Well that's taken care of. The defective part was the Camshaft Position Sensor, and I don't have a clue what that is or if it is a critical part of my truck. I am relieved that I won't lose any more sleep worrying about it. I had planned to leave the truck at the Ford dealer and walk back to the RV, which is only about 3 city blocks. I hadn't gone far when I realized the keys to my 5th wheel were on the same key chain as the Ford key, so I just sat in the waiting room drinking coffee and eating the donuts they so kindly provide for customers.
I had the time to read the entire newspaper while waiting, and saw an ad for a Brother color all in one multifunction printer. I currently have a Brother monochrome laser jet that I love, and I think I am going to go for the all in one version. There is a $50 mail-in rebate offer that will sweeten the price even more!
Now I want to sit outside my rig on this beautiful day, but first I am going to go buy the carpet I saw at Costco yesterday. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to run out of money before I run out of month.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
No subject
Not much to say today. I found a nearby Ford dealer to do the recall work on my truck, and will take it in tomorrow morning. The woman who sold the rig to me sent me a copy of the recall letter, and evidently it had not been the first notice. I made a photocopy and took it to the dealer - there will be no problem with them doing the work and I can rest easier in my future travels.
I made a quick trip to Costco. I know the rule about not shopping when you are hungry, so why do I do it so often? Not having anything planned for lunch I was drawn to the prepared foods section where I spied a box of sushi that looked delicious. I ate half of it for lunch and it was just ok, not even close to what my sister makes. She learned to make sushi from her Japanese mother-in-law.
I also found a nice outdoor mat that I didn't buy yet, but plan to on my next trip. It is about 5 x 9 and has a nice soft pile - surprisingly it is "crafted with pride in the USA" from recycled plastic bottles. Each mat is said to remove 50 plastic bottles from the environment, so I can feel virtuous every time I unroll it. It is really much nicer and less expensive than any others I've seen, and can be sprayed with a hose if I need to clean it.
It is another beautiful warm sunny day, and I think the couch is calling my name to lie down for a nap!
I made a quick trip to Costco. I know the rule about not shopping when you are hungry, so why do I do it so often? Not having anything planned for lunch I was drawn to the prepared foods section where I spied a box of sushi that looked delicious. I ate half of it for lunch and it was just ok, not even close to what my sister makes. She learned to make sushi from her Japanese mother-in-law.
I also found a nice outdoor mat that I didn't buy yet, but plan to on my next trip. It is about 5 x 9 and has a nice soft pile - surprisingly it is "crafted with pride in the USA" from recycled plastic bottles. Each mat is said to remove 50 plastic bottles from the environment, so I can feel virtuous every time I unroll it. It is really much nicer and less expensive than any others I've seen, and can be sprayed with a hose if I need to clean it.
It is another beautiful warm sunny day, and I think the couch is calling my name to lie down for a nap!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Day After...
...and I feel fine! Considering I only had one beer the entire day (well, at least until I got home at 11:00 pm and had one more), I should be feeling fine. The dinner was great, everyone loved it and had a good time.
Jeannie & Autumn are shown here.
Donald made the green hats. He is very creative and they looked so good.
Joe and Alyssa. I don't know where Sarah was when the picture was taken and I don't think she is on any of them.
And here are two of my leprechauns:
And one of my little leprechauns:
Steve was late because he had to attend a meeting of the local food co-op board of directors, and Megan was sick and couldn't make it. Amy and her daughter, Stephanie, were there also. I wish they were on some of the pictures, but when things get going with this crowd the picture-taking gets set on the back burner.
Steve came over today and quickly figured out that my coffee maker overloaded the circuit and all that was needed was to push in the button on the outlet. I don't know why I didn't see that. He also took away the big TV and converter box, and will try to find someone who wants a tv. I'm glad that big old thing is out of the way. After looking at all the possibilities, I think the easiest and best solution for me is to find a small computer table or desk to fit in the corner, and then to take the entire entertainment center out. I know it will shoot the resale value of the 5VER, but it is a 2004 model anyway, nothing has much resale value today, and why should I live with something I don't like so my kids can inherit a better resale value. They certainly aren't looking for resale, and I know for sure I won't be able to afford anything newer or better, plus the fact that I LOVE my rig, I'm going to live in my rig the way it suits me.
After the corned beef & cabbage dinner yesterday I am cooking pinto beans tonight. Frijoles y arroz is on the menu for tonight!
It has been a beautiful, warm, sunny day today and it's nice to have the windows open.
Jeannie & Autumn are shown here.
Donald made the green hats. He is very creative and they looked so good.
Joe and Alyssa. I don't know where Sarah was when the picture was taken and I don't think she is on any of them.
And here are two of my leprechauns:
And one of my little leprechauns:
Steve was late because he had to attend a meeting of the local food co-op board of directors, and Megan was sick and couldn't make it. Amy and her daughter, Stephanie, were there also. I wish they were on some of the pictures, but when things get going with this crowd the picture-taking gets set on the back burner.
Steve came over today and quickly figured out that my coffee maker overloaded the circuit and all that was needed was to push in the button on the outlet. I don't know why I didn't see that. He also took away the big TV and converter box, and will try to find someone who wants a tv. I'm glad that big old thing is out of the way. After looking at all the possibilities, I think the easiest and best solution for me is to find a small computer table or desk to fit in the corner, and then to take the entire entertainment center out. I know it will shoot the resale value of the 5VER, but it is a 2004 model anyway, nothing has much resale value today, and why should I live with something I don't like so my kids can inherit a better resale value. They certainly aren't looking for resale, and I know for sure I won't be able to afford anything newer or better, plus the fact that I LOVE my rig, I'm going to live in my rig the way it suits me.
After the corned beef & cabbage dinner yesterday I am cooking pinto beans tonight. Frijoles y arroz is on the menu for tonight!
It has been a beautiful, warm, sunny day today and it's nice to have the windows open.
St. Patrick's Day
The day didn't start out so well. I went through my normal routine when I first got up, and that is to turn on the computer, and then grind the coffee beans and make coffee. The grinder worked and the computer booted, and then it all went off. It shouldn't have done that because those appliances never overload the capacity, but I figured the breaker tripped for some reason. When I looked, the breaker was still up, and I still haven't figured out what the problem is. I tried my hair dryer in all the bedroom outlets and found one that is evidently on a different circuit--tomorrow morning I will just set up the coffee maker on the bedroom vanity, and I'm using the dreaded laptop which is uncomfortable because I have to sit on the bed to reach the outlet - not easy on the back at all.
I made it to Jeannie's house and began to cook the corned beef, using three crock pots. Three turned out to be just right, and I estimated pretty well on the cabbage and potatos. The apple salad for dessert went over very well also, and since I couldn't use the instant packaged pudding mix (Jeannie gets migraines from one of the ingredients in it), I made the butterscotch pudding from scratch.
It is always fun getting together with family and this was special knowing that I will be leaving the area soon. They are trying to plan a family camping trip to the Corps of Engineers lake at Orland, so that will be something to look forward to. With Jeannie and Sarah both pregnant I will probably turn over my 5th wheel to them and I will see if this old girl can still get down low enough to crawl into a tent. If I use one of their tents it will probably seem luxurious to me, as they all have huge family tents with at least two rooms.
It has been a long day for me, and I actually drove myself home a little before 11:00 pm. I may take the dogs out early tomorrow morning and go back to bed for a while.
I took pictures this evening and will try to post a couple of them on the blog tomorrow.
I made it to Jeannie's house and began to cook the corned beef, using three crock pots. Three turned out to be just right, and I estimated pretty well on the cabbage and potatos. The apple salad for dessert went over very well also, and since I couldn't use the instant packaged pudding mix (Jeannie gets migraines from one of the ingredients in it), I made the butterscotch pudding from scratch.
It is always fun getting together with family and this was special knowing that I will be leaving the area soon. They are trying to plan a family camping trip to the Corps of Engineers lake at Orland, so that will be something to look forward to. With Jeannie and Sarah both pregnant I will probably turn over my 5th wheel to them and I will see if this old girl can still get down low enough to crawl into a tent. If I use one of their tents it will probably seem luxurious to me, as they all have huge family tents with at least two rooms.
It has been a long day for me, and I actually drove myself home a little before 11:00 pm. I may take the dogs out early tomorrow morning and go back to bed for a while.
I took pictures this evening and will try to post a couple of them on the blog tomorrow.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Maps
From the time I was a young child I have loved maps and geography books, and can spend hours looking at them to plan possible routes or to just enjoy. I have been taking advantage of the fact that the AAA office in Sacramento is only a few miles from the RV park, and I'm replenishing all my outdated maps a few at a time. Today I got some new ones - Alaska, Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, plus the Western Canada & Alaska CampBook. I don't normally use the CampBooks to find RV parks, but they are a good reference for what is available in the area plus the prices.
I have already taken a peek at some of the maps but plan to plump up the pillows on the couch and lie back to savor them, make notes, and dream. Is there rain in the forecast? Bring it on! With my maps, the book about ghosts in Savannah, and Steinbeck's "Travels With Charlie", I am happy to just read for a while.
I have already taken a peek at some of the maps but plan to plump up the pillows on the couch and lie back to savor them, make notes, and dream. Is there rain in the forecast? Bring it on! With my maps, the book about ghosts in Savannah, and Steinbeck's "Travels With Charlie", I am happy to just read for a while.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A new crowd
Yesterday afternoon and evening saw the pace really picking up in this RV park. Lots of toy haulers coming in and big, loud, trucks! The pickup trucks were driving in and out at a rate of speed that was inappropriate for an RV park, and especially in the gravel section. I try to be a live-and-let-live person so I didn't let it bother me except that I am sure there are others here who would complain at the drop of a hat. By 10pm or 10:30 things started to quiet down and all was well. I just saw a gorgeous red truck hauling a triple axle Raptor leaving the park, so I guess their fun weekend is coming to a close.
I am really honing in on exactly what it is I like and dislike about full time RVing, and large filled-up parks don't fit in my picture. I'm sure I was born for boondocking, but isn't as easy for a solo female with a 5th wheel as it would be for a couple or a solo in a motorhome. I really wouldn't know where to begin, so I'm hoping my experience at Lassen this summer will be sort of in-between the crowded park and the wilderness with no one around to talk to. I guess I just want to be in the middle of nature with a bit of company from time to time.
I am really honing in on exactly what it is I like and dislike about full time RVing, and large filled-up parks don't fit in my picture. I'm sure I was born for boondocking, but isn't as easy for a solo female with a 5th wheel as it would be for a couple or a solo in a motorhome. I really wouldn't know where to begin, so I'm hoping my experience at Lassen this summer will be sort of in-between the crowded park and the wilderness with no one around to talk to. I guess I just want to be in the middle of nature with a bit of company from time to time.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
A slow day
I can tell this is going to be a slow day so my blog will probably be very slow as well. Last night about 9:30 there was a lot of commotion outside the rig, with at least one big RV and several cars that seemed to stop next to me. I could hear the loud "boom-boom-boom" from a radio, and my first thought was that I sure hoped they weren't going to be pulling into the space to my right. I tried to see out the window and think it was a big toy hauler. They finally started moving and looked like they were trying to find a spot they could pull into easily, as they drove around more than once. I saw that the man in the rig in front of me came outside to have a look, and probably to complain if they should try to pull in next to him.
They must have ended up in front just across the fence to the racetrack, and I heard no more from them. Someone left the park in the middle of the night as I woke up with the sound of gravel crunching, so it was either the toy hauler or maybe another RVer who didn't care for the company. It's a good thing I sleep well, being that the main driving lane for this section is right outside my bedroom window. I hear vehicles coming and going over the gravel, and even people walking by, but I go right back to sleep so it really doesn't bother me. I decided right then and there that extended stays at RV parks are definitely not for me.
I took some pictures of my "office" arrangement. The first shows how I have extended the leaf in the table and then turned the table sideways to have better access. It really works out so much better, especially for my back. I was developing aches & pains from twisting at an angle to use the keyboard and to view the monitor. You can see all my boxes stored under the table and chairs. I need to find a better place, maybe under the bed.
Next I took a picture of the entertainment center to indicate what a problem I will have converting it into a usable computer space, unless I tear out the entire cabinet and start from scratch. The keyboard pullout would be most comfortable about one-third the way down from the top of the boom box, but that would not leave enough space for the monitor above it, unless I removed all the shelves including the one holding the TV. While I really doubt I will ever sell this unit and buy another, I hesitate messing with radical modifications at this point. Right now it mainly serves as a catch-all, and when you think about the amount of prime location taken up as a catch-all, it is a shame not to get better use out of it. Suggestions welcome.
Of course I am embarrassed at the messy cabinet, but hey, I don't worry about stuff like that any more.
They must have ended up in front just across the fence to the racetrack, and I heard no more from them. Someone left the park in the middle of the night as I woke up with the sound of gravel crunching, so it was either the toy hauler or maybe another RVer who didn't care for the company. It's a good thing I sleep well, being that the main driving lane for this section is right outside my bedroom window. I hear vehicles coming and going over the gravel, and even people walking by, but I go right back to sleep so it really doesn't bother me. I decided right then and there that extended stays at RV parks are definitely not for me.
I took some pictures of my "office" arrangement. The first shows how I have extended the leaf in the table and then turned the table sideways to have better access. It really works out so much better, especially for my back. I was developing aches & pains from twisting at an angle to use the keyboard and to view the monitor. You can see all my boxes stored under the table and chairs. I need to find a better place, maybe under the bed.
Next I took a picture of the entertainment center to indicate what a problem I will have converting it into a usable computer space, unless I tear out the entire cabinet and start from scratch. The keyboard pullout would be most comfortable about one-third the way down from the top of the boom box, but that would not leave enough space for the monitor above it, unless I removed all the shelves including the one holding the TV. While I really doubt I will ever sell this unit and buy another, I hesitate messing with radical modifications at this point. Right now it mainly serves as a catch-all, and when you think about the amount of prime location taken up as a catch-all, it is a shame not to get better use out of it. Suggestions welcome.
Of course I am embarrassed at the messy cabinet, but hey, I don't worry about stuff like that any more.
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