Reflections of 2019

At the suggestion of Mike H, I am taking a few minutes to reflect on this past years blessings.

Ten years ago if you would have said I’d be towing a tiny house across the country, I would have thought you’d lost your mind. But, here I am, 10 years later, towing a tiny house across the country.

My dream began a few years ago while watching tiny house shows on TV. I knew that’s what I wanted to do when I retired. Yet, retirement seemed so far away. Thankfully the new RF meters that were replacing the old TNS meters that I worked on eliminated my job and it couldn’t have happened at a better time ! After working a total of 43 years … 38 years at an awesome Fortune 500 utility company and 5 years at another company, I was indeed ready to become a retiree !! So, to commemorate the occasion, on Dec 8th, 2018 I had a huge retro/disco/birthday/retirement bash complete with a DJ, karaoke, photo booth & catered food. I knew I would be leaving and never returning so I wanted to celebrate with all my dear friends in a big way!

Then my dream began 1/1/19 when I officially retired. That same month I visited an Amish tiny house construction company, Liberation Tiny Homes, located 1 hour from my home. It was so convenient, like it was meant to be. On January 7th, I gave them a deposit to put my build on their schedule. There was no turning back now!

On Feb 2nd, I went to the car dealership and ordered a larger truck, because my F150 was not tough enough to tow the 12,000 pound home that was being designed. The dealer ordered a turbo diesel F250 with a F450 chassis, suspension & receiver. This truck was going to be bad ass!

In the meantime, I had to begin purging my home that I lived in for the past 25 years, of all the ‘stuff’ that I wasn’t able to take with me … I had to downsize from a full ranch home with basement & shed to a tiny house that was less than 300 sq feet ! Over the next 5 months I donated, sold, recycled, trashed and gave away 3/4 of my life. That was quite an emotional experience!

On March 29th my new truck arrived. In April they began framing my tiny house. I spent the next 8 weeks working on purging my home & driving back & forth to Leola to check on my tiny house progress. Then in June when my landscaper came to cut my grass, he informed me that his neighbor was interested in buying my home ! What ?! They came to my home & loved it and were willing to buy it as is … this meant that I didn’t have to paint or replace appliances plus I didn’t have to hire a realtor!!

On June 3rd my tiny house was delivered to my driveway. On June 8th I had a tiny house open house party. House settlement was scheduled for August 12th at 3pm. My friends kept asking me when I was going to practice towing the house. Secretly, I didn’t want to deal with it. A Dog Squad friend, Wendy arranged for someone to teach me to tow an empty trailer, which was easy. But, I never practiced towing a 12,000 pound home until I pulled it out of my driveway after settlement on 8/12. That evening I towed my tiny house to Niagara Falls.

From 8/12 to 10/6, I towed over 3,000 miles through 8 states & 17 campgrounds. I’ve been at Disney ever since. It’s hard to leave the happiest place on earth !! I always dreamed of being at Disney during the holidays, now I can check that bucket dream off my list.

Sadie & I have met thousands of people & their pets during our journey. I met some awesome folks in each state especially at Gettysburg, Beverly Beach and Disney, but in between those stops this journey had been lonely and at times scary. Like the time we stayed at a truck stop overnight 😳 or the couple times I just didn’t feel comfortable staying at two campsites because of their guests.

My friends back home have been a constant support always encouraging me to follow my dreams !! I appreciate y’all more than you’ll ever know or understand.

Thanks to Mary D & her friend for visiting us at Lake George!

My Dog Squad friends, Sue, Lori, Irene & Wendy always take a photo of me along with them on their girls night outings.

My friend Mike H totally surprised me by coordinating a phone call with about 8 of my ex coworkers to wish Sadie & I a Merry Christmas!

My friend, Ann also surprised me by sending me a birthday card that was signed by a dozen ex coworkers!

I want to especially thank Lori & Mike and Rob & Diane & Kim for showing me the sights around Disney.

Thanks to Bill S for taking a few hours out of his busy schedule to visit with me while he was in Orlando during a business conference!

Thanks to Ann & Temple, John & Nancy N, Christine D, Carmen, Mary & Ann, Bill & Denise, Louise, Bruce & Mary, Joe L, Hesong, Cherie & Joe, Vicki, Sue D, Michele P, George, Jeannie & Dave, Gwen & David, Judy & Jim, Lisa & Mike W, Dorothy M, Roxane, Carol F, Jayne, Sandi & hubby, Melissa & Robert, Patti, Barb & Dave, Lisa D, Greg & Jeannie, Phyllis H, Eric D, Barry, Tammy & Doug, Aileen, Larry & Tristan, Mary R, Cindy R, Antoinette & Chris, I am truly sorry if I missed mentioning your name … Thanks to all for following my blog and sending us comments! 😃💖

As we all begin a new decade, let us say farewell to any negativity or pain and concentrate on being positive & our hearts filled with kindness, joy, peace, love, good health & wealth.

My New Years resolution is the same every year, I commit myself to doing a random act of kindness to an individual each day. It’s a very rewarding resolution!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 🎊 to all my old & new friends, your families & your beloved pets !!

Blessings 🙏 to all !!

Donna & Sadie 🐾

This photo was taken the night Sadie & I left on our journey !! 😂