Helping Your Aging Parents Move... and a Glorious Stop in Alghero, Sardinia

Helping your folks downsize and move as they get on in years can be a daunting task.

 The emotions of leaving a place that has been home for many years -- along with that elephant in the room, aging -- are heavy burdens.
We have recently assisted with three moves with varying degrees of success, and have... CONTINUE READING >>


Also on GypsyNester.com this week:

A Glorious Stop in Alghero, Sardinia

It is always a striking experience to venture inside the walls of an historic Italian city but even more so in Alghero.

The mix of cultures over the centuries has left a truly unique place. We could hardly wait to explore... CONTINUE READING >>

Follow us here too!: Facebook - Twitter - YouTube - Google+ - Pinterest - Instagram - GoodReads - StumbleUpon - RSS Going Gypsy One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All (find out more) Coming in February 2015 from Skyhorse Publishing! Pre-Order Now - Wherever Books Are Sold!

Delivering Supplies to a Little School in the Jungle

We will carry this in our hearts forever...

The Anita School was built specifically for the children of immigrant workers on one of the sprawling palm plantations in the Quepos area of Costa Rica.

Driving several miles down a dusty dirt road through the dense rows of palms, we reached a one-room schoolhouse... CONTINUE READING >>

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Lugging Luggage: Our "One Trip Rule" and Florida Manatee Fun!

No matter where we go or how we get there, one constant always remains - packing.

So we thought we'd explore the pros and cons of lugging luggage through airports and beyond.

And share with you our always-adhered-to "One Trip Rule"... CONTINUE READING >>

Also on GypsyNester.com this week:

It's Florida Manatee Time: How to Spot the Gentle Giants

November to March is the time to head to Florida for spectacular manatee sightings. 

These gentle giants head for warmer climates in the winter, much like their human snowbird counterparts. 

Here are our tips to having a manatee-filled getaway... CONTINUE READING >> 

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Crowdsourcing College Care Packages & BIG, FUN NEWS!

When the time came for The Boy's first care package, I realized that I was stumped.

The excitement I had felt while creating fun packages for The Piglet and Decibel was gone. I really needed some help. I decided that I should hand it over to the experts. Our wise readers.

I figured they could help me create a care package so amazing... CONTINUE READING >> 

Whooo-hoooo! We WON the Motel 6 Ultimate Bucket List Contest!

Click in to see our winning entry - we're just as goofy as ever!

And we'll be going NEXT WEEK! Lots of fear conquering will be going on - a helicopter ride (gulp), putting our trust in mules as we ride on the edge down the canyon (gasp) and stepping out on to the out-of-control Skywalk (yikes)! 

Leave us a comment here - what do you want us to report on? Do you have any tips or suggestions?  Or a word of encouragement to get us ready for the mules (Veronica's pretty sure she's going to chicken out).

 Be sure you are following us everywhere to keep up with our adventure LIVE!  Facebook - Twitter - YouTube - Google+ - Pinterest - Instagram

16 Boxes

Almost everyday we hear somebody say “I live vicariously through you” or “ I wish we could do what you’re doing.” As inviting as it may seem, it’s probably not the lifestyle for everybody.

There is actually quite a commitment to chucking it all and becoming a gypsy. It takes a dash of nerve and a pinch of intestinal fortitude to get rid of everything you own except a handful of personal items that can be fit into a few boxes.

16 boxes to be exact. Close to 30 years of marriage and 3 kids later, we're whittled down to 16 boxes, most them in storage. Many of these boxes are tagged to go directly to the kids... CONTINUE READING >>

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Little Rock / Big Gem

Join us on a rip-roarin' tour of Little Rock, Arkansas!

We visited the Clinton Presidential Library, hit the Big Dam Bridge, witnessed history at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and ate avocado popcycles at the River Market!

Then, we mounted Segways and... CONTINUE READING >> 

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Creating the ULTIMATE College Care Package – A GN Guide

Let's brainstorm and come up with ideas for college care package for our newly "empty" nested friends!

Our youngest, The Boy, was entering his second year in college. He was third kid that I had gone through the away-at-school process with, so I was starting to run low on the groovy care package ideas.

I really needed some help. I decided that I should hand it over to the experts. Our scholarly readers... CONTINUE READING >>

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Getting Ready for South America

The time has come! You voted for it - now we'll deliver! And we couldn't be more excited!

We're heading to South America and, starting June 1st, we'll be live-blogging our journey through Ecuador, Peru, The Galápagos Islands, Machu Picchu, Cusco and much, much more!

We want to be sure we cover EVERYTHING, so please be sure to leave a comment about what you are most interested in seeing on this trip!

Are you interested in the animals of The... CONTINUE READING >>

Fear Conquering & Writing A Will

In the union of David and I, I am the less fearless. David has always been the adventurer - I am the homebody, the helicopter mom, the worrier. Selling the nest and heading out into the big, wide world, for me, was stepping outside the box. WAY out of the box.
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My biggest concern was to have our affairs in order, in the event of my certain demise. It's essential for me to be sure that the kids are not burdened when I go down in flames in a hang gliding / bungee jumping / snowboarding / street food eating episode... CONTINUE READING >>

Traveling in Italy: A GypsyNester Guide

Traveling as GypsyNesters -- often and low to the ground -- has given us a some insight into the most efficient (and the lightest) ways to smooth out the bumps in the road. We know that things tend to go awry from time to time, so we are more than willing to share some of our more stupid mistakes for the benefit of the greater good (and perhaps a laugh). Here's what we've learned about Italy:

Electronics in Italy:

The electrical system in Italy -- and throughout... CONTINUE READING >>

Fear Conquering & Writing A Will

In the union of David and I, I am the less fearless. David has always been the adventurer - I am the homebody, the helicopter mom, the worrier. Selling the nest and heading out into the big, wide world, for me, was stepping outside the box. WAY out of the box.


My biggest concern was to have our affairs in order, in the event of my certain demise. It's essential for me to be sure that the kids are not burdened when I go down in flames in a hang gliding / bungee jumping / snowboarding / street food eating episode... CONTINUE READING >>

Fear Conquering & Writing A Will

In the union of David and I, I am the less fearless. David has always been the adventurer - I am the homebody, the helicopter mom, the worrier. Selling the nest and heading out into the big, wide world, for me, was stepping outside the box. WAY out of the box.|
My biggest concern was to have our affairs in order, in the event of my certain demise. It's essential for me to be sure that the kids are not burdened when I go down in flames in a hang gliding / bungee jumping / snowboarding / street food eating episode... read more

Traveling in Italy: A GypsyNester Guide

Traveling as GypsyNesters -- often and low to the ground -- has given us a some insight into the most efficient (and the lightest) ways to smooth out the bumps in the road. We know that things tend to go awry from time to time, so we are more than willing to share some of our more stupid mistakes for the benefit of the greater good (and perhaps a laugh). Here's what we've learned about Italy:

Electronics in Italy:


The electrical system in Italy -- and throughout... read more