The day has finally come. Can you believe? Not me, and I just did it. The Airstream has moved to Plan473. The property is no longer the property, Plan473 is now home. There is spetic, electricity, and water. Okay, there is not well or city water, but there is enough water in an IBC tote to last a few weeks. I mean good golly, there is already 14KWH on the meter just from the septic system pump running. 14KWH to run a pump that does not even have poop in it yet. So yeah, home. Home is where you make it, right? Or is it, home is what you make it? Or how about, home is where you tow it?
Moving is bittersweet, it always is. Since the very first move when leaving the parents house many, many, many years ago, to the move today, there have been ten moves in twenty years. Good grief Charlie Brown! Ten moves in twenty years, that is a lot of moves. These moves have been across town and to different cities, from rentals to homes to RVs to rentals and back to the RV again, from wanted and necessary to unwanted and forced, and from exciting to what the hell am I thinking scary. No matter the reason for the nine moves before today, none of the moves were as stressful as today's move. No, this move did not involve the packing up of boxes. No, this move did not involve the removal of unwanted, unused, unneeded crap. And no, this move did not require the process of settling into a new homestead. This move was not any different than the move from one RV location to another. In essence, that was exactly what this move was, the move from one RV park to our own RV park. Huh, RV park Plan 473. Yeah, that is NOT okay. Plan473 is not an RV park. It is an idea, years in the making, in working form. So from this stance, as compared to other moves, this move should have been easy.
But, for lots of reasons, it wasn't. For the first time ever, family came to help move. Came to help move, are you kidding me? We are moving the self-contained living quarters two miles down the road. The only thing needing to be "moved" are the few extras stored outside: the kid's toy box, the kayaks, the rugs to keep the sand at bay, and the deck. There are no outside table and chairs, no plants or shrubbery, no garden tools or lawn equipment. But like hell if I am gonna turn down help. One less kayak I have to move is one less kayak I have to move. Bring on the family. Besides, it is the Thanksgiving holidays and our time is being spent with family. Just not in the traditional pass the turkey and dressing, please. More like, pass the straps and tie the ropes, please.
Then again, there is the saying, too much of a good thing. Not only did family come to help, the neighbors came in full force. It was the raising of a wall moment. There were helpers and watchers, unsolicited advisors and directors, cheerers and worries, and of course those that just get in the way. As I stood watching these people do my work, I was saddened by the sudden loss of my community.
These people have been my neighbors for years. The kid turned three the first time we lived at the park and then he turned seven when we moved back and will turn nine in just a few days. These people have watched him grow from a tight curly, white blond hair to straight, stringy Nirvana hair, from a mini bike with extra large training wheels to 20"' wheels and stunt pegs, from chubby little-uncoordinated arms and legs to long lanky, never stop moving, limbs. These people are as much his family as his family is. They have been with him for half his life. There are days when he is gone for too long and when he is found, he is found with a neighbor, talking and carrying on about who only knows what. Knowing the kid, it is probably the family secrets. When new neighbors move in, we are introduced as the kid and the kid's parents. Makes me wonder if our neighbors even know our names. Sure they do, right, maybe? Nah probably not, we are the kids' parents. And as I stand there watching, it occurs to me that this move is unlike any other move before. This move is the removal from a community. So while too much help can be a bad thing, I will let these people help because if reversed, I would want to help too. That's what family is all about, helping.
Don't you know that crazies attract crazies? This crazy following us is the best crazy ever, the Caretaker. The Caretaker, on her way to visit with her family, bought us leftover Thanksgiving dinner. She knew that A) we did not celebrate turkey day yesterday in preparation for the move today, B) we would be tired from moving and would not have planned dinner for tonight, and C) we never turn down free food. Her leftovers were not scrapes either. These plates, filled to the brim, contained the full turkey day meal and came with desert. The only thing missing was canned cranberry sauce. But since I am the only person in my family who likes the gelled canned cranberry flavored sauce, the plates were perfect. Like I said, the Caretaker is the best crazy ever! And why is she crazy you ask? Well, because she is friends with me and claims to enjoy my company. Like I said, crazies attract crazies.
The move to Plan473 is difficult. There is no easy connection to water, no pre-established clean pad-site, no amenities such as running water, laundry facilities, or paved roads. This move did not result in more living space, a garage, or a backyard. This move is a constant reminder of the absence the long term plans and goals: chickens, aquaponics, water collection facilities, and solar power generation. Minimalist living. But that is not right either. There will be a room for the Planner and me, a room for the kid, a kitchen, a living space, and a bathroom. None of these will be combined in anyway shape or form. So no, not minimalist living by current standards. These rooms will be adequate, not excessive. There is a difference. And that difference is the difference between Plan473 and everybody else. No two families have the same idea for "what is adequate". Some of our closest friends live in a 3000sf home, not including the basement and the four car garage. Yet this family of four fills up every room comfortably. This modern home is what works best for them and that is okay with Plan473. Just don't ask Plan473 to have an extra bedroom for the occasional guest. Sorry, not gonna happen. If you want to visit with us you better pack a tent, bring a camper, or rent a hotel room. You can stay as long as you want, but there will not be an extra room. You can, of course, sleep on the couch if there is one some day down to the road. Plan473 is what is right for us at this time. No, not today but when completed. So yeah, Plan473. Home to the Planner, me, the kid, and the crazy dog.
