Another Camping Trip and Decorating!

This past week we went out camping for a few days at Bamberton.  A provincial park not far from where we live.  It was idyllic of course.  The campground is in a forest just uphill from a very nice beach.  It's a great place for walking and relaxing.
I've come to the conclusion that there are good vibes in campgrounds.  Maybe it's that most of us there are "like minded."  And I think that campers have a good (maybe better than normal) outlook on life.  Nebulous, I know, but food for thought.
And of special note is how well behaved everyone is at these provincial campgrounds.  Virtually no noise except for maybe kids playing during the day--which is actually kind of pleasant when you think about it.

Decorating

Now, MWP and I have a little project going on.  While we love (did I say LOVE?) our trailer we thought that the interior was just a bit bland.  Especially if we plan to take it on a long trip and spend months in it.
So... We decided to do curtains, a new duvet cover, table cloth, flooring and new handles for the cupboards.
It took a lot of time to find just the right fabric for the curtains and duvet cover.  Then I had to figure out a way to put up curtain rods--which I did.
MWP had the curtains and duvet cover partially sewn before this camping trip and we took them along and hung them on strings just to see what they'd look like--the custom cut curtain rods hadn't arrived yet.
How many ways can you say FABULOUS?  What a difference!
Next comes the fabric for the seat cushions (MWP's job) and some flooring--probably carpet (my job).  After that we'll either find some interesting door handles or I'll paint the existing ones bright colours.
I'll post photos when the project is done :)

Today's Gratitude:

Improving health!!!  It DOES get better.

It's been a long time again....

Trailering

We've used the trailer several times since April.  After my operation we went out for a couple of days for a change of scene.
MWP went on a 10 day retreat to an unserviced provincial campground.  He really enjoyed that.  I enjoyed staying at home on my own.
Last week we went for 3 nights out to French Beach.  Another unserviced provincial campground.  It was really wonderful for me to get out camping again.  We had campfires and made smoors.  We walked on the beach.  Read in the sun.  Napped.  Relaxed.
By the way, we LOVE our little trailer!!!

Not quite as restless

The cancer diagnosis and treatment has changed me.  At first I was terribly anxious and then at some point my brain just shut off the anxiety.   It was like the universe said "You want something to worry about.  I'll give you something to worry about!"  After a while I became numb to the worry and stress.  Now I'm much more laid back.  Very much into 'don't sweat the small stuff.'
MWP and I have almost switched roles.  He's the go-getter now.  I'm laid back.  He's been arranging all our trailer trips this summer.  Making reservations, picking the sights.

Plans

MWP suggested we do something 'life changing.'  (Notice that it was not me!)  At first we thought we might go to Europe for 6 months, but that didn't work out because of visa problems.  So then MWP suggested we take the trailer into the US and travel around for 6 months.  Perfect!  I love that idea.  So we are busy planning that trip now.  It won't be for a while but it gives us time to get organized and make sure my cancer is well and truly gone before we head out.

Today's Gratitude:

Strangers who have become friends.  Other guys who have been through what I'm going through and who've formed a little support network with me.  I've gotten support and given support.  It's what's getting me through this....

Catching Up

It's been quite a while, and lots of things are happening.

A Diagnosis
I had a prostate biopsy done on January 17th, and on February 1st I got the bad news that I had prostate cancer.  Some further testing was done to see if it had spread and luckily it had not.  So on February 15th the doctor gave me the final word that I had contained but "significant moderate risk" PC.
Between February 1st and 15th I did a LOT of research as to what the best treatment option for me might be and decided to go with a radical prostatectomy (as opposed to radiation), which is what my doctor recommended.
As you can imagine after February 1st both MWP and I were stressing out like crazy.  MWP thought a couple of days "retreat" in the trailer would do him good so we de-winterized and he went out for 3 days to our favourite RV part not far from where we stow the trailer.  I was delighted to get back to the trailer and get it rolling again!  MWP found his retreat to be very beneficial.
Travel
Meanwhile, we had been talking about an April trip south with the trailer.  Probable destination Palm Springs with some stops to explore places like the Napa Valley on the way.  On February 15th, with the "final" diagnosis,  I was able to choose a date for surgery.  I'd been thinking about "no time like the present" to get away--especially with all the stress we'd been through in the last couple of months.
I chose May 11th for the surgery to give us plenty of time to go somewhere and be back in time for the required pre-op checkup.  So I suggested to MWP that we leave almost immediately to just get the hell away and give ourselves a break from worry and stress.  He said let's do it!
Trip Summary
We departed on February 20th and decided to head straight to Palm Springs, taking our time along the way.  I wasn't quite sure how the trailer towing would go since we hadn't done a big trip before.  Happily, everything went beautifully.  We spent 4 nights on the road and arrived in Palm Springs on the 24th.  Of  course it was gorgeous weather there and we immediately headed to the swimming pool at the RV resort.  Heavenly!  I had reserved 2 weeks at a really nice place almost right in downtown Palm Springs and when we got there they offered us a monthly rate of basically 4 weeks for the price of 3.  The thought of sitting still for a month and enjoying lovely sunshine convinced us that this was the best deal for us.  We decided to just stay there then when it came time to leave head pretty much straight home.
It was an enchanting month.  By mutual agreement we decided to take a break from the "C" word and just have a good, worry-free time.  We did 3 day trips:  Joshua Tree Park, Idyllwild and Hemet, and around the Salton Sea.  We forgot about our "diets" and treated ourselves to a few too many desserts.
I went to the pool every day and got a nice tan.  We set up a nice little patio area outside the trailer.  The month gave us time to settle into a nice relaxing routine.  We departed Palm Springs on March 25th knowing we'd had a lovely time but looking forward to getting home.
Then came rain!
Our route home took us through the Mojave Desert to Bakersfield and then up I-5 toward home.  Would you believe we encountered torrential rains in the Mojave Desert?  Heavy rain followed us all the way home.  We were held up for 2 days in Red Bluff, CA because there was snow on the I-5 up ahead in the mountains.  Sheesh!  We arrived home tired, but refreshed from what turned out to be a wonderful trip and "just the right thing" to do.
Moods
I've experienced a few mood swings since coming home.  Depression/anxiety/anger.  But with the help of a wonderfully supportive MPW and some friends I've been able to get it together and have come to the "acceptance" stage of this process.  Now I am looking forward to having the operation behind me in just over 3 weeks.

Today's Gratitude:
Wonderful and supportive people in my life!!!!

Out of mothballs!

The trailer is coming out of mothballs on Monday.  MWP is taking it to an RV park for a few days to have a little "retreat."  I'm staying home to run some necessary errands and have a bit of quiet time of my own.

The weather is pretty mild, so it's a good time to de-winterize and get ready for some serious camping.

We've recently had to face some challenges, but every cloud has a silver lining, right?  So, I've quit my job and we may be heading south sooner than expected.  Yeah!  We should know our departure date by next week.  We think we'll just make a straight run for Palm Springs in order to get to good weather ASAP.  A little R & R in the sun will do us a world of good.

Today's gratitude

I am truly grateful for people who volunteer and support those in need.

Planning, planning...

In a couple of days we're off to San Francisco for a quick trip.  It's to celebrate our 10th anniversary!  Looking forward to a little getaway.  We're flying.  Sadly, the trailer is still tucked away for the winter.

Luckily, I'm still working, because I'm still spending!  Ended up getting us Kobo readers to take with us on the road.  I love mine.  I doubt I'll ready many actual paper books again.  At the moment I'm on the 3rd book of the Millenium trilogy by Stieg Larsson (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series).

We are still planning a trip south in April.  I may or may not quit my job at the end of March.  Depends whether the boss wants me back after a 5 or maybe 6 week absence.  We've kicked around various camping ideas and I think we are pretty much going to stick to commercial, and maybe one or two state, campgrounds.  We're not comfortable with the idea of over-nighting in rest areas or truck service centres, and boondocking in the desert has no appeal for us.  Give us our swimming pool!  We plan to stay at the Happy Traveler RV Park in Palm Springs.  It's really close to town so we can walk into our favourite cafe every day for coffee.  We'll have to drive to Indio to get our Shield's date shakes though.  Wonder how many of those we'll have?  So far our plans are driving directly to PS via the interstates, staying there for 2 weeks or so, then heading home along the California coast.  We'll spend a few days in Mendocino.  One of our most favourite places.  We're determined not to have to rush home for any commitments but rather arrive home when we feel like it.

I did buy a couple more things for the trailer.   I got a real nice stainless steel tea pot.  Expensive, but unbreakable.  And a little stick-on gauge for the propane tank. Oh, and some coat hangers that I can secure to the closet bar to stop our clothes from ending up on a heap on the floor of the closet.

Todays' gratitude:

I'm really grateful to live in a country with such good health care.  I recently had a little procedure done at our local hospital and must say it was an altogether positive experience.  Right down to the warm blankets!

Spending, spending.....

Some Boxing Day shopping for our little house on wheels.  Bought a set of Corelle plates/cups with a retro motive.  Also a duvet and some pillows so we don't have to keep dragging our bedding between home and the trailer.  Blew another $100, but there's really not much more to buy now.  Well, that's not quite true.  There's always something more to buy for a trailer!
We're still talking about a trip south in April.  With the mild weather we've had over the Christmas period I'm itching to get out camping again!

Itching to do something!

The trailer has been on my mind lately.  I've been worrying about the battery.  It's just sitting in the trailer and with the cold weather I'm wondering if it's losing it's charge and what might happen if it does.  Well, the weekly Canadian Tire flyer just happened to have an inexpensive battery charger....
Off to Canadian Tire.  Purchase one battery charger.  I look for an inexpensive battery tester--one I saw on-line--the clerk doesn't know what I am talking about.
I find myself in a manic sort of money spending mood.  Oh oh!  Well, I've been working, so I have money!
I stop at my favourite camping store.  I pick up a portable propane heater (Mr. Heater, Little Buddy model) to use when we are dry camping.  I bring my purchases home.  I try out the heater.  It won't light!  Back to the store.  I find a clerk and we try to light it.  No luck.  The supervisor gets involved.  We try another heater.  Still won't light.  Must be a bad batch!  The supervisor says this has never happened before.  I get my money back.  I'm really wound up now.
I come home and research heaters.  The local hardware has one that might be suitable.  I drive over there.  I look, but think that model is just too big for our little trailer.  I jump back in the car and dash to Canadian Tire.  They have one Coleman Blackcat heater left.  I buy it along with a little canister of propane.  I bring it home.  I light it.  Voila!  It works beautifully and gets very warm.  It will take the chill out out of the trailer no problem.
I research the battery tester at Canadian Tire.  Yes they have one.  I note the part number and head over. Yes, the clerk says, it's in the isle with the marine supplies (who would have though?).
The next day we drive to the trailer to pick up the battery.  Ahhh, the trailer still has the "new" smell in spite of having been sitting idle for over a month.
We bring the battery home.  I test it.  75% left.  Not bad for sitting in the cold for a month.  I put the new little charger to work.  Four hours later the battery is fully charged.  Now it is sitting on our balcony on "maintenance" mode and will be ready at a moment's notice if we decide to go camping.
It's lovely weather right now.  Really quite spring-like.  Gets me in the mood for camping.  MPW says "it's up to you."  I must mull this over....

Hibernation

Well, I really want to make this blog about the trailer and camping experiences, so while "Tony" is snuggly put away for the winter there won't be many posts.
I'm keeping busy and my restlessness is under control as we head into the holiday season.
All the best until the spring!

Procrastination....

I've been putting off writing a blog post.  Partly because I've been too tired.  But also partly because I don't want to get into complaining about customers at my new job.
I used to read a flight attendant's blog.  He proclaimed to love his job, but continually complained about passengers.  I confronted him on it in a comment and he gave me quite a bitchy reply.  My conclusion is that he loves the flying and the glamour of the job, but not actually working with people.....
Me?  My job's hardly glamorous!  Mostly I love the people who come in the store, drunk, stoned or straight.  At no point have I ever felt unsafe.  But here comes the whining:  It's the shoplifters that concern me.  Being a perfectionist, I tend to take it personally when I think someone's walked out without paying for merchandise.  But, I'm getting to know the behavioural signs now, and who the "regulars" are.  Of course, like many people, I hate confrontation.  But I must steel myself to deny them entry to the store.  A strategy I plan to implement on my shift tonight.
Anyway, I've been working steadily three graveyard shifts a week and will continue to do so until the owner returns from holidays on December 5th.  I'm wearing out, so after that I need to cut back significantly.  If that's not suitable for the owner then it's goodbye job--which would be a great shame because, after all, this work suits my restless nature!

Today's gratitude:

I'm grateful for our pensions, which mean that we'll never be destitute.

I feel so relaxed!

My work schedule seems to have settled into Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.  From 10pm to 7 or 8am.  Luckily I am able to sleep fairly well when I get home.  I'm still getting that "relaxed" feeling after working.  The little motor in my head drops it's RPM's and I zone out into a worry-free state.  I'm so glad that this effect seems to be ongoing!

Today was one of those gorgeous Autumn days.  Sunny and a little cool.  In the afternoon MPW and I walked down by the water and and enjoyed the sun reflecting off a blue/grey sea.  There's always something to watch there.  Boats, planes, birds, people, dogs.  Such a great way to get a dose of Vitamin D.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day.  I expect a quiet shift tonight.  Many of my morning regulars won't be heading to work and dropping in for their coffee and newspaper.

Todays gratitude:

I'm grateful for all the men and women who have served and sacrificed in various wars and conflicts to keep the rest of us free and safe.  Thanks so much guys!

The work paradox

Why is it that my enjoyment of a job is inversely proportional to the amount I get paid?  I love my unpaid volunteer "job," and I really enjoy my new career as a convenience store clerk, for which I am paid a pittance.  On the other hand, jobs that I have had that pay over $100K per year I've hated.  I think it's because I enjoy an ongoing, superficial, interaction with the public in my workplace.  I would have made a wonderful flight attendant (wouldn't that be a perfect job for someone with a restless nature?).  Unfortunately, I became an accountant.  Possibly the world's most boring job.  Even at management level, working with the movers and shakers, how many budgets with cutbacks can one guy produce?

Winterizing the trailer

It's that time of year.  I've got to buy antifreeze for the plumbing lines today.  I'll drain the water out of all the pipes in the next couple of days.  Bye bye camping.

Today's gratitude:

I'm grateful to live in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada!

The job is perfect for a restless nature!

I enjoy working with all the "night" people.  Everyone from cops to hookers seem to come through the door.  I get along pretty well with them all.  One women even gave me a tip!

When I get home I'm dead tired and find myself more relaxed than I've been in a long time.  I've discovered I need a high energy (high risk?) activity to keep me centered.  Before my knee gave out I used to exhaust myself running.  Now I have a great substitute for running.  MWP agrees.

We had to pack up the trailer in the pouring rain the other day to come home.  Well, we got it done, but we were both pretty soaked by the end of it.  It was fairly cold, so that may be the end of trailering for a couple of months.  Very sad.

I have a couple of days off before my airport volunteer shift and then another night shift at the store.  This afternoon we are going to a local recreation center to swim a few laps and soak in the hot tub.

Today's gratitude

I'm grateful for the good health that MWP and I have.  We're doing pretty good for a couple of old guys in their early 60's!

I survived!

The life of a professional convenience store clerk

I somehow managed to make it through my first solo night shift without any major incidents.  I'm getting to know where things are now, although it's a pretty crowded little store, with a lot of merchandise, so it will take time to learn it all.  Several down-and-out type people came in, but for the most part they were well behaved.  I tried to keep an eye out for shoplifters, but who knows?  Most of the customers were very pleasant.  Overall it was a very positive experience, just the sort of activity a restless guy needs.

Taking a break

Tomorrow we go camping in the trailer again.  Yeah!  Today we made a list of all the things we need to take.  It's quite complicated.  I hope over time we can simplify that a bit.

Today's gratitude
Having a lovely daughter, who's support I truly cherish.

No camping this week

Although it's been a busy week what with work and errands, my thoughts run to camping in our little trailer.  After 2 weeks of camping activity it seems like "withdrawal" not to be out there!  That will be remedied next week.  We plan to be out for 3 nights (assuming my work schedule for next week is what I had discussed with the boss).

Yesterday I spend memorizing the placement of cigarettes at the store.  Now when a customer asks for some obscure brand I know which cupboard to go to!  They say learning a new skill keeps your brain healthy.  Let's hope.

I know expressing gratitude is the latest fad, but nonetheless I'd like to add a little postscript to my blog entries.  Each post I will add a short gratitude statement.

Today's Gratitude
Having MWP in my life.  He's a huge source of support and love.

Working hard!

Am I too old for this?

It wasn't a particularly busy shift last night, but it seemed there was too much to do anyway!  Serving customers is one thing, but stocking shelves, checking inventory, mopping floors and making coffee are all time consuming and have to be done while the customers are coming and going.  Whew!!!

Well, I think I have the general idea.  There are a few things that can trip me up, and I made a couple of mistakes, but it was all a good learning experience.  I go for my 3rd training shift this evening.

Of course we sell a lot of cigarettes and lottery produces, neither of which I buy, so this seems to be my main "learning" challenge.

After tonight I get a few day off before working solo next Sunday night.

Working!

After dropping off about 10 resumes around town I immediately got a call from Bal, the owner of a Mac's Convenience Store.  I go to see him.  He wants somebody who can start right away.  He wants somebody who can work three graveyard shifts a week for the next two months.  He's from Nepal.  He's going on a month's holiday soon.  I tell him I'm his man.  I start that evening...

It was fun!!!  But hard work.  Theres' lots to do.  It was a Saturday night.  Many people came to buy cigarettes.  I'm not a smoker so I don't know my brands/sizes.  I soon learn what are the most popular. We sell a few packs of condoms.  Chips and drinks are popular.  I have a bit of trouble with the lottery sales, but I'll get there.  The young fellow training me is very pleasant and patient with me.  He's from India.  He said that in India older people don't say "sorry" to younger people and it seems odd to him that I say "sorry" so much.  I explain that it's just a Canadian thing.  We all say "sorry" at the drop of a hat, even if whatever has happened is not our fault, and even if we're not really sorry.  I try not to say "sorry" so much, but it's a reflex, I can't stop myself from doing it!

I work 11pm to 7am.  The night passes quickly there's so much to do!  Counting stock, cleaning, stocking shelves, making coffee, attending to customers....  I arrive home tired, but strangely happy.  It's good to do a job that's busy, where I interact with people, and where I don't have to use a lot of brain power.  A perfect retiree's job!

I arrive home about 8am.  Fall into bed and soon it's 11am and time for me to get up and get ready to go to the Airport for my volunteer shift.  I'm a little tired, but I manage to get through that.  It's always fun at the airport.  Lots of "happy" vibes there.  We pass a quiet evening at home.  By 9pm I'm asleep, and I sleep right through until 7am this morning.  I feel great!

I go back tonight for the second training shift.  It's Monday today and it won't be as busy as the Saturday shift.  I'm determined to get the lottery sales down pat.  I'll take more notes tonight!

We all go there eventually

We stopped at Walmart on the way home yesterday.  Just to eat lunch in the parking lot but nonetheless we felt it was like losing our Walmart virginity.

After all the rain camping, guess what?  It's sunny today.

I took the dinette cushions (the ones we sleep on) into a foam shop and got them to cut me a topper that conforms to the curves of the trailer.  It's going to be a very comfortable bed indeed!

I miss camping!  Camping is the perfect activity for a nomad...

Camping in the rain

As I write this the rain is pelting down on the trailer's roof making a loud but soothing sound.  It's warm and snug inside the trailer.

We hitched up the trailer yesterday and brought it to this wonderful spot called Pedder Bay.  A gorgeous RV resort and marina.  The camping sites are large and have privacy hedges between them.  It's idyllic.

On the way to the trailer yesterday we stopped and got a crock pot and a roast of beef to inaugurate it.  I set it up on the table outside and cooked the roast for about 5 hours.  Before cooking I put a packet of onion soup mix and a can of cream of mushroom soup over it and it turned out wonderful.  The gravy was perfect.  I BBQ'd some veggies in foil and used some garlic and herb instant mashed potatoes and voila!  A delicious dinner.  The crock pot is definitely a keeper!

We're getting the "doing dishes" routine pretty well figured out.  I wash and MWP dries.

Last night we slept to the sound of rain on the roof.  This morning the sun was trying to shine so we went for a long walk up to a little lake and back.  It's autumn here now so the leaves are just starting to turn colour.  The  forest was dripping wet overhanging the path we were on and the forest perfume was almost intoxicating.  Luckily we took the umbrellas because it started pouring again just before we got back to the trailer.

At the moment I'm baking bread.  I had brought the mixed ingredients with me so all I had to do was add some warm water and mix.  It's rising right now and after that I will bake it outside in the portable BBQ.

Everything is OK

I went to the trailer this morning.  The battery was still there.  Whew!  I put it in the trailer (which is, of course, kept locked).  I also brought all the documents home so we can keep the bill-of-sale and other stuff safely at home.

When I opened the trailer door I got hit with a good whiff of "new trailer smell."  Wonderful!

I did my volunteer job this afternoon then tomorrow we head out for another couple of days camping.  I know we'll be going out as much as possible, until the novelty wears off.  Which, hopefully, will be a long time.

Meanwhile, we're refining our must-take list for when we leave the house, but at least it's getting shorter as all the necessities are stored permanently in the trailer.

We are considering buying a crock pot for the trailer.  At first I thought it might take up too much room, but as we discovered, there's lots of storage room.  We'll be eating like kings!

Obsessive people worry a lot!

The Trailer is Safely Stored

Or is it?  We disconnected the battery to prevent power drain, but left it pretty much unsecured in a box on the tongue.  Easy to steal.  Oh dear.  Worry, worry...  Well, at least the trailer cover is over the battery case and propane bottle.  This fact does little to easy my worrying.

Then I realized we left all our paperwork in the trailer.  Registration, serial number, bill of sale.  What if the trailer gets stolen?  What kind of information could we give the police on short notice?

All this may mean a 20 km trip to the trailer storage yard today.  I will discuss the situation with MWP.  He worries a lot less than I do.  His counsel often calms me down.