PAY IT FORWARD

We've found life on the road is truly an adventure. You never know what might happen. And after hubby’s encounter at the grocery store the other day and a special treat we both received in Vegas last month—we've found angels do exist.

I’m actually living with one, but more on that later...

Our first experience with the pay it forward concept came at a random place we decided to stop for lunch in Las Vegas. We sat at the bar area next to a woman who was chatting to the bartender. My ears perked up when I heard her talking football.

Within seconds it was if we were best of friends, swapping stories about our favorite teams (now and in the past) while we ate pizza. Sometimes Ray added his two cents, but for the most part Louise and I carried the conversation.

After about 45 minutes Louise finished her lunch and gave the bartender her credit card. When he returned with the slip for her to sign he looked at us and said, “She picked up your tab too.”

To say we were shocked would have been an understatement. We thanked our new friend for her kindness and wished her safe travels home to San Diego. Ray and I finished and went on our way, blessed from someone’s generosity.

Our second pay it forward moment happened to Ray. He went on a bike ride and on his return trip he stopped at the grocery store (God bless him J). Anyway, he put the food on the counter to check out. The gentleman in front of him finished and went to walk away but stumbled. He would have fallen if Ray and another man hadn’t come to his rescue.

As Ray reached to help, he said the man smelled of alcohol. And when the man tried to walk again it was obvious he was very drunk. At that point Ray and the other man insisted on driving him home. He resisted, but soon realized they weren’t giving up.

Ray drove him home and the other man followed in his car. After getting him home safe and sound, Ray got in the other gentleman’s car and was taken back to the store. Once inside, Ray went to the same checkout stand he'd been at earlier and asked, “Did you put my groceries away?”

“No, sir, they’re still here and they’re free. Here you go,” The young lady said, handing him three bags.

“Free? Really? That’s very nice of you. Thank you.” Ray took the bags and headed home.

When Ray related the story to me later, he still appeared surprised by it all. And one thing he kept repeating, “We couldn’t let him drive. He could have killed someone or himself.”

I gave him a kiss and thanked him for his extra special act of kindness. But, honestly, it didn’t surprise me—he’s that kind of guy. Always wanting to help his fellow man.

So now that the Christmas season is upon us—what a perfect time to look for those opportunities to become someone’s angel. To bless an unsuspecting soul.

How about we look for that someone today?

Merry Christmas to all!!! And have a Happy 2014!!!

nettie

PS: More RV adventures to come next year.

ON THE ROAD...OR SO WE THOUGHT

Most of you know we’ve already arrived in Colorado, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you how our big adventure began.

Sunday morning we hooked the RV to the dually. We prayed our prayers for safe travel. And we headed out on the road…but FIRST we had to put the RV in storage (explanation later).

We got to the place we’d rented and I jumped out of the truck to begin directing my hubby and RV in for a safe and secure landing.

Or so we thought.

Ray inched forward at a snail’s pace. Then it happened. The A/C unit on the roof of our RV hit the top of the door. The loud scrapping noise that sounded caused my calm, cool and collected arm movements to resemble a crazed lunatic.

I had one mission in mind. STOP THE BUS (or in our case RV), which Ray did. Then he backed up our rig and got out of the truck to survey the scene. Even with his uncanny ingenuity at solving difficult problems – nothing short of letting the air out of the tires would solve this dilemma. It was official – we needed to locate another storage unit.

Now, I pretty sure some of you are scratching your head and mumbling under your breath. “I thought these wayward travelers were taking their 5^th wheel and hitting the highways and byways. Why are they putting their RV in storage?”

We decided instead of hauling the 5^th wheel to Colorado then back to Florida, where we’re spending the winter, we’d leave it in Houston. Then, while we’re in Colorado, we’d stay with family and friends.

It’s funny - this scenario seemed logical when we came up with it. But while in search of another place to park our RV I was about ready to tell Ray to take it down to Florida a couple of months early.

I’m happy to report we didn’t have to do that – we found another storage unit and our RV fit perfectly in its new home. The happy travelers (Ray, Maggie and me) were once more on the road to Colorado.

Stay tuned for more of our adventures…

nettie

TRAVELING DOWN THE EMOTIONAL HIGHWAY

Today’s the day that we begin our big adventure. And every emotion known to man is doing a dance inside of me right now. Guess this shouldn’t surprise me since I’m in the middle of a complete life-changing experience.

One minute my excitement is through the roof for what’s next. I can’t wait to get on the road and see what’s around the next bend. No doubt there’s lots to see and do (and write about) as we traverse this great country we live in.

Oh, but wait. While I’m doing my happy dance, thinking about all the sights we’ll see in our travels, another pesky emotion comes knocking at my door. Fear! You know what I’m talking about – that moment when crazy ideas overtake any form of logic.

In my case the fear of the unknown. “What if one of us kicks the bucket while we’re on this big adventure?” Yes, I hate to admit it but I do tend toward the macabre. But I’ve found a sure-fire solution to this problem. When my thinking takes a wrong turn I stop and PRAY. I find prayer wrangles my wandering thoughts and heads them back in the right direction.

Which then helps me with two more emotions I’m dealing with right now – sadness and happiness. Leaving Texas means I have to say goodbye to the dear friends I’ve made here in the Lone Star state. Even thinking of this makes me want to cry. BUT on the flip side I’m happy we’re making this change now since technology is everywhere. Facebook, blogs and email will help us stay connected with everyone anywhere our RV takes us.

So it’s with excitement, fear, sadness and happiness that we bid Texas and our friends  a fond farewell!! But remember, we aren’t going to lose touch ‘cause I’ll keep you posted on what Ray, Janetta and Maggie are up to!!!

Stay tuned….

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT - A YEAR IN THE MAKING

Yes, and the BIG announcement is...Drum roll, please!!!

On September 1, 2013 my hubby, our precious pooch Maggie and I will pack up and hit the road in our RV. Our destination: Wherever the highways and byways will take us. No particular place to go – just freedom and the open road are calling our name.

Now I know some of you are wondering how this grand plan materialized. Actually it was Maggie who got this party started about a year ago. One day, out of the blue, she started humming "On The Road Again" (you know the Willy Nelson song) and she said she was ready to do just that.

Maggie went on to say we needed to sell our house, buy an RV and quit our jobs so we could join her. Ray and I couldn’t have agreed more. We too were eager for some adventure in our lives, but we told our pup we had lots to do to get this accomplished. 

To get the ball rolling we made a list of what we needed to do in our house to get it ready to sell. Next we started weeding through our belongings, selling off stuff, giving things away and putting the rest in storage.

All the while this was going on Ray was trying to find our new “home on wheels” and a truck to pull it with. He was successful and in September 2012 we were the proud owners of a 1 ton dully truck and a 5^th Wheel camper, which we put in storage since we didn’t need it yet (or so we thought).

One month later we put our house on the market – thinking we’d settle in and hope for a sale on it by March or April of 2013. Maggie must have had a direct line to God ‘cause He sent buyers and we signed on the dotted line on November 30, 2012.

Since then we’ve lived in our 350 square foot RV and have found out how much fun it is to live in our tiny abode. I do believe this RV lifestyle is going to work out just fine. And we have our four-legged friend to thank for coming up with this grand idea.

So if any of you are stuck in a rut and need a little excitement in your life – maybe you too should listen to your pets. You never know what they might tell you to do. 

Love ya!

nettie

PS: Texas friends: We want all of you to know - we are going to miss you!!! We love all y'all!!

PSS: Also, everyone, stay tuned for more about our life in our RV and on the road!!!

LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE

Isn’t it just like the Lord to turn a lunch date with a girlfriend into a life-changing experience? Well, that is exactly what happened to me at Red Robin today. Yes, today He shouted His words through the tender voice of a friend of mine.

While I was eating my tasty cheeseburger, I’m listening to Barb as she recounted a discussion she’d had with her hubby. I nodded in agreement, since her dialogue sounded very familiar. But then she said something that stopped me in my tracks.

“Yes, when my husband says something that hurts my feelings, I don’t say anything at that time. I mull it over in my mind for a couple of days. Then we talk about it.”

People, I’m almost certain I saw the heavens open and heard a choir of angels singing when my dear, sweet friend shared this profound tidbit. And I knew if our lunch ended at that very moment I’d go home with more knowledge than I came with.

Thankfully our lunch didn’t end there. Barbara continued with more insight, “Janetta, during that time I reflect on why his words hurt my feelings. Was I overreacting? Did he intend to hurt my feelings?

Again, her words hit me. Powerful and ones designed to change a person’s life.

Mine.

Yes, Barbara, I believe that the Lord used your words today to open my eyes. And the next time a problem arises with my sweet baboo—I’ll take your sound advice and spend a few days asking myself the tough questions.

Love ya,
nettie

PS: Hope this helps you as much as I know it will help me.