Getting Ready and Saying Goodbye

Last night Joe was busy repairing the tent we will be using for camping. We got it at a garage sale for $5 and have had to put about $20 into it, including tarps. I guess that's a good deal. We already have a lantern, a Coleman stove, and we'll use our cast iron pans to cook in. We also got a 5-gallon jug for water that we will fill up at the spring in Eden Prairie, although it might be better to have two of those.
I have to say I am very blessed to have Joe as my husband because he sews (that's what he's doing in the picture) and he cooks, among all the many other things he does. One the way home today he grabbed my hand and said, "Momma, I think we are going to fall in love all over again on this journey." I agree - it's already starting.  :o)

We stopped by our favorite farm today, Peter's Pumpkin & Carmen's Corn,  to say goodbye. Peter wasn't there, but Carmen was and she took us around and showed us what's new this year and we saw all the baby plants poking their heads out of the ground. She said she was thinking of us as she was planting her swiss chard this year - I swear we almost bought her out of her swiss chard last year! I was almost salivating as we were walking around her farm today thinking of all the wonderful produce that was soon to come.

Here's Jadyn walking around looking for dandelions to blow and something to eat:

Jadyn in a field of dandelions:

Joe and Jadyn collecting dandelion flowers and greens to have for dinner tonight:

Here's a picture of beekeepers about to enter Carmen's farm to introduce a new queen to the colony because the old one flew away:

The queen bee in the box:

Misery on the Prairie

We sold our bed yesterday and spent last night "practice" camping. Momma DID NOT like it! Or rather - Momma's 40 year old BODY did not like it! I think I only got a couple hours sleep and that was after switching over to the couch to sleep. I was miserable!  And Joe said he kept flip flopping like a fish. Jadyn slept good though. :o)
We had a lot of errands to do today and because I was so tired I kept falling asleep in the car. My head would bob down and it almost felt like I'd get whiplash trying to pop it back up again, "No, I ain't sleepin man. I was looking at something on my shirt."  One of the errands was to get an inflatable mattress - I am so looking forward to sleeping tonight!

I sold my rocking chair today. I was sad to see it go - it was 20 years old. I nursed both my children in it, rocked them to sleep in it, cuddled with them in it, sang songs to them in it, and told stories to them in it. I was secretly devising ways to tie it to the car so I could bring it with us - didn't the Beverly Hillbillies do that? Well, I don't plan on having any more children so I guess that's ok, BUT, it would've been nice to rock my grandchildren in. YIKES! Don't even want to think about grandchildren yet - my girls are too young. Speaking of young....my youngest just woke up not feeling good. Gotta go.

Garage Sales

Well, we had a very good yard sale today (don't have a garage). Our neighbors were having a garage sale and I am thankful that we were able to take advantage of their signage. Joe and Jadyn were outside wheelin-n-dealin while I stayed mostly inside trying to organize stuff, do craigslist, cook, and run stuff out when needed.  Jadyn did a lot better than I thought she would when her stuff was sold. She cried a little bit, but Joe was able to turn it around and get her mind on other things. She's watching a movie on Netflix right now eating plain (cooked) spaghetti with her fingers. I'll be giving her computer to my sister so it'll be one of the last things to go - which is good since it will keep her occupied until we start our trip.

Our little apartment is pretty bare right now - I'm even sitting on a 5 gallon bucket as I type this.  :o) I am debating on whether or not I should use this bucket to make my laundry soap in. I have all the ingredients to do it, but we might not have enough room in the car for it. Of course I could still make it, take a jug with us, and give the rest away. That's probably what I'll do.

I keep going over in my mind possible ways to keep making kombucha and sauerkraut on the road. I use glass to do it so that might not work, not to mention all the liquid sloshing around. I could probably put the containers in a bucket to catch anything that spills. I guess I'll just have to try it and see.

Time to get off the computer and see what else I can part with....

School Bus For Us

Well, it looks like we might be getting a school bus in Florida within the next couple weeks. We'll drive down there and take a look at them. There's a guy down there that sells unconverted ones. I would prefer one already converted, but Joe wants to start from scratch and do it himself - although I don't think he would turn one down if it was the right price.
But maybe it might be better to stay with our car and tent camp since it would be cheaper on gas.
Decisions decisions......
So the plan right now is to go and look at what the bus man has and then do some camping by Hudson, FL with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend. Then go back to the space coast and look for workamp or some other type of work before we move on.
It still seems like soooo much work before we get there though. I look around my apartment and think, "Oh my gosh I still have so much stuff to get rid of!" I'm tired right now so it seems a little overwhelming.
Must sleep.......

Couch Surfing

Here's one of the things we're going to check into:

What is CouchSurfing?

CouchSurfing is an international non-profit network that connects travelers with locals in over 230 countries and territories around the world. Since 2004, members have been using our system to come together for cultural exchange, friendship, and learning experiences. Today, over a million people who might otherwise never meet are able to share hospitality and cultural understanding.
Our mission as an organization is to create inspiring experiences: cross-cultural encounters that are fun, engaging, and illuminating. These experiences take many forms. CouchSurfing's initial focus was on hosting and "surfing" (staying with a local as a guest in their home). Alongside these core experiences, we now also facilitate a growing array of activities and events.
We have a vision of a world where everyone can explore and create meaningful connections with the people and places they encounter. Each CouchSurfing experience shared by our members brings us closer to that vision.
http://www.couchsurfing.org/about.html

Getting Ready

Another day of getting ready to "Live Free." Working on sorting through our stuff to decide what to give to charity and what to keep. There are PILES of stuff all over the house. We have downsized so much already since leaving our house in Florida two years ago that I thought there wouldn't be much left. BUT....there is! Talk about simplifying! Our house in Florida seems like a mansion now compared to the apartment we are in now and especially so once we hit the road and will be living in a tent.
Lots to do! I'll post more later.