Community Forums

GraciesMom · 09-20-2008, 01:31 PM

Top 10 Good Things:

1. Alone time whenever I want it.
2. No cooking unless I want to cook - and I can clean up when I want to.
3. I can sleep in as late as I want and stay up as late as I want, reading, watching chick flicks, drinking wine, eating bon bons or whatever with no one complaining.
4. I can hang out with my girlfriends without feeling guilty
5. I can buy whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to justify it
6. I can decorate my bedroom - and the whole rig - anyway that I want to.
7. I can have as many dogs, books, knick knacks, stuffed animals, clothes, shoes, or anything as I want
8. I can go wherever I want, whenever I want, for as long as I want
10. No snoring, passing gas, burping, elbows to the back, hogging the covers or other things keeping me awake.

Top 10 Bad Things:

1. Having to wrestle the awning in by yourself in the middle of the night when a storm and high winds come up unexpectedly.
2. Dealing with the sewer connections
3. Hooking up/unhooking the toad.
4. Having to learn the complicated techy/mechanical stuff.
5. No one to go hiking in "dangerous areas" with or sharing the wonderful experiences with.
6. Dining alone or cooking for one.
7. Being the "odd man out" at get-togethers.
8. No one to talk to in the middle of the night.
9. No one to warm your cold toes in bed.
10. No hugs.

Anyone?

Izzyblueye · 09-23-2008, 03:37 PM

GRACIES MOM: I certainly agree with all of your points, albeit somewhat bit different choices from a male standpoint.
I would add some one to go out to dinner with and not be the 3rd wheel. It never is comfortable for me.

cameo23 · 09-24-2008, 04:40 PM

well I can certainly agree on all those points
but I can reflect a little more on some...
sleeping in as late as I want,,, well with me
when I wake up, I'm awake, if its 4 am or 5 am
or whatever, and with 3 little italian greyhounds, when I wake up they wake up too, so
with that thought in mind, being single I don't have to "worry" about disturbing someone else
that prefers to sleep in.
The other one I can reflect on...I love to
hike leisurely and enjoy the beauty around me,
but it is much more beautiful when there is
someone to share it with.
I don't mind wrestling with sewer hose's or
hooking and unhooking things, but when it comes
to that electrical techno stuff, yep, I want an
expert for that. I can also change a tire myself
but do I want to? heck NO, I'll just call the motor club, lol

cameo23 · 09-24-2008, 04:43 PM

ok, I thought of something else, I really enjoy
certain tv shows, and when I watch them I do not
want to have conversation, so just shut up already, See, thats why I'm single :-)

cameo23 · 09-24-2008, 04:46 PM

oh yea, and about that awning thing...thats how
mine got broke :-( so yea thats a bummer

IslandMomma · 09-25-2008, 08:43 AM

I have to add that the biggest plus for me will be doing everything: meals, moving location, being a slob, all on my own schedule and no need to meet anyone else's needs. That just sounds terribly liberating to me!

I think the hardest will be coping on my own if there are major issues and not whining to someone else.

IM

GraciesMom · 09-25-2008, 09:34 AM

IslandMomma - we can be whining buddies . . . LOL! You whine to me, I'll whine to you 'cause even though I'm a tough cookie, I do tend to be way too "girlie" when "major issues" occur . . . things I'm not sure how to handle . . .

ecarbone · 09-25-2008, 11:18 AM

My thoughts on GM's list:
1) agree
2) agree
3) agree
4)

5) agree
6) I'm a guy

7) I'll go along with the dog thing...only
8) agree
9) I'll add...can walk around in my underwear anytime I want. (in the camper!)
10) AS MUCH snoring, passing gas, burping etc as I want.
Bad Things
1) not a problem
2) not a problem
3) not a problem
4) enjoy it
5 thru 10 Yep!

Thats my story and I'm stickin to it!

GraciesMom · 10-15-2008, 01:35 PM

OK - I have mastered the hooking up and unhooking of the toad solo, I have mastered hooking up all the pipes and hoses and all that stuff. I am now the master of my RV. But having been out here on the road solo for a little over a week now . . . I definitely would prefer to have a traveling partner. Even though the balloon fiesta was a bust (for me), there's something to be said about having a friend or a partner to share these events with. This is a gorgeous town - and I'm running around seeing things and taking photos and winning at the casino(s) but there's something to be said for having someone around. I've become a doggie sandwich - LOL - one in the front and one in the back keeping me warm . . . but it ain't the same!! Maybe you eventually get used to it . . . who knows. I've had my son around for 3 months . . . maybe when I get my laptop working again and get on Verizon and can "communicate" from the RV and not feel like I'm out in the middle of nowhere on my own, it won't be so bad. I do miss being able to get online whenever I want and chat or read an email . . . .

Lyjo · 10-30-2008, 07:24 AM

Well, I've been a single full-timer for about a dozen years now and can agree with just about each and every "pro" and "con" I've seen above regarding the single RV lifestyle.

I would add on the "con" side:
No one to lean on when you're sick
No one to call to the window to see the deer out on your patio

I would add on the "pro" side:
Enjoy being selfish without guilt
Staying at the slots as long as you like

I've tried some of the single RV groups (can't recall the names) but really didn't get much satisfaction from them. That's pretty much my fault since I'm a very private person now.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy friends and social intercourse as much as the next guy but I did that for a living much of my life (commercial and industrial television) and can now enjoy spending the entire weekend with my DVD collection, Internet wandering, and DTV programming and never step foot outside my Discovery.

But like others have said above, it IS nice to have someone else at the table when you find that totally outstanding eatery and a particularly nice house wine.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that one can't have both so I'll stay with my current volunteer life with the U.S. Department of the Interior and try to tough it out all alone.

Barbara S. · 10-30-2008, 05:12 PM

I have been on my own for way too many years. Yes, I CAN do most of the stuff I need to do, but I am tired of having to do it all by myself. I know how to hook up my toad, but it takes me a long time and all my strength some times. I like the bedroom area totally dark and I remember my ex used to want the windows open and the light streaming in (so I couldn't sleep). I guess there is good and bad with any situation.

GraciesMom · 11-02-2008, 10:44 AM

Ditto Barbara - I'm missing a lot of stuff that I would normally do if someone was with me . . . like going to the Ghost Ranch, attending the Halloween Parade, etc., etc., etc. I'll regret it when I leave that I didn't do those things - but even wandering around Old Town ABQ alone was just a plain bummer - after I'd taken pictures of everything and started browsing stores I got downright depressed. Forget eating alone in one of those restaurants. I don't mind going to Denny's or something like that with a newspaper or a good book - but eating alone in a really nice restaurant is just one big bummer! And after my big wins in California, I NEED someone to drag me away from the slots!!! I keep thinking lightening will strike every time!

pemsit · 01-05-2009, 08:11 AM

I modified some of G/M's

Top 10 Good Things:

1. Alone time whenever I want it.
2. No cooking unless I want to cook and I can eat at any greasy spoon I want to.
3. I can sleep in as late as I want and stay up as late as I want, reading or whatever with no one complaining.
4. I can hang out with my friends without feeling guilty or having to explain why.
5. I can buy whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to justify it
6. I can go where I want, when I want and do it how I want to and change my travel plans when I want.
7. I don’t have to put up with someone’s dogs, cats or what ever else pet they have.
8. Hang out in my birthday suit if I wish.
9. Not having to put up with mood swings.
10. No whining or nagging .

Top 10 Bad Things:

1. Not having someone to build memories with.
2. Not having someone to hold conversations with.
3. Not having someone to share cost of travel with.
4. Not having someone to share the moment with.
5. Not having someone to go hiking with or sharing the wonderful experiences with.
6. Dining alone or cooking for one.
7. Being the "odd man out" at get-togethers.
8. No one to talk to in the middle of the night.
9. No one to reach out in the night and touch or just listening to them breath.
10. No hugs or kisses.

MovableBookLady · 01-17-2009, 04:38 AM

Long before I became a solo RVer, I was a solo. Though I've had some nice long-term relationships (even lived with a couple of guys), I never married. Why?
Never wanted to "be joined at the hip."
Never been a joiner, though I have joined a few things over the years for short periods.

On the other hand, I've always liked having a few male friends to do things with, like going to dinner or dancing, because as several have said, it's nice to share events. It's nice to have someone to say "look at that!" to, and they do the same for you.

Otherwise, I happily wander on my way, having a good time meeting people (I enjoy people, really, just in small doses), looking at the country, visiting friends (I have lots, all over the country).

My favorite workamping jobs are in retail. Odd, you think? It's perfect because the people come in, different people all the time, and they don't stay long.

Would I like to have another "great love"? Yes, I would. Would I be able to live with him? I don't think so.