It is Finished - We’re Moved Out

Well, Scott is in his last meeting in this house and we will leave in the morning back to El Centro, California.

It's been bittersweet leaving.  We love our neighborhood and our LDS ward but we know this is what we need to be doing right now - adventuring the United States, doing genealogy research and visiting the grandkids on the east and west coasts equally.  

I've just finished wiping down the entire main floor and now I’ll be vacuuming 4-5 rooms and we’re done.  We had a huge stack of boxes to put into the truck of stuff to take back and we were worried that it wouldn't fit but it looks like we’ll make it.  The guys we hired didn't realize how much house we had and it took two days with 5 guys to move everything we packed and that still cost me $3,445!

The house is nothing but an echoed shell.  All the earthly things that made it a home are boxed up and packed away or have been sold...a hard, but necessary thing to do.  Even with all the large scale things we sold, it still took 3 storage units to put everything away into.  I'm not sure how these units were packed, but it took 3 of them!  Shocking.  One never knows what one has until it's time to box things up and move.  I think all my sewing took up about 20 large boxes -- so I guess I need to downsize all that when we get to the next permanent stop.

As I looked at the boxes over the past week and the living room became progressively larger and larger with boxes, it dawned on me that I couldn't never had made a good pioneer only have one wagon or handcart.  I would have been lucky to use the whole wagon train for all our stuff!  *Sigh*

Yesterday, the bed was gone so we took out the big blow up bed and it was so uncomfortable that Scott slept on the little alcove bench.   I was even uncomfortable alone by myself.  So not fun!  I feel bad for my sister-in-law who slept on my sofa last forth of July.  I didn't remember it so icky.  Tonight, I'm sleeping on two alcove pads and Scott will take the blow up for himself (it ended up being comfy on the 2 futons).

Yesterday, my dear, sweet friend, Linda Perkes, gave me my last massage for 2017 in Millville, Utah.  I met Linda some time ago now and we have become such good friends.  It will be sad to say goodbye to her.  I'm counting down until we go back to Logan in April for my next visit - not only for a massage, but for her sweet countenance and positivity.  She makes me a better person!  I love you, my dear friend.

Well, on to bigger and better things!

Nathan Pacheco Christmas Tour Concert

After a week-long journey of packing, Scott and I enjoyed a relaxing evening at the Nathan Pacheco's Christmas Tour Concert at Logan High School auditorium.  We had front-row center tickets and I ordered them the second they became available.  When we decided to go to El Centro, I was a bit freaked out that we wouldn't be able to attend the concert, but as luck would have it, the house sold and we were hurt exactly at the right time to still be able to attend the concert.

The concert opened with an up and coming artist, Madilyn Paige, who sang 5 songs.  She was a really cute gal with a fantastic voice.

Web Photo - Leo-Z and Madilyn Paige

Part of the tour team consisted of Leo-Z, who is a producer and composer originally from Italy and wrote the song, Oceano.  Leo-Z has produced, composed and worked with famous artists Josh Groban and Andre Bocelli.  Scott enjoyed watching him the most as he tackled the piano and keyboard.

I wished I wrote down the names of the cellist and the guitarist.  They were both phenomenal as well, especially the cellist.  She was fun, upbeat and interesting to watch.  The guitarist was a very humble, yet fun guy who often had 2 guitars at a time strapped to him.  Scott mentioned at one point in the concert that the cellist looked like she was in pain and I had to explain she was just feeling the music.  Since Scott is not musically inclined, I had to explain nearly everything to him.  *sigh*  Even when the songs started I knew them and he was clueless.

Here's some samplings of a few songs.  The first one is Avatar.

And here is a very small portion of Make You Feel My Love:

And, saving the best for last a portion of The Prayer with Madilyn Paige.  I LOVE this song!  I listen to Pandora when I quilt and I have Nathan Pacheco, Josh Groban and Andre Bocelli on my favorites, so I get to hear this song multiple times per day.  This was actually the encore performance.

Well, it's past midnight and it's time to get some well-deserved rest.

Packing Progress and an Aching Body

It's been quite the past few days!  I'm exhausted.  We've got a lot of the packing done with just my sewing area and a little bit of the genealogy room to go.  Then, just a few things here and there that don't fit in any boxes to figure out.  Plus I have to box up the curio cabinet as well, but that shouldn't take a lot of time -  maybe 3-4 hours to get done - I was saving that until Sunday...it's just a lot of wrapping in bubble wrap.  The garage is coming along also...that's probably 1/2 done.  We've been using the living room as the holding area.  The kitchen is the prep area.  Good thing we sold those furniture pieces first.

It's funny how some days you look around the house and think - we're never going to finish on time...and then you go to bed and wake up and think - ok, we're going to get it done after all!  Yesterday there was paper, boxes, bubble wrap and peanuts all over the house and Scott tidied it up and I feel a lot better.  I can't stand clutter!

The whole bad part of this is that my back, knees and feet are killing me!  I ache more and more every day.  I think I've put on 20,000 steps EASILY every day plus all the steps and maybe 20 sets of stairs or more per day.  Then, all the lifting of the boxes and they get very heavy.  Then, there leaning over and reaching here and there.  My back REALLY hurts and I think my FEET hurt just as much if not more!  I've changed my shoes every day to give them some relief, but nothing helps.  At least I'm scheduled for a nice massage at 9 am on Saturday.  By then, I'm definitely going to need it!!

Scott is kicking back reading and watching Judge Judy (gag!) before he starts the new day.

Well, time for a shower and to get back at it...another day of torturous agony awaits!

Wednesday Weekly Drops of Wisdom - Siberian Fir

With Christmas coming, who doesn't LOVE the smell of fragrant fir trees in your home?

This week, let's focusing on the brand new Siberian Fir Essential Oil; is a potent fir scent that will bring benefits to your health routine.  The Siberian Fir tree is also very plentiful and dōTERRA steam distills the essential oil from twigs and branches of the tall Siberian Fir conifer trees native to Canada and Russia. 

dōTERRA has just released the Siberian Fir essential oil which will be replacing White Fir. I know you might be a little disappointed, but this essential oil is actually better than White fir because it is more plentiful, so we can continue to have this essential oil for years to come. 

Siberian Fir is great for relaxation, cardiovascular health, cell support, cleansing, metabolism, respiratory, and immune support. Not only is it more powerful and will have a greater effect on you and your family, but you can use Siberian Fir topically, aromatically, and internally! How exciting is that?!

When this oil is used in a diffuser to purify the air, it also helps protect against environmental threats.  And, the scent is amazing!  My favorite scent in the whole world is that of pine trees.  I had a friend over to sew a couple months ago and she commented on how great the room smelled.  It gave me such peace to spell is fabulous scent!  Also, in the Holiday Joy blend, Siberian Fir is the first ingredient in the bottle...it really is Christmas in a Bottle in my opinion!

How can you use Siberian Fir?  Let's see:

1 - If you want to feel more balances while working or keep yourself grounded, diffuse it in the air to reduce those anxious feelings and keep the stress level down.

2 - Add it to salt dough ornaments to hang on your tree!  That will help give you the happy, Christmas spirit all through the holidays.

3 - If you have any skin irritations, you can apply Siberian Fir, diluting as needed with Fractionated Coconut Oil to sooth those irritations.

4 - How about massaging it into you skin for soothing comfort.  And, add some to your bathwater.

Want some trivia?  Here goes:

Do you know how to tell the difference between pine trees and fir trees?  Even though they are both evergreens, the needles can help you distinguish the difference.  If you see flat needles that are singly on a stem then it is a fir tree.  If the stem had needles in groupings of two, three or five needles, you're looking at a pine tree.

Want to know more about this essential oil? Check out dōTERRA’s spotlight for this oil on doTERRA.com: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/product-spotlight-using-siberian-fir.

If you want to get your hands on this beautiful product or if you have any questions on this or any other dōTERRA product, please don’t be afraid to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you.  Here's a great link to contact us and also peruse the dōTERRA website and learn a little more about the benefits of essential oils:

https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/suebaddley

Tuesday Book Blog - The Silent Governess

I have recently finished another fun book called, The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen.  This one was a really fast read.  The characters were quite interesting and the twists and turns were amazing.

Here's the plot:

Set in England in 1815, Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret.  She thinks she has committed a crime and run away from all she holds dear only to tumble upon the estate of Lord Bradley as a large celebration is in progress and overhears a terrible secret, which if exposed would change his life forever.  When Lord Bradley sees her hiding behind a tree while talking with his father, Lord Brightwell, he thinks a spy has overheard and wants to have her arrested.  But, now that she has, what is Lord Edward Stanton Bradley to do with her?  He cannot let her go because he could lose everything if she told his secret and the truth got out - his reputation, his inheritance, even his home.  Little does he know that she is running from her own secret, has been assaulted in the woods by thugs before she stumbled upon the estate as she was bound to find a teaching position at a local girls school.

Fearing Olivia will spread his secret, Lord Bradley gives Olivia no choice but to accept a post in his household, Brightwell Court, and confines her to his estate to prevent her from telling his secret and keeping an eye on her.   Due to her assault - a near choking episode - she can't speak for many days but one day gets her voice back but must continue to pretend to be mute.

Once in the household, she is given the assignment to be an under nurse to Lord Bradley's niece and nephew.  As she dotes over the children, Lord Bradley's demeanor softens and eventually Olivia becomes the children's governess.  Soon enough Lord Bradley finds himself drawn to the genteel woman and struggles against his growing attraction for her.  Edward and Olivia end up telling each other their secrets and as those secrets start to catch up with them, will their hidden pasts ruin their hope of finding love?

Edward's father returns from Italy, where his mother has died and Lord Brightwell fall in love with Olivia instantly...but to what end?  This raises much concern from Edward.

And, as the story continues with twist and turns aplenty, many characters are introduced:

Dorothea Keene - Olivia's Mother who once was acquainted with Lord Brightwell...
Simon Keene - Olivia's Father who is a jealous husband and mathematician with a terrible drinking problem...
Avery Croome - The Brightwell Court Games Keeper...who is he REALLY?
Charles Tugwell - The St. Mary's vicar who has his eye on Olivia
Lord Brightwell - Is he Edward's true father or someone else's...or no one's altogether?  And, why is so affectionate toward Olivia?

The book was a fun read and the farther I got in it, the more complex it became with lively, vivid characters to love...and hate.  It was a great read and a book you would enjoy.  It's available through many bookstores. 

SNOWING in Logan

Well, we've been back to Logan for 3 days now and last night it snowed...and it's snowing right now.  I was so hoping to be able to pack out the house without this blasted white stuff coming down.  Don't get me wrong.  For the right person this stuff is amazing...so fresh; so clean and crisp.  And the Utah snow is fabulous for those skiers and snow people, but just not for me.  Give me a warm blanket, a roaring fire and a good book and I don't mind it, but really, who can stay indoors until May?  Eventually, you have to get out in this stuff.  So, for now I'll just endure it and keep boxing stuff up...

So far, the packing is going pretty well.  We've sold furniture.  We've cleaned out a couple of rooms, packed up all the quilts and pillows (that was like 10 large boxes!) and the kitchen is 1/2 done.   China is ready to be boxed up.  The bookcases are nearly empty and the bathrooms are cleaned out for the most part.

Today, the job is more books and my closet (I do have a lot of clothes!), and a bunch of papers to box up to bring back to the RV to scan and then toss.  It's amazing how much stuff you have!  When books are in the bookcases, it doesn't look like a lot until you have to start packing them in small boxes (weight issues) and then you're like...holy cow!

We'll best be at it.  I've got a 12 hour day ahead of me!

Packing Up Our House...and Selling Furniture

We returned back to Logan, Utah last night to start packing up the house and selling furniture.  We removed the two slide out sofas from the RV and we're having two desks made for us.  That will be much better use of the space with Scott working and me researching, scanning and sewing.  We hauled those sofas home along with a few things to put into storage.  It was a long, fast drive - 14 hours - to get back home.  We could feel the weather getting colder but there was an awesome super moon and gorgeous sunset on the way home.

When we got home last night and Scott took my computer out of the car, it wasn't packed very well and the screen chipped about 3 inches long along the top.  I'm not too happy since it's a brand new computer.  The base also took a hit, but I think I can cover that up with a little paint, but you can't "cover up" broken glass too well.  On the way back to El Centro it better be packed much better or mama bear will not be very happy!

Today, I was able to sell our gorgeous living room and dining room sets as well as a dresser.  Scott sold gobs of ammunition.  The house is starting to get empty...boxes are being packed up and getting ready for storage.  But, it will be great to simplify and enjoy the full-time RV life, save money and enjoy seeing the country.

We still have a lot more furniture to sell - bedroom sets, mattresses, freezer, etc.  I'm hoping to sell everything except for our bedroom set, one guest bedroom set, our heirloom family treasures, my office furniture, my sewing room and our family room furniture.  Then, when we finish the "full-time" RV life, we can move into a nice, small cottage somewhere with the simplicity of life, buy a small dining table and we'll be set.

It's weird to think that we've been full-timing officially now for 32 days!  We were on the road nearly 6 weeks this summer with two of our grandkids.  The time goes by so quick when you're on the road.  It's a very enjoyable life...quiet and simple.  Less headache and less stress.  Now, to just get through the next 10 days as we sign papers and pack our bags and store things.

Online Photo

I'll be taking a lot of things to get scanned back to the RV along with all the family photos and that will be my project.  I'll just box up quilt stuff and have a surprise opening at some point down the road and also pack up more things to sell from all the quilt stuff I have.  I was hoping to sell some quilts, but I think that will have to wait until we unpack after RVing.