Full Time RV Living - A New Ride–or at Least–A Different Ride

Not sure how anyone could have missed it. . .

but just in case you did. . .

we SOLD Beauty and the Beast on EBay. . .yaaaa!

and chose yesterday of all days. . .with those crazy winds. . .

to move it to storage, until the new owners. . .

a couple from Pennsylvania. . .can get here to pick it up!

Of course, selling the rig necessitated purchasing a tow vehicle. . .

or a TOAD in RV terms. . .

Dave did all the research. . .yada, yada, yada. . .

my only request. . .that it match the motor home!

I’d say he picked a winner. . .

Anyone who knows us, knows we don’t buy new. . .

so it’s a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. . .4 wheel drive,

so we can tow it four down. . .important.

Just gotta get the tow bar and set up done on the rig. . .

and we will be ready to roll towards Maine! 

Lord willing. . .

Full Time RV Living–We Were Just Pooped

The entire month of March was  grueling. . .just flat wore us out .  We were told the month of March/April would be the busiest in the park, and they were correct. . .Spring Break Week. . .ai yai yai. . .

but we survived, and in an effort to recuperate drove over to Brazos Bend State Park to visit Park Host friends Judy and Dick Mott.  We originally met them in Estes Park last summer, where we all park hosted for Larimer County. . .then later, when Fort Parker had an opening, they called us, and we park hosted with them for a few weeks there. 

I love the juxtaposition of the flowers with the alligator

This reminds me of post cards I've seen at National Preserves

Young alligators were everywhere. . .not in the least bit afraid

this humongous specimen. . .Dick said it was a female. . .was lying fairly close to the walking path.  I can certainly see why patrols are posted on the weekends. . .they say the teenagers will walk right up to the alligators, even go so far as to poke them with a stick.  I would say. . .if this one gets ahold of ya. . .you are in a world of trouble!

I almost wish we had followed them over to Brazos Bend. . .so many fascinating, fabulous things to see.

Notice the young gator at the bottom of the pic. . .almost camouflaged

and all the different varieties of birds. . .just amazing!

Anhinga drying it’s wings

After a five mile bike ride around two lakes. . .getting off multiple times to take pics. . .and an hour drive home. . .I lay down across the bed and went into a coma. . .a seriously relaxing day. . .thanks Judy and Dick for playing hosts. . .we loved it!

Our Rig is FOR SALE

This is a re-post from November when we first put the rig up for sale. . .

Since we never got too serious about actually getting it done, 

we now find ourselves only ten weeks away from our summer trip. . .

with three vehicles. . .yikes! and three insurance payments. . .yikes. . .

SO

today, April Fools Day I have officially determined to get very, very serious

about getting Beauty and the Beast sold and in the hands of a new owner!

Wish me luck. . .and if you know anyone who might be interested

please direct them our way. . .thanks!

You read it right. . .today we are officially putting our truck and fifth wheel up FOR SALE!

If you know anyone who is looking for a great deal. . .all the pics and information

can be found here:  BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ARE FOR SALE

WHY?  you ask. . .

well. . .here’s the reason. . .and of course you know they

never want to give you diddly on a trade in. . .

so we’re gonna try our hand at selling our rig ourselves. . .uggghhhh!

Wish us luck. . .oh, and a few prayers would not go amiss. . .

Til next time,

Janice

Full Time RV Crafts - How to make a Magnolia Blossom from Latex Balloons

I am reposting this craft project from my 

personal EvansEscapades Blog. . .

the Magnolias are getting ready to bloom. . .

and if you want to prolong the enjoyment, 

this is the perfect craft. . .

You can collect the magnolia centers while they are available. . .

dry them. . .and save them for later use.

Enjoy!

How to make a Magnolia Blossom from Latex Balloons

Supplies Needed

18 gauge craft wire (must be 18 gauge)

this is available at craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, 

however if you do not have a craft store available, 

you can buy 18 gauge wire in a small roll at a hardware store.

package of 9" or 11" helium quality latex balloons

floral stem wrapping tape

magnolia center

at least three magnolia leaves - (silk leaves are fine)

wire cutters

scissors

glue gun (maybe)

Cut 9 pieces of 18 gauge wire into 18" pieces

Cut 4 pieces of 18 gauge wire into 9" pieces

Fold the 18" pieces in half, leaving rounded at the top

Cut the ends off of 9 ballons

Feed the folded 18" wires into the 9 balloons

Pull balloon down tight to the end of the wire, this part of the process is difficult and takes patience

Wrap the balloon very tightly with the floral tape

Continue wrapping all nine balloons and wires with floral tape

Now pull the wires out inside the balloons and shape the petals.

This is why you need 18 gauge wire, so it will hold it's shape.

Fasten one 9" wire to the magnolia center, this may require using the glue gun to get it to stay.

If you do not have a magnolia center, you can purchase them at a craft store, but they are pricey.

Place three petals around the magnolia center, and wrap with floral tape

Add three additional petals, and wrap with floral tape

Add three remaining petals, and wrap with floral tape

Add at least three magnolia leaves,
 attach leaves to 9" pieces of wire
 and wrap with floral tape

There you have it, one gorgeous magnolia blossom, 
created from latex balloons

Thanks to Dona 
at Admiralty RV Park in San Antonio TX 
for teaching me this craft.

If you enjoyed this project and would like to see more, 
add your email address at the top of the page.  
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Full Time RV Maintenance–Before You Blow a Breaker

An absolutely awesome posting by  FaceBook friend and RV’er RuthLarryBergeron. . .

I am reposting here with their permission. . .hope you find this helpful!

 

BEFORE YOU BLOW YOUR 'BREAKER"
TAKE A MINUTE AND SEE HOW MANYAMPS YOU COULD BE USING IN YOUR RV,S 30 OR 50
AMP ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IT,S SURPRISING HOW FAST THE AMPS ADD UP WHICH CAUSES
YOUR BREAKER OR THE RV PARKS' BREAKER TO.TRIP". KNOWING THE AMPS OF ALL THE
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES IN YOU RV CAN HELP YOU MANAGE ELECTRICAL USE AND PREVENT
THE INCONVENIENCE OF "MY ELECTRICITY WENT OUT".

THIS LIST IS THE TYPICAL APPLIANCES USED AND THE AVERAGE AMPS REQUIRED
TO OPERATE THEM:

AIR CONDITIONER 15(xn BTU T.              2.5 AMPS
ELECTRIC WATER HEATER 6 GAL        12.5 AMPS
MICROWAVE OVEN                                  12.8 AMPS
TOASTER                                                    1O.O AMPS
ELECT. COFFEE POT                                 9.0 AMPS
HAIR DRYER                                                IO.OAMPS
TELEVISION                                                      2.0 AMPS
DIRT DEVIL HAND VACUUM                             2.OAMPS
ELECTRIC FRYING PAN                                    1O.O AMPS
IRON                                                                   1O.O AMPS
FOOD PROCESSOR                                     6.0 AMPS
CROCK POT                                                  1.5 AMPS
HEATING PAD                                                  0.5 AMPS
11OO WATT HEATER                                      1O.O AMPS
750 WATT HEATER                                            6.5 AMPS
BOX FAN INDOOR                                            1.5 AMPS
BOX FAN OUTDOOR                                       2.5 AMPS
RADIO WITH CLOCK                                         0.5 AMPS
REFRIGERATOR                                               5.2 AMPS

IN THE MORNING, IF YOU START YOUR AIR CONDITIONER AND HOT WATER HEATER IS ON,
THEN YOU START YOUR COFFEE POT, MAKE SOME TOAST AND WATCH TV, THEN YOU ARE
PULLING 55 AMPS WHEN ALL APPLIANCES ARE OPERATING AT MAXIMUM. IF YOU ALSO COOK
YOUR BACON IN THE MICROWAVE ATTHE SAME TIME, ,LOOK OUT"! MOST RVS HAVE A
SWITCH SO THAT YOU CAN RUN ONLY THE MICROWAVE OR THE WATER HEATER AT ONE TIME.
BUT SOME RV,S DON,T HAVE THIS FEATURE.
MOST ELECTRTCAL PRODUCTS SHOW HOW MANY WATTS OR AMPS IT TAKES TO OPERATE THE
APPLIANCE PASTED ON THE APPLIANCE ITSELF OR IN THE INSTRUCTION. IF IT SHOWS THE
WATTS, DIVIDE THE WATTS BY 120 (VOLTS) AND THAT GIVES YOU THE AMPS. TO GET THE
WATTS MULTIPLY THE AMPS BY 120 (VOLTS).
IT IS WORTH YOUR TIME TO TAKE AN INVENTORY ON THE "AMPS,, THAT EACH OF YOUR
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES USE, THEN YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR TOTAL USAGE AT ONE TIME.

THIS GREATLY REDUCES THE “MY ELECTRICITY WENT OUT" ANXIETY.

Full Time RV Living–It’s War Around Here

In our last blog post I showed your our resident wren’s nest located up in an exhaust vent.

Because I felt guilty about destroying all their hard work,

I laid the nest materials out on the picnic table,

where they quickly began gathering them up. . .

here’s where I found their latest homebuilding attempt. . .

sorry guys. . .still not gonna work. . .

Wonder what the plan is now. . .I’m keepin’ an eye out!

A very nice surprise this week. . .my brother brought my Dad and Uncle by to visit. . .

They were on their way to the deer lease to hunt hogs,

so I made home made pulled pork barbecue sliders

using home made Parker House Style rolls. . .

I used Alton Brown’s recipe. . .they were dee-lish-us!

the rest of the week has been spent on our park host duties. . .

while I met with Ranger Lisa about a school group that will be here next week. . .

Dave mowed the sites in our camping lot in preparation for the weekend campers!

Til next time,

Janice

Full Time RV Living–Two of My Favorite Guys

This past week offered us an opportunity to meet for lunch with two of Dave’s brothers and his sister. . .

Finding myself seated between two of my favorite guys, I couldn’t resist showing you . . .

David and his look alike. . .youngest brother John. . .aren’t they adorable!  LOL. . .

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of look alike John, Lisa, and John’s look alike Daniel visiting us at the park. . .

what a lot of fun. . .Daniel is the spitting image of his Daddy at that age!

He is a beautiful child. . .inside and out. . .and always has hugs to give. . .which makes me so happy!

On a different note. . .it’s nest building time here at the park. . .

and the Carolina Wrens are in overdrive!

They aren’t a bit shy. . .and were swooping into this exhaust vent one day last week. . .

sitting at my desk in the bedroom. . .I could hear them busily setting up housekeeping. . .

Within two days, they had quite the little collection gathered. . .

and although I feel guilty for destroying all their hard work. . .ummm. . .not a choice location guys!  Sorry. . .

We’ve taped a piece of plastic over the outside of the vent until we can get a screen. . .goodness, they are quick!

As Judy on her Travels With Emma Blog calls it, I’ve set up my bird café. . .

it’s a mix of nuts, seeds, and cracked corn. . .

the peanuts and almonds go first. . .the tufted titmice love them!

followed by the black oil sunflower seed. . .favored by the cardinals. . .

not sure the preference of this Red Breasted Nuthatch or the Carolina Chickadee. . .

but I do know that no one likes the cracked corn. . .so it gets left for the deer and raccoons. . .

oops. . .not supposed to feed the wildlife (well, except for the birds). . .

so we may need to choose a different mix next time. . .

and. . .we’ve noticed the bluebirds flitting about the bluebird boxes. . .

so, the plan for the weekend is to be sure those are cleaned out,

sanitized and ready to go. . .

Til next time,

Janice