47 Degrees and I'm Still in Iowa!

Heard the weather prediction for this weekend -- possible snow flurries – at least they didn’t say BLIZZARD! Seems like I'm staying a little too late! Actually, went over to the RV place today -- they had to take the electric scooter lift off of the old RV since it was wired in electrically -- and I had to deliver them the title to the old one -- my Iowa plates for the new RV should be here in a couple of weeks -- they don't apply for the new plates until they get the old title -- guess that is their way of making sure they get the title!!!

This park closes the end of October -- so I gotta be outta here by Halloween! Hopefully before THAT - but at least I'm not going to get in a rush -- I'm gonna slow down a little and do a better job of sorting and tossing out -- my furnace works good -- have two full 30 pound propane tanks and two good electric space heaters -- so I'm good to go for SOME cold weather -- just don't want a full-blown Iowa/Midwestern Winter!!!

It's days like this I'm glad my friend Ingrid turned me onto Adagio Teas -- WHEW! I'm going thru those really fast! Right now I'm slurping some green jasmine tea....wish my outside body felt as warm as my inside body!!!

Tinga is a little upset that I haven't let her out to free-fly, but with the boxes all over, if she decided she was going to play ‘keep away' when I tried to put her up, I'd probably kill myself falling over everything piled in the middle of the floor -- so she is stuck in the cage for awhile.

I need to find a food/water place for all of the cat/dog dishes -- this RV has a center kitchen and doesn't have the counter space -- I can't have it setting in front of the sink and stove -- I had it in front of the stove in the old RV -- but I have to have Li'lBit's scratching basket in front of the stove.....can't put it in front of the fridge like in the old one -- the intake for the furnace is there! Just have to figure out where to put the stuff -- right now it is in front of the stove/sink and I'm constantly tripping over it -- fortunately, I'm not doing a lot of cooking (other than microwave or toaster oven) so I'm dealing with it -- using lots of paper plates and bowls so what few dishes I have are just piling up in the sink! Good thing I have a deep double sink!

The kitty litter has found a home in the shower - and I think that is where it will stay-- I put the small shower mat across the door frame so the door won't completely close -- and with all the shampoo, bath gels and bath salts in there it seem to 'mask' any temporary odors – actually, I’ve never really had a problem with Holly’s litter unless she was sick. Now that is probably more than you really wanted to know, right???

Li'lBit and Holly spend most of the day up on the bed under the comforter. They don't like this weather either! It's like pulling teeth to get Li'lBit to go out in the AM! Good thing she is trained to pee-pads!

Went out this AM and did 3 garbage sacks full of laundry - cost me $10 to get out of the laundry-mat! And I know I'll have that much more in a few days. Most of it was stuff I've moved from the old RV - rugs, bedding, linens, curtains, etc. As I was folding it, I figured most of it would go to Salvation Army.

I'm hoping to stay here until the plates come - they will be sent to my sister's address here in town. The park here closes then end of October and I sure hope to be out of here before THAT!!!

This cold, damp, windy air just sucks the air from my lungs! I've used more oxygen this past week or so than I've used all summer!

Dinner tonite, Bea and I met her friend Lisa at The Junction Bar and Grill – had a great bowl of chicken tortilla soup and a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich – can’t get a good tenderloin sandwich anywhere but Iowa! Oh, little ol’ coupon-clipper that I am – I had a coupon for $2.00 off an appetizer – yummy onion ring!

I’ve come to the conclusion I have way too much stuff – as Susan pointed out, I started calling it “stuff”, then it was “junk”, then it went to “crap.” She told me when it got to that point, it was time to get rid of it! And THAT I am trying to do!

And the Move Goes On!

Thanks to Mary Gift for the picture of the 'move.'
September 24th I mentioned that I’d update the blog when the new computer desk was set up --- well, that hasn’t happened yet – can’t even see the desk for the boxes stacked on the floor!

Where to start about the move – what a comedy of errors!

The RV was delivered September 24 and it was trip after trip carting boxes from the old to the new. The weather refused to cooperate – chilly, windy, damp, dreary – sometimes rain, sometimes drizzle – but enough to chill me to the bone!

September 30th I had my last doctor’s appointment – everything is as “OK” as it can be – I did ask for something for some back muscle spasms I’ve been having – got some Flexiril – have taken that before and know I can’t handle more than ½ tablet so find that pill cutter and get them split in half!
Don’t you just love looking thru boxes for something you know you have somewhere!!

Confession time – been having some problems getting the nerves, muscles and joints all going in the same direction at the same time and have taken a few nasty falls in the process of sorting, packing, tossing and toting. Good thing I have enough padding on me so that I bounce and the bones don’t break!

On Fri, Oct 2, Randy came by and hitched up the old one ready to go to the sales place in the AM -- still have to disconnect utilities and get a few more things out -- but it was getting tooooooo damn cold to be running back and forth in the rain. Never got much above 50 degrees and the wind was horrible with that terrible drizzle -- you know those midwest fall rainy, dreary, cold windy days. Hell of a day to try to move. But the 'kids' and I are all snug as a bug in the new one -- of course, will have to move the boxes off of the bed before we can get in it!!!

I won't be hitchin' up the new one and headed south until I get this stuff put away -- we have boxes stacked all over! Couldn't bring the slides in if I wanted to!!

On Sat, my sister and I got the RV over to Twin Anchors RV by noon -- then stopped at the café for lunch - Bea had a tenderloin sandwich -- I had a hot roast beef sandwich -- nothing like canned beef and gravy and instant potatoes to warm you from the inside out! I have no idea why I ordered that -- guess I was remembering the days Mom used to treat us to hot roast beef sandwiches at the Woolworth's lunch counter (or maybe it was Kresge's) in Dubuque when we went up to get shoes! I haven’t cooked or eaten anything other than fast food for several days! Can’t get to the stove and the toaster oven and crockpot are in a box somewhere! I do have a microwave, however!

Came back to the RV and collapsed. It felt like one hurdle was over – now I’m down to one lot rental instead of two! Mary, Judy and the family (owners of the park) have been tremendous during this moving upheaval!!

Took my muscle relaxer and hit the bed for a couple of hours! WHEW! Every bit of my get up and go got up and went. I just couldn't lift or move another box! So Li'lBit and I went to bed for a couple hours nap!

Now it's unpacking, sorting, tossing time. Need to get rid of some of this JUNK! Just packing clothes -- I found night gowns, blouses, sweaters and jackets I haven't worn since I moved into the RV! I'm trying to put things in piles -- bedroom, kitchen, desk, etc. Actually - I'm really looking for my coffee pot!

I’m not sure how Bea is doing all of the work she is – she has to mow her lawn, probably for the last time this year -- with the rain we have had, the grass has really grown and she doesn't want it to winter over that high. She has been doing most of the heavy lifting and toting involved in this move. I don’t know where she gets the energy – but I’ll take full advantage of her inability to be here Sunday by taking it easy!!!

Finally found my coffee pot, coffee and coffee filters Saturday evening-- so I can have coffee in the AM! I've been drinking tea -- I like tea -- but prefer coffee in the AM and tea later in the day.

On Sun, Oct 4, I woke up to 37 degrees!!!! DAMN!!! At least it isn't raining and the sun is out! Bea called to say we will go to breakfast this morning -- haven't done that for a week or so and that has been our ‘Sunday Tradition!” Maybe that's a sign things are getting back to 'normal' -- except for the stack of boxes! I did make SOME headway Friday and Saturday nite - very little -- now it's just a box at a time.

I think I'm going to like it - of course, I'm going to like it!!! It's NEW! Anyway -- just have to organize and sort -- not sure where the feed and water bowl for the critters will go -- need to work out things like that!

Also, since I have so much more undercompartment storage, I need to get some good sturdy plastic bins that I can pack things in some sort of order and not just tossed in! I know things like my holiday decorations can go under there -- extra books, etc. Due to the slide mechanism to extend the bedroom being under the bed, I don’t have the under-bed storage I had in the old one. I I just have to figure out where to put stuff. So much of my storage is so high, I have to use a step stool for just about everything! My sister found a nice 2-step folding ladder for me to use. I almost have to stepp on the lower step to reach the microwave! It’s quite a stretch for me!

Sunday was breakfast at Perkins -- I think I’m too old, stiff, sore to eat! It takes too much energy to pick up a fork!. The rest of the day was spent searching for the RV Title (old RV) -- I took it out of my strong box -- and then evidentially PACKED IT IN A BOX! Unbelievable -- why didn't I leave it in the strong box -- or put it in my truck or somewhere SAFE!

The weather turned bad again Monday -- 38 degrees! DAMN! I want a few dry days so I can sort and organize the undercompartment and see how much room I have under there -- I know it is a lot bigger than in the old RV. Right now all that is in there is the stuff from my old RV undercompartment -- and I think I will have plenty of room for most of the stuff I had under my bed in the old RV.

Monday evening Bea and I met Gene and Vicki at Applebees -- Bea and I had one of the 2 for $20 meals -- we both had huge plates of shrimp, french fries cole slaw and french fried onion rings as an appetizer - that lot's of food for $20. I know there was over a dozen nice sized shrimp!

It's here and I'm moving!

Just to let you know the new RV arrived about 5 PM Tuesday....it was a lump in the throat teary eyed moment for me when I saw the truck turn the corner on the lane in the RV Park! WHEW! It sure looks bigger than the one I have!

I promise I'll do a 'catch up' entry to the blog when this move is over -- weather has not been cooperating -- so the move is taking longer than I thought. I want to get the old RV emptied out and over to the dealer -- right now I'm paying for two RV lots and the insurance has been transferred from the old RV to the new one. Just wanna get the move finished -- will up date the blog when I get settled at the new computer desk in the new RV! YIPPEE!

Raining!

Wonder which will arrive first -- the first winter snow fall or my RV! Oh, well -- hurry up and wait!

No Go on Delivery

Rain, Rain Go Away! Haven't had rain for weeks and guess what arrived this AM -- RAIN! Not only rain -- some thunderstorms.

Twin anchors called -- they will not deliver today -- shooting for tomorrow afternoon -- then Randy will spend some time with me to show me all of the set ups....and he doesn't like to do that in the RAIN! I don't want to stand in the rain and listen to him, either!

So let's plan on Tomorrow afternoon.

Packing......

...the major happenings around here for the next few days will be packing, packing, boxing, boxing, toting, carting, carrying, unpacking, etc, etc, etc!

The new (to me) RV will be delivered here to Shady Oaks sometime late Monday or Tuesday. I hope the weatherman is wrong and we don't get the rain that is predicted...it would be nice to move with some nice dry, cool weather but that may be asking a little too much.

Hopefully this transfer will be done within the week and I can get the old RV over to Twin Anchors RV in Colo by the end of the week or the first part of next week. That will still give me a week or so to settle into the new one before I have to pack up and head south to TX.

Life is Good!

I'm Too Old For This!

Yesterday was a SCREAMING, YELLING, STOMPING MY FEET kinda day --- buying/financing long distance SUCKS! Local lending facilities want a state-issued photo-ID - can't get an Iowa photo ID without relinquishing my TX driver’s license -- NO WAY! That is the dumbest friggin' rule I have ever seen -- they need to get their shit together - lots of people live in two or more places! I know people that have a driver’s license in one state and a photo ID in a state with a secondary address especially when a photo ID is needed for something like a gun permit, etc. I guess Iowa Department of Transportation is 'too proud' to admit that some folks just might want to live some place warmer during the winter. They need to come into the modern world and make provisions for a mobile society.

This photo ID thing all came about when I decided to take the plunge to a new (to me) RV -- had some problems pop up with the RV I have and it was going to be a matter of putting some major money into this one -- or get something new or ‘gently used.’ Seems that most lenders want a state-issued photo-ID to apply for a loan – and they don’t want it from another state – they want proof of a local address – WHEW! Money must be tight! All the lending institutions wanted to do was remain rigid and follow the straight and narrow…..All I wanted to do was Stimulate The Economy!

I was running into too many ignorant bureaucrats – After my first encounter with the “bitch of the week” at the local office, I called DOT to try to get some simple questions answered and a programmed non-thinking voice on the other end of the phone told me I can't live in an RV – I told her I'm here 5-6 months a year, have a fixed address here for receiving mail, and travel the rest of the time -- after she started yelling at me (!!!) she told me I had to pay Iowa taxes and produce proof. I do not want anything to do with Iowa state taxes so maybe I need to go back to TX with what I have a buy down there…..I should have just gone to bed and forgotten he whole mess! I’m just too set in my ways to put up with non-thinking ignorant government employees!

Next option – call my bank -- My bank in TX won't finance long-distance either! I could get a loan if I’d come down there and get it! I'm definitely going to be a bitch until this gets settled.

When I went over to the dealer to discuss these financing ‘stumbling blocks,’ I took my camera to take pics - the camera didn't work -- got home and it worked fine! Now I just wanted to crawl in a hole! I needed to get this done and over with -- I'm too old and senile for confusion!

But, now that I’m thoroughly pissed, I'm determined to go back to TX with THAT RV if I have to whore myself out in some sleazy bar in Des Moines and pay cash for the thing!

My sister even got into the financial circus – she had found a place that would make the loan for 6 years – she came to get me to go fill out the application when Randy, the salesman from Twin Anchor, called.

Randy worked his butt off finding a place to get a loan with an out of state driver’s license and a local address. He called mid-afternoon – Finally Advantage Credit Union in Newton IA felt sorry for me and loaned me the full amount so I didn’t have to wipe out a chunk of savings…or whore myself out at some sleazy bar in Des Moines!

So back over to Twin Anchors in Colo to sign the papers and try again to get some pictures of the RV – got some from the outside but the ones from inside came out bleached out due to the glare from the sun at that time of day. I guess I can wait a few days to get some pics.

Have you ever had a day that just got on your nerves – nothing flowed smoothly – just a pain in the butt kinda day? – Well that was the roller coaster I was on yesterday. It’s really hard work going into debt!

I'm now the proud owner of a payment book and a new home. ....well, the home will be delivered next week and then I'll transfer my stuff out of the 'old' RV and put it in the new one -- 2008 35 ft Heartland Big Country 5th wheel with 3 slide out units! WHEW! Lots of space to clean and clutter!!

Blame it on old age -- senility -- dementia -- whatever you want......as I was signing the papers, I noticed they made a mistake and listed what I had remembered as a 2004 Heartland Big Country as a 2008 Heartland -- NO MISTAKE -- My 2004 Heartland Big country is now at 2008 Heartland Big Country. I had confused a couple of the units I looked at and so now I realize I REALLY got a good deal!!!

Should have a new (to me) RV here to start moving sometime next week....as soon as the insurance comes through, the dealer gets it serviced and ready and there is an opening here in the park.

I just love it -- and it will work so well when I get the sofa out. The whole thing is in tans, brown-tones, earth-tones so it is very conservative and neutral....not like the one I have now.

Oh, and the storage compartment underneath is huge and goes straight thru to the other side and not broken up with drain pipes and conduit! My under-storage in this one is so low, it doesn't take anything much deeper than a tool box.

And I love it that the sewer connection is really easy access -- I won't have to get on my hands and knees to do it -- could probably do it just by bending over. The drain levers and hook ups for water, cable TV, etc are in the little compartment outside at eye-level!! They sure are designing RVs for ol’ fat ladies!