Simple Things

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that give the greatest pleasure. Today it's the sound of a snoring cat. A snoring person, not so much. But that gentle snore of the cat.... that's a joyful sound! Yesterday Max was not feeling or acting like himself, so to see him curled up tight in my lap and hear him snoring away makes me very happy. Or maybe he's just an excuse for me to sit here in my recliner a bit longer instead of getting to the shower to start my day. But hey, putting off the day gives me pleasure too!

It's Official!

The Pink Beast is now officially the property of Jeanne and Brian. They are happy as clams with the deal they got (her repairs were not nearly as much as I feared they may be.) I am happy as a clam that between the insurance and the actual sale I got more than I thought I'd get, plus I have no more storage or maintence costs, plus I know she's in a very good home. I can even visit her if I want! Best part of all - they have a dog named Max, so there will still be a traveling Max.

It's still kind of bittersweet though..... maybe I should have just done those repairs myself and kept using my refuge and safe place. Maybe I would have more time next year to do the trips I still wanted to do. She served me well and I had some great adventures in her.

But overall, there is a sense that this door is closed and it's ok. Time for the next door to open. And I wonder what Brian and Jeanne will name her? This weekend they'll be doing their first camping trip with her, so I hope she comes back named. I can hardly wait to find out.

Letting Go

Well, the Pink Beast has a new home. After my August trip, I decided it was time to let her go. I posted her on craigslist really cheap, and listed everything wrong in the interest of full disclosure. Progressive gave me a nice check for the generator, which I did not replace, and so I figured whatever else I could get would make me happy. I also figured I'd be lucky to get 2 or 3 hits on craiglist because who is going to buy a gas-guzzling, old RV with all her issues - especially in the fall of the year.

To my surprise, I had about 20 people express interest.... most just asking more questions but quite a few who wanted to really check her out. Ironically, it was a couple from my congregation who ended up buying her today. Jeanne was in volunteering in the office when I gave Carol a report on how the sale was going. She and Brian have been looking (which I didn't know) and she was very interested. Today we went to get her from the storage place and I had Brian drive her back to church to get a feel for how she drives. I pointed out every single flaw - don't want any surprises coming later - and they still wanted her.

I'm surprised though at my mix of feelings. The Beast has been my escape, my refuge, and my freedom. She has served me very well, and I really will miss her. But she's going to a good home and I can still see her if I want. Heck, Jeanne & Brian said I can still use her if I want - or if we want to use her for a youth trip again.

At the same time, I'm relieved. With all the thefts this year, and the stress of trying to figure out how to get things fixed and taken care of in the midst of Mom's illness, she was becoming less of a refuge and more of a stressor. But again, I know she'll be in a good home and will be used well. Now I just hope she continues to serve her new owners well too. (Especially since they are VERY good parishioners and I don't want them to end up cursing me out for selling her to them!)

Someday I do plan to get another RV.... this time a newer one and probably a Class B (smaller, easier to store, more manageable.) That will be sometime down the road though, when I actually have time to use it more and better. Until then, I'll have to restrict my adventures to car or plane trips, and Max will have to stay home.