Friday, April 4 – Saturday, April 5
The crew and I happily hang around our camp on BLM land south of Congress, Arizona.
We only leave to take long walks around the desert. Bridget and Spike concentrate on napping. I read a lot, clean house, cook a little, and FINALLY FINISH MY TAXES!
I also complete the money report for October 2013. If you care to see it, click “Money 2013” in the header and scroll down to find the link.
Due to my typical procrastination, October slipped by me for all these months. Now I have January, February, and March of 2014 to catch up. That should happen about the time April’s report is due.
The warm spell I’ve waited for is almost here!
I plan to visit Rusty and Timber in Chino Valley which is north of us, north of Prescott, and at a higher elevation. The forecast for Chino Valley is moving close to perfect, starting next Monday 73/43, then Tuesday 80/47, and Wednesday 81/50.
I’ve been waiting for those lows to get out of the 30s. Rusty sent me directions as I’ve never been to his home. It will be interesting to see if Timber remembers Bridget and Spike!
If you’re wondering who Rusty and Timber are, read these posts: April 13, 2012 (We meet Rusty and Timber), August 26, 2012 (Timber is lost, then found). That doesn’t cover the entire saga, but it’ll get you started.
I apologize for this late, short post (and for another cow photo).
Working on taxes and budget figures has drained me of any creative energy. At least this gives you a fresh comment section. Just click on the title of this post to see comments. Feel welcome to join in!
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Holy Cow I am up there. Such a wonderful feeling to get those dag-gum taxes done. I haven’t filed for 4 years now and when you reach that point Janet, I hope you enjoy that fact.
Hi Emily,
I hope Janet enjoys it, too. 🙂
Ya she did, as I put “Sue” on her comment. I don’t multi-task very well anymore.
You’re not the only one, Emily!
Your creative energy will come back with the taxes done. Cross that off the list, frees up so much. I e- filed. So convenient.
Hi, Linda,
I guess my “left brain” used up my energy yesterday on taxes, not leaving enough for my “right brain” to write a post! Yes, e-filing is convenient.
I was back in 2011 rereading your posts from when you first started out. We had an opportunity to see an Oliver trailer last night. They are touring one along the gulf coast on their way to the Casita Get together next month. The Oliver is so well thought out that it is really amazing. At first look, I thought it would be too small on the inside, but when you go in it seems to open right up. I think it is going to be perfect for us.
Hi, John,
You are a like a little kid waiting for Christmas. I can imagine you salivating all over that Oliver!
I’m not making fun of you… I’d be the same way. It’s thrilling! I think you’re going to be very happy with your choice.
It gets harder as each day passes. Even though the house is largely void of the 18 year pile of junk, it still seems like an eternity until we can list the house. Good thing is we are heading up to SC to visit the grandkids for a week, so that should help some.
Have a wonderful visit!
Look like Charolais cattle. Can’t see close-up enough to see if their fur is soft and wooly looking.
I don’t know either. The herd is a mixed bunch.
Are there white cattle that are NOT Charolais?
This is what wikianswers.com says….
White cow breeds are Charolais, Shorthorn, White Park, British White, and some Brahman.
I’m so excited about you visiting Rusty, you’d think I was going. Maybe we’ll get to see some photos? I was telling my boss all about his home and how excited all of your followers were, and how generous they were. Sometimes in this life we can forget how good hearted and loving people can be.
Of course, I’ll take photos! I know I have many kind and generous readers who would enjoy a cyber-visit with Rusty and Timber.
Y’all must have more money than I have, or investments, or something. I use the short form to do my taxes:
1. How much did you make>
2. Send it in>
Or maybe it’s because I deal with numbers all day (but I really do use the short form).
The worst thing about procrastinating on your taxes is when you get a refund; then you kick yourself in the pants because you could have already had the money if you hadn’t procrastinated!
Went grocery shopping and stocked up (earthquake emergency food) with my tax refund and bought a cereal named “Uncle Sam.” Didn’t like it. Why on earth did I buy something with THAT name? It had no sugar — and ain’t that the truth with anything regarding “Uncle Sam”?
Hi, Ladybug,
This is my first year reporting income from Amazon (self-employment). I wanted to make sure I got that right. I knew I wouldn’t be getting a refund.
Oh goodness, totally forgot about that! Yes, your return would definitely be different from mine.
Hello rvsue and crew,
Love your blog. My husband and I are part time campers but hope to branch out more and more. We have enjoyed your bovine tale or tails . We’ve raised cattle and know the exact look your visitors gave you.
Hi, Judith,
One thing I’ve learned from writing this blog is there are interested readers no matter what the topic — even cows. 🙂
Nice to hear from you! Best wishes to you and your husband as you “branch out.”
Isn’t procrastinating grand? We just got our taxes mailed off too.
Hi, lindale,
Yes, procrastinating is fine until it starts to gnaw away at your peace of mind. Then it’s time to get into gear!
Most of the time, when I complete a task I’ve put off, I think, “What was the big deal? Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Filing ten days early probably feels like procrastinating if you beat yourself up because you wanted it done sooner,but it’s done now.In a recent reply you said”why hurry to hurt?”.That’s applicable to more than avoiding cold nights when you can enjoy warmth by waiting,and you are not alone in that practice.Every year the local tv station sends a camera and reporter crew to the post office to help people celebrate getting their envelopes stamped by midnight on the fifteenth,that parade of cars is as predictable as the St.Patrick’s Day parade is.
Enjoy your leisure before your trip to Rusty’s,thanks for the update and photos,the white cows look so cute when they’re sweetly resting,most creatures do…
Hi weather,
The trick is to balance relaxation against the stress that can develop from procrastinating. I don’t do my taxes right away because there are many other things I’d rather do (living in the moment!). As time goes by, the enjoyment of those “other things” diminishes and a point is reached where the stress of facing a deadline increases.
Making a mathematical analogy, it’s the intersection of the asymptotes of hyperbola. 🙂 (Why did I learn all that math stuff? Oh, I know! So I can make one clumsy analogy!)
In other words, I procrastinate until I reach the point at which decreasing relaxation turns to increasing stress!
Homework?!!Now I have to do homework to look up the math in order to get the wit of your analogy?Alright,I’m sure it will be worth it,but I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t do it until later
No, need, weather! The teacher says, “No Homework!” That always brought a cheer in my classroom.
You gave me a chuckle. I think I’m missing the mental challenge of math. That was 15 years of my life . . .
Thanks for the recess.Wanted you to know that the playground I skipped to while smiling and calling”Yippee,free time!”happened to have a rv sales lot in it.Did a comparative walk through of a Class B without sales personnel, it was a very informative and fun alternative to trying to wrap my head around algebraic concepts.
Yet this morning I researched the fields necessary to understand your analogy,not because mental challenges hold a lure for me,rather to understand you more.My conclusions:a)correct and accurate use of the terminology,not clumsy at all,and b) -you don’t really miss the math or the 15 yrs.,you searched what was current,math, in your memory to try to explain to me why you procrastinate and how it affects you ,well done,I get it. Trusting me to understand with caring ,you’re enjoying- the freedom of being appreciated for being yourself, -the bond of the joy and hope He’s given us, and so you offered me a mental picture to illustrate another part of yourself.I think you aren’t just being your always polite and friendly self in your replies to me,but actually like me 🙂
Great shot of the two cows! I understand the procrastination on taxes, with me it’s a lot of work and much to do about nothing. Self employement, Yuck. I am impressed that you can do your own, that is something I haven’t thought about when fulltiming. Gee… I am glad yours are done. Now go have fun. Please give Timber & Rusty your follower’s regards. Hope they are well. Take Care.
Hi, Diane,
Yes, I will give Rusty your regards. I’ll visit a friend, but I’ll also bring the good wishes of those whose hearts were touched by Timber’s story.
My taxes took a long time because I allowed myself to use one of those free e-filing programs on the irs.gov site, thinking it would be easier now that I have to file for self-employment (Amazon). I went through the tedious question-answer process only to get a result that I knew had to be wrong.
I went back to the home page and got a 1040 and a Schedule C and did it on my own, resulting in half the amount the software said I owed. I wonder how many people overpay due to those iffy free software programs.
I assume when you said you used Schedule C that you also completed Schedule SE.
Your post was like a minimum day at school, then turning the kids loose for extra time on the playground :-). Fun for all…….!
Hi, Jodee,
I do try to keep a certain standard for my blog. Some days I just don’t have a post “in” me!
This post was mainly to provide a place for comments. It’s overwhelming for readers who come late to the party to open up comments and see over a hundred messages!
I once read about a man who declared Income Tax illegal and went to court to prove it. Well it seems he would have won his case, but the system gave him a trial by his peers and the fast talking lawyers made the jury say he was guilty…when all the evidence said other wise. Just goes to show us that even if you’re right, those rascals can do us in.
Hi, Joe . . . I remember that case. It was several years ago.
Get this one:
Just recently, The State of NY sent me a nasty gram stating I owe a certain amount plus interest for 2008-2009 and 2010.
Ummm….we didn’t move to NY until May 2010…and I filed from that time on. They don’t want to hear any reasoning.
Accckkk! That’s scary, very scary. I don’t envy you trying to make the bureaucracy listen to you. Good luck!
Looks like a nice camp. Hope you enjoy the visit with Rusty and Timber. Expect I’ll be near Flagstaff in a week. So close.
Hi, Pleinguy,
The crew and I probably will go through Flagstaff. The lows are still in the 30s as it’s higher up than here. Maybe in a week it will be warmer for you!
Oh how fun! That is exciting that you will get to see Rusty and Timber! YAY!!!
Cows! I love Cows! But llamas are BETTER!!! LOL
Hugs from Hoquiam where crazy is my middle name 🙂
Barb
Hey, that’s my middle name too! 😉
Hi, Carrie!
Hi Sue! 🙂
Hi, Barb!
Hi Sue, Barb and Carrie
Hi R! 🙂
Hi, R.!
Just two cows? Where did everybody go? Had to smile at Bridget in her usual pose 🙂 Her stare is almost as intense as the cattle.
Hi, Susan . . . Bridget can drill a hole in your forehead with her stare!
Oh, don’t worry, there are still plenty of cows, especially hanging around the water tank where that photo was taken. I cropped a much larger scene to focus on those two white cows. They remind me of salt-and-pepper shakers, although I guess one should be a black cow.
Just had to pop in and say….made it to st Louis today! Expect to be in Tucson by Tuesday evening. It is already warmer and my knee lready feels better. Found a cheap motel on Internet and it turned out to be spacious, super lean and has a recliner…my sleeping accommodation of choice. Only got 3 hours last night due to hard mattress and swollen knee. I’ll be cruising in my comfy recliner tonight, catching up.
Glad you got your taxes done. Wanna do mine?
Hey, Ginger!
I’ve been wondering how your journey is going. . . I hope the weather stays calm for the last leg of your trip to Tucson. Great news about the knee! That’s remarkable after a lot of time driving.
Thanks for the update! Wishing you “smooth sailing” . . .
It’s a pile of trouble and pain, but isn’t it a great feeling when you finally get those taxes done?
Yes, it is, AJ. I didn’t realize it was a weight on my shoulders until it was off.
Nothing wrong with procrastination……the deadline is still days ahead!
A rendezvous with Rusty and Timber sounds like fun! I have no doubt Timber will remember you and the crew.
Have a great day!
You have a great day, too! I’m looking forward to taking photos of Timber — he’s such a photogenic dog. He never runs and hides when he sees a camera, like someone I know.
The queen of procrastination here! My taxes are finally ready to file! I have been working on my father in laws too. They are done now too! Still working on some trust paperwork but I am almost there. Hoping to have them all ready for the mail by tomorrow! I hate taxes but it pains me to have to pay someone else to do what I can do. Hope I did them right!
Enjoy your tax free day!
I know what you mean, Colleen. I paid twice in my life to have someone else do my taxes and it hurt!
I paid once because I thought I had done something wrong as I owed way too much. How could we owe with 4 kids and one income. Well they got the same numbers I did plus I got to pay them too! Turbo tax works well, I do pay for it, but I can do multiple returns for the one price. Ours are fairly easy since I know the answers. My father in laws were tougher since there was some new to me situations. I am slogging through it!
You’re making headway, Sue. Way to go! I know it’s not fun work, especially when ya get behind.
I like the shot of the two cows. Believe it or not, it reminded me of an Old Master’s painting!
When we camped 50 (wow!) years ago, Mom had brother John and I wash the dishes outside. (We had a 17′ white with aqua stripe Winnebago with overhang.) I’m looking forward to doing it again. Simple pleasures.
It will be nice to see Rusty and Timber and hear how they’re doing.
Have a nice Sunday.
Illinois Jane
Hi, Jane,
Washing dishes outside . . . . That’s makes it less a chore. . . and drying them so that they gleam in the sunshine. A memory of a simple task will last for more than 50 years . . . a better memory than a day at an amusement park.
John and Jane… oh, for the days of simple, sweet names!
Hi Sue, So glad you are going to visit Rusty and Timber!! Please tell them hello!! I’ve yet to make it there to see them. I’ll be anxiously waiting to see photos of them.Another month and we will be heading back to MN. Not going till it warms up there!! We got an extention on our taxes(first time!!) Won’t do them till we get back up north.Sure will miss the S.W.–Can’t wait to get back in the Fall!! Hugs to the Pups!! Dixie(MN.-AZ)
Hi, Dixie,
I’ll be sure to say hi to Rusty for you. He may see your message here. I can understand you wanting to hang back in Arizona until Minnesota warms up. It’s been marvelous weather here this past winter.
Congrats on taxes being done! Mine went to the accountant this year, just didn’t have the energy. Working plus trying to get the house ready to put on the market- all the unfinished projects and repairs I procrastinated on now need done. Your post today of long walks and reading sounds like heaven. Looking forward to hearing how Rusty and timber are-best to them.
Hi, CheryLyn,
You’ll find the energy to complete those projects. Every house I’ve ever owned always looked vastly improved when I sold them. I’d look at how fresh and well-maintained they were and think, “Why didn’t I do that before, for my own enjoyment?”
Believe me, I do appreciate how fortunate I am to live at my own leisurely pace, reading and spending time with the crew. Your time for the same is on its way!
Every time I choose to do something leisurely and fun, I still ask myself, “Can I DO THAT?” Yes, I can, hooray! I’m RETIRED!!!
Hi Sue, glad you got your taxes done. I thought I’d be smart and get them done early. Got the money and already spent it. Then Fidelity sent me a 1099 late on my account had to refile, in short I owed 300 back to the feds and 100 to VA. So it doens’t always pay to be efficient.
Now remember you have a package on its way to Rusty, should be there mid to late next week. So don’t leave before it gets there.
Best to you and yours.
Hi, Alan,
No one should have to do tax returns twice in the same year. That’s cruel and unusual punishment!
Okay, I promise not to leave without the package. My curiosity will keep me waiting. You sly guy… 🙂
Best wishes to you, too.
Excited about the visit to Rusty and Timber………….so interested to see how they are now doing!!
Hi, Glenda . . . It will be good to see them again.
Sorry, Sue, for not commenting lately. Didn’t want you to think I left. All the cow photos are wonderful!! Love that the whole herd came to visit…haha!!
Hi, John and Pam,
Always good to see you here whenever you can drop in!
Can’t wait to see how Rusty and Timber are! And I LOVED the post about the 70+ cows…I think they were just trying to figure out what breed of cow you guys were.
I also enjoyed the post about how you decided on the Casita. I agree with all of it..except I’m just worried about backing up with a trailer…AND hitching up when the driver is alone…I know you said it’s just practice…but it seems really hard.
DAWN in MI……
If you are healthy, no physical disabilities, and an adult woman, YOU can
do whatever YOU choose to do! YOU are totally in charge of yourself!
Be All YOU Are, Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken!
I will be cheering for you!
Elizabeth aka E2/etwo in S.E. NM…..
Hi, Dawn,
I have a little confidence-builder for you to do. Do this ALONE with no one watching.
Put an object (a coffee cup will do) about 8 feet or so behind your vehicle. Pretend it’s the coupler on your trailer. (If your vehicle doesn’t have a hitch, put a piece of tape in the center of your bumper and pretend.)
Look at the cup and the hitch to see if they’re lined up. If they aren’t, see in what direction you need to move the hitch. Back up your vehicle a few feet trying to move the hitch so it lines up with the cup.
If you didn’t put them in line, go forward and back up again.
Once the hitch and cup are in line, make sure the front tires are straight. Let’s say you have 4 feet to go. Be cautious and patient. Back up a few feet (or one foot at a time, it doesn’t matter!). Get out and look.
Not close enough? Back up again. Repeat until you are very close. Now inch backward. Ease it back. If the vehicle tends to roll a tiny bit after you stop, put on the emergency brake.
Go too far? No big deal. Get in the vehicle and inch it forward. Repeat until you have the hitch ball over the cup.
Here’s the important part…. If it takes you 40+ tries to line up the hitch ball over the cup on the ground, YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED!!!
Why is that important? Because you didn’t give up! Do the same exercise another day and you may find you line up the hitch ball with the cup in less than 5 tries! The next time, maybe 10 tries. It doesn’t matter!
The reason you are able to drive a car is because you had the confidence and the motivation to learn how. You probably were a kid at the time, yet you KNEW you could learn how to drive.
Tell yourself “I CAN DO THIS.” Do not care how you look doing it.
“when the driver is alone”…. Think how many men and women tow trailers and they hitch up and unhitch alone. It’s not hard. If you can drive a car, you can hitch up. And if you can drive a car alone, you can hitch up alone.
I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m scolding. I’m speaking bluntly to make my point. Hitching up is not a big deal in reality, only in your head.
Once you decide you are going to hitch up, do not let anyone “help” you. That is a big reason why women believe they can’t do things. We develop the habit of relinquishing the “reins” as soon as a man offers to help, thus the skills are never learned and our perception of our capability is chipped away.
Shoo “helpers” away! Their presence will make you self-conscious. Their “help” will confuse you and erode your confidence. Take charge and soon you’ll wonder why you thought it was going to be difficult.
Good luck, Dawn! You can do it!
Thanks for the lesson, Sue. I am going to practice this spring and when we are ready to hitch up, I am going to do it. I’ll have it all done before he gets home Friday evenings!!! I CAN!!!
Now on more question from an illiterate trailer owner: What is the purpose of that thin cable thing near the chains that I am supposed to hook up? Thanks for answering. Also, I heard that you are supposed to cross the chains while hooking them up.
Diann,
You can kind of think of it as an emergency brake for your trailer. It is designed to quickly detach and apply your trailer brakes in the event the trailer comes unhitched accidentally whilst you are driving. At least that is my understanding. Someone with more knowledge will no doubt correct me if I am wrong.
We have a cable near the chains that give power to the trailor tail lights. Could that be it?
That steel cable goes into a small box, the cable has a pin on the end, when the pin is pulled from the box, it automatically applies the trailer brakes to prevent a runaway trailer. This is for that rare situation where the trailer comes unhitched from the tow vehicle. There are several configurations of this system but that’s what it does.
I have towed thousands of miles and never had a trailer come unhitched.
Make sure you have the right sized ball on the car and if you hookup right, you’ll be okay.
Right, you should cross the safety chains when hooking up and make sure the ball receiver (that’s on the trailer side where the ball goes) is greased at all times. Also on the backing up when hooking up, here as simple little device to help with that: http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Alignment-Magnet-Hitch-Camper/dp/B001F4MQYI
Don’t forget to use Sues link for this if you buy it.
Thanks!
Can’t wait to hear (and see) your visit w/ Rusty and Timber. I bet they’re looking forward to it too!!
If it makes you feel better, I just finished taxes last week. I was ‘living in the moment’…………yeah, that’s the reason I didn’t get it done sooner! Had nothing to do with gathering all those bothersome papers and taking half a day to get it done. YUCK.
😀
Lacy
Hi, Lacy,
Congratulations on finishing your tax return!
My next post will be about moving our camp from Congress to Chino Valley. 🙂
Have a wonderful time visiting, best regards to Rusty and Timber…
Did you see ‘TG’ is posting again, he’s had quite a time of it lately.
Temps warming up this week to mid 70’s, hope you can roam and enjoy the western states without weather issues soon…
Congrats getting your taxes done, bummer on the website problem but so glad you caught the gouging..
T~
Thanks, Tawanda.
Yes, Tioga George is posting again and is recovering from his surgery with friends nearby. It’s wonderful to hear from him again.
I’m going to shut down this computer now. Time to pack up, hitch up, and drive over the mountains to Rusty’s house!
Sue,
Enjoy your website. About to take off for an extended trip around the US of A. Thought about doing a web blog during my trip. Wonder if you might clear up a few questions about your blogging experience.
Notice you use wordpress. Why did you decide on wordpress and why did you get your own web address? Noticed you get (for lack of a better term) commission from amazon for sales that go through you site. How does that work and how to set up. Any reading material about composition for blogging? My thoughts and ideas are scattered and
would like to understand how to make them more readable. Do you have a circuit that you travel though the year? Most enjoyable areas for you? Why the southwest and not Florida for the winter months? Is there a way to email you without adding to comments here? Thank you for a glimpse of your adventure.
Lee
Lee,
RVSue is moving camp and can not come to her blog right now. I will answer one of your questions; do NOT think that I am answering for Sue, this is my opinion.
Why the Southwest rather than Florida? Let me count the ways.
Humidity: Florida has a lot of it, the Southwest very little. I personally don’t like much of it.
BLM camping: Florida has very little of it, the Southwest has a lot. I’m not a boondocker but for someone that is i.e. RVSue then the Southwest is the place to go.
Cost: I’m a RV Park monthly camper and there are far more reasonably priced Parks in the Southwest than there are in Florida.
View: I do not feel comfortable unless I can look out at the horizon and see mountains. There are few opportunities to do that in Florida but it is a rare place in the Southwest that you can not do so (if I can’t I tend to avoid those places i.e. Phoenix)
In response to your question about a Travel Circuit. I consider myself a climate nomad. That is to say I want to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This means going north, or to a higher elevation, in the summer and returning to a lower elevation, or south, in the winter. This can be done by wintering in Florida but travel distances tend to be greater and the humidity/cost issues keep me from doing it.
Thanks, Ed. I agree with everything you wrote!
Hi, Lee,
Ed gave you the answer I would’ve given re Florida. Three big reasons: 1) Too much humidity 2) More expensive 3) Been there, done that (I lived in and explored FL for about 15 years.)
I chose wordpress because, at that time, it seemed like most folks chose blogger. I like to do things differently. I started with free wordpress. Advertising is not allowed on free wordpress.
I filled out an application to become an Amazon Associate. You are required to have blogged for at least 6 months and have a growing readership. I was accepted and soon learned I would need to self-host my blog in order to advertise. I signed up with Hostgator and they helped switch me over to their platform from wordpress.
Once you become an Amazon Associate, you are given a code. This code is automatically embedded in any links to Amazon you place on your blog. The code gives you credit for the purchases made from your blog.
Earnings are direct deposited to my bank and I get orders reports, earning reports, and statistical data to help me market products that Amazon sells. My commission is based upon the number of products I sell in any given month. The more products purchased through my blog in a month, the higher my commission for all products sold during that month. It starts over each month.
How to have a successful blog? (You didn’t ask this question, but my answers may be helpful.)
1) Offer information and/or entertainment with your audience in mind. A lot of bloggers use their blog as therapy (looking inward), instead of appealing to readership. Don’t whine and complain! I know a blog that could be titled “Poor Little Ol’ Me.”
2) Be readable. A conversational tone is best. Blogs die from pomposity. Use paragraphs! Good heavens, some blogs make my eyes cross. Forget the rules of paragraphing. If you’ve written 4 or 5 sentences without a paragraph break, chances are your reader went elsewhere. And forget learning a “composition for blogging.” Write naturally, close to how you would speak. Have fun! Break some rules!
3) Have a sense of humor. There are bloggers who never write anything funny, never see humor around them, never laugh at themselves, never write anything silly. Dreadful! You don’t have to be a comedian. Just keep your blog “light.” Many readers are looking for escape from the serious parts of their lives.
4) Care about your readers. I was criticized when I started blogging because I respond to every comment. “Oh, she’s just trying to get her comment number up,” the snarks complained. Au contraire. . . I was trying to establish a friendly atmosphere and connect personally with each reader. I want to know who reads my blog and why, and what they want to learn. I’m thrilled with the caring community that has developed.
You don’t have to respond to every comment. I know bloggers who don’t, yet their caring for readers is evident in other ways.
Those are a few of the elements that I think make a blog one that people want to revisit. Good luck!
Do I have a circuit I follow? Southern Arizona in the winter and we go to new places every summer!
I’m not Sue either but she has shown through the blog that she enjoys camping off to herself more than with a lot of folks around. That’s much harder to do in Florida than in Arizona. Also if you check her Money reports she balances her summer travel expenses by free camping during the winter. There are some months she spends almost nothing. That would be much harder if not impossible to do in Florida or even Texas.
Her postings on the blog show that she doesn’t have a defined “circuit” but she does occasionally enjoy returning to places she camped before that she knows she’ll enjoy. I think where she goes is determined by weather and places she wants to see that are also dog friendly. I know she mentions using the Benchmark books to help finding campsites and interesting things to see.
Great answer, Reine! You know me well. Thanks for helping me answer Lee’s very good questions. 🙂
When I read your first post about meeting Rusty and how he once taught wilderness survival… well… I really liked this guy. I saw him as one of our country’s natural resources… full of information that should be shared… like a medicine man who knows the secrets… and who needs to share them before they are lost.
As I kept reading your blogs I kept hoping you’d meet up with him again. If he had a blog, I’d be one of his devoted fans… hoping to catch some of that wisdom he has. I’m wondering… would he consider writing a book?? It could be self-published on Lulu.com. If he had trouble writing it, he could dictate it and sell it as an audio recording at Lulu, as well. Luv ya, Rusty !
Hi, Starlight,
I can understand you liking Rusty. He’s an interesting, sweet guy. He used to teach wilderness skills to kids and even was a mountain man in a movie.
Now that he’s in a house, he is exploring a hobby he’s been interested in for years. He’s having a great time with it… totally obsessed in a creative, fun way! (I’ll explain in a future post). I don’t think anyone could get him interested in another project right now. I’m very happy to see how much enjoyment he’s getting out of his property. 🙂
Have fun visiting with Rusty and Timber!
Glad the taxes are done so that you don’t have to worry about it while visiting. I do mine through Turbo Tax. So far haven’t had a problem.
I appreciate the work that you put into the money report as I do follow it. Its good to see how you can make it on a budget. It gives me hope that even someone not bringing in a large income can still survive while full timing. I will be living on Social Security and I do have a 401k (as little as it is). My plan is to retire at 65….I don’t believe I could hold out until 66! If I could… it would happen tomorrow. My life is simple….no house to sell…..not a lot to downsize! I guess I am lucky in that sense.
I have a question about Amazon…..sometimes when I am browsing or get notice of an item in my email I will put an item in my cart and then later go through your blog and purchase it. Do you still get credit? Does it matter if I put it in the cart without going through your site or should I go through your site to place it in the cart?
Thanks again for the time you put into this blog!
Have fun!
Hi, Deb,
When I decided to have a blog, I wanted to provide not only information on how much money required (or how little), but also the lifestyle that it would buy. It doesn’t mean much if a person says you can fulltime on such-and-such amount of money. One needs to know what kind of life that would be. That’s why my blog has a two-part goal… To show “living on less” and “enjoying life more.” I appreciate the positive feedback on my efforts.
Good question re: Amazon. I’m not sure of the answer. If you think of it and don’t mind going to the trouble, the next time that situation occurs, let me know something you purchased and I’ll see if it shows up in my reports. Thanks for caring that I get credit! 🙂
Sue I placed an order for a Camco Deluxe Grilling Table on March 13 and saw that you posted an order from Amazon for the same table on April 1. At the time I had ordered other numerous items. But I am not sure if some were put in my “cart” from your blog or if I placed them in when I was just browsing. But I did purchase all when I entered from your blog. (not even sure if thats my order that you posted) I just ordered some books …The Art of Healthy Eating and 2 other books….but I know that I placed them in my cart and ordered them from your site. (ordered those on my iPhone)
I receive so much pleasure and information from your blog that its just a small gesture that I can do to show my appreciation by making my purchases through your site.
Hi, Sue!
Starting our 2nd week at playa Santispac just south of Mulege. So beautiful and such wonderful people! Gil has put the port-a-bote to good use! Also learned to harvest scallops; heat water by painting those gallon jugs black and setting them in the sun. Sand fleas have attacked him (but not me) but everything else is breathtaking.Food is wonderful and cheap. People should definitely not fear coming to Baja Calif. Hugs!
It sounds wonderful, Kathy, even if there are sand fleas! Love the updates . . . You may talk me into doing Baja!
The way I understand that Amazon works is — when you use a link from an “Affiliate’s” web page — that cookie stays for 14 days or until you use the link from another Affiliate’s web page. Whatever you put in your cart on your visit will give credit to the Affiliate’s link you used last. However, no commission will be paid until the item has been bought. I’m not sure if this is the right link, but it explains some of it and has links within it.
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp/associates/agreement
It distinguishes “qualifying” items from others. For instance, if someone buys something they saw on Amazon, but are directed to the manufacturers website for the purchase, then (I think) there are no commissions. Basically… the Affiliates does not know WHO bought something, only that something was bought. Everyone retains their privacy.
Well, it says 24 hours for the cookie. So if you click the link Sue gives you, it has her Affiliate signature in that link, and whatever you buy on that visit, and whatever you put in the cart on that visit, gets accredited to her account. So, to assure credit is given, you should use her link whenever you are going to make a new purchase on a new day. Things you put in the cart will give her credit up to 89 days from the time you used that link and put items in your cart.
I have heard about Tioga George, but his website wouldn’t load, and I was so flustered I about gave up. Then I tried using a different browser. It loaded. I’ll only be able to skim over his blog, but I discovered that he had a youtube channel, so I’ll watch those. Here’s one where he’s thanking people on his blog’s 6 millionth visit — although, the story is really a bit sad. What a cool guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMmTQSobstM
His “magazine” pages are very informative and helpful because he has them sorted alphabetically by topic.
Thanks for the info, Starlight. I didn’t know about the 89 days.
Starlight, thank you for the Amazon info……things get so complicated! LOL I guess I will make sure I do my browsing from here so that when I add to my cart Sue will get credit when I purchase those items.