Saturday, 01/01/2010: Reflections of 2010 & Expectations of 2011

We got up just after 6 a.m. and began our whole new lifestyle as a retired couple.  Since it was Saturday, it was not unlike many of our previous lifestyle Saturdays.  After I let the dogs out and Terri fed and watered the dogs and cats, we settled in for a couple of hours of web surfing and some breakfast.  Between 9 and 10 a.m. we started on getting a few things done.  I cleaned out the cat litters (one of my not so favorite things to do) and Terri boxed up some books.  I headed outside and cleaned out the eaves troughs (gutters) and then blew leaves for 4.5 hours.  Terri did a little paint touch up and swept and sprayed down the front porch floor.  After I took a shower, I fixed a nice steak and potato dinner for us and then we watched TV and rested our eyes throughout the evening.  Traditionally on News Years Day we have orange rolls for breakfast and watch the parade on TV.  We both forgot all about the rolls and elected to skip the parade, oh well.

2010 was a very memorable year for us.  We worked toward our goal of full time RVing much of the year.  Much was accomplished.  We purchased our new 2009 Excel Limited 36GKE fifth wheel trailer and used 2008 Ford F450 King Ranch truck. 



Our new rig!



We attended the RV-DREAMS.COM rally in South Carolina in April. 

RV-Dreams.com Rally

At the rally, we attended many seminars, ate lots of good food, met some very wonderful people, and learned as much as we could.  That trip was also our maiden voyage with our new rig.  We had picked it up from the dealer just two days before leaving for the rally.  We did some renovations to the house, had some other renovations done, contacted our realtor, hired a company that is going to put on a sale to sell most of our stuff, started sorting through our stuff, sold our Dodge Dakota, contacted someone to dispose of a couple of other vehicles (1992 Accord and 1989 S10) soon, made arrangements for a buyback of our 08 Accord, gave our notices at work and retired in December, and met some wonderful new friends. 



Marti & Paul





Jim & Linda



Jim & Dee

I also started blogging and I started a Facebook page.  We also attended the Spring and Fall Mid Atlantic Excel Club rallies.

2011 is just getting started and hopefully it will be a safe, healthy, successful, wonderful, and memorable year.  We're looking forward to the sale to sell most of our stuff, listing and selling (hopefully soon) our house, moving into our new home, beginning our wonderful new lifestyle, meeting more new friends, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying life.

Stay tuned...
now, get going, what are you waiting for?
--mike

Friday, 12/31/10: Last day... of the work week, month, year, and job! Happy New Year!!!!!!

Well Friday, New Years Eve, is done and over.  What a day!!  The title above sums it all up.  A whole new lifestyle begins.  Friday was my last day at work, almost.  Thursday was Terri's last day at work, although Friday was a paid holiday for her, so technically Friday was her last day also.  I say almost for my last day because I must still go back to turn my work clothes back in and I have just a few loose ends to tie up.  One day next week I will have to go back and take care of that.  Also on Friday, I sold our 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Sport 4x4 to my coworker, Joe.  We bought that truck new in December, 2001.  It has been a reliable, fun to drive truck for me and I hated to give it up, but it just doesn't fit into the plan.  It took us back and forth to Illinois several times and it took me to several states to races including VA, MD, PA, OH, WV, TN, SC, NC, AND IA.  It was also my primary daily transportation to and from work.  I put just over 153,000 miles on that truck and only had to replace the tires once!

Terri's last day was emotional, to be expected.  Mine wasn't too bad, at least I didn't cry like she did.  We are both very grateful for our jobs and the wonderful people we were privileged to work with over the years.  I was with the same company for just over 23 years and Terri was just over 22 years.  We both want to say "THANK YOU" to our employers and all of our coworkers.

Once I got home from work, I ended up staying 1.5 hours late, we headed to Kroger to get some groceries.  Then we headed back home, Terri fixed tacos for us and then we both fell asleep in front of the TV.  I woke up about 11:45pm, just in time to wake Terri up to bring in the New Year. Another exciting New Years Eve for us, just the way we like it.

We hope all of you had a very safe and happy New Years Eve.  We are done with 2010 and ready to take on 2011!!!

Now, get going, what are you waiting for?

--mike