Is July seriously only one week away? Is my 3-month Michigan summer already 1/3 over?
It is amazing to me how hot it has gotten lately and how fast time has been flying. I have almost been fearing lately that I will wake up tomorrow and suddenly be twice my age, as if my eyes will somehow have blinked away another 27 years...
90 degree weather struck suddenly, like lightning, and it has remained hot steadily for several days now... I don't feel like doing much of anything in the heat, but I've been going like the energizer bunny, nonstop, regardless of this hot, humid weather.
I feel so behind on this blog. There is so much I want to say and yet I just haven't been able to make any time lately to update. I am going to schedule a full-on library day SOON to do some catching up here. There are so many changes I need to make to this page and I don't want anyone to think I am abandoning it ~ I've just been so busy that by the time I sit down at the end of each day, my head falls upon my pillow and quickly drifts away into never-neverland until my days run together like waves lashing upon the shore.
I haven't been taking many photos lately and have also decided that I really cannot make a financial living from venturing down that road. I love taking photos, though, and will continue to do so - just not for profit. All the photos I have already taken on my travels (and all the photos I will continue to take) are going to be shared with everyone, for free, in albums on my new MySpace page that I will be setting up. I am deleting my old MySpace page so I will have to eventually switch everyone over to my new one, http://www.myspace.com/faliaphotography
So if I am not taking pictures, what am I doing for money?
Lately I have been housekeeping, and boy have I been busy. I'm cleaning for several rental properties, personal residences, and summer cottages. . . and I have even made business cards since I love been artsy like that. Most of my summer will be spent working, but I am actually really pleased about that. I am hoping to save up enough money by fall to have a little financial cushion before I take off again.
My van needs some repairs (and my personal mechanic has been extremely busy working on other jobs), so I've been using it as a parked home-base/closet until some time can really be dedicated to it. It needs a cooling system flush, an oil change, new power steering lines (which I did already order from http://frankcondelli.com/mechanic.htm), among several other things. Dan, however, has recently bought his own van! It is a mighty Ford E-250 extended cargo van, and I think that we will be moving into (and leaving the state this fall) in HIS van, instead of mine. Being a 2005, his van should need fewer repairs on our long haul west. My van is really getting up there on the miles, although I plan to keep it forever, live in it on my own land someday, and convert it to a diesel whenever that day comes.
I'm currently at a friend's house, however, and everyone is watching "America's Got Talent." I hardly watch tv these days so I am going to get off the computer and join the crew. I'll be back soon, just wanted to pop in and say HI.
EMAIL: FALIAPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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7 comments:
Well your mans new van might have issues. If it doesn't have any windows or is a dark color then you might bake like a clam in there without fitting some vent fans and such. I just hope that does not happen. I've been reading your blog for a bit and I can't stop reading it. It takes a lot of will power to up and just throw things to the wind. If I did not have a child now, I would being doing the same thing you are. I hope that everything gets gets fixed on your van and it will be rolling again.
P.S Just remember ford backwards is driver returned on foot. I think the VW machines are the best in the world. Plus, I don't think the trip would be fun in a cargo van.
Still here, haven't forgotten about your blog :-)
Good luck in the newer van. I keep looking for one like yours.
Jack, there are people doing it with as many as 6 kids all over the country.
I just purchased a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 extended window van. I wish I would have bought a Ford but had to settle for a Dodge(at least it isn't a Chevy). Having the extra room may work nicely for you guys. If you haven't been out west yet you will love it, there is so much more to see and so much deeper spirit to the west, nothing even compares.
Best of luck.
I am glad you are doing well. Congratulations on the new van, I am sure handyman Dan is going to fix it up really nice.
Take care.
Don't worry so much about age. Modern culture makes it seem like youth is the most important part of life, but in fact your entire life journey can be a good one if you take care of yourself. Observe the wild animals and you'll see this is true. That's because they live a natural life, the same way their ancestors did, and unlike domesticated animals, they don't tend to suffer from constant stress (physical and mental) which leads to degenerative diseases. Modern culture has devolved in many ways, so it takes some effort and willpower to go against the grain and live more naturally, but it is well worth it. I'm much older than you (just turned 37 this month) and only wish I had been leading a nomadic life all along. But better late than never!
Any plans for the southwest? Texas summers are fun. Anyways, your blog reminds me of The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. At least the parts about driving a beat up old Vdub. Fords just aren't as literary, I think.
Wow, I sure am behind on answering comments.. Here goes!
Jack - thanks for the comment! Dan's van though will be great I think, I does have windows, and it is a white van (the same color as mine). Also, I had to chuckle at the "ford backwards is driver returned on foot." I do have a VW van, but I also have a Ford Escort. I love my Ford, too, it was my first car and it has never let me down. I've had it for 7 years now. As much of the VW girl that I am, I am a Ford girl, too. lol. Volkswagens sure are wonderful, though, aren't they? They really got things right when they made the vanagon. :)
NomadRip - I'm so glad that you still check in on me!
On the Backroads - Hi! I had a friend one time who worked on lots of cars and he always told me that the biggest tip he gives people is "Don't buy a Dodge." I don't know why, but he told me that so much that I am scared of Dodges and don't even know why! Silly huh. Yes, I also think the extra room will be really handy. Especially since he'll be able to carry his tools with us so he can work. I'm really excited to head West. I'm sure photos don't even do it justice.
MsBelinda - thank you! I'm so glad that you keep checking in on me, too. I hate the fact that my posts are getting these huge gaps between them. It drives me nuts. Hopefully everyone that usually reads my blog is spending their summer days outside enjoying the nice weather instead. :) That is what I would rather be doing instead of working, but I'm sure I will be happy in September that I will finally have some money.
summerbreeze - that is very, very true. Thanks so much for the message and the reminder. It's true - your entire life journey really can be a good one if you take care of yourself.
OneFool - How ironic you should say that! The SAME DAY that you posted that comment was the SAME DAY that I finished reading that book. I borrowed "Bean Trees" from a lady I was cleaning for, and I loved it. I picked it because it sounded so much like me. lol. So funny you should say that. Yes, I do plan to make it to the southwest sometime in the next year here. The lady who lent me that book actually lives in Houston and wants to me to visit when I'm down that way this next winter/spring. I've also got friends to visit in Lubbock, TX. I'm not sure when I'll be down there, but I will sometime soon, that is for sure.
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