OUR ROAD TO FULLTIMING
January 25, 2000 - THE DOWNSIZING BEGINS
After postponing the beginning of our downsizing process until after the holidays, yesterday, I actually went upstairs to our guest room and began this time-consuming process. I had decided to start piles of items in these categories: garage sale, keep, give-away, questionable, and "to the kids". I also had a laundry basket to transport the leftovers to the trash can.
This room contains a small chest, a large dresser, a tall mirror, and a queen bed. Being somewhat of pack rat, I had stored more maps, travel brochures, and books that would ever be necessary and were obsolete. Into the trash can they went! I used to be an avid seamstress, especially when my girls were going up, but I seldom sew anymore. In the dresser were still patterns and some fabric that I had been hanging onto for possibly 20 years. Why?? I haven't a clue! Most of the fabric went into the "garage sale" pile, and what's left will get donated. I threw away the thread because most of it was also 20 years old. A few "odds and ends" were set aside for the girls' decisions. In the end, I probably took at least five laundry baskets full to the trash can, and all of the drawers are EMPTY!!
In retrospect, I cannot believe that I kept all those things for so long. This first step was really relatively easy and painless, but I started with the easiest room in the house!! Remember, we have 2318 square feet with 4 bedrooms (one is my office), bonus room (Ron's office), family room, living room and dining room, kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and laundry room plus a 3-car garage. What I have accomplished on this first day is really merely a drop in the bucket, but it IS a start; that's the important thing. More progress to follow.....
November 1, 1999 THE BEGINNING February 6, 2000 RECEIPTS AND TAX RETURNS March 12, 2000 THE FIRST "DENT" April 27, 2000 DUMPSTERS, DOCTORS, AND TRUCKS May 24, 2000 OUR TRUCK DECISION July 2, 2000 BITS AND PIECES July 21, 2000 MEDICAL CONCERNS July 27, 2000 STEPS TO A FULLTIMING BUDGET August 8, 2000 OUR TRUCK DELIVERY SAGA September 15, 2000 AN UPDATE ON OUR PROGRESS October 2, 2000 SIX WEEKS TO GO!!! October 15, 2000 MORE HURDLES CONQUERED November 14, 2000 ALMOST THERE!!! December 21, 2000 ELKHART.....FINALLY!!! December 21, 2000 LET THE COMEDY BEGIN!!!