May was an insanely busy month for Mark and me. I usually post blogs about experiences we had or things we did/saw, so this one is a bit different; more personal, emotional, and recent.
Since I am so far behind with just about everything – diary entries, emails, blog posts, social media, reading, articles, administrative tasks, chores, promises, projects… – I figured I would write a “quick” update to let everyone know how we are doing and what’s been going on. And, most importantly, how nothing ever works according to plan, how life throws its punches, and how priorities shift. Several of the following events will probably turn into a longer post one of these weeks or months.
Before we left our peaceful life on the Baja peninsula in Mexico (which seems like a lifetime ago), the end of April, we had a truck camper purchase lined up. We never intended to keep the “fancy” Cirrus 820 we took across the border, hence its name Temp (T&T – Thirsty & Temp), but you never know with us. I’ll get into that train of thought; the reasons and the differences, another time. The truck – which is awesome – we’d keep.
Over the months, we narrowed our preferred camper down to a Lance 830. We searched for it online for about three months, and even spotted this model in Mexico for a closer look, before we made a deal on one in British Columbia, Canada, and set a route and plan in motion. Our base for the transition would become Boise, Idaho. A deposit had been sent to BC by check and a pick-up date arranged, once we crossed the border into the US.
The Lance 830 we spotted – and visited – in Cabo Pulmo, Baja, Mexico
Our first stop for a few days was a friend’s property in Julian, California, where we cleaned the Baja dust off our truck and camper, finished a couple of projects, wiped the interior down, and took indoor and outdoor photo shoots to list the Cirrus for sale.
That’s where we learned the deal in Canada was not going to happen, due to unexpected circumstances on the seller’s part…
Back to square zero, we took action on another Lance 830 we already had done a video tour of in Baja as well. It was located in Missouri. Our offer was accepted and new arrangements were made (our base would become Durango, Colorado). While trying to figure out how to pay upon arrival, the entire arrangement fell through. This is another one for the books and more about that later. We were flabbergasted.
Another long trip to check out the Lance 830
The last option we knew of was an older Lance 830 in Auburn, CA, sold on consignment by an RV dealer. Again, lots of energy, time, calls, and negotiations went into that one but eventually, we came to an agreement. The three of us immediately left Julian and drove the 570 miles to Auburn in two days, guzzling crazy expensive gasoline. There, we spent six hours inspecting and scrutinizing the 2008 camper. It wasn’t pretty. The previous owners had abused it, ignored issues, and didn’t give it any care or love. Not the kind of people you’d like to buy from.
We debated this purchase for a long time. Mark was torn and in general, against it. I was getting more desperate about not finding another one, so thought we could make it our next home if we put the necessary amount of work, dedication, and money into it. The price seemed right, so we decided to go ahead with the transaction. But first, we had to drop off our current Cirrus camper, in Boise, ID.
So, we drove another 520 miles northeast over two days, dropped Temp off on our friends’ driveway, thoroughly cleaned its interior, took detailed photos and close-ups, listed it for sale, managed to sell my electric bike, performed an oil change for the truck, got settled in the home of our friends who wouldn’t return until Memorial Day weekend (the end of May), prepared for the next road trip to pick up the Lance 830, and made sure we gave Maya enough exercise.
After a weekend of that, we returned to Auburn, CA, with just the truck. This 520-mile-drive happened in one day, making sure we’d arrive before the dealer closed at 5pm. It snowed, hailed, and rained. In the middle of May.
Upon arrival at the lot, we fixed a few issues, cleaned the grimy bathroom and kitchen so we could use it, awaited a needed package to be able to hook the camper up to the truck (it showed up after 8pm), and spent the night inside our “new” home.
Ready to load the Lance 830
The following day, we once again drove the 520 miles in two days, stocked up with groceries in Boise, and got ready for two weeks of non-stop work on the camper to make it livable by the time our friends returned. We’d bought a fixer-upper and there was no time to waste. It was already May 11th – 15 days to moving day and – ideally – to selling the Cirrus and Mark’s e-bike.
For two weeks straight, we had early starts, took Maya for a decent walk in the neighborhood, fixed some of the interior and exterior issues, sanded, painted, improved the electrical systems and plumbing, cut two heavy stall mats to size, and attempted to make everything functionable during daylight hours. Then, we exercised Maya for an hour with a growling stomach, made dinner, and researched, compared, and ordered parts in the evening. We were extremely grateful for the comfortable bed, hot showers, and full-size kitchen in the house.
In the meantime, I wanted to “quickly” apply for a new Belgian passport, which I believed I could do via mail through an embassy. Nope. Lots of calls and research later, I realized I had to be registered in the closest Belgian consulate general to Massachusetts, which is in New York, and I needed to do the biometrics in person.
The whole process opened a can of worms that took days to straighten out and ended with my application for registration in New York, mailing our original marriage certificate to the State Department of Maryland to get an apostille (legalization of signatures), and researching, planning, and buying a plane ticket to Belgium. I hope to apply for a new passport there, in the nick of time, for which I still need to be registered at the consulate. Phew. Again, thanks go out to our friends, and their printer this time.
As we were working hard with barely a moment to breathe, we made good progress, despite many set-backs and new issues showing up. We felt confident we would make the deadline of “moving day.” And there was one promising bite regarding our Cirrus camper for sale. We were starting to see the end of the first stretch of this tunnel. We even took a couple of hours off to walk Maya along the river in Boise and ordered a pizza for take-out on Saturday night.
That’s when we received a dreaded phone call from my mother-in-law. Mark’s brother and his family had been in an accident. Priorities shifted. Shock. Worry. Care and check-ins. Many calls to follow up and stay in the loop.
Mark’s mom was also in shock. People who read my memoir Plunge might remember that there have been other family dramas in the past… My elderly mother-in-law subsequently fell, was brought to the ER, and was diagnosed with a broken shoulder. When it rains, it pours.
Mark needed to fly back east as soon as possible. For the second time this year. But… unlike times in the past, we were not in a position to drop everything. We were homeless, our Lance camper was torn apart and a mess, all our belongings were piled inside the house of friends, we had a lead to sell our Cirrus camper, which we agreed to deliver in Twin Falls, 2.5 hours to the east; an event that would take all day. Mark booked a plane ticket one week out and his mom entered a rehab place until then.
When I called my parents to check in on my dad’s hip surgery recovery the same weekend, I found out they were both sick with Covid and bedridden. More worry. More helplessness. More disbelief. Luckily, ma and pa were taken care of.
We upped our speed of working towards a livable camper, interspersed with phone calls and support from afar. Friends who knew about the situation offered help and suggestions. Despite the change of plans, inconvenience of the situation, stress, worry, and extra costs, things started falling into place.
We managed to sell the Cirrus camper (another story in itself) and on the afternoon of May 26th, hours before our friends arrived, I stuffed all our belongings into camper cabinets. At least temporarily, everything found a spot. We spent our first real night in our new home on wheels. The next day, we made more adjustments and hung out with our friends. We couldn’t have done this without them!
Then, this past Saturday, it was back to being frantic and driving hundreds of miles, to St. Helens, Oregon. With Mark’s e-bike stored on the bed. We bridged the 460 miles in two days, discovered major camper issues, realized the dangerous way – with shattered and splintered Corelle dishes – that the locking latches of the cabinets didn’t do their job (why would we think anything actually works as it should in this camper without us having checked it?), and battled rain, heavy headwinds, and tons of disappointment.
On Monday, Mark took a red-eye flight to Boston, MA, followed by three hours of interrupted train, bus, and shuttle connections – and a 30-minute walk – to reach our “room above the garage” in Newburyport, MA, leaving Maya and me in a relatively functional truck camper in the yard of friends. We are super grateful for these two sets of friends, all of whom we met on the road. They are making our lifestyle and transition possible and comfortable right now.
Our home for the time being – in St. Helens, OR
June 3, 2022 at 20:58
Whew! I’m exhausted just reading about your month. I hope your lives settle back down soon. Take care.
June 3, 2022 at 23:06
Thanks, Leslie. It will take a while for things to turn back to “normal” this time, but I do hope to resume the lifestyle we have done to love and be familiar with by the fall.
June 3, 2022 at 21:02
Wow! Liesbet! What a story you have shared. You have opened up yourself to us and shared the ups and downs of this lifestyle. All the joys and pains that life on the road can bring. My heart goes out to you and Mark as you juggle family matters and the challenges you are confronting with buying and preparing a new home on wheels. We do hope one day our paths will cross and we will be honored for you to call us ‘friends’ that you met on the road. Safe travels! Jim
June 3, 2022 at 23:09
Hi Jim,
Thank you for your meaningful comment and for your positive and understanding thoughts. I’m sure you have been through similar situations. Life on the road isn’t always cocktails and sunshine. Or whatever the expression is. I seem to change it often. 🙂
I can’t wait to cross paths with you and Carmen. You might run into friends of ours in Alaska, as about everyone we know in small RVs will be up there. Please, keep us posted about your route once you return to the lower 48!
June 3, 2022 at 21:20
Oh my goodness! That is just too much to keep track of, Liesbet. How do you do it? I love the idea of being a nomad, but not this past month!
June 3, 2022 at 23:11
Hi Jacqui!
Funny you write “How do you do it?” as I often think this about you when I read about all your accomplishments as an author, educator, reader, reviewer, and blogger. I guess we all have the same 24 hours in a day. And we all seem to be super busy – with different things.
June 8, 2022 at 12:18
Your tasks are usually things I have no idea how to do–cut a board for the underside of the camper. Yikes! It’s a lifestyle I would love, but maybe fail at. I continue to be impressed.
June 8, 2022 at 23:17
Without Mark, I would be pretty useless at it as well, Jacqui. This is becoming quite clear every day I’m alone (with Maya) here in Oregon. Usually not an issue, because we’ve lived in our space long enough to know things work. But now, in the early stages, many issues still need to get cleared up and fixed.
June 3, 2022 at 21:33
Wow, just wow, you guys! All I can say is that I’m glad you are safe and things are getting done.
June 3, 2022 at 23:12
Terri, it is such a relief to be among friends these weeks. The camper projects are on hold – kind of – but they surely will resume the end of the month.
June 3, 2022 at 21:44
I left a comment on this post earlier today, Liesbet. After I submitted it, your blog post had disappeared. (I imagine you took it down temporarily.) I feel bad for all of the parties involved in the accident. I’m sure an incident like that puts things in perspective. Here’s hoping that you can get back on track soon after all of the challenges you’ve faced.
June 3, 2022 at 23:16
Hi Pete,
I’m so sorry about you having to comment twice. I don’t see your first one, so you must have been writing it as I was taking it down and before I reposted. My apologies for that.
And you are so right, about events like these putting things in perspective. At this point, I just hope everyone recovers and we can still stick to our South America plan in the fall. Time will tell.
June 3, 2022 at 22:09
Also left a comment on the other post. I can’t believe that this is happening to you! Wishing everyone a speedy recovery.
June 3, 2022 at 23:02
Thank you, Margie. And, apologies for your previous comment being swallowed. I’m adding it here: BACK ROADS AND OTHER STORIES said: Things have to improve from now on. What a horror story, but you are blessed to have friends that lend a hand in times of trouble. Wishing speedy recovery to everyone!
June 3, 2022 at 23:23
❤️
June 3, 2022 at 22:54
I will be back to finish reading – and you were on my mind like five times this month (because I am not sure if I told you how much I really admire the way you hold possessions loosely and the alternative path) anyhow – whew –
Sorry for the stressful month and trials
– prayers 🙏💛
June 3, 2022 at 23:19
Hi Yvette!
I find it such a compliment that I’m on your mind. 🙂
I do love our lifestyle. And I love to purge and keep things simple. And I want to keep gadgets to a minimum (hard in this world, sometimes) and I still don’t want a phone despite Mark trying to convince me “it is time,” especially since I need a new camera.
But, I had to cave and use his old phone as a hotspot, now that he left with our only “internet device”, just so I could get online these coming weeks, haha. I hope I know how to use it.
June 8, 2022 at 22:30
Hi Hi –
Came back to finish and wanted to say that i Hope June and all
This summer has many better days!
And hope gas prices go down soon – this is terrible and that $133 fill up must go fast
😊
—
And the broken Corelle dishes say a lot – ugh
June 8, 2022 at 23:19
Welcome back, Yvette! Thanks for the well wishes.
Mark just told me how much we spent in May on fuel during one of our recent Skype calls. It’s not pretty. I don’t think anyone will believe the number when I write and publish my monthly report later this week…
Of you push and upset Corelli too much, it shatters and splinters…
June 3, 2022 at 23:38
I’m super impressed how you jumped on that rust and got it all cleaned up and repainted. I don’t think we’d ever put that much work into our rig. You should be proud of the work you’ve done.
That snow storm was pretty crazy. And those long days driving! I hope you are getting some rest.
I’m so glad for our Nomad friends who understand and are willing to help along the way. I’ve always said – especially in the beginning of our nomadic journey when we were sailing that we couldn’t have done it without the support of our friends.
I hope Mark’s family is making progress in recovering. And I’m really glad that he could be there for them.
June 4, 2022 at 12:52
Hi Duwan,
We’ve come a long way with this camper already, but the road still seems endless as we haven’t even gotten into the projects to prepare for South America. But, we knew this when we bit the bullet on this fixer upper, so we shouldn’t complain too much. 🙂
Making friends on the road is one of my biggest joys, especially when the friendship is lasting and there are meet-ups and even help along the way. Our nomadic community is one to be proud of. Many of us eventually settle and that is very helpful and convenient for the ones who don’t, haha.
It was so nice to see you two. I wish we could have hung out longer, though. Enjoy Canada and Alaska!!!
June 7, 2022 at 22:31
Hi Duwan,
I think Mark and I feel a bit less energetic about this camper right now. In the beginning, we really got going, because we had to and because we wanted to. Now, after all the disappointments, the atmosphere has changed a bit. The urgency is still there, but, as you know, we have to pause at the moment.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we are idle. A lot of items are being bought and shipped and some organization is under way as well. 🙂
This is our first time dealing with a major project like this. We will see how it goes. We’ll be happy – and “lucky” – if we are done by the end of this summer.
Mark just phoned me our numbers for May. It’s insane. Now, it really downs on me how much we drove. I’m hoping to write and post an expense report tomorrow. Very sobering.
And, yes, hurray for our nomadic friends living in houses now!! 🙂 We hope to return all those favors one day.
June 3, 2022 at 23:48
Oh wow, that is a lot to juggle. I hope your folks are ok and that Mark’s family recovers (I hope it wasn’t a bad accident). Thank goodness for friends to lend support where/when you need it. I understand that keeping up with your blog is a lower priority right now but I hope you are able to check in now and then to let us know how you are doing.
June 4, 2022 at 12:56
Hi Janis,
It was a bad accident that made the news. My parents are slowly recovering, but my mom still doesn’t have her smell and taste back. It’s important that she heals completely, because my dad lost those senses a while ago, pre Covid. I’m hoping to have more time to write and blog, now that Mark is gone for a few weeks. 🙂
June 4, 2022 at 01:50
Wow Liesbet! Just Wow! You’ve certainly experienced a TON of challenges in the last month. It’s amazing you are still standing let alone found the time to write a blog post! You both are so dedicated to your lifestyle and goals — and you have each other to keep you moving forward. But it can’t be easy. Still, what is the alternative? I’m hoping both Mark’s family AND your family find all the care and support they need and that your trip back to Belguim (when it happens) goes smoothly. AND then finally you get your new rig fixed up and ready for your next adventure. As Thom and I have been telling ourselves, everyday is an adventure no matter WHAT happens. ~Kathy
June 4, 2022 at 12:59
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for all the wishes. Every day sure is an adventure. As I’ve been signing books along the way, I often start the inscription with “Life is an adventure – anytime, anywhere”. And, yes, we are dedicated to our lifestyle and goals, because, like you said, what is the alternative? It would be much more challenging and less rewarding and enjoyable for us to live a different life altogether, although a settled life does make certain things much easier. 🙂
June 4, 2022 at 04:25
I am so sorry for all your troubles and for your families’ suffering. But as regards the camper, apart from all the wasted time, did you really save much money switching campers when you figure in all the travel and repair costs?
June 4, 2022 at 13:02
Hi Marie! Good question. The answer is “yes.” And the financial advantage (we are talking thousands of dollars) is one of the main reasons we switched campers. One day, I might break down all the costs and comparisons about this switch. Either way, every month I do post an expense report about our general living costs. The renovations and improvements to this camper deserve their own post.
June 4, 2022 at 07:28
Wow, can I say that just all sucks? I can only imagine how much money you spent on gas, especially considering you are in the most expensive area of the States for that. Hope your families are all right.
June 4, 2022 at 13:04
Hi Alex,
Yes, you can say this. I’m glad you agree with me that it all kind of sucks. The highlight of last month is that we managed to sell the Cirrus camper in the nick of time. That was extremely stressful and had been a heavy weight on our shoulders. We will discover soon how much Mark and I actually spent on fuel in May as it’s time for another expense report…
June 4, 2022 at 09:22
Liesbet,
I wish I could reach out and give you a hug as you’ve experienced a miserable month with one problem after another yet it sounds like you’ve faced each challenge with remarkable grace under pressure.
I hope you are already experiencing happier and more relaxing days.
Take care!
June 4, 2022 at 13:07
Hi Annie,
I’ll take a virtual hug. Thank you.
The emotions we went through last month are hard to describe. But, as I’ve gotten older, I have realized that life throws you punches and yet you have to deal with them as you have to move on. I guess wisdom and resilience come with age. 🙂
I’m still quite busy but things should settle down (for me anyway) in a few days. At least for a little while. I hope you and Steven are enjoying your epic road trip and that the weather in the Maritimes is alright.
June 4, 2022 at 09:44
“When it rains it pours” is the understatement for this blog post. What a perfect storm of misfortune.
Before I finished the saga, I decided to donate to the Roaming About people during these trying times. (See tab at top of blog>) I believe Mark, Liesbet, and Maya appreciate our commiserating with their situation here, but I think they may appreciate a donation too. Even a small gift will help with expenses–and moral support! 😀
June 4, 2022 at 13:11
Thank you so much, dear Marian. You are one of the most supportive, kind, hospitable, caring, understanding, and generous people I know and it is an honor to call you a friend. I’m sending you and Cliff hugs across all the states between us – there are many. I think I’m about as far away from you as is possible in the lower 48. I guess the Olympic Peninsula in Washington would be the winner. Have a lovely weekend, you two!
June 4, 2022 at 20:22
Cliff has relatives in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Vancouver, Washington state. I hope you, at least, are cooler than we are.
June 7, 2022 at 22:37
Hi Marian,
I’m sure Maya and I – and Cliff’s relatives – are much cooler than you two in Florida. It has been unusually cold and wet in the PNW. Cliff’s relatives live very close to us – about 45 minutes away! 🙂
June 4, 2022 at 12:06
Liesbet, I’m sorry to hear May was such a stressful month for you and your family. I wish everyone in your family who was ill or hospitalized a speedy recovery. I was surprised you sold your e-bikes. I guess they don’t fit with your new camper. I’m glad that you have great support from your friends. I hope June is more relaxing and brings you more happiness. Take care.
June 4, 2022 at 13:16
Thanks for the wishes, Natalie. Now you know why I commented on your May overview post that my month wasn’t that great. Friends have always played an important part in our lives, despite our constant moving. Now, that is true more than ever. The generosity of certain people makes one believe in the general goodness of human kind.
We decided a while ago that we wouldn’t take our e-bikes to South America. And, you’re right, we do not have a bike carrier anymore to bring them with us with this camper while we are still in the US. We rarely used them in Baja, because we move so often, because of the abundant cactus needles, and because of Maya.
That being said, when settled in Boise for a couple of weeks, we started using Mark’s bike again. We prefer biking to stores over driving. So, we took the ad for his bike down for the time being, as we will use it extensively here in St. Helens as well.
June 4, 2022 at 14:30
Yikes, what a saga! I can only imagine how stressful it was (and is). Sending good wishes for a speedy recovery for all your ill and injured family members, and hoping things settle down for you soon.
June 7, 2022 at 22:34
Thanks for the wishes, Diana. Maya and I are “settled” in Oregon at the moment. It will be a tough summer for many reasons.
June 4, 2022 at 14:35
Wow, Liesbet, you haven’t had your troubles to seek, have you? What a stressful time. I hope Mark’s brother and family are going to be ok.
June 7, 2022 at 22:36
Thanks, Anabel. There is so much going on – with Mark and his family in Massachusetts and with the camper here in Oregon. Hopefully everything falls into place eventually.
June 8, 2022 at 02:55
I hope so x
June 8, 2022 at 23:13
<3
June 4, 2022 at 23:35
I definitely feel for you guys. We’ve had periods of time like this, where it’s just one thing after another after another, and it is so very draining (mentally, emotionally, financially.) I hope things are starting to settle down and I hope all of your family members improve soon. All you can do is take things one day at a time. I know – easier said than done. But that’s the only way to get through periods like this. Take care of yourselves.
June 7, 2022 at 22:41
Thank you, Laura. I’m sure you can relate to everything going wrong at once and how it’s so very draining. Especially when you add jobs and pets (and children) to the situation. I think this is why a lot of nomads only live that lifestyle temporarily. Like you, we’ve had many periods like this in the last eighteen years. But when health and/or family dramas are added to the mix, one feels even more helpless (and frustrated) than usually. Especially when there are long-term effects.
June 5, 2022 at 06:55
Thank goodness for friends, Liesbet. I’m so sorry with what you’ve had to go through. Sounds like a month you’ll want to forget very quickly. I hope your parents are making a fast recovery from Covid and that Mark’s brother and his family are all doing ok?
I’m glad that you are all safe, though. Take good care of yourselves.
June 7, 2022 at 22:45
Our friends have been invaluable, Hugh. Maya and I are safe and comfortable in the front yard of our friends in Oregon and Mark is back with his mom – and family – in Massachusetts.
That crappy month of May will affect many more months, unfortunately. My parents are feeling better, but my mom still doesn’t have her smell and taste back. Let’s hope this changes soon. If nothing else for safety reasons, as my dad has lost his smell and taste many years ago.
June 9, 2022 at 06:18
A couple I know have been ill with Covid recently. They are both triple jabbed, but it did’t stop Covid sending them to their bed for 5 days. They were so weak from it, but fortunately had family who helped.
I’m sorry last month will affect the months ahead for you. Hopefully, it won’t be long before Mark is back and you guys can start making plans again. I look forward to hearing about them.
If you were based in the UK, there would be a guest room for all 3 of you for when you needed it. And we have a large drive where you can park.
June 9, 2022 at 14:16
Wow, Hugh. That is so kind of you to offer your guestroom and driveway! If we ever make it to Wales together (it will most likely without Maya by then), we will have to meet you and yours! 🙂 But, then it will be for a fun visit not a necessary one, like here in the Portland area. Once Mark returns, I do hope we will be able to combine work and leisure a little bit.
Have a fabulous weekend!!
June 5, 2022 at 12:09
Oh my gosh, this is quite the list of woes! The camper stuff would have been trying on its own, but throwing in two families’ worth of accidents and illness would really push you over the top of the worry scale. I’m sorry about all of it, and hope that all the pieces gradually come together again.
June 7, 2022 at 22:47
Thank you, Lexie. It is just insane what happened as the entire family on both sides were/are effected. Crazy impacts and coincidences. And no easy fixes or outcomes, unfortunately. But we hope for improvement all around.
June 5, 2022 at 12:30
Oh sweetie, I am so sorry to hear what you’re going through.
Sending you love and hugs and we hope that everyone makes a full and speedy recovery. xx
June 7, 2022 at 22:49
Hi dear Jackie!
Thank you for your lovely comment and ongoing care. I will now live vicariously through you and your travels with The Beast. 🙂 Keep enjoying the wild east of Europe.
June 5, 2022 at 19:29
Oh Liesbet, First and foremost I am sorry that Mark’s family and your folks are going through this. I hope everyone has a fast and easy recovery.
You and Mark, and Maya too have had an absolutely crazy May. I hope June brings healing, joy and laughter for all of you. I admire the work you and Mark have been doing on Lance. I wish we were closer I have a set of dishes that I’m going to be giving away. They are hard plastic so not breakable – but it really doesn’t matter. Take care. Know that I’m thinking of you and sending you big hugs. xoxo
June 7, 2022 at 22:53
Thank you for your June wishes, Lea. I appreciate them and I hope they come through. I can barely believe that June is already one week old. Crazy!
I wish you lived close by, too. I would have loved to check out those dishes. And have a nice chat and a real-time hug. But, knowing that you are thinking about us and reading your sweet sentiments mean the world to me as well. 🙂
June 8, 2022 at 10:11
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to sit and chat for a while Liesbet and give you a big hug. I hope your folks are doing better and Mark’s family too. Sending more virtual hugs. xoxo
June 8, 2022 at 23:15
Thank you, Lea. You know what the biggest negative is of being a nomad? Not having a community to be a part of. Not having close friends nearby. (Usually.) And not being able to just pick up the phone to have an uplifting conversation.
June 6, 2022 at 22:48
Just Oye! OMG! Not sure if you heard my warning of the almost month long Mercury Retrograde that has played so much havoc on so many. Not a time for plans, sales, purchases, communications and more. It seems you took such a big hit from this phase. The good news – it’s now over. So hopefully you can get your lives back on track. Hugs <3
June 7, 2022 at 22:55
Hi Debby,
I’m not surprised the darn Mercury Retrograde had something to do with all the events last month. It honestly has been one thing after another without a second to breathe. Maybe one day, all these events will make a good story, but we are long not there yet…
Thanks for the hugs, dear friend! Xxx
June 7, 2022 at 23:51
Well, I think it will make a heck of a story. Remember all we blog can make great content for another book! Keep the notes my friend. And keep your chins up! <3
June 8, 2022 at 23:13
My diary has been indispensable and, one day, it will provide me with all life’s crazy experiences. My blog post are just tiny specks of what is really happening. Not as detailed and certainly not as personal. Usually. Chin up! 🙂
June 7, 2022 at 19:40
Wow, Liesbet you’ve been through a lot. I hope both of your families are recovering from illnesses and injuries. Take care of yourself!
June 7, 2022 at 22:57
Thank you for your wishes, Debra. I’m holding my breath to see what’s next and cross my fingers neither Mark or I will be ill in the presence our families this summer as those times are precious and rare.
June 8, 2022 at 11:14
That was quite the adventure. Sorry for the trouble.
June 8, 2022 at 23:15
An adventure of a different kind. One that is long not finished yet.