30 DAYS LEFT IN CAMBRIA

It’s a bit startling that in 30 days I’ll be leaving Cambria to begin a new life elsewhere. As I’m bundled up in robe and stockings, and wrapped in my favorite blanket in front of the portable heater (very cold this morning), I’m making a mental inventory of what is left to do in December before my departure.  A lot!  But later today I plan to contact utilities, etc. to order Jan 1 as cut-off day. Wow, that’s an eye-opener that vacate day is very near. And 45 days till I lift-off to England and Europe for at least the next two years. Excitement all around!

33 DAYS MORE IN CAMBRIA

Here’s my adjusted 2020 schedule:

Dec 31, 2019 - Jan 8, 2020
VISALIA CA
(Jan 5, Day-trip to Camarillo)

Jan 8
LAS VEGAS, AZ

Jan 9 - 16
SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Jan 16 - Feb 15
WEYMOUTH UK

Feb 15 - Mar 14
WINCHESTER UK

Mar 14 - Apr 13
RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT, UK

Apr 13 - May 13
WATERFORD, IRE

May 13 - Jun 12
LIMERICK, IRE

Jun 12 - Jul 4
ASHBOURNE, IRE

Jul 4 - Aug 3
VERSAILLES, FR

Aug 3 - Aug 27
LE HAVRE, FR

Aug 27 - Sep 4
SOUTHAMPTON UK

Sep 4 - 11 (80th Birthday)
QUEEN MARY 2
Atlantic Crossing to NYC

Sep 11 - 14
NYC

Sep 14 - Oct 14
CLORIDORME, CAN (north-eastern)

Oct 14 - Nov 13
MONTREAL, CAN

Nov 13 - 29
PHOENIX, AZ

More to come later ...

52 DAYS TO LIFT-OFF

Tonite, after an afternoon of bits and pieces and organizing my thoughts by making lists, and some packing for storage, I began placing things in my carry-on bag (eager to see how it all will fit): my new Apple MacBook Air,  twist pencils, lead, erasers, pens, slim pocket notebooks, Apple World plug adapters, other universal plug adapter, extra fuses, chargers ... so far so good.  My electronics are important to me, have to have it right since I'll be out of the states for almost a year. and I'm a stickler for organization.

My landlord came by today with a friend, looking to see what will need to be done to rent this place out after I leave on Jan 1.  He welcomes me to leave whatever furnishings I would like, he's thinking of renting it as a tourist accommodation. So I'm rethinking what furniture I will and will not haul to storage. That makes it much easier on me as well, and makes it easier for him to turn around. I have such a softspot in my heart for Alex, want to do all I can for him to be successful with this building ... whatever he wants to do with it. At his young age of 24, he's taken on a huge task.

So my time here is getting shorter ... and I'm becoming more and more excited everyday ... can't wait to board the plane in Salt Lake City for London!!!!  England is my first 3-month adventure. Second 3 months is Ireland, third is France, then on my 80th birthday, back across the Atlantic onboard the QM2 to NYC . Canada is after that. Makes me breathless to think about it. And all the while I'll be writing my memoir. How much more fun can it be? 👍👍👍

54 DAYS TO LIFT-OFF

39 more days in Cambria ... OMG! Comin’ ‘round fast!

Sorry I haven’t been on here as often as usual, it’s because I’m so damn busy with all there is to do with moving out of this apartment. The packing is therapeutic, I’m finding. Today I hit upon the revelation that for the duration of my over-seas travels I won’t be aggravated by all the tedious ‘to-do’ lists of everyday living here. That is a biggie for me. There’s nothing that gnaws on me most like having to tend to personal and every-day living matters: appointments, dates with people when I don’t really want to go, bills, cleaning, making up my day-bed everyday (difficult to do, can’t reach all corners), cooking, shopping for groceries, up and down the stairs, laundry, taking out the trash, and a host of other niggling items.  When I fly out of the USA on Jan 15, all of that disappears for however long I want - 1, 2, 3 years or more. I’ll be staying in places where most of the physical stuff is done for me, and I won’t have any bills or appointments not connected with my travels.  No commitments that aren’t travel oriented. I am so grateful that I’m able to do this, financially and physically, and even though it isn’t my original plan, I’m happy and excited about what it has become. And yes, I have the option of changing my mind at any time, or staying in one place longer than planned, or sticking to the schedule. It’s the freedom of doing what I want, when I want, without constraints and hindrances, that I love.  (Just a few of my packing thoughts today while packing crystal pieces - 5 bins/totes so far.)

58 DAYS TO LIFT-OFF

YES ... in 43 days I leave Cambria for Visalia, then to Salt Lake City when I take to the skies for England. YIPPEE!!! I’m feeling less anxious today. A little under the weather still, but two more bins are packed, 6 waiting to be removed now.  Today I ordered more packing supplies to be delivered, 25 book boxes from U-Haul and misc.items. Still pushing forward.  In fact I feel this will end up being my most organized move to date.  But that’s yet to be seen, when it’s over. Still much to be done.

I was thinking about the first leg (three months) of the year-long trip.  Three months in England - Weymouth, Winchester, Isle of Wight. A month in each place. Sounds exciting to me. I was having a discussion last evening about ‘is this trip a dream come true?” I was asked that. Although it isn’t what it started out to be - a permanent move to England - it’ll probably be more exciting since shifting gears doing it the way I am. We’ll see what happens. Who knows what each day will bring, and that’s how I’ll be treating it ... day by day. And it begins in 58 days!

60 DAYS TO LIFT- OFF

Forty-five days till I leave Cambria, sixty days till I leave the USA.  I’m Feeling a bit of anxiety today, even though I’ve packed the daily average of TWO BINS a day. Plus clearing out, or ‘culling’ as I call it. Today I also did some shredding of closed acct checkbooks and old address books, etc. So I’m okay, am making progress. But am still feeling anxiety. Sick to my stomach, which could be the crud remnants. Or maybe it’s just the other way around, anxiety and stress could be causing the sicklies.  Yep. Most likely. Stress causes sickness. Okay, breathe deeply, turn it all off - the trip, the packing, finances, Linda’s illness. All of it. I have to level myself out. Time to relax. A full night of thoughtlessness ought to do it. Mindless series binge-watching on Netflix, yes. And then some inspirational reading later while in a hot bath before bed and lights out. I feel like my character Jessica in MIDNIGHT IN VEGAS. Planning my night to the minute. Lololol.

DAY 4 - Packing Apartment

Yesterday ended well with six bins loaded and ready to go to storage. Kelly’s coming this morning with his trailer, but that’s to pick up my potted spruce tree and two potted climbing roses for Barbara Roche’s garden. Giving her first dibs on plants. She already has some of them. A couple items in my patio I’m keeping - the white bistro set, the wrought iron settee, but the rest I’m leaving for the next tenant.

It’s fast becoming a realization, this decision to move out of Cambria once again. Third time is the charm! Yes I’ve lived and moved away from here three times. This time I’ve had several false starts, and now it’s finally a reality.  Once the thought or desire is in the mind, the action follows. It is with me, that is. In fact I use the method ... think it, visualize it, believe it, act on it.  Almost everything I do, every decision, is carried out that way. Even my travels, of which there have been many.  This next will be my greatest travel achievement- 330 days on the road by land, sea, and air. At 80 years of age. And if I feel up to it, a second year around the world will follow to even more exotic places.

In the meantime, I’ve two books in my work-in-progress file - my memoir and another novel in my Rachel O’Neill series, and there will be a third book on this next year of traveling. This blog will be my journal of notes and memories for that book.

Now back to having my morning coffee  before I pack a few more bins.

Good Morning, World!

DAY 2 & 3 - Packing Apartment

YESTERDAY was a waste ... couldn’t pack, couldn’t do anything because of the sicklies, but can’t put off packing any longer.  I know I must do some each day, or it won’t be done in time. And I don’t trust anyone else to handle my treasures with care.

TODAY I am already on it ... have been downstairs to get two more bins and plan to start filling them this morning after I finish my coffee. I bought 32 bins through Amazon (delivered to my door) and will order more when needed. I figure 60 bins, at least. All the same size so they’ll stack neatly, all labeled. And of course will get book boxes from U-Haul, all same size. Will need to hire someone to pack the books for me. Any takers?

DAY 1 - Packing Collectibles

This is it ... tubs are here along with bubble wrap.  This afternoon I will start packing all my pretties. I’m not looking forward to the empty shelves and spaces as my time in Cambria decreases. I love to be surrounded by meaningful items and beauty,  many I’ve collected on my travels, many I’ve discovered in antique shops and markets, some were gifts, some were my mother’s and some from my grandmothers on each side. I’m happy I’ve taken photographs of it all, here and now. That’ll keep me company till I’m surrounded by them all once again in the future.

DAY SIX - Prep for Trip

How does one accumulate so many bits and pieces of junk and items that are not wanted?  I find that in top drawers of chests and desks it where it all goes, just to get out of sight, when if were trashed instead at the moment, it would not create extra work later. Bits and pieces! Cant stand those: nails, paperclips, xmas trim hangers, partial journals, travel pouches, little string bags,  cards, scraps, a plate hanger, travel documents of a Seabourne Medditeranean Cruise taken in Year 2000.  Just tackled a drawer with all that and more.in it. Its not all bad though, a few nice surprises along the way.

Stopping now ... Have an hour before I leave for Paso Robles - Walmart shopping, lunch, and then visiting Linda in her new Care facility Paso. Shes on liquid Morphine now, sleeps mostly, according to David (caregiver). Praying that she'll reach permanent sleep very soon, no more pain, no more waiting. Love her so much!

DAY FIVE - Comment/reflection

As I look around this apartment and the packing ahead of me the rest of this month and the next, I know time will fly as it usually does, and before I know it it'll be departure day from Cambria, California - January 1.  I've no fluctuating feelings about this move, I'm eager and excited  about the adventure of seeing new places every month, new experiences in four other countries in 2020. Then possibly in 2021 more countries to choose from: Scotland, England - for sure.  Additional first choices are Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland. Regardless, I am on a quest to see my favorite European countries once more before I choose another place to settle and live, whether it is in the USA or elsewhere. Just thinking of the choices I have before me. ❤️❤️❤️

DAY FIVE - Prep

Lovely day, it appears. I'm having a cup of coffee while British TV series FATHER BROWN is running. Taking a break after removing unwanted items from both these cabinets, mainly behind the closed doors ... 2 furniture pieces down, 4 to go, and its only 9:00 a.m.  Kitchen cabinets DONE!  What's left I'll pack and keep.

DAY FOUR - Prep

Washed all blankets etc this morning before packing next week. No more overnite visitors before I leave. Now will have lunch with Viv Goff to catch up on all plans, hers and mine. This afternoon back to culling.

Back from lunch ... had a lengthy conversation about my trip in 2020, and I'm even more certain that after the last two months (9/14 - 11/13) in Cloridorme (Gaspesie) and Montreal Quebec, I'll take the Nov 13-29 stay in Phoenix to decide if I will continue on another year with my travels, or settle somewhere.  But I'll decide at that time, end of 2020.  Will have the memoir completed by then, and will start writing another novel in 2021.

By the way ... Cloridorme has really drawn me to it ... am already envisioning myself there for a month ... way up in nowhere land!  Love it!  SEE MAP BELOW.

Will be staying there at the top red dot the first month in Canada, then back to Montreal the second month.  I'll be above New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.  The hotel below on the left is where I'll be staying in Cloridorme.

I AM SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ALONE AND GO TO PLACES I WANT.  AND THIS IS AT THE END OF THE YEAR-LONG TRIP.  LOTS OF THINKING TIME.  YES!

DAY TWO & THREE - MORE CULLING

This week I am going through cabinets, display cases, drawers, closet and other spaces to collect items I don't want to keep, aren't important to me, are just clutter and junk. Am putting them in bags, easy for me to carry, and loading them into the car to take away.  Took one load to Morro Bay's Achievement House yesterday, done, gone!  I'm certainly glad I've been getting rid of stuff for the past three years, all along, or this would be an overwhelming move for me.  It will be hard enough as it is.

DAY ONE - Prep to leave in two months

Today was the first day of preparation to vacate my beautiful tiny nest, where I’ve lived the past three years. I moved in while remodeling and producing live theatre downstairs - stageplays and music gigs. This last August, I sold the property/buildings and have been renting back the apartment from the new landlord. (Also financed part of the mortgage for him.)  Just recently I made the decision to move out and store all my stuff in order to travel the world, or as much of it as I want to see. So today I began the actual process.

Today I cleared items from my closet that I won’t be keeping, don’t want. Tomorrow I’ll do the same with my cabinets, and will take it all to thrift stores, donations. I feel it’s important to start there and it makes packing easier with those items out of the way, rather than doing it while packing.  So the next few days ... this week ... I will be focusing on throw-aways and donations.

My itinerary of travel begins January 1, 2020.

Jan 1 - 8
VISALIA, CA

Jan 8 - 15
SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Jan 16 - Feb 15
WEYMOUTH UK

Feb 15 - Mar 14
WINCHESTER UK

Mar 14 - Apr 13
RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Apr 13 - May 13
WATERFORD, IRE

May 13 - Jun 12
GALWAY, IRE

Jun 12 - Jul 4
ASHBOURNE, IRE

Jul 4 - Aug 3
VERSAILLES, FR

Aug 3 - Aug 27
LE HAVRE, FR

Aug 27 - Sep 4
SOUTHAMPTON UK

Sep 4 - 11
QUEEN MARY 2
Atlantic Crossing to NYC

Sep 14 - Oct 14
CLORIDORME, CAN

Oct 14 - Nov 13
MONTREAL, CAN

Nov 13 - 29
PHOENIX, AZ

More to come later ...-P