Spring may finally be here!

After what seems to me to be a very late emergence from Winter to Spring, yesterday was an absolute beautiful Spring day.

Finally we were able to get the Jeep out of hibernation and take it for a little spin. Ahhhhh feels so good to hit some two-tracks again.

First up a little dirt and a whole lot of swamp. Next up...

Much more in the way of swamp..but a very nice view. We counted 10 geese and one muskrat that seemed bothered by us being there.

Unfortunately we only had one hour left to spare on our ride so we took a two-track that neither of us has had a chance to visit...and low and behold we ran across the White River. Due to recent heavy rains the river was very high. We could tell from the banks being so wet that the water really rose in this area.

We didn't want to leave this very quiet and tranquil area. So we trudged up what seemed like 100 hundred steps to the Jeep and decided our morning of fun was over. Back home for some back breaking yard work.

We managed to rake the last of the Winter leaves and decided enough was enough. Hit the deck ...yes we did. Sat on the deck for a couple of hours and enjoyed the smell of the steaks slowly cooking on the grill.

All in all it was a great "real" first day of Spring. The temps were a balmy 68 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.

On the RV front.  We began looking at a few RV's of interest, and are not happy with the double doors we are seeing in some of the models. It still appears we are on track for a purchase next year. Cannot wait!

Well..what is that old saying? Best laid plans

Well my plan was to update this blog monthly. And well that just didn't happen. No excuses! Simply we are continuing on with our plan to purchase the new RV next year. Our plan for the future is moving along as expected. Slowly and we both have feelings that it just cannot move fast enough.

We are still both working. Our jobs continue to be shaky at best. But we are riding out employment as long as possible. One step further to independence.

Unfortunately there is that nagging thought this could be the year...the month...the day that one of our jobs no longer exists. So Plan B. is always rolling around in the backs of our heads.

On to more pleasant news. And back to said RV...we are gathering as much information as possible about RV's, full-timing, and part timing for the many wonderful blogs, that I read daily. Funny how one can live vicariously through the many blogs I have been following...The ability to gather information on lifestyles, campgrounds, budgets and other vital details have proven to be both entertaining as well as informative.

That said..we are slowly getting the feel to what we want in an RV. The type of truck needed to haul said Rv. I am enjoying finding the perfect one. And we continue to not be swayed into jumping a year earlier into the purchase of one.

Now onto 2013 and the grand plans we have this year. I am really excited about a return visit to Beaver Island, Mi. Enjoyed our 4 day stay there, 2 years ago...we are ready for some "island time". We are in the process of checking into a small road trip to Indiana this year. Have some sights in mind and I hope to add more to this blog about this great getaway...(I know)

Weather here has been a little on the wild side..But this is Michigan. Heavy lake effect...temps near 60...massive melt off of snow leading to flooding. It has been quite a week.  This is a view from the comfort of my window. Sorta crazy! Even by Michigan standards.

Well to those I have followed...thank you for the fun and exciting adventures you are blogging about. I am looking forward to participating more and hopefully Plan B. comes into play soon enough. :)

July!

July is going on record as one of the hottest in West Michigan. So happy we are sliding into August. Well, not really. But August has so many cool and exciting things coming our way. So we are ready for the new month to begin.

First on the Rv'ing side of things. As we slowly progressing toward retirement. Trust me it is a very long way off. Unless of course something drastic happens. Which in this economy..anything can happen and no jobs are secure.

We decided instead of an RV purchase we would purchase a good used car. One.. because we are on a 10 year plan. And two because I am in need of a good reliable car. 4x4 actually. We live in a nasty little snow belt area and have a driveway that is hazardous during the winter time.

Back to that 10 year plan. So RV is year 8...two years away..again unless something unforeseen arises. I want a brand new...we created RV. One that I will be happy with once we retire. We may only get one RV in our lifetime and it will be the ONE!

I am ready for this RV now...but we have kids in college, two houses and some debt that has to go first.
Needless to say the decision was a tough one. But one we feel follows the PLAN.

I am enjoying the RV blogs that I read. They really are helping with are preparations. And they are proving to be a relaxing reading experience for me.

Mind you...I always have in the back of my head.... the back-up plan. Which is cut the losses..sell the houses and everything that goes with it. And buy the RV and move on. Some days..this option sounds really good. As long as our jobs hold out...we are year for the long one though. But that back up plan is ready to go!

See you next month.

Wow! Two posts within minutes of each other. I decided it is time to start a online rundown of our daily lives leading to that important retirement day. Most exciting news of the day ...VACATION prep has begun. Two reservations were made for our week and one half getaway. 2 nights on Drummond Island. We will be staying at the Drummond Island Resort and Convention Center. Game plan...jeeping, and of course geocaching. I am aware of one lighthouse to be seen so I can add that to the 103 lighthouses currently visited.


This blog with be a hot mess of different ramblings. Many of everyday.."Hey this happened to me"....to our preparations for retirement. The challenges and achievements of reaching our goal of "freedom".

Well here we go. The decision has been made to prepare to purchase our RV. 1st step but a big step as we own two homes and are unsure if we are "full timer" material. Yet reading each blog over the last few days and adding ones that are  filled with helpful information and wonderful ideas and pictures, are really making me excited for the future.

Living up to the promise (Bzz Agent)

Let me begin with likely the favorite of all my freebies/trial/PT's sources. Bzz Agent. I have been a member of Bzz Agent for about 3 years now..Bzz Agent is a word of mouth company where you normally are given a product to keep and its your turn to spread the word about that product.

Typically you are asked to spread the word to as many people you know..be it co-workers, family, friends, etc.. Get their responses (how they liked/disliked the product..any comments about the product) and report it back to Bzz Agent in the form of a report.

Minimum reports requested from Bzz Agent is two...But these reports really need to be very detailed. Points are given from Bzz Agent to Mypoints (another online way to earn freebies..more to come on MyPoints). A good report earns you 50 points. A excellent or exceptional report will earn you 55 My points. And no points are award for a bad report.

I guess the best part of Bzz Agent is the product itself..this comes via USPS or UPS and you typically will receive with the product..coupons, samples and a bzz guide. The Bzz guide is a helpful brochure that details the product. Gives ideas on how to "bzz" the product and encouragement to do the "bzzing"

In the past some of my campaigns (this is what your product that you are bzz'ing is called) have included such things as a Sonic care toothbrush, Aveeno Shampoo, Logitech remote. These are items I have kept and treasured thanks in part to the company I was "Bzz'ing" and Bzz Agent.


I hope you check Bzz Agent out and give it a try..I have had such a positive experience being a agent..I think you will too..

My New Years resolution this year is to create this blog..wish me luck!!