Stepping Off A Cliff of Hope
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As many of you know Walt & I have been on the road since July 2009 living full-time in a 34 foot motor home following computer programmer contracts to keep Walt working. During this remarkable experience we went from coast to coast diagonally across the US. We saw and did lots of amazing things in the places that we landed. We have so many new stories to tell and write about and made many lasting friendships along the way. But...it was never easy because both of us suffered severe health declines during this time. When we left Denver we left most of our household belongings & furniture/appliances in storage.
A month ago we reached critical mass as we realized that Walt's ability to work has deteriorated to the point where he is barely able to work even 15 hours a week. He has been on partial disability for 4 months trying to regain his health and stamina but his illness and injuries are getting worse rather than better. Over the next few weeks he will be transitioning to full disability. As part of his business he has had Disability Insurance so we will have an income that will be enough to support us. Even still, it is a substantial cut in pay and we have been downsizing to try to stay afloat and adjust.
When we realized that he needed to go on full disability we decided we needed to get out of the RV and into a rental house. My doctor had told me that with my asthma and lung disorder as severe as it has gotten, that the best place for me to live would be close to the ocean because the salt air is good for respiratory health and there are fewer allergens right on the coast.
We found a cute little house in New Smyrna Beach, FL just 2.4 miles from the beach with a very decent rent. And...it has a mother-in-law apartment attached which we plan to furnish and rent as a vacation rental. Knowing that the shift had to occur but not knowing exactly how it would all play out, we moved into the house.
With all of our "house" stuff still in storage in Denver, we had plans to flip a minivan we had bought to pay for getting our stuff to Florida from Colorado. But...we had gotten behind on our car payments on our Prius while Walt has been on partial disability so we are in a position of either letting the Prius go back to the bank and keeping the minivan for our transporation or bringing the Prius payments current with the money we would get from selling the van. Neither option leaves us with funds to get our stuff moved and get the vacation rental off the ground.
In the meantime we really can't afford anymore to keep paying for our "stuff" to be in storage. And with the decline in Walt's work hours we are just able to pay the rents on the house and apartment but have nothing left over to buy furniture from the thrift store across the street for the vacation rental.
So (taking deep breath)...this is us asking for help during this time of scary transition. We need $1800 to get our stuff from Colorado. My dad, Gary Dotson, will drive to Colorado from Arizona, rent a Uhaul trailer and haul everything he can fit. $600 will be used to furnish and decorate the vacation rental. $100 will be used on a nice dinner to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary which is on December 26th.
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We know times are tough for everyone and that it is also Christmas, when funds can be tight but if you can help we would SO appreciate it and if not, please say a prayer for us to find our way through this. And we have this deal to offer those who contribute:
For every $25 you contribute you will be eligible to receive one "New Smyrna Beach, FL" t-shirt - any size, mailed to you (I have a source to get these T's very cheaply) Please email me at ch_irv at yahoo dot com to let me know how many, what sizes and whether they are for a male or female.
But don't feel obligated to $25 if that's too much. Just any amount will help. And if a prayer is all you can do that will be appreciated too.
You do not have to set up an account to donate - just have a major credit card. There is a $5 minimum amount required. You will not be charged any fees in addition to your donation. Also, we can accept donations via regular mail too if you don't want to use your credit card or don't have one.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Char and Walt Irvine
As many of you know Walt & I have been on the road since July 2009 living full-time in a 34 foot motor home following computer programmer contracts to keep Walt working. During this remarkable experience we went from coast to coast diagonally across the US. We saw and did lots of amazing things in the places that we landed. We have so many new stories to tell and write about and made many lasting friendships along the way. But...it was never easy because both of us suffered severe health declines during this time. When we left Denver we left most of our household belongings & furniture/appliances in storage.
A month ago we reached critical mass as we realized that Walt's ability to work has deteriorated to the point where he is barely able to work even 15 hours a week. He has been on partial disability for 4 months trying to regain his health and stamina but his illness and injuries are getting worse rather than better. Over the next few weeks he will be transitioning to full disability. As part of his business he has had Disability Insurance so we will have an income that will be enough to support us. Even still, it is a substantial cut in pay and we have been downsizing to try to stay afloat and adjust.
When we realized that he needed to go on full disability we decided we needed to get out of the RV and into a rental house. My doctor had told me that with my asthma and lung disorder as severe as it has gotten, that the best place for me to live would be close to the ocean because the salt air is good for respiratory health and there are fewer allergens right on the coast.
We found a cute little house in New Smyrna Beach, FL just 2.4 miles from the beach with a very decent rent. And...it has a mother-in-law apartment attached which we plan to furnish and rent as a vacation rental. Knowing that the shift had to occur but not knowing exactly how it would all play out, we moved into the house.
With all of our "house" stuff still in storage in Denver, we had plans to flip a minivan we had bought to pay for getting our stuff to Florida from Colorado. But...we had gotten behind on our car payments on our Prius while Walt has been on partial disability so we are in a position of either letting the Prius go back to the bank and keeping the minivan for our transporation or bringing the Prius payments current with the money we would get from selling the van. Neither option leaves us with funds to get our stuff moved and get the vacation rental off the ground.
In the meantime we really can't afford anymore to keep paying for our "stuff" to be in storage. And with the decline in Walt's work hours we are just able to pay the rents on the house and apartment but have nothing left over to buy furniture from the thrift store across the street for the vacation rental.
So (taking deep breath)...this is us asking for help during this time of scary transition. We need $1800 to get our stuff from Colorado. My dad, Gary Dotson, will drive to Colorado from Arizona, rent a Uhaul trailer and haul everything he can fit. $600 will be used to furnish and decorate the vacation rental. $100 will be used on a nice dinner to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary which is on December 26th.
************************************
We know times are tough for everyone and that it is also Christmas, when funds can be tight but if you can help we would SO appreciate it and if not, please say a prayer for us to find our way through this. And we have this deal to offer those who contribute:
For every $25 you contribute you will be eligible to receive one "New Smyrna Beach, FL" t-shirt - any size, mailed to you (I have a source to get these T's very cheaply) Please email me at ch_irv at yahoo dot com to let me know how many, what sizes and whether they are for a male or female.
But don't feel obligated to $25 if that's too much. Just any amount will help. And if a prayer is all you can do that will be appreciated too.
You do not have to set up an account to donate - just have a major credit card. There is a $5 minimum amount required. You will not be charged any fees in addition to your donation. Also, we can accept donations via regular mail too if you don't want to use your credit card or don't have one.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Char and Walt Irvine
Organizer
Chardale Dotson Irvine
Organizer
New Smyrna Beach, FL