Baby Snuggles, Erupting Volcanoes, Fuzzy Monkeys, and New Readers!

3,015 miles in 4 1/2 days.  Good Weather Window?  BAM! - Nailed it and with time to spare!  I made it to my sister's in Pennsylvania within the tiny weather window I had, exhausted, cramped and a bit cross-eyed, but happy to be here.  My little niece didn't come early so I had about 9 days to help my sister finish up projects and play with my nephew.  Of course when you are hanging with a 3 1/2 yr. old and preparing for a new baby, you have no time for your own work because your days are filled with laughter, singing songs, reading books, making donuts out of Play-Doh, going "camping", making volcanoes erupt all over the counter, and having Fuzzy Monkey wake you up every morning.  Such fun!  My niece arrived as scheduled (she and my sister are now both home and doing well), and I am trying to soak up as much snuggle time with her as I can.  She fills my heart with so much joy.

Play-Doh donuts, better known as "Daddy's Chocolate"

Some people may wonder why I would undertake such a crazy trip.  One of the reasons I made this choice for my life was so that I would be available for family and friends whenever they needed anything.  They have been there for me through both good and challenging times.  It is important to me to be able to be there for them.  Besides, I get little baby snuggles and laughter filled days from my little niece and nephew.  I'd say those are worth every mile - even the snowy ones!

It has been strange to be back in "civilization" again.  I ended up dropping off my tearbaby at my friend's in Ohio, which means I've gotten to live in a house that I can stand up in AND which has heat!!  Both have been appreciated considering it is still winter in Pennsylvania.  It was quite thrilling when I got to make HOT food in the microwave the first day too.  But I have to confess, I really miss my bucket.  The toilets at my sister's are really tall and elongated and therefore not very comfortable.  Plus I don't have the lovely views I'm used to with my bucket.  Those views really are a great way to start your day.  Then again, having Fuzzy Monkey wake me up in the mornings isn't too bad either.

Fuzzy Monkey

It may surprise you to know that as luxurious as it is for me to be back in a typical house, I really do miss living in my tearbaby and minivan (well, maybe not so much during those super cold days and nights with windstorms raging outside).  Zelda and Grania are MY home and like any of you who go on vacation and stay at a nice place, you find that it is great for a little while, but it's always nice to come home again to your own space.  Though I really will miss washing my hair with running water.

As an added bonus to my trip to PA, it turns out my sister has a Trader Joe's close by which she graciously took me to.  I got to stock up on a couple of my favorite treats from there - raw, unsalted cashews and the raw, unsalted almond butter too.  I got hooked on them when I first started my adventure in November after a friend got them for me.  AND there just happened to be a Moe's Southwest Grill next door! As luck would have it, we went on a Monday, known at Moe's as "Moe's Monday" with their awesome burrito meal deal.  Now, I'm not one to snub a sign from the burrito gods, so I did the only thing I could do in that situation.  YUM!!!  :O)

In other news, my Teardroppin' Life was featured on Do It Yourself RV and Tiny Yellow Teardrop.  I was flattered when Christina Nellemann from Tiny Yellow Teardrop asked to do a story about my full-timing life in a teardrop.  If you haven't been to these sites, I highly recommend checking them out.  Do It Yourself RV is a wonderful resource for anyone full or part-timing in any kind of home on wheels.  Tiny Yellow Teardrop is a fantastic blog and resource for anyone interested in teardrop trailers with great stories and photos of teardrops old and new.

As a result of the stories, my blog's visitor numbers skyrocketed!  It was dizzying and fun watching the stats.  But I have to apologize for being so tied up with family matters that I haven't had a chance to get this post written sooner to welcome all the new visitors or to let faithful followers know I made it to PA safely.  I will help my sister for a couple more weeks, then will go a-visiting family and friends.  After that, I don't know yet.  I have to get my businesses up and running so I can (hopefully) support myself on the road, so I will focus on that task next - just don't know where that focusing will be taking place.  It's still a bit too chilly in this region to hang out.  Oh wait, I've already done that!

Welcome New Readers!  I'm glad to have you along.  For your own safety, please be sure your chairs and tray tables are in their upright position.  I hope you enjoy the ride.    

And a hot towel for your comfort!