Our RV

Monday, March 14, 2011

Let's Hit the Road

Every spring the "traveling bug" hits me. I love hooking up to the 1-ton dually truck and hitting the road.

No packing necessary since we take our house with us! While Steve disconnects the water, sewer and electric, I put items away inside and secure the cabinet doors and TV. We wrap breakable items such as computers, small TVs, etc in towels or blankets and place in the shower for a secure ride.

The last step is putting in the slide-outs. This minimizes the walk area but in our unit, we can still access the kitchen, bathroom and bed.

The best part of traveling in an RV? Stopping at a rest area or truck stop and using our own bathroom, kitchen and bed!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

We lost our "traveling buddy" today


Last week's blood tests show Little Bit's kidney and liver levels are sky high... she is in kidney failure. Dr. Monica suggests we think about letting her go.

We've dreaded the day this news would come. At 12 years old, it's inevitable, but we love her so much. We can't imagine life without her.

Steve came home from work for lunch and we discuss the options. As painful as it feels, we make the heartbreaking decision to let her go. I sit in the recliner, tears streaming down my cheeks, and watch Steve say his last goodbyes to his faithful friend.

Our vet appointment is scheduled for 3:20. It's hard knowing I will come home without her. I keep reminding myself we can't let her suffer any longer and we have to do the right thing for her sake, not ours.

She barely flinches when Dr. Monica gives her a shot with a strong sedative. We are left alone while the medicine takes affect and I pet her and tell her how much we love her. She has been such a good girl and we will miss her. Dr. Monica returns and it's time for me to leave. I kiss Little Bit's head one last time and make my way out of the room through blinding tears. My heart is breaking.

I return home to an empty house. Little Bit doesn't greet me at the door with a bone in her mouth. When I open the refrigerator door, she's not there begging for a handout. Many tears flow.

The prayers of our family and friends softens the ache in our hearts. God brings comfort as only He can. She will be cremated tomorrow and her ashes scattered at a private ranch in Woodland Park. We love the mountains and take comfort knowing it will be her final resting place.

Memories will stay with us forever of a little black dog named "Little Bit" that brought so much enjoyment into our lives.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Making the RV Our Home

The excitement of a new RV wears off. Now reality hits and we realize we really live here!

Our new RV came with leather recliners. Nice looking but very uncomfortable. We decided to relegate them to storage and replace with our comfy Lazy Boy recliners. Great decision.

Like most men, Steve prefers a large screen TV. We removed the 32" set and placed our computer printer in the empty space. An end table (one of the few furnishings left from our house) makes a perfect stand for a new 42" flat screen TV.

We've even talked of removing the couch we rarely use and installing a large desk/work space.

With creativity and imagination, we continue making this RV our home.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Seeing the Sights

We purchased our RV with the intentions of someday traveling full time. I'm already dreaming of the places we will visit.

An extended trip enjoying Colorado's beauty and rich history top my "bucket list". I'd love to explore the ghost towns, mining camps and historic sites of days gone by.

Lighthouses fascinate me and a tour of the Door County, Wisconsin coastlines would be a thrill. While in the state, an extended visit with Steve's family would be nice. No pressure on their part since we bring our own house!

After digging deep into family history the last few years, I'd also love to visit the places my ancestors lived. And, of course, we'd stop off at a few courthouses and libraries along the way to continue filling in the family tree.

I'm hoping and praying these trips will someday become a reality and are not just a dream!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Taking Care of Business

Remember the scene in the movie "RV" when the sewage line hits Robin Williams in the face? ewwww.....

Most RVers have similar stories.

Some RV friends of my parents heard a loud crash while driving their motorhome on the interstate and stopped to investigate. As the husband crawled underneath,the wife decided to use the restroom. You can imagine the surprise when it hit him in the face because of a large hole in the holding tank.

Last summer Steve was dumping our holding tank when the sewer line came off. Thankfully he wasn't hit in the face but sure had a mess on the ground to clean up.

The joys of life in an RV!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

RV Repairs

Just like a house or apartment, appliances break in an RV.

Last summer we noticed the hinges on our refrigerator door seemed loose. Steve adjusted them but to our surprise one hinge broke off. And, unfortunately, a few days later the whole door fell off the refrigerator frame.

Still under warranty, we called a local RV dealer about repair. They wanted us to bring the rig to them, which is impossible. Our unit is skirted with insulation to keep us warm in the winter months and would take many hours to remove and then later replace.

After some discussion with the RV repair department, we agreed to pay $100 for a "house call". They ordered the refrigerator door and installed it a few weeks later.

Living full-time in an RV can present challenges in these situations. And if you elect to turn the RV in for repairs, always have a back up plan for temporary accomodations.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thinking Outside the Box

Cold storage space can be a challenge in an RV. We solved this dilemma in two ways.

First we decided to purchase a chest freezer. After looking around town, we found a used one for $100. No room for it inside, but it fits perfectly in our enclosed patio space and provides plenty of cold storage for frozen foods and bargains we find at the grocery store.

A few months later my parents offered us a small refrigerator, left over from their RV days. It also sits in our patio area and offers room for extra cold drinks, fruits and vegetables and miscellaneous food items.

Don't get hung up on the space you don't have. Think outside the box!