Building the Life I Loved (Before the Big Adventure)

After everything that changed in 2020, I started 2021 focused on the things I could control.

Taking care of myself.
Creating routines that worked.
Making my home and my RV feel more like mine.
Enjoying the everyday moments along the way.

Starting the Year with Intention

I welcomed 2021 with a few quiet minutes outside just after midnight — no fireworks, just a moment to myself before the year really got going.

And a hike at River Bluff Nature Reserve with Bandit, who — as always — found the biggest stick on the trail and had no intention of leaving it behind.

Filling the Freezer

One of my biggest January projects was filling the freezer.

I spent a weekend prepping meals — cooking, portioning, labeling, and organizing everything so future me would have easier nights.

I even kept a handwritten list of everything I made:

White chicken chili. Alice Springs chicken with broccoli. Several other meals ready to make busy days easier.

This felt like the start of something — finding ways to make everyday life easier through a little planning ahead.

Small Wins and Big Moments

My daughter bought her first house this year, which was such a special milestone to watch. Getting to see her open the door to her own place was one of those moments that reminds you how quickly time passes.

And because apparently I like a challenge, I also started the year with a Polar Plunge — standing outside in the cold, about to get in the water with a group of, in my own words at the time, “these crazy people.”

Building Strength

This wasn’t just about working out. It was about building consistency.

I had snowy runs in YakTrax, HIIT sessions with Kri, pool workouts when the weather allowed, and plenty of days where the exercise calendar on the fridge looked more intimidating than inspiring.

But by late February, I had actual numbers to show for it — a 2-mile run and a 273-yard swim.

Making Everyday Life Easier

March brought a full meal-prep marathon — a whole afternoon of chicken, pork loin, and vegetables, from raw ingredients to the grill to fourteen portions in the fridge.

And at a bowling tournament that same month — a small, everyday reminder of a habit that had already become second nature: a Norwex mask.

Then in April, something as simple as washing strawberries became its own small ritual — Norwex veggie wash, the mesh cloth, and proof every time in the bowl of dirty water left behind.

The RV Gets Ready for Another Adventure

After all the changes I made in 2020, I had a better idea of what I wanted from the RV — and what still needed attention.

RV ownership isn’t always campground views and sunsets. Sometimes it is figuring out repairs, dealing with unexpected problems, and learning how to keep moving forward.

By mid-May, I was deep into it — polishing headlights and comparing the before-and-after…

…scrubbing the roof…

…and tearing the console apart to redo the insulation underneath.

Of course, not every RV project was planned.

In April, I discovered someone had stolen the catalytic converter from the RV. Definitely not the upgrade I had in mind. But it became one more reminder that owning an RV means learning to handle the unexpected too.

By late May, it was replaced — this time with a protective cage, so it wouldn’t happen again.

New curtains went up in the bedroom.

And the living room got new trim and seat covers — a small thing, but it made the whole space feel different.

By the end of May, the repairs were done, the updates were finished, and the RV was ready.

Looking Ahead

After months of preparation, the countdown is finally on.

In just a few days, I hit the road for my biggest RV adventure yet — heading west for the Women’s Championships bowling tournament in Reno.

The RV is ready. I am ready. Now it is time to see where the road takes me.