Arizona doesn't 'spring ahead' to day light savings time - being a state that declares the last thing they need is another hour of daylight. The whole thing about daylight savings time doesn't make sense to me any longer, it isn't needed now - but that is very low on my 'rant' list. And my rant list is very very short, for which I'm grateful.
I'm missing my family, friends, and home! I talked with my son, daughter-in-law, and three of the four grandbabies last night - for nearly an hour and a half! It felt so good. Of course, I love to talk to my 'baby' boy, and talking to the kids is a riot. In fact, I was talking to my six year old grandson - while he was under a blanket. Where he's vowed to stay until his video game privileges are returned. Seems as how he's not a very gracious loser and becomes other than a 'gentleman' when he loses, so the parents have declared games 'off limits' for a while. Also seems as how he thinks they are going to CARE if he stays hidden under a blanket!
I talked longest with my daughter-in-law, who catches me up on all that's going on in their world and how every one is doing. She's one of the blessings in my life - she loves and tolerates my son, and is the best mommy in the world to my grandbabies. Aside from loving her - I LIKE her. I like who she is. And what she stands for. And what she won't. Today I made this bookmark to send to her. 
This morning we joined a gathering around another of the RV's, to say another good-bye, to winter friends who are heading out for their real homes. I envy them their leaving. We learned something by sitting in the same locale for 4-1/2 months this year - and that is that no matter how much we love the scenery - we never want to sit in one place this long again.
We plan on researching some areas on our trip North, and finding some other places to stay next winter. We have decided we will move more often next winter. This three winters of traveling have been learning experiences for us. And we've found there's a fine line, which can be hard to define, between moving and sitting still. Unhooking your tow car every day, backing the RV in a site, and hooking up to sewer, water, electric - and then unhooking sewer, water, electric, and hooking the tow car up the next day, can really get old in a hurry. But so can sitting in one area for several months, get really old in a hurry, once you've seen the sights, etc.
We always have lots of factors to consider - the big one of them being the longer you stay in one park - the less expensive it is. Weekly and monthly rates make quite a difference. We could spend almost the same amount traveling home in 6 weeks for site 'rent' - as we spent sitting in one place for nearly five months. I think we're pretty well done with our 'planning' now, and will be heading out in about 10 days. We've made some reservations at different parks here in Arizona and in California and Oregon, and though we've paid here until the end of the month - we will be leaving in about 10 days. I'm ready! Or I will be - as soon as I shampoo all the rugs, defrost the fridge, fill the freezer, and secure everything that can move!
But I'll miss this desert so much.
Jackie, I know it's hard to get moving again after staying so long in one place. But it sounds like you're ready to hit the road. You'll be back in your garden before you know it.
Holly
Posted by: Creekhiker | March 11, 2007 at 06:08 PM
Isn't it a funny feeling, to want to be home and yet know you'll miss where you are?
Posted by: Alison | March 12, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Holly, isn't that the truth? Time seems to be going so fast for me. I swear, once you get past your twenties - it just flies.
Alison, I'm always stuck between the desert and home! Silly of me - I need to learn to live in the minute - not the future.
Posted by: Jackie | March 12, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Miss Kitty isn't going to like being secured. Best let her anchor herself to her favorite spot. Poor baby. She probably just got used to her home not moving!
Posted by: Quilldancer | March 12, 2007 at 06:54 PM
Quilly, Miss Kitty shouldn't have any trouble anchoring herself....her weight was 9 lb. 5 oz. when we left home. 10 lb. 15 oz. the first time we had her nails clipped - and 11 lb. 7 oz. today when we took her in for another clipping!
Posted by: Jackie | March 12, 2007 at 08:15 PM
I missed your Birthday; Happy Belated. The card your sister Caryl made is great and the pictures you took with your prezzy are wonderful.
I'd love to travel in a RV, but I couldn't stay in one place for several months. Plus, I'd have to go home for a bunch of months in a row.
Good deal on quitting smoking. Congratulations.
Posted by: nessa | March 13, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Let the countdown begin!
You know, I realized I don't even know where you're summer home is.
Posted by: SilverNeurotic | March 13, 2007 at 01:56 PM
Nessa, thanks. My ideal would be to travel two months, go home two months, etc. etc. But when you live far from the warm states - you really don't have that option. So far, so good with being a non smoker - but it's sure harder this time. It's still the first thing I think of when I wake up!
Hi Silver. Our 'real' home is in the Pacific Northwest (Washington) where we live on a mountain - where the snow is just now starting to melt. That snow is why we travel in the winter now!
Posted by: Jackie | March 13, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Jackie -- they say animals grow to fit their cages. Miss Kitty is just trying to prove the theory. Won't she be glad to get home and go outside!?
Posted by: Quilldancer | March 13, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Oh Jackie, you're a mother-in-law to dream about.
Posted by: Jenn | March 14, 2007 at 07:24 AM
Quilly - I certainly hope that theory isn't true! We better get Miss Kitty home before she fills the motor home! She loves it outside, so we probably won't see her for a few days when we get her home.
Jenn - I don't know about that! I'm also the mother-in-law that shares helpful hints on raising children, husbands, etc. LOL
Posted by: Jackie | March 14, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Why not stay in one place for a month? you'd move four times, and satisfy your need to see new places.
Have a safe journey home!
Posted by: Janet | March 15, 2007 at 07:43 PM
Janet, that is our plan for next winter. And then with the traveling time to the South and back North, it'll take care of winter. Thanks. I'm anxious. We leave next Wednesday.
Posted by: Jackie | March 16, 2007 at 11:47 AM
The options available to you to live where you want are precious. My former in-laws worked for years to be able to live like you do. He retired, they bought the motor home, and within a year he had Alzheimer's and all their plans ended abruptly. I'm so glad you're able to do this while you're young enough to enjoy it. But I also understand how happy you'll be to see your home and family again.
Posted by: Velvet Sacks | March 18, 2007 at 10:10 AM
We are heading for Tucson later this week-- assuming everything continues to look like a go from the farm here. I understand well how you feel about two places having a hold on your heart. I added Montana to mine over 16 years ago and now I think of the other two (from Oregon, Montana, or Arizona) whenenver I am in one of them. The heat will be quite an adjustment if it doesn't let up some anyway. I heard Phoenix was 99 the other day. Like wow for March.
Posted by: Rain | March 19, 2007 at 07:37 AM
Velvet, T lost his brother quickly, after a short illness. That made him decide that we shouldn't wait until we were 'old' to do this. No guarantees on health, or anything else, is there. We are very fortunate.
Rain, like 'wow', for sure! And I'm lovin' it! The natives aren't nearly as happy. They are afraid that spring is skipping them - and summer is here -and they don't want that much heat! Enjoy your trip!
Posted by: Jackie | March 19, 2007 at 03:54 PM