Our Wonderful Followers who come back again and again to read about us...

Saturday, August 4, 2012

FINALLY - the cat is outta the bag - our NEWS!~

Okay.. now it's official and I can post about it!

Please note:  Steveio has worked for the state of Wisconsin for over 34 years.  He has held various jobs at the University of Green Bay, always transferring to better positions over the years.  He started in Grounds, Automotive Mechanic on their fleet vehicles and equipment, then moved to Maintenance Mechanic, Facilities Repair Worker, and most recently as a Journey Locksmith.  Each time he made a move on the campus to a new position, he was usually still doing the old jobs at the same time.  As different workers would retire, they never hire new ones, just combine their work load onto the existing workers.  With all the budget cuts, they now have only 3 guys doing the work of 8.  But he always worked hard, never complained, and took on more and more tasks to his already overflowing job description.  Very flexible, my guy is!

Well, recently he made himself available to transfer anywhere in the state, and the offers started rolling in!  Knowing the house was sold and going to close soon, he was willing to take on a transfer to other state jobs at places within the state, as we are now "mobile".   He got offers from other college campuses, national guard buildings, dept. of corrections maintenance, and other interesting positions around the state.  With his work record and variety of talents, every week he was getting 4 or 5 different offers.

Although he can retire in April 2013, he said that he would consider working longer if a good position came forward.

And one has!


Remember back in early July when we went camping to High Cliff State Park???  Well, it wasn't just a camping trip.  It was an interview!  And yes, he has gotten the job.  His official title is Facilities Maintenance Specialist Advanced.    (plus he gets a raise)   LOL   He will be overseeing the summer workers, the volunteers, and overall maintenance and upkeep of the entire park.  Big projects like an electrical upgrade is scheduled this fall, and he will be assisting the company that is contracted to do the work.

This really hasn't changed our RVing plans.  We are going to live in our RV full time and travel when we can.  But of course, if he likes it there, he will work longer than April 22, 2013.   We are going to stay at the park (which is open year round) and I will do some volunteering too.  We will be considered for camphosting as soon as the present hosts vacate. We had originally been considered to host for the month of August, but another host took the position until we were sure Steve would be hired.

Come the colder winter months, the park supervisor is willing to let Steve take all of his vacation weeks at once during the coldest winter months, because the summer months are the busiest in the park.  So we can head south for that period of time.  Steve has put some vacation time in sabbatical leftover from this year, so we can go away extra long during the winter months.

We may rent a place nearby to get through the winter temps, not sure yet.  There are a lot of nearby private seasonal cottages that are rented out in the summer months and are vacant in the winter months. that I am sure we could find one to get during the winter.  We will cross that bridge when we get to it this fall.   Last winter was so mild in Wisconsin, that we could have made it all season in the motorhome.  But we won't bank on that.

Back to the park itself----

The park is lovely, well kept and in a great location... it has 112 campsites, 8 group campsites, a marina with 100 rented boat slips, and lots of trails.   It is only 30 miles south of where most of our kids and grandkids live.

Here is a link to the park: 
Here is the link from our visit in late June early July: 
It starts on this link and goes on for 5 more blog posts after that one. 



Here are some shots I took around the park while 
Steve was accepting his position during his second interview. 

















We will move down to the campground on Aug. 12th.  He starts his new position on August 13th.   This is an exciting new chapter of our lives, and Steve is going to be so happy with interesting, varied and enjoyable employment with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.



And.. might I mention that we LOVE the Wisconsin State Parks SOOO MUCH  that we were MARRIED IN ONE!    Yes, we rented the Moravian Church at Heritage Hill State Park in Green Bay, WI as our wedding site....  






"So there you have it, folks" 
(as Steve is fond of saying)
that is our newest news of our ever-changing lives....   


P.S. Yes, Steve's new boss is aware of his workman's comp knee situation, which will be operated on Aug. 17th.  He will recoup and do light duty and administrative stuff at a desk for the beginning of the job, as well as learning their computer systems and routines and staff positions.   He had the same surgery on his other knee in 1996 and knows what to expect.  And of course, right afterwards he was up and at em and go go go.  That is my Steveio! 







30 comments:

  1. What fantastic news for a great couple. I'm not sure about spending the winter but if you can be gone during the worst of it, that would be great. You guys have really planned out this phase of your lives very well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh you guys!! I am SO VERY happy for you! What an amazing and totally cool opportunity for you both! Now THIS is what it's all about. As one full-timer said to us on our first night out, "Welcome to Life!"

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats to the both of you. Looks like a great place for Steve to enjoy his pre-retirement years. We really enjoyed volunteering at the Georgia and Florida State Parks this year.

    Stay Safe

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh no. Could you take two years, then take a paying job? Just saying.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Way to go Steve. Congrats. There is no way I could survive the winter in an RV but I'm sure some of those places would love to have you guys rent during the winter months when they are usually empty. And going south for extended times is really good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Way to go Steveo remember Good things happen to good people.We are so happy for you guys. And also beind every successful man is a pretty bride supporting him. Glad to hear the good news , Be Safe out there. Sam & Donna...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations you two!! What a wonderful opportunity for such a deserving man and his lovely bride!! Looking forward to following along on this new and exciting adventure!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a win/win situation all way round. Kinda the best of both world's situation.Congrats to Steve on the job:))

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats and what a sweet deal! Enjoy every minute! Hope we get to see you on the road someday! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Excellent. Gives you a chance to ease into fulltiming.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! That sounds so perfect for you two! It was meant to be! Now, we know where we're going to have to stop!!! Congratulations and Enjoy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Workamping with a real paycheck! How cool is that?

    You started out fulltiming in quite an intersting way, and have great bennies to boot. :c)

    ReplyDelete
  13. It looks like a beautiful place. Maybe we will see you there next year sometime when we head north. Happy that you are happy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love reading about folks who live the life the way they want to... Sounds like you have a plan and it's just right for you. How much better can that be? Best to You!

    ReplyDelete
  15. How exciting! It sounds perfect. Except for the winter in Wisconsin part, of course. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Karen & Steve, Congratulations you 2 on your first fulltiming adventure, 1 for Steve getting a job at High Cliff S P. And also for Steve being able to get his knee opperated on we pray everything come's out OK. Also I need to say is Way To Go You 2 Yankees. Catch Ya Later. Your southern neighbor (Shiloh)

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great way to start your full time life. The income and stability are wonderful. Best of luck to Steve on his knee surgery. I know he's hard to keep down, but be sure he takes his time and stays off it as long as the Doc's want him too. Taking care now will pay off when he is in his later years!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cool beans! Better get busy making winter socks for the two of you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Karen.... We are so excited for you... On to the next adventures. It's wonderful to see a husband and wife being a true team and backing each other up in their dreams... You two are AMAZING....

    ReplyDelete
  20. How Exciting!!! Marvelous, it's like all the cards fell into the proper place. I'm very happy for ya'll! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. What could be more perfect? Love your "backyard!"

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is so great!! The best to both of you in the next chapter of your lives.

    ReplyDelete
  23. WOW!! Talk about jumping from the frying pan into a bed of flowers. . . Congrats to you both for the new job and new life. Lessie (TARDIS)

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a great job and what a way to transition into fulltiming. Keep posting, the pictures are great.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations! That is great news for you. Enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Things seem to be working out perfectly for you. You are such great folks and deserve only the best!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog! I moderate all comments so it may take a little while for your comment to appear.