Gate Guarding

Gate Guarding

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Reflecting on 2008

Happy New Year

2008 has been a rocky year for us...decisions were made and then modified. Then changed completely. I guess that is life.

The first part of 2008 was pretty normal. We went to work and then home with no idea that in a few short months our whole way of life will be changing.

January, February, and March brought on health issues that needed to be corrected. I was in the hospital in January with a kidney stone...the most excruciating pain that I can remember. March found Mac having growths on his vocal chords removed...they were benign thank goodness.

We had already started reading the RV-Dreams website and it got our urge for the possibility of fulltimimg started. We have a 29' travel trailer that we use to go to the lake and to the races, but we were intrigued by what Howard & Linda were doing and wanted and so our search for a new RV started. So, in January and February we started our search for the perfect RV for us. We thought we wanted a 5th wheel so that is what we looked at first. We went to RV show's in Wichita KS and 2 different RV shows in Kansas City. We looked at a motorhome and then we stumbled...do we really want a 5th wheel, or a motorhome. So we started looking exclusively at motorhomes for awhile. Our thinking was that we could tow a jeep with us, but I never really saw one that made me say "This one is for us". So we decided to look at 5th wheels again...

April, May and June passed pretty quickly. Work and beginning to sort through things to downsize. I sold some of my collections on ebay. Wow, I forgot how much some of things are worth. We spent Memorial weekend going to our granddaughter, Britny's state softball tournament. They lost the first game. We had taken our TT to the lake for the weekend, so they came and spent the rest of the weekend with us. Wow was that crowded, 4 adults and 6 children ranging in ages from 1 year to 18. Also, we continued looking at 5th wheels and think we have it narrowed down to the one we want.

July, August, and September found us still working on the house. We went to Ulysses for the 4th of July weekend to see Mac's sister and family. Also, Dana and family were there and also Chris and Dusty, We had a great visit. Our granddaughter, Ashley and greatgrandaughter, Jaelynn came home with us for a couple of weeks. In August our daughter, Christie was having to have surgery so we went to Amarillo TX to be with her and our son-in-law, Dusty. We spent a week with them and Chris was improving when we came home. Thanks to all our RV-Dreams chatters for all their prayers for Chris. It meant so much to us. September Mac was working as an Environmental Inspector for a construction job where he works. We were supposed to go to the races at Kansas Speedway but he had to work. We did go up on Friday night to see Mac's sister and brother-in-law..We had a great visit.

October, November, and December we were in a serious shopping mode to find the perfect 5th wheel for us. We have pretty much decided on a Landmark Augusta by Heartland. We love the floorplan and the quality looks great. We joined Escapees Club and got our Texas address so that when we go fulltime we can use their mail forwarding service. Mac will be retiring December 31st so we are trying to get things done. I will continue to work for a while as Mac will be returning to work as an Environmental Inspector for some pipeline construction jobs.

On December 5th, we made the plunge and ordered a 2010 Landmark Augusta. Our dealer, Daryl from Chetopa RV was in Louisville at the National RV Show and called us to tell us of some of the new changes that were being made for the 2010 model. Also, we could get a $1000.00 discount if ordered that day...so we did. They sent us text messages off and on all day with photos and photos of the new full body paint scheme, and we loved it.

December 22nd, our anniversary, we bought a new to us truck to tow the Augusta. It is a 2005 Ford Crewcab, 4X4. We love it.

And, as everyone knows, Christmas at our house was an experience that we do not want a repeat performance of. Dinner was destroyed. I was trying to recoup from toe surgery and trying to do too much...enough said about that.

On this last day of December 2008, we are lucky that we are still young enough to enjoy our life, our kids and grandkids. That is one thing that we are looking forward to...spending more time with our kids and grandkids in the next few years.

We would like to wish all our family and friends near and far, a Very Happy New Year!

We can't wait to get this next year started so that we can get on with this next stage of our life.

To our RV-Dreams family... we love you just like family and can't wait to see you in Kerrville in March!

Lots of Love,

Mac & Netters

4 comments:

cesetizleri said...

hi, from Turkey.
happy new year. :)
Mutlu yıllar..

Leno said...

Nice post. What a year huh..Big plans were made. I sure hope you both enjoy the New Year. Looking forward to meeting you in Kerrville.

Mark and Dortha said...

We are so excited for you guys and can hardly wait to see you in March.

Unknown said...

Great blogsite, Where do you find all those cool graphics and gadgets? Happy New Year..... Don and Cheryl