Something we really appreciated

Cullman,  AL

Friday afternoon we were out working in the yard.  A car pulled into the driveway and a couple got out to introduce themselves.   They live a short bit up the road and across the street. They also own the property next to us on the south side.

We asked them about the property lines.  Hilton showed us where the lines are but said the previous owner used some of their property as the backyard for the double wide trailer that was there.  He said if we want to continue to keep this area cleared and use it that it is fine with them.  As a matter of fact, we have one of our box trailers parked on it.

We asked him about the area we know used to be a pond.  He said  it was a real nice pond but the previous owner wanted it filled in, which he did for her.  But then she let it get overgrown.  Len told him we would like to eventually have it returned to a pond.

After a nice visit, Hilton and Sandy invited us to visit any time.  We promised we would.

Early last week we purchased a Troy Built Zero Turn lawn mower.  Len says it's my Valentines Gift. Well it is better than what he gave me two years ago.....a step ladder.  We will be storing it in one of the out buildings, but first a ramp had to be built.  Yesterday morning, Len started work on the ramp.

I was in the house.  I heard a sound outside that sounded like machinery. Len called me to come out.   There was Hilton bush-hogging the pond area.

In quick order he got most of the growth down.

Before (taken when we first got here)

How it looks now:

To be returned as a pond, fill must be removed and a levee built on the far side.  Hilton said he would do it but no longer has a bulldozer.  We will hire someone to do this.   There is a natural spring in the middle.  Hilton had dug a trench for the water to drain into the small stream that runs along the north side of our property.

When he got done with this area, he got started on the thick growth at the back of the property.  He had his son, Chet, bring their Bobcat to do that job.

The area now:

Our property still goes back as far as those taller trees.  Maybe someday.

Then Hilton went around the yard where we had piles of trees we had cut and others had fallen.  Also the previous owner had left two large piles of tree limbs and other debris.  That has all been moved into a really large pile to be burned.  Even found where they had thrown a mattress and box spring into the wooded area.

We have great neighbors!

Also, gotta love that new mower, now that I have a lot more yard to mow.

Finally..... every room furnished!

Cullman,  AL

Yea, all rooms furnished, that is except for the 26x26 finished basement.  Maybe someday.

Lots of readers have asked for pictures..... here they are.  What do you think?

Living Room..... all done but one end table is on back-order.

Dining room

Kitchen and Utility Room

Office

Guest Room

2nd Bath

Our Bedroom

Our Bathroom..... not shown is the shower and walk-in closet

Now that the house is set up, we have lots to do outside.  We have been working out there at least a couple of hours a day.  We see slow progress.

Until next time

This sure isn't NJ

Cullman,  AL

No... this is not New Jersey.  We found several differences when we bought the house.  

NJ is a regulation state, Alabama not so much.  To buy or sell a house in NJ every agency has to get a cut.   In NJ there must be a survey, septic tank inspection, etc.  In Alabama if there was a survey done, a new one is not necessary.  If the septic tank is recent or not a problem, no need to re-inspect it.  And just yesterday I realized there is no fire extinguisher in the house.  (We will be getting one).  In NJ, there must be an extinguisher.  This I have to agree with.

Those who have been keeping up with this blog will recall there was a double wide trailer on the property.  It was sold and removed but the garage that was connected was left.  Len will enclose it and make a shop.   Also left was a porch that was attached to the double wide.   The realtor knew a woman who wanted the porch.  Okay with us, just get it moved.

She hired a crew to move the porch.   They estimated it would take 1/2 hour.   They worked on it over 5 hours.

See the debris?  They said they would clean it up.  See the ruts they made in the driveway?  They said they would fix that.

See the broken water pipe that was connected to the city water?  They ran over the water meter and broke not only the pipe but the box that surrounds the meter.  They said they would come back and fix it.

Bottom line.  Len and I picked up the debris, the ruts are still there and we were without water overnight.  Len and the Realtor's husband fixed it the next day.  It's now been 10 days and have not heard from the crew.  Don't expect to.

About the debris.   Can't do this in NJ..... unless willing to pay a fine for open burning.

This is in the area for two RV sites.  Electric lines laid:

Sewer lines connected.   Water lines yet to connect.  Today we cleared away shrubbery from the area to allow access to the sites.

Before

After

Five years ago when we were in AZ, Len took a class for Concealed Carry Permit from the state of Utah.  The permit was good for 5 years.  When he tried to renew it last May he was informed the law had changed.   To get a CCP you have to get one from your state of residence.  Yesterday a Sheriffs Deputy came to the house to inspecte our Fifth wheel so we can tag it.  They only check to be sure the VIN on the registration paper is the same as the one on the rig.

Len asked him about getting a CCP.  He said just go to the Sheriffs office in town.  So we did today.  It took all of 10 minutes.  Len filled out an application, they checked his record, took his picture and handed him the CCP which is recognized in 33 states.  Can't do that in NJ either!

We've got it together....sort of.

Cullman, AL

When we started fulltime RVing in February, 2010 we packed some of our belongings in a utility trailer. For the last couple of years it has been parked in Louisiana.   Two years ago we bought another, smaller utility trailer and it has been in Maryland.

The week before last we drove 550 miles to Louisiana on Wednesday to get the trailer and we returned to Alabama on Thursday.  A quick trip.

Three days later, on Sunday, we left Cullman and drove about 470 miles to Wytheville, VA where two of my nephews and their families live to spend the night.   An added bonus was that my sister and brother from NJ were there visiting for the week.   Nephew Jason treated us all to his homemade PA Dutch style Chicken Pot Pie.  The next day we drove on Maryland, about 378 miles.   We stayed at my daughter Amy's for the night, got the trailer and drove to PA to my daughter Terri's where we had more stuff.

Starting Friday morning we did the trip in reverse.....from Terri's to Amy's for the night.  Then on Saturday back to Wytheville, Va.  And back to Alabama on Sunday.

This week we have been busy emptying the trailers.   I had forgotten so much of what we had.  Even at that, we had to buy one bed, two sets of mattresses, and still-to-get living furniture.   Today we bought a desk for my office.

Before doing some of our shopping we should have more closely checked out what we had in those lots and lots of boxes.  Bought dinner ware....found a set today.   Bought some towels....found a lot yesterday.  Bought a quilt for a bedspread.....found one yesterday.  I thought we had sold, donated or given away most everything.   Not even close.  I am not complaining, so glad to see things I had forgotten about.  And need.

Guest bedroom is done.  Dining room about done except for changing out the chandelier for one I had kept.  Both bathrooms done.  Kitchen is done.  Basement rec room will have to wait....it's a 26 x 26 storage room right now.  Living room is a work in process.  What we are using for furniture is a rattan set that was Terri's that she had stored away.   Our bedroom is partly done, the bed is set up.  The dresser and arm?? (however the heck it's spelled....it's that tall thing to store clothes)  are too heavy for Len and me to carry.  Len's son Lennie who lives nearby was here the Saturday between our trips but it was 20 degrees outside.  Much too cold to be moving things in.  Last Sunday they had other commitments.  And this Sunday we are expecting T Storms.  Just might have to wait another week.  He works out of town during the week. Len and I carried all the other furniture in.   I am building muscles.  Just not enough for those two last pieces.

We have not been able to do much outside.   We've only had a few days of clear warmer weather.  Lots of rain and it's expected to continue through the weekend.    Men came on Sunday right after we arrived home to move that porch that was connected to the double wide on the property.  They left behind the steps and handicap ramp to the porch. Their equipment tore up some of the front yard and driveway.  AND they drove over the city water connection and broke a pipe.  Said they would fix it.  That's the last we saw of them.  We had no water that night after driving 450 miles and unloading some stuff.  We probably stank!  So Monday Len and our Realtors husband fixed the problem.  When we got back today from town, the steps and ramp are gone.  Glad we didn't wait for them to fix our water situation.  We would have to be fumigated by now.

Oh, I managed to do another stupid thing.  Well, maybe two.  On the trip to Louisiana, we were switching the driving duty.  I walked around the truck and stepped off a rounded curb.  Twisted my ankle and fell.  It was hard to walk for a couple of days.  It is still some what bruised.  But it is fine now.  What isn't fine is my camera.   The morning we left Louisiana at 4:30 am, we were down the road a short way and Len wanted a bottle of water.  We had a small cooler on the back floor of the truck where I could open the lid and get out the water in the dark.   Hours later Len opened the cooler to get a coke.  There in the cold water that had been ice the day before was my very good camera.   How it got in there, is anybody's guess.  Life goes on, my camera doesn't.

A few things we did first......

Cullman, AL

So, we closed on the house on December 28.  The seller had 7 days to move out after closing.  (I never heard of someone continuing to live in the house once it was sold.  But they tell me it's quite common down here.)  Oh well.

The seller moved out on December 31.  Happy New Year!  We brought the RV over from the campground and parked near the front of the house and continue to spend many a trip back and forth lugging. Until last night we continued to sleep in the RV.  We bought a bed and mattress set for the guest room and used it last night.

While we were still at the campground, we came to the house two days and worked on various projects outside.  Foremost we want to get the RV site set up.   First Leonard installed a breaker box.

He started to dig a trench to lay pipes for the electrical wires.   It's like digging through rock.  Actually it is digging through rock.   Will have to rent a trencher.  He also dug the hole for the electrical pole where the RV will hook up.

The Realtor stopped by with her son and a mother and daughter.   They are taking the porch.  It will be gone either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.   We hope.

I worked around the yard a bit picking up here and there.  Love that we have Magnolia trees.

Between the house and the road is an area that was once a pond but is now overgrown.  Running along the edge on our property is a small stream that feeds the pond along with natural springs.  Lots of work to do if we ever want this to be a pond area again.  We do.

Does anyone know what this might be?  Some type of flower that's supposed to be cut back?  I would like to know before I start to hack away on it.   That's the pond area in the background.

There are several dead trees in the side yard that we have to remove.   The week before we moved in a wind storm helped us along a bit.  Missed this shed, sweet!

More has been done on move in day and the two days since, including covering that blue paint in the master bedroom.  Another blog will follow in a day or two.

Tomorrow we drive the 580 miles to Sulphur, LA to Len's brother and SIL Royce and Susie's house to get our utility trailer that contains some of our STUFF.   And today we will get into some more projects in the house.  And outside, if the rain ever stops.

I was so tired last night I went to bed at 7.  Hence here I am writing a blog at midnight.  Gonna go try to get some more sleep now.

Until next time.

We are home owners!

Arley, Alabama

Yea, we done did it.  We are home owners.  Again.

Today was closing day on our new home.   Since the moment I saw the house online, everything went so smoothly.  EXCEPT FOR LAST FRIDAY.

The bank here in Cullman said I could wire the funds we were putting down from our bank in NJ to the attorneys office where the closing would take place.  So on Friday I called the bank.   Now, I have been dealing with Colonial Bank for close about 35 years.  Last year it was acquired by Cape Bank. A few months ago by OceanFirst.  I called the main office of OceanFirst and told them what I needed to do.   Can't do they tell me.  I have to be there in person to sign forms to wire the money.   What?  Closing is Wednesday.  I am in Louisiana.  The bank in NJ is closed Monday.  So am I supposed to hightail it from SW Louisiana to NJ over the Christmas weekend, go to the bank on Tuesday and be back to Alabama on Wednesday morning?  Impossible.

I called the branch office I always dealt with.  Told me the same.  The bank in Cullman called them. Told them the same.

So late Friday the bank in Cullman said they would attempt something else on Tuesday.  They sent me forms to fill out and scan back to them.   HALLELUJAH whatever they did worked.  The money was transferred from NJ to Alabama and ready this morning.  I will be closing all accounts at OceanFirst and cash in my stocks with them to boot.

This morning we did the walk through and had lots of questions.  All answered.  This afternoon we had the closing and met the seller.  What a lovely person she is.   Could not have been easier to work with.  She could not believe her house sold so fast.  We can't believe it either.  The realtor went out on a limb for us as there were 3 other bids.  We made the offer sight unseen with a contingent that if we did not like it, all deals were off.

Today the seller gave us a thick folder of everything she had done to the house since she had it built in 2001.  Also information on the property going way back as it was family land.

A some things need to be done.  First....  There was a double wide trailer that was removed last week. But, the attached porch was left.  The realtor's husband and son are going to dismantle it.  Between them and us, we will make use to the wood.  The porch.

Sad to see it go, but what would we do with it.   The porch is on the left and the garage that was also attached to the double wide is on the right.  That will stay.  Len will enclose the two open sides.  There is a room running the width of the garage and is about 5 feet deep.  The seller said there are tools in that room and more in another out building.  Does Len want them?  Does it snow in Alaska?

Tomorrow Len will start working on the electrical boxes to get the area set up for our RV.  You can see the pipes running to the septic system directly in front of the garage.  The water connection is also up there.   Our intent is to have concrete laid in the area where the double wide sat.   We will have full hook ups not only for our rig, but for any of our RVing friends who might come to visit.

The seller has 7 days to move out.  She plans to be out by Saturday morning.   Hopefully we will have the electric done for the RV and turned on by Tuesday when we are scheduled to move from the campground.

Lots to do!  Can't wait!

Why it's time

Lumberton, TX


Way back in 2005 or so I toyed with the idea of full time RVing once Leonard and I retired.  The more I investigated that option the more I liked the idea.  After much discussion we decided it would be a good way to spend some of our retirement.

After various issues, including some health concerns, we finally hit the road in February 2010.  The house was sold, most of our belongings were sold, discarded or given away.  Those items we wanted to keep we stowed in a new utility trailer we purchased and parked at accommodating relatives.

Over these last 7 years we have seen a great part of the country including some of Alaska.  We've connected with some fine people over all these miles.   And at least 3 times each year we volunteered for 3 week projects with NOMADS, a mission of the Methodist Church.   Two years we worked for a few months as gate guards in the Texas oil fields.

Most of the time we were happy to keep traveling.  But we've had challenges.  Health wise, Len now has deep vein thrombosis and has to be on blood thinners.  He has had a knee replacement and back surgery.  I had a stroke.  We've had many breakdowns and mishaps causing damage to both truck and fifth wheel.  We've survived all of this.

But recently I have felt the need for "roots".   I have felt homeless.  My family is now dispersed.  My brother and sister still live in New Jersey in the town where I grew up, my sister in the house of my youth.  My one daughter had moved to Maryland about 10 years ago.  My other daughter, who bought the house Len and I owned in NJ, moved to Pennsylvania two years ago.   So where is home? We love the people at the church we attended when we lived to NJ, but we seldom are in the area. We felt this church was our home church.  It feels less so now.  I do miss those people.

I find I no longer enjoy the moving around every few weeks or even more often.  I dread the setting up and tearing down.  I especially dread the roadway travel.  I have a fear when we are on the highway. Perhaps it is because of the mishaps we've had.

I don't sleep well at night.  Five hours is a good night.  And it is never in one stretch.  A few hours and then awake.  Maybe a few more hours later.  It is after 2 am and here I am, unable to sleep.

So, a few months ago we started talking of buying a house.  Just talk.  But I found myself checking out Realtor.com.    Hence, two weeks ago the house we are buying appeared and everything fell into place.    Will I like Alabama?  I don't know but I am willing to give it a try.  Where do I want to settle?  I don't know but Alabama is as good as anywhere.

We left Alabama three days ago headed to Texas for 10 days then on to Louisiana until time to head back to Alabama after the first of the year to close on the house.  We stopped at a truck stop in Louisiana for the night about half way between Alabama and Texas.   Len noticed something looked wrong.  A hanger for the axle springs was broken and tires were damaged.  He and the man from roadside service did a temp job to get us to where we are now in Texas.  Our home is at the RV dealer where is was purchased, getting repaired.  No idea how long this will take. This is our 2nd night at a motel.  Insurance pays $250 a day for meals and lodging, but only for 5 days.  Work on the RV is covered under it's original two year warranty.

As much as I loved the travel, the people we met, the sights we've seen, I won't miss the crowded roads, the fear of another breakdown, not having "roots".   Yes, it's time.

We will keep our beautiful Open Range RV.  We will take weeks or even months at a time to travel. We don't want to give that up completely.   In the meantime, we are enjoying the anticipation of what lays ahead at our new home.  And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to sleep again.