Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

Our Friends

Saturday, July 31, 2010

A Thank You to Our Friends

It MUST be the weather!!! At least that is what I’m gonna blame! What you ask?? My mood. My mood has been really….well I think it was Donna of (Cave Dwellings) that said it best…. I’m in a “blue funk.” I’m not sure what in the world a blue funk is but I would bet that pretty well sums it up. Thanks Donna… I have the diagnosis!!

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It is hot…hot and humid. Hot and humid makes everything look like it is struggling to just stay alive….even the humans. Our temperatures have reached into the 100s more times than I want to recall and the heat index has made it seem like desert temperatures.

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So I begin to ask myself, “why am I sitting in this campground in a motor home?”

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That is when I started reading a few of our “friends” blogs. It’s interesting how the “future” full-timers talk about how we, the current full-timers, keep them motivated and inspired. I remember those days. I discovered today that it really goes both ways.

Reading about how several of our “friends” are purging their houses, waiting for someone to look at their house or make an offer. Reading about the yard sales, the painting, cleaning and the WAITING…..WAITING!! Gee, it brought back so many memories!

That is when I took a look around and realized how lucky and fortunate we are; even if we are sitting in a HOT campground. We have the freedoms that come with this lifestyle. We have a debt free, job free and almost stress free lifestyle to live (nothing is totally stress free).

THEN

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We have met some of the most fantastic people in the short time we have been full-timing. There are no words to describe how these wonderful people have impacted our lives. Then there is this wonderful “family” of bloggers we belong to. I used the word “family” because I read where

Sam (Sam and Donna-5th Wheel Vagabonds) used

that term. You are right Sam…it is a family of sorts.

Wow! I think I am beginning to recover from my “blue funk.” Just stopping and thinking about where we have been and where we are now helps you realize just how blessed your life is.

Thanks for stopping by and helping me cure the “blue funk.” You are important to Mike and I and we wish you all a wonderful weekend full of good times and NO “blue funks.”

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Thought for Today:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Mark Twain

26 comments:

  1. Multiple days of 100 plus would make anyone a bit blue.

    I do think Mark Twain got it exactly right.

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  2. Not sure what a "blue funk" is either, but glad to see you are feeling better.

    Terrific photos tonight - thanks for posting them!

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  3. welcome to our family Mike and Gerri!..one day our paths will cross..blue funk or not!!.and yes you are very fortunate..remember the line..if you don't like you neighbours..get those wheels a movin..same goes for the weather..come on up to BC..it is beautiful here..!!.love the thought for the day..

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  4. Glad to read that your "funk" may be leaving you. I feel the same way about our Blog Family. They are all pretty darn great folks. It is always a pleasure and mood-lifter to read many different blogs each day. Hope you guys will also enjoy your weekend!

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  5. We are here to help each other. And you two, Mike and Gerri, are a fantastic help to many, many folks. Not only as campground hosts, but as bloggers. Your uplifting comments help me every day! And with you comments, you show that you care about each blogger. You have set a wonderful example for the rest of us. Please accept my cyber-hug for each of you!

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  6. Beautiful photos!! I understand your blue funk...sometimes they just set in for no reason. You did the right thing to get yourself out of it!!

    We have left the gorgeous western MT/WY temps and are now in the 90's for who knows how long. UGH!! But we'll be busy with friends & riding so the time will pass quickly. Before we know it, we'll be in IN at the Gypsy Journal Rally!

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  7. I love your new picture at the top of your blog! I definitely understand - I think "blue funk" is a universal condition that we all get sometimes. Like you and the rest of your commenters, I also really appreciate this community/family of bloggers. I feel really blessed to have become a part of it. :)

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  8. Yup - that Mark Twain was a smart fellow! We too appreciate our RV extended family - especially those enjoying the warm beauty of Georgia after the cool fun of Mardi Gras!

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  9. Thanks for the mention in your blog today, Although we are all members of God's Family, after I started blogging and started reading the daily occurances of all the blogger families I read about, I soon started noticing that I was feeling the same feelings when one of those families, experienced a family happening, we would feel the pain and heartaches of sickness's amd losses and it soon became apparent, that they were indeed part of an extended family, when we have had setbacks and losses, our blogger friend's stepped right up to send encouragement & consolations, When we share their happy days and vacations and see their family pictures, we ooh! and ahh! just like it was our own. It has really become a source of great enjoyment and joy to us. Now we hope someday we will get to meet all of these fine people,Please keep up your great work and hope you will have a great week. Be safe out there Sam & Donna.

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  10. I am well familiar with that 'Blue Funk' stuff & it comes upon me just after returning home from our travels at the end of each March. It generally sticks with me all summer until we get the big wheels rolling again in October. There is no shaking it for me simply because I would much sooner be on the road living the great RV lifestyle that I enjoy so much during the winter months.

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  11. Great Blog Gerri, I couldn't agree more about the RVing family we have out. They are wonderful. All of us are so fortunate to be living a life most people will only dream about. No matter how down I get it is still better than when I was working. Mark Twain quote is right on. Here is another quote: It's where we go, and what we do when we get there that tells us who we are. (Joyce Carol Oates). I reflect on this quote a lot. I know it's hot right now but I think it will be an early winter. We have been seeing Canadian geese flying south this past week. At least I hope it will be an early winter. Hugs to you and Mike.

    Stay Safe,
    Rollie & Gina

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  12. How appropriate that Mike and Gerri win a one year supply of happiness and bliss for discovering the clues and naming the place where Maureen was!! In your travels, please stop by any Wille E. Coyote/Acme store to claim your prize. Please remember that none of their products work, so claim only the item with Happiness and Bliss written on the side...congratulations ;>)
    wayne and maureen

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  13. I'm sure you'll feel better when the weather cools down a little. It's now August, and hopefully September will bring some changes!

    We've had "movie days" the past two afternoons, and it helped the mood.

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  14. I love the thought for the day, so true!

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  15. We are SOOOOOOOOOO glad you joined the full-timing family 'cause if you hadn't . . . well, I just don't want to think about that. :) We love you guys! And November isn't all that far away!

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  16. I think this blog got me out of my "blue funk" thanks I feel better already.

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  17. We totally agree, we get ourselves into a funk at times but then we look at all the things we do have to be grateful for and that funk goes away as fast as it came.

    Being grateful is the first and foremost thing to do every single moment. How on earth can anyone be in a funk when they have so much going for themselves? If you don't think you do, then just take a look at others who are less fortunate than you are, then you will truly see how lucky you are and the funk will disappear.

    Great photos and very touching words!

    We are grateful for having such a great variety of family bloggers as this group has become.

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  18. Thank y'all for the great post & comments. Lately I've been getting frustrated with the slow progress towards our goal. That's causing me to slip into the "blue funk" too. This post has shaken me out of it enough to realize things will work out and not to lose sight of the goal. I think today I'll just enjoy being with my wife and not think about what's not getting done fast enough.--Rod

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  19. I know what will get you out of your funk....get up early and get some exercise! The endorphins will kick in and it will really help! I did it this morning (so don't worry, I'm practicing what I'm preaching) and feel great...right now. I may need a nap later ;)

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  20. Thanks you two for the inspirational words...someday I'll look back and fondly remember this preparation and WAITING. (We know God is working behind the scenes making all the necessary arrangements for this to come together!)
    In the meantime, I feel like a boat at full throttle, TIED to the dock!
    Keep posting...use newbies need your inspiration!
    Blessings,Kathy

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  21. It's just not in the cards for life to be totally funkless. :) Traveling solo, I truly appreciate my extended "family", those in blog land, and those I've met along my journey. :) My blog let's me share my good and bad times with someone.

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  22. Each day someone on one of these blogs, gives me my first chuckle of the day! Thanks to whoever you are that day.

    Yea, life throws us some tough ones that bring down our moods. Right now we still waiting for fiver repairs so we can get on the road again.

    Right now, we are preparing for the dealth of Len's Mom. He sadly recognizes this. As my own dear Mom is not in the best of health either.

    And yes, even though I am looking forward to again traveling, being here these last three months we have spent lots of time with our Maryland granddaughters. Us leaving will be tough. Most especially for 4 year old Charlotte.

    But, life is always changing. What is a blue funk today, improves when I read that chuckle of the day. Again, thank you for that.

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  23. Great post. I agree with all the previous comments. We all have those days, we just acknowledge those feelings and move on. Life is just too short to stay in a "blue funk". Enjoy the day, each and every one of them.

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  24. I agree about the family feeling. The amount of support, suggestions, and information that come from people we have never personally met is unbelievable.

    I think the funk must be the mid-summer blues. I was feeling much the same way a couple of weeks ago and just like you, I was snapped out of it by many of the bloggers I follow and the comments I receive.

    It is great to have such a large and widespread family.

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  25. You never know when the weather will change and things will look a lot different....

    I am not sure where that funk think comes from but we all get it from time to time...I am sure, "this too shall pass"....

    Love your blog and miss you guys. It has been WAY too long since we have had a rousing game of Mexican Train!

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  26. I've been in the same mood lately, just waiting to leave this job and move on to more adventurous destinations. Thanks for helping me see that I can make every day more of an adventure, even while waiting 9 more weeks to take off again.
    Happy travels to fellow Georgians. Hope we'll meet down the road.

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