“Tiliches”

I learned the word “tiliche” from Helen, who lived for years in Mexico.  She referred to her trinkets, her “this and that” as tiliche.   When I googled the word for a definition, it gave me “belongings” or “junk.”  That seemed rather harsh, or at least, too broad a word to my understanding.  All the years until she passed, Helen referred to the small items around the house that were precious yet otherwise useless as tiliches.  “Junk” was in the garage/storage shed.

My husband and I are now at the place many of you have already been. We are preparing to sell our house in order to go full-time.  It’s an exciting time and an inward-looking time as well.  Now, we are sorting through our tiliches, which I’m certain many of you had to deal with or will have to deal with if you decide to workamp!

Over one’s lifetime, nearly everyone accumulates items that are dusted around or pushed aside in a drawer, yet rarely discarded.  Over the weekend, I found so many items that I realized wouldn’t be appreciated by any of our children.  As I held each item, it occurred to me why I’ve held onto most of these tiliches over the years .  Each item invokes a pleasant memory as it was either collected on a pleasurable past adventure or gifted by someone special.  My husband and I are intentionally enjoying reminiscing.

I am carefully selecting a very few small items to take with us on our new adventures, knowing we will be collecting a few more on our future adventures, but very limited by space.  The others—I plan to give away to a favorite charitable thrift store that benefits a home for women and children, trying to get on their feet.  Sure, I could sell some of them at a garage sale; but I’ve decided I would rather give away the most precious of these items to a charitable cause to sell because it would be hard for me to place a realistic price on them!  This is a happy time—being able to rid ourselves of “stuff” that holds us back from seeing America.  I’ll avoid sadness at any cost! A garage sale will be later on for things that I’m not emotionally attached to!

Truthfully, I am as ready as I’ll ever be to dispose of our treasures, lovely home and furnishings, tiliches and overly abundant kitchen items. My single daughter will be grateful for some of it, but my married son and his wife are expecting their first child and what a collection of items babies “these days” seem to need!  It’s been a real eye opener!

My husband, on the other hand, is spending an inordinate amount of time in the garage and the sizable cabinet he built only a few years ago for his treasured tools. We have segregated a few bins underneath our RV for some, as he uses many of his tools  doing repairs and remodeling as a small business.  (He is a retired General Contractor ).  Therefore, he gets more leeway in disposing of his tiliche!  It’s hard even for him to be selective, even though we bought a sizable Class A motorhome with great basement storage.  As for what he leaves behind, he is hoping some of tools and tiliche will be appreciated by his children, but in time, more will be sold or donated.

Given the average workamper’s age, all Workampers have to deal with the disposition of tiliches. Stay positive and intentionally reminisce as you do so.  I know my children are grateful that we are making the distribution decisions now, rather than having them face it all in the (hopefully distant) future.  Better now than when heading for a nursing home or funeral home!!

When you choose to be a Workamper, you grow wings to experience freedom from stuff and instead have new adventures while making new friends while visiting so many beautiful places.  Just beware of gathering too much tiliche in your RV to then have to deal with!

Gearing Up For the Fall Workamper Rendezvous

As kids and grandkids head back to school (or are homeschooled), and weather forecasters mention “cool fronts” in parts of the country, it won’t be long before it is time for the Fall Workamper Rendezvous October 18-20, 2011 in Heber Springs, Arkansas.  The good news for YOU is that there are still openings for the event as we have not yet advertised it to the general public.   However, that time will  soon coming to a close.  We want our Dreamer and Workamper members to have the first opportunity to register.  When the calendar page is turned to September, we will be spreading  the word outside of the Workamper News family.  This event is a repeat of the April 2011 Rendezvous which was a huge success.   Next spring there will be another Rendezvous, but it will not be a repeat performance and we are sure you shouldn’t miss all the great presentations and fun events.

The Fall Rendezvous Schedule was last updated August 18^th and I suggest you take a look at it.  There are so many terrific sessions to choose from.  After you register, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and prioritize the sessions you don’t want to miss.  If you come with a partner, between the two of you, you should be able to fit in all the options.  Several particularly popular sessions are repeated on another day or time for your convenience.

Be sure to return to The Schedule page often because updates (additional classes, speakers, etc.) will be made until two weeks prior to the conference.

TRAVELING TIPS— Most attendees come via RV and camp at the U.S. Corps of Engineers Park at Dam Site or JFK, which is less than a mile from the Heber Springs Community Center, where the main sessions will take place.  However, there are also some attendees that will fly into Little Rock, rent a car and stay in a motel or inn.  Check out the Workamper Rendezvous Travel page for everything you might want to know!

OCTOBER IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE OZARKS.  Take advantage of other things to do in the region—fall festivals, craft & quilt shows, still pleasant enough for fishing, boating, hiking.  Give yourself the opportunity to explore the region the weekend preceding the event or just after.  I’ll be recommending things to do in a future In Between News.

THEN, THERE ARE FRIDAY’S “BONUS DAY” OPPORTUNITIES!

Many of our Rendezvous Presenters have agreed to stay an extra day to give more involved presentations in order for you to really have the tools you need when you leave the conference.  And, they have reduced their usual prices for giving seminars of this length and caliber.

The Bonus Day presentations are not included in the cost of your Rendezvous admission ticket and are completely optional.  However, we highly recommend them!  In fact, if there will be two of you attending, we recommend you split up and attend two different Bonus Day sessions.

Check out Terry & Evada Cooper’s RV Maintenance Education:  this is an eight hour course that will teach you so much about maintaining your rig yourself!  The course is just $99, and 25% off for your partner that signs up with you.  (The cost is a bargain when you think how much you will save in taking care of so many issues yourself without calling on the service tech…as well as all-important time and hassle!

RV Lifestyle Expert Jaimie Hall Bruzenak will take you through her Workamping 101 course designed to lead you through the steps of finding job openings that meet your criteria, writing your Workamper resume, researching potential employers so you can determine whether to move forward or not, and preparing for the all-important job interview.  Find out more by going Here

Jaimie will also be available for individual one-on-one resume makeover sessions. You will receive three versions of your resume: regular Workamper resume for printing, Awesome Applicant resume and your resume formatted for emailing.  Plus an interview coaching session!

Workamper Tax Pro Secrets with George M. Montgomery, E.A. for a special price of $99 (regular $149)
will present a six-hour course that will discuss your domicile and multi-state returns, what travel expenses are deductible and whether a home base will help you. After this course you should know what tax records you need to keep, when and if state returns are necessary, and how to talk with your tax preparer to make sure you are getting the lowest tax liability.

Finally, last but not least, Mark J. Kohler, CPA and Attorney at Law—the man who wowed attendees at the previous Rendezvous (and that was just via Skype)—will appear live at the fall Rendezvous and present two times.  On Friday,  Mark will present  six hours of live instruction that will take your business development and tax planning strategies to a new level. Learn about the benefits of owning your very own small business!  Normally, Mark charges AT LEAST $300 for a six hour session.  But he is only charging $199 for you to get all your questions answered.

Steve Anderson and all the staff advice you–Don’t Delay Any Longer!  Sign up before we advertise it to the General Public! You can still sign up at an incredible reduced price of $99 per person for the three-day Rendezvous,  whether you are a Dreamer or a full-fledged Workamper member!  Won’t you do it today?

At the Workamper News Forums

Join the discussions on these hot topics!

• It’s close to that time of year. “Looking Forward to 2011 Employer

Reviews.” Add yours at the Workampers Forum (Member-only).

• If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper

Experiences Forum (Member-only).

• Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the

ones already there!

• “Company housing while Workamping”? Is it available? Share your

knowledge at the General Workamping Forum.

• “Who uses a tow dolly for their vehicle”? Tell us some of the in’s

and out’s at the Full-timing Forum.

• “Hook Up and Towing for Solo Fulltimer” – how hard is it? Join in

at the Solo Workamping Forum.

• Check out the latest projects at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum.

You can upload photos too!

• Can we add some “EXCITEMENT!” to the forums? Weigh in at the

Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums.

Creative Mortification

The week before last, I wrote about engaging your Creativity.  Since, then I’ve thought more about it. I decided to share with you a few personal  stories to encourage you to be creative.

First, Bill in our office—the one most likely to answer the phone if you call Workamper News—is a remarkable poet.  He can create a poem about anything in minutes.   Now, his young grandson is attempting to write poems in his emails to his Grandpa.  When Grandpa Bill responded immediately with a poem, the grandson was obviously dismayed:   “How do you do that Grandpa?,”  he asked.  Of course, Bill was encouraging.  Since then, he even sends his Grandpa “improved versions” of his poems.

Everything takes practice and we can’t expect to immediately conquer that which we desire to do, but have to work at it.   It certainly helps if we have supportive people around, doesn’t it?

I have a personal story to share about developing my creativity.  When I was very young—about five—I told my mother I didn’t want to go to school one day, which was very unlike me.  Finally, after much persuasion, I shared that it was because we were going to have to draw a picture of Jesus and the disciples in a boat, and I knew I couldn’t do it.  My mom insisted I go to kindergarten that day and just do my best.  In the meantime, Mom snuck in a call to my teacher, Miss Martin, and told her how absolutely afraid I was to attempt such an  undertaking.  I can still remember that day as it had such an impact on my life.  Miss Martin exclaimed over and over what a great drawing I did and placed several stars on my drawing and taped it to the wall.  That one incident served to build my confidence up for years to come.  From then on, I was confident  and loved drawing.   Many years later, when going through the scrapbook my mom had kept, I came across the drawing of barely recognizable stick figures in a boat.  What a sorry drawing—even for a 5 year old!  But what a lesson learned!

Have you ever heard the term, “creative mortification?”  Has there been a time when you really wanted to try something– artistic, musical or a sport—and when you did, were harshly evaluated?  Did it affect the development of your creativity/physicality?  Sometimes, it is just that we are too harsh on ourselves,  thus punishing ourselves from experiencing life.  How do we get beyond criticism—either from others or ourselves—in order to pursue our dreams?

We won’t always have a grandpa, a mom or a great teacher to encourage us. So, we need to learn how to shrug!   In other words, shrug off criticism and keep after your dream.

Sometimes we do have creative or physical abilities that we just don’t see!  The most important thing to do is to keep at it—don’t give up! The point of creativity is often to challenge yourself, or to have a stress-reliever, or to express your feelings.  Don’t let others’ opinions (or your own self-criticism) get in the way!

Don’t be concerned with being the “best” in the world; rather, be your best self; do “better” and improve yourself.  Inhibiting your creativity can be self-punishment.

Just remember—creativity is an outlet, if nothing else.  Even if you have artistic or physical talents, it will take years to fully develop your abilities.  If it doesn’t come to you naturally, do it anyway!  Learn to enjoy the challenge.

September/October Magazine in Production

That means, Wednesday, August 10^th is the deadline to submit your FREE Situation Wanted Ad—up to thirty words for all Workamper News members!!   Take advantage of this great tool to describe just what you are looking for and where!  Not sure what to say?  Take a look at others’ submissions in past issues.

Has Your Address Changed?

If your address has changed in the last two months, be sure to let us know. You can do it online simply by going HERE.    We sure don’t want your magazine to be mailed to the wrong address!

You can also make any other necessary changes there—such as phone or email!

Speaking of Addresses

We have officially moved our offices to:

110 Tulaka Blvd., Suite C, Heber Springs, AR  72543.

Our phone numbers remain the same.

There are still a few things to get done around here, but it’s been a group effort and we are thrilled with our new digs—all the better to serve our members!  Thank you Grady Smith and his team of workers for doing such a great job!

Facebook & Twitter

We’d love to hear from y’all!  Keep the conversation going at Workamper News’ Facebook Page and go ahead–tweet us!

WHY, OH WHY. . .

haven’t you signed up yet for the Workamper Rendezvous??? (YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT!)  We don’t want to miss meeting you and, more importantly, for you to miss out!

REGISTER NOW FOR ONLY $99.00 – that’s $49.00 off the regular price of $148.00. If there are two of you—just think—you will save $98.00!  Is it that you don’t believe it is worth it?  IT IS, IT IS!!!!  In fact, it’s a bargain! (You still have an opportunity to break it into two or three payments–but not for long!)

Get hyped up about Workamping and have the tools to RV long-term successfully.  You’ll meet so many great people who think like you do—whether they are experienced RVers or Dreamers—you will gain so much knowledge, new ideas, and be ready to take action. Besides, it really is tons of fun — food is great and so is fellowship!

NO MORE EXCUSES!  Register TODAY and LIVE THE DREAM!

At The Workamper News Forums Site:

Join the discussions on these hot topics!

• Looking for a less expensive place to stay long-term? Check out “An RV park alternative” in at the Workampers Forum (Member-only). 
• If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Experiences Forum (Member-only).
• Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
• How about some help and encouragement for “Hello and Unsure”? Add yours at the General Workamping Forum.
• Can we use the “5ver holding tanks” when parked with no hookups? Share your experience at the Full-timing Forum.
• Can you be “Solo” and not lonely? Weigh in at the Solo Workamping Forum.
• Check out the latest projects at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
• It’s that time of year- “Ants, ants, ants everywhere!!! Need your help!” Add yours at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums

Rv Industry News Flashes

Equity Lifestyle Closes Deal on 16 Properties

On May 31, Equity LifeStyle Properties Inc. through its operating partnership entered into purchase and other agreements to acquire a portfolio of 75 manufactured home communities and one RV resort containing 31,167 sites on approximately 6,500 acres located in 16 states (primarily located in Florida and the northeastern region of the United States) and certain manufactured homes and loans secured by manufactured homes located at the Acquisition Properties for a stated purchase price of $1.43 billion.

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. is a fully integrated owner and operator of lifestyle-oriented properties and as of August 1 owns or has an interest in 358 quality properties in 32 states and British Columbia consisting of 130,891 sites. The company is a self-administered, self-managed, real estate investment trust (REIT) with headquarters in Chicago.

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Black Canyon Jellystone Park Camp-Resort

Only a short drive from Montrose, Colorado, this park has opened for great family vacations. Formerly known as Country Village RV Resort, it was acquired three years ago by John Barber and a group of investors who bought the park out of bankruptcy court.

“It was in pretty rough shape,” Barber said of the then mostly vacant 140-site park.

But after investing roughly half a million dollars in improvements, including a new swimming pool, a new septic system and new paint and carpeting for the park’s buildings, Barber and his investor group are now targeting the family vacation market by joining the Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts chain.

“We’re officially a Jellystone Park now,” Barber said, adding his park is the third in Colorado to join the national franchise chain, which is famous for offering fun, family activities throughout the camping season.

Barber is already developing an activities schedule that will include ice cream socials, indoor movies and scavenger hunts. He’s also planning several themed weekends, including a murder mystery weekend and a chocolate themed weekend later in summer. Halloween themed weekends are also being planned for the first two weekends of October.

Barber is also continuing to make improvements to his park, including expanding the campground store.

The park is located about 9 miles south of Montrose, 70 miles south of Grand Junction and is about 25 minutes from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Other Colorado Jellystone Parks are located in Estes Park and Larkspur.

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La Mesa RV in Hiring Mode for New N.M.  Store

The “help wanted” sign is hanging for numerous positions to be filled in New Mexico, in preparation of opening a new facility in Albuquerque.  “Hiring personnel will be in Albuquerque on August. 9 to conduct local interviews for these positions.”  To submit an application, resume or to ask further questions, interested people should contact La Mesa RV’s Human Resources department at 858-874-8092 or 800-495-6878, ext. 8092. Resumes can also be emailed to HRdept@lamesarv.com or faxed to 858-874-8094.

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Elkhart County, Indiana

It was one of the hardest-hit areas in the country during the recession, but jobs are slowly coming back to Indiana’s Elkhart County. WSBT TV, South Bend, reported there are more jobs in Elkhart County than there were two years ago, but there is still a ways to go before the county is back to pre-recession job levels.

News that Navistar International Corp. plans to move all of its motor coach manufacturing for Monaco RV LLC from Oregon to Elkhart County means 400 new jobs are on the way.  County Commissioner Mike Yoder told WSBT a big challenge for Elkhart County is the age of its unemployed work force.

“We have people in my age group – upper 40s, mid 50s – that have been without work for a very long time and they’re very much honed in on manufacturing type jobs,” he said.

In the past few weeks, a metals company announced plans to relocate to Elkhart from Illinois, creating up to 100 jobs by 2014. Utilimaster is also moving its manufacturing operations to Wakarusa from Michigan, bringing up to 60 new jobs by next year.

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Winnebago & Thor

A senior analyst with Robert W. Baird & Co. was recently interviewed by Carol Massar and Matt Miller on Bloomberg Televisions “Street Smart.” Kennison spoke specifically about Winnebago Industries Inc. and Thor Industries Inc. while maintaining that consumer confidence continues to be the key factor driving the RV industry’s fortune.

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Monaco RV LLC

Monaco RV LLC’s diesel coach operations will be moving from Coburg, Oregon to Wakarusa, Indiana.  “It’s all about the practical business aspects of operating out of the Midwest,” says William Osborne, V.P. of custom products for Navistar Inc.’s Monaco and Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC subsidiaries.

“It was based primarily on the fact that Wakarusa is in close proximity to our supply base…and that will reduce our freight cost in addition to that, it’s in close proximity to our parent, Navistar (in the Chicago area), and that will allow us to more effectively leverage Navistar’s resources and scale. …as well as the bulk of the industry’s suppliers.

The emotional aspects, however, were not nearly as cut-and-dried as around 450 people will be impacted in Coburg while 400 jobs will be added in Wakarusa.

No disruption in the manufacture or delivery of product is expected.

Oregon will still employ around 150 people, producing travel trailers, operating the Monaco RV service center and maintaining other finance and information system functions for the company. What they will do with their million square feet building is yet to be determined.

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That’s It For Now, Folks!  Tune in next Monday!

Mary Lou