Silver Sisters Online Rally

[JulianneJ]

Originally Posted by Carlita

Hey JulianneJ. Sorry for your loss. Having a pet is pretty special.

So I'm looking to take off for sunny weather down south in the next couple weeks. Do you know of any rallies or AS get togethers in Arizona or with the 4 corners unit?Thanks!!

Well, we are having a semi private rally Nov 5th, would have to check but I would say more the merrier. Then there is our NYE Rally which you shouldn't miss, such a blast.

Thanks, the pooch was old, new chapter in my life. Wheels keep rollin'.

[Carlita]

Hey thanks Julianne. I would love to meet on the 5th! No worries though if it doesn't work out. Just let me know. The NYE sounds like fun too! I'm just itching to hit the road and find some sunny weather. I have friends in Phoenix that I want to go see and maybe go to the Quartzite turkey day rally. So, I look forward to hearing about the Nov 5th rally. You can email me at cariking1956@gmail.com or just post here or on my profile. Thanks again!

[Mellen60]

Originally Posted by codybear

Happy Valentines Day, Sisters!..my hubby left me a love note early this morning next to the one I left for him on the table: his words " happy valentine's day to you too..even drew a heart w/an arrow through it...and then he wrote, I went to get you a present...now, is that sweet or what?

Oops, I rubhed my eyes and reread the note: "I went to get you a pheasant."..and 3 hours later, he came back with 2!!..

Hahahha! Being married to a hunter, I can totally relate. For our 15 wedding anniversary he unveiled a giant portrait (I thought was of the kids) but nooooo...it was of Elk on a mountain side. My face dropped and he cheered me up by saying, "Oh, look, Honey...carefully, see...there's a bunch more elk hidden in the background."

I struck out on my own last year with a 16' DWR Bambi (my kids are 30, 27, and 24) with the full support of my hubby who does not like to camp. I grew up camping in tents and fishing and now I'm hitting the open road and excited to join this online group.

Is there a midwest to east coast Silver Sisters group? I really can't get all the way to CA from mid-Michigan. I'm semi-retired so can get away for a week to 10 days at a crack. I'd like to find some salt of the earth, git-r-done women in my neck of the woods.

We live on a farm and so I've always driven heavy equipment. My Bambi is a tinker toy compared to the huge implements I pull down the road with my tractor. Yes, I'm guilty....I'm the one holding everybody up on the road. Be nice, I grow your food! (wink)

My little German Shorthaired Pointer (his bird dog) rides shotgun on all of my trips and I'm never alone. So far I've gone to Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio on rallys. This year I'm headed to White River Jct., Vermont in September, Kentucky again for the Dogwoods/Bluegrass rally, and up north in the UP to Taquamenon Falls (sp?) and am hosting my first ever Rally, Exploring Under the Bridge. I'm hooked on Airstreaming and can see myself doing this full time in the next ten years.

Hi everybody! Kelly in Michigan's Winter-Water Wonderland.

[Airbiscuit]

I hope to meet up with you for an Ohio rally or even the metro detroit rally. We host a few here in Ohio. First one will be April 5-8!

[05ModPod]

I know I know -I'm just as bad - but for a while there it seemed like I was the only one posting on this thread and it gets kind of boring talking to yourself LOL.

I just wanted to see if anyone had been here - well unless Ralph has grown boobs - where the heck are all the Silver Sisters these days?

Lots of changes in my life that is for sure.

First which maybe or maybe not the Airstream grapevine may have circulated rumours but alas life is life and it can throw you all sorts of curves at anytime.

My life is complicated but there is one constant in it - AIRSTREAMS!

I'm living in mine now full time - albeit a bit on the small side but she has all the comforts of home.

It has always been my dream to live the spring/summer and fall in the north and the winter in the south and travel the shoulder seasons.

I have almost finished school - just panning out my internship with a short Documentary Journalism company who will be hiring me on at my completion, and a few assignments to wrap up. All his staff work from their homes and he is more than comfortable with me working during the winter months from my favourite spot - Charleston, SC. I am his new Research and Grant Development coordinator working for Historyliveshere.ca

I have leased a 60 x60 little waterfront lot in a seasonal RV Resort just outside of Stirling Ontario. It is a great spot and the owners are fabulous. They have owned this park now for 9 years. Have made huge strides in cleaning out the old style "trailer park" and making huge changes to make it into a nice RV Resort. They have a long way to go - but I jumped on the new sites they have just opened up. I am working for them in various capacities using a variety of my employment skills. Over the summer months I hope to put some of the my journalism skills to work for them as well.

I have spent a bit of time moving, building a shed and getting the place looking like home. Eventually I do see myself buying a park model that will give me the space I need and store the ModPod ready for travel at a moments notice which will be part of my new job.

My more recent challenge is finding a place closer to my Girlfriend in Charleston - but their mobile parks are much to be desired and the nice camps are super expensive and while starting out on a shoe string budget is just not in my cards.

So... some may ask where is Peter in all this. Peter and I have gone our separate ways - for various reasons and not just the obvious. We had a good long stretch of 29 years together, but that was about all either of us could manage. We are as always great friends and will do what we can to support each other as our lives together unwind. We have our house back on the market and hoping it will sell in the next few months. His health both mind and body has not been the greatest of late and he just needs time alone to get on his feet. Although he has found a wonderful woman to share his time with and who will watch over him I am sure - he still needs to re-invent his own life again.

I too am very happy with my Girlfriend although we do not get to spend very much time together. It works out best for me right now as I have a whole new life to build and concentrate on becoming financially independent.

Peter lost his job a few months back and is in litigation for his severance package. The dang township has brought up the land issue and muddied his dismissal with it - that is way beyond statute of limitations and just a horrible way to push his buttons.

Through his own neglect he let his health deteriorate back in December and severely compromised his new islet cells. He crashed to the point of almost dying by ignoring both his diabetes and his immune suppressant diseases.

He is now back on insulin although not as much as when he originally started his transplant process and the islets seem to be recovering. He is back talking to those who can help him and is recovering once again.

I truly hope he has learned from his way of life - that he needs to stand up for himself and not rely on other people to take care of him. He has a huge medical support team and knows exactly who to turn to for help - but that saying you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink is Peter through and through.

Well just thought I would bring all my airstream friends up to date. I have a few maintenance issues that I need to look into on the trailer. I will need to spend some time over the summer and get her ship shape for travel in November. I have a bundle of money to make and put away - as I literally left home 4 weeks ago with only $200.00 in my pocket.

Just for inspiration - my advice to everyone - is seek your true happiness in life - you only have one chance to live it. It is a hard place out there but there is NOTHING that you can not do unless you put your mind to it.

Cheers - and I sure hope a lot of you are still out there in your airstreams traveling, camping and meeting new people.

Hoping this will find each of you in good health and happy in your lives.

Maybe we can see each other down the road...

[kposey]

Hey Ladybug,

Just read your post. I am sorry that things did not work out with you and Peter. I was married for 18 years and the last 4 were just horrible! I was so glad to get out and actually saw that I was better off all the way around. Sometimes it is hard to reinvent your life, but good in the long run.

Things here are going the same. Still have the pet sitting business, but also have a 15 1/2 yr old English Setter, so my days (or nights) of staying over are done for now. She gets a little panicked when she can smell me. She is blind as a bat, but has a great smeller on her!

Switched from a motor home back to a trailer and have been out several times. Love having the TV to go places in when camping. Planning a trip to Emerald Isle, NC this summer. Never been there and looking forward to it.

Hope all continues to go well for you and you get to do your traveling!

[wheel interested]

Hey Silver Sisters I'm still around too but definitely slowing down. Since I last posted I turned the big 60 I am thinking of getting more seriously into hiking (in preparation of when I get old enough that they finally take my license away or when gas costs too much, whichever happens first.)

Seriously, I would like to concentrate on hiking, birding and photography and perhaps a little journaling but I have yet to be able to make that first mark on paper. A little personal development seems in order for this old bird as I transition into the next phase of my individuation and second half of life. This will be the cultural phase until one day on the mountain I get eaten by a bear. Well that's the plan for now anyway.

[05ModPod]

Hi Kathy...

Sorry I did not get back sooner...I am running between places on weekends. Spring time is finally here and we have to take turns in cleaning up the property from the winter growth. Over the years we put in lots of perennial gardens. Mind you the forest keeps wanting to take it back and I have been very lax of late in letting it. But for the house showings it is nice to at least get rid of the brambles and clear out the leaves - even that job is a good days work and my back is killing me.

At least this time around we don't have any purging to do - did it all last summer. Well I did anyway as he was recovering from his surgeries - he did help loading things and moving things - but twas I who went through a billion boxes and got his massive garage spotless. But it is still filled with all the parts to the "ladybug" which it is a dang shame that he has done nothing with her since. It could have been all finished by now and he would have a place to stay when we sell the house. Alas he has his sites on his boat and living on that - it has no amenities other than a porta-potti - so I wonder if he will be re-fitting her to live on. Again will all depend on where he finds a new job. For now he spends most of his time at his GF's.

With neither of us at the house it stays nice and tidy and clean for showings - just wish we had more!!!

Thanks for your empathy - I can't say ours was horrible - just not easy and very draining. Neither of us had it in us to continue to grow as individuals just got completely lost in the us - and for me that us was awfully one-sided. I just had no more to give, and could no longer live in constant worry about someone who just does not take care of themselves. So how I figure is we have done each other a big favour and given each other a new lease on life - I have never wanted anything more than for him to get up each day and feel happy with his life - and together we just were not happy anymore.

Haily has adjusted and really likes the time with me - she has missed me terribly being at school these last two years. Of course Mommy tends to her far better than he ever did. In fact that was always a big worry with me gone. I would come home and both dogs would be really down and depressed obviously from lack of attention and long long periods being left alone. Their coats would be dull and they would both be stiff from lack of exercise. By the time I would go back to school they were back to their selves only to have a week of neglect again. But he never saw it - ha he just never saw anything.

There was a time there I really considered getting into a motorhome - but for some reason the pros did not out way the negatives. At least not for me at that time. I am still glad that I have the 22' - not sure I would want to tow something bigger - as that would mean bigger truck and bigger repairs and gas too - and the way gas is now - it is a good thing I am parked for the next 7 months. Ha to get away for a change I might have to consider tenting it LOL.

My Girlfriend laughed when I arrived - I had no shed so everything had to go into a tent - she said well at least you will have a spare bedroom.

The shed is built now and I'm giving some thought to some sort of deck - but can not afford to build one new - so need to place some ads out there for used building material. We have some left over from the garage project - so I might have enough to build the base - just need to find some old deck boards. And will have to spring for the cement base deck blocks as nothing can be permanent here..

While I was fixing the propane tank cover I just caught this rainbow - first I just watched in awe then realized I should run and get my camera ha...I missed part of the second one - was only there full for a split second.


My Dad who just turned 80 was a sweetheart and came out to help me build the shed. We started off on a nice day and then all of a sudden the wind picked up and created a nightmare job!! Dad became the human wind brace and spent most of the time holding things while I raced to get a billion screws and nuts and bolts in her. Managed the four walls and one roof panel and Dad was worn out so he left. I stayed up until 3:30 to get her secure enough to sustain 40mph winds for heaven sake. Without a pair of second hands I had to be innovative and used half a roll of duck tape - Red Green would have been proud. But what a site in the morning - I wonder what people thought driving by if they saw it LOL. Finished it off in the morning. Good and sturdy once up but heck I will never buy one again.


Haily is the big sheep dog - at least that is what her hair is like - long over due her spring bath - which she had this weekend. Still looks the same just nice and soft. I have brushed her every other day since I have been here to avoid the clumps of winter hair shedding - thus far it has worked okay.

[Carlita]

Hi Silver sisters!! So good to read about everyone and how you're all doing. Ladybug you're only 60?!? Why you're just a spring chick!! You have many bonus decades ahead before they catch up with you and take your license away!!

GT, I'm so sorry to hear about you and Peter. It sounds like you were both given a gift, though, with a second chance at creating a life that you love. I'm so excited for you!! You've gone back to school and are laying down the foundation of your new life. That is so inspiring!!!

I didn't make it to the Morro Bay Silver Sisters rally. I was pretty bummed! I'm glad though, everyone who attended, had a great time. I look forward to more conversations on this thread, that inform, inspire and support all of us Silver Sisters!! Take care everyone and have a great day!!

Oh, I forgot. There's a great book out there called "My Time" by Abigale Trafford. It's all about what she calls the 'bonus decades' after 50. I've re-read mine for the 3rd time. It's not a 'how to' book but it gives many examples of re-invention and how we're all normal, with our fears, questions or actions we take, in our second lifetime. It was inspiring and comforting to read.

Ok, that's it from me! Take care.

~Cari~

[05ModPod]

Hey Carol - your plan sounds delightful and full of wonder - especially hiking and shooting out in the nature...journaling well I'm with you - would love to do it seriously one day but alas all my thoughts seem to be in posts what would we do without the social media these days.

Oh - since I am still too far away to be upsides - Happy belated B-Day. I let mine go by the quiet side too - who really wants to be reminded that we are now getting younger tee hee... I do remember though you and I had thoughts of whooping it up on that special year - oh yeah it was last year 2011!

PS Carli - now let us get one thing straight - Wheelinterested aka Carol - is my elder by wiseness and beauty - I who go by Ladybug - but to lazy to change my GT1963 - to ModPod - would be just passed my 50 mark - ug already had the 51 - so I am cruising along to catch up to my friend above me

[05ModPod]

I have tackled the little - okay not so little job of building shelves in my closet.
I wanted something simple that can come apart easily.

Doing it on a shoe string budget which means CHEAP no money ha ha - I went shopping in our garage for scrap pieces that I thought would do the trick.

Have a middle piece that rests on the HWT Lid - the shelves will screw to it on the left side and on the right I will pop some L brackets - but have not quite decided how yet - I'm slow...ha

I needed to leave some space to hang a few clothes and to keep some of my storage bins - so it was not just a matter of building straight shelves that would not come out - as I have to access the water heater at least twice a year to switch the valves.

[Carlita]

Originally Posted by GT1963

I have tackled the little - okay not so little job of building shelves in my closet.
I wanted something simple that can come apart easily.

Doing it on a shoe string budget which means CHEAP no money ha ha - I went shopping in our garage for scrap pieces that I thought would do the trick.

Have a middle piece that rests on the HWT Lid - the shelves will screw to it on the left side and on the right I will pop some L brackets - but have not quite decided how yet - I'm slow...ha

I needed to leave some space to hang a few clothes and to keep some of my storage bins - so it was not just a matter of building straight shelves that would not come out - as I have to access the water heater at least twice a year to switch the valves.

You are definitely creative and resourceful!!! I want to build some lightweight removable shelves too. Maybe when you're done, you can post some pics to see how you did yours. Good luck!

~Cari~

[Carlita]

PS Carli - now let us get one thing straight - Wheelinterested aka Carol - is my elder by wiseness and beauty - I who go by Ladybug - but to lazy to change my GT1963 - to ModPod - would be just passed my 50 mark - ug already had the 51 - so I am cruising along to catch up to my friend above me [/QUOTE]

Shoot! I did get that wrong! Carol, you are just a youngster at 60!!!! And a fun one to boot! You always make me laugh! And Ladybug (GT) you are hardly old enough to shave those legs!!! I'm almost right in the middle of you two, at 56. Yep, just a whipper-snapper!!!

I really admire all you Silver Sisters! You're smart, creative, hard working, adventurous and a lot of fun!!! I'm so glad to have connected here with you. You inspire me. Even though life can be hard and crazy sometimes, it's still good, especially with neat people like you!!!

Ciao for now, you wild women!!!

~Cari~

[05ModPod]

Gosh Carli - they are nothing fancy at all - the shelves that is. Because they sit behind closet doors I was not overly concerned how they looked. I am on such a tight budget - I just grabbed what I could from the garage to make them with.

We had some end cuts from the pine flooring most of them about 1X2's same as you could buy in the store. I put two 1x2 about a foot apart and screwed a brace top and bottom and then added three more 13 inches apart for the shelves.

For the shelf I just used that really thin stuff they used to (or still do) line the closets with - some cedar board about 1/8th inch thick. I screwed a 1x2 pine piece on the other side where it would then be screwed to the 1 inch L brackets (2) to the right closet wall. When I go to remove it I just have to unscrew 6 screws from the wall and the whole thing comes out.

Sorry the pic was taken with iphone - and you can't see the pine support pieces under the shelf on the right side.

Ha you can tell that my end pieces were tongue and grove - hence not very pretty. I put the top and bottom braces on the opposite side for some reason to that of the shelves - probably by mistake but for the purpose of holding face here - lets just say it gives it better structural support ROFL!!! But seriously I did have a reason at the time but I could not remember - it will come to me I think....no wait yes - because I wanted to put hooks on them to hang my belts! - ha that's not a bad save eh.

As you see I needed to still have some hanging space and I still wanted to keep a few of the bins I store stuff in in their same places - I have an extra shelf at the bottom that I put things as well.

They did the trick - free and fairly easy to do. Now of course I could have done an elaborate shelving system and go the shelf supports and riveted into the wall and create a new trap door to access only the valves to the water heater - but heck I need the shelves NOW and I have no power tools here and could not afford the expensive melamine white shelving or aluminum supports and Peter took my damn rivet gun again out of my tool box - not to mention I don't even have any rivets cause he took those too.

[wheel interested]

Sharon I don't know why Carli keeps mixing us up do you? Clearly you are lady bug and I of course am not.

[wheel interested]

Just like...



Heckle and Jeckle



and Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck!

[wheel interested]

No, not Lady Bug...



Just Sharon and me

[Carlita]

[QUOTE=wheel interested;1140017]Just like...



Heckle and Jeckle



and Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck!

That's too cute Carol!!!! I kinda think I got it now. Hopefully!

Oh, btw......My name is Cari, not Carli. Carlita is my wild alter ego . Ciao for now!!

~Cari~

[05ModPod]

Well Cari - AKA Carli - it is indeed a pleasure to know you - seriously don't mind us - we have not chatted for a while and it is funny - when we used to be on this board more than we really had time in a day for - our posts and mistaken identity would be a tickle at the virtual campfires...

Like a comedy ACT that attracts the silver sisters out of the woodwork....which could be our ulterior motive here....

It is nice to see you posting ....drum up some others will ya - it is still cold in this part of the continent and there is no dang wood for the virtual fire and I am starving and missing all the neat things the sisters used to bring for us to eat!

[wheel interested]

Originally Posted by GT1963

It is nice to see you posting ....drum up some others will ya - it is still cold in this part of the continent and there is no dang wood for the virtual fire and I am starving and missing all the neat things the sisters used to bring for us to eat!

Sounds great Sharon! Oh and btw so did calling me your elder in wiseness and beauty. See everybody this is why we are friends. Since the first rally when Sharon knocked me off my chair unexpectedly we have been jabbing and elbowing ever since...

Cari, so sorry to hear you had to miss the Morro Bay Silver Sisters Rally but I bet you will just make a point to have twice the fun at your next one. I tracked down that book, ""My Time" by Abigale Trafford," and saved it to my wishlist at Amazon and look forward to reading it and about what I can do in my bonus decades. Thanks for the recommendation. I love to read.

OK Sharon, and Hey Kathy, Loren, Kelly, Juliannne, Lou, Danalee, everybody out there grab your chairs or pull up a log and let's get this party started again. I want to hear everything that has been going on. What are you making? What are you baking? Where have you gone? Lou tell us about your trip to Alaska!


Sharon will you jump on that pick up truck over there and grab those little twigs and loose bark from the bottom of the truck bed before the fire goes out, or shall I? (Remember the We Can Tow It Rally at Poor Farmers? )



and start with some marshmallows



and get some s'mores ready. We have a hungry crowd gathering!