LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE LEFT

It is a month today since we moved into the RV and Cottonwood's Park. "Knock on wood", everything has really gone well. We have continued to rearrange and weed out things we don't really need or use. It is amazing how little we use, out of all the "stuff" we have!! We think we want it, we think we need it, we think we will use it and some how we never quite find the right time to wear it, use it, or see quite why we thought we needed it.

I think "possessions" make us feel successful. We get to a point where we have more home in which to stash "stuff". We must be successful because we have been able to  accumulate all these things. Not being critical, just reflecting on how life changes us over the years. We spend a life time accumulating and then at some point we, or our loved ones, have to get rid of it!! In our case, we have gotten rid of most of it and guess what!! We haven't missed a bit of it!!! I don't know if we are unusual in that respect or not.

I can only speak for myself, although I think Sharon feels pretty much the same. I was counselor at Monroe City High School for 17 years then built the D.Q. Never did miss being at school. I lived in Monroe City for 20 years then went to Columbia........didn't miss Monroe. We were in business for 13 years and then closed it........SURE didn't miss that!!! We had a nice house, had to sell it and move to a mobile home. We really didn't miss the house. The guy that bought our mobile home said "Lonnie probably wishes he had asked $5,000 more for the house since we bought it so quickly." Actually, we were happy to sell it at the price we asked. That made our plans work out and we were excited to  keep making progress toward our full timing goal. I have certainly made mistakes over the years but I have never looked back. I think we have both lived for today and tried to manage the situation we were in at the time. Certainly, we missed many of the people we were close to, conveniences that came with our circumstances, and the routine we had created. However, we never longed to be back in a particular situation.

One of Robert Schuller's quotes says, "Never look at what you have lost. Look at what you have left."  This wise observation is particularly helpful with the tragedies and changes that come about in life. We lose stuff, homes, businesses, and loved ones. When that happens, "Look at what you have left". No matter how much we lose, we have much left for which to be thankful and with which to build a future.

I have lost a lot! We have lost a lot! Look at what we have left!!!

Cottonwoods RV Park- A Welcome Surprise

This park has really surprised us. We had been past here many times and were never much impressed. Maybe it is just that spring has a positive effect on everything but, it has been beautiful here this week. The field behind us is so green and freshly mowed, the Bradford Pear trees are all in bloom. Tulips, Redbud trees, and other  bushes and flowers decorate the grounds. A Robin is building a nest in the tree just outside our window.

The park has had a lot of visitors this week. We have a "Cruise America" rental motorhome next to us. The folks in it are from Australia and they have been here four days soaking up the rays. We have noticed rigs from Alaska, Virginia, New Jersey, British Columbia, Alberta, Iowa, Louisiana, North & South Dakota, and Montana. They just seem to come from everywhere, crossing through the heart of the country and Columbia, MO on their way to and from all corners of the nation and I guess, the world. Pick up campers, pop up campers, van campers, straight trailers, fifth wheels, and all sizes of motorhomes. Whatever fits your needs and your pocketbook seems to work. All kinds of vehicles and all kinds of people. It's very interesting to watch.

You probably can't tell but we are enjoying the park a lot so far. It is very relaxing and we love the feeling of NO RESPONSIBILITY. If we want to go for a walk, sit out on the patio and people watch, play on the computer, or just piddle at something we need to get done, it seems so easy. No one seems in a hurry here!

I'm sure it isn't for everyone but for us, at this juncture, it is satisfying and I don't see any problem really getting used to it. It seems like when we aren't working it should get even better. Wherever you are in YOUR travels, we wish you peace and happiness.

HOME AT COTTONWOODS RV PARK

This will be our home site for the next six months. Doesn't seem like we could have been here for four days already. We have been fortunate that the weather has been nice and we have been able to get things done inside and out. Washed windows yesterday and rearranged some things. We are getting settled in. It is nice not to have to think about pulling out on Sunday afternoon.

I think you all know, but if not, the address is: 5170 North Oakland Gravel Road, Columbia, MO 65202. We are in site #6, but you don't need that on the mailing address. We are located just a couple of miles north of Columbia on Hwy 63. Take the Oakland Gravel Road/Boone County Fairgrounds exit and follow the signs to Cottonwoods RV Park. When we move from here I will forward our Texas address. I have our permanent Livingston, Texas address but I won't send it just yet. We have to pay for all mail received there to be forwarded to our current location.

I won't keep forwarding emails about the blog. Those of you who are interested can check once in a while and I won't bother the rest of you. If you're interested it's www.lonsharon.blogspot.com  I don't want this to be like a boring, long "Christmas letter" type of thing. However, I know some of you are intrigued by what we are doing and may be interested in the life style and the daily issues we face. We have already been told by some people that it probably won't last but a year or so. I think we are settling in though for the long haul. It is so nice not to have to think about mowing, painting, maintaining & cleaning.

We do have some of that to do but on a much smaller scale. We have already had a water leak inside under the kitchen sink. I installed a new water filter & and had to work on it Friday evening. We are also battling tiny little ants already. Sharon is cussing the little "piss ants". I have put Comet around the RV wheels and legs and vaseline on the electric cord. Just like home, always some issues. Can't get away from the real life I guess. And, back to work tomorrow. Sharon says if work gets to be too much, "we will just quit". Does that sound just like her???

                                            " Our Storm Shelter"
                            Office, Laundry, Showers, etc in this building