but have been sick. Better now and we have apartment inspection tomorrow, no sweat, I always leave them better then I found them.

Front Yard
Oh yeah! Here's our view from the front door (as opposed to the back door that doesn't exist).

I've been meaning to write more as we sell off everything and why we're doing this but am just so busy. I can't wait for the day I'm not and can take a breath. I know T feels the same. Soon, soon.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

We Bought Our Truck and Travel Trailer


We got a 2003 Chevy Silverado and a 2011 Freedom Express travel trailer, YAY!  The travel trailer has been wrecked so it's in the shop for repairs and we should have it in about two weeks. We're putting in our two month notice that we're moving out of the apartment today and will have the TT in storage while Todd customizes it some. We want a tankless water heater and he'll take out three of the bunk beds and put in a closet for me.

Then we'll pull it to the campground here in Hendersonville, TN and live in it for about a year so we can pay down some debt. The campground site is only $350 per month and has full hook-ups.

Happy and safe travels to all! :-)