Howdy Everyone!

I miss ya’ll. I miss a lot of things. My life has been so hectic the past few months, I don’t even know where to begin.

Changes? WHAT CHANGES? As someone with sever OCD and anxiety, change is not easy for me. On the same wavelength, I love chaos. So what have I decided to do?

WE ARE SELLING OUR HOUSE!

Yep. After living in the lovely village of Riverside, Illinois, my husband and I have decided to take a leap of faith and do something we never thought possible. Yesterday, March 21st, we listed our house for sale. Within 25 minutes we got requests for showings. I am hoping and praying that it sells fast.

What is the plan? The plan is a little fluid at the moment. Our original idea was to sell everything, buy a boat, and sail the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and gulf side of Mexico. I realized VERY quickly that it wasn’t going to be possible. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats. My cats would be fine, maybe even one dog. But, we have a husky / Shepard mix, and she is clumsy, and hairy. I didn’t want to subject her to that, it isn’t fair. So we have moved on to the next thing, camping across America.

Across America you say? Yep. Our plan is to buy a 30″ trailer and travel the country for at least a year. Should we enjoy it, we may extend it further. I have most of it already planned out (See note on OCD above.) 2 weeks in most locations before moving on to the next. My first stop, Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. I have had such a strong pull to the Native American mounds, and I’ve always wanted to visit.

What are you going to do for work?! Child….I wish I knew. At the moment, my husband is able to fully work remote. Thank the lord because he is who pulls in most of our finances. I am currently a public librarian. I have been trying to find remote work for almost 4 months, with zero luck. That isn’t going to stop me though. In order to qualify for PSLF (Public Student Loan Forgiveness) you have to work for a non-profit for 10 years. I am 6 years in. I am putting that on pause for the time being if I cannot find a job within the non-profit world that is remote. I may look for a part time remote customer service job to pay some bills, but I think I am taking this time as a way to reset myself.

I would love to be able to turn this into a venture that everyone can be a part of. I want to show parts of America that people have no clue about but are awe-inspiring none the less. I have a little free library that I am going to be taking around with me to camp sites and things like that to at least keep a part of my life’s literacy mission.

Are we ready? Not slightly. Am I still going through with it? Absolutely. I am almost 40. I have no children, and I don’t want any. I have spent my life doing what “society” has told me is normal. I went to school, got the degrees (2), bought the house with the picket fence…and the entire time, it never felt like me. This decision, this decision feels right. So follow along for more insanity. Can’t wait to see folks out on the road.