The Driftah, sadly, will not be making the journey with us. She was intended to piggyback on a 70s-style Nissan or Toyota pickup. Our gigantic 2001 Ford F250 Diesel is not the right fit. After much research and dreaming and designing and scheming, we discovered we could compensate for the awkward configuration by adding Torklift tie-downs and jacks. Pricey, but we were willing to make the investment because we bought the camper for so cheap and the expense of the finish-out is relatively low. All said, we would still spend much less than if we bought a newer model with more amenities.
But then Rex called.
A week or two ago -- when we first became concerned about the viability of the Driftah for our adventure -- David had called about a couple of campers he found on craigslist. One listing was for a slide-in truck camper like the Driftah. It's a 1980s-era rig -- so we would upgrade by about 10 years, ha. Instead of solid sides it has a pop-up area with half-siding, half-canvas walls. Interested, David called but reached the seller's voicemail; he left a message and somewhat forgot about it. No returned phone call...until yesterday.
Rex described the "Valor" as David listened and made notes, his eyes dancing with excitement. He would look at me, as if to say, "Oh my gosh, this is exactly what we are looking for!" It has everything the Driftah does not: a/c, a working fridge, a FLOOR and WALLS. Ha. It also has a 3-burner stove and furnace -- which the other camper HAD until we removed them to make more room. Rex also offered to throw in a generator if we were to make a reasonable offer. Not really wanting to give up on the Driftah, but very curious about the Valor, we made the trek to Rockport.
And we were not disappointed. It is everything we need and want to be a mobile family and business. He also has a small utility trailer that we can tweak to haul all our business equipment (e.g., printers and laminator, etc.) and additional personal items (bicycles, baby jogger, etc.) The Valor also FITS our truck snugly...and looks a lot better, ha ha ha. A bonus feature is that if we want to travel overseas, we can fit into the "cheap seats" on cargo ships. "Overland" travellers tend to stick with slide-in truck campers with pop-ups for this very reason. The camper, generator and trailer together cost almost exactly the same as the tie-downs and jacks we were planning to order for the Driftah. Divine intervention? Fate? Both, neither, I don't know. We finally have the right configuration for our home-in-motion. Now the preparations REALLY begin!
First, I will start removing everything from inside the Valor. And while we're on the subject of naming our "home"...I think we should give it the Spanish "El Valor". The article seems to emphasize the bravery and exploration context of our expedition. Inside, my beloved papier mache statue of Don Quixote will be displayed. Maybe uplit. Would mini-murals of windmills on the side of El Valor be too much? Back to my checklist, then...so out with the cushions. Clean everything with warm water and lavender-scented castille soap. Windows will be wiped with vinegar. I'll probably hit all the wood with orange oil to ward off ants. Orange oil to mop the vinyl flooring, too. When everything is out, we can decide on any modifications. At first glance, I would like to replace the flooring. With what, I don't know yet.
While I'm cleaning El Valor David will remove existing boards from the trailer and paint the frame black. We have plentiful replacement boards from our backyard decks and planter boxes. (Remember we wanted to reuse these materials to finish out the Driftah? That was not going to work out, anyway, because we couldn't find a cabinet shop or lumber yard with a resaw to cut the boards thin enough.) We already have ideas for redesigning the trailer and will document its rebirth. El Valor's second wind will be documented, too. Everything is coming together for us and this adventure, except...
What do we do with The Driftah? Well, we might be able to reuse some pieces and parts. I think we will strip it down to the frame and insulation, and maybe reinstall the flooring. Then we'll just give it away to someone who wants a weekend project. Uncertain, at this point. One thing we need to do, though, is give it a respectable funeral or adoption ceremony, at least. If it's possible to have feelings for an inanimate object, I love the Driftah. And I want her to go to someone who will take care of her and love her, too.
My hula girl truck -- aka Bluebonnet -- will also be adopted out to a good home. No reason to split the family into two vehicles; then we wouldn't be travelling together. And taking this journey -- exploring the world -- together is the focus of our adventure.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Adapting, For a Change (or Changes)
We sold the RV stove/oven combo on Friday night to a woman who built a tiny home on 2 acres. She built it entirely by hand, entirely by herself. Kudos! That will be our next adventure, maybe. There might be a couple in between...actually.
The weekend is a blur of packing and purging, moving stuff to storage, and adapting. Yes, we must amend our plans a bit. We are still 'going mobile' around Labor Day. But it looks like The Driftah will not be making this journey with us. No matter how we reconfigure it, our beloved camper just does not ride securely on our truck bed and, quite honestly, just does not fulfill the needs of a full-time family. It would however be a fabulous project for a weekend warrior or the occasional camper. I don't know, that shanty-on-wheels has stolen my heart and ignited my creativity, so I'm still not giving up on it. Cross your fingers I don't have to find her a new home. Hmm.
When you commit to an adventure like this, especially one by way of small spaces, you must be ready to adapt freely. And by "freely" I mean willingly, immediately, and without emotional outbursts. You can't become erratic about the need for changes that almost certainly will arise. You must not become attached to a romantic, idealized vision of your Plan. All you can really count on are: today you are here and at some point in the future you will be "there." How you get there is the real adventure, the path pregnant with memories of challenges and achievements. You know...going mobile in a small space is really a metaphor for our emotional development. Our Life is not measured by the intensity of "good" and "bad" events that occur; we as individuals are measured by the manner in which we respond to these events. So if you choose to move your family into an rv for an adventure of a lifetime, be prepared for your black water tank to leak; several tires on one side of the trailer to be punctured by nails and screws mysteriously scattered on the highway; or your beloved camper lumbering off into the sunset on the bed of another family of campers' truck. Don't freak out; try to exercise patience. Step back, elevate your thinking to a Visionary's perspective. The Big Picture. You have to remember that it's the journey, not the destination...or the vehicle, apparently...that really matters.
This journey is far too short, if you are enjoying it, and far too long if you're not. Isn't there a Rolling Stones lyric that suggests "time waits for noone..."? Life keeps flowing, whether or not your vessel is ready to launch. In my little corner of the world, each day is a blessing and every moment, a gift. I embrace and celebrate them, every one. And I cherish the brave-hearted who will join me, if only for a part of the trip. The Driftah has been part of the planning phase, maybe I should just let her go. Maybe I should look up a couple of other campers that can handle the launch phase...ones with names equally as cool as The Driftah...like the Wanderer. Yeaaaahhhh.
The weekend is a blur of packing and purging, moving stuff to storage, and adapting. Yes, we must amend our plans a bit. We are still 'going mobile' around Labor Day. But it looks like The Driftah will not be making this journey with us. No matter how we reconfigure it, our beloved camper just does not ride securely on our truck bed and, quite honestly, just does not fulfill the needs of a full-time family. It would however be a fabulous project for a weekend warrior or the occasional camper. I don't know, that shanty-on-wheels has stolen my heart and ignited my creativity, so I'm still not giving up on it. Cross your fingers I don't have to find her a new home. Hmm.
When you commit to an adventure like this, especially one by way of small spaces, you must be ready to adapt freely. And by "freely" I mean willingly, immediately, and without emotional outbursts. You can't become erratic about the need for changes that almost certainly will arise. You must not become attached to a romantic, idealized vision of your Plan. All you can really count on are: today you are here and at some point in the future you will be "there." How you get there is the real adventure, the path pregnant with memories of challenges and achievements. You know...going mobile in a small space is really a metaphor for our emotional development. Our Life is not measured by the intensity of "good" and "bad" events that occur; we as individuals are measured by the manner in which we respond to these events. So if you choose to move your family into an rv for an adventure of a lifetime, be prepared for your black water tank to leak; several tires on one side of the trailer to be punctured by nails and screws mysteriously scattered on the highway; or your beloved camper lumbering off into the sunset on the bed of another family of campers' truck. Don't freak out; try to exercise patience. Step back, elevate your thinking to a Visionary's perspective. The Big Picture. You have to remember that it's the journey, not the destination...or the vehicle, apparently...that really matters.
This journey is far too short, if you are enjoying it, and far too long if you're not. Isn't there a Rolling Stones lyric that suggests "time waits for noone..."? Life keeps flowing, whether or not your vessel is ready to launch. In my little corner of the world, each day is a blessing and every moment, a gift. I embrace and celebrate them, every one. And I cherish the brave-hearted who will join me, if only for a part of the trip. The Driftah has been part of the planning phase, maybe I should just let her go. Maybe I should look up a couple of other campers that can handle the launch phase...ones with names equally as cool as The Driftah...like the Wanderer. Yeaaaahhhh.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Collisions
Today we continued sifting through the paper trail of our life. Piles for 'nativedave', 'personal', 'art box', 'garage sale', 'donate' and the now teeny 'trash' are forming small molehills all over our living room rug. This and boxes of family documents were excavated from that burial ground otherwise known as "the office." Both David and I have dreaded that dig for months, but actually we have plowed through decades and generations of memories in a very short time. Almost all of it goes to storage, and the boxes are neatly stacked by the front door, ready to go. A little more work to do, but not much.
It was odd to me, sifting through photos and papers and paid bills -- relics of the past. And then sorting and packing and stacking them up to be stored so we can get on with our adventure -- the hope for our future. Past collided with future, and present seemed to be the negotiator. I'll let you know how it's settled.
We have all sorts of media, from the all-digital iPod and satellite Sirius radio, to VHS and DVD, CD and cassette. Heaps of vinyl, too. A few years ago we finally parted with our 8-tracks, but only because we could not find a player. Again, remnants from the past rest cosy alongside today's technology. As we organized these items we discovered a small collection of unmarked VHS tapes. Before we recycle or reuse them, we knew we needed to view them to see what was there. A few were filled with medical television shows and programs about supervolcanoes. Immediately I knew these had once belonged to David's brother Brandon. Then I found one marked "Autumn and Jack's Wedding Reception." Autumn is David's mom and Jack is his step-father. I popped in the tape and was amazed that there was so much footage of the pizza party the night before the wedding. We were all so young, and it thrilled me -- and amused Sage -- to see everybody laughing and enjoying each other's company. Quite a happy occasion.
The next segment was of the actual wedding. It was outdoors so you can't hear the ceremony very well. However, after that formal part is over, you can understand what is going on by watching the crowd. Gestures, facial expressions, even body language tell a very funny story. I remember so well the delight in Autumn and Jack's eyes the next day or so when they left for their honeymoon; it was heartwarming, as Brandon likes to say. The best part of the tape, though, is the reception. Everybody was dancing, and not everybody danced to the same music. When "Livin' La Vida Loca" was played, David and I cleared the dancefloor. We tried to recreate the video -- and neither of us are latino lovers. That might very well be some of the funniest video evidence of our silliness in action. Sage loved it, and even tried to emulate our dance moves, crazy as they are. Hilarious.
The next video was our wedding video. Everything about it makes me laugh out loud. From the steel drum version of the wedding march to the monk-looking dude officiating over the ceremony, we put a very modern, very eccentric twist on wedding traditions. My favorite part is when I am getting ready to toss my bouquet. First I had to put my Shiner (in a bottle!) down...and of course I placed it lovingly next to David's Shiner...ha ha ha. I think I was so happy about my day I spent the entire 6-hour reception drinking and dancing, and completely forgot to thank my guests for sharing our special day with us. If you were there and are reading this, I sincerely apologize for that faux pas. I *was* and still am greatly appreciative for everything and everyone who participated in that absolutely magical day.
Sage really enjoyed watching and dancing to these videos. Even more, I enjoyed sharing these moments with her, especially as we are preparing for another adventure in the immediate future. Tomorrow we will pack away our memories and move on to the next room. Soon, we will take off chasing new dreams, new memories.
It was odd to me, sifting through photos and papers and paid bills -- relics of the past. And then sorting and packing and stacking them up to be stored so we can get on with our adventure -- the hope for our future. Past collided with future, and present seemed to be the negotiator. I'll let you know how it's settled.
We have all sorts of media, from the all-digital iPod and satellite Sirius radio, to VHS and DVD, CD and cassette. Heaps of vinyl, too. A few years ago we finally parted with our 8-tracks, but only because we could not find a player. Again, remnants from the past rest cosy alongside today's technology. As we organized these items we discovered a small collection of unmarked VHS tapes. Before we recycle or reuse them, we knew we needed to view them to see what was there. A few were filled with medical television shows and programs about supervolcanoes. Immediately I knew these had once belonged to David's brother Brandon. Then I found one marked "Autumn and Jack's Wedding Reception." Autumn is David's mom and Jack is his step-father. I popped in the tape and was amazed that there was so much footage of the pizza party the night before the wedding. We were all so young, and it thrilled me -- and amused Sage -- to see everybody laughing and enjoying each other's company. Quite a happy occasion.
The next segment was of the actual wedding. It was outdoors so you can't hear the ceremony very well. However, after that formal part is over, you can understand what is going on by watching the crowd. Gestures, facial expressions, even body language tell a very funny story. I remember so well the delight in Autumn and Jack's eyes the next day or so when they left for their honeymoon; it was heartwarming, as Brandon likes to say. The best part of the tape, though, is the reception. Everybody was dancing, and not everybody danced to the same music. When "Livin' La Vida Loca" was played, David and I cleared the dancefloor. We tried to recreate the video -- and neither of us are latino lovers. That might very well be some of the funniest video evidence of our silliness in action. Sage loved it, and even tried to emulate our dance moves, crazy as they are. Hilarious.
The next video was our wedding video. Everything about it makes me laugh out loud. From the steel drum version of the wedding march to the monk-looking dude officiating over the ceremony, we put a very modern, very eccentric twist on wedding traditions. My favorite part is when I am getting ready to toss my bouquet. First I had to put my Shiner (in a bottle!) down...and of course I placed it lovingly next to David's Shiner...ha ha ha. I think I was so happy about my day I spent the entire 6-hour reception drinking and dancing, and completely forgot to thank my guests for sharing our special day with us. If you were there and are reading this, I sincerely apologize for that faux pas. I *was* and still am greatly appreciative for everything and everyone who participated in that absolutely magical day.
Sage really enjoyed watching and dancing to these videos. Even more, I enjoyed sharing these moments with her, especially as we are preparing for another adventure in the immediate future. Tomorrow we will pack away our memories and move on to the next room. Soon, we will take off chasing new dreams, new memories.
They tried to make me go to...
REFURB but I said no no no.
Wait, no. Yes! I mean, yes. Let's refurbish this beeyotch! The Driftah, that is. If you are following my pics and posts on facebook, then this first part will be old news. Hang with me for a sec, please. So, in a nutshell, we bought a 1970s-era slide-in truck camper for $375. Bargain. Initially, the plan was to use it for the summer to test our ability to camp in a small space together. Then, we would sell it and buy a newer model with updated amenities. The Driftah has grown on us, though. It's old, smelly, obscenely outdated. Completely incompatible with our truck, as far as size and decor. But we love it. It's just the kind of quirky, eccentric and bare-bones 'rig' that suits this adventure...and our personalities.
The demolition began a few days ago -- oh my! Ants swarmed the moldy flooring as David removed the crumbling mess. There once was a leak in the roof so one corner, roof to floor, needs to be completely reframed and reinsulated. The rest is in surprisingly good condition. Walls are coming down and the floor plan is being completely redesigned to suit our needs. Exciting.
First, the ice box did not work so it was removed. The furnace and stove/oven do work, but we don't plan to be anywhere cold and any cooking will take place outdoors. Small spaces tend to heat up FAST and The Driftah does not have a/c...yet. Both were pulled and are currently listed for sale on craigslist. A lot of the closet space was inefficiently designed so cabinets and drawers have been tossed, as well. The area where the ice box and one closet were will be reconfigured to an open-air pantry with small refrigerator/freezer; we need storage more than anything. Where the stove/oven was, there will be a drop-in compartment for our blender and juicer. A cutting board will lay over the top to serve as lid as well as food prep area. The countertop surrounding the sink and the backsplash area will be covered with stainless steel. Walls, floor, ceiling, and one shelf will all be rebuilt with sturdy wood and sealed to repel moisture. Since we plan to spend most of our time in coastal areas, the sealant is mandatory.
We removed the dining table and part of the seating, and will replace with fold-out cushion. This area will eventually be Sage's bed. The ceiling over our bed needs replacing, too. Some of these changes will cost us nothing but time and effort. We have a lot of leftover materials from backyard landscaping projects at our home in Corpus Christi. Recycle, baby! My goal is to reuse as much as possible these materials and any decor we already have that can adapt to a tiny camper. Actually, I want to make this camper as green as possible without a lot (or any, hee hee) of the expense.
When the interior is move-in ready, we will paint the exterior. Right now it's off-white with crazy brown stripes. The off-white will be painted bright white and the brown will be covered with black. In other words, the exterior will match our truck. Hey, it's a start. Ha.
When the interior is move-in ready, we will paint the exterior. Right now it's off-white with crazy brown stripes. The off-white will be painted bright white and the brown will be covered with black. In other words, the exterior will match our truck. Hey, it's a start. Ha.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Nifty new features
Under each post you should now see "share" buttons that will allow you to zap my posts to your loved ones via email, facebook, and a few other 'sites. I humbly request that if you like something I write, please share it with as many people as possible. My journey as a writer (and all these other roles) will be enriched by the feedback you, and the folks you share it with, offer me. Sincerest thanks in advance. :)
Welcome new batch of readers!
So I posted the url for this blog on facebook today...then began gnawing at my knuckles in fear. Until now, I've been writing here mostly for myself and a few others. Blather -- yes. A lot of it. Now with a whole new crop of readers I have to write a bit more...focused. That's OK, really. I need this kind of pressure if I'm to express myself clearly and succinctly, and in a way that makes you, my readers, crave more. What if I were to offer chocolate?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Going mobile!
Did you guess my big news yet? I've been leaving clues and can finally announce that we are 'going mobile'! Talk about downsizing...wow. Our rig of choice is a 1970-something Drifter slide-in truck camper. It needs some updating; I will post pics of the rehab project-in-progress in a day or two. This transition affects our business as well as our personal life, so until we had some logistical snags worked out, I had to keep mum. Now that I can talk about the decision freely I'd like to explain the inspiration and goals for our adventure(s).
Many of my posts have addressed my need to simplify my life. Until Sage came along, David and I were addicted to our business. We allowed it to dictate every aspect of our life...we seldom spent time with our family and friends or nurtured our marriage. Never did we take time for ourselves individually! Life was passing us by and we hardly noticed...but there was a vague gnawing, like a hungry soul crying out for nourishment, whose voice began to grow louder and louder. Then along came our precious wise little wildflower, and the need to listen to our hungry souls became undeniable. Coastal living beckoned to us, so with minimal resources, and hopeful hearts, we moved our family and business to Corpus Christi.
Two years have passed since we took this giant leap of faith and I have zero regrets. Sage and I have met a lot of nice mommies and their babies through Stroller Strides and, more recently, LUNAfest. Of course, having the beach right across the street from our house has also been a tremendous gift. The recession hobbled our business, which in a way was a good thing. Timing is always important, as they say, and the recession's was "impeccable." Our business stalled about the same time David took on some responsibilities which required his full attention for months...and when that role began to diminish, demand for our services ramped up. (Thank you to Higher Powers for watching over him!) Greater interest in NativeDave.com means more work for me, as you might guess. Sage is more mobile, creating more messes (ha ha ha), which also means more work for me. It has become more and more difficult to juggle my workload, my housework-load and still be Mommy. Time for me has become rare and precious. So again that voice returned...this time SHOUTING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS.
I began a spiritual and intellectual journey to discover the true Me. Yes, I have written ad nauseum about that, too. Many wonderful and not-so-great things have been revealed to me! I have re-discovered myself and my priorities, MY VALUES. As I wrote recently, my passion is writing. Green living is my secondary passion; I can get lost for hours reading about natural and non-toxic homemade products for homecare and personal care. Or raw food! Ha ha, another frequent topic of my blogposts. Adventure travelling is something I deeply appreciate but have done little of since before pregnancy. Writing about all these things would be bliss...And not least of all is my penchant for sharing these passions and interests, as well as discovering new ones, with my little Sage. I also learned that I am eternally grateful for everyone and everything that has brought me to today, this precise moment in the present. (Even the bad people and events have taught me priceless lessons.) As I have travelled this authentic path, I have shared every thought and epiphany with my sweet husband. Thankfully, we share the same spirit of adventure and affinity for truth, love and happiness. He has embraced my ideas and inspired new ones. Many many years ago we agreed that IF we were to marry and IF we were to have a family, we would live and work in a way that would allow us to co-parent and explore the world together...as a family. That pact has never been amended and has served us well. Our mobile adventure brings us even closer to realizing these long-time dreams for us and our family.
Our business is still as important to us as it ever was, but now it is an extension of us, not the other way around. Efficiency rules our daily operating procedures (the administrative tasks) so that our focus is teaching others to landscape and live in a sustainable manner. In other words, we teach others to live more simply. Now, as a mobile entity with a much-smaller footprint, our message will be clearer. A lot of changes will take place in the services we offer, and if you are interested in following that journey, check out nativerave.blogspot.com. I have not made the announcement there yet...but will in a day or two. My goal for that blog is to become not only a place where we announce speaking engagements or post articles related to sustainable living. It should be David's account of our mobile adventure and, most importantly, its relevance to the mission of our business. This blog, then, will become strictly my take on the adventure, mostly discussing the other green nuances of our lifestyle. In other words, nativerave will talk about plants and clients and their gardens; this blog will follow us through butterfly houses, farmers' markets, kid- and pet-friendly activities we encounter in our travels. And beaches, of course. Lots and lots of beaches...Maybe I should move my blog back to 'txgreenqueen'? Thoughts?
To my new Corpus Christi friends...I am not going away. At least not permanently. We will be here half-time (maybe a little more) and travel the other half. Now that I will have more Sage-and-me time, you can expect to see more us! Promise! About that, I am very happy. See? :)
To my lifelong Dallas and Austin friends...I will see you more often, too! When we travel, I will let you know far in advance so we can meet up when I'm in town.
And to all my other friends, flung across the globe...I might not be travelling to see you in my home-and-office-on-wheels, but I should be able to get away for that long-overdue visit. Finally. FINALLY.
Thank you for joining me for what I'm sure will be the most profound adventure of my life. I can't wait to bring you up to speed on the preparations that have been in the works for about a year now. More soon...until then, get to know you and make yourself happy. Let your light shine. Even when others seek to dim your light, let it shine! Shine on, Friends.
Many of my posts have addressed my need to simplify my life. Until Sage came along, David and I were addicted to our business. We allowed it to dictate every aspect of our life...we seldom spent time with our family and friends or nurtured our marriage. Never did we take time for ourselves individually! Life was passing us by and we hardly noticed...but there was a vague gnawing, like a hungry soul crying out for nourishment, whose voice began to grow louder and louder. Then along came our precious wise little wildflower, and the need to listen to our hungry souls became undeniable. Coastal living beckoned to us, so with minimal resources, and hopeful hearts, we moved our family and business to Corpus Christi.
Two years have passed since we took this giant leap of faith and I have zero regrets. Sage and I have met a lot of nice mommies and their babies through Stroller Strides and, more recently, LUNAfest. Of course, having the beach right across the street from our house has also been a tremendous gift. The recession hobbled our business, which in a way was a good thing. Timing is always important, as they say, and the recession's was "impeccable." Our business stalled about the same time David took on some responsibilities which required his full attention for months...and when that role began to diminish, demand for our services ramped up. (Thank you to Higher Powers for watching over him!) Greater interest in NativeDave.com means more work for me, as you might guess. Sage is more mobile, creating more messes (ha ha ha), which also means more work for me. It has become more and more difficult to juggle my workload, my housework-load and still be Mommy. Time for me has become rare and precious. So again that voice returned...this time SHOUTING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS.
I began a spiritual and intellectual journey to discover the true Me. Yes, I have written ad nauseum about that, too. Many wonderful and not-so-great things have been revealed to me! I have re-discovered myself and my priorities, MY VALUES. As I wrote recently, my passion is writing. Green living is my secondary passion; I can get lost for hours reading about natural and non-toxic homemade products for homecare and personal care. Or raw food! Ha ha, another frequent topic of my blogposts. Adventure travelling is something I deeply appreciate but have done little of since before pregnancy. Writing about all these things would be bliss...And not least of all is my penchant for sharing these passions and interests, as well as discovering new ones, with my little Sage. I also learned that I am eternally grateful for everyone and everything that has brought me to today, this precise moment in the present. (Even the bad people and events have taught me priceless lessons.) As I have travelled this authentic path, I have shared every thought and epiphany with my sweet husband. Thankfully, we share the same spirit of adventure and affinity for truth, love and happiness. He has embraced my ideas and inspired new ones. Many many years ago we agreed that IF we were to marry and IF we were to have a family, we would live and work in a way that would allow us to co-parent and explore the world together...as a family. That pact has never been amended and has served us well. Our mobile adventure brings us even closer to realizing these long-time dreams for us and our family.
Our business is still as important to us as it ever was, but now it is an extension of us, not the other way around. Efficiency rules our daily operating procedures (the administrative tasks) so that our focus is teaching others to landscape and live in a sustainable manner. In other words, we teach others to live more simply. Now, as a mobile entity with a much-smaller footprint, our message will be clearer. A lot of changes will take place in the services we offer, and if you are interested in following that journey, check out nativerave.blogspot.com. I have not made the announcement there yet...but will in a day or two. My goal for that blog is to become not only a place where we announce speaking engagements or post articles related to sustainable living. It should be David's account of our mobile adventure and, most importantly, its relevance to the mission of our business. This blog, then, will become strictly my take on the adventure, mostly discussing the other green nuances of our lifestyle. In other words, nativerave will talk about plants and clients and their gardens; this blog will follow us through butterfly houses, farmers' markets, kid- and pet-friendly activities we encounter in our travels. And beaches, of course. Lots and lots of beaches...Maybe I should move my blog back to 'txgreenqueen'? Thoughts?
To my new Corpus Christi friends...I am not going away. At least not permanently. We will be here half-time (maybe a little more) and travel the other half. Now that I will have more Sage-and-me time, you can expect to see more us! Promise! About that, I am very happy. See? :)
To my lifelong Dallas and Austin friends...I will see you more often, too! When we travel, I will let you know far in advance so we can meet up when I'm in town.
And to all my other friends, flung across the globe...I might not be travelling to see you in my home-and-office-on-wheels, but I should be able to get away for that long-overdue visit. Finally. FINALLY.
Thank you for joining me for what I'm sure will be the most profound adventure of my life. I can't wait to bring you up to speed on the preparations that have been in the works for about a year now. More soon...until then, get to know you and make yourself happy. Let your light shine. Even when others seek to dim your light, let it shine! Shine on, Friends.
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