Tuesday, September 01, 2015

A TOUGH FINAL DECISION TODAY BUT WE FEEL THE TIME IS RIGHT

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HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A LITTLE CHIPMUNK & A HUMMINGBIRD STOPPING BY OUR SUNROOM WINDOW TO SAY HELLO TONIGHT I WOULDN’T HAVE HAD MUCH IN THE WAY OF PHOTOS FOR TONIGHT’S POST
We bought our Congress Arizona house in March of 2012.  We didn't buy it to flip it & make a few dollars, we bought it because we liked it.  Spent a lot of enjoyable hours fixing it up especially that first winter.  We liked the whole Congress/Wickenburg area with it’s surrounding mountains & desert scapes that go on forever.  Our house is located at the northern edge of the Sonoran desert just minutes from the higher & cooler elevation of the Weaver Mountains leading onto the Colorado Plateau.  Perfect central location for many of our favorite destinations.  With endless miles of desert trails just a short block from our door we have thoroughly enjoyed 3 great winter seasons at our house on a nice acre of land.
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For nearly a year now we have been wrestling with the decision of selling our little adobe ranch style house & now with the exchange on the dollar we feel the time is right to let it go.  We also feel with the uncertain economy & an unknown shaky future shaping up across the land it is time to pool our resources back here in Canada.  We do not want to get stuck owning a house south of the border & for whatever reason not be able to return to it.  Do we want to sell??  Well not really but we feel this is a better time to sell rather than wait.  And due to the fact we will be in Congress by early November it was important we make our decision now.   We will be in touch with a Realtor shortly to get the ball rolling.  Makes me sad but we know the time has finally come & it is something we have to do.
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So what will selling our Congress house mean for us?  Well, it means we'll return to our old traveling & boondocking ways just the way we did it for our first 6 Snow Birding years.  We will become wandering Nomads once more for half a year at a time.  We will again have the freedom to wander wherever we like & possibly branch out to New Mexico, Texas, & maybe even Florida & Georgia.  We will also be free of the stress involved in owning a house in a different country many miles away in uncertain times.  We have the largest, nicest, & best equipped Motorhome we've ever had & although we know our Congress house has spoiled us rotten we feel we can adapt back to our previous lifestyle.  As much as I will miss our Arizona house I will again look forward to new travels, new places, & new adventures.  We're not under the illusion it will be easy but we know we can do it.  And it has always been my experience when one door closes, other doors open…………………
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As for my day...........well I cleaned all our Sunfire’s windows in the cooler morning air then sparkled up my motorcycle with some Turtle Wax.  Later this afternoon I took myself for a nice toot around the countryside.  Best way to cool off from our day's heat & humidity.  And they say Tuesday could be a record breaker in the old heat & humidity department.  I’ll probably just curl up inside our air conditioner for the day & have me a big snooze until this heat wave blows itself out of here.
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BEFORE & AFTER THE CLEAN-UP
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Kelly phoned for a quote on our upcoming winter travel insurance this morning & do you know it’s going to cost us just under $3000.00 this year.  Our ages are steadily working against us now plus rates have gone up again.  Can you imagine what one little medical set-back could cost us for future insurance.  I’m guessing high travel insurance costs are probably one of the leading reasons many Canadian RV’ers are grudgingly forced to hang up their keys at some point.  Definitely not something to look forward to……………………..
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I IMAGINE A MONTH FROM NOW WE WILL BE SCURRYING IN & OUT OF THIS DOOR LOADING UP THE RIG
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I’M HAPPY OUR NEW GRASS IS COMING ALONG SO WELL
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AND KELLY’S HAPPY HER POTTED TOMATO PLANTS ARE DOING WELL IN THE LEFT FOREGROUND
GROANER'S CORNER:(( The room was full of pregnant women with their husbands.The instructor said, "Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you.  Walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier.   Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path." "Gentlemen, remember -- you're in this together. It wouldn't hurt you to go walking with her. In fact, that shared experience would be good for you both." The room was suddenly quiet as the men absorbed this information.  After a few moments a man, name unknown, at the back of the room, slowly raised his hand. "Yes?" said the Instructor. "I was just wondering if it would be all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?"

26 comments:

  1. Not surprised that you selling the , Congress house, I know not an easy decision. But you can enjoy more travels and see more places.
    This year our insurance is $3,700. for 7 months out of Ontario, really getting up there! We will see how our coach repairs go this week, plans may change!
    Good luck with the sale I think your timing is right.

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  2. I'm sure that was a very hard decision. I tend to forget your exchange rate factors in and the cost of insurance is just outrageous. I agree with your thoughts on the future economy. Like George says, you can get back to enjoying more travels and seeing more places.

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  3. I will so miss your Congress home. But, I'm sure I will adjust to your boondocking home. Sorry you had to make that tough decision.

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  4. I feel that your owning the Congress home was a great experience. I agree that it is time for new experiences around North America. New experiences are wonderful in my opinion and know you folks will have some pretty fantastic travels coming up. Have fun.

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  5. I kinda had a feeling this was coming. Always tough to say goodbye to a place you love, but I'm sure you've got many new adventures ahead of you,
    Nina

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  6. Well I didn't see that coming....but I agree re: world wide unrest and future happenings concerning the $...hard to retire on interest when the rates keep decreaseing. I will miss your catus garden, but trust your camera will find some on your travels....good luck with the sale - will watch with interest.

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  7. another chapter in your book of life. as we age economy is more important to us all. If at a future time things become favorable again you can look for another Congress...I do believe part of your love involved the work you did on improvements, you both love that type of challenge.

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  8. a hard decision to make to sell the Congress house..hope it sells quickly and the three of you can move on to new adventures!!!

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  9. wow! that's a biggie... a very tough decision for sure, but I'm sure the right one for you both. Happy Trails and on to new horizons and exciting journeys!

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  10. It's been a year of decisions for many of us. Time marches on, and we all must do what is best for our circumstances. I hope the sale goes quickly and meets your satisfaction.

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  11. Well isn't that a surprise! I've been wondering how you manage with a big RV plus houses here and there. Your solution makes sense to me. And between health insurance and U.S. Rules about living there, you may have to do so eventually anyway. Good luck.

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  12. Wow, that is an interesting turn of events. I hope to be out that way in January and would love to see your lovely abode before you sell it. Welcome back to the open road.

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  13. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you both to make this change. But yes you can be free to explore more places.
    You have fixed it up so beautiful and I am sure you will sell quickly. Good Luck

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  14. Oh, I'm already missing your Congress home stories and all the fixer upper idea's
    you both had.
    I know nothing stays the same forever. Trusting you will have lots of adventures
    in the future!

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  15. I think you will enjoy the boondocking as much as working on the Congress house. Will Kelly?

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  16. Glad I had a chance to visit your very cool Congress Casa. It is in a most novel location and I am sure you will miss it. May you get a quick sale and a good price.

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  17. Get her sold and look forward to the freedom it will bring... enjoy!

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  18. Wow! This was a surprise to me. I was so looking forward to your adventures here in the Southwest! Well, I guess as life goes on, we all have to make decisions...I'll miss my "neighbors" here in the desert!
    Cheryl Ann

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  19. We saw that one coming Al and Kelly. We understand where you are coming from although we will miss saying, "The Bayfield Bunch" are neighbors! :)) Here's hoping for a quick, easy selling process!

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  20. I'm in the "didn't see that one" camp, but certainly understand wanting to make the change when the timing might be best. If we weren't just starting our life on the road I might think about your little casita as a winter landing spot. I'm sure some lucky folks will snatch it up quickly. Maybe they'll invite you to come back and park there for a few weeks each winter :-)

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  21. I think that's a good decision...It was something different and you enjoyed it..But a "stix and brix" is just that....Time to get "on the road again!"..Wish I could get Dennis away from our house more than 4 months a year..I would sell the whole kit and kaboodle in a heartbeat. Seems dumb to pay $4000 a year in real estate taxes and only live in it 8 months.

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  22. I think you are making a very wise decision. Timing is everything, and your timing is excellent, in my opinion.

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  23. I too didn't see that coming. I guess I am so out of touch with what's really going on that I have no idea that the economy is iffy or things look scary ahead. I guess I'd better start paying more attention. I do understand the concern in real estate taxes but at least for me $500 a month for a house I love would be money well spent. I know you'll have a grand time wherever you go and whatever you do. Our future is so uncertain I can't even say hope to see you on the road.

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  24. Sounds like lots of new adventures coming up for you both!!! I'm excited for you!

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  25. You can plug in at our place anytime. Terry in Woodburn, Oregon

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