I don't get to write often, more so the blogs are from Ralphie with me yelling things from another room, ok, not another room but a different part of the motorhome. There is so much to tell that I get overwhelmed trying to sit and write. And the toddlers literally are climbing up on me so I often dont bother. Then there is Reilly and Zach that want there own time on the computer so there ya go.... not alot of bloging from me.
          I dont like to dwell on the negative parts of this journey but I feel like we need to be honest and open about stuff to all our friends.
So maybe I'll start with that and finish up on a positive note.
          The major issue on this trip has been money, we are I feel pretty open with the fact that we dont have much. Pride has long gone out the window. We just dont have any. Well thats not true. We have barely enough to get by. We still have bills to pay, they never go away, like the car, mh, ins, cells, etc. And it adds up quickly. Food is gone through in here very quickly. The boys are teenagers and they eat ALOT!! and believe it or not so do the babies. Ralphie and I normally do but to be honest we've had to skip a few meals cause we didn't have enough. Now that is a good things because we have both lost a little weight, me about 20 lbs and I dont know how much for Ralphie but hes looking good. So anyway food has to be our biggest expense, and because we dont have alot of storage we go to the store often which as everyone knows you pick up extras everytime. During the time we were driving out the gas was the next biggest expense, at least $100.00 per day. Thats why we just needed to stop at walmart and chill because it was using up all our $$. But then of course your not going anywhere. It was just very stressful at times. Waiting for a check to come in, budgeting 25$ to last for food for 3 days for 6 people. Hard, damn hard. (oh and by the way I probably should write a cookbook for the poor now because It can be done)
There were desperate times but we did get through it. I do own one very dear friend some money I did have to borrow during the worst times, and Im so thankful she was non judgmental and all she said was "what do you need" not why, whats it for, where is all your money, etc. Thats been our familys comments. I know they are just concerned for us but it doesnt help to critique us every mile.
           Aside from money issues the next big problem was answering families questions. Some NOT ALL, have been very hurtful and cruel to us at times. Nobody but us know what it feels like in our situation. We live it. I will always take peoples advice, given kindly ,about what they have experienced related to our situation, but, If you have nothing nice to say then SHUT UP. We have been told that were bad parents, were screwing up all our children, we should just do what they would do or were nuts, and dont put an "SOS" call out to them cause they wont be there. People just need to learn that not everyone thinks the same as them.
          We know what weve done is a little unusual but Its not a bad thing, let me try to explain some of our thought process...
         About 4 yrs ago Ralphie was let go from Star, It was a huge blow to both of us. We had bought our dream home, our first one, we were financially comfortable for the first time. We had a great life. We could relax for the first time as a family. We were fostering 3 littles and feeling like we were doing our part in the world, be it a little part. Then we had to let it all go. He did eventually get the job in Portsmouth, and tho I was very upset having to move, it was a great move there. We made our way into the community quickly and had great friends and our new little babies. But financially we never really did recover after that. Throughout this time Ralphie and I always talked about Cali, in particular San Diego where we met, never wanted to leave (but thats a different story, for later). It was always just a dream to come back just to visit again. Plus we like the warmer weather. Weve had the camper so another goal was to do a long road trip, probably to Cali. So whatever, we all fantasize, but when out of the blue he was let go again,( AND I must add, he was getting good ratings, they were making money from him, they just were stupid.) we said to f**k it, lets just go for some things, Why sit around stressed, panicking, depressed, because thats what we had been living since the first layoff, we had two babies to adopt, no job, no prospects of one in the surrounding areas. Nothing in radio was going to happen there.  So we got the idea of our trip, while he still was getting his severance, and plotted out the idea of the reality show. The show idea was a long shot, were not naive, but we figured what the heck, and if it did work out, It would pay for us to travel. So I guess in a loooong explanation Im saying "Dont kick people when there already down"
     So onto better stuff, were in San Diego now and were still broke but its sooo beautiful here. The weather is perfect everyday, I can leave stuff out and it wont get moldy, people are out on bikes and walking, the food is delicious and healthy, there are street fares, and water outside our windows. Just lovely, and if it doesnt work out here in the long run, I will have experienced it again which was what my dream was. But I do think it will. Right now were still living in the RV. Were at a "resort" campground that lets you stay for up to 9 months. They have pools and a beach, skateboard park, boat rentals. Its very tight in here for a home but for the cost it is worth it for us to stay while looking for jobs and to bank some $$ for renting in the future. We are able to put up the screen room so that does add quite a bit more space. and like I said it is nice weather here until Jan and Feb (rainy season) so we have set up that room as a sitting room and will be adding to it as we go. We still need a few key elements that will really make it homey. A rug for instance, right now I have a small one, a queen size sheet, a table cloth, and a tarp down on the ground to protect us from the dusty dirt, I know its a little ghetto but I dont have the cash yet for such and "extravagance" hee hee. Some shelving would be nice too, and maybe a cot to curl up on and read a book. I must also get some flower pots, I am dieing to garden, you just dont know how much you will miss something until you cant do it. 
        Our plan is to sit it out here until Christmas. We think it would be kinda fun to have a tree set up here in the camper, and santa to visit our little home. The boys are going to start school probably next month. They are in walking distance so thats a bonus. Everyone is looking for jobs. Ginger the fat cat is loving sunning herself outside, and we are missing Gertie. Slowly everyones adrenaline is coming down and were settling in.
        On a side note, here is a funny-exciting story that happened yesterday. Out here is where craigslist started so it is THE place to go and look up everything, jobs, furniture anything, so one of the topics in jobs is tv/video/film. I look there for Ralphie and because they have all sorts of casting calls. Sometimes there looking for extras for a film, reality show contestants etc. So I found one that fit the bill for Reilly our 16 yr old, it was for a reality show focusing on teens and if the economy has put a damper on there lives, their comment was " have you gone from Gucci to Gap". So Reilly wrote into them and told his story (and as he put it "nevermind Gap were Goodwill", and guess what!!! He got a call back from the producer!! It was very exciting for us. He talked with him a long time and asked Reilly a million questions. Its for a reality show on MTV and this production co is the one for "the biggest loser" so they are legit. Well anyway, he said its still in the beginning stages but who knows he may get a call back, The producer gave Reilly his number so I dont think he wasnt interested. It was just a fun time.
      So there ya go, Leighanns thoughts for the day, peace to all and sunshine sent your way. Love and miss you all!