“Been there, done that”

Intro: Lucy Crook

“Gypsy blood must run in my veins”… During the past 44 years of marriage, I have jumped at every opportunity of spontaneity David has offered. I lost count at eighteen moves, twenty years ago. We were meant for each other. Raising four daughters did not deter moves to unknown, exciting places. In fact, it was thrilling involving the children in our new experiences. Through them, we were quickly connected to community. We have lived in a wide variety of domiciles from; apartment complexes, farms in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee (heaven on earth), peach orchards of Georgia and raised horses in Parker, Colorado. Lived aboard motor-yachts in: New Orleans, Fort Myers and St. Petersburg as well as several other unconventional habitats. In the past twenty years, changes have been less frequent, four in total. As a team, there was nothing we couldn’t do.

Complacency:

My point to this introduction is, I feel complacency setting in now that I’m recently retired. In the past, we held: press parties for marketing events, bicycle camped on a 200 mile trip with 18 month and seven year old daughters, lived in a 25’ motor home with a brand new baby, a two year old and an eight year old, in the dead of winter in the Rocky Mountains of Granby, Colorado. We have also enjoyed the big city art gallery scene, toured the finest museums, and on several occasions, I rode my cowpony twenty miles to compete in horse shows. I have enjoyed playing the lead role, in plays and musicals all over the country. I frequently relax with my beloved Martin guitar, accompanying myself in a wide variety of my favorite folk and blues songs to the delight of my ever appreciative spouse.

NOW, when friends invite us to participate in some special social event, I often reply… “I’d rather stay home – already been there, done that”…

Social Dilemma:

So, friends stop asking. I ask,is it healthy to be “Just the Two of Us”?

Thoughts of another New Adventure – Haunt Me!

Should we sell everything and go on the road in “Voyageur”, our Roadtrek, Class-B, RV and experience the unknown? David brings me back to reality and reminds me the modest home we live in, surrounded by beautiful natural surrounding (our land is zoned agricultural) is everything we hoped and prayed for. Within a five mile radius, we can enjoy; off-road and road cycling, paddling picturesque, old Florida creeks and rivers, camping on various outer islands and secluded beaches, enjoy the camaraderie of our close-knit urban community of neighbors and friends and revel in the peace God has granted us. We had to start over, after loosing everything to Hurricane Charlie. We have accumulated all the comforts of life and all the “toys” we need, to participate in any activity we choose.  We are truly enjoying life “Within Our Means”…

We are at a cross roads again:

Sound familiar? How did you get your answer? Prayer? Counsel of friends and family? Self-help books? We are still pondering all the possibilities…