Ever since we decided to sell the house and go full-time in our RV, I've envisioned that last time we would pull out of the driveway and head down the road. Would I be smiling, looking towards exciting travels and explorations, and possibly a new home somewhere magnificent someday? Would I be shedding a few tears, sad to be leaving my childhood home and regretful of selling that final piece of the Shaffer legacy? Either way, in my visions there was a finality to it; a definite "this is the last time we'll be doing this."
The reality, though, might be different. Although the house hasn't sold, we've sold pretty much everything in the house, and with the exception of Check's Singer treadle sewing machine, we have everything with us that we want. With the house in the hands of a realtor, it's quite possible that we would be able to handle all the paperwork through the mail should he sell it this winter. So it's possible, especially if Check decides to part with the Singer, that we might never go back. Or even if we do go back, would it be considered living there if we just park in the driveway for a few days? We lived away for six months last winter. That's a long time. Is that when we actually began being full-time? We can't register for residency in South Dakota or Texas (still deciding which) until we sell the house. Edit Nov 2019 Yes we can! Is that domicile change what transforms us into full-timers? When does full-timing begin? I guess there's no set answer. It's just turning out to be more of a gradual process than I imagined.
I suppose what matters is how we feel about it in our hearts. We no longer feel like we have a home in Mediapolis, Iowa. Weepy is our home now. And I think last winter was sort of a test; just making sure that we can actually do this full-time thing, which we passed with flying colors. So, yes, I think we are day four into our full-time RV life. Is it working so far?
Oh, yeah.