I’m getting itchy feet! Cabin fever! Wanderlust! I do SO love to travel. Since I have changed my whole long term plan, I have begun preparing for the next step. My camper is my home, and there is very little storage in it, actually. Several cabinets, of course. Four drawers…and the large space under the bed. But there are only two small shirt closets and nowhere to hang coats. There’s also the issue of my tools, 4 extra tires, and a couple sets of dishes that I refuse to part with so storing these items securely without taking up all my valuable storage space in the camper is a priority. I have the super crew cab and the back seats fold up to create a good deal of storage but I like to reserve that space for items I need quick access to while traveling. It occurred to me the truck bed is a large wasted space because I can’t really haul anything back there. My stuff would be exposed to the elements and wouldn’t be secure. I solved that by ordering a good quality truck cap this week. There are several accessories you can get. I ordered a double clothes hanging bar to be installed down the driver’s side so I can hang my coats and extra clothes in there. I also ordered the roof rack and a carpet bed liner. Now it will be very much the storage closet I am in need of. Perfect!

I went out to dinner with a friend the other night. We were talking about this situation with my aunt. Sometimes you gain great insight when you have someone to whom you can vent. I have had people treat me badly in the past. I’ve had people be downright mean to me. So why is this hurting me more than the others? It’s because one does not expect their own family members to be mean. At least I don’t. That doesn’t count the angst you go through in a divorce, of course. Maybe it’s because my feelings are still hypersensitive from grief, but yesterday I finally put a name to it. I’m feeling betrayed because I trusted in the strength of a perceived family bond. It has not been pleasant, to say the least. But it has been an excellent learning and personal growth experience. I won’t trust any less. But I will use my discernment to determine better who I spend my life energy on.

A reader responded to yesterday’s post with a suggestion that was perfect. She said she has learned to say “No”…but she’s also learned to say “I’ll think about that and get back to you.” Where did we get the idea we HAVE to give someone an instant yes or no answer? I’ve said before, I don’t think fast on my feet and I can relate countless scenarios where, after a time of consideration, I’ve thought of a much better answer than the one I gave. I’ve said yes to things I did not want to do then resented it when the time came and I felt I had to fulfill a promise made. I keep a journal. I’m going to start writing in my journal…first sentence…every night. “I’ll have to get back to you on that.” Maybe after awhile, it will actually come to mind in the moment.

I finished scanning the first box of photos/documents yesterday so I’m feeling quite a sense of accomplishment. Onward and upward!

❤