Update!! July 2011

Well, I haven't had much time lately to get on here and update the blog ~ its been crazy busy...we are finishing up the house...seems like I'm forever saying 'we are finishing up' and I dont' see the end as of yet. But I do see a light at the end of the tunnel..so am hoping that counts for something.

We survived the trip to Ontario, Tucker and Lilly travelled great...and the trip back was uneventful thank heavens. We have been going straight out since our return but we did take the long weekend off and camped up at the cottage in our new to us rig. It was a bit hairy at the Motor Vehicle Branch here in NB getting the rig licensed and registered..apparently we were so excited moving day, we didn't realize (I"m sure they told us)..that the little tab thingy on the peel and stick transit 10 day sticker was the proof we needed to register-I was worried Rick may have thrown it out after applying the sticker..thinking it was the receipt for the transit sticker... We waited in line at the DMV for what seemed like forever only to find out we needed that...the bill of sale etc was not sufficient...back home we came..tore the rig apart (I normally save everything) and finally found it...and back to the DMV we went again..waited in line again..and finally got the job done. Today we had to take it to be NB inspected..so now everything is done complete and we're good till this time next year.

While in Ontario we had the extreme pleasure of meeting up with Dee and Jim, and Sandra and Gordon. It was a rainy wet day but it didn't put a damper on our visit. I just wish the visit could have been longer. Thanks for coming out to meet us folks..As you can see the rain didn't hamper our visit.

Dee and Sandra :)

 Jim and Rick Sharing a laugh

 Gordon taking a pic of me taking a pic :)

 Me Sandra and Dee

 Us ladies again

 Gordon being serious

We also had the opportunity to meet up with Rick's 1st cousin Barb and and her husband Bob at a rest stop in Trenton, ON...they hadn't seen each other in over 40 years....it was another quick but special visit.

After leaving Grimsby, we travelled to White Lake ON..to a resort called Cedar Cove...wow that place was in the middle of no where...twisty and winding narrow roads...what a trip for our first long haul with the new rig...we met up with my cousin and her hubby there and spent four days with them, we drank some wine and had some great laughs and wonderful meals. And I have to add it rained for the whole 4 days we were there non stop.

All in all the trip was a great success but I will sure be glad when we are able to hit the road without time lines...seems we've always crowded so much into such short time spans...

Ok am off to spend some time with the hubby and plan tomorrow....stay safe all~and remember
Home is where you Park it...!!
Elaine

Its a beautiful Morning-Cleaning and shining day!!!

We arrived Grimsby Ontario at around fiveish local time..and I was glad to see the rig parked...we jetted out looking for a car wash to try get some road grime off the car...didn't find one..but did find wine and some supper...came back to the rig and met up with new friends and bloggers Larry and Marilyn and had a lovely evening drinking wine and visiting with them...lots of laughs and story swapping...we are parked at the campground in fifty points conservation area..what a nice place...beautiful marina etc...
Had a restful nights sleep now today we are cleaning the rig, washing it outside (it is permissible thank heavens that will be easier that bucket washing)..and shining it up to do the trade tomorrow.
Tomorrow is 'moving day'...we pick up the new DP at around noon...so it will be a busy but exciting day. Marilyn and Larry insisted we have supper with them tomorrow evening...how nice not to worry about having to cook and move on the same day...will upload some pictures of our trip so far..when I have better wifi....have a super day everyone..looks like its going to be hot and sunny here...until later ~~remember

Home is where you park it!!!
Elaine

Almost there!!! To Grimsby Ontario

Hi Everyone,
We left NB around 3pm on Thursday and made it to Edmundston for our first night of travel. The furkids were excellent during the drive~in their seat belts on the sofa..we were a bit concerned how Tucker woud travel because he was so little last year he wouldn't remember. Thankfully they have been wonderful little travellers..We left Edmundston Friday morning about 8am heading onward toward Ontario. Crossing Montreal and Quebec was scarier than riding shotgun outside a plane sitting on the wing...alot of construction and I think Quebec drivers assume signal lights is an option on their vehicles-and that passing you on the inside shoulder of the freeway is a god given right.

Yesterday was a long day...we drove for 11 hours and hauled into Brockville Ontario at around 7pm last evening. I was never so glad to hear the jacks descend...and the slides whine their way out. We took the kids for a brisk walk, had supper, showers and literally fell into bed. After a good nights rest we are once again on the road to Grimsby-currently on the 401 and planning on swinging off onto the 407. Thankfully the traffic today is not as bad as it was yesterday. We made a stop at a rest stop center in Trenton on the way by and met up with Rick's cousin and her husband. They had not seen each other in over 40 years~and what a great visit we had.

We hope to be in Grimsby within the next couple of hours...we will be arriving a day early but thats a good thing..it will give us a chance to clean up our rig-shine her up and plan our move into the new one on Monday.

We are planning somehow some way to meet up with Dee and Jim and Sandra and Gordon on our way back..another exciting visit to look forward to...

So until the next time~remember!!!

Home is where you park it!!
Elaine and Rick

Progression~Finally!!!!!-We retire on Friday-this week!! Rick's Birthday June 10

Retirement!!!~~~New Rig!!!~~~Fear!!!~~~Excitement

Hey Everyone.....things are progressing at a rapid pace :)....as most of you know we are all moved into the renovated apartment on our home..and we are readying the main house for rental...we flew to Toronto on Thursday, rented a car and drove up to an  RV dealer Friday in Smithville and spent the day there going over a couple of motor homes we had our eye on (well Rick had his eye on~~ I personally love love love my miss Daisy our gas mh)...anyway the deed is done...we are the proud new owners of a 38' Tropi Cal by National ~diesel pusher... with 28,000. miles on it..three slides 350 cat motor-on freightliner chasis (like I know what thats all about)...sleeps 6, nice stainless appliances (side by side fridge)..and more importantly tons and tons of storage...pass thru under belly storage...Rick is drooling...I'm very happy with the interior storage..not to the drooling point mind you but at the panting stage (I think thats a man thing)..will be making arrangements with the dealer on Monday to hopefully be up there with ours on June 20th to 'move' again...So far all of our rigs have been "girls" so I think its only fitting that this one is a "dude"...now to find a name for him (yes I always name them)...I'm thinking 'osumer'....meaning "more than awesome"...so thats the thought for today...the way things have been progressing at lightening speed who knows what tomorrow will bring....have a super weekend everyone!!! Hope to see you all down the road!! Rick is walking on air...I have buyers remorse! But then again I have buyers remorse whenever I shop!!!!

Signs of Spring

The grass is slowly turning green the trees are budding and Miss Daisy wants to get on the road.

The Dream is getting Closer!!!

Hi Folks, I figured it was time to update our blog...spring is springing and we are looking forward to getting Miss Daisy out of storage and hitting the road. We have been in the throes of house renovations since early January. We are finally seeing a light at the end of tunnel. So after a fast hard winter, I am more than happy to 'go toward the light'...only 41 more sleeps until retirement!!!!

We renovated the office side of our home into a lovely apartment. We moved into it last week. We are now in the process of performing a few cosmetic things in the main house and hope to have it all ready and rented by July 1. Considering we are Canadians we are not permitted to be out of the country for more than 6 months at a time or we will lose our medical coverages. So we will have a lovely apartment to come back to, and hopefully stable tenants in our main house (to keep the insurance companie from complaining).

We have been downsizing since before Christmas, and now we are moving some of our "we can't get rid of this" stuff to a new storage unit on our property. Did you know that insurance companies will only insure your 'stuff in storage' for 30 days if it is stored offsite. So we purchased a new storage barn so we can store on the property and still have our coverage. I have been selling, giving, and throwing 'stuff' away for the last 6 months. Its nice to be able to pass some of our treasurers onto someone who needs and appreciates it. There are some things we just cannot part with, but not a lot. I applaud ourselves on what a good job we are doing letting go of 'stuff'. But boy are we tired. Its been non stop. Between the construction/renovations and the business time has flown.

We still have a lot to do before mid June, but I think we will still reach our target goals. Since the first week in January poor Rick has been working every single day at something or other pertaining to the renovations, as have I (but maybe not as steady as he has been) but I have been working daily in the business.

This is the first year in many that our RV has not been out of storage by Mid to late April. Hopefully within the next week or so we will have it around front in the main driveway and be loading up. We still have some painting to do in the main house~and of course we have to get up river and get the cottage opened up for the summer..and prep and transition the business to the new owners.. My one consolation to not having the motorhome out on time is knowing that this year we will NOT be putting it back in storage. Instead we will be heading south to warmer weather for the winter (God willing)...

I will post reno pictures when I have a few spare minutes..which I don't seem to have too often these days...hope you've all had a wonderful winter, and praying we meet up down the road someday. Its getting pretty hard to contain the excitement around here for sure. We have a really busy summer coming up and I can't wait!!!

Can you believe it?? I almost can't...seems like yesterday we were laying the plans and here we are all moved and settled and retirement date is almost upon us..yikes!!!

Love and hugs to all

Rick, Elaine
Tucker and Lilly

Its still winter in the Maritimes

We have had our share of snow this winter. The poor motorhome wonders if she will ever see the open road and warm breezes again. I did shovel off the roof as the snow load was about 3 feet and we were starting to worry about damage.

The house also has its share of white trimings.

It wouldn't take much to start up and back out of here to head someplace a little warmer with no SNOW.

There was a slight fog from the river when I took these pics and it gives things a little different perspective.

Merry Christmas to All Our Blog Friends

Well once again it is the 'night' before the 'night before Christmas'....

Christmas is a time for reflection on the past, hope for the future, wondering what could have been and wondering where we will go from here. Our wish this year for our family and friends, far and wide, is peace, health and happiness. As long as we have peace, health and happiness as well as our freedom what more could we ask for. It is also a time for remembering and reflecting on our past...and while we make new memories with friends and family may we also remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. May you all have a truly wonderful Christmas and holiday season~be safe ~ be happy ~ and be thankful!!


We are expecting approximately 16-18 Dinner guests for Christmas dinner...so for the next 5 days or so our household will be a busy one for sure. I will try and get a post Christmas blog up with pictures. I just looked out the window and low and behold it is 'snowing'...there is truly nothing nicer than a nice dusting of fresh snow for Christmas!! (Unless its sand in your toes :)...

So from our stix and bricks (this year) to your home : Have a Merry Christmas each and everyone of you!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Elaine,Rick Tucker and Lilly

hugssssssssssssssss

Welcome to our New Followers

Hello everyone...as I sit here in the snowy weather, with the wood stove burning and yes Rick had the snowblower out cleaning our driveway yesterday, I would like to welcome John and Brenda,Randy and Pam Warner, Brian and Tricia, Charlie and Peggy, and Levonne to our blog. Its not much right now because we are still in the S & Bs...but check back in a few months as we hope to be on the road blogging daily. I love reading your blogs, and it would be wonderful if we could all meet up somewhere sometime in the future..so from our stix and bricks I wish you all safe and happy journeys and I will be keeping any eye on you all....
hugs and take care
Elaine