Monday, June 21, 2010

THE LIST

I'm a list maker.  Before my first RV trip, (RVDreams Rally in 10/2009), I had lists of lists all over the house :0)  Lists keep me focused and  make sure I don't forget anything.  Lists also let the control freak in me have something to hold on to.  I have been keeping lists of 'places to see', 'places to stay', 'need for the rig', 'must haves', 'motorhome choices' and 'towed options'.  I recently realized that I am about 1.5 years from my planned adventure date.  That's closer than the 2 years I've been saying before now :0) .  Time is moving on.  So, I made the BIG LIST, with approximate dates of all the stuff that has to happen between now and take-off.  One thing I learned, when I made this list, is that my launch date needed to be moved one month further into nice weather.  Because my estate sale will happen before the house sale and after moving into the rig, good weather for the sale is more likely to be in March than Feb. 

When I was sick, I was smoking very little because I had congestion in my chest and did not want to end up at the doctor's office.  I had to go see a doctor, after I was getting better, because I needed a release to go back to work after so many days out sick.  The Dr. and I discussed how I use my inhaler when I'm not sick (I'd been using it more while I was sick) and the Dr. said it was time to add a steroid inhaler to control my asthma.  I've had mild asthma since I was a child and I've been smoking since I was about 20 years old.  Bad choice, I know.  I don't want to be on steroids and I was planning to quit smoking Feb 2011 anyway (since smoking will make my health insurance premiums more expensive).  So, I moved up my quit date and this is my second day, that I can say 'I don't smoke'.   Best of all, I check the first thing off of my departure list!!!

TO BE DONE BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD:
  • Pay off debts (12/2011)
  • Weigh < 200 pounds (6/2011)
  •  
  • Become non-smoker (6/2010)
  •  
  • Contact nephew to see if he wants Christmas decorations (10/2010)
  •  
  • Start business for taking medical transcription jobs (1/2011)
  •  
  • Buy work computer (1/2011)
  • Get medical transcription certification (1/2011 - 6/2011)
  •  
  • Choose Class A (Winnebago)
  •  
  • Purchase Class A
  •  
  • Choose toad 
  • Purchase Toad
  •  
  • Purchase and set up towing of toad (with brake buddy)
  •  
  • Sell truck
  • Join Escapees RV club
  •  
  • Auto & home insurance for rig
  •  
  • Pull my stuff I want to keep out of the house and into the rig
  •  
  • Buy personal laptop and transfer computer info to it.
  •  
  • Clean desktop computer for sale.
  •  
  • Set up rig on site & move in (friend's field) (end of 3/2012)
  •  
  • Put home on the market
  •  
  • Purchase containers to fit stuff and rig
  • Notify family/friends to come take what they want from home
  •  
  • Interview Estate Sale Service (A+A Estate Wizards & Denver Gypsy Boys)
  •  
  • 1 month notice to job (end of 3/2012)
  •  
  • Hold Estate Sale (3 or 4/2012)
  •  
  • Sell home
  •  
  • Decide on mail forwarding service (mom or Livingston, TX)
  •  
  • Update will
  •  
  • Health Insurance
  •  
  • Disability Insurance
  •  
  • Road service plan for rig
  •  
  • Insurance to return rig & transport me and transport brother to me in case of emergency
  •  
  • Packet to emergency contact with all info and passwords

 

 

 

7 comments:

Merikay said...

I make lists too, but for now they are written in smoke because I can't count on cooperation of my world, my husband, and myself!

Instead of trying to focus on the big picture I am doing what I can today to make my dreams come true.

Congratulations on quitting smoking. I've been smoke free for nine years. It's great!

Jennifer said...

Wow. You are organized!

Congratulations on the non-smoker status! That is so tough!

BTW, I was 'quitting drinking' for about 2-3 years before it finally stuck. (7 months of no drinking now.) My sister was about the same with smoking. (Over a year of non-smoking for her now.)

So don't get all perfectionistic on me if you, like most of us, make these improvements to your life in fits and starts... I would feel like such a failure when I would slip, but the non-drinking phases got longer and longer until it seemed to finally stick.

I think I read this in your blog, but was it because of your dogs that you want the class A with tow vehicle?

Take care,

Jennifer

Katie said...

HEY JENNIFER! When the weather is nice I think a Class C will be sufficient. When the weather turns cold and rainy... I visualize the two crazy dogs, my butt, and trying to get work done 6hours a day... I realize I need a good 30 feet for me to keep from mushing the precious beasts :0) As long as I'm going for 30 feet, I figured I might as well go for a Class A. I'm taking a toad in case I need to get a job I will have to commute to.

Ali Workentin said...

Katie

Just to let you know our motor home insurance has its own road service right included in it. I have also made arrangements with a friend that if something were to happen to Ron and I needed to get us back to our home area she would come and help with driving.

I think your lists are pretty complete. I do hope your house sells as quickly as you are thinking it will.

Jennifer said...

Ah, that sounds good. I really couldn't decide between a 30 ft class A gas and the 24 ft class C sprinter.

I decided I would buy whichever I could find when I was ready to make the purchase (and found the Sprinter).

I love it, but think a back bedroom would be nice!

Anonymous said...

mundane question I know, but how do you become a medical transcriptionist (not tied to an office)? I could learn med terminology, I can type, how do I find employment? Thanks.

Katie said...

All my contacts and information about medical transcription I've gotten from the internet. There is a group that certifies medical transcription programs (www.ahdionline.org). I was able to contact some people that work as medical transcriptionists at http://www.mtstars.com. Just a couple of notes: MT from home/the road is piece meal labor, it is working as independent contractor (without benefits), and it is not guaranteed certain number of hours/lines per week.