CrusinSusan

Hmm...Neglected Information

2011-09-27T12:44:00.005-06:00

I see that when I last posted about the Ofuro, I didn't give the link I wanted that shows what I have in mind for making a 100 gallon stock tank into an Ofuro...so here it is. Of course, I'm modifying that design to fit my needs.

I'll only have one drain, and there will be some pushing of the water towards the drain when I'm done soaking, but that still beats spending thousands for a dang soaking tub.

And I also see that I didn't mention that the "kids" where only here for 2 days, then took off in my van to drive up to Buffalo, pack, and back down again. So they haven't moved in yet...that happens at the end of this week.

But it felt like Christmas to see him again. While on the road, I only saw him once, though we spoke on the phone often. And I must say that I do feel like a big shot being able to do this (give them a cheap place to live that isn't in a place where they measure snow by the foot). And he secured his job transfer too, which was a huge worry for me, and it went right down to the wire, so I was nervous about his coming down without a job.

But it's one of those things that when a good chance comes, one needs to take it, and he is the sort of worker so hard to find these days, so he's never had trouble getting a job.

Did I mention that they saw the house before I bought it? I can't recall. But part of the deal was that they had to fly down and see it before I made any commitments, which was a wise move indeed. And the place looks so much better than it did when they saw it, so on their first move-in phase here (they drove their car down filled with stuff, then took the van up), they were very pleased. Especially since the new AC was installed the day before they came.

And I'm enjoying my sleep number bed, but here's the odd thing: I keep thinking that if/when I get sick, having this bed will soooo rock, because of it's motion feature (ie: like a hospital bed).

Oy. Only I could think of how great it will be when I'm sick. lol

Lastly, I may be taking a short camping trip in the van fairly soon, because I need a break from all the work on the house. But it will be at a rv place with hookups and will function mostly as a test run to get the feel for how the van will act as a camper, and how I want to lay it all out. I'll let you know when/if that happens.

Boring post, I know. But does it matter if I saw something while I was swimming that was larger than what I wanted to swim with, and so exited the water? Sorry, but that's the best I've got right now.

'Cept for the dang love bugs all over the dang place.

But the weather is wonderful. Sometimes I get up and just enjoy the beauty.

Mish Mash

2011-09-17T11:02:00.008-06:00

The ongoing house saga continues: the downstairs AC bit the dust, and I had conveniently forgotten that it was on it's last leg when I bought the house. Or rather, I just hoped it would last a few more years. Alas, that was not to be. And I could have put $450 into it to make it work for another 6 months, but since I did that 6 months ago, I thought it was time to bite the bullet.

Needless to say, though I wanted to live mortgage-free, that is no longer the case. Because I just bought that sleep number bed, and "splurged" on a couch and dining chairs.

Ah, but it's all good, because really it just means that I have a small mortgage (which is what I'm calling my home equity loan), that cost me nothing to get (ie: no points/fees/etc), so I must still be ahead of the game.

And a few days ago I bought a sink cabinet and countertop for the downstairs, which was missing said accoutrements, which, of course, aren't accoutrements for a kitchen. However, the kids will have to install said items, because my hand can't hold a drill anymore. Nor any other tool.

They (the kids) arrive Monday, and though they don't know it yet, they will be cutting the lawn on Tuesday, before I get fined for it's length. (I never lived in a place with fines for shabby lawns, ...feels odd.)

Now back to the ongoing Ofuro saga: Oh dear friends, how reluctant my plumber was to follow my vision for the stock-tank Ofuro, but he came around eventually. Nevertheless, I'm not sure I will use him on this, because I'm getting an odd feeling off him, and I may bring in others for some quotes.

One of the issues with the Ofuro idea is that a stock tank does not drain from the very bottom, but rather from the side, with the hole at about 1/4" from the bottom. Obviously, this won't do, as I'd rather not have water sitting in my tub...even pushing it towards the drain won't work, because it's too high.

So the other option was to make a drain on the bottom, for which he is reluctant due to the webbing underneath. But, as you can see from the link, this shouldn't be a big problem, yet my plumber seems against it. And even though the bottom of the tank is level, and so water won't "run" to a drain in it, pushing that little bit of water into the drain doesn't concern me. My plumber wanted to have me make a sloped floor in the tank using a non-sanded grout/cement, which I was about to do, until I realized he was shoving me where I didn't want to go.

He doesn't seem to understand that he works for me...and not just on this issue, but others as well. So I'm thinking I'll find someone else. This should be a very simple thing.

One other issue is securing it to the floor, and for that I may lay plastic and use a self-leveling cement (which I have), but I'm not all gone on it yet. I hope to wrap the exterior sides of the tank in some sort of insulation (to keep the water warmer longer), and then wrap it all again in bamboo for decorative purposes. This last part seems easiest if I use a bamboo window shade, sideways, but I need to look at more bamboo shades to ponder how to go about it without having the strings that secure the shade unraveling.

Now, for this part, I wish I could get my pics out of my phone. See, my regular camera batteries died, and I can't find the wire for the charger, so I used my phone camera to take pics of the bathroom progress. But, unfortunately, I also used it for my son's wedding, and so I have 39 pics in my camera, and while I used to just choose all and send to my email, the file is now too large to attach. And, for some odd reason, it won't let me even see, much less select individual pics, so, alas, I have no pics to share...thus I'll do my best to explain.

I'm going to "hack" ikea (there's actually a site out there about how to use ikea's stuff to be creative in your own home) and use their sliding armoire/closet doors to enclose the bathroom, which now sits open and visible to anyone. Standing in front of the L-shaped bathroom (picture the "L" laying down), there is now a stacked washer/dryer, that will be enclosed into a closet via ikea sliders, and the ofuro-to-be sides longways next to it (they will be separated by either an ikea slider or a semi-wall....haven't decided yet), then there is a pedestal sink (dear heavens, I seriously need cabinets in there), and then the corner of the "L", around which is the toilet. Under the washer/dryer and ofuro, I'm down to the plywood, and still wondering about how to finish that, but it will involve some snap-together wood floors I "recycled" from someones front yard (with their permission)...that is to say, they were throwing it away, and it's more than enough for my job...though perhaps not enough if I make too many mistakes. I'm not all gone on wood under a washer and this creative ofuro idea, so some sort of water-proofing will be involved as well.

So. Today a couch and chairs are being delivered. Monday the kids come. Tuesday my sleep number bed comes, and lo and behold, also on Tuesday the electricians come to replace all my exterior lights (rusted through completely) with home depots coastal light collection fixtures (no rust/chip...ie: plastic...lol), and install a motion light over my personal entrance, as well as doing a few other electrical things....all of which I hope will end my electrical work.

A friend here jokes that every time she looks over at my house, I have guys crawling all over it. lol.

Soon. Soon, that will be no more. But it's all good now.

Sorry I have no emergency room stories, nor shark or croc tales, nor any other disasters. But heck, you know it's coming.

Wedding Success! Butlers at my Beck & Call. And Biting the Bed Bullet

2011-09-10T16:15:00.014-06:00

Welp, can't say I got into any trouble at the wedding of my son. It wasn't a big to-do, but rather a small intimate gathering at a botanical garden complete with a flute, violin and bass playing rather lovely music. All in all, very sweet. Very calm. A nice change actually.

And my present to myself was staying at a fancy-schmancy place which I enjoyed very much. Butlers doing my bidding. ("I'd like a ride to XYZ restaurant in the Range Rover, thank you". "Please send up a nice red Cab and plate of cheeses, thank you.") And the nighttime turn down, complete with cookies-to-die for, was lovely.

Now I have to say that that was in Buffalo, NY...and there were issues...for instance, I was on the equivalent (don't ask) of the 4th floor, during some of the hottest days that town has seen, and the city is not hooked up to the latest in AC as is Florida, so my room was rather warm, as was the changing area for the bride at the gardens (wherein I took it upon myself to be her "fanner" while she dressed lest sweat stain her gown).

But the best thing was the bed...and for the first time since my latest incarnation, I woke up without a back ache. And in truth, I've never been comfy in the mornings after a night's sleep, save for when I owned a water bed, whose pressure I could regulate, and which once created a flooring disaster thanks to a split seam. (So I had to siphon off water from the chambers...using the old fashioned technique: my own inhalation. If you've never tasted water that has sat in a plastic chamber for months, complete with the chemical additives to to the water, let me assure it...it is a very distinctive taste.)

No more water beds for me.

Do you know where I'm going?

Oh, how I didn't want to do it. But though I bought what was labeled a firm bed (which I thought would cover my scoliosis mornings), I find that the back pain is worse in the mornings, and so, I have now just purchased my 3rd bed in 6 months.

If you will recall, I spent my first nights here on the floor, then I bought a very cheap full-sized bed, which was to tide me over, and then be used as a guest bed. I found, however, that I could not sleep on it for a third night, so I bought another bed, this time, still a thrifty buy, and labeled as a very firm bed.

This was not so. And I suspect it may be me, and not manufactures, who are at fault...at least, my spine is at fault. For I still woke in pain every day, with each day getting worse. Until I spent some nights in the fancy hotel.

And tried though I did (I asked them who made the beds, and alas, the company is now out of business), I could not find the exact same bed.

So. I did it. Dear sleeping god, I did.

I. Bought. A. Sleep. Number. Bed.

Now folks, all over the internet are complaints about this bed....about the price (which is an argument I agree with), about problems with it, and the company in it's dealings with said problems. And I was ready not to get one, until a friend told me she has had one for 12 years and still loves it. And that she knows 4 others with it, 2 of which have no complaints about it, one of which put it on their own frame (to save at least that much money), and the bed collapsed (through their own fault then), and another whose testimony I can't recall right now, but it wasn't negative.

Thus, this purchase is, IMHO, another gamble on my part, much like buying this house and my rving life, but something must be done about my back. And the older I get, the worse it seems to get.

But dear sleeping god, what a price. Moreover, I got the motion bed; you know, the head and foot can go up and down like a hospital bed. It's my hope that this will alleviate some of my ulnar neuropathy, as I suspect my wild nights of reading in bed, resting my head in my left hand supported by my left elbow may be the root of the problem.

Well, we shall see.

Now, for those dedicated readers who have come this far in this particular, ever-so-uninteresting post, I want to divulge something I've never before divulged; for you have not given up on reading these boring events, and I feel as though I've been withholding this good tidbit from you.

So here it is....my location story:

Just before I signed the final contract on this house.....this house that is 120 steps from the ocean (yes, I counted), my son informed me that I live......ladies and gentlemen.....I LIVE in the.....

SHARK CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's okay. Go ahead. I didn't believe him at first either. But I shit you not. Google it and you will find my town. (I mean, hell, wouldn't you expect Australia??) I do hesitate to post the town's name on the internet. And just a word of warning, I won't post your comment if you mention the name of the town...so be forewarned...I will have to delete your comment if you say it. Can't really tell you why, save for my continued guardedness on the 'net. Nothing personal, I'm just staying safe. I know you understand.

But frankly, I can't believe that I was able to withhold this information from you for so long. On the one hand, I'm proud, and on the other, ashamed.

Finally, for what it's worth, many (and I mean MANY) who live here are quick to point out that it's really the shark bite capital of the world, with most nibbles being handled by the lifeguard with some peroxide and a band-aid, and so stitches are a rarity.

But still. I ask you.

SHARK CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?????!!!!!

It has to do with an inlet that is a breeding ground for fish, thus there is an abundance of food for the little nippers.

Go ahead. Tell me to go fishing then.

Good heavens.

Don't I have the best luck?

My Side of Conversations Vs. Others

2011-08-31T17:51:00.003-06:00

So, my walking/coffee buddy is dating up a storm, and my one set of my neighbors (who keep giving me really great stuff as they redecorate...gad I'm lucky), have much MUCH more interesting things to talk about than I do.

They've got dating, for instance, and golfing, complete with Chinese buffet dinners for charity, and grandchildren and on and on.

My conversational topics consist of:

"Did you see how I cleaned my mailbox? It's not moldy anymore."

"I've got to get those stickers off the new trex deck, but that installer walked all over them and now they're fixed fast."

"Now I have to paint that board they put up to fix the deck. I *thought* that was part of the deal I paid them for!"

Not exactly tantalizing stuff, let me tell ya. But for now, it's all I've got.

Well, 'cept for the scat in my yard that neither I nor my walk/coffee buddy nor workmen can identify. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the mystery of the week around here. I'm betting Armadillo, one workman thought rabbit or deer (unlikely in either case).

(Picture me strumming my fingers on the desk.)

I'm looking forward to the wedding. Seriously.

Adding a New Hat

2011-08-30T12:10:00.003-06:00

Come Sunday, I'm going to be a mother-in-law. I don't like the title. Not one bit. I keep flashing on Cinderella's Step-mother for some reason, and I don't know why that is.

And my son is going to be a husband.

What the heck is that about.

I swear, I just put him on the kindergarten bus last year.

And he and his bride will move in with me this coming month. Well, into their half of this duplex. We're all a bit wary, and happy, for all the reasons you might expect.

I've bought my dress, shoes, bag, plane ticket, and am all set for my car and fancy-schmancy hotel (well....I only have one child and will only be at one off-spring's wedding soooo...I'm splurging on my accommodations). It'll be a casual wedding, thankfully, so the clothes won't go to waste later.

It's been a long time since I've gotten on a plane for something fun. I'm looking forward to the festivities. And I hoping my son gets his hair cut....if for no other reason so that I can have pictures of him to say: "See?? This is what he SHOULD look like."

Ah. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The Great Dragon Fly War

2011-08-28T18:54:00.026-06:00

Big. I mean B...I...G freaking dragon fly got into my house. And had it not got caught up in my ceiling fan (what a crispy noise that is), I might not have known.

Now I like dragon flies. Outside. Oh that iridescence green. That shimmer. (See, I got to know one up close and personal today....they're cooler, and more gross, upfront and personal, let me tell ya.)

One would think that the cats would have discovered this uninvited guest before me, and I, probably unwisely, depend upon them to alert me to critters besides us in our home.

But nooooooo.

Just as I see it smacking around the blades of my kitchen (!) ceiling fan, and trying to hold on for dear life to the edges of the tiny light shades over the bulbs, that's when my kitties see it too. So, as I rush over to figure out how to deal with this B-I-G and completely harmless dragon fly, and that's when Gaia (ever the queen), starts her painful meowing, and naturally, circling under my feet.

For those of you unfamiliar with the sort of meow that comes from a cat on a prowl who cannot reach it's target, it's a mournful, anxious, mewing that nothing can stop. Nor does the circling. Around my feet.

That's how she, I and the dragon fly met in the kitchen. My other kitty knew she wouldn't get a piece of this action, but didn't seem to mind, since she knocked around a palmetto bug today until I got at it.

Yes. There are down sides to living in Florida.

Anyway, the hunt was on, that is to say, the hunt for what I might use to get the dragon fly out of the house. I didn't want to smack it with my fly swatter(s), mostly because that might kill it, but also, I have to admit, I wasn't sure the fly swatter *would* kill it, what with it being longer than my swatter. See, while I wanted to save it's life as I got it out of the house, I was not totally adverse to the kill if it was needed.

Don't ask me why, but out come my really LONG tongs. Of the barbecue variety. It's the only thing I can think of that comes close enough to long enough, though not long enough for my comfort, to grab the stupid fly. And while I'm ducking and weaving under the ceiling fan (not yet daring to reach for the wobbling, orbiting, flapping, dragon fly) my cat is doing the same thing under my feet, and all the time I'm trying to calm myself so that should I be lucky enough to actually get the tongs on the dragon (let's just call it that, eh? makes me feel better about my chicken-hearted experience here), to get my head in the right place so I don't squeeze the poor dragon in a death grip while trying to extradite it from my house.

(In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm not a fan of dragons in my house.)

But every time I get within a foot of the iridescent dragon, it freaks out and flops more and climbs into the bulb covers, burning itself, and then popping back out again. So I've no luck.

But I poke towards it anyway, and it then starts to head out away from the fan, and after a little jabbing, dipping, flopping, flapping, it winds up in my hallway.

Where there are other rooms.

With open doors.

Including my bedroom.

Courage Susan, courage.

Although it's been true all along, it becomes manifestly clear now, that I must win.

I.

Must.

Win.

For there will be no sleep, if a dragon gets into my bedroom.

There will be no showers, if a dragon is in my bathroom.

I must get between the dragon and the doors. For if I fail in my quest to eradicate it from the living areas, I must at least be able to sleep and bathe while the dragon dominates the living areas.

I dart and weave as the dragon does the same in the corner of the bathroom door sill. I reach, and lo my friends, I have grasped the knob, and so the shower will be safe from the dragon.

But I've not a minute to lose, as the entry of my bedroom and guest room are not protected, and though the positioning of the dragon and myself indicated it could get into the guest room first, I lunge instead for the bedroom door; for rest is imperative, and guests are not yet on the horizon.

Divine success is afforded to me! For I manage to tight the doors, and in my elation, I suspected dragon dejected, for it seems to weaken from the war. And lo, it is but moments before I lay my trusty tongs down and take up the swatters (yes, plural), since now it is known unto me that my castle, my lair, must be protected, lest my sanity suffer for the sake of a varmint inhabiting it with me. (Really, couldn't you write a torture story along those lines??)

And so I swing, not valiantly, nor with accuracy, but with determination bolstered by horror...the horror of a dragon in my kitchen forevermore, and somehow my blows succeed.

The rest is a blur. Do not ask me of the feline; for I cannot answer where she was. I suffer still the final blow, although not splatful, it nonetheless stilled the dragon, and the tongs became it's removal vehicle to the outside.

I have not yet been outside since outing the dragon to my deck, and no knowledge of it's demise nor breath.

I survived, dear readers; but as for our iridescent dragon, we do not yet know.

And just a bit more ...little rant on solicitations

2011-08-27T15:25:00.002-06:00

I've been getting tons of calls from a number that I did research on, and it turns out it's a company that solicits for churches, and has many complaints on the 'net about them. So, they called again today and I hope I solved the problem; for today I answered:

"Pagan Headquarters of America, may I help you?"

They asked for (fill-in-the-name-of-the-former-owner-of-this-house [who, btw, did not have this phone number]), and I said:

"This isn't a residence. It's Pagan Headquarters of America."

They said they were sorry to bother me (us?) and we said goodbye.

Hopefully, this will solve the problem.

Well!!!! I need to have some fun while I fix this house.

Dry as a Bone, and Rent-A-Hubbie

2011-08-27T13:34:00.005-06:00

It is no longer raining in my bedroom, thanks to the custom made hurricane and impact $liders I had installed. Thank heavens. I think my mood would have taken a turn for the worse (again) had Irene's outer reaches penetrated my house.

And I rented a guy to do a bunch of stuff around here, a honey-do list that I just felt I ought not to do. So, the holes in the wall where I tried to hang curtains have been spackled. The reason there were holes is because when I hung the curtains over some French doors, the bottom of the curtains were about 2 inches off the ground. A friend came by and said all I needed to do was hem them, since there was plenty of hem at the bottom to work with.

Silly girl.

She thinks I sew.

If I can choose between re-hanging new hardware and sewing, I choose the hardware re-do. This may be because of a quilt I made decades ago, which turned out stunningly beautiful, but from which I am still suffering the trauma of months and months of girly and fine-motor work. I am good at neither. Besides that one sewing trauma, my ex did all the sewing during our marriage. I don't even do buttons.

Now. The more civilized among you will wonder how I manage to live without sewing. But the secrets of what we non-sewers do to manage will have to remain secret.

The hubbie-on-call also took off some siding by the $liders and caulked the heck out of that area, where he thought water might seep in. He was very brave about this, since no one else was willing to touch the vinyl siding, whereas he just took it off without even asking me.

Typical husband. :P~~~~

And he was right to do it. And he fixed a cabinet door for me. And vented my dryer out of the house. And fixed some drywall.

It was wonderful. But because I can't sit around while someone else is working, I got involved, and he had to keep telling my not to lift this, or do that, that he would do it.

Way cool. 'Cuz what I need (what with my current back issues) is for someone to tell me to stop, as I go into automatic drive.

Gonna hire that man again. (I called him a boy once....and got reprimanded for doing so....he's 30. Ain't it funny how old "kids" get the older you get?)

Getting Better Every DaaAAAyyyy (apologies to the Beatles)

2011-08-24T13:20:00.010-06:00

Just in time for Irene, my sliding doors have been replaced and no water has seeped into my bedroom during the last rain. I may, just may, be ready for this hurricane with these custom made, hurricane rated, missile rated (lol...impact really... not an actual missile) sliders with 3 inch drain rail and flashing galore. Not to mention that it is soooo much quieter now too.

These are some serious doors, let me tell ya, and I'm hoping they were worth the $6k I paid.

Yes. You read that right. $6k. Oy vey. But if I can sleep without the kiddy pool-catchment in my bedroom, I'll be a happy homeowner.

And my son gets married next month and moves in here. And my back is slowly getting better.

It's getting better every day...I still live in a construction zone, but it's all going forward.

Whew.

A reader sent me an email that seems to be a private one so I won't post it here (note to the writer of said email: I will reply soon), and in it asks about my previously mentioned health issues in light of my ripping out a bathroom with my bare hands. lol.

It seems an explanation is called for.

If you recall, I have ulnar neuropathy on my left hand, making typing hard, what with a pinky I can't feel after about a paragraph or two. I choose not to have an operation, because, well, I don't like the idea of anyone cutting into me. I find that one can just live with such things.

I also seem to have developed arthritis in my right hand, specifically between my index and middle finger. It announces itself whenever I use a tool. I just live with that too. Although advil helps.

Lastly, regarding my back, I have a mild case of scoliosis, and while one might say that's like saying one is a little bit pregnant, the fact of the matter is that as far as scoliosis is concerned, my case is mild, with a slight curvature at the base of my spine. They made a big deal about it when I was a kid for a short period of time, but left me alone after much debate. And I think that was wise, as I've heard both sides of the argument regarding braces, and frankly, while I've been knocked on my butt a couple of times in my life from the pain, the truth is that all in all, I've been fine, and I think this blog of my adventures is proof enough of that.

I also have degenerative disk disease, and that sounds as scary as scoliosis, but frankly, if you're over 40, you have it too. It's just a fact of the aging process, so I was told by a leading spinal doc as he perused my mri results. I do wonder how these two problems with eventually interact with each other, but for now, c'est la vie.

I've never been under a scalpel, and I will continue to do everything I can to avoid it. In fact, the one and only time I had stitches, I begged the doc not to ruin my record of no broken bones or stitches ever, and so he chuckled and let me sit for a while holding my skin together (I had missed a carrot I was slicing and hit my finger), but alas, a half hour later when I let go of the finger, a spring of blood arched across the exam room, and I relented.

So, regarding my back (which can't be ignored the way I can ignore the neuropathy and arthritis) drugs when needed, rest as needed, then begin moving, because sitting/laying can make things worse. For instance, I went out yesterday for the first time in 3 days, and I was okay enough today to cut the lawn. I still hurt, but it's only an advil level hurt.

So. Somethings can be ignored - to a point, anyway. Sometimes one needs to simply STOP completely, and sometimes one needs to move through the pain. Of course, this is my tale, and I in no way mean to say that others should not have surgery. It's just my way of getting on.

C'est la vie, eh? Getting better every day now though.

Beware Your Bucket List

2011-08-19T16:17:00.005-06:00

My back has gone out again from doing too much, and finally it just blew while I was putting up curtain hardware today. It might not have happened if my stupid drill could hold a charge, but alas, it seems to have died on me. So there I was standing on a chair, reaching up as high as I could, trying to hold my disintegrating bit in my screwdriver in the grooves of the screw, while applying pressure as I turned the screwdriver.

And then.....ca-plewie.

This hasn't happened, to this degree anyway, in many years, and the pain killers that I have are from the last bad bout in 2007. However, I can attest to the fact that they still work. Thank heavens, because the one friend I feel I could ask to help me today is away. I'm grateful they work, let me tell ya. And once again, it's a Friday; ie: a weekend. So getting "fresh" drugs would mean a trip to the emergency room again, and frankly, that's dang expensive. I still haven't found a local doc here...must get on that.

And I've been thinking these last few days about my bucket list, and how much of it I've been able to cross off it in the last few years, and that all this "adventure" has taken it's toll on my physically. This last item on the list (Live within view and walking distance of the ocean) has been particularly hard, for reasons past readers can add up for themselves.

So, folks, beware your bucket list, because it might just put you in the hospital. Take it slooooowly. As for me, I'm thinking I'll just rest and enjoy this part of my list for a while.

Ah...but my pizza delivery has arrived....smells wonderful.

Benches and Troughs

2011-08-13T13:55:00.023-06:00

I think filing cabinets and/or drawers are ugly, and after looking all over for a more decorative way to store my files only to find, again, that prices were outrageous, I decided to make my own out of a storage bench. And it turned out that assembling the storage bench went off without a hitch.

Shocking, I know.

Inside, I've put these and the bench will become a coffee table in my office, since the bench can only hold 75lbs, and so I want to keep people from sitting on it. I'm thinking a nice throw over it and some tchotchkes should keep butts off it.

That's what I did today, besides rearranging rooms as ideas come to me. But I promised a chat about the ofuro, so here's my idea:

To begin with, the layout of the bathroom is problematic, since I want it enclosed, and since I've always wanted a washer/dryer right off my bedroom, so some of the bathroom (where the former tub was), has become my laundry closet (all hail the joy of not lugging dirty clothes to laundromats!). So, only a four-foot tub would fit, and as I said, the deep tubs that I seek (like an ofuro) that are sub-48" are just priced ridiculously IMHO. Moreover, even ones at the lower end that I considered have a seat in them that is about 18" from the bottom of the tub, so it seems to me that my knees would be up around my neck, and I imagined I'd feel rather claustrophobic to boot. (Just a side note here: ofuros aren't suppose to be for bathing...just soaking for calm before sleeping...but I want to use it for both, so a traditional wooden ofuro is out, since soap/shampoo/etc and wood don't mix well. And I just don't want to pour a concrete one either, and I want to avoid tile work too.)

So I pondered and pondered while I wandered and wandered home improvement stores and the internet. And again, like the filing cabinet, I figured it was up to me to create what I wanted. And Tractor Supply Company came to my rescue; for online I started looking for water troughs.

Yes. Horse watering troughs. And finally settled on this instead, since the troughs seemed not deep enough, and they were made of galvanized steel, which I thought might be rather uncomfortable, and I didn't trust the seams to not cut me or leak. So structural foam it is, and the 100 gallon capacity fits me just right, as does the price tag of $80. So one rainy day, I drove over to see, and get into, the tank at TSC. Luckily for me, they keep these tanks outside, and thus I was alone while I lifted the tank off the pile and righted it so I could get into it.

Gad I hope they didn't have cameras in the area.

But it was perfect....right up to my neck, and yes, my knees were bent, but not against me. So I bought it and loaded it into my trusty van (gad I love that van...it's been so handy already). I have yet to call my plumber to see if he's game for this. But I plan on a free-standing faucet with hand shower (rest assured, I will pay no where near the price in that link), and install one of those old-fashioned shower rods with a holder for the hand-held shower and just scoot a shower curtain on it....this way I can have the tub and a shower in the master bath.

But who wants a black tub? Oh I imagine there are some who do, just not me, so I'm going to paint the inside of the tub white with pool paint and I haven't yet decided what to do about the exterior...I might paint it too, but I might also cover it with round bamboo. Just not sure yet. Insulating it is another idea floating around my head. I had considered fiberglassing it all, but my concern is that there is a small amount of give to the tank, so I'm betting the fiberglass would crack; as would any acrylic sprays that I've found for repairing tubs/tiles.)

As you can see, ideas come to me as I muddle along trying to create spaces I like.

By now you may be saying: "But Susan, where's the funny stuff?" Well, sometimes I don't have any...although I do today. Least I think it was funny.

I needed another set of appliances because I have "tenants" (my son and daughter in law) moving in soon, so I hit the scratch-n-dent places all over, and finally found what I wanted, and had the installers lug my old appliances downstairs for the youngins'.

Ah, but the best laid plans.....

Seems like I saw one guy spending too much time looking at the space where my old fridge stood. I followed his gaze and realized the new fridge was about 1/2 inch too high to fit under the over-the-fridge cabinet.

Or should I say, the former over the fridge cabinet. Because there was no way, I mean NO WAY, I was going to let two strong guys leave here without putting that fridge where it belonged.

Thus, while they stepped outside to get the fridge, I went to work ripping the cabinet off the wall. It also occurred to me that the fridge would stick out an inch or so into the hallway and therefore, the counter would need trimming (all hail laminate counters when it comes to demolishing). So, out came the reciprocating saw too.

By the time the guys came back up with the fridge (gad, I would NOT want their job), there was space for the fridge and range. I tipped them well, and they didn't charge me for any of the hoses or cords for the washers, dryers, range, etc.

Of course, the stacked washer/dryer I bought for the kids (lol), doesn't fit in the closet it was meant to go in, so it's just sitting in the middle of their kitchen for now. It'll be their decision (and their creative minds) to figure out where to put it. Heck, I already had the moldy wall ripped out and replaced in their closet (did you ever think a builder wouldn't vent a dryer out of the house???). Seems like their backs should get put into some of this work, ya know?

More tomorrow about the sliders that are coming and the rain still in my bedroom, and how things are finally coming together here.

HOME FREE

2011-08-12T08:40:00.016-06:00

(Okay, okay, I apologize for not fulfilling my promise to post yesterday...there, we're done with that now.)

So! In no particular order, because I'm not sure I could remember the order.....here's some more about the final phase of flipping my life back into a semi-landed one. (Edited later: okay, well, here's just one tale, because it's dang long enough already!)

Just to recap....bought a semi-fixer house big enough for me and my son and daughter-in-law to live in without scalping each other, so we could help each other financially and otherwise, and I've been working on the house myself and bringing in workmen when I have to.

Now...to begin:

Somewhere down there in another post you will see a pic of the master bathroom, completely open to the bedroom. Now I don't know about you, but I'd really rather my partner not be able to hold a face-to-face conversation with me when I'm busy on the throne.

So I ripped out much of the bathroom. Mostly with a crowbar, reciprocating saw, hammer and my hands. I gotta tell ya, that's some cheap and effective therapy for ya right there. I splurged and bought the crowbar and saw when I realized a hammer and my hands were not going to be enough. Though I did not buy the nail gun (for a project I can't now even recall), because the price of those babies is out of sight, and they seemed a bit to heavy for me (the nails are in a case that's like a machine-gun feeder)...I thought I might wind up nailing myself to something with it.

Now you may not remember, but on the wall behind the tub were mirrors. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors, which is just not my style at all. So, as I unscrewed the little holders for them and tried to pry them off the wall, I realized they were glued onto the wall. Really, really glued. Right then, I should have stopped and thought a bit about my next move.

But noooooooo.....

Of course, what I should have done is cover the mirrors with a tarp, and covered myself as well.

But nooooo....

I'm on such a high with the progress I'm making, and the glue seems to be everywhere behind these things, that I just have at it with a mallet, think I'll be picking pieces off the wall, rather than out of me.

HA!

Ladies and gentlemen, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

Things go along just fine and dandy for a while, but alas, one must pay a price for stupidity, and so I did. Although I wouldn't know it until hours later.

One mallet-pound results in the upper portion of a mirror coming crashing down on my head, and raining shards everywhere around and on me.

Well, I didn't feel a thing, and I finished the job, then stripped off my speckled clothes, slipped into a bathing suit and went out side to rinse off as much of the....erm, let's call it glitter, from my body in the outside shower.

And while rinsing my hair, my hand ran over something rather large, and I'd like to describe it's shape to you, but the searing pain that shot throughout my body when the unidentified shape broke, rather obliterated and hand-memory my brain may have retained about it.

Word to the wise: when rinsing glass off your body, do it SLOWLY; for you may find that there is glass embedded in your skull, and chipping off the air-side piece is not a pleasant experience, what with the interior piece still in place.

Well, I fished out what was left of the glass from my hair (or so I thought), and went into the house to have a proper shower. While doing shampooing, I discovered, much in the same way as above, that I had not gotten rid of all the glass, and once the searing pain subsided, I proceeded to do my best to remove the final remains.

And I thought, once again, that I was successful.

Now before anyone starts yelling at me for not going to a doctor immediately, let me say that there was no blood. Not even a drop. And besides, it's a weekend, which is par for the course where I'm concerned...for I never seem to need a doctor on weekdays...thus I wind up in emergency rooms which is something I prefer to avoid.

So, I didn't go to the emergency room on Saturday night. They're lovely on Saturday nights, don't ya think? The crowd there can be very entertaining.

Alas, Sunday mornings are so much nicer in the ER. I've become a connoisseur, what with my disasters happening, inevitably, on weekends. I can tell you that Friday nights are worse than Saturday nights, what with the rush to begin the weekend fun.

Anyway, Sunday morning as I brushed my hair, the now familiar searing-to-the-toes pain reasserted itself, and thus my fate was decided. However, because I was expecting a workman to come by for a quote on some sliding doors that leak, I wanted to leave a key with a neighbor friend of mine because I was desperate to win the battle against the leaking bedroom ceiling, above which are the sliders that lead to a deck. Naturally, she wasn't home, and because the workman wasn't coming until the afternoon and I thought I might beat him back to my house, I just left her a message, since she didn't answer her cell.

Something vague, because now I was in a hurry to beat time, about a workman coming and if she saw him could she talk to him because I had to go to the ER because I had glass in my head.

Needless to say, when she returned home, she raced over, full of concern, to find out if I was okay.

Honestly, people worry too much. lol

The blessedly empty emergency room had nurses just waiting on me to finish my paperwork, and when the doctor saw me, he could feel the tiny piece of glass in my head (and when he did, so could I...*ahem*) but he couldn't get his tweezers on it, and though I tried to hold very still like a good patient, I wasn't still enough for his satisfaction, and he started off to get a shot for the pain.

Personally, I saw this as overkill, and talked him out of it, and so we both refocused our individual efforts. And I could tell he was being (finally) successful, for even as the pain seared through me and I gripped the cot to steady myself, I could feel the exit of something surprisingly deep and narrow in my skull.

And then the doctor said "Wow."

This really isn't what you want to hear a doctor say when they're working on you.

Turns out, the shard in my skull was 1/4 of an inch long, and so very thin that he had thought I was being fussy about such a tiny thing. There was just a trace of blood on it though, and no need for anything further, save for a tetanus shot. Which was the only reliable, constant pain for two days.

There were the inevitable comments from him and the staff along the lines of "You're demolitioning a bathroom yourself? You. Personally?" Along with comments about tile and crowbars.

Alas, that, so far, has been my one and only ER visit during this process. And I do have more stories for you, but this is enough of a beginning for today.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you my plans to make an non-wood Ofuro, since I really want a very deep soaking tub, but refuse to pay the price for those things. I mean really, it's just a big tub for heaven's sake.

One last comment regarding the title...because I was going to talk more about that subject and didn't. The day the cash from the RV sale hit my hand, I began to feel much better physically and emotionally, and I woke up the next morning feeling like I was not only home, but free.

It's wonderful.

Gad, I shouldn't have waited so long....

2011-08-10T17:26:00.004-06:00

...to post here. Now it seems like a *HUGE* job, as so much has happened. Now it feels like a tome, and is yet to be done.

Tomorrow....I'm free, and will write and write here, about it all.

S'all good now though. And I'm laughing at myself. Hope you will too.

Happy Days Are Here Again.....

2011-08-07T09:41:00.004-06:00

Okay, okay, so the quiet echos you heard for such a long time were there for a reason. I was just beside myself with the debt I incurred via buying the house and having not yet sold the RV (the sale of which was suppose to cover the extra I hadn't planned on laying out for the house, as well as the repairs)...if you recall, I got a HELOC instead, and let me tell ya...I DO NOT LIKE DEBT, especially in the five figure range. Of course, no one likes debt, but I tumbled into a depth of anxiety that was making me literally sick.

BUT

NO

MORE!!!!

MY RV IS SOLD.....so :P~~~~~~~~ to all the dealers who tried to screw me. (Pardon my french, but they deserve it).

HAPPY, HAPPY DANCE!

(Insert beginning of song here) I'm in the moneeeee, I'm in the moneeee....

Wait, wait, that's not right.... I'm nearly out of debtttttt, I'm nearly out of debttttt

I swear to the rv god, that on the very day the cash was handed over (yes, cash), my stress levels went back to normal, and I feel like the happy gal I used to know.

Oh youse guys. It's wonderful. Fab-u-louse. There's so much to tell, about the roofer who didn't do what he was suppose to do (keep the water out of my house...*ahem*) and more that added so to my distress. I'll tell ya about it sometime.

But for now, it's

HAPPY

DANCE

TIME!!!!

For inquiring minds, it went for $38k, which is 8k more than some game-playing dealer would have bought it from me for, and that's a story to tell too.

Ah; but all is well now. All is good. Just wait 'til I tell ya my tales (now that I can do so without the black cloud)...one of which involves a construction-related trip to the emergency room, wherein even the doctor was shocked. lol (I guess it's actually a DE-struction-related trip).

HA! There's a cliff hanger for ya!

Got Her!

2011-06-22T10:08:00.001-06:00

She finally stayed still enough for me to catch her. Too cute for words.

Aren't ya glad to came here to read?

Dumping Camera...Nutin' Fascinating...Just the house and plans and, well, kitties

2011-06-18T10:26:00.024-06:00

So, here is the promised camera dump...sorry, I did not have my camera with me when I was kayaking. And these are just of the house I bought and my kitties. And I will say before you view them that my HELOC was approved, so I'm good to go. You might wonder why the HELOC was necessary...well, here's some reasons why:

Now see that beautiful ocean out there? Looks better IRL, but still...nice huh? Now look closer. No, no,...closer. Yes...see that railing down there? And see the edge of the deck right in the foreground?

Yep.

My pseudo son went right through the railing down onto the roof below. This is the 3rd floor, and he landed on the roof of the second. Thankfully, 1) He wasn't hurt (ah, to be 20 again), 2) I didn't witness it, 3) it wasn't my house then. The tiny deck has just rotted away and I now have the sliders locked up so no one goes out there. This needs to be fixed, don't you think?

Gratefully, I no longer have to pay rent to the landlords of my last apartment and as of July 1, all my money is mine. Whew. And all my taxes and my insurance (Wind insurance policy with one company, flood with another, homeowners with another - oy vey) are paid for a year.

What a relief. And my back is getting better, and so I can exercise again, so the weight is coming off, and my tooth is nearly done with the torturous dental work and the library in this town ROCKS...I'm so happy about that. And last night I danced on one of my balconies (I have 3!!) with a new pal to the band that was playing next door in a neighbor's yard. (Hint to folks who do this: It's polite [and wise] to invite your surrounding neighbors to your soiree if you have a band they will, without any struggle at all, have to hear.)

Okay, okay...I digress...back to the pics.

Aside from the fact that this house is a duplex and so my son and his wife and I can live here, this room is one of the main reasons I wanted this house. Truly lovely. The desk you see in the corner is one of 3 pieces of furniture I felt I had to buy (on credit)...the other 2 are a bed and a table. Anything else you see in the pics is either found furniture or left here by the previous owners. The house still echos, but it won't for long.

Now I'd like to say this is my view of the ICW, but, you see the problem with that. Those with good eyes might be able to see a splotch of water between the trees there. There has been much discussion about the "night choppers", as I call them...I trust I won't be joining their ranks though. 'Nuf said.

What's wrong with this picture? lol. My plumber tells me he's not allowed to work on a bathroom that isn't enclosed. I'm glad my back is better! Just wait until I rent the tile lifter....this isn't rving folks, but stay tuned, because I'm sure to be dragged around by said machine (see other pics of tile laid on wood floors that must be removed because it's all cracking), shoulders vibrating along as I struggle to lift the tile.

Did I mention that this is a fixer house?

Ah, but I'm lucky to have it...in the right place at the right time and all that.

This will be the living room. Someday. Soon. I promise myself. See the lovely wood floors? See the tile at the edge of the picture?

Here's more of the tile in the kitchen...just off the living room. It'll get ripped up and we'll see what's under it. I'll cover the cabinets with beadboard and frame them and add a light glaze, get new hardware and granite countertop that extends over the end there to make a bar seating area...the appliances will go to the downstairs tenants and I'll get new ones. With good Energy Star Ratings, as I've just received my utilities bill for one month. Egads.

This will be the small guest room...and I use it as a gym/yoga/meditation room now. The mattress you see on the floor is one I bought when I got here, to replace my sleeping bag and ground pad...lol...funny what you forget about, eh? Well, I spent 3 nights on this and thought it was only slightly better than the wood floor, so I went out a bought a proper bed. I imagine my guests won't want to stay long with me. Maybe some memory foam on top one day.

Ah. The stairs to my little crows nest. Do you know that every workman I've had in here does his level best to keep from laughing at me? My kitties have learned to navigate these steps very carefully, after falls they made. *sniff*. HELOC, my ol' friend, will enclose them before anyone else gets hurt.

See that balcony? This is after having it ripped up and fixed...because...

...see that ceiling? That's in my bedroom. When the inspector and I were here, we had to put a bucket under it because it was flooding the floor. HELOC will one day fix the ceiling and add a floating TREX-like deck to the balcony. It's a great place for evening cocktails to watch the sunset.

See there? It's much better IRL.

". . .blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop-top..."

Now, onto more important matters. Her majesty thinks that when I'm sitting at my desk working, I should instead be petting her, so she trys to insinuate herself any way she can. This is one of her favorites, as sometimes, rather than just putting her down, I will pick her from this perch and put her in my lap. For some reason, when I'm engaged in work and she jumps directly into my lap, the startle that I get causes me to shove her down. So this is her psychological way of getting into my lap.

Blurry, I know, but I can't stand it. This is a sink in the crows nest that my little girl loves to curl up in. However, once I come into the crows nest, she sits up like this and so I don't have a pic of her nestled into it just so.

It's just too cute.

And this little fella lives under my shed. I'm leaving him be...and he me.

Welp....there's the camera dump, such as it is.

Well Phooey

2011-06-08T10:14:00.002-06:00

My rig didn't sell on ebay...though I was going to accept one offer, they never got back to me.

Sooooo....it's going back up on Friday for a 10 day regular style auction with a reserve low enough to hurt me...but I'd like it gone. For my readers and my readers only (lol), I can say that the reserve will be $42k, which 3 bidders hit during the process, but I was sticking it out for $45.5k. And I think it's wise of me to offer transportation from a nearby major airport, so that's going in the ad. So, hopefully, this time, she'll go. Since it's below NADAs low retail of $44.4k.

When this silly process is all over, I'll post about it here so others can learn from my floundering through it. I used ebay years ago, before it became so scary, so this is all new to me.

Kayaking Through Rivers, Waves & Windshields

2011-06-07T07:49:00.010-06:00

So, my pseudo son (hereafter known as PS) and I went out kayaking yesterday. He has a ocean kayak (sit-on-top) and mine, as you may recall, is a sit-in. And there is quite a difference between the Intercoastal Waterway (as a river, and hereafter known as ICW) and the fresh water rivers I've been in. This is to be expected. But I was amazed at the thriving life I found in the ICW (I should say here that I wasn't in what would be considered the main channel of the ICW, but rather in the wonderfully calm and beautiful lagoons, marshes, etc that are part of the ICW).

At one landing we beached our boats and the hermit crabs were so numerous that it looked like the ground was moving...and their movements created a cracking sound as they skittered about. We also saw all sorts of huge birds, skates (and a nest of one ...to be avoided in bare feet...and protected feet as well!), all sorts of fish leaping about (with one nearly leaping into my kayak...but instead it just hit the side of my boat....rather loudly...must have created some fish headache) and last, but not least, an air boat.

I've never seen one in person, and prior to yesterday, I thought they would be loud and annoying.

I was not mistaken. As the roar approached us (and I use the term "approached" here very loosely) we scanned the skies for what we were sure was a plane doing aerial tricks. Craning our necks produced no view of said plane, though the roar increased....and increased...and increased. Until lo and behold, an air boat came ripping out from some vegetation, far, far from us, and the decibels were such that I would think air boats should be illegal. Or at least restricted to the Everglades. No wonder the pilot had to wear protective ear gear. One would go deaf in such a vehicle. I can't imagine what anyone sees in them at all. There ought to be a law.

But back to the teeming life of the ICW. It was so teeming, that I would not want to swim in it, and that's saying a lot, since it's rare that I skip a swim in any weather. But this waterway doesn't belong to humans...though they may visit with boats, and camp, it is the land of animals. I doubt I'd even camp on any of the islands for fear of a crab (or worse) in my sleeping bag. They have snakes here too. *Ahem*

After a few hours, I thought we should hit the ocean with PS's kayak, so we headed back and lugged our kayaks home (not an easy task....each of us taking one end of the two boats, and his being longer than mine, we walked with arms facing fore and aft...lol.

Alas, when we finally reached home, we proceeded to load his kayak into my van, and the only way it would fit was catty-corner...aft to drivers' side rear (don't get funny), and fore up onto the passenger's side dashboard. At least, that's how it worked when I picked him and said kayak up from his place. But this time said kayak hit the windshield, and I don't know how a plastic kayak could do such damage, but damage it did do, as it cracked the windshield and created spider lines that exceeded a foot in all directions.

I'm beginning to think that the universe is testing me again....but for a long-term stress-test this time. A new friend (a neighbor), swears she can't believe yet another thing has happened to me. What with the dealer issue, the fridge water line breaking, the shower leaking into the wall, the surprise medical issues, and on and on.

She may not believe it, but I can.

I think I'm getting used to rolling disasters. So much so that I didn't care too much about the windshield, and we proceeded in the van on our way to the ocean to ride the waves. In truth folks, the only reason we put the kayak in the van was to save the short hike it would be to the ocean, so I wasn't driving far, and it's a new kayak (new to him) and I knew he wanted to see how it was in the ocean. So we went and would take care of the windshield later (long story short...glass man comes today, and I'm fully covered...won't cost me a dime).

Anywho, fast forward to my turn on the kayak in the ocean. I wasn't planning on doing it, but PS offered, and after I said no, I changed my mind because I thought about how I hadn't done much of anything exciting and new lately, and maybe it was just what I needed. Some adrenaline from fun, for a change.

And it was just what the doctor ordered. I paddled out (which by the way, rocks!...watching the bow of the kayak fly up over the wave as you seemingly decend, then crest up yourself...very, very kewl!) past where the waves were beginning to tumble and I waited for a lull so I could turn the kayak (without dumping it) and be ready, bow-to-shore, for a good wave to ride.

It came. I paddled to catch it. I did. But then it caught me, and there was water in the boat (it's a used kayak and less-then-water tight in it's bulkhead area) so that when the undertow began it's thing, I couldn't correct because the boat was listing to one side...right along with the current/tow/what-have-you...and over I went.

But what a blast. So I walked it back in to a level I felt comfortable climbing back into it, and headed out again, this time catching a bigger and better wave. And not going over.

Man. What a rush. I haven't yet surfed, but I think I now understand why people would like it so much. It was SO much fun, that once I get out of this financial hole, I'm gonna get me an ocean kayak and do it again. Preferably a water-tight one.

I would have spent the rest of the day doing this, but, alas there were too many people at the beach and I didn't want to run over any of the neighbor's kids, what with my skill being so low. One doesn't want to meet the new neighbors that way anyway.

Camera dump soon. I promise.

What a night....

2011-06-04T12:23:00.002-06:00

STILL MY RIG...lol

I'm known for my enviable ability to sleep. Unless I'm very sick, nothing wakes me up at night.

But man oh man, last night. A part of me wonders if I slept at all, even after I caved in and took the vicoden (sp?? well! who the heck could spell it after taking it!)

Root canals stink. Jaw aching, gums throbbing, tooth sore beyond sore. Gad, what a mess.

Good news is the ebay company selling my rig is fairly certain I'll get my asking price, which I think should happen too, since, to the best of my knowledge, it's the lowest priced one in the nation. The offers are edging towards full now, and if it doesn't reach full price, then I may just relist for another 21 days. To others I suppose it's silly to quibble over a few thousand dollars, but the rig is worth it, and I sure could use the money....and if it weren't for that damn dealer screwing up the sale, I wouldn't be in the mess I'm in now.

The best laid plans of mice and men....screwed up by Dick Gore's RV World. GRRRRR. But, buy July 1, things should be turning around. The rig will be sold. My lease obligations will be gone. And I've got an "adopted" son here who is helping me as problems arise. A good kid, but man oh man, can 20 year old guys EAT. lol. I have to go shopping when he comes over to work here. (Cuz the relationship is like a mother-son thingy....gotta keep him fed).

Thus, all will be well...just need to weather this time now. Plus my son is getting married!! To a wonderful gal!!

See? I just have to remind myself that this too shall pass.

I need a break

2011-06-03T12:28:00.003-06:00

It's unbelievable how much is going on right now.

Just got back from my 2nd visit to the dentist for a root canal...seems the job done in Mexico was not a good job. Surprise, huh? And I was just beginning to feel better, physically, and had even bought myself a basketball and played the other day. Now my whole head is throbbing. Thank heaven's for drugs.

Water line to refrigerator broke...thankfully I was here when it happened, so the flood didn't go far.

Turns out the shower connection in the guest bath is leaking...inside the wall. So it's back to baths because I haven't any money for a plumber now.

And every time I call the bank inquiring about my HELOC application, they tell me they need "just one more thing" from me. That's 3x now. And I borrowed money from a friend to make it through this month. And the roofer guy hasn't been paid yet...and I can't even call him about how the roof deck isn't done right, because then he'll want money...and I can't even bargain with him saying "I'll pay you half until you fix the level on this" because I haven't got half.

Good news is I found the manuels for my rv....so I'll go remove that part of my rant from the yahoo view/navion complaint about dick gore.

And the other good news is that the meds are starting to kick in now...so I better stop posting....or it will look something like this....

woot knal 2day. frelin frine.

BIZARRO Phone Issues

2011-05-29T09:24:00.004-06:00

Do you know that if you hit *67 before you dial you can hide your number from the caller you're calling? Well. What can sometimes happen upon dialing this code is that your future calls get forwarded to the number you dialed.

What a great way to sell your vehicle, eh? And here I was wondering why my craigslist ad wasn't getting more attention too, not to mention the ebay ad.

Thank heaven's I only used *67 once to test it...and did it to my son's number so he could tell me if he saw my number when I called. He didn't. So it works. But I wouldn't advise anyone to use this feature. Because my kid has been getting my calls, and didn't realize until today that it wasn't just people dialing a wrong number, but that they were trying to call me. So there he is at work, being bombarded with phone calls, while I'm sitting here scratching my head because I'm not getting any calls.

Of course, what happens is that I've turned down the volume on my phone (inadvertently....stupid volume button is on the side of the phone...you know, where you hold it to speak), and so I don't hear a ring...and so rather than going into my voice mail, calls go to the "forwarded" number.

Ah life.

Imagine trying to figure this out one morning, before your coffee, when 3 friends call to find out why they're "getting some guy" (said "guy" was getting pretty pissed about the barrage during work), another shows up at your door to get your "correct" number...having been called by others wondering what my "new" number was...., as well as a call from the son in question, whom you can tell from background noise is overwhelmed as it is, and he's not trying to hide his annoyance in his tone.

I don't mind bizarre things happening too much...but before coffee?? There ought to be a law.

Odds & Ends & Chicken Soup For The Soul

2011-05-26T16:29:00.019-06:00

The Baby's Still on Ebay I know, I know....this is a non-commercial site...but hey! I need the moohla! And while there have been 8 offers (see the right side of the ad), only 2 have been anywhere near my bottom line; and obviously, they were below the bottom line. Ugh. It's the least expensive 23J on the internet, and still the low-ballers are playing. Yeesh.

Ah well. It will come. Onto other things.

I finally got the check for selling my scooter....all $600 of it. Gad, I hate this economy. And today I got a bill for my wind insurance, which is more than it would otherwise have been had my roof been put on differently. Guess how much more I have to pay?

Yep.

You guess it...closely anyway...$610.

And here I thought I'd be able to pay my roofer guy (not the one who installed the roof, but the guy who fixed a roof deck and is kindly awaiting payment). Silly me.

So. What does one do when one is broke. Well, they make chicken soup, of course. What can I say, I just love filling the house with simmering, homemade soup, so I thought I'd tell you how I do it. Thus, while the aroma of my soup drifts around me, I'll write to you about making chicken soup from scratch, but keep in mind, you may have to wing it as necessary, depending upon the size of your chicken and what you can have available. Note: you must use your own ideas as you make the soup...and you'll see why - so if you are glued to recipe books, rather than using them as a guideline, well, then, perhaps you're not interested in this gentle direction.

Take the carcass from that roast chicken dinner you had (see now...you put it in the fridge last night, and you will first skim away all the coagulated fat) and put it in a pot big enough to hold it (break up what you can) and cover it with water - bones, skin, neck, liver,... everything (think that's gross?...I should tell you about my bouillabaisse with fish heads...eyes and all...it's *fabulous* and your fish monger will give you heads/bones/etc for free when you're buying the scallops/shrimp/clams...unless he/she is a jerk.) If, like me, you had a very small chicken (2.5lbs), put more water in, because really, why do all the work that this soup takes if you'll only wind up with a couple of cups of soup? Life is too short my friends. And you make up for it with adding more veggies.

Then, let that simmer for hours and hours. How many, you say? At least three, but I go by the broth color...I like a dark soup - though the herbs I roasted the chicken with usually play a role there (I'm a tarragon fan). Then strain the soup through a sieve into a big bowl, just letting the bones fall into the sieve (use 2 bowls if you must), then set the sieve with the bones aside, and pour all the broth back into the pot, let it cool, and put it in the fridge overnight. Do the same with the bones.

Next day, skim off the fat that has coagulated on the top of the broth (let's make this as fat-free as possible folks) and bring the broth to a slow boil. While it is reaching that point, cut up a head of celery, leaves and all, and put them in the broth. Celery is a great substitute for salt flavoring, and this soup is salt free, save for what I put on the chicken when I roasted it (I don't measure, it's just sprinkled with salt before roasting). Cut up a bunch of carrots (don't skin them...just wash them...and use the ends and all) and throw them in. You're pleasure as to how many. Then onions....now this is an issue right now for me, as the biggest pot I have is rather small, and I know that it's the onions and garlic that make this soup what it is. Thus, today, I put in only 2 onions (skins and all), that were somewhere between the size of a baseball and softball. With a bigger pot, 4 onions would have gone in. Then, 7 cloves of garlic. Why 7, you ask? Because that was all I felt like mushing up to add (flat-of-knife mush...and again, skins and all). I then dumped in some peelings I'd saved from a salad that went with the roast chicken dinner. I saved them because I knew I'd be making soup. Just some red onion skins & ends (the onions in the soup are yellow), and some carrot shavings with tips). I let this all boil, then turn it down to simmer for another 2-3 hours. And, because I'm human, I take the lid off (*gasp*)...for alas, I have been known to get involved with other things and forget about my soup...but with the lid off, it won't boil over on a simmer setting. However, for the nubile, I will say that this reduced the soup, so that rather than recycling the steam back into the broth, it just goes up into the air. For me, this beats the burned mess all over my stove, and I do love the aroma filtering through the house anyway...it's part of the pleasure. At least, that's what I'm telling myself after so many burned soups and stove messes.

What I'd normally do next is begin picking off the meat from the saved bones. But I'm writing to you instead, (hence, the lid-off technique). But pick I will. So that later, I'll begin the process that is rather like digging crab meat out of a crab. Every little bit of meat will go into the soup, and every little piece of grizzle/bone/yucky will not.

Before you put the meat into the pot, you must strain out the veggies. Again, just pour the broth into a sieve and let the veggies fill it; and again, use 2 big bowls for the broth if you must.

Here, my inner critic comes into play. I, for one, don't like the veggies which have become mush at this point, and in the past, I've thrown them away. However, with this current soup I'm going to save them, and go on a search for a recipe I once found for a gravy made from veggies with a blender. But, do what you will with them. They are likely too many for the soup...but do what you will.

Now you have your broth....from the chicken and from the veggies. Give it a taste, and add what herbs you think it needs. I swear I can't recommend any, because each broth is different for me....sometimes it needs basil, sometimes garlic or onion powder, sometimes even salt.

Add to it what you will, and put the meat you've picked over into it. From here out, your on your own. Rice? If you like. Noodles? You could. I've done both.

But what I really like to do is freeze most of it...I know, this sounds like anathema, but there will come a day in deep, dark February when I'll have the flu, and I'll pull on my robe and shuffle into my slippers and sniffle my way to the freezer to pull out the green-looking container. I'll nuke it up and sip it up and I'll feel soooooo much better.

So. Make it on day you want to lift your spirits, and eat it on a day you need to reduce your temperature. Or do what ever you want.

And there you have it. CrusinSusan's chicken Soup.

DICK Gore's RV World in Jacksonville, FL...run away my friends, run away

2011-05-24T19:05:00.008-06:00

SAME EBAY AD FOR MY BABY....What? Did 'ja think I would feel shame? I don't!

(Now back to the blog you came for, and an out-of-the-ordinary post)

Once before, and only once, I posted here about a company with which I had trouble due to several errors on their part. So you know it is not my practice to blast a company. However; there comes a time.

Because someone elsewhere on the 'net had once suggest Dick Gore's RV World in GEORGIA to me, and that the manager there was a good one, I got in contact with him, Manny Acosta, and would have listed with him had I not moved to Florida. So, after calling many dealers, and really not liking their tone and pressure, I decided to go with (remember this name)

DICK Gore's RV World in Jacksonville, Fl.

Therein I dealt (mostly) with one person:

Dana Drake, manager.

Here's the story:

1. He listed rig outrageously high - $67k, which quite frankly, might very well be near the negotiation price of a new one. No one in their right minds would even call on such a price.

2. I don't know what their ad copy advertised, because it surely wasn't my rig. Not even close. Moreover, the options list was all standard equipment;

3. I spent weeks trying to contact him about this, via both phone and email; he would not return my calls nor respond to my emails. His receptionist told me a) he's out of the office; b) he's at lunch; c) he's in a meeting; d) {I swear this} he's in a lunch meeting. Never mind the emails...they just went unanswered.

4. When he finally did take my call....this, after the receptionist told me he had several calls holding ahead of me, to which I responded with a not-so-nice-chuckle, "I'll wait"; he got on the line rather quickly and told me his wife had been sick and he was taking care of her, and she was in hospital and just came home. (Am I to believe this? And anyway, why the hell wouldn't he return my calls? I wasn't ranting...nor raving....and I know dang well they can price a consigned vehicle at any price (though there's another story related to that...but I digress); my main concern was that the ad wasn't for my rig. It was a cookie-cutter blurb about an off-the-rack Winnebago View 23J; right down to it sleeping 5 people.....whereas my rig sleeps 2.

5. When I mentioned that others had suggested I consult a lawyer (after I finally got him on the phone after over a month of trying) he exploded and told me to pick up the rig. So I drove 2 hours (having to hire someone to come with me because I'm new here and didn't know anyone to ask to go with me - which Dana KNEW because I told him that when I first dropped off the rig and he had someone drive me home) and got it and he charged me over $600 to LOOK at the rig...seriously. And claimed other items too (bulbs, etc...all NOT needed I know because everything worked when I dropped it off), all totaling over $1000 to get my rig back from him. I paid it and left, as the atmosphere in the entire shop was oppressive as everyone knew I was there. One guy was even shaking, and rest assured, I was doing nothing, I mean NOTHING, to elicit such behavior: I came in to do business and I wanted to do it and get out.

Others would surely have done something more.

Lastly, he STOLE my Winnebago bag that included all the manuals for everything in the rig. It was there when I dropped off the rig, and not when I got home. I emailed him and told him to mail it to me. Surprise, surprise, he never responded nor sent the bag. Now I must sell the rig without the manuals because I'll be damned if I'll drive 4hrs round trip with the price of gas these days. I was so very proud of that bag too...and it came in handy often. Now the next owner must go without because of DICK...I mean Dana Drake.

Thank you for listening. *sigh* Don't use this business folks. Shame on them all.

A Cursed House

2011-05-21T16:16:00.005-06:00

EBAY AD FOR MY BABY ...I know; I'm shameless.

So...got out of my lea$e and into the house I bought...a short sale sorely in need of work....that is basically 2 apartments...one of which my son and his fiancee will live in come the autumn.

The previous owner and I have been hanging around a bit together (actually going to a dance tomorrow night with her and another neighbor), and I find that I'm in a financial jam....and I blame the house for bringing bad juju to it's owners.

I had to retrieve my rig from a dealer who was *suppose* to sell it, but they screwed up the ad (if you read it, you would see that it wasn't my RV) and so I didn't have the money needed to completely pay for the house, and NONE of the money needed to fix all it's boo-boos (thank heavens though, that the scooter and trailer sales covered most of the "habitability" issues at least). Not to mention a surprise medical procedure (oddly enough, due to the stress I'm under....don't ask what it was...I ain't sayin') as well as root canal, both of which run into thousands of dollars for me.

But. I'm in the house, which echos it's so empty of furniture and will be for a long time. That's okay. I can see the ocean and I can see the intercoastal. And turtles. And dolphins. And snakes (!%^&*#$) .....again. And I've made a few friends already....and found a smart kid who can fix most anything and is looking for extra cash while he attends school....he's becoming an adopted son to me...'cept I pay him to do what I say. And he does it. lol.

And I'm loving my van...and dreaming up a simple build out for it to make it into a camper/daily-driver/mover-of-big-stuff/tower-of-a-far-off-boat-I-dream-of-having. It still amazes me that my current bumper can tow more than my RV could.

Soon I'll get back to posting pics here...but just wanted to pop back in here.

*waves @ u'all*

FOR SALE (SNIFF)

2011-05-19T08:45:00.004-06:00

Well, after a good deal of trouble with a dealer who sux rocks big time (I'll get to that story one of these days), my baby is up on ebay. To the best of my knowledge, it is the least expensive '06 View 23J on the internet.

Please spread the word, 'cuz while the trailer is sold and the scooter is sold, the ineptitude of a dealer who was suppose to sell my rig has gotten me into financial difficulties, because I was able to buy that house I spoke of earlier, and it's a fixer. But the cost of getting out of a lease, up-front home owner's insurance (and wind....and flood), and taxes and more and more has me completely broke. And for the first time in my life, I bounced a check to a repair person. And though the AC has been fixed...and though the hole in the ceiling through which it rained has been fixed.....and though the hot water tanks have been replaced....there are still dangerous stairs, a rotting deck and more. And though my son and his wife will be moving here and paying me rent, they ain't here yet, and won't be until the Autumn.

Got to sell the rig. So please, tell the world. Here it is:

THE CRUSINSUSAN RV

My Rebirth was Premature

2011-03-19T10:32:00.002-06:00

Sorry all....swamped....got that house I mentioned a while ago.....contracts going on, medical problems have arisen, got to see if landlord will let me out of my lease, got to get rv to dealer (I just can't finance anyone on it), kid getting married, still wants to go to Japan for honeymoon (now, I ask you...yeesh), and helping him move here in months to come....

just can't re-birth the blog now. I will though. Promise.

I CAN'T STOP!! AND SHEEEEESSSS BBBAAACCCCKKKK

2011-03-07T20:10:00.006-07:00

Do you know how many times I've wanted to run to my computer and tell ya' all about something?

Dolphins, weird bugs, experiencing my first pain-free dentist visit ever (really now, I'm nearly 50...ya'da thought that might have happened already); the joy of walking out of a pharmacy without paying a dime (oh lovely health insurance); the neighbors; the sun, the waves, the disappointing restaurants (I am sooo spoiled), watching space shuttles launch, and....and....

TRADING IN THE BMW FOR A FORD E350 HIGH-TOP VAN.

Oh my friends...I can't take this locked to real estate life. I want it sometimes, but not this long. I gotta move!

I'm going to do a build on it. The tale of which will surely be as entertaining (to those who find me entertaining) as anything I've written here.

It will be a while folks, before I really get at it...still trying to find a house....and since my son and his wife-to-be WILL be moving here to rent, I want to be able to help them move, so I won't build up the van until they're here, which won't be before September.

So. There you have it. I wanted to post here and put pics here of the rig prior to anything being done to it, and some minor things are being done tomorrow....so here is the new CrusinSusan Mobile:

And no, I haven't sold the View yet, nor the trailer, nor the scooter. I'm procrastinating. And no, I don't miss the Z3....it was fun...loved it...but really, that mid-life crisis is over.

Please stay tuned for the next.

Signing Off

2010-12-22T19:52:00.004-07:00

Still without use of my pinky folks. And that, combined with this new chapter in my life, about which I am very excited, but bears not much resemblance to what has been here, I will say that I am signing off on this blog for now.

By that I mean that the typos are massive (just try to find the letter "A" or shift key without your left pinky) - and I used to be a 70wpm typist - not copying either...the in-my-head-words) and I am making an offer on a short sale house with both ocean and river views from the top floor, and walking distance to both; and it is split in two so I can rent the bottom out (oh please, let my son and dtr-in-law like the place). So I have so much to think about and do, that I don't want to keep thinking about how patient you all are with me....it makes me feel guilty.

But....I do love this process, so here's what I'm going to do: Sign off for now. Maybe even a year. And come back when the following has been accomplished:

1. pinky control (I'm against the surgery)
2. House purchase (I do want a base, I find)
3. RV sold
4. Trailer sold
5. Van bought and turned into camper (not full-timing, but get-outta-fla-for-summers camping0
6. Boat bought for wintering in the Keys.
7. Other crappola yet to be done.

No strings attached to any of us. Whoever pops up when I'm well and settled is welcome, and whoever doesn't is welcome too.

However, I make no promises about NOT posting....it's been hell not to talk about the stunning moon, clouds, TRIPLE rainbows, and one funny night when I thought the ground was leaking gas just off my porch....a familiar hissssssss sound...and wetness...only to find that this condo assoc. turns on it's underground sprinklers at 2 am. lol And the great live jazz club. and more.

ah well. signing off.

actually is Ulnar neuropathy and becoming a MIL

2010-11-26T10:40:00.002-07:00

right-hand hunt-n-peck typing folks---sorry

seems it is Ulnar neuropathy i have...differs from carpel tunnel, but very similar in regards to what happens in the hand.

ya know when you hit your funny bone? well-that's not a bone...it's your ulnar nerve; and that's what i damaged. it's more common in men then women and that's assumed to be so because men have less fat to protect it, what with the nerve being right at the inside of the elbow - a low-fat zone in general.

however, i can't blame it on low fat....lol...since i'm still struggling with getting off the pounds i accumulated during this transitional time. grrrrr. it's repetitive damage for me...typing/reading via bent elbow on table or supporting my head in bed/driving - constant elbow bending/scootering--same thing/weight-lifting/kayaking....well, you get the pic.

anywho, the good news is my son got engaged over thanksgiving. i like the girl very much and am glad the kid finally did it. 'bout time...been 5 years. so, i'll be a mil. already nudging him for grandchildren. lol

Camera dump & titles I would write about if I could type

2010-11-17T10:13:00.005-07:00

Pelican - 1 nearly beaked me in the head when i was swimming and it was fishing

NOISY jet

redecorating continues

attack of the killer cactus

yellow?? crab

crabby thing wouldn't stay still

saw many pieces of BIG sand dollars, but karma finally shone upon me when i chased down someone elses garbage and lugged it home with me. A sand dollar appeared moments after i waded out of the ocean with that trash dripping.

i love it....sorry for the blurry pick. stink at close-ups

TITLES:

JUMPING SQUID STARTLES BODY BOARDER & SOAKS HER

CONVERTIBLE ROADSTER DRIVER BLASTS MUSIC OF BEACH BOYS & BUFFET & SINGS ALONG. TOWN STARES. SHE DOESN'T CARE.

FLA TRANSPLANT LOOKING FORWARD TO FINALLY PICKING UP KAYAK/BIKE. FORESHADOWS FABULOUS KAYAKING WITH MANATEES

CRAZY WOMAN ARRANGES SURFING LESSON----BUT DEBATES ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH WITH IT

MASSIVE RELIEF FOR WOMAN WHO LANDS EXCELLENT HEALTH INSURANCE THAT MIMICS WHAT SHE USED TO HAVE....BUT ALSO INCLUDES DENTAL. WORLDWIDE SIGH OF RELIEF.

CATS PISSED OFF BY FURNITURE REARRANGING, EATING-SPOT MOVING, & TELL STAFF TO CUT IT THE HECK OUT & SETTLE DOWN!

Not Replying to You....& Posting Hiatus

2010-11-03T16:23:00.003-06:00

Since landing in Fl, have had numbness in pinky/ring-finger. Got worse. Almost without control of pinky, & whole hand aint what it used to be. Am hunting-pecking to type now....had many typos to correct here last week. Dr. vi$it today (insurance not kicked in yet); have carpel tunnel and arthritis too---below elbow. In wrist splint and tennis elbow brace now. Nothing else they can do for it.

Knew years of typing/computer work would catch up with me.

Ce la vie.

Will miss you while I'm gone. Write me if you want...but I won't (shouldn't) respond.

No worries....I can still boogie board!

(*waves*)

.......And Growing

2010-11-02T08:21:00.003-06:00

...I'm liking it better, and here's some "whys":

Seeing the inside curl of a wave while boogie boarding.

Sugar-white sand between my toes.

Having a crab place nearby that serves them Maryland style on big platters on tables covered with thick, brown paper and mallets.

FINALLY getting health insurance I can afford (fyi: for anyone in need in FL..check out this )

Finally getting a bank here that doesn't charge me anything for the privilege of holding my money.

Knowing there are places here on the ocean that I can afford (small, tiny, but on the water!).

Meeting new people and realizing this is a smaller community than I thought, so walk-by "hellos" are necessary (and nice) and doors get held, and politeness abounds.

Lots of colorful flowers, and it's so cool to be living where palm trees do.

Once again having a seafood store nearby, much less one that will cook my lobster for me - that's what I call take-out!

And, I suppose, getting lots done besides finding health insurance; like getting my license, plates, title, passport pics (passport is about to expire), and a real estate agent who is answering my 50 million questions.

Alas, I still have to sell the rig/trailer/scooter, but the rig has been detailed and cleaned and so that is slowly progressing.

I'm liking my newest reincarnation.

Signs........ Say What??!!

2010-10-26T19:09:00.010-06:00

So. In between all the mounds of paperwork I have to do, I manage to get out and explore some. And one of my explorations found me at a town park that shimmied up to a canal. And if you haven't figured it out by now, water draws me to it as though I was being pulled by a dowsing rod. Thus, I follow my aquarian sense (the canal was pretty hidden, and I think that was planned by the planners who may not have wanted to encourage too much traffic through the whole park, to the back, to access the canal) - it wasn't easy to find, and to my surprise there was a little wood balcony-type overlook to stroll along that was about 15 ft long.

Naturally, I go right to the end to read the sign there. It says:

"Manatee Viewing Area"

Please keep in mind that I'm from New York. I've never seen a Manatee. And this spot seems the *most* unlikely place to see such a huge animal, what with all the houses around the canal, the public kids pool (KIDS pool, folks...think of the noise), and, AND I might add, a kayak launching area seemingly used only by commercial enterprises pulling up with vans towing kayak racks/trailers.

So, dis here Nue Yourker is like: "Yeah. Right." And as I begin to try and figure out why such a sign would be hidden in such a place (you know....'what's the angle'), something flops in the water, about 20 ft from me.

Of COURSE I don't think it's much more than a fish, having recently come from the ocean after deciding to get out when some dolphin fish were jumping near me as I was trying to surf and I figured something bigger was trying to get at them.

I didn't want to meet what was after them...and I don't care if they just do that. I'm not such a water-gal yet that I know enough about sea creatures to know when to stay and when to go.

I'll just go. Thank you very much.

But back to the flop in the canal: I pause my skeptical thoughts (yes, yes, I'm working on being more open....sometimes though it back-fires on me) and watch the area of the flop.

And there's another flop. In fact, a rather large flipper like thingy. Then a big hump rises up. Aloud, and all alone, this NYer utters a typical NYer's comment, which I won't repeat here, but suffice it to say that it was along the lines of sacred elimination.

And more flops, and hairy schnozes. Jowls. BIG tail fins.

There must have been at LEAST 5 manatees right there, and I didn't even have time to prove my skeptical self right, because I was SO wrong SO quickly.

Ah. Beware what you bring from yesteryear.

But here's the real thing: They put KAYAKS in *right* there??!! With PEOPLE in them??!!

Have you ever seen the SIZE of a manatee?? We're talkin' BIG here.

I know, I know, they're "harmless", or so I was told by the woman packing up the kayak rack. I had gone over to talk to her about this phenomenon she was engaged in. She allayed my fears. Except for one thing:

It seems that the females ovulate once every 3 years.

And you better not get in the way of the males headed for her during that one special time for them, because they'll just roll your kayak right over to get at her.

?

!!

Erm....is there a sign for this "special time"? 'Cuz I'd sure like to know when it happens so I can stick to the ocean and whatever is making the fish jump.

Lastly, and on an entirely different note, but still on the topic of signs, I have to say that never, ever, in my ENTIRE life have I seen a sign that limits the amount of alcohol one is allowed to bring onto the beach to (hold on folks)......

ONE GALLON

??

!!

What the heck is that?? And I'm from NY!

All I've ever seen is the NO Alcohol allowed signs.

ONE.

GALLON.

I am truly befuddled by that. It's the OCEAN folks!!

Hellllllllooooooo????

These two liquids do not mix.

Yeesh. Reminds me of the time everyone was alerted to a rattlesnake that was slithering around the campground and then how a group had killed it, skinned it, cooked it, ate it, and stowed the skin to make a hatband.

Once again, I'm not in Kansas anymore.

Gad. The signs and lack thereof.

Enough to drive ya ta drink, ya know?

Now where did I put that gallon?

....And Another Thing...

2010-10-24T18:05:00.002-06:00

man oh man, the moon on the ocean.

That full moon rising, orange now, like a burst of sun over the ocean. And then when it's higher, how it illuminates the crest of the waves.

It's wonderful. And I'm surprised at the number of stars I can see.

Spectacular night displays.

It's Growing On Me, and other items to share

2010-10-24T15:28:00.007-06:00

I have to say that this place is growing on me...just like the desert did. It's beyond cool to go out surfin' every day...well, body board surfin'...I've found that my body surfin' skills just ain't what they used to be, so I got myself a body board. It is soooo cool! I'm learning so much about how to catch a wave just right, ya know? Right at the crest; going it's speed. I'm loving it. And I'm also loving the beach itself - it's really something to walk/jog on the wet-packed sand right at the shoreline. Although one must avoid the jelly fish that have washed ashore...they don't seem to have stingers the way they did in NY. But that's the small ones. Today I had to stop jogging to marvel at a HUGE one with lots of red stingers. It was about the size of a large dinner plate. Hope I don't meet one of those while surfin'.

I also find people here are very friendly and it's nice to just sit on the beach and people watch as well. Not to mention the kite surfers, paddle-boarders, and sand boarders (that's a new one on me: picture a large skateboard with big wheels out the sides of the board, and a kite shaped like a slice of orange up in the air pulling them along). Gad, lots of new things to try here.

However, one thing is troubling me, and that is that I keep being rejected for health insurance, thanks to those pesky "pre-existing" conditions. I'm not sure what to do about all that, besides keep trying. Although if I see someone interesting, I may just begin to flirt with them...something along the lines of : "Hey, cutie....ya got an HMO?" lol

Okay, okay, I guess I have to fulfill my promise....thus, here's some pics of the roadster:

Ain't she a bute?

VRuuummmm!!

What a schnoz, eh?

Oh yeah, and here's a pic of the view from my shower...which is great because I really do love to shower outside. In fact, I like to do everything outside...except eat. Weird, huh?

So, there you have it. Nothing huge, but since you all are still reading, I figure I'll keep writing.

Pics and Thoughts

2010-10-14T10:00:00.008-06:00

First, some thoughts about the landed life...I think the thing I really don't like isn't so much about a landed life, as much as it is being landed in someone else's abode. You know...their stuff. Their furniture. Their taste.

See, while it's cool to not have to buy furniture for a rental, it stinks to be surrounded by stuff you don't like...and too much of it at that. So, after some pondering, that's what is bothering me about living in an abode...not the "landedness" of it...but the "otherness" of it.

Thus, I've been thinking about putting my house money towards a place here that is mine (I've saved my pre-rv-life-house-sale money for just such a day). Although I will say that I'm not a big fan of the area yet....perhaps it has to grow on me...perhaps it's just Florida in general. I don't know. But right now, the current thoughts are leaning towards buying something and renting it out (via an agency) while I do the nautical life. Then I'd have something to come back to if I need to do that at a later date.

Now, onto the pics....the car pics will have to wait though.

Here's my backyard:
Don't hate me!

There's the walkway to the backyard....lovely small dunes beach.

And I'm enjoying the flowers here...and the lizards...lol.

Here's a view from my unit.

And here's my unit. Wonderful cement box, eh? Ah, Florida. I'm downstairs. The white shutters are hurricane shutters...a new experience for me.

Some more of the beach in front of me....I really do love it's natural state.

Another view pic from my patio.

And yet another. Pretty huh?...the foliage that cuts my 1st floor view off will be trimmed once hurricane season is over. Then I won't have to stand up to see the ocean. Not that I'm lazy or anything. lol

Just another sunnier view here

And one from inside the apartment.
That's not my telescope...but I'm gonna use it!

Welp...lots of paperwork still to do. Hope ya' all liked the pics.

Happy Dance! Bought A Car!

2010-10-10T10:37:00.002-06:00

Oh, not just a car....a 1997 (oh stop!) BMW Z3 convertible.

Woo-hoo!!

90k miles, and a manual, but drives like a dream. After driving the View, I feel like I'm driving a pea-pod.

And because I couldn't get to the dealership (traffic is way to much here for a scooter really), he came to me with the car. We do the paperwork tomorrow.

I did the crawl over it, and it seemed fine to me. 30 guarantee on the big stuff and he'll split the cost of any non-big thing with me during that time too. I figure I'll keep it for a year, then have my next plan in place.

So now I'll be selling my whole lot...rv, scooter, trailer. And the storage facility I have it all at will do the selling for me, so I don't have to be around for the tire kickers, which rocks, because driving over to the facility to show the curious (people still come up to talk to me about it wherever I am), would stink.

Feeling a bit freer for it all. Just me and my convertible roadster and apartment. (Well, in the not-to-distant-future anyway.)

VVVVVRRRRROOOOMMMMM! (Heh, I cause the dealer to grab on tight during the test-drive.)

Okay, So I Have To Get Some Wheels . . .

2010-10-08T16:30:00.002-06:00

. . . or I'll lose my mind. But right now, since I don't know what the future holds (except that I won't be here for more than a year), and since I'm on the roll of doing things I've never done before....

I have never owned a sexy sports car and I've never owned a convertible. And I've always lusted after a Miata MX5. What say you to my getting an old (not too old - just above beater really) Miata, which I've seen under 10k, to roam around in....hair flying...zipping around Florida (yes, yes, I'm in Florida).

Have some fun with this surely-to-be-short-lived landed life.

OH! And you know what else!!?? I have LOVED the BMW Z3s when they came out...but alas, again, they were way out of my price range...as was the View when it came out. But now....now....holy cow...gotta go folks.

Gad, writing here sure helps to get my mind steadied. :) Oh god...a Z3 convertible.

See YA!

CRUD!!

2010-10-07T10:33:00.002-06:00

I have no idea where I saw that the FJ Cruiser can tow 10K lbs, but now, as I get down to the wire of buying a vehicle (more on that in a bit), I find it can only tow 5k.

I HATE typos like that online (I *know* I saw it), and/or mistakes. Thank heavens I did more research on it. Yeesh. No FJ for me.

Anywho, yes, I've landed in my apartment, and have been here almost a week. Out my back door is the most beautiful, natural looking oceanfront beach I've ever seen (pics coming). Out my front door is the ugliest town I've ever lived in. And fer shur, I'm going to have to get a vehicle soon because I can't just hang around here.

Much as I love the beach, and the conveniences offered in a "landed" life, I don't think it's for me. I think I'm a mover. Traveler. But not in the View. I want something else. I'll let you know what it is when I figure it out. I do love trying on new lives.

Ah well. A year to regroup.

Now I have to go off and find a vehicle that isn't a truck (don't want one) that has a big tow capacity (because I sense a trailable liveaboard boat in my future)...of course, the trick is that I want a daily driver that's a comfy ride too. Probably doesn't exist.

I FOUND it!

2010-09-24T23:07:00.004-06:00

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The Uber all-terrain vehicle of the future!
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Sorry....couldn't resist!

What A Difference A Day Makes

2010-09-24T07:37:00.003-06:00

Well, after a long conversation with the rental agency, during which they said (in reference to my emailed list of questions/concerns), that they hadn't even received such a list from lawyers they've rented to.

lol. What can I say. When I was a landlord, it was a much simpler process.

Nevertheless, after a long point-by-point talk, I overnighted the signed paperwork to them, along with the check, and ladies and gents, it's official:

In one week from today I move into a small oceanfront condo/apartment to spend a year lounging on the beach and writing and scooting around in the sun.

Right on!

Thus, except for the moving process itself, the pressure is off because I can sell the rig from the storage facility. And all the little things in the rig that needed attention have been addressed.

I'm exiting folks.

Whew.

Now comes packing up. And what I need to do is put stuff I need for living into the rig, so it's easily lugged from it into the apartment, and things that I won't be using into the trailer, since the apartment doesn't have the storage for it. Thus, after unloading the rig, I'll be able to drive the rig and trailer over to the storage facility to park them, and unload my scooter from the trailer and ride back to my apartment.

The good things about the apartment, in addition to being on the ocean, are that it includes all utilities (save for electric), including cable (it's been a long time since I had more than 3 stations to watch). And it's in a good location for getting to stores, post office, etc. And the library is wonderful - it's the second thing I checked out while visiting there (after the coffee shop, of course). It's fabulous that I'll be near a great library again. It's been about 7 years since I was near a decent one.

Oh dear readers: taking my morning constitution on the beach; being able to set up my adjustable weights on the big holder they come with so I don't have to bend my wrists oddly to lift them off a picnic bench or table. Yoga on the beach at sunrise (lolololol....I may see one sunrise just to see it, but otherwise, the sun rises about 3 hours before I do). Scads of free books and videos just a walk away. A live jazz club to walk to for the evenings.

A TUB. No dumping! A REAL OVEN! It's fully furnished, right down to linens/pots/utensils. I just need my clothes and toothbrush/bath stuff.

OMG....I can have a daily newspaper!! woo-hoo. Lookout!

Ah, life it good.

Newest Plan To Date

2010-09-23T07:11:00.014-06:00

Well, I finally got the lease sent to me, and I strenuously object to a variety of clauses in it, so I'm waiting on an email back from the agency concerning my requests for changes. So, we'll see on that front. I'm suppose to move in a week from tomorrow, but I want these issues settled before I sign anything, although I've already secured the cashier's check for first month's rent and security and pet fee.

I do hate being a renter. In the legalese of it all, the renter comes last. And this lease makes me feel like an ex-con.

I also just dropped over $1000 into the rig for a shop to fix a variety of the little things I've just lived with, and I'm putzing around the RV still, shinning her up. And cleaning the holding tanks has been just a *lovely* task.

Also, I'm not so sure I want to give it to the one and only dealer who agreed to put my bottom price in my pocket. Every other dealer agreed to $5k less, and none of them, not a one, has seen the rig. That's an interesting thing to note for buyers: that a dealer agrees to a price on a rig sight unseen. Doesn't sit easy with me, as either a buyer or seller.

The majority of them are offering me less than the bottom number of the blue book value, and won't consider any of the options that are in it. Well, maybe they are, but not for my pocket. I have a list of about 17 additions I've made to the rig. And it's difficult for me to know the value of said "used options" since nearly all of the ones I have are not available for choosing in NADA. But I know dang well that what I want in my pocket is a very reasonable amount for what I have.

So what I'm thinking, and in fact, have set up, but not yet paid for, is to put the rig and the trailer in storage. It turns out that there is a gated, locked facility about 7 miles from the apartment I may be renting (I can't believe that at this point I'm debating whether I'll take the apartment at all). That's not a bad scooter ride away. And while it means yet more money to store it, I'm not adverse to the idea of selling the rig myself, not to mention that if I do it this way, I'll be able to drive all my stuff to the apartment in a vehicle I already have without having to buy or rent another vehicle. Plus, the apartment is very small, and holding onto the trailer until my living situation is more stable (HA!...read on dear readers) might be a good idea.

Thus, if it all works out with the rental unit, I and all my belongings will go together. The homeowner's association doesn't allow RVs to be parked in the lot, so storage is required, although they'll have to deal with it being there one day, because I just can't see myself putting the cats in a knapsack on my scooter to go 7 miles to move them in.

Wouldn't that be fun?

Okay. So. Onto the next topic to which I alluded earlier.

Those of you who have been following me for a while may be aware that one of my dream lifestyles has been to live in the Florida Keys on a boat. (Okay, just breathe...relax....say "Om".)

I'm thinking about it folks. Real hard. As a next move after the oceanfront apartment. However, since this moving about life surely feels tiresome right now, I'm not sure I like the idea of taking a year or more to live on a boat. Simply because I am beginning to yearn for something more permanent. And, of course, there's the whole cat issue; although I do know of people who live with their cat on a boat, I'm not sure I want to do that; to them or me.

Thus, this brings us back to the whole purchasing real estate thingy, and renting it out for periods of time to follow my lifestyle dreams, abet this does not solve the cat problem. Although, in NYC, people often rent out their apartments to others in exchange for caring for their pets with a reduction in rental price.

(I can just see my readers now: Sighing and sitting back in their chairs at the mountain of choices I'm sifting though. lol)

Okay. Well. Enough, eh? I've probably exhausted you. It's not easy to follow me through my mid-life crisis, is it?

You have my sympathy.

Trying My Darnedest To Wrap Things Up: Not An Exciting Post - but perhaps useful

2010-09-18T10:07:00.011-06:00

Go ahead, try and fill out a rental application (do you know they CHARGE you for the privilege of giving them all your personal information??) when you've lived on the road for 2 years... (to paraphrase) "Please provide us with your previous 2 years of addresses, landlords, etc"

Um.

Sorry?

I've been a vagabond. May I move in now?

lol

The desired move-in date is Oct 1, but it could be sooner too. If they think I'm worthy enough to rent to and send me a lease. Which means it would be crunch time for selling the rig and trailer, and to figure out how to get me and my stuff and my scooter to the apartment. I may have to rent something with a hitch (to hold my scooter), as my friends here don't have hitches on their cars. Or just do a one-way truck rental. Each day brings new things to figure out.

Well, anyway, I have chosen a place to live; or rather, it has chosen me, since it is the only oceanfront rental that is not too far above my previously naive budget. I've sent them the application and money, but haven't yet been sent a lease.

And on Tuesday, my rig goes into a dealer for a full inspection, oil/filter change, fix my electric hot water (which, lucky me, stopped working last month...works on propane; fuses are fine; connections are fine) etc, so I won't have any surprises for buyers. And I've been spending my time cleaning up the rig. Do you have *any* idea how dirty a fridge can get?? And just take a look at your screens....holy molely. It's like I took some desert with me. Finally had to take water and ammonia and sponge to them when the hosing and soap didn't work. Looks great now, but jeeze; it's embarrassing really.

I am happy to say that the rug in the cab fits into a typical washing machine. The hubcaps (which I just said to hell with at a certain point since the Views seem to be notorious for the back caps coming off) are back on. But just wait until you clear out that overcab storage area. After 2 years of never removing my stuff from it, I discovered it was pretty dirty, and it took me about an hour to clean just that.

Basically, I'm going over the rig inch-by-inch (literally), and sprucing her up, tightening screws, etc. I figure I don't really have to be so picayune, but I know that a buyer really wants a new rig, and is only buying a used one to save money. So, if I can make mine as pretty as possible, I'll have a better chance to sell it sooner.

And I have a feeling the dealer who will be checking it out for me is interested in discussing consigning it with them. But I have another who has agreed to my lowest price to me, in addition to 2 other families that are interested. And it's not even on the market yet. So, I'm not worried.

Although the trailer is, and has been, on the market, with no results. I think I over-priced it because I wanted my money back on the recent additions to it: leveling jacks, spare tire, outside shelf on the puller-thingy to hold a propane tank, etc. I may have to do something about that.

So, there you have it. The boring details of the process of exiting full-timing. I don't like it; most especially I don't like my stuff stored at 2 houses (trailer and it's crap at one, rig and it's crap at another with me - and stuff in the house and garage....I feel a bit like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz: ". . . That's me all over! I just keep stuffing it back in!"

Now if only I had ruby slippers to click together and magically transport me off this road and onto the next.

Hmm. Maybe ebay has em...

Thinking, Thinking....

2010-09-15T09:31:00.014-06:00

Welp, I'm back from my visit to see some oceanfront rental apartments, and there were just 2 that I could afford, and they were at the very top of my price range - actually, they were over my price range, but negotiations continue. I figure without RV insurance, and living with just my scooter (which I can do there; and in fact, I could walk almost everywhere), and renting a car when I need one, this just might work.

Moreover, since I have proven to myself that I can research my way to any lifestyle I want (prior to this blog's inception, I managed to find some great places to live after hard study, not to mention full-timing as well), I'm actually beginning to think I could live in a variety of places that appeal to me.

Wouldn't it be cool to be a full-time traveler? I mean, living in a place for a year or more? Places that you've wanted to vacation at?

It would mean renting furnished places, of course. And changing addresses all the time would be a PITA, but if I can manage to live without much "stuff" (HEY! Stop laughing! I might be able to do it!)

And I suppose, then, a car would be necessary, because one needs some stuff, afterall, and it would be just too restrictive to fly with a life of crapola from one place to another.

And I have to say that I do feel I'm pretty much done with the USA, not completely, but nearly. And then, of course, that brings up the issue of the dollar abroad these days.

But ah well. It's just some thoughts, and I've a year, at least, of living at the beach, so there will be time to ponder. And, in fact, I may decide to stay right there on the beach. Moreover, one of the places I'm looking at may be a rent-to-own deal (it's for sale and my RE agent has them mulling over the idea of renting to me). If all goes well, and I do decide to buy it, I could rent it out in the summers and get my butt to a cooler place, thus earning some dough, and thus be able to travel. It has good enough storage that I could stow my junk and take off; a small 2BR, 1.5BA, 2 level condo with FREE laundry facilites for tenants/owners (oh what a joy!). And I've been a landlord before - not fun, but it can work.

Although the kitchen is a nightmare for a real cook...it's not much more than a walk-in closet, and my wheels are turning on correcting that. Not to mention that the living area is very small, but I think I know about how to work with small spaces. lol

Frankly, everything in it needs updating, but it does come furnished, and heaven knows I've lived in the rubble of a fixer before - with me doing the fixing after work and on weekends. One does what one needs to do to live the life one wants. Ya just have to want it enough to do the necessary work. And I have the scars to prove it. lol Thankfully, I've never broken a bone though (knock on wood).

A creative eye towards possibilities and staying flexible has worked well for me and my budget. And I'm not above dumpster diving - especially when you have such a small space: you know there's just enough tile/counter/cabinets etc in that there home improvement dumpster to make it work for you. Thus, never being set on a material/color, and being willing to sand/paint/hammer and so forth, can result in something very nice for those of us on small, fixed budgets.

Hmm. Well, putting that all down on "paper" makes it sound good. Almost like a plan. Summer travel; a place to call home and write in; some income. A real address - rather than being all over the place. Sounds less stressful, actually.

Dang! I'm gooooood!

Lots and lots to do, no matter what I decide. But, from the above, you can tell which way I'm leaning.

Random Bits Of The Newest Changes

2010-09-09T12:41:00.005-06:00

Well, I was thinking about continuing the blog, and would have called it "Savannah Suzanna", in keeping with the title's theme, but it turns out that my plans to move to Savannah (a waterfront city with culture and no snow that I could afford), have been thwarted by the high crime levels therein.

I've lived in unsafe areas, and I won't do it again.

So, there seems to be no other place that meets the above criteria, thus I said to myself: "Self. What other dreams do you have?" and she replied: "You've always wanted to live directly on the ocean."

So true. There are other dreams as well, but they won't be happening now. In any event, I figure I can live out all my dreams and I have the time to follow them all.

Thus, I'm now seeking a beachfront apartment/condo/shed/what-have-you, and astonishingly enough, there's some potential out there. And I'm flying to one area soon to check it out.

A dealer has agreed to consign my rv and guarantees me my bottom line price, although I may try myself first on ebay. Moreover, I feel more comfortable having a place to live of my own before I sell the rig.

(PS to those who are full-timers or plan to be: Craigslist doesn't seem to let you post large priced items on their sites if you are posting from a city other than the one you originally set up your account in. Nor do they let you use a different, just-created email address - a new addy requires 90 days before it can be used for a big ticket item.)

And not only do I have to sell the RV and trailer, and get an apartment, but also I'll have to buy a car (I've decided against a small sprinter, as I want a nicer daily-driver ride). I'm thinking about a used Honda Element EX (check em out....great camping car), or, just because I've never had a convertible, a Mazda Miata. Both are well loved by Edmunds (IMHO, the only place to research a vehicle).

Lastly, but not leastly, this dang transitional life leaves no time for tanning and exercise. Gad, I can't wait until it's over so I can drop the 10lbs I've gained and brown-up again. Yeesh. But the kitties are overjoyed about their new, stationary digs.

Research, Research and More Research

2010-09-04T08:40:00.003-06:00

Well, the trailer is up for sale now on various sites, and I've decided on a price for my rig, but still need to empty it and clean it and so forth, which has turned out to be a bigger job than I anticipated. I emptied my trailer into a friends' garage, and it's parked there; and I'm emptying my rig at another house, putting things into the garage and living room. I don't like having my stuff all in different places, but it's the only way, what with the homeowners association rules here.

As I was digging out my 2 for sale signs for the trailer and rig, I threw one on the dash to make room to write on the trailer sign, and a neighbor inquired about the rig with the "For Sale" sign in it. Silly me thought I could get it ready to show in 24hrs.

Not happening. It'll be at least a week or two before I feel confident enough to show it.

And I've been researching my rig, trailer, and Sprinter cargo vans (144 WB) like crazy, as well as dealers and their ratings with the BBB and comments about them in online forums. I think I found one I'd like to work with, mostly because they were the only dealership to guarantee that I would clear a certain price, which is my bottom line. I will first try to sell it myself, but frankly, it would be so much easier just to hand it over to someone else. Though I know I could do it, I do feel like I have a lot on my plate, what with selling the trailer, moving all my junk around, shopping for another vehicle and visiting my mother-outlaw every day.

Basically, I'm trying to go with the flow, and take things as they come, allowing myself to change my mind as I learn more and speak with others about how to do this.

And what makes this more difficult than it otherwise would be is the fact that I don't have a physical place of my own; moreover, the physical place I want is in a city, thus I simply won't drive my rig, much less drag my trailer, in there. Additionally, after researching campgrounds near the city, I decided I'd rather have the headache of doing things this way, then the headache of staying in any of those campgrounds, as they were either too far out for a reasonable scooter ride, or limited the length of stay to 2 weeks, or had really bad and/or questionable reviews from other campers.

Been there, done that. Won't ignore those reviews anymore for any reason.

So, it's a PITA, but this too shall pass.

The Eagle Has Landed

2010-08-28T10:02:00.006-06:00

. . . Okay, well, I landed on Wednesday, not today. I am back in the east, at a friend's house, recouping and visiting my mother outlaw. And as I reflect on my adventures, about which I'm being peppered with questions, I can only say this:

"And now, the end is near,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friends, I'll say it clear;
I'll state my case of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full -
I've travelled each and every highway.
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets? I've had a few,
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course -
Each careful step along the byway,
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew,
When I bit off more than I could chew,
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried,
I've had my fill - my share of losing.
But now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that,
And may I say, not in a shy way -
Oh no. Oh no, not me.
I did it my way.

For what is a woman? What has she got? (Pfffft!)
If not herself - Then she has naught.
To say the things she truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.

Yes, it was my way. "

(Apologies to Frankie et al)

Ah. I'm so damned proud of me. All that up there is true. Yep, I'm feeling full of myself. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

So! Onto the subject of the trip "home".

I had an 8 am appointment to pick up my trailer from storage. Those who know me, know that this is a nearly impossible hour for me to be functioning, so I had planned on camping very near the facility and setting many morning alarms to get my butt out of bed. Even though I knew the campground was very expensive, I was willing to pay it to be so close to the trailer, and, for the electric hookups....we're talking 115 degrees, and AC would not be a luxury at that temperature. But the first night, as I drove south from northern NM on my way to Yuma, I overnighted at a rest area in Flagstaff - at a blissful 7000+ feet for sleeping purposes - along with many truckers. I'm lucky I got a spot, frankly. Seems that spot is a popular summer stop in Arizona, and rightfully so I guess.

(BTW: when you see a sign that says: "Don't overheat...turn off your air conditioner for the next 5 miles", be sure to obey it. I was in 105 degree temperature when I happened upon that sign, and planned on just watching my temp gauge and otherwise ignoring the warning. That is until I saw 2 cars and one truck overheated on the shoulder [thankfully, there WAS a shoulder], I decided that trouble this early in my trip was more than I wanted. So I sweated it out.)

I then drove onto Yuma, and the expen$ive campground, thinking that they would charge about $50 for one night.

I was wrong.

They wanted $70.

And I couldn't. I just couldn't cough that up to park for electric.

So I went to a $15 a night boondocking spot, and figured I had enough propane to run my generator all night for AC. And the only reason I paid for a spot at all, is because I wanted to dump and fill with fresh water for the trip home. Well, it turned out that despite the fact that the facility had been letting people run their generators all night (due to the heat), there had been some trouble right before I arrived (ain't I lucky?) and they no longer allowed that. I surmised that the single woman who was sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck (literally, just on the floor of the truck), had complained about the noise. Rightfully so, I suppose.

Thus, I dutifully turned off my AC at 10 pm. But by 11 pm, the temperature in my rig was 99 and still rising, so I decided to move off into the desert away from all others. Thus, I parked out in the middle of nowhere, and indeed ran my genny all night, and was still able to have enough propane for my fridge all the way across the country. (Although I did cheat and use hookups as I crossed NM for 2 nights.) Anyway, the genny-run AC got my rig down to a cool 87 degrees, which I could manage to sleep in by putting a fan right over me as I slept.

I can't believe people live year round in Yuma.

Bleck.

Now, for the other really big news: The camping fees I paid to go from one coast (sorta) to the other (sorta) were as follows: $15 (Winterhaven, CA) + $4 (hookups in NM with camping pass) + $4 (NM again) + $20 (Tennessee, with electric) = $43. And I stayed in rest stops thereafter.

Thus, to cross the USA, I paid nearly half the sum of what one night in that very expensive campground would have cost.

I love my rig and what it can do.

As far as the trailer is concerned, towing it was no problem. I had no qualms about the towing itself anyway - my concern was always about getting into/out of gas stations and campgrounds. And I didn't run into any trouble with that, save for one annoying event in Tennessee, when I had been there for 5 hours, and was then asked to move because I chose a spot away from trucks (they do run their diesels all night) and that I wasn't in a parking spot. As I was pulled out to move, I had to go the wrong way through a truck parking spot to maneuver into the correct direction (in the one-way area) to land a spot for the night. There were but 2 spots left: the one I drove through, just as a truck wanted to enter it (lucky me), and the one I got down on the other end.

I would like to note that as the night progressed, a bunch of more trucks came in, and promptly parked in non-parking spots, like I was in, including, but not limited to, directly behind me, so that if I wanted to backup, I couldn't have.

I was annoyed, but tired, so I slept.

Finally, at some point I hopped onto google to look at a satellite pic of my "final" stop at my friend's house, so I could see what I was in for in so far as the driveway was concerned, having never been to their new house. Lo and behold, it's a circular driveway. Gad, I'm lucky.

And in the end, the only hard part of the trip was the loading of the trailer in Yuma (I had to unhitch my scooter/holder/etc to put it in the trailer and rearrange the whole dang thing again) and the unloading again here on the east coast (it's hot and humid here) - but I at least had extra hands here, and the job was done quickly.

Frankie's song up there rings so very true for me now. I've made some great friends, unloaded some bad ones, had adventures - some of which were, indeed, more than I could chew...but chew that cud I did. I could say more...really, I could go on and on (erm, haven't I already??).

But what a ride I've had. I'm so glad you all came to share it with me. Soon I'll post about the exit strategy, or lack thereof.

Peace.

An East Wind

2010-08-16T14:38:00.005-06:00

There is such a sigh of relieve from my eastern contingent over my decision to terminate this lifestyle, that I'm a little blown away by it. While it is true that everyone was against my setting off on this adventure, I guess I thought the anxiety they felt had dissipated when they saw that I handled everything. I guess I didn't take into account how my adventures were affecting them - at least later, because they seemed to become more content in my abilities as I tackled each new problem that arose, but I guess this kind of life just scares the "normal-living" people, at least a bit.

My son, in particular, is very pleased.

A part of me is very touched by it all, and a part of me is annoyed at myself for not being more attentive to my affect on them (I know better, damn it). And another part of me is annoyed at them.....don't they know I can do *anything*?? lol.

It's a lot to take in, really.

Additional bits.

2010-08-15T22:23:00.004-06:00

Besides the really, REALLY big news in the previous post, I have to say this:

My kid. My baby. My son, turns 25 this week.

I'm sorry, I'm just having difficulty wrapping my head around the fact that I have an adult child who has been on this planet for a quarter of a century.

IT'S NOT FAIR!! I'm YOUNG. No more than 29 myself! Who the heck turned off the lights?? How come I didn't see this coming??

JUST

WHOSE

IDEA

WAS

THIS

ANYWAY??

HMMMM???

Talking about marriage! Do you know what comes after marriage??

Nevermind that! I mean, do you know what title I will gain when that time comes???

Good heavens!! I'm too young!!

......Oh I can't wait!!

Has Been

2010-08-15T21:20:00.010-06:00

Attention! Attention, please! You, back there. Simmer down now. May I have your attention, please!

Thank you.

It has been a wonderful adventure. I've done some amazing things. I've made some great friends. And now that I've told most of my IRL peeps my news, it's time to tell you. (After all, I didn't want the RL peeps to read my news here!)

I don't want to live fulltime in an RV anymore. I don't know what's going on in the world, and I miss picking up my morning newspaper off the steps. I want museums and music and art and literature again. I want fine dining and espresso and a neighborhood again. I want to take a course at a university. I miss collecting rare books - that thrill I got at a thrift store or garage sale when I held a book worth hundreds and handed over my 50 cents for it. Or that book worth less than 50 cents that had a letter from a mother to her adult child in it; circa 1954. I miss the east coast, and it's architecture. Hell, I miss a BATHTUB. Green grass. An indoor fireplace. People closer than 2 decades to my age. A good bed. Movies easily gotten. Flipping a switch to make something happen....like light, or tv or roasting.

There can be no mistake by my readers....you know I've had a blast, and this "ending" is but a new beginning to another life. (I DO keep myself interested, don't I??...lol). I'm glad I did this; and I may do it again sometime. When I'm older. When the hustle and bustle of this new approaching life gets me tired. I won't say where I plan to settle (at least not yet...perhaps not ever...not sure how I feel about announcing on the WWW where I'll live), but it won't be NY. I will say it will be the USA, and it won't involve SNOW.

Been there, done that, ya know?

And it's kind of cool, too, I think, that the blog is a full circle. So others can see how one person did it and decided to begin yet another new life afterwards. Beginning to end, eh? Two years. At least it will be by the time I finish. I mean, let's face it: I have a big haul ahead of me. Rig to sell. Trailer to sell. And most of their contents. Some decisions have been made though; for instance, I was wonder how the heck one has a garage sale? I mean, without a garage. Or parking spot. And so forth. What do you do? Have a fender sale on the side of the road?

lol

Well, a friend has offered a garage for said sale, but the problem is the dang trailer is in storage now, in about 105 degree weather; so fetching it just makes me feel dread. But what's worse is the thought of dragging that dang thing across the country to get to said garage. And you might say:

Well, Susan, what about selling the trailer where it's at?

And I'd say:

Because there's no people where it's at now.

Well, Susan, why not wait?

Because although I haven't shared these plans with you, I have been thinking on them a long time, and I'd like to get moving. Plus, my 85 yr-old mother-outlaw broke her hip, and well, I'd really like to see her. Soon. Ya know?

- - - - End of that convo - - -

So, I'm just dreading the x-country trip with a trailer. Kayak. Scooter. Bike. Cats. Reservation-making for pull-through sites because I can't back up the single-axle trailer.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps the weight of what I have to do feels so big because now, now I know what it involves. But I keep telling myself that by Halloween, I will be comfortably ensconced in my new apartment, exploring the area's real estate (my favorite thing to do, besides writing - just ask my poor son who got dragged around to see houses more than he probably should have; I think he's been traumatized by RE....lol).

Anywho....there you have it. Sorry to drop such a bomb like that, but I wanted to talk with those closest to me first...get their ideas/opinions. Every one, to the last, was for it. But then again, every one, to the last, was against me full-timing. So go figure. Obviously, I'll hear all sides of an argument, then do just what the heck I want anyway. lol.

So. There you have it.

(Honestly, I felt like I've been lying to you all for weeks!! A lie of omission. But now, my slate is clean.)

Snippets

2010-08-10T01:36:00.005-06:00

Just some bits today, of items I've been meaning to tell you:

1. I remember now, the very VERY important thing I wanted to say here some time ago, and could not recall for the life of me, and I was suffering that tip-of-the-tongue frustration about it. It is this: An open jar of Noxzema melts in 111 degree weather, and does not reconstitute itself, leaving it's user to smear a very loose cream over their face each morning if they are too cheap to open the spare jar.

*Thank Heavens* I remember that for you. Phew!

2. I once remarked to a friend that a lizard I saw did not have a tail, and I wondered what sort of lizard it was, as I had wondered about the neon-green lizards I had encountered whose nomenclature I did not know. I was told by this friend that lizards often "lose" their tails when fighting to get away from a predator. And that the tail grows back. I was skeptical.

I can attest to the former, at least, thanks to one of my kitties. (The later is still unproven to me, but my new evidence leads me to support it.)

As you know, my kitties have been enjoying their new outdoor freedom, and in the beginning, I was very concerned about whether they would stay near me. Turns out they do. (And they generally come when called, but that story comes later.) Now, on several occasions I have seen them fly across the ground at speeds I did not know they possessed, only to have them stop on a dime at some hole in a tree, the ground, a crevice in the rocks, etc. Thus, let it be known that indoor cats can become hunters again....abet one of mine wouldn't put anything as disgusting as a mouse or lizard in her mouth if Bast herself ordered her to. Nevertheless, I've been searching for a little bell for each of their collars so they can't sneak up on anything.

I have not yet found the tiny bells.

So. Yesterday, there I am reading my book (Rule of Four - a very engrossing book) and sipping my coffee when a streak of something black shoots into view, and then stops so short at the railroad ties outlining my picnic table, that one might have wondered if it had been moving at all. It is, of course, Gaia, and the speed of her halt has thrown her butt around in a circle while her front paws are plastered to the ground. She gives me a quick look (it's the second time in her life she's ever caught anything - that I know of - and I suspect she wants to make sure her hunting skills are being acknowledged.) Just as I rise to see what she has, she quickly jerks her head back to what's under her paws, then just as quickly jerks her head at a crevice between the ties.

This happens in the few steps it takes me to reach her, and I look down and see the lizard's tail flopping around in her paws. Now I see no reason why she should kill anything, since she gets all the food a cat could want from me, so I'm trying to think fast about how I can free the lizard before she does something permanent to it.

But she does the head-jerking thing again (ties-to-lizard), and she knows more than I do at that point. For all she has now is a flopping tail, I can see. As the tail's flopping slowly becomes a twitching, then one last whimpering shudder, she loses interest and looks up at me. I have no desire to congratulate her (I do for indoor critters though), and for the first time in my life, I get to see a lizard's tail up close. Neither cat is interested anymore (Artemis has been a simple onlooker, knowing better then to get near her big sister's quarry), and they wander off, I assume to fry bigger fish.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could wriggle out of deadly situations in such as way as to lose a simple replaceable thing, regardless of the pain? I marveled at that tail; a clean break, almost as if there were a switch to hit that had it fall off for the greater good when necessary.

I will keep looking for those tiny bells though (surely a craft shop will have them).

And there you have it: The tale of snippets.

(Oh. I am sorry. I couldn't resist.)

Fair Warning: May get more boring

2010-07-31T14:52:00.004-06:00

While I do reserve the right to change my mind (*ahem*), this blog may become more boring than even the recent lapses in postings has made it; and here's why:

I've tentatively decided to get my butt back in gear (after a minor chewing out from a friend) and get back to writing my book. And, after much consideration about where to do this, I have finally come to the conclusion that I don't have to move back east to work face-to-face with my editor (didn't even know I was considering that, did 'ja?), and that I can wander from one electrical hook-up to the next.

Now, some of you more persistent readers will want to say: "Hey! You just bought a Honda generator!! You were going to have it pay for itself via boondocking!" and other such annoying, yet correct, comments.

Well. What can I say. I want to be good to myself while I do this work, and having to run out for gas/oil for the genny....or propane....and also go outside to switch from one genny to another (the honda doesn't run the oven/micro) and having to deal with the fact that poor tv reception (via old-fashioned antenna) becomes even worse when a genny is on (even away from my rig), and on and on and on.

It will be nice to have heat, hot water, electricity, air conditioning, showers from my shower rather than from my solar bag, and so forth, while I do the hard work of writing.

Not that I feel I should explain, but I want to.

All of which means that, should I actually become successful at daily writing (*that* is the successful part of being a writer.....writing), I won't have the adventures I've written about here. Because I'll be in safe, regular campgrounds with hookups, rather than balancing my rig on a boulder over a roaring river, or being eaten alive by horseflies while kayak-camping, or fill-in-the-blank-with-your-favorite-crusinsusan-disaster/adventure.

So. That's the plan. I'm still young enough to kick myself in the butt to accomplish something in this life that's meaningful (at least to me). And I'll have plenty of time (after my book tour, 'natch) to perfect this lifestyle even more at a later date. And do Alaska. And Baja. And who-knows-what.

I'm not saying this is the end of the blog....but I am saying that I'll be buckling down into a more "normal" lifestyle for a while, perhaps a year, to get this memoir done. (Look up there at the top of this page...under my name...that little blurb that wonders if I'll be successful at this lifestyle as well as writing the **^#^*$#@ memoir.

'Bout time I worked a bit on my other raison d' etre. So I'm going to be selfish. Hope y' all don't mind.

Saved Pics Finally Downloaded

2010-07-22T20:35:00.011-06:00

Camera dump again. This first pic is nearly a month old, and is only a pic of part of a snake. A snake that was headed under my rig and that I nearly stepped on. It ignored my presence. My yelp. But, when I shook my hose (which was hooked up) and right in front of him/her, it changed it's course (thankfully) and didn't go under my rig. I imagine it thought the hose was a really, REALLY big other snake. lol

See bottom left of pic for the snake and remember, I was saying all those lovely words as I dove for my camera and shook and tried to focus. So, forgive me the lack of professionalism. Even though it's a non-poisonous snake, let's keep in mind...it's a snake!

And I imagine this following critter might have made a nice meal for it. I'm guessing it's a member of the chipmunk family?? But it's an odd chipmunk to this easterner.

I have seen more rainbows, and double rainbows in the last year than I have in my life. Gad I love em.

This capped doggie just cracks me up....but snoop has appeared her before in this garb, abet without his junior ranger badge.

And here is, by far and away, the best sunset I've ever seen; even better than the famous Key West sunsets...this one is post a NM storm, and the pics don't even come close to the pink, atom-bomb-like explosion that I experienced.

Ah well. Camera is now cleared. I've enjoyed a wonderful veggie curry with wild and brown rice dinner at a friend's house. And my kitties are loving the freedom they have here on this peninsula with hardly any cars, although they've learned that when they hear that funny sound outside, they are better off inside, lest they become all wet. Wondering what I'm talking about? Well, they wanted out this evening, and pressed hard for it, and did escape. During the rain. Which made the ground all muddy.

Did I neglect to mention that I think rainy days are perfect days to finally getting around to cleaning my floor and carpet?

They each gave the outside, rainy world about 3 minutes, before they decided to prance back in. I missed catching the first one, and so muddy pad-prints were left on the floor and carpet from the first one. I did manage to catch the second kitty as she leaped up the steps, and she bore the embarrassment of my cleaning her paws before she got far. But down on the floor I went again to clean up the carpet and floor from the first errant kitty, who refused to cooperate, and ran all over the rig to avoid me. Thankfully, she stayed on the ground, and didn't try to hide on the bed or chairs.

Ah yes. Sunsets, rainbows, and muddy paws.

Well. It's my life.

Third Time Is The Charm

2010-07-21T15:11:00.006-06:00

Well, I didn't go to that risky spot. I decided to take my scooter down the "road" again....for the third time, and came to the conclusion that there was a perfectly nice, safe, standard campsite in another part of the park that was also on the water, private, a peninsula, etc, etc. Thus, I chose the road more traveled this time.

Wise move, methinks. And it was that hill with the sharp left that finally cinched it for me - just didn't want to risk it.

So I am safely ensconced near some new camping buddies. I share my internet and kayak with them, and they let me love their doggie. hehe. Oh she's so cute, I can hardly stand it! And when her face is wet from frolicking in the water, she looks like a werewolf. Which is funny as heck because she's anything but....just a little sweetie.

Anywho, here's some odd notes for ya:

1. Fruit cobblers are easy deserts to make, and use staples you already have, and beats the heck out of making a pie crust.

2. One can gain weight from eating fruit cobblers too often. (*Ahem*)

3. A vegetable peeler is a great cheese slicer.

4. A zester is a great cheese shredder.

5. Free books are in abundance in this full-timing life (via other friends, laundromats that do exchanges, and finding them just piled up next to the trash)

6. A portable fan is an excellent way to make your genny exhaust fumes go in the direction you want them to go: AWAY from your rig.

7. Bissell rug cleaner, in the can with a scrub brush on top, is a wonderful tool for removing all sorts of carpet stains.

8. Collecting bird feathers is a better hobby for a full-timer than is collecting rocks. (*doh*)

9. It drives me nuts when I know there's something I wanted to write here, that I thought of a day or so ago, and I can't recall it!

Oh well. Talk to you soon.

Well! It's In My Blood

2010-07-18T20:32:00.004-06:00

I don't mean to sound all suspenseful and keep you wondering...but either tomorrow or the next day I'm going to do it again: Go to a camping spot I found via my scooter that most saner RVers would not go to.

And I've warned my camping friends here; and they've warned me right back ("Oh Susan. What if you get stuck out there?" and "I wouldn't even take my car out there!" and so forth and so on).

But......but.....it's so secluded! My own peninsula! (Providing I get there before anyone else does). And shaded. And I've already seen a great blue heron there, and other birds I can't identify. And I'll have my own beach!

So, here's what my reconnaissance has found: two sections that have a single deep rut each (one of which someone filled in with rocks....not a bad idea at all) that gave me pause, and a rather steep, abet short, uphill that wouldn't be a problem if it didn't require a sharp left turn right at the top. This latter item is the one that worries me. I'll be stopping before the hill to walk it again, and after having a better feel for driving the rig in this back country in general. If I decide to forgo it, I can turn around at that point.

Anyway, that's my report to you troops out there. Now your job is to send my rig powerful thoughts - literally. Not too much....just enough to make it up and incorporate the left turn with agility.

There. Now you know that I indeed engage in premeditation for my disasters.

And here's an interesting sidebar: a friend of mine has a very docile dog, to whom my cats have been previously introduced within my rig. However, in the past, poor Gaia just tried to keep her bravery up by walking around with an air that said "This den is mine", while Artemis just crawled into spots Snoop (the dog) couldn't reach. Today was different. I was letting my friend use my internet to check her email, and Snoopy snooped around a bit inside while I tried to absorb an article on solar rving, but he finally laid down at my feet, and Gaia claimed the space by the door (where the breeze was) and I'll be damned if Artemis didn't come down off the bed to lay on the floor by the closet. All 3 animals just hung out together.

In all my born days, I would never EVER have thought my cats would put up with a dog. But lo and behold, Snoopy left with all his nose skin in tact.

Will wonders never cease??

Write to you soon.

I hope.

lol

Just Hanging

2010-07-17T19:02:00.003-06:00

Nothing much to report, so I'll just throw some things out there.

--Finally got the chance to put my wireless amplifier to the test, and I must say, it's doing well.

--My big genny (the built-in one that came with the rig) wouldn't start the other night when I wanted to roast up some fingerling potatoes in my oven. It's really annoying to have to go out in the dusk, anticipating a job that will last into the dark, and do the duck-walk (stupid genny door opens up just enough to be annoying) to see what you can see. But, as luck would have it, after checking a few things, it was just a fuse and easily fixed.

--Also finally got around to fixing my bike: it got a flat a while ago, and a friend got me a gizmo that stops flats (forget the name, but it's a rubber coil that goes between the tire and the inner-tube) so I put that in and reassembled the brake mechanism that came undone. (I'm as hard on my bike as I am on RVs!)

--And I sucked it up finally and got under my rig, by my steps, and drilled some screw holes to hold the trim around my steps on: the trim had been temporarily held with plastic ties.

--Lastly, I'm rethinking the book writing. I had set my memoirs aside because, well, it's a PITA - frankly it's more than a PITA. And some friends back home have been poking at me about it. And they're right. I need to get back at it, and that may mean even less writing here, because I am oh-so-good at using the blog to feed my writing/communication needs. Gad, I hate that I can't seem to work on anything else until I spew that memoir out.

And you should have heard me as I thought I'd have to do this-or-that or live here-or-there to work on it again.

Poppy-cock.

There's no reason I can't do it right here.

Gad I hate it....I suppose I should just get it over with....like a vaccination...just turn my head, squint my eyes shut, and be done with it.

But OUCH! And it smells too!

Well, now I'm rambling again.

Comfy Time

2010-07-11T21:30:00.004-06:00

Well, I'm comfortably ensconced in NM again after my Buffalo National River trip, and am actually now at the third state campground since crossing the border. I soloed at Conchas Lake, and would have stayed longer to enjoy the mid-week peace and quiet along with the shore front boondocking; but alas, I don't do solo well for long, so I took off after 5 days to meet up with some friends at another lake. I even opened my wallet to cough up for hookups. But I disliked the lake, and wasn't near my friends (the place was packed for the 4th and frankly I was grateful to have a spot at all). So I took off after 4 days and headed for less populated, and thus quieter, pastures, where, as it happens, another friend was camped, and yet another was soon to follow.

And I've made some new friends here....I've eaten but one dinner alone in the week I've been here, and frankly, come hell or high water, tomorrow night, I'm dining solo, lest these group meals undo my waistline.

Speaking of food, I still haven't caught another fish, and thus the two I did catch are still the most expensive fish I've ever eaten by virtue of the cost of the fishing license.

On another note, tomorrow I will, I hope, finally fix my bike, which got a flat a while ago and I now have a tire insert to keep it from getting flats. In addition to that job, I need to secure some trim that I jimmied back on after my sand-bar fiasco. I had to charge up my drill, and waited until the last day of my hook-ups to do so, because I didn't know it needed charging when I went to use it. It just wouldn't drill into the metal under my door on the side of my steps, which happens to be the only spot to secure the trim via screws. (I don't have faith in trim glue, and though I used it, I also temporarily secured the trim with plastic ties.)

Well, a bit of work will be good for me. But basically, it's Summertime, and the livin' is easy.

Talk to you soon.

Pics Galore

2010-07-08T14:14:00.032-06:00

I think there's a part of me that dreads putting up pics when I have so many to share....the power and time required make me procrastinate. Ah well, I'm glad you all forgive me my faults....at least I think you do!

Here's the pics of the dreaded, 111 degree, humidity off the scale kayak camping trip: (some with comments, some just of the views)

We were a bit worried about kayaking by this baby...can you see that crack up there? I surely don't want to be there when she goes.

This is our camping spot for the first night, which was great, although already at this point I could feel the toll the heat was taking on me. Although I had been drinking over 200 ounces of water (filtered river water) a day, I was already dehydrated and dealing with a monster headache, and beyond tired right down to my bones.

However, I had splurged on weight, and brought with me a battery operated fan - a large one requiring 8 D-cells, and that was a pleasure inside the tent, let me tell ya. But as the evening wore on, my kayaking bud asked if I could hear the elk calling, so I turned off my fan, and heard a bizarre bugling sound, which led me to believe that he was pulling my leg. After all, I've seen an elk, ...how could such a big animal make such a ridiculous sound? And it wouldn't be the first time someone tried to pull my leg out here...what with me being an eastern, suburban gal.

So! I haul out my droid, (can't believe it, but I got bars there), pulled up YouTube to find a video that had an elk calling, (I wanted both pic and sound to ensure the animal I was hearing matched what I'd been told!) and lo and behold, it's a dang elk making that noise. Moreover, those calls were coming from all around us... we were literally surrounded by elk. Naturally, since I love living so close to nature, I hold the droid out my tent window so my YouTube elk could communicate with the other elk.

Yes.

I know.

Not the wisest thing to do. lol

But I didn't think of that until later. "Erm, Susan? Calling to elks is NOT a good idea."

Please allow me to introduce you to the first-ever, (and hopefully, the last) crusinsusan, kayaking roll-over culprit. See that upended tree up there? Doesn't look dangerous from here, does it? Well, let me tell you something....when you're coming down the river, towards that monster (for in a kayak which is low in the water, that thing looks {and may be} 4-5 feet high OUT of the water, what with all it's roots and the earth attached to it) and the river becomes as narrow as it does (can you see how wide the river is behind the jutting branches?), and the narrowness also includes shallow rocks, and the power of the river just digs out a HUGE hole after the shallow rocks, because there's nowhere else for the water to go, the power of the river pushes you into that root-hell despite the force you exert to avoid it.

Of course, it was too hot to wear my spray skirt, and what with the river being so shallow everywhere (except here, of course), I figured if I went over, I'd just stand up.

This is also how one convinces oneself that a life jacket is too much of a burden.

However, while I was under the water, pulling my legs out of the kayak and finding I could not touch bottom and my kayak was over me, upside-down, I was truly wishing I would never, ever again venture onto a river without, at the very least, my jacket. (Yes, I'm looking into one of those belt-CO2 cartridge types.)

Thankfully, all my camping gear and food was secured to the kayak, though I did lose my hat and sunglasses...didn't even see them go. And for those of you who are interested, the items in my dry bags did stay dry....however, the items in my dry box, produced by (remember this name) Outdoor Products, did NOT stay dry. Do you know about their warranty on their products? Well, I do now....they do indeed warranty their products....but not if anything gets ruined by their products.

Now I ask you...what the hell good is a dry box that doesn't keep things dry? I got a nasty email reply when I very nicely asked about their policy on items ruined via their products.

Nice OP. Very nice.

Anyway, back to the river. My kayaking bud had also hit the root-tree, but didn't go over because the person in the rear can learn from the misfortunes of the person in front. However, his wonderful kevlar kayak did get dumped earlier, and we both had to bail out our kayaks on our second day river running. It's not a fun task on such hot days in warm water....days in which we were paddling back and forth across the winding river to reach the shade of what trees we could find because it was "cooler" in the shade....a mere 102 degrees. Moreover, at the end of this day's trip, we discovered his kayak has sustained a long crack and damage right in the center of his "keel". I'm fairly certain it was just through the gel coat and not into the kevlar, but alas, it was the next day that we called it quits, having bowed to the power of the river and the scorching heat that ripped moisture from me and caused me to feel not just a perpetual headache, but rather odd in general. By the time we reached the nearest piece of civilization I downed 2 large bottles of gatorade (which I used to hate), a hot dog AND a hamburger, and that brought me around well,, but it would be 3 more days before I felt like myself again.

Ah well, here's more pics:

Now wouldn't you think that that morning mist would mean cool weather? It didn't. But it was pretty, and it's been a long time since I've seen mist.

Jumping fish aren't easy to capture on film...but there were tons of fish in the river....and I got my first glimpse of Alligator Gar.

Here's some of our things drying after our day of dumping. This is only what's left of what was wet, as I took the pic after most items had dried.

There were tons of turtles on the river also, and though I never saw a frog, we surely did hear bull frogs.

Welp, I think that the whole story. I won't ever do it again. And the camp host said that they'd never seen the weather that hot, and that it came when I did, and with all the bad luck I'd had while I was there, they were hoping it would go when I did too.

Finally, though I was paid up for 3 more days, after just one day back from the river trip, and still hotter then hell at 3 am, I couldn't sleep....so I pulled out and drive until 9 am when I found an rv park on the side of an interstate and pulled in, hooked up, cranked up the AC and went to sleep until 8 pm....got up for dinner....went back to sleep until 9 am the next morning.

And I needed it.

I'm back in NM and plan on staying PUT for a long time.

But yes, I've been kayaking since then. In a lake, thank-you-very-much.

Tired...but having fun

2010-07-07T20:31:00.002-06:00

...I want to post...but I'm about out of power...am boondocking and really, REALLY need a dessert...so am using genny to make a fruit cobbler, and thus have run down my computer battery (finding a fruit cobbler recipe that has the ingredients that I have...or close enough to) and can't post pics of the trip.

I know, I know, I spend all my time kayaking, traveling and so forth, and then when I stay put, you're usurped by a cobbler.

Oh but my friends...I need it!

Will be back...promise! With the embarrassing number of pics I have of the trip.

PS to Last Post

2010-07-03T21:08:00.002-06:00

I just know this part of the story will get forgotten by me once I post about the river trip, because it pales in comparison, but it is just another indication of the sort of trip I had, so here it is:

It was HOT. HUMID. ICKY. And *every* time (I mean E_V_E_R_Y) time I went to the showers to get the stench off me (I was not hooked up to water, and since a shower takes about a 1/4 of my overall water capacity in my rig, public showers are a necessity if one wants water when one returns from a kayaking trip), there was a line for the showers! After 3 stinky days of this, I finally decided that I was sick of packing up my shower kit and going to the showers only to turn away due to a line that I did not want to stand in because it was to HOT to stand in line for N-E-Thing. So, piss-warm though the river was, I went back to my rig and slipped (and I do mean "slipped") on a bathing suit, hopped on my scooter and headed for the river. No sooner did I get down there then it started to rain. Clouds were often threatening to do just that for days, and they had opened up before, but there truly comes a time when one must hope for the best, and set out to clean up.

However. We're talking lightening and thunder and rain. And so disgusted with myself was I, that I actually just took off on the scooter in my bathing suit and nada else.

Now I'm angry. I stink. And the only sane thing to do is turn around and go back, as traveling and/or swimming without much protection isn't the wisest thing to do (despite the other unwise things I've done, I do *try* to do the right thing). So I head back to the campground.

Lucky me, though, because the camp host sees me.

Scooting by.

In my bathing suit.

Flip-flops.

It's raining.

I'm sopping at this point...from the rain...it's still hot, so I guess the moisture on me is rain and sweat.

My hair is in my eyes...large gatherings of it since it's wet and won't stay back.

She smiles and waves.

I don't want to remove my hand to wave back, what with the road becoming slick with rain. Like myself.

So I just frown and shake my head.

I think she was amused.

Which is okay. It is funny.

But next time I'm standing upwind of her.

:P~~~~~~

Uncontrolled Disasters - And I Needed a Break From Adventures

2010-07-03T19:27:00.010-06:00

Sorry.

I know I've been a bad blogger; having not been writing to you (which another post will be about).

The good news is I am alive and well.

The bad news is the plethora of disasters endured of late.

I know the story won't be as fresh-sounding as the other messes I've gotten myself into, and that's because I've waited so long to post it....time dilutes. So This is the Pre-trip mess; aka: Part I.

The scene is the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. You already know the tale of the sand bar I ventured onto, and needed assistance venturing out of.

But remember the heat and humidity I wrote of? Of the sweat dripping off me?

Well said heat and humidity continued. And I had still a few days before I set out to kayak. The only campground with hookups in the area was deserted, and odd looking to me, and I really wanted my cats to be where humans were; humans that could hear an alarm, let's say. So, I chose to stay in a state campground nearby where there were no hookups.

The day after landing there, I opened my hood to check on the engine, having still seen a warning light on my dash that morning. It's amazing, really, how help comes in a campground when you merely open your hood.

The campground host came by, and offered her husband's assistance (a ranger in the park not available at that time), and I said thank you, but I thought I could figure it out, given enough time. I wiped away sweat as we talked, and I smelled rather rank at that point, having not showered for a couple of days. She was very nice and we chatted for a bit as I tried to stay down-wind of her. She learned I was a full-timer and I learned she was a seasonal from Texas. She soon left, but sent over another camper she thought knew a thing or two about engines, and I then stood downwind of him as much as I could as we both crawled over and under the engine, and followed the transmission line, what with the light on the dash and all.

Neither of us could figure it out, and he even called a mechanic he knew in Michigan who knew about said rigs, and he too, couldn't help.

We gave up, but I assured him I would figure it out, as I would go to my trusty online yahoo view/navion group to get the answer about how one goes about adding &^%$*( transmission fluid.

And so I did.

I was to find out that one cannot check the level of the Winnebago View's transmission fluid without a special thermometer/dipstick that in and of itself, costs $50.

It would cost about the same to take the dang thing to a dealer to check. Of course, the trick here is that one should not drive a vehicle that has the transmission light on. I would either have to have the RV towed to a )(*&^%$#! "certified" sprinter mechanic or order the stupid thermometer/dipstick online and have it sent general delivery to the nearest post office...which can only happen if the seller of said stupid (*&^%$ uses the USPS for deliveries....as UPS and FedEx will not deliver to post offices.

As I'm sure you can imagine, I did NOT want to go off on a kayaking trip without knowing if my rig was okay. But either way, I was stuck. And sure I would NOT enjoy the kayak/camping trip. (Oh just wait until I get to that part of the story.)

So the only thing to do, having committed myself to my fellow kayak/camper buddy (and who would have to abandon the trip if I bowed out, since everyone else...oh sane people that they are....bowed out already...so it was just we two nuts who were going) was to bite the bullet and begin the packing process for the trip and do my best not to think of the engine.

Welp, turns out this wasn't necessary; for the campground host (despite my telling her not to bother him) brought her husband/ranger over to my rig the next day, and within 5 minutes we determined that it was not the transmission light at all, but rather the water temp light.

It is at this point that I'm thoroughly embarrassed and disgusted with myself. And despite the fact that in high school, after a forced exam for all students by the military, the Army determined that I had *extraordinary* mechanical abilities (ROFLMAO), I must come to the conclusion that no matter how smart I am; no matter what other sort of things I can figure out and improvise for, the bottom line is I am, and have been, and will forever be, entirely and completely blocked on any and all things mechanical. Even to the point of mistaking a water light for a transmission light. I'm just hopeless in this area.

However, so delighted was I that said ranger, upon filling my coolant thingy with water (in my defense, I did dump a whole bottle of coolant in there already, as well as some water...but the burning-bubble over during the rescue attempt on the sand bar must have truly emptied it all), that I could not berate myself anymore, and rather jumped up and down and hugged the ranger and his wife, which gave them both a big chuckle.

And it was as simple as that. The previously misidentified light no longer illuminated, and I was free to not worry about my engine. And merely had to set aside the trim that came off in my rescue attempt, which I knew I could fix up myself. I should add here that the other camper also came by after the kayaking trip to check on me, as did the host and ranger again.

End Of Part One: Stay Tuned for Part II - The trip itself and the pics...at least of the times I was above the water. *Ahem* And how the ranger couldn't believe my bad luck, and that it must have been me who brought the 111 degree temps, and he was hoping things would get better when I left.

Oh readers. I have had a wonderful time in this lifestyle, but me thinks I'm a bit too adventurous to be in charge of a machine.

Just A Quickie

2010-06-19T19:44:00.002-06:00

....rig is fine....no transmission problems. Just some trim ripped off, easily fixed.

Tomorrow begins a week-long kayak/tent-camping trip, but it may very well be cut in half, as the heat is unbearable and the river is warm - there will be no way to cool off, unless I find another stream (like I did today) that leads into it and is nice and cool. Nevertheless, I can't imagine what trying to sleep in a tent in this heat will be like, so I've actually packed a fan with an adapter for a battery pack. I don't care how much it weighs....I'm bringing it!

I suspect a shortened trip, but perhaps not. If ya don't hear from me, fear not, I'm just kayaking a river; not driving on sand bars.

*Ahem*

I'm So Mad At Myself That I'm Not Talking To Me! & NOW I Recall Humidity & Fire Flies

2010-06-17T16:57:00.022-06:00

GRRRRRRR! (*&^%$#@!!!!!

I KNOW better.

Moreover, YOU know I know better.

Yes indeedie folks, I did it again. And this time, I couldn't save my own butt. (Not even from me kicking it.)

Why? WHY, I ask you (and me) do I dooooooooooo these things??? Whatever is wrong with me??

Well, we know, don't we? I see that spot - oh my - that piece of heaven, far from the maddening crowds, right there (right over there!), behind those trees and bushes, on the shore of that wonderful, crystal clear, gently flowing river.

And I want it. Oh it's like someone holding out a million dollars in cash, and all you have to do is just reach for it. Just reach out! The gap isn't far. If you just lean into it (not too far now) and hold on with your....

Oh well, you get the drift.

So there it was. I even walked it first.

Alas, I must now pull out my list of "Stupid Things Susan Has Done" and add to it.

(Annoyed with me yet??)

Okay....here's what I did this time:

The scene is a wild river, rolling along ever so gently between a sandbar and soaring cliffs, and the way to camp on it is over sand. Rocks (little ones....lots of em). Dirt. A few low branches here and there (hell, the awning is shot anyway). Some bushes crowding the path-less-chosen (surely, not a "road") which don't deter me either. And, once again, my heart and soul win out over my brain and rationality (I swear, I do have some!).

I go in. Carefully. Just enough momentum to keep moving. And it's great. I keep moving. But the thing about moving is that one eventually has to stop, and maneuver.

And there's the rub; for once one stops a one ton vehicle (sans 4x4) on sand/rocks/dirt a funny thing happens.

It stops.

At least it stops going forward.

However, what it does do is begin to sink.

And, as one tries (in vain, naturally), to "rock" (the whole forward-to-reverse game) out of rocks/sand/dirt, one tends to dig oneself into yet a bigger hole.

Ah, but I'm determined. I can save my own butt, after all. And have. Many. Many. Many times.

So, I get out my blocks of wood. My shovel, and I begin the process. First, I remove the scooter that's on my hitch and then I take my kayak down from the ladder. This is my attempt to lighten the load of my rig.

Soon, I begin to realize where I am, as I find myself pouring out sweat. I have forgotten what humidity was. Actually, I've just learned: for if one goes from the eastern portion of this continent to the west to spend summers, and then goes back eastwards for a ways, one learns very quickly that the old adage about Arizona's 104 heat is nothing like, say, 98 degrees WITH humidity.

I dig on; for I am a determined, abet sopping woman. My eye glasses suddenly need windshield wipers. My hair begins to resemble dreadlocks. My shirt is a deeper hue of blue.

I dig. I sweat. I'm covered in sand from kneeling in it to put wood under the tires. Rivulets of sweat traverse the grains on my legs. I climb back into the cab and I try to drive. I dig more. I've buried the blocks of wood somehow. I try to drive again.

Over and over.

Two women walk by after doing a bit of fishing. We chat. They ask if I'm stuck. I say yes, but I can save myself, I assure them. I've been in worse fixes then this, I say good-naturedly. They smile (suspiciously, I thought), and say that they have a fella who might be able to help me. I say something along the lines of thank you and wave goodbye at them. I look back at my axle...now sitting just inches above the sand, and turn back to them saying something along the lines of "He might come in handy though" and they walk off, saying that they won't leave without checking back to see if I'm free, and that they have someone coming with a 4x4 who'll be picking them up.

Now, remember, I'm from NY (near the city, not in it, but still). I don't really know that they're women of their words.

I go back to my digging/sweating/wondering where the other wood is). I can hear thunder. Clouds are gathering. It's late afternoon, or it's early evening...I can't tell which because I've crossed yet another )*&^%#$# timeline and I can't seem to keep time straight. I begin to worry, and figure I may be there for the night, if I can just dig out a whole big enough for my steps to come out.

I don't know how much time has transpired when I see a man emerge from the front line of my disaster - where I drove in around the trees/bushes to my now horrific hiding/camping spot.

I feel like an idiot. I know he's coming to help me, I can just feel it, and it pisses me off that I can't save myself. I don't know if he's the fella of the women I met, but it doesn't matter. I'm huffing and puffing and though I dig a bit more, I realize I better have my breath about me so I can at least talk to this potential savior, so I stop digging and collect myself.

Turns out, the gals are behind him, as is another guy. They've come to see what they can do to help.

All Praise Allan the Angel AND Mechanic!

I tell you my friends, this group of people dug and "rocked" and looked under my hood (we had a bit of anti-freeze boil over, and there may or may not be a transmission problem....stay tuned for that part of the story), and retrieved/replaced blocks, and came in with a 4x4 truck to attempt to haul me out, and tried my flimsy straps to haul me out, and fetched a good rope (from yet another generous soul that was not a part of their party and who said he didn't care if the rope broke!), and got me a good way out, but not all the way, and knew a tow truck guy who sent a different, closer (re: LESS $$$$) tow truck guy to haul me out. AND, AND, while I was paying the tow truck guy (75 grateful dollars), they FETCHED MY KAYAK AND SCOOTER HOLDER AND OTHER CRAPOLA that I had unloaded and put it in their truck and brought it out to where the tow truck guy put my rig (at the bottom of the hill out, thank god). AND helped me put my kayak INSIDE (to hell with putting it back up on the ladder) AND when I wasn't looking put the scooter holder back on for me.

AND they wouldn't take any money from me. In fact, I think Alan the Angel was a bit mad at the offer. (I hope I was forgiven....I am from NY and one needs to make allowances for us knuckleheads.) Thankfully, they did take a thank-you and hugs/handshakes. And if I had had any beer or wine I would have given them some, but alas, I pulled into a DRY county, and thus I've nada on that front.

So! A BIG round of applause to Alan et al (I'm soooo sorry I can't recall the other names!) who just, really, - I mean look at that story up there - spent so much time to save a stranger's butt after they spent a whole day on the river. I mean really. It just restores your faith in humanity. More than that really. Just made me feel all warm and fuzzy about peeps in general. Even though my rig may be in a bit of trouble, tranny-wise, I'm not perturbed about it.

So many good things are happening that they wash away the bad. I still have to open my hood before I next drive it, and check every thing out (I'm hoping for cooler weather....even the river is warm and the only way to cool down is to ride the scooter and go into air-conditioned places).

So! Alan et al, if you're reading this (I gave them my blog information), you all ROCK! And I thank you again, but this time, since I already thanked you for what you did and the hours you took, I'm thanking you for the meaning of what you did.

Let it be known throughout the land....This world has some WONDERFUL people in it, who just, just....oh heck. I've no words for it.

Just makes ya proud to be part of humanity again...and makes you want to emulate their sort.

:)

Okay....mushy, I know...but deservedly so.

Lastly, on another note, I have to say that I remember catching fire flies when I was a kid, but by the time I was an adult, Long Island was fairly bare of them, what with the monstrous building they've done there. But last night, after my ordeal and life-affirming saving, I stepped outside my rig and saw a 60-foot high wall of trees just dazzling, with fire flies. It was like a giant garland was laid on the ground and lit up with mini-white lights. It was truly stunning and I've never seen anything like it.

What a perfect end to such a day.

Free Cats; Thunderstorms 100s of Miles Away; And Grilled Rattlesnake

2010-06-13T18:48:00.005-06:00

Da kitties were having a blast with all their freedom, romping, chasing butterflies, grasshoppers, and a lizard or two. Here's some pics --- but oh how I wanted to get a shot of my hunter airborne as she hunted a grasshopper. Ain't it funny how cats are cute that way, but a lion, for instance, wouldn't be as cute doing the same thing??

However, Her Royal Highnesses have been rather pissy towards me of late, since I won't let them out on weekends (try though they do to bolt out the door) due to the congestion of weekenders who have the nerve (NERVE, I say!) to come out camping. Ah well, they'll get over it.

On to other items of interest: Last night I saw a sight I've never seen before except in the movies...and I used to think it was just special effects and how bad the effects were. Since surely a thunderstorm never looked like that.

Well, if you're an easterner, I'm here to tell you that if you could see a thunderstorm that was hundreds of miles off, and hundreds of miles wide, you'd probably be as dazzled as I was. I've never seen such a storm come in over the ocean (which is surely wider than a prairie), although those nor'easters have been doozies fer shur. As have the hurricanes.

But this, my friends, was like the best 4th of July finale you've ever seen, and the longest. Zig-zagging bolts of lightning in every direction (even up!), and clouds illuminated by their explosions. Zeus was angry, my friends; very, very angry and wrathful.

Alas, I was not the object of his rage, and was therefore able to enjoy his temper tantrum from afar. And so I did. In my chair with a freshly made glass of iced lemonade.

Lastly, I received a report today from a friend that a rattlesnake was loose in the campground (another reason to keep the kitties indoors), and I should inform yet another friend when he returned from his kayaking trip, since the rattler was spotted on the path leading up to his rig.

So, when my friend returned from his kayak trip (which I skipped in order to pack up as I head to mid-USA to kayak on a 100 mile stretch of river), inform him of the snake I did.

However, I was later to learn that as he was walking back up the path, he stopped to chat with a group camped at the bottom of the path.

Seems they too found the rattler. And killed it. And skinned it. And ate it. And will make a hat band of the skin.

Yes indeedie folks, I ain't in Kansas anymore....but there's Kansas like thunderstorms.

There is practically never a dull moment. And when there is, I think about BBQed rattler. Or 4th of July Finales. Or my next adventure.

Gad....who is that masked woman!!?? Beats the heck out of a job, let me tell ya!

Mix-N-Match: Military Birds; Royal Queens; & Lil' Ol' Me

2010-06-09T19:13:00.012-06:00

Prior to leaving the last *fabulous* boondocking spot, a Marine Osprey flew by, and I managed to get at least one clear-enough-for-me pic of it to post here. I've never seen one before, and can't imagine where it came from, since there doesn't appear to be any bases around here. But it was cool to watch: It slowly lowered itself down to the water, kicking up quite a spray, then floated back up and off into the horizon.

Her Magestys are enjoying the jungle atmospheres, but only when their staff feels comfortable allowing them access to the wilds. So far, they have shown their wisdom well by staying close at hand to the personal assistant who keeps their favorite bon-bons at the ready when their presence is required back at their castle.

Meanwhile, the staff finds various ways to heat water for dishes and showers (of which Her Royal Magestys will not imbibe, rather like Liz I - must be in the royal gene). Anywho, this is how I manage to save propane...works like a charm.

Here's the new digs; if you can see the tiny white dot in the center of the pic on the far shore, you've found me.

On the other hand, here's an alternate view:

That's a friend's fancy-schmancy kayak up there, not mine...I'll stick with plastic so I can throw it around and bounce off rocks.

And oh heck, here's another pic of my newest piece of heaven....well! I had the camera out for a change.

Finally I have to say that while the last spot I was at was WONDERFUL, this lake is more refreshing (abet less private), and clearer (I can see my feet while standing up to my neck in the water), and I've already been out kayaking on it, though I arrived here last evening.

Naturally, I've been swimming about a dozen times. It's still hot here! But I don't need the AC...I have the cool, clear lake outside my door. I even went for a jog today, which I haven't done much of due to the heat (and took a dip at the 50% mark! Tomorrow I'm going to hike the shoreline (and slip into the wondrous, refreshing lake as I go!) Lastly, if I do fish any here, I imagine I'll be wading in to do so, the water is just so lovely!

Record Heat; Record Move

2010-06-04T17:08:00.003-06:00

Baby it's hot outside! Hitting triple digits, in fact. And I wasn't really paying too much attention to the weather, as usual. Until I heard (while flipping through the 7 channels that I have) that a record heat was coming to the area.

And I still didn't pay it much mind. And that's because, having found paradise (see earlier pics!), I just didn't want it to end, I guess. Thankfully, however, I made a comment to my camping buddy that I heard triple digits were on the way, but that was for a far away town (you'd be surprised at how flipping channels can mess up your information-gathering).

Anywho, it inspired my bud to give the weather a quick check, which I think they did without much thought, since I named a town so far away. So, that morning, at 10 am when I mentioned triple digits, and a coffee refill sent them inside their home which prompted the weather check, they returned saying that indeed the triplets were coming to us. Thirty minutes of chatting slowly (along the lines of "Yep, that's hot") led to a thoughts about getting hook-ups somewhere (an rv in the sun roasts it's occupants, and doesn't cool down at night for sleeping), we were in the truck to check out the closest campground. By 10:30, we had picked out spots, paid for them, and boogied on back to pack up our stuff and move.

By 12:30, I was hooked up and had my AC blasting.

And I have to say, that I've forgotten how to be hooked up! I was dribbling water. Cold water (well, lukewarm) no less, being not used to using my water heater (scootering to public showers & heating water on the stove to wash dishes) to wash up, etc. And I forgot to switch the fridge to automatic, having put it on propane for so long since the Honda won't handle the micro and fridge at the same time (and I'll be darned if I'm going to power up my rigs monster genny burning up my propane!)

Ya see, paradise can inspire one to never, ever move. So I went for about 2.5 weeks without dumping, so frugal was I with water. I did scoot out twice for more fresh water via a six gallon container I have, and I also joined my camping buddy on their in-town trips for groceries, mail, etc.

But still. I don't think I've lasted this long without buying propane (I only hold 14 gallons) or dumping before. And I could have gone longer...maybe even another week, without moving. I'm getting pretty good at this 'its-a-pain-in-the-butt-to-move-so-use-very-little-of-everything' ideology.

Though I have to admit that if I was camping by myself, I probably would have moved earlier, what with not lasting more than 3 days in solitude (regardless of whether that solitude is in paradise or not!). I just gotta have my dose of people every few days at least. And my camping bud is a great match for how I like to do things (easy and fun, please!), so it's been a pleasure all round.

I also think I set a record for packing up and moving. Two hours flat from one spot to another. And let me tell ya, no one is outside. I walked to the showers today and all one hears is the hum of air conditioners.

Baby, it is really, REALLY hot outside, and the lake is like bath water. No way to get cool. Even the lizards are in the shade, as my bud pointed out.

But soon I will be out of here, headed for mid-USA, kayak-floating down a pristine, aqua river, camping along it's banks. Gad, it better not hit triple digits there, or I'll float down the river without my dang kayak!

So, readers, keep a better eye on the weather than I have if you go into this lifestyle!

Neglectful Blogger! Mail Forwarding

2010-06-03T14:11:00.007-06:00

Ah, camping in the swimmable boonies, I do love it, but alas, when I get caught up in paradise, I find I neglect my duties to you, dear readers. I do apologize. So, I'll pick up now where I left off.

1. My mail forwarding service: Here's the thing about chucking a so-called normal life for that of a vagabond - it's scary; at least at first. I wondered how I would manage bills. Mail. Drivers license. Registrations. Taxes. Insurance of all sorts. Of course, one of the worst things to do is to think about all that at once - it's how one gets a heart attack! However, at every step of the way, while my mind was a'quiver about said issues, someone had my back. Not only that, but each and every time I had a question, that someone gave me an immediate referral to a business that is familiar with full-timers and their needs. In fact, anytime something came up (like the state of SD having a wrong SS number for me!) my special someone took it all in stride, knew exactly what was needed to fix the problem, and relayed said information to me. And did leg work for me when I couldn't be in-state to do it myself. Honestly and truly, I never knew such things could be done by a business, and this life I've chosen might have been a whole lot more hectic (and perhaps even not doable in my mind) had it not been for . . . (insert drum roll here):

Terri Lund at My Dakota Address.

I don't gush about businesses, but seriously folks, time and time again Ms. Lund has come through for me and knows all the ins-and-outs of this crazy lifestyle. And everyone I've sent her way has been very happy with the service as well. This company goes above and beyond the call of duty and deserves accolades that a simple blogger can't bestow. Now, remember, I don't do business or product reviews, but in this case, I can't not say something. To be silent about MyDakotaAddress when they have literally made my life so much easier, would be a lie of omission. It's about time I told you all about Terri and her work. Past time, I think. I may change rigs. I may change phone and internet services, and more. But I sincerely doubt that I will ever change my mail forwarding service. Not once in the 1.75 years I've been at this, has Terri made any sort of human error. I wish I could say the same for me. Seriously, check them out y'all. Don't hit the road without Ms. Lund at MyDakotaAddress!

Stay tuned for news of my new camp-stomping grounds....maybe tomorrow. Or the next day...or the next.

(Gad you're all so patient with me...thanks heavens!)

Surrounded!

2010-05-29T19:40:00.003-06:00

Good heavens....remember that pic I put up of the seclusion I had on the peninsula? Well, that's all gone....rows and rows of cars and RVs and tents headed out down the road, and in front of me, on the water, jet skis churning the water into froth, and cigarette boats, and ski boats, and pontoons filled to the max, along with para-sailers, and low-flying planes of some official capacity watching it all. And the lake is rising as they let water in, so I've had to move my rig twice now, lest I be submerged.

Oh, but my camping buddy is doing the countdown....48 hours, and we'll sit out by the porta-potties and wave goodbye to the poor folk who have to work for a living come Tuesday.

Oh, let that day come soon. I could body-surf on the wakes around me.

But onto the day-to-day stuff: I take my laundry now up to the showers and wash before showering. Then I stuff the washed laundry into my scooter and ride back, and hang it on my ladder to dry - which it does quickly.

And I dined on another grilled chicken dinner at a friends "house", and had them over to lamb chops here. I spend a good deal of time in the lake, but with the crowds of late, I've not the desire to head out in my kayak, but have fished from the shore, with but one catch (again, not worthy of my pan.)

Prior to the Memorial Day invasion, I was letting my cats outside to run free, since I've seen no snakes, scorpions nor anything else that would harm them, save for birds (who do love to dive-bomb birders to peck at their heads...alas, my cats are not birders).

Tomorrow, I must post about my mail-forwarding company. I don't do business praises here, as you know, nor do I chop them up. But this is a special case I think. And frankly, I feel it would be like lying, if I didn't give praise where it is so very due.

What Can I Say?

2010-05-22T20:09:00.008-06:00

...not much. Just fishing/kayaking/swimming when the wind is not up. When it is, I skip rocks. Although I have scooted about off-road and into town...treated myself to some chicken curry at a restaurant. Was nummy! Here's a pic of a recent catch....white bass too small to keep. So far, I've landed 3 of them...all too small.

And I don't think I've mentioned my new phone. Since I embarked on this here life, I've had the worst phone service...it was good back on Long Island, but it's the pits in the West. And sometimes a gal needs to speak with her friends when the need arises, rather then have to scoot off to somewhere for service. Moreover, the GPS I have was good for a beginner, but really doesn't do much for someone who winds up in the middle of nowhere often...in fact, it doesn't even show latitude/longitude. And I also thought a device like SPOT would come in handy, since I do often hike by myself. So, I finally decided upon a device that would cover most of that, and more...a Droid phone. I'm having great fun with it, and all the free applications one can find for it, such as Google Sky - coolest toy ever: It locates me via satellite, and I hold it up to the sky, and it acts like a video of the night sky where I am; showing me all the stars and constellations with their names. It does tons more, that I've yet to figure out, but it's a good gadget for a roamer. It's a gps too, as well as a "spotter" for others to find me at a moments notice (if I sign them up as welcome to find me!)

Lastly, the dang tent I order is back-ordered again...it's now been 3 months since I ordered it, and it now looks like the manufacturer won't have it out until August...which is months after my kayak/camping trip. So now I have to get a heavier tent. Ah well.

So...nothing exciting that I can write about here; except to say that I think I've found yet another piece of heaven in this camping spot.

Pics of Newest Home; and How to Throw a Dinner Party Without Being the Hostest

2010-05-19T21:27:00.014-06:00

First, the tale of the classic dinner-party hand-off:

Invited everyone over to your place for a roasted chicken dinner. Then tell them you're going to cook it on an open fire. In the same firepit you cooked your brots. Tell them you're going to research how to cook the bird on the internet.

Poultry.

Over firewood.

For people unfamiliar with your cooking skills (or lack thereof).

Wait a mere 24 hours before a kindly soul says: "Susan. Give me the chicken. I'll cook it on my grill. It'll be easier."

(Your grill is in a trailer somewhere near the Mexican Border.)

You hem and haw. After all, you planned the party. You're in the process of making the potato/egg salad. You've already made the lemon creme pie.

Then you tell yourself you're a fool to turn down the offer, since you've yet to figure out how to roast a chicken outside over wood on the ground.

You wisely hand over the chicken to the kindly person. Thanking them profusely, and feeling a bit guilty.

You later learn that there was some earlier concern among the guests in regards to their health; post-poultry roast.

This, my friends, is a wonderful way to have a party and do nearly nada for it.

Live and learn, dear readers, live and learn.

Now, some pics of my new digs.

Okay, okay...first a pic of how a single woman loads up what's left of found wood when she's moving:

This is another way to get someone to come over and offer to do something for you: one look at your scooter holder, laden with such wood, along with a question about the CCC of said carrier, and presto! Someone else is hauling your wood for you!

Oh for heaven's sake! Of course I protested (again). They're concern was a shower of wood on the interstate. So, what the heck, I loaded it into his truck. Moral of both stories: if you do what you have to do to manage, there's always someone around who has something to do it better and/or safer.

I want to point out that I am not only a taker....I scooted about finding got him a bunch of rocks to hold down his sat dish. And, ya know, I did give him a chicken. LOL

Now, here's the new home...if you look carefully at the first two pics, you'll see my rig far off.

Here's a closer view of heaven.

I tell ya folks, it's good to meet people who know the hidden places. At least, the kinds of places I like to be. Nature galore; people no more! Well, sorta. I want good souls around me, but the jet skis/party boats/cigarette boats/massive groups/blasting music/traffic....well, you can keep it.

Yep. My own peninsula.

Just set me out here surrounded by the lapping water, and I'm truly a happy camper.

Waterviews in every direction...well, save for the one I came in on.

No fish yet, but they're a jumpin' out there. And Herons, and Greebs. It's wonderful.

*Sigh*

Brots, Cats and a Mouse Under a Kayak

2010-05-16T11:01:00.009-06:00

. . . none of which are connected to each other, thank heavens!

I'll start with the non-picture topic: I went to pick up my kayak and move it (I'm never satisfied with my backyard!), and as I was lifting it, the wind blew something out from under it, and then I saw something scurry back under the kayak, as I dropped it (another good reason for a plastic kayak!) and let out a little yelp. Now, if you recall, my kayak is a dual-hull (not a tri-hull as I have been stating!), and so when the kayak is right-side up on the ground, there is a concave space.

I hadn't thought about this in relation to wildlife, but the wildlife, evidently, did.

It took me a second or two to match up the creature I saw (dang fast little bugger) with the picture in my head of a mouse. So, no longer afraid (after all, we're not talking about a cow here!), I picked up the kayak again, scared the bejeezers out of the little fella' and he scurried off, probably greatly saddened that is house of bits and dirt had blown away in the wind (I guess I was the big bad wolf).

So, the moral of this story is, if your kayak can accommodate wildlife, it will. Thus, lean your kayak on it's side when storing, and keep the fancy-schmancy towel/bungee cord combination secured over the cockpit, lest you wind up with a stowaway.

Now, onto something more appetizing: Here you can see my fire pit (I'm still going through the wood the heavy-metalers left), and off to the right, you can just make out my flipper grill balanced at the edge of the fire with the handle secured via some rocks.

I pulled some of the coals over to the side, and placed my brots in the flipper-grill, and cooked them out of the flame. Gad, I do love fresh brots! In the center of the flipper is a sliced red onion wrapped in foil that I later chopped up and topped the brots with.

Oh, food over an open fire is soooooo good! Nummy!

Now, my traveling partners haven't appeared here for a while, and it's their due, so here are the bosses:

I know many will object to the cats on the table, and in fact, in the sticks and bricks home, they were never allowed on any tables. But in this small space, I've allowed this breach of the rules, so they have full run of the place, save for the counter. The counter is an absolute no-no in this house. Now if the kitties ever come to actually obey me, it might actually become a hard and fast rule.

Ya. Right mom.

A Need For Projectiles

2010-05-12T22:05:00.013-06:00

The wind has curtailed a good deal of the playing around here: no swimming/kayaking lest one wishes to battle white caps; no off-road cycling because while I like a good rough over-land ride, I don't like a face-full of dust nor the fight required to pedal against a monster gust; no fishing (ever try to cast on a windy day? . . . it's a great way to catch bushes); no scootering (see the cycling entry for said reasons). And even reading is out because I just can't hang out indoors if the sun is shining, yet the wind is just too much on pages to read outdoors.

So what, you might well ask, is a gal like me to do?

Welp, besides concerning my camping buddies with a 7 hour disappearance into town to restock (gad, I have peeps I have to answer to! - cell phones hunting me down and everything! lol...gotta luv em - and, in truth, I was about to call them about missing my "curfew" anyway), I'm becoming quite the rock-skipper, let me tell ya. And yes, I'm cheating by usually going to a leeward side of a peninsula to practice this very important art. Also, I've been trying to perfect my sling shot skills - I should mention that this can be a dangerous art as things can, erm, backfire. I need more practice there.

I also have been warming up my throwing arm: you see, there is this island (that's actually growing much closer as the river is drained for irrigation) that has a tree on it, and I've been throwing rocks at it to perfect my aim. You should see how much better I've gotten as the water recedes. ;-)

Alas, dear readers, this is just not enough for me, and so I'm doing some batting practice with a stick and rocks (yes, there is an abundance of rocks in my life right now). And the river may soon rise what with all the rocks I thrown into it, hit into it, shot into it, and skipped into it.

But wait! There's even more excitement! I discovered that this very same stick can be used as (drumroll please) a golf club! Yes indeedie folks, I'm rock golfing now too.

I *am* a cave woman...call me Ayla.

Well, while on my BIG day in town, I came across a cheap set of golf clubs, and thought perhaps I could graduate from rocks and sticks to clubs and balls. You know, add a little sophistication. So, I treated myself to a belated Mother's Day present (I suppose some day UPS will get my son's Mother's Day present sent somewhere in the vicinity of me), and bought the clubs.

And if just ONE person harps at me about the weight of a set of golf clubs, I swear, I'll just . . . just . . . well I don't know, but it will involve a rock, I'm sure! (Okay, okay, not at you; probably in the lake or some-such.) And hey, look at it this way, I have been lugging around a bucket of balls I bought for a pittance recently (having been inspired to the purchase by my second-ever round of golf that I played with a new golfing buddy/camper this winter), and didn't have any clubs.

Wait a minute! Am I excusing myself for this???

Oh poops on that! I don't have to do that anymore to anyone, do I??

I just need projectiles in many forms for the windy days, and projectiles I will have! Nah-Nah-Na-Na-Nah.

That Janis Joplin song is going through my head again.... "Freedom's just another word . . . "

Yes. I'm feeling a bit full of myself lately. Pardon me if I'm annoying . . . and babbling again.

(PS to those of you thinking ahead: yes, yes, I looked at buying a bat too....but pictured it dinged to dang-nation within a day; thus, a stick does fine for batting...or it did...I need a new one now, as I've cracked my previous "bat").

Pretty exciting life, eh? Right out of the Flintstones, or Clan Of The Cave Bear; take your choice. Yeah. I'll be moving on soon. Seems my camping buds are too....looks like we might stick together for a while anyway.

River Ridin'

2010-05-09T20:48:00.009-06:00

This morning, at an un-godly hour, I loaded my kayak into a friend's car and four of us set out for a river paddle. This, ladies and gents, PRIOR to my even having my first sip of coffee. But rest assured, I had my fresh-brew with me.

Mostly it was a calm ride, and we gentle glided south.

There were, however, 2 rapids sections. I've been through rapids in a kayak once before (and several via a raft), and the first time, I was instructed by my guide to paddle like the dickens to get through a particularly difficult section. I did as I was told.

And like everyone else in the group, my kayak was grabbed by a swirling time bomb, ripped from beneath me, as well as my shoe, and I was pulled down, down, down into a swirling tube with bits of earth darting around me and the light fading fast. I tried to swim.

This was not a good idea, and, in fact, was counter to what I was told to do, should I get sucked in. So, as I was (I was sure) drowning, I stopped trying to swim. You see, the problem is that you are tumbled one way and the other and in the growing darkness, you become disoriented and literally don't know which way is up.

This, my friends, is why one wears a life jacket. It has the innate ability to know which way is up, when you don't. Once I stopped trying to save myself (beleive me when I say this took a great leap of faith during panic on my part), indeed, my life jacket slowly did it thing, and I soon realized which way was up, and then, I did begin to swim, finally breaking the surface and gasping for air between choking, wet coughs.

Thus, due to this prior lesson, I assumed (HA!) that the way one tackles a rapid is to paddle not just like the dickens to get through it, but rather, like a stealth jet fighter. So I hit the first rapids like a minor leaguer coming to bat when they know the scouts are in the stands.

Ah. Nothing like making your kayak into a submarine.

As I came over the first hump, my bow ran down into the bottom of the first wave, and that seemingly stationary wall of water washed up over my deck and filled my bow with a force and shoved me into the back of my seat. For a moment, I was sure I was going over, and was glad I was in a narrow river. However, it didn't do me in, and though my coffee (HA!....all gone) cup was now my only bailer, what with my huge sponge having disappeared (as it turns out, behind my seat), I began bailing when the water calmed. But I was soon to figure out, about 10 gallons of water was in my kayak, and this is not a kayak that has much CCC (LOL). The coffee-cup scooper wasn't going to cut it.

Not only that, but because it is a tri-hull type, and not the best at tracking, I found that each stroke resulted in 10 gallons of water sloshing to one side and then the other, depending upon the stroke.

Imagine trying to paddle such a thing. It's rather a wobbly experience. And I knew I had only been through the first rapids. Although another kayaker offered me his bilge pump, I knew that I had to get those gallons out of my kayak quicker than a hand bilge pump could manage. Not only just to paddle safely, but also to make room for what might be coming up ahead at the second rapids section.

So, I beached the boat, unscrewed the drain plug (my kayak has one both fore and aft, which is, I now know, a very, VERY handy feature), tilted the kayak on end and let the water run out.

And out.

And out.

While my very patient paddling comrades waited for me.

This worked great.

At the next rapids, I followed the actions of the front runner, and didn't paddle like heck, but rather just placed myself as best I could where he had gone, and it was no problem. No water to speak of besides a bit of splash.

See? Ya learn something new every day. Sorry, no pics of the mess. I was a bit too busy to pull out the camera...I know you understand.

This is just a pic of a break spot we pulled into.

However, remember how much I just *love* coming upon cows in the wilderness? Well, let me tell you, there is a price to pay for being the one without a vehicle to transport kayaks. You are voted the person to guard the kayaks while the others go off to fetch the vehicles that carry them.

Here's the encounter (s).

Now, picture me with my paddle in one hand, and my whistle at the ready, while being in the middle of nowhere.

Do you further know that cows really don't give a hoot-n-annie about whistles? Nor a lone woman yelling "YA!, YA!" and waving her arms, lengthened via paddles, in the air? And that said lone woman wonders what the heck is in the other kayaks that might be attracting the cows? Until she remembers that she, and the kayaks, are between the cows and the river they drink from? Probably the nicest, levelest spot that they like to wander down to?

And do you further know that phone service out in the middle of god-knows-where is sporadic at best? So that when you try to call your en-route kayak buddies, the conversation mostly consists of confusion?

And you only wind up concerning them, when really you knew you were fine and just wanted to hear some familiar human voices?

Ah well friends. It all ended well, and it was a B-U-T-Ful day on the river.

Fishing!

2010-05-05T21:09:00.008-06:00

Bought my fishing license 3 days ago, and the next day (yesterday), discovered that my cheapo reel (basically, a kiddie thing I bought years ago), went kaputz. I took it all apart, reassembled ("now how the heck did this go??), to no avail.

Do you know how much it stinks to pay $60 for a fishing license and have your one and only reel decide it's time to kick the bucket?

Well, never fear dear readers; for I am camping with some buds I met last year, and one of them had a rod and reel that they no longer use, and donated it to me.

However, he may regret his generosity: I caught a black bass with it that day. He - caught nada.

I ate my fish for lunch. Here it is in before and after pics:

Yeah, yeah...I need to do better with filleting. Heck, even I can see that's closer to bass nuggets than it is fillets.

Nevertheless, while I may starve due to my filleting technique, I won't starve if I can manage to eat sushi. 'Cuz here's my pics from today:

Bigger and better black bass....but alas, while the filleting did result in 2 actual fillets, it still amounted to not much fish. I figure each lunch cost me $30 so far. Gotta keep on fishin' to make my money back.

And I gave half to the guy's whose rod and reel caught the fish.

He's actually a good sport about it all.

Considering.

Anyway, I'm having fun playing in the sun, scootering around, hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and today I found, via my scootering, a spot that is just heaven. I really shouldn't take my rig there. The road (and I use that term loosely), has 2 spots that other, saner campers would never attempt.

But oh my, it was heaven, and I'm going to take another look at it tomorrow to decide if it's worth the risk.

Although perhaps the following pic is a warning:

Let's be careful out there folks!

Well....'cept for me. I gotta weigh the perfection of a spot over the risk of it. Now where did I put my scales . . . ?

Blogger Makes Good On Pics

2010-05-01T12:01:00.013-06:00

. . . As promised...for a change.

Here's a pic of my cast iron skillet in the coals, baking a fruit cobbler. I topped the skillet with foil, and then placed some coals on top. Worked out pretty well: strawberries, plums, flour/butter/brown sugar. A nice treat.

And here's some of the views I have, as well as my junk around. Note the square bucket by the fire. It was windy and I was a good camper and had a bucket of water to put out any fire that might go astray. I used my kayak to protect the wood pile from flying ashes. lol Hey! It's not your kayak!

The birds were with me all day. Sorry for the blurry pics. If you want perfection in photography, you should go elsewhere! :P

Finally, I thought I ought to explain why I replaced my pink kayak, and so some pics.
The pink kayak was not much more than a floating bathtub, and it was good to start out with, but it just won't cut it for any extended sort of trip. There was no flotation in it, no dry hatches, no way to strap anything onto the deck. Basically, it was a toy. The new one isn't much more than a toy either, but it is more. Although it is only 10 inches longer than my old one, it has the bells and whistles I've come to want.

Allow me to show you some of the features...lol.

Here you can see the two dry hatches. The rear one is the bulkhead, and thus is large - it extends from the seat to the stern, and is thus the flotation. It also has a bungee cord and hook that holds the paddle in place when you want to mess around with something like a camera. And there are bungees over the hatches, so I can strap down some dry sacks on the deck.

The pink towel covering the cockpit is held in place via a bungee cord to keep critters out when dry docked. The cockpit itself is small and narrow, thus I do fear I'll be uncomfortable on a long journey in it. For instance, I can't wear my life jacket without feeling squished in there. And there are foam knee braces, which are very good to have when in swelling water, or running against a strong current (to give you more purchase when paddling hard); however, they make the already cramped cockpit feel even smaller. But I will note that I often throw my legs out over the sides of the kayak anyway.

It's also got 2 drains, which is great, because getting the water out of Ol' Pinky was very difficult since P had no drains.

The last pic shows the hull, and it's tri-shape is different than what I've usually seen on kayaks, and while I'm hesitant to recommend this shape, I can say that this kayak does track much better than Pinky, in which every stroke was a correction.

Lastly, the paddle that came with this kayak stinks, and I'll have to get a new one.

So, it has it's pluses and minuses, but the price was sure right. For anyone who is interested, I got it at Costco for about $300, and it came with the paddle and car top carrier (just two foam pads and some straps). It weighs 51 lbs, which is really more than a 10.4 ft kayak should weigh, but that may be because of the features it offers, that I have never found in such a small kayak. Called the Equinox 124, and I believe the only place to get it is at Costco's sticks-n-bricks. I don't advocate it, per se, but for my needs, it should work. But that cockpit is going to be a problem. And I'm not so sure I like the foot peddles either....we'll see about those.

I wanted a small one so that I can keep it on my ladder as I did Pinky. However, Pinky was 38 lbs and let me tell ya, that extra 13 lbs does make it much, much more difficult for me to get it up there. I'm going to have to figure out a system whereby I use a strap hooked onto one end of the kayak and haul it up.

Anywho, ders da pics I promised.

The Weekenders Are Coming!

2010-04-30T22:17:00.004-06:00

Good heavens, it's after 10pm, and they're still coming it. I try to placate myself with the rule of 5 & 2, (us 5 days a week, them 2) as a friend says, but still. It's annoying.

And I can't get my scooter started, which sux rocks big time. I crawled all over under it to look for loose wires, or anything amiss, to no avail. Jumped the battery too. And changed the batter (have a spare), and jumped it too.

Nada.

Which means no shower today....because I'm too far from the showers to walk there and back and expect to be clean.

But I did fix my bike's flat tire, and align the frame/tires, and adjust the brakes, so it's ready for a roll. But it's no shower transport either.

I've not got enough gray water holding to have a shower at home, so I go without. (Hey! So don't come near me!)

And I never did get to the trim today....I meant to secure the loose parts back onto the rig. As well as clean the interior today. Alas, the bike and scooter took up nearly my entire day.

(Come hell or high water, I stop at 5 pm)

And I tried something for desert tonight that worked out nicely: After cooking my potato (wrapped in foil) and sweet-n-sour pork chop (in a flipper-grill) over the fire (and eating said, with a side salad), I sprayed my cast iron skillet with canola oil and put in some canned strawberries (I meant to make a pie one day...HA) and canned plums (I bought because I've never seen canned plums), and topped it with a mixture of flour, brown sugar and butter cut into it, approximating a fruit crumble, covered the skillet with foil, and strategically placed rocks around the embers in the fire to balance the skillet on; covered the skillet with foil, and then place it on the rocks, directly over the embers, and with tongs, placed stray coals onto the top of the foil on the skillet. I pulled it out when it smelled good to me.

Turned out not bad really. A nice open-fire desert after a lovely dinner.

Tomorrow: pics I took today that I am too tired to download right now.

Some Pics Of Today's Hike: What the heck IS that??

2010-04-28T20:36:00.007-06:00

Well, this one is of the day before's kayak trip...not today's hike - and it's hard to see, but my rig is on the far shore:

Now.

What the heck is this???? I was strolling along, when it seemed a pebble moved in front of me, and I knew I hadn't kicked one....and though the wind is really out of control today, I didn't think the wind would move anything. So the movement caught my eye, and I had to peer really hard to see it...but there it was. Whatever "it" is - and I managed to focus on the whole thing, and then it's head and rear. Dear readers....do tell...what did I stumble upon??? What mini-dragon is this??

Just Blathering Away

2010-04-26T20:57:00.010-06:00

(Note to Craftinrv...see my reply to the comment you made, but I didn't post the comment.) (Note to everyone else: Oh calm down...it's not that interesting! :P

1. I was happy to learn that there is a very well-stocked, abet tiny convenience store not 3 miles from here, and that means a lot to a scootering gal, let me tell ya. They had everything I wanted and that's a first for me with the tiny stores I've shopped at.

2. The heavy-metal-music-blasters left late yesterday (all praise bevis & butthead), and they left, I kid you not, about an eighth of a cord of wood. I'm suspicious that they thought it might still be there this upcoming weekend. Suffice it to say that I think I got my payback. I'm currently blogging to you in front of a nice little camp fire. It's really amazing what I can haul on my scooter, even if it does take several trips.

PS: Monday morning (or Sunday night) are *prime* wood gathering times...weekenders often just leave wood. Remember, we're talking about free cooking fuel here.

3. A word to the wise: Do not have two big cups of coffee and go off in your kayak. There is no head in there.

4. It's really disgusting that I have to clean up a campsite before I can enjoy it...please tell people not to leave their baby's dirty diapers lying around, and that it's just as easy to throw a beer can in a bag as it is on the ground...or in the lake...you can even have fun with it by aiming! Also, I realize it's a hike, but the vault toilet is a much better place for toilet paper then the shoreline is.

*Barf* to it all.

5. Just what kind of bees to you south westerners grow out here anyway??? On two occasions as I was headed down the highway I ran into bees swarming. I know this because although for the most part I could only hear them hitting my already disgusting windshield and overhead (that would have provided large amounts of specimens for an entomologist), I was doing 75mph and two of the bees did not disintegrate...they merely hit and rolled off! Just what are you putting in the flowers out here? Armor??

6. Which reminds me....whenever you get gas, use the windshield cleaning apparatus (if they have it) to not only do the window, but the overhang, hood, and sides that are just behind the doors that jut out. Quick and free car wash. (yes, I do need to wax it)

7. For the inquiring minds who are marveling at my ingenuity regarding full-timing on a sprinter chassis and being only 300 overweight (I'm showing off here folks): I have all my tools including a drill and mini-grinder, a honda generator, gas containers for said generator and another for my scooter, all liquids need for the RV and scooter (oil, gear, etc), a float, my fishing gear, 110 lbs of dumbbells (TOO......MANY......JOKES....!!!!)....okay, okay, I'm just so dang proud of my choices: The necessary and the life-enhancing. (Done patting myself on the back.)

8. That's it. Just had these little bits and pieces to throw out there at ya.

I'm Baaaaccckkkkkk!!!

2010-04-25T22:48:00.021-06:00

So I landed in a campground yesterday, a Saturday - which is a big no-no...one wants to avoid coming in on a weekend, as it can be hard to find a spot (indeed, all electric sites were taken, which made no difference to me).

After putting up with the weekend revelers, I have the place practically to myself for the afternoon here, and I'm loving it.

I hiked. I swam. I scooted. I yoga(ed) - lol. I laid in the sun, listening to John Denver sing "Thank God I'm A County Boy". I watched the clouds sail by...the fish jump, a Great Blue Heron fly by and land, and a HUGE flock of birds headed north, not to mention like 5 lizards. Here's some pics (Oh, and some that were waiting for me to upload from OvExpo too):

Pssssttt....this is what happens when you don't get out there and LIVE!

Random Thoughts: Pack That Solar Shower, Regardless; And One Ways

2010-04-24T20:49:00.011-06:00

To drive my rig now is like the difference between night and day. I'm turning tight (no jackknifing), I don't have to wait until hell freezes over to make a left turn. I don't have to swing wide for right turns. My heart isn't palpitating while I drive through a parking lot.

AND I CAN BACK UP!! I can go ANYwhere I want! Sorta. Kinda. Well, you know what I mean. And oh how I do love backing up into the last row of cars in a parking lot...you know, the one in the back by the curb. I just back all the way up, and my rear-end hangs out sooooo very far over the curb (providing there isn't anything like a tree back there), that I fit very nicely in your standard spot. Okay, the standard spot in the back.

So, yesterday, I cranked up the radio as I traveled east, really enjoying the relief of dumping my trailer and stuff, and just remembered how great it was to be on the road again....and how so much of the land I've seen just starts that pecking in the back of my head - how if one squinted just so at that view over there, one could think they were on a safari in some country in Africa. Long a dream of mine - started thinking about it in my 20s. (Erm, guess what kind of company was at OvExpo......yep, a self-drive African Safari company....and yep, I got the literature...and no, I didn't weigh it.)

Ah well, so there I was in all my free-glory, self-satisfied mood, when my back and hips started to bother me (back from so much lifting; hips from so much sitting) and I realize it's time to find a spot for the night. I see a sign for a National Forest, and I follow it - it's only 10 miles away - being sick of civilization, I'm just not up for a parking lot. Welp, about 1/2 there I see the signs for it again, only this time it says National Park, not Forest.

Now I followed that first sign *because* it said forest, and I read somewhere that you can boondock in many (if not all) National Forests. So now I'm wondering about the word "Park", and if they can be so picky.

Turns out, they can. No vehicle camping of any sort. So crud. I take a different, abet more direct route back to the interstate, and long story short, decide that a rest area will do fine, as I haven't yet showered from the trailer unloading - rv loading - rv unloading - trailer loading AND the putting the kayak on my ladder and my scooter hitch on and the scooter on it and the bike on it. Yeesh.

Yes, it's waaaaaayyyy past time for a shower and some rest. So I pull into a rest stop, and choose the truck parking side, mostly because I feel safer (oh I know this sounds funny) surrounded by other people who are sleeping in their vehicles, rather then pulling into the car section, which is fairly barren and scary in the dark. So yes, I choose the truckers side. Arguments can be made for and against both sleeping quarters, and I admit I haven't settled the argument in myself yet, but last night, I choose the truckers side, and pull into a spot that leaves me with an empty spot on each side.

Because, you know, truckers leave their engines idling all night for the warmth. And naturally, this rest stop won't fill up. (insert rolly-eyes here.)

Anywho, I'm out of water, but I have my trusty solar-shower bag, and I figure I'll just fill it up in the bathroom, and lug it out to my rig and hang it in my shower. And I do...with some effort (seems they thought of this before I did....what with the spout being so low in the sink, and the sink so small...but I get it done.) I've used the bag in the shower before, so that's not new.

What is new, however, is lugging a 5 gallon solar shower out of a ladies room, and past a row of truckers as you walk to your RV. I really didn't want all the truckers to know I was about to take a shower, but I hadn't thought of this particular stroll before I went into the bathroom. 'Nuf said.

So, I shower, post, read and go to bed.

And lay there. And lay there. And I keep telling myself that the trucks pulling in will stop. And that I am known for being able to sleep through just about anything, so why would idling trucks stop me? I can do this. I can. I can sleep.

And I keep telling myself that for hours, ignoring the creeping thought that I'm going to have to move if I want to sleep at all. I finally give up trying to convince myself that I can sleep, and begin to ready the rig for the move to the other side of the building. (The cats are giving me dirty looks for this...they know what's coming and they thought we were done with all this moving business for the day.)

Did I mention that the truck side is a one-way? No? Oh. And the car side is a one-way as well. And as I look out my windows (from which I just removed the coverings), I see that not only is every available spot taken on the truckers side, but they are also parallel along the curb. And more are coming in.

So again, a choice must be made: go the wrong way down the one-way truckers side (or back-up the wrong way on the truckers side...NOT) to get to the entrance for the car side and then be going the right way, or....go the right way on the truckers side and then go the wrong way on the car side (or back up to it --NOT...too far a ramp).

As I'm pondering the question, a car zooooommmmss out of the car side, and the decision is made for me. I'll trust the truckers. I pull forward, make a right and go the wrong way down the truckers side to get to the car entrance, praying that the truckers are tucked away and don't want to pull out.

However.....are you aware that one of the reasons a road becomes a one way is because there is no way out if you go the wrong way down it?? ie: A trucker is parked in what I thought was part of the drivable parking lot. It is, in fact, a parking spot...not a driving spot.

So now where am I?

I am at the end of a one way, facing the wrong direction, and while I am ever so grateful I don't have the dang trailer with me for this debacle, the fact of the matter is that I cannot turn around. It's just too tight for that.

Guess what I do?

Yep. I do it: I back up the one-way going the right direction (is that even possible??). Naturally, I have to back all the way up to the spot I just vacated, since every other spot is taken. As I'm doing this, guess what I see? Yep, another truck is coming in, and I just know....I KNOW, he/she is headed for my spot, thinking how lucky they are to find one, what with all these other trucks parked along the curb right along the highway.

I am NOT about to nail it in reverse, though. And while you would think that at this point I would just say to heck with it and back all the way up to the car exit ramp and drive up it the wrong way.

But, I've got a lot on my mind at this moment, and the thought doesn't occur to me. Thus, I beat the trucker to my spot, pull through, and s/he whips into a spot behind another curb-trucker. (I have the feeling s/he is just biding his/her time until I pass them [going the wrong way down the truck entrance area] and they can slip into my vacated spot - this is confirmed within minutes).

Think it couldn't get trickier?

Wrongo!!!

As I am approaching the "V" where truckers and car drivers split, a truck comes up the entrance ramp. I utter an explicative of the sort one trys to avoid writing down, and have no idea what's about to happen: Will I be blocked in and have to back up again? Will the trucker allow me through?

Turns out I seem to have scared the bejeezers out of them, as they immediately hit there brakes and pulled over onto the shoulder.

I have no idea why this reaction would have occurred. *Ahem*

She who hesitates is lost, so seeing no moving objects (large or small) in front of me (who would have been going in the right direction), I hit the gas and scoot into the car section going the right way.

I may be clean now, but I could easily have been, er, soiled, if just one more thing happened in that so-called rest area.

I back my rig up in the last car spot; hanging my scooter and a good deal of my bed over the end of the sidewalk (my back tires are far forward, you see). And I get into bed.

The cats are no where to be seen. They've had quite enough of me for one day, and won't come to bed with me.

At this point, I'm fine with that.

Freedom's Just Another Word For Nothin' Left To Lose...

2010-04-23T20:50:00.012-06:00

...well, of course I still have stuff left to lose, but not as much!

I woke at 6 am yesterday (yes, me, 6 AM), and began unloading my trailer to put stuff I will need for my summer adventures into my RV, and then I divested myself of stuff from my RV and put it into the trailer that I felt I could do without.

Currently, my pot drawer (remember...it used to fly open, as all said drawers on the Views do), has one frying pan (cast iron...less water to clean, can be used on a fire pit, even though it weighs much more, it is smaller than my larger fancy-schmanchy frying pan); one small aluminum pot with lid, and one absolutly *fabulous* casserole bowl (with lid), that can go from oven to micro to stove (yes, stove), to fridge to freezer. Visions Glass Cookware is truly the best thing going! Talk about versatility! And I would have had just one spoon/fork/knife and a spork, but somehow before I was done unpacking, the silverware must have mated in the sink....so now I have a setting for 4.

However, I don't have plates for 4. Actually, I don't have a plate! lol. I only had 2 plates to begin with, and they were of the very heavy, fancy-schmanchy kind that I picked up in the ADKs for a bargain because it was only a place setting for 2. And ladies and gents....I actually have an empty drawer in my galley.

Do you have any idea, I mean N-E I-dea, of how many serving utensils, cooking utensils, knives of every shape and size, whisks (I mean, Susan, really now, why on earth did you need 2 whisks??), corn-on-the-cob holders (what, like I don't get my fingers dirty when eating a burger?? Ribs?? Yeesh.) and good lord....this easterner also had a lobster cracker and pick.

Solid stain-less steel. The both of them. I suppose giving up my lobster steamer (complete with spout on the bottom) was just so hard for me that I felt I was at least going to keep my cracker/pick.

Do you know when the last time was I saw a lobster? Ohhh, about 1.5 years ago. Do you know why? Because when I was in a restaurant in NM and I asked how much the lobster dinner was, I was told it was $54.

FIFTY-FOUR DOLLARS!!

When my eyes bugged out and my jaw dropped, the surly waitress said (and I quote): "If you want lobster in the desert you're going to have to pay for it. (Honestly, what sort of life does a person who would say such a thing, and with such a nasty tone.)

So, back to my story: Into the trailer went the lobster cracker/picker. And sheets. And blankets. And pillows. And some winter-type spices, and more and more and more.

I was at it all day, walking from RV to trailer and back again (avoiding donkey poo on the way...I navigated well), and I was grateful that it was an overcast day, as by the time I was done (7 pm - including having put my now bigger kayak up on the ladder...but that's another post); I was a pretty smelly gal, let me tell ya. And I was in my ever-so-attractive work clothes (which I did keep...but I donated so many clothes to charity that someone is about to have a new wardrobe), which I put on again this morning (hating every minute of it...promising myself a shower later ...which I just took...and is another story...yes...big day).

But I did it all in one day (almost....some paperwork waited until this morning as I decided to give myself the evening off yesterday). And secured everything in the trailer too.

Then, as luck would have it, while I was setting the trailer up at the storage facility, I ran into a wonderful woman I know from my winter home, and she is, without a doubt, the BEST HUGGER EVER!! I mean it...I'm a hugger person myself, and I grade hugs the way some people grade coleslaw that they taste around the country (I do that too.)

Well. I'm pretty ripe, let me tell ya. And not only that, but I've been rolling around in the dirt too, hanging myself from the straps of my kayak as I try to secure it by not only pulling on it, but also my body weight.

You get the picture. I'm a fifthly, dusty, dirt-under-the-nails, sand-coated, gal whose scalp was only just now cleaned of the desert deposits hidden within my thick hair.

And I run into the best hugger on Earth. Oh folks, she's wonderful - no worries - she just kept hugging me, and I hugged her right back....we both understand this lifestyle. But still. I'd much rather hug someone when I'm clean than when I'm not.

Anywho, I get my rig back outside to begin the process of putting the scooter and holder and bike on it. I manage the whole thing, and use every strap in my possession to harness all my toys down (and I now have straps galore...very handy gadgets folks!)

And by 11, I'm back on the road again, and pull into a weigh station (I'm becoming quite the pro at CAT scales...remember when I was afraid to go into one?) Now I just pull right up like I own the place, not the least intimidated by the semis all around me, and open my door, balance my toes on my doorstep, reach wwwwaaaayyyyy up high to push the button (gad, you'd think only monster trucks weighed themselves!), and plop back onto my seat to await an answer to my call.

So the important thing is this: Not only do I feel MUCH better (I cannot back that dang trailer up) about driving....and changing lanes, and going into dips, and not worrying about what the heck is happening this time in the trailer while I go into a parking lot that has a HUGE bump in the entrance, so much better do I feel in fact that Janis Joplin is ringing in my head....as in the title of this post; but I.....

ME....

Your very own CrusinSusan is but 300 lbs overweight!

THAT'S WONDERFUL! For those of you who haven't been following along, the Sprinter chasis on which my rig is built is NOTORIOUSLY known for it's low cargo capacity. Mine happens to be a whopping 550 lbs. It's not one of those things one tends to think about when buying a rig, but I've sure learned my less about it. (I'll check the axle overloads to make sure it's evenly distributed, but not tonight...I'm beat.)

I'm not going to fuss about 300 lbs. And that was with a full fuel tank, 3/4 grey, 1/4 propane, 1/4 black. I do try to travel on empty tanks, but not where diesel and propane are concerned, what with very often not knowing when I'll next see civilization - so I try to fuel up when I see a place to do so.

And it truth, I do have quite a bit of canned goods, and bottled items...and I'll be watching out now for those sort of purchases. Moreover, I bet I can divest myself of even more stuff.

Well, it was wonderful to hit the road again. I felt really stifled what with having been sick so much this year already - and stuck indoors and not out playing (and that has caused a weight gain that's just annoying the heck out of me). And it's nice too to have all that weight off, and just the fun summer adventures ahead. And my tooth doesn't hurt anymore. And I'm on my way to join some others paddling in NM.

'Puter out of power....byeeeee!

Eureka!! Stuffing Stuff!

2010-04-21T11:21:00.003-06:00

By jove, I think I've got it! I think I've solved my love-hate relationship with stuff.

At least for this season.

I'll use the trailer as a storage container and park it near where I stay for the winter (yes, a secure place), and pile a lot of stuff in there to see how I fare driving around without the dang thing.

Because it does hold stuff I like for the winter, and yet I can divest myself of enough stuff (by stuffing the trailer) and get a feel for what it's like to travel much lighter than I am.

And still keep the kayak and scooter (thank heavens I kept my scooter holder which goes on my hitch!)

Lightweight travel, and comfortable winters. Right on! I'm psyched to give it a go.

See, what I find too, about this life, is even after nearly 1.5 years (correcting my full-timing debut there...it isn't 2 full years yet) there's still so much to learn, and I suspect one gets better and better at it as time goes by. It's a constant process, which I suppose is just like sticks-n-bricks: for when I owned a home I kept doing/changing things to increase comfort, beauty, space, what-have-you.

It's the same, and yet different.

I feel much better about this idea (storing the trailer), as I thought back to stuff I sold when I sold my house (like my drill, fer cryin' out loud) and how I had to go out and get some of the same dang stuff I sold! So, this is my solution: Stuff stuff into the trailer.

Then hit the road as the wandering woman I am! Sometimes I'm very pleased with myself! ;P

Root Canal

2010-04-19T20:42:00.006-06:00

Oh dear god. Let me start by saying I've always had trouble at the dentist. The problem being that I have small teeth (so I'm told) and a small mouth (some would beg to differ with the dentists on this point), and a big tongue.

Not exactly a prime spot for fingers, tools, mirrors, etc. And even the little x-ray card they stick in your mouth is always too big for mine, and I wind up having the roof of my mouth hurting.

Well, so, I went into Mexico today and went to a dentist (whose tiny office had American's coming and going, one of whom was from NM and told me 7 of her NM friends had root canal done by this doctor. I chose him based up what I found on the 'net about him, including rv.net.)

Went into the office, introduced myself, said I want to see a doc...that I had a cavity....ten minutes later the dentist took a look, saw the mess, and said I'd need root canal. I kinda already knew this, what with having a broken tooth...what I couldn't see was the now-exposed nerve.

Great fun, eh?

Thirty minutes later another doctor who does root canal is working on me. Takes longer than anticipated because during the procedure, he has to give me 3 more shots of Novocaine, because I about hit the ceiling on several occasions.

Now before someone says it shouldn't have hurt, let it be known that this is SOP for me - I always have to have more Novocaine then any dentist thinks. I'm just a sensitive gal I guess. But I honestly don't know what is worse...the shot or the pain from the drill. Once my "old" dentist and I decided to give a cavity a whirl without Novocaine because the shot was so bad for me as well.

That sucked rocks too, my friends, let me tell ya.

Then, another dentist takes over and puts the post in for the crown that will go on tomorrow.

So you see why I avoid dentists....for despite their firm belief that I won't even be uncomfortable (HA!), each and every time I am sent to the moon in that torture-contraption of a chair. And yes, I know I can be sedated, but having once had a dentist tell me he was afraid he lost me (I kid you not) when he couldn't revive me (I was a pre-teen, but still!), and being in a foreign country by myself, I'd really rather stay conscious, thank you very much. If nothing else, I could at least spit blood and saliva if some malicious person was about!

Anyway, a porcelain crown goes on tomorrow, then I'm outta here. I hope. And no way could this happen this speedily in the US.

And here's the bottom line - in the US, the following would cost me about $3000+/-.

Consultation, root Canal, post implant, full x-rays, cleaning, and crown.

In Mexico, it was $560. And for those who care, they accept American insurance, and one woman's insurance company paid the whole price for her, which toppled $3000 (I don't know what procedures she had done, but it must have been a lot!).

I will not post the doctor's name here....as I don't want to steer anyone towards a dentist that just worked on me....I have no idea if it's a good job yet.

Moreover, the thing that hurts the most right now, is my tongue...and I'm not sure why, although there seems to be some blister-type rises on the side of it where they were struggling to hold back my big fat tongue. I find gargling with hydrogen peroxide helps. I really don't want to think about why that helps now; but tomorrow I will ask about it when I go for the crown. Other than that, it's my jaw that hurts, from being drilled into, held open, and so forth, no doubt. This is also par for the course for me after a dental visit.

And yes....taking penicillin, advil and a pain killer....which isn't helping my tongue or jaw, but I'm afraid to stop taking it, lest it's helping something else I'm not aware of.

So. There you have it. Cheap dental procedures in Mexico while full-time RVing are not much different than expensive dental procedures while living in sticks-n-bricks.

Well. Except that I was alone...and the staff noted that: "Jou are ear alon? Jou come by jourself?" which, to be honest, I didn't even think about until they said something. Which made me feel sorry for myself, until I realized I always went to the dentist alone, so what the heck Susan?? Stop it! Grow up!

And I took my lollipop and scootered home.

So there.

Random Thoughts On What I've Learned Of Late

2010-04-18T23:13:00.006-06:00

1. The lights in my rv take a lot more power then I thought they did. It really does amount to just a few watts each, but really, it adds up, and I had such trouble "getting" this because I'd look at the tiny lights and figure, hell, can't be much. However, I have become a big, BIG fan of the high-output, solar outdoor spotlights I bought at Wally World, which I really, truly debated hard about buying because ALL outdoor solar lights I've seen have been less than adequate IMO, and these in particular, where quite expensive, as outdoor solar lights go. Moreover, I've felt solar lighting was just enough to delineate a path or driveway, but I didn't think of them as lights.

However, over a month ago I packed up my solar spotlights, and unpacked them on Friday to use as lighting while boondocking. So far, I have only had to turn one on for evening use - ie: the battery has held power for over a month, and here it is 3 nights later, and that one light is still burning bright - I haven't had to use the other one yet. Take note, however, that it is a spot light, so the light is directional...as in a spot about 2 feet wide, and offers just enough to manage traversing the rest of my small RV without tripping over something. It's also a great reading light in bed. I do have to figure out some holders for them inside though, as the spike (for in-ground set-up) is somewhat problematic, and the lights are heavy, top-heavy actually - so it can be a tricky business to secure.

Lastly, I don't think I've ever gone 4 days without having to crank up the genny, but I have now; and while I can't give all that power-credit to the lights (since I have been driving/charging and paying attention to my consumption more so than before and haven't touch my oven), these solar lights get a lot of credit from me.

2. I've really, truly learned a lot about myself in the nearly 2 years I've been at this. Mostly, I've learned that I'm very strong in many, many more ways than I thought, and this has served me well as life comes at me. Moreover, despite some really odd happenings in relationships I've had on the road, I still find that I'm an open and willing-to-be-vulnerable person who still wants to reach out in friendship to others, and I'm damn glad about it. In fact, I'm a little befuddled about how that ever came about, frankly. I'm proud of how I've handled so many events, and how I've come out, while not unscathed (even shocked, at times), still a person determined to embrace life and others. I'd much rather be naive and straightforward than not; the hurt rather than the hurter.

And it's funny too, that up until recently I didn't understand what people meant when
they spoke of "the games people play". I just didn't get the term "games". I do now though, and from that I've come to learn that I need to be more selective.

I think this sort of learning may come to many solo-full-timers, but I've never seen anyone address it before: the sorts of things you learn about yourself in the process of this adventure: Your strengths, weaknesses, your intelligence, your nativity, and so on. I, for one, can't see how anyone couldn't spend a good deal of time thinking in this lifestyle....about oneself, others, and the interactions therein, one's connection to the Earth and so forth.

Honestly, I think I've learned more about myself and the world around me in 2 years than I have in the prior decade.

3. I can live with much, much less. I just know it. And I shouldn't miss it. I HATE towing a trailer. It sux rocks big time. Moreover, I want a motorcycle, not a scooter. I'm making a spreadsheet of all my stuff...and figuring out what I don't want to embrace (oommmmm @ mum), and what I do.

4. A "Bug-Out" kit is probably a very cool idea. I never heard of them until the OvExpo. They consist of what you may need to survive an immediate exit (ie: you've met the bad guys from "Deliverance"): shelter, survival blanket, water purifying pills, etc. You can find out more online, but it's a good idea. I think a kit can be as small as a fanny pack.

Welp, there's my random thoughts for today.

Pain That Brings Me To My Knees

2010-04-17T21:55:00.003-06:00

...I'm not kidding.

I've been in denial about a small pain I've had in one of my teeth. A molar actually. Not so in denial that I don't brush and gargle like crazy for it. But in denial enough due to no dental insurance.

Well, a bite of a muffin yesterday sent a searing pain through my jaw that twirled me around and I wound up lying on my bed, until I slipped off and was kneeling next to it. It was worse than a labor contraction.

And it was Friday night.

For the time being, I'm taking two Advil and putting another on the tooth to let it melt there (truly a lovely taste folks, let me tell ya), and this works well enough. Until I forget and some water or coffee hits it, or the urge to chew on the other side finally takes hold in a thoughtless moment, and then I hit the sky.

I'm hoping to god it's just a cavity, but I fear my neglect has caused havoc and I'll need root canal.

Did 'ja ever try to be a thrifty shopper for medical treatment at the moment of needing said treatment? And I just don't want to go to Mexico (even safe Algonones) for this one. For regular treatment I would, but this pain must be stopped, and for good, and I'm just not confident that it would be in Mexico.

So, I'm still at OvExpo, and saw a very cool Sportsmobile that was bought real cheap (the owner offered the information) for what it was. I was invited in and it had a Queen bed in the high-top (not pop-top), and, well, I'm thinking my friends. I'm thinking my set-up is bigger than what I want....for the outside life that I live. But the usual price tags on the SMBs have me running for cover.

Anyway, I'm aching in many ways!

And what the hell is going on anyway?? Shingles, allergies, cavities (or worse). Jeeze, this getting old sure ain't for wimps!