Thursday, March 21, 2019

When Life Gives You Lemons...by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

     When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
    
     I love reading the posts from the Gems group. Like Kari, this is a time for change in mine and Karl's life. On April 20, 2016 we took a deep breath and left Henrietta, Texas on an adventure. We'd downsized and sold the house. For the next few years we traveled to 39 states. For a couple who rarely took adventures, this was a huge step.

     Suddenly, we were kids again. We saw and did things we would never have thought about doing. We went to National Forests, we were mesmerized by Elk and Geese, even Pink Flamingos. By really tall mountains and waterfalls.

     Then there were the people we met along the way. Friends who still correspond with us.

     Different foods we got to try, and it was a good thing we hiked a lot.

     We had solar panels installed, an inverter, and three marine size batteries. Boondocking was great. We could park in the middle of nowhere and still have electricity.

     But that chapter is closing. At least with the RV. We were in Tifton, GA when Karl's lung collapsed. Then he was transferred to Atlanta. Me driving in Atlanta was an--experience. Since I hadn't really driven our truck since we became full time RVers, yes, it was definitely an experience. I think my daughter's finger imprints are still embedded on the dash. I did manage with her help.

     Karl is on oxygen now, but we adapted. We came back to Texas where his doctors are. We've been in Texas long enough to know it's time to let someone else have an adventure. We put the RV up for sale.

     I'm almost certain we'll have more adventures in our future. We'll never regret the last few years. I'm pretty sure some of those adventures will end up in my books. I know I've learned that I'm stronger for it. I can now drive a big truck through the middle of some crazy busy traffic, I'm not afraid of trying new things, and I'm looking forward to what we can do next.

     Have you been on an adventure? I'd love to hear about it. Or maybe you're planning one? Enquiring minds want to know.
 

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Best,
Karen Kelley
www.authorkarenkelley.com


                                                             Coming Soon 
     

20 comments:

  1. Karen, you've definitely had the "Oz" experience in adventure, both good and bad. And, again it proves, there's no place like home. Glad the hubby is doing better. Lung issues are definitely scary. Best to you in this new "adventure".

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  2. When my stepson moved to Chicago, his dad drove the U-Haul. I drove our family car. Trying to keep up with the truck and driving for the first time in Chicago was adventure enough! In another life, a black bear with cubs charged my new husband and I two miles up a trail in the Smoky Mountains. That cured my desire for real-life adventure. I'd rather make it up. LOL!

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  3. I'm glad you got a chance to get out and have your adventure. That's one of the reasons I retired early and didn't wait. You never know when life will give you lemons. I hope this new phase in your life will be as enjoyable. There's something to be said about a quiet life too!

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    Replies
    1. We retired early, too. Best decision we ever made. We had so much fun on the road. I agree about the quiet times, too, and I'm getting more writing done LOL

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  4. It's good to think of every day as an adventure. Enjoy this one.

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    Replies
    1. Definitely! We're in the process of getting land surveyed etc, showing the RV... It has been interesting!

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  5. harperyn [at] outlook [dot] com writes:

    Health problems popping up is always so scary! Glad you guys still have your memories of road-life traveling the RV.

    I'm still figuring out the lemon-soaked pieces to my puzzle. Stagnant wages and rising cost of goods is not good for my generation.

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    Replies
    1. I hear you loud and clear, Lavender!

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  6. Well, that's why we read and write--to take adventures. i guess I call my adventures vacation time. But I'm always glad to return and sleep in my own bed. Cute cover, Karen. Did you make it yourself? Talented.

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    Replies
    1. Karl makes all my covers. I attempted once and that was the last time. I'll pass on what you said.
      That's why we liked RVing--we took our bed with us LOL

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  7. My comment did not come up - take 2.

    My whole life has been one big adventure and I'm not done with it yet.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    Replies
    1. Mary, for some reason I have trouble posting replies. So glad you tried again!

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  8. Thanks, Nancy! Yes, life with Karl has definitely been interesting LOL

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  9. Oh my gosh, Jan! You should put that in a book. I'm sure that it wasn't funny at the time, though LOL

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  10. I hope Karl gets better soon! At least you two could enjoy traveling before it happened! I have lemons to squeeze in my life too. Wish you well!


    adissidente [at] gmail [dot] com

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  11. I hope Karl gets better. Our latest adventure is moving from Connecticut to Florida. Daughter number three and her family moved with us. Now daughter number two is joining us with in the next month.
    debby236 at hotmail dot com

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  12. I'm glad you and Hubby had such great adventures. My grandparents did that after he retired from the military. I'm glad Karl is recovering well too!

    I am born and raised in Atlanta so I know how our traffic can scare those not from here. I have family that live just 2 hours away that refuse to come up to Atlanta just because of the traffic!

    Msredk at AOL dot com

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  13. I so love your attitude and your zest for life comes through loud and clear. It's good to hear your husband is doing well.

    Adventure? Every day is an adventure with my 8 year old nephew around!

    crossnstitch2 at aol dot com

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  14. Wishing you guys many more adventures and happiness 💖 Atlanta traffic is no joke. We traveled there for my job and spent 2 hours in traffic to go 20 miles. It was horrid. My adventure this past year was driving 27 hours with my 3 children to Mexico. What a beautiful, exciting, and exhausting experience. Roadtrips are fun though. So many memories to be made. I can't wait for Rescue Me!
    Hugs
    Sarah

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  15. I'm hearing the melody from THE ONLY THING CONSTANT IS CHANGE, a song from the musical JEKYL AND HYDE. You've had quite an adventure, and some tough times this past year. I think you're now embarking on another adventure, and I hope you and Karl enjoy it too. Your new book has such a cute cover!

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