We've already paid for our Passport America membership with our second stay at a PPA participating campground. For a really nice, pull through FHU 50 amp site, we paid $19/night. Coming from the East Coast where that money would barely get you a boondocking site, we're more than tickled.
With our plans to kick back and relax for the weekend, I decided I was going to sleep in until noon. That didn't work out, I barely made it until 10, Marti was already up drinking her FAEL (Foul And Evil Liquid - aka coffee). I had to get up, I felt like I was wasting the day.
It was nice to have no rush or any place to be, we enjoyed a nice cooked breakfast. Lounging around after eating, we surfed the Internet, Marti played with her iPad and I read more of a great book I downloaded on Marti's Kindle.
Eventually, we did get dressed and we talked about how bizarre it felt to have this new lifestyle. We wondered why it felt like we were on vacation and we should be "doing" something.
So, feeling like we were wasting the day, we walked around the park, then hopped in the car and drove around town a bit, looking at gas stations that carry diesel fuel and checking for the best price and easiest in/out access for the Journey. We stumbled across a car wash, so the Element got a quick bath, it needed it.
Feeling a little more adventurous, we wandered around the area, just enjoying the scenery. Lots of sheep farms, with some alpacas thrown in. Along the way we came to this cute little covered bridge.
It was in great shape and we drove over it. Another first for us, we never did that before.
After our tour, we returned to the campground and had dinner. Sitting around again, we felt guilty that we should be doing something else, we were wasting the day. Even though we know we're retired and time is our own, it felt, well, really weird!
Marti decided to work on some crafts, we have two new granddaughters on the way, so she started making baby blankets for them, with her new little sewing machine.
We'll get it right, it's going to take some time to get rid of the "guiltys". Good thing time is on our side. :c)
Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.
Don't feel guilty enjoy the ride, you have both worked hard for this and deserve it! best wishes and safe travels.
ReplyDeletetom and cheryl
Reading your post took me back 5 years when I had to adapt to this full time lifestyle. I too started off thinking I was on vacation and had to work very hard to slow down and smell the roses. Don't worry, you will eventually evolve and learn to accept your reward for all those years of working for the man. Enjoy the good life.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's best to look at life from a dog's point of view. They have fun, but they also know how to just lay down and take a nap. Don't need a lot to keep them happy, and they seem to love whatever it is that they're doing at any given time. Live life on your own terms, now that you're retired. It does take awhile to adjust, but you'll get there. Already, you're well on your way. Good post. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYour getting the hang of it;o))
ReplyDeletePractice, Practice, Practice!!!!
It didn't take Linda as long, but it took me about a year before I could slow down and get out of the "Vacation Mode".
ReplyDeletePerhaps if we see you adjusting to the "retiree" mode, we'll know there's hope for us when we retire.
ReplyDeleteWe feel guilty if we sleep in until 7:30.
ReplyDeleteWe have trouble relaxing also, especially now since we're in the Keys. If we were going to be here all winter, I think we could relax more. It definitely takes some practice. I thought I'd read a lot and I've read very few books since we started fulltiming in June.
I guess we'll have to work on it along with you.
At first when we retired we felt like we were on vacationa and had to rush everything... Now we have the relaxing bit down really good after 8 years!!! LOL LOL
ReplyDeleteHave fun, RELAX and travel safe
Donna
Seems like you have a good start on your full timing and relaxing. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So take one day at a time and you will reach a comfort level.
ReplyDeleteI have to giggle a bit....Marti, how long do you think you will keep those fingernails? That is the big question! When mine came off, I knew that I was retired!
You were going to sleep until noon? You've got to tell us where you are and where you found that gorgeous bridge.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourselves. You're only "young" once.
I know what you mean. Even though we aren't there yet, the weekends feel strange if we have nothing to do. The extended weekends from the holidays stretched on, and I felt guilty just 'sitting around' in my jammies reading. I guess it takes awhile to realize that you have the rest of your life to do what you want to do without too many commitments.
ReplyDeleteJust as there's no crying in baseball, there's no guilt in rving.
ReplyDeleteSyl
You will feel guilty until you accept that being retired is not a failing:)
ReplyDeleteGuilt? That's not something I ever felt. :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll get the hang of those lazy days!
ReplyDeleteUntil then, just keep practicing!!!!
Took us about six months to feel okay about doing nothing. We were out shopping one day, and when we were almost back to the coach, I said we were almost 'home', that was the turning point. You still have things to do, they just have changed and are not always 'in your face' needing to be done immediately.
ReplyDeleteNever feel guilty about doing nothing - nothing is better for the mind - heart & soul. It is always good to sit - rest and day dream about doing nothing again tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you by the way?
just a learning curve..you will get the hang of it..soon you will be telling the 'newbies' how to do it!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know when it happens. It just does. We are in TX for the winter and many of our neighbors are here for 3 months, then back to their homes. They ARE on vacation and they go, go, go all the time. Watching them is exhausting. Maybe that's when it happens :)
ReplyDeleteEven after 7 years, we still get the pang every once in a while...reconditioning your entire thought process is not an overnight achievement but it can be done. We are not retired so it took us longer, but what we do not have to do is work as much as we did since we have chosen to live our lives a little less complicated with all the "stuff".
ReplyDeletePracticing is fun and sleeping until noon, for us that has never happened and probably never will...that is a high goal to set. We are lucky if we ever sleep in until 9am.
David STILL is having trouble with "vacation mode". Every time we go to a new park he has to do every single thing there is. Not me, I've got the relax down. In fact now I resent when there is anything I "have" to do. LOL
ReplyDeleteYou'll work out your style. Just practice sleeping in. Pretty soon..........
I can't wait to feel guilty like this!
ReplyDeleteYou're making real progress. I never would have thought you'd sleep until 10! And that driving around and discovering the covered bridge - why to go!
ReplyDelete