At the age of 73, Arlene Smith fulfilled a life-long dream to move to Las Vegas and write her life story. "Upstep Your Ladder: The True Story of the Miracle Family" details Smith's adventures moving cross country from one job to the next in an old UPS truck converted into a makeshift motor home. Smith's travels were complicated by raising a blended family, three hers, two his and one more for both of them on the way. More information about the book is available at www.arlinko.com.
Excerpt from "Upstep Your Ladder"
After 13 years of teaching school, eight years of teaching music, playing in a band, a three-year stint at Ideal Mfg. Co., I asked myself, "Do I really want to be just a housewife?" Of course I wanted to be a mother. I didn't seem to have a choice, so I continued to be the grumbling bride.
"I hate Iowa. I hate Des Moines. I hate the cold. I hate -- and what else do I hate?" Whatever else I could dream up!
"Where do you want to go, Lovie?" he implored with all his charm, trying his best to make me happy. (Hubby loved to move around a lot. After all, he grew up trekking from farm to farm.)
"Texas," I flatly replied. "The land of warm sunshine, no snow, no snow boots, no coats, and we can drive with the windows down. The old Dodge will start, and I will never be afraid of freezing."
... I soon found I had better not voice my opinion unless I meant it. One day Link came home from work with a used step van that looked like a modern day UPS truck and told me to start packing.
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