September 2nd, Sunday – We are Nomads; Next Project is Window Awnings; An Odds and Ends Day

So today a major announcement for myself and Barbara.  After much discussion and realizing how blessed we have been overall by our good Lord since we have been on The Road of Retirement, we have made the decision that we want to give thanks in a concrete way by helping others.  Therefore, we have proudly joined the Methodist NOMADS organization.  I believe their mission statement says it all and expresses exactly why we chose to join:  NOMADS provide volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations. NOMADS demonstrate God’s love through our work and by listening to the people with whom we work. We do new construction, remodeling, and repairs for churches, children’s homes, camps, colleges, outreach missions and disaster rebuilding. Team members do maintenance, cleaning, painting, electrical, drywall, sewing, flooring. With God’s help, NOMADS pretty much do it all.  Work projects are three weeks in length and a FHU site is provided while you are on site for the project.  We are looking at beginning possibly in October if we can rearrange part of our existing schedule.  We’ll keep you posted.

Today was a day of odds and ends.  I finally purchased some Murphy’s Wood Cleaner 

and finally cleaned all the wood cabinets and other wood work in Graybeard.  So now I can check another project off my long and always growing list of things that need to be done.  I also added West Virginia and Tennessee to our state map on the side of Graybeard.  OK, we only have fourteen states as of now but the list is slowly growing.

Now, the next major project will be – drum roll please – window awnings on the drivers side of Graybeard.  I’ve pondered, researched, listened to comments from you regarding

how helpful they can be on either a hot or rainy day and made the decision to install them.  I’ve chosen a gray vinyl full view window shade.  Tuesday I’ll place my order with Shade Pro and hopefully they will be here in no more than two weeks.   Once they are installed the next big ticket item will be a satellite system from Dish Network.  That will

be installed once we are in Florida.  We’re also having chassis work done when we get to Florida.  I’m a firm believer in the old saying You take care of your rig and it will take care of you.

Now about RV’s in general.  I had a rather interesting discussion with a gentlemen a week ago.  He was parked alongside us at Fort Chiswell RV Park.  He had a 2015

Winnebago Vista bath and a half model.  The discussion turned to full time RV living and what he said sort of caught me off guard.  His comment was:  we could never live full time in this rig, it would never hold up.  Lean against a wall and it flexes.  Same for doors and cabinets.  Which makes me wonder what in the world are they building these days?   And makes me ever more grateful for the way that Graybeard was put together.  Our rig is solid.  I guess they just don’t make them like they used to.  Thank you Lord for helping us to find such a great home on wheels.

If you are wondering, yes, another storm came through today.  Not as bad as the past

couple of days but once again it did bring some relief from the heat.  Which if I could I would gladly turn off for all of you who are coming south sometime soon.

One more thing, we made the Ice Cream Social at the Activity Hall this afternoon.  Yummy to say the least.  All kinds of flavors, and of course good company.  In fact, I met a gentlemen who is doing what I originally thought we might be doing during retirement.  He, at the rather young age of 76, is touring the country on a Honda Goldwing motorcycle towing a popup tent camper.   No, I’m not disappointed that that plan did not come to pass.  I’m extremely comfortable doing what we are doing.  What does Barbara have to say about the original plan?  I believe you can guess!

So that was our day from beginning to end.  Another fantastic day on The Road of Retirement.  Made even better of course by the fact that we traveled along, side by side, singing our song.  Thanks again for joining us and for your continued comments.  It’s nice to know we have others traveling along with us.  As I wrap up this post here is something for each of to ponder:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before