UPDATE" This was posted a few months ago on October 16, 2023 and I wasn't officially living in my car. I had taken a trip to Aiken SC but we didn't offocially take homeless status until November 2023 so it has been three months.
This is more or less an oxymoron because I've been living full time in my car, off and on, for the past six months. I was taking care of my aunt in West Virginia until late June when I had to return to North Carolina for a deposition and have been so caught up with litigation for the past few months that I've had no time for anything else. And that's what I'm going to talk about in this post. I mostly vlog on YouTube about what's going on in my life but I've been trying to get this blog going and failing miserably.
I've been traveling for the past sixteen years but I never intended to live full time in my vehicle without a place to call home but like many circumstances are forcing me to take on nomad life full time in a car. I certainly hoped that if I ever had to live in a vehicle full time, it would at least be in a van. I would prefer a bigger van like a Dodge Ram custom or Ford Econoline but a Toyota Sienna minivan would work too. But this isn't how it turned out for me. Partly due to deed fraud on my inherited house, due to litigation/court costs I'm unable to continue paying my monthly rent on a boat on the Outer Banks. My landlord has assured me if/when I get caught up with my rent I can return because the boat sits empty but I understand the principal, he can't allow me to live there rent free hoping one day he'll get his money and I don't expect anything different.
When I was living in my house with my ex husband(soon to be ex, I don't have the money to file for divorce right now and he doesn't work and has no savings so it isn't like I'm going to get anything out of the divorce, it's just going through the motions and saying we are officially/legally divorced for the sake of it) it was an extremely difficult situation dealing with his alcoholism, toxicity and verbal abuse. This was a very bad situation that lead me to find a place or rather pull on the heartstrings of a friend(who is also my landlord) to be able to live somewhere else. Before that, I would simply leave and sleep in my car in a rest area/truck stop and eventually Walmart until the pandemic hit. Unfortunately for me, I ended up in two more live in relationships where one was on the verge of being psychotic and threatened to kill me or have me killed and I was scared of this man because he also stalked me, drove by the house I shared with my ex husband almost daily and I was terrified of the man and scared he would make good on this threats so I felt safer on the road where he didn't know where I was. And lived this way for about two years off and on. I would stay with my ex husband when things got rough and I got really tired. Eventually, I met someone else and we moved in together and it wasn't long before I realized he was a very controlling individual and didn't want me to spend time with friends or family and wanted us to be off by ourselves which at first didn't bother me too much because we went out alot and did things regularly but as time went on went out less and less and I was more and more isolated from everyone and I realized this was very unhealthy and decided to leave. I went back to his house a couple of times until I finally cut the cord for good.
Then in March of 2022 I lost my driver's license(not to DUI and I'm not going to go into it now, it's a story for another time, in fact, I've written about it on my other blog and talked about it in my YouTube videos) and had to live with my ex husband for a year. It was difficult, toxic and there were times I wanted to just get in the car and drive anyway and hope I didn't get pulled over but that would have been a very bad choice so I toughed it out. The ladies on my SUV/Van Life group gave me all kinds of advice about going to a shelter, living in a campground and many other ideas that weren't feasible and didn't work. The shelter would have been a great idea if there had been availability but there simply isn't enough room for all the people/women in need of a place to live that need it. I tried both the local mission for the homeless and the safe housing for abused women and neither had space so that idea was out. I couldn't live on the boat because it was so far out(about a 45 minute drive to a grocery store) I would have had no choice but to drive. Again, a very bad idea. A campground would have been the same deal, driving without a driver's license.
While what the women suggested was well meaning, it just wasn't feasible and it's alot easier said than done and while some of them may have thought living in a tent in the woods was better than living with a toxic person, I can assure you it's not a good idea. It's not safe for any woman alone to attempt to sleep in the woods by herself and anyone who suggests this is either insane or has such a hatred of men that they'd rather live in the woods. And if that was something they could do, that's fine but not all women are cut out to go rough it in the woods and be worry free when it comes to all the people out there and believe me, there are plenty of people not operating with a full deck, that could harm or even kill them.
I'm in no way suggesting a woman should stay in a toxic, abusive situation because of the fear of homelessness and there may be instances when physical violence makes it mandatory to just leave even if that means living in the woods but if there are children involved, a woman can't just up and go live in the woods unless she isn't afraid of child protective services stepping in and it isn't wise even if she's alone. There needs to be some planning. Planning to find a house or apartment, if there are children involved especially. If she's alone then she can live in a vehicle if that is her only choice but she must prepare for it. One, trying to find a vehicle that's suitable to live in. Not all vehicles are. Right now, I'm in a smaller four door sedan and I can tell you this isn't the best choice but it's my only choice right now because I can't afford to buy another vehicle and it's going to be awhile before I can. And awhile is probably going to be two years maybe longer but when I get the money saved up(because even if I qualified for financing, I plan to pay for it outright) I will definitely look for a van. It will probably be minivan because it will probably be cheaper and the gas mileage will be better than a full size van like a Transit or Promaster. Plus I'd have to build it out which I've no desire to do. I'm not very handy and would probably make a huge mess. There isn't a lot of room in a minivan to build it out so my idea is a no build idea. I'm mostly a minimalist. My idea is to have a bed and maybe a DIY toilet for those times when I might have to stay at a Walmart and I miss being constricted in that manner because there are many highways through the US where interstates aren't that close and truck stops are not as plentiful as they should be and that's another story too. I could complain for hours about how the truckers need more places to safely park and how our highway system was never built to accommodate all the tractor trailors on the road but this is how we get the majority of our stuff delivered.
As you can see, I ramble and I tend to do this in my videos and this is one reason I've chosen to do more #shorts on YouTube to keep me from this rambling and babbling.
This said, it was never my intention to live full time in a vehicle without a house to go home to should the need arise and this has created some stress for me over the past few months. I'm older now. I'm not old but I'm approaching being a senior citizen and it does frighten me on how I would deal with it if something came up and I couldn't stay in my car/vehicle. This is scary. Of course, fifteen years ago, when I was in my late thirties none of this concerned me. I was just so happy to be on the driving and I loved to drive because I didn't start driving until I was 38. I knew how to drive but I lived within walking distance of everything, I had a labrador mix that required long daily walks and I didn't really need a vehicle. A vehicle would have been an extra expense that I didn't need. And I was perfectly fine not having a car. It didn't bother me a bit. Until my Dad got sick(had two heart attacks, one massive) and needed to be driven. At that point, I realized I had to get my driver's license and a car. When I got that new car, I loved driving and exploring so much because I had never done it that one of my first trips was to the Dakotas. I'm not sure if I'd waited until now to start traveling like that I would have been up for it. Meaning, fear might have taken over. But back then, I was way more fearless than I should have been but I didn't worry about the car breaking down because it was new.
This is my story, well a small snippet of it. There's a lot more to it than this but this is what started me on my traveling adventures. I bought a new car and decided to explore. At first, I stayed close to home and then I went farther and within a few weeks I was in the Dakotas and was planning on going back but I was in a major three car accident and couldn't. I did buy another car(actually two) and ended up going to Michigan and this is what started my love for Michigan.
There's a lot more to this story but I'll end for now because I've rambled way too long.
As always I hope everyone has a good week. God Bless! Peace!!!!
My name is Rachel Xie Qi Holbert-Jones Page aka Sassygrrl32 and soon I will be making my home in Iva, South Carolina(post office box) and Hartwell, Georgia(living on the boat of a friend on Lake Hartwell). In between these two places I will be getting my aunt situated and moved to Dead Women Crossing, Oklahoma from West Virginia, previous to that Memphis, Tennessee which I hope to get back to soon, as she has not sold her condo there. As you can see, I'm in a lot of places. In addition to these places, soon I will be headed to Texas then Wyoming to oversee two of uncle's ranches and his cattle. He generously titled a herd of Texas Longhorns he bought with my name on them too(but I can't sell them until he passes and I inherit them). So I have a big stake in the cattle and seeing they are properly cared for. In between work, my aunt, legal woes and whatever else comes my way, I still like to visit haunted places, take pictures and video, write, camp, road trip, boondock, go to classic car shows, boat shows, dance, live music, photography, YouTube, interior design, history, architecture and develop new interests. One of my new mantras is to be positive and grateful and I'm trying to remember to say my affirmations each day. I'm grateful but trying to remember to say it aloud. And as much as I might fear or not like having a homebase, so to speak, enjoy the freedom and stay in shape and in good health, as much as is possible and not obsess over age and aging and just enjoy life, nature and what this world has to offer me for the time I have left. No regrets!!!!!
#roadtripping #carcamping #livinginacar #nomadlifestyle #boondocking #livingoffgrid #travel #nature #carlife #vanlife #solofemaletraveler #thegreatoutdoors #hiking #livinginavan #bepositive #begrateful #freedom #noregrets #wordpress #medium #youtube #sassygrrl32 #rachelholbertjones #personalpage #blogger #Iva #SouthCarolina #Hartwell #Georgia #photography #nomad #deadwomencrossing #oklahoma #memphis #tennessee #westvirginia #everywherebutnowhere #outerbanks #NorthCarolina
Until next time……..My story…………I’m Rachel Xie Qi Holbert-Jones and this is my story: living part time in Iva, South Carolina (Anderson County SC) and part time in Hartwell, Georgia on my boyfriend Malachi’s boat, a 1986 Chris-Craft Catalina 381, at the Hartwell Marina which technically doesn’t allow liveaboards so I can only stay there sometimes. He purchased a 1996 Holiday Mansion 39 Barracuda, a 1977 CHB Trawler 34 (I’m remodeling), a 1986 Marine Trader 54 Sunliner that I’m updating. Malachi and his brother purchased a 2018 Sunseeker Manhattan 52 and a 2001 Nordic Tug 37. I still have the 2001 Adventure-Craft 2800 in the Outer Banks that I’m currently not renting (but call home) because I’m behind on rent payments but I have the ability to go back to once I catch up (The landlord is a friend). *********************************************************************** I’m still taking care of my aunt in West Virginia but not as much anymore and hoping not to have to return to Memphis, Tennessee. We are scheduled to get my aunt moved to Dead Women Crossing, Oklahoma but it keeps getting moved farther out. I’m still traveling and road tripping for work and have been to my Uncle’s ranch in Alpine, Texas to oversee it and the cattle he titled in my name, Texas Longhorns, Scottish Highlands, Brangus and show horses. He’s also added some Bison and Beefalo to his ranch in addition to his other livestock. I still have a lot of familiarizing to do and I’m very happy to learn about the cattle, horses and the ranch. ************************************************************************* For my work travels my uncle purchased a beautiful blue 1995 Ford E-150 Econoline GT Starquest Campervan. I wasn’t sure at first about him purchasing an older van like this but the man that owned it previously had completely converted it with solar power and electrical and while it was priced higher than he wanted it was a great deal for all of the work the owner had done. It only has 112k miles and since I haven’t driven it much and it was purchased it in January 2024, it still has the same mileage. It only has a sealed portable toilet but that is okay because I prefer a public toilet and only use a camper toilet if I’m dispersed camping or at a Walmart and have no choice. I prefer rest areas and truck stops and only stay at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel if I must. For short trips, I drive a car or SUV my Uncle gives me. ************************************************************************* I have an avid love for photography and capturing the essence of old, abandoned properties, allegedly haunted places, classic, antique vehicles, lakes, rivers, nature and historical places. I’m not a ghosthunter or paranormal investigator although I’ve had people request me to lead their groups, I’m a legend Hunter which means I love to chase the legends. I love scary podcasts and spend more time on YouTube or Audible than Peacock or Tubi. I used to watch TV or movies when I stopped for the night but now I usually go right to sleep when I stop and prefer the podcasts of Darkness Prevails, What Lurks Beneath or Swamp Dweller. I like to listen to scary trucker stories too, occasionally Carmen Carrion or grizzly/polar bear attacks. On Audible I like books but have only finished one or two so it doesn’t really pay for itself. I do like the Dateline Podcasts. I’ve recently developed an interest in the law and like google scholar and casetext for research, medium, wordpress and blogger for writing, YouTube, listening to van lifers and people living in their cars, SUV’s and RV’s. I like Facebook groups geared toward van life, camping and road tripping, unsplash, pexels and pixabay for public domain photos, pinterest, instagram, reading, greek mythology, the metaphysical, ebay, shadowlands (for places that are supposedly haunted) and the internet. ***********************I like creating videos, photography, blogging and going to car shows when I’m not working which consists of scouting for investment properties and rehabbing/remodeling those properties after my Uncle and his business partners purchase the houses. We also remodel old boats and restore classic cars. When not working, I like camping, photography, museums, historical places, art galleries, antique shops, anything old and driving deserted back roads. I’m also into fitness, weightlifting (although I haven’t been doing much of it this winter because it’s cold and I like to exercise outside), nutrition, healthy eating, gua sha, face rollers, beauty, fashion and recently tai chi and yoga. ***************************************Visit my blogs at https://rachelholbertjonespage.com, https://sassygrrl32x.blogspot.com and https://youtube.com/sassygrrl32 *****************************************By Rachel Xie Qi Holbert-Jones Page AKA sassygrrl32 & Haunted Legendhunter & Bourbon Street Blogger *******************************************For my name change: First, it is part of my rebranding and second I wanted to take my great-grandmother’s maiden name and incorporate it into my name for heritage sake. Xie means “thank” in mandarin, it dates to the Nanyang in the Henan province, annexed around the Western Zhou dynasty (1076-771 BC). In ancient chinese it meant “acrobat skills” and “flying upward” as in a bird. The Xie family name was found in the USA in 1920 in Wisconsin. Da Xie means to “express one’s thanks” and Xie Mei is “harmonious and graceful.” ************************************************************************ Qi (Che, Chi, pronounced chee) means “the circulating life force whose existence and properties are the basis of much chinese philosophy and medicine”; “the energy in everything”; “vital life force.”; “flowing vital energy.” **************************************************************** In traditional chinese philosophy and medicine, qi is an unseen energy that flows through everything, binding all things together within the micro and macro elements of the universe. And one more interesting tidbit: Low Bow (bowing as low as you can) is reserved for people of much higher stature than yourself and indicates deep respect. ***********************************************#rachelholbertjones #rachelxieqiholbertjones #sassygrrl32 #sassygrrl32x #Iva #SouthCarolina #Hartwell #Georgia #andersoncounty #livinginacar #vanlife #nomadlifestyle #carcamping #roadtripping #boondocking #carlife #livingoffgrid #vandwelling #vanliving #personalblogpage #legendhunter #haunted #abandoned #rhjonespage #rxqhjp #rxqhjonespage #rxqhjpage rxieqiholbertjones #rachelxieqi #rachelxieqiholbertjonespage #xieqiholbertjones #xieqiholbert #xieqi #sassyaftersixty #deadwomencrossing #oklahoma #westvirginia #memphis #tennessee #sassyaftersixty #bourbonstreetblogger #bepositive #prayer #GodBless #vitallifeforce #flowingvitalenergy #unseenenergy #taichi *****************************************As a side note: To explain my homeless/houseless situation, my ex boyfriend sold my house without my permission by signing the purchase agreement online and not talking to the buyer. The buyer was a wholesale agent in Florida, the house is in North Carolina, so there was never any meetings. The wholesaler sold the contract (reassignment) to someone else. My ex BF took the money. Unfortunately, we had joint accounts. We are now in litigation (with the buyer) and are currently in an appeal and I have several motions set for a few months from now. There were a lot of discrepancies in the contracts as well as a number of errors the trial court made. In one contract I was listed as my father’s wife, my address was wrong, there were many mistakes. The whole thing (closing) took place out of state. I’m looking for my ex BF so I can take a lawsuit on him but he lives full time in his RV so I have no idea where he is currently. He has a post office box and several certified letters have been sent but went undelivered and I’ve certainly not told him I’m trying to serve him with a lawsuit. The last known address I have for him is in Arkansas and he uses his brother’s address in Tennessee (summons has been sent there too and went unserved by the sheriff). ****************************************************I just wanted to share, a lot of people on my YouTube channel wanted to know the story and many don’t understand how someone else can sell your property out from under you but it happens. It happened to me. It was inherited property and many of my friends believe I was targeted. This isn’t something I can really talk about in my videos. I have a little but I have to be very discerning on what I say and technically I’m probably not supposed to be talking about considering I’m seeking to sue my ex boyfriend for his part. I’ve tried going to the police but they couldn’t help me. They said it was civil matter. So there you have it.
UPDATE: I'm moving to Lake Keowee in Sunset South Carolina but will still occasionally be in Iva, SC too but probably not very much in Hartwell, Georgia. I was staying at the Hartwell marina and they don't allow liveaboards so I will end up in Sunset on Lake Keowee fixing up a rundown boat Malachi bought (1981 Yukon Delta 28) that I get the privelege of repairing for free room and board. The marina won't open officially and have water until April. First, I'm going to do inspections before moving on to it. I'm also working for three new businesses in addition to Rizzo REI Partners. My Uncle created two new businesses and Malachi one. They are Raven BlackHeart LLC, Raven Blackbeard LLC and Xie Qi LLC. #ravenblackheartllc #ravenblackbeardllc #xieqillc
I can be reached at @ravenblackheart1 and @ravenblackbeard on Outlook. One account forced me to shorten the name to Ravnbhllc #ravnbhllc
Comments
Post a Comment