Let the Adventuring Begin!

So we did a thing. A BIG thing!  T and I have always loved camping, traveling, being together and being outside together. When we decided to sell our home, we got this crazy idea to live on the road for while. We’re young enough and healthy enough to do it, so why not?! We went round and round about buying an RV and taking Ts job on the road. We had this dream for years! Well- guess what?

We could, so we did! 

We jumped in with both feet. We searched for a perfect fit for us. That took some time. We traveled the state of Colorado looking at various RVs for sale. T needed an uninterrupted workspace that was for him and I needed a space that allowed me NOT to be “working” too. 😉 

We discovered these cool 5th wheels with garages. It’s perfect! He researched office setups for the road and found a really cool desk/monitor setup. He has a door to close off his space, his own AC, and a porch. He is truly working remote. We have a separate living room, bathroom and bedroom, way too many tv’s and a fireplace to boot. We found a Ram 350 dually to haul it. She is lovingly called Bad Mamma Jamba by yours truly and is a dream to drive! I love trucks.❤️  My husband is a star driver of this long beast. 

Our first stop was Salida with our dear friends Bruce and Kathy. We love Salida and staying with them was a perfect place to prepare. We had to figure this thing out, unpack and get ready for the adventure. I set aside boxes and BOXES of stuff for the RV during our move.Too much stuff! I was super organized. Apparently a bit too organized. Now we know. 

So our goals for our adventuring. 

Those who know us, know we are list makers and goal setters. 🤗 T plans to ride one of his bikes in every state of the union. He’s ridden a lot, and in a lot of states, but now we begin a check off list! 

So far Colorado, Utah and today Oregon. 🚵‍♀️ 

My goals for this first adventure- rest my mind and body. Since my cancer last year, I haven’t stopped. I plan to now. Next goal- to write again. And write a lot. We’re blogging our journey along the way. I’m desperately trying to catch up to present day! And I have these children’s books rolling around my brain that need to find their way to paper. 

Our goal together- to go to every National Park! That one is super exciting to us. We are hitting local breweries and wineries too, also fun. We are investing in each other; finding joy in this moment in time. 💗

So that’s what we’re doing! Come along with us. 

Let the adventures begin!

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones

 

Show Me the Water

If we could be in the water, we were in the water. I love swimming. Like REALLY love it. When we moved to Colorado its the thing I missed the most about my time outside. We had a pool growing up and we had a pool when our children were littles. It's not a thing where we lived in Colorado. More of a hot tub climate. After Mom's service, T and I stayed in town for a few more days enjoying family and waiting for our belongings to arrive from Colorado. I am so grateful for the few moments in the pool with everyone. After Mom's service we went to Rob and Jo's community pool to relax and cool off then one day all the cousins went back to swim some more. We  also had the joy of celebrating the 4th of July at the Johnson's home - in the pool. Not only do I love water, but it was also CRAZY hot the week we were in Tennessee. Now my home search includes a pool. 😀 Or at least the space to build one! 

Yay Team Pool!

Celebrating Momma

Momma loved flowers

My Red Bird tattoo

Aunt Carolyn

All things Momma

Me and Momma

Aunt Pat and Uncle Walty- Mom's brother

My siblings and dad

My playmates and cousins growing up in Kentucky

 Still can't believe she's gone or that I'm writing a post talking about this moment in time. It's when I scroll through pictures on my phone, or memories pop up on Facebook, or I see people who are a huge part of mom's life that it all comes crashing in again. I've heard songs or people saying, just one more day, that's all I ask and then suddenly you're living it out, and you GET what that means. Oh goodness do I.

Before this day, life was moving so fast. So much happening at one time it has been hard to process it all still.

Selling the home we built together

Traveling to see Grands

Momma in hospital

Daughter in hospital twice

Momma dies, working on her memorial service with my sister

Figuring out Dad and how to help him

Traveling for a sweet baby dedication

Daughter slowly healing, finding help and hope 💖

Packing, and then packing some more

Saying goodbyes

T's Truck in need of serious repair- fixed finally

Physically moving

Buying Bad Mamma Jamma truck and a 5th wheel

Driving some more

Trying to catch our breath....

And here I am, sitting still finally able to write about Mom's celebration. 

It was a beautiful day. A hot day but beautiful. Dad was able to share sweet memories which was so lovely to hear, my siblings and I all shared our heart, Pastor Jack spoke, Darrell sang, we all cried, prayed, and celebrated Mom. 

Her favorite bird is a cardinal or "red bird" as she called it. We had the cutest little red birds in all the flower arrangements and placed around the room. A sweet nod to mom. I actually got a tattoo of one just above my ankle. We had so much yummy southern food for the reception luncheon that followed and of course sweet tea. It was A-mazing seeing so many of my cousins too. I didn't get all the pictures I had hoped for but a spattering here and there. 

I really miss Momma. I miss my healthy sparkly mom. She loved life and loved her people. I know one day I get to see her again in Heaven, but for now that doesn't help much. Truth. I'd like to see her now feeling great and enjoying life. So yes, I'd like one more day. 

I love you Momma. You're dearly missed. 

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones

Across the Midwest We Go

T and I said our first goodbye to our friends James and Michele and started off towards Kansas. Our first stop was with our friends Scott and Debbie of which I apparently did not get a picture of! Sorry Northways! We woke up in the middle of the night to some loud booms. I asked T if that was thunder and then we heard it again. You've got to be kidding me! We had nothing covered in the truck or trailer. We woke up early and got back on the road for Murfreesboro with a trailer and truck full of wet. Just wet. Boxes, a big rug, tools... wet. We figured the wind would dry most of it out but we were so wrong. Why, you ask? Well, it rained even more! By the time we pulled into Murfreesboro, we had to unload everything and spread it out on the Walkers garage floor. I am still hesitant my large family room rug survived. 

Evidence of how much it rained across the Midwest. 

Still raining.😒

We made it! Everyone was super happy. 

Let the drying begin.

 This blog is called Reality Check. Here's mine- You can plan all you want. Sometimes life happens. Take it as it comes, breathe and move on.

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones

Moving and New Adventures Await

What a season we have been in. After YEARS of praying, talking a bit of arguing (It's real), and more waiting, we made the move to Tennessee. It was time. Three of our four kids and their families are there, two of my three siblings and their families are there and 6 of our 7 grands are there. My folks moved there last year. It was time for us to join everyone. A dream in the making for many years, 27 years to be exact. When we were in California with all of our tiny kiddos and each family started dispersing for work and lifestyle choices, we said then, "One day we will all be together again." We made that promise to each other. And this is that day! T and I prayed we'd find some friends to buy our home. No easy task, just saying, BUT GOD! I prayer walked our property last fall talking to God. Like OUT LOUD.T was working on a project and said, "What are you doing, exercising?" "Praying! I'm praying!"  I told God, we need this one thing to be easy. Lots of not-so-easy had been happening and I was truly crying out to Jesus while I walked in circles, "God! Please finds some friends for this home. Find someone who needs what we created here. Please make this part easy." And He did. Oh my goodness He did just that! Why do we doubt His provision? So fast forward to this day. Moving is messy. so very messy and exhausting! I packed the whole house myself other than the garage and Ts office. He did that. We had some strong young men pack the truck out on day one and T and James finished packing it day two and three, T fined tunes all the logistics, worked his job mind you during all of this, and let's not forget unpacked the truck into storage! I'll save that for another post.  

We were actually doing this. We were really moving our heart and home to Tennessee. Just before driving away, we paused in our amazing home on Forest View Way that we designed, created, and built together, cried some tears and prayed over this home one last time. Thanking God for the years He gave us and all the memories we shared at this beautiful place. We are truly thankful for the years we shared here.

Driving off to Tennessee

 

All this, ALL of this is for the RV. 

Last minute shoving of the last few things!

Our home.💗

Cleaning, cleaning and cleaning

And this too needs a box!

So much happens in a move. So. So. Much. But we did it! Our new adventure starts now. 

Goodbye Colorado. We love you. Hello Tennessee, we can't wait to see what's next!

Thanks for listening,

Tuna Jones