The Blues

Hunh, who would have thought that l would have gone through a little blue mood this weekend.  It actually started on Friday, and that's why l hunkered down on the weekend.  I needed to sort out my thoughts.

I was actually homesick.  ME.  Miss love to travel.  Miss independent.  I was feeling lonely and was wondering if l could do this.  I guess it just hit me that l won't be home for a good number of weeks.  At least before when l travelled l was home every other weekend and l could see friends then.  I was analyzing my feelings, and l wonder if some of it had to do with me already being on the road for 10 months with my other job.

Maybe that's why some of the blues hit.  This job would be easier if l did have a significant other with me.  Then l wouldn't feel so alone.  But since l don't have a significant other, l guess it's just me.

Today l am better.  So hopefully those monsters will stay at bay.  I want to make this work. :-)  I will have an adjustment phase, so l will have to be patience with it.

Suprised and Pleased

I really fretted about going to this mode of travel for my cats.  I wasn't sure how they would take it.  They would not even go close to a car before l set out on this adventure.  They were even smart enough to know that if l grabbed them in my arms in the house and headed out the front door that they would be going in the car and would start squirming the minute my feet led me towards the door.

Now they just chill the whole day in the van as l run around on appointments.  It really is amazing the turn around they have made.  They are so casual about riding in the van now.  To think how many hours my mind would wonder; hoping they would be okay.  It took them maybe half a day to adjust.

Sure there was a time when Charlie made a dash for the door, once she got out, realized she didn't know where the hell she was and boogied back in the van like her ass was on fire.

They hop back in that van whenever they feel threatened when they are out at the campground, whether it is someone walking by, a loud noise, another cat (happened once- Charlie was out and  got surprised by another cat, they hissed at each other, l opened the door, she ran in.  Let's just say "scared the shit out of  ya" has truth to it.

Tommy has learned to knock on the van door.  I kid you not.  When they are out and it's nice weather, but not nice enough to have the side door open all the way (or it's nighttime), l shut the side door just so it closes, but doesn't grasp the latch.  So if you were to hit it, it would move.  Well, when Tommy is out and wants back in and the door is like that, he will paw it to make a noise so l know to open the door for him.

They have always been trained to come when l call, or whistle.  And for the most part, they do.  Best Cats ever!

They pretty much sleep the whole day away, but l guess they did that at home too, especially when no one was home to let them in and out.

Everything Has A Place

I have found with living in a small space two things.

1. Have things with multi purposes.  The luxury of having an item for one job, is just that, a luxury.  And not very conducive to living in a small space.  It just won’t fit.  So the more purposes a single item can fill, the better.


2. Everything has its place, and once used, needs to go back in that space.  Thereby, eliminating the hours searching for the lost object.  Of course, this could also be a sign of my age :-)  Or finally, all my years of collecting useless information has filled my brain to capacity.

Those two rules l can live with to have the freedom of living in my Camper Van.

It’s pretty cool to have everything l own with me.  I no longer risk forgetting to bring something to work with me, because, it’s here with me 24/7.  The farthest it is away from me is the parking lot. :-)

What Is That?

Every Day is a discovery in this Ford Falcon.  Last night l discovered the built in alarm clock.  Yeah, don’t laugh.  It’s on the wall above the gauges for the LPG, the Battery, the Gray Tank, Holding Tank, and Fresh Water Tank.



In the picture the bottom display is all the gauges l know about.

The one l knew nothing about is the top wall fixture  the “Micro Alarm” (who knew it was an alarm clock).  One night after getting the van as l was driving home from a friends place after dinner, it went off.  Even though there were no lights displaying(meaning it wasn’t ‘ON’.  I just started hitting buttons trying to make this most annoying buzzing sound go away.  I did drive home with an elevated heart level that night, since l hadn’t had a clue what set it off.  And,  as you know, l have a slight fear of propane and vans exploding.

And here it was all along a flipping’ alarm to wake you up.  Well…..it woke me up, so l guess that was a success.

Honestly, read what is printed around the buttons you push to set this damn thing?  Am l the only one that had to live in this Falcon 5 days to figure it out?

[caption id="attachment_831" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Alarm - sorry it's blurry best l could get with a crappy camera"][/caption]

Oh well l guess l wanted an adventure.  Who would have thought, l could get it right here in my own van. :-)

The Taste of Freedom

I was brave last night.  It was a warm night.  Certainly warmer than the last couple of nights.  So after dinner, when it was turning to dusk l let loose the hounds.  Ok, the hounds were of the feline variety.

I opened the side door to the campervan and let my cats out for some fresh air and some leg stretches.  At first Charlie the scare-dee cat, who is also the most phenomenal  hunter of the two, wouldn’t go out.  I guess she got Stockholm syndrome.  She didn’t want to leave her captor.  Tommy was braver and didn’t need any coxing.

Eventually, the thought of going out and smelling all the good scents won out.  They both came and went, in and out, over the hour that they were out there.  Which l have to be honest, l was so surprised that they willingly came back into the camper van.  It was a gamble that l let them out.  I was hoping that after 4 days being cooped up in the van, they would realize, it wasn’t so bad.

I am actually surprised that there has been no puking in the first hour of the adventure.  Usually, one pukes on car rides.  This time, no one (not even me!), for four whole days.  Today they both looked very relaxed when l was driving around on appointments.  It is a big relief for me.  And so l felt maybe it was time to try the experiment of freedom.

I am happy to report the experiment was a success.  The cats consider this their home too!  :-)

Coming Along

I’m getting used to the small space of the van.  Last night l cleaned out some extra blankets l  organized some more.  It’s getting there.

It just me and my two cats in this van,  and those little guys don’t take up much room.  I’ve got their kitty litter over the bathtub, and then two little dishes, one for food, one for water.  I am amazed that some couples full time in a camper van.  I don’t know how they do it.  It really is a tight space, l would think some blood would be shed before too long if a couple were to shack up in one of these.

I can’t imagine plunking down a hundred grand for a new one of these things and then find out it’s not enough room.  That would hurt the pocket book for sure.

First Night in the Van

I spent my first night in the van with my two cats......in my driveway.  Yep...big adventure was to be had.  I'm trying to break in my cats as gently as l can.  They were not happy when l first put them in the van.  Of course, l put them in one at a time, and then l had a few odds and ends to gather.  By the time l got in there, oh, 10 minutes later, they were fit to be tied.

I climbed on in with them and they settled down pretty quick.  They did their snooping around, sniffing and rubbing.  It just remains to be seen  how much they will like or not like the driving aspect of it.  We all slept well.  It was quite mild out last night.  And to my suprise the neighbourhood is quiet.

When l drove off this morning, l had my little divider in place, which Charlie quickly breached.  She did a spider-man move on it, scaled it and went over the top.  I am using bird netting to separate the two areas, the cockpit and the living area.  I was hoping to keep my cats in the living area as l drive.  As you can see.....that plan might not be sound.

Charlie was climbing up and around everything as l drove.  Up on the dash board, from seat to seat.  I continually had to pick her up and place her back down off the dash board.  It was a game we played for about a half hour, then she settled down in my lap.

Tommy stayed in the back.  Being a bigger cat, he couldn't quite breach the netting.  I think he sat on the couch the whole time, but it was dark and l was distracted by Charlie to really pay attention.

This was all done in the dark at 5 am, so l hope the other drivers didn't see the shenanigans going on in the home on wheels.

Accomplishments

Friday did end up being a very busy day for me,  l got a lot done.  The box that was made Thursday is now painted a chocolate brown to match the vans exterior colors. The vans mostly loaded - just needs straightening up and final things put in it (which today - Sunday - still seems like a lot).  I had a chance to actually poke around the van on Friday, l found some switches that l didn't know l had.  I located the fuses, not just the fuse panel, but the random ones.  One is back by the battery, another one under the fridge - beside the furnace.

[caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Storage Box"][/caption]

l de-winterized it, flushed out all the lovely pink anti-freeze.  They had hooked up a plumbing by-pass for the winterizing so l reversed that, ran water through the city water connection. Kitchen sink, shower and toilet all function. Yeah!

I washed and waxed the van and it looks really good.  It's like l gave the old girl a face lift.  I can't get some of the age spots off of her, but l am happy with the result.  Not bad for a 1988 Ford Falcon.  I fixed the door trim that was falling off on the passenger side door.  Snug as a bug now.

[caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="All Sparkly & Clean"][/caption]

Also on Friday l went to a friends for dinner and had to earn my keep by moving some of her furniture around (just kidding).  She has a condo that had a flood a month ago (apartment 5 floors up sprung a leak) and has just had all the floors redone and needed her furniture moved back.  Dinner was delicious.

Then it was Saturday.

On Saturday l went back to  J's, the friend that built the box for me and helped him rake his yard for a couple of hours.  He has almost 10 acres, so it was no small feat.  I've got the blisters to prove it. Okay, we didn't do the whole ten acres, not by far, and there were a number of people there helping....but l still got the blisters.

I had also forgotten to get a piece of wood cut for my tub/shower when l was there on Thursday.  The wood is to cover my tub/shower so l can place the kitty litter on it while the shower is not in use.

 

[caption id="attachment_802" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Kitty Toilet"][/caption]

I know Glenn from http://www.tosimplify.net/ choose to take out the passenger seat for the kitty litter for his navigator, but that seat is just too comfortable and l will need it for my office.  So for now, the cats will have to go to the bathroom in well, the bathroom.

I did meet a couple from the conference l went to a couple of weeks ago that have trained their cat to use the toilet, even in the RV.  Can you teach a couple of old cats, new tricks?  Maybe after their trauma of moving into a house that moves l will give it a shot!

J also helped me fire up the water heater, furnace, stove and fridge.  I have to admit, l am a bit leery of propane.  And since this Falcon hadn't had the propane appliance used in over a year, l wanted the comfort of someone l trust, that is handy, there with me when they were fired up for the first time.

You see, l've had a bad experience with this liquid called propane.  J and l had a landscaping and pool business many many years ago.  We had had a propane van.  One that actually ran on propane.  It was an old city van that was converted by the city to run on propane instead of gas.  Well, that van exploded on us one day.  Needless to say, l have been traumatized  and a bit scar'd by it!

We had it stored inside in our storage unit, when we went to the unit one morning, we entered the unit, and then plugged a tool in (don't remember what it was).  That was a big enough spark to ignite the propane that had leaked out of the van overnight.  Propane is a heavy gas, and lays low on the ground.  Next thing l remember is flames shooting across my sneakers in a wave.

I lost some eyebrows (just temporary) and J had some pretty bad burns (also temporary - since propane is a gas once it's gone, it doesn't damage the skin anymore.  Where as gasoline is a liquid, it boils as it burns, causing more skin damage, and results in scars).  It put a healthy dose of fear in me for that propane.  For a long time, just lighting a BBQ scared the shit out of me.

Good news is....no wait....GREAT news is that the stove, water heater and furnace works!  Double Yeah! The verdict is still out on the fridge.  We could get it to ignite.....but it wasn't on long enough to see if it gets cold.  I am very pleased that everything seems to be working, since l didn't try anything and took the vendors word for it - and even then they only took the guy they bought it from 'word for it'.

J also build a little shelf for me.  Took him 5 minutes with his table saw, and just needs to be painted.  It's not going to be chocolate brown like the box, so it will have to wait until l decide what to paint the interior of the van.  I also still need to do interior work on the van, new laminate floors, the carpet in the front needs to be ripped out, and what ever other adjustments l need ot make to it to work for me.  For now, she's almost ready to roll (save, what l have to do today).



 

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Holy Macaroni Batman.  It's almost here and l feel VERY BUSY!!!!!!

Yesterday l built a box for the back of my van.  Okay, l just assisted a friend while he built the box for the back of the van.  Today l will paint it.  That was a dilemma, what color to paint it?  I choose dark brown.  It will tie in with the van's stripes.  The weather is supposed to be nice and warm today (high 50's ...lol), at least the sun sill be shining and l can work outside without a coat.

I am going to try and get all packed up today, wash the van, wax the van, paint the box, organize inside the van, cut the curtains to length, then hand sew them at some time in the next week or so (best case scenario - this weekend).  I'm going to try and get the cats acclimatised to the van this weekend, which means l will be van living this weekend too.  I have my first meeting with the new campground at 10am on Monday morning.

.....ahhhhh.....too much to do, must go do now!!!!

Not Much Stuff....But Still Too Much

I have been purging my belongings for a couple years now.  I've moved a lot and always give away/sell stuff every time l move.  And l still have enough donations to make a couple of trips to the salvation army this week.

It's amazing how much stuff we have as a society.  In the last 40 years we have gone crazy buying things, while actually trying to buy happiness.  Garages are no longer for cars, but for overflow from the house.  Storage lockers are plentiful throughout North America (a relative new phenomenon the last couple of decades).  We all have stuff we don't use/need/want.  And we still buy more.....

I'm hoping this move will free me even more then the freedom of travelling around in my camper van. I'll be breaking free from the consumerism, will you join me?

Un Packed My Suitcase

Sunday l unpacked my suitcase.  It probably won't be packed again for a very long time.  And l am good with that.  That suitcase taught me a few things.  It taught me how little l need to get by.  It taught me that no matter how much you pare down, your shit is still heavy.  It taught me how to mix and match my clothes so that it didn't seem that l was wearing the same thing twice in a two week period.  It taught me l can get by with two pairs of shoes, one a running shoe or comfortable walking show, and one a dress sandals or heal to match my clothes.  It taught me l don't need as much costume jewelry as l think l might.

I'm not sure l will miss my suitcase, as much time as we have spent together, l will be glad to let it go.  If it meant that l wouldn't be travelling anymore, that would be a different matter.  Since l will still be travelling, it's not a biggie!

Now to pack up the camper van, it shouldn't be as much as a challenge (l'm sure l will still pack too much) for me as people who haven't spent the quality time with the suitcase!

On My Way Home

I am on my way home, and l can't wait to get there.  I am sitting with a bag full of information that l want to organize for my new job.  The meeting was so helpful, and l'm glad that l waited to start the new job until after the conference.  I also know that my previous experience will benefit me in the new position.  It will be a  little bit of a challenge doing it by myself, but l did met a few people that do it by themselves.  And if l know anything, it's this, if someone is able to do it, so am l!

Since l am an organized person, that will help me be efficient and successful.  And at least l won't have to depend on a partner who isn't committed 100%.

When l get home, l might be heading out right away to do a project, or at least in the very near future, so l will be concentrating on packing and getting the camper ready and organizing my office in it.  Thank God that l have taken the odd weekend l've had at home and started that whole process.  There will be a few more trips to the Salvation Army where l will be donating most of my stuff.

I will miss the weather and the blue skies, the weather at home is only in the 50's, so out come the sweaters again!

 

Palm Springs

[caption id="attachment_775" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Entrance to Emerald Resort"][/caption]

What a beautiful area. I would  highly recommend the Sunland RV Resorts to anyone.  The resort we are staying in is the Emerald Desert RV Resort from the Sunland group. The RV resort l am at (yep, resort, not a RV Park), where the convention is being hosted is outstanding,  from the manicured lawns to the gorgeous pool area, the putting green, tennis courts, the fantastic weather, the happy people l will be working with and for.

[caption id="attachment_776" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Pool at the Resort"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_777" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Resort"][/caption]

The last couple of days have been busy, busy, busy.  I learned their new to me, and new to them, computer program that will be my virtual office.  It was really interesting to see just how well put together South East Publications is.  They have a desire to make themselves the best, and are moving at lightening speeds to accomplish that.

An error was noticed before lunch with the computer program, and it was fixed by the time we came back from lunch.

Tuesday night after dinner we had a auction where the proceeds will go to KOA Care Camps.  Every staff and sales member donated something to be auctioned off.  Then Wally the President will match all those donations and present a check to KOA Cares Camp to send kids to camp.  Over $20,000 was raised for the kids camp.

When l arrived, l was greeted with hugs, when l said goodbye for now, hugs were given to my new found friends.  Everyone was very open and sharing with how they run their little business, l got many tips, and am ready to hit the road running.

As a side note.  I did give my notice at my old job, and l have heard nothing from my boss.  Just silence.   I would have at least expected a request to "talk about it" when l get back from my "vacation".  I have made a great choice for me and am moving on to a company that will appreciate me.

 

 

55 degrees at 6am

Boy, Las Vegas had some windy gusts last night.  The day is to continue windy with a high of 69 degrees, the sun is shining (yeah!).  No snow in sight.

The plane ride was uneventful last night, and checking through the security and the customs was a breeze in Toronto.  Not nearly as busy as during the week when l usually travel out of Toronto Airport.  Not that l will be doing that anymore, anyways.  Not my problem, but someone's else's.

Last night after l got to the hotel, l moseyed up to a "lunch counter" at about 12:30 am Vegas time and treated myself to a steak and eggs dinner.  Yeah, l know, 9 hours late (since it was 3am Eastern time) l had had a late lunch and never had dinner.  I might have sat at a table, but the restaurant was hopping at that time of the night.  My dinner cost me  a whopping $3.95.  Wait, with tax a total of $4.27.  It was a decent size steak, 2 eggs, has browns and toast.

Vegas isn't know for their crazy food deals anymore, so that was a treat.

Not sure what l will be doing today.  I've seen the strip a few times, so that's not drawing me.  And l will be driving through the desert tomorrow on my way to Palm Springs.  I might just hang outside catch some vitamin D and read my manual for my new job.  I've got to gear up for the conference and refresh myself on the things l learned on policy and procedures a month and a half ago.

 

1 Day Left.....and Day 1 of a Fresh Start

While it is the day that my countdown ends, it also is the day that a new one begins.

I have finished my stint with CorpCom.  I was selling advertising on Real Estate folders, traveling across North America.  While l enjoyed it, as l have said before, l didn't completely enjoy some of the people l worked with, and being at the mercy of a Boss.  Also, the company didn't mind their employees stretching the truth (read Lie) in order to get the sale.  I just don't agree with it.  It's not the kind of place that l want to work.  There are enough things that can happen to disappoint your customers, but to condone and reward lying, not a place l choose to continue working.

I have been a wee bit secretive about where l am moving onto, but now, no more.  I am happy to say that l will be moving over to South East Publications.  It is a great company that has been around for 26 years printing campground maps.  So l will still be travelling around, in my camper-van, selling advertising spots to be on the campground maps.

It is work, and will require hard work at times.  A definite benefit will be that l will be staying in campgrounds while l do this work.  From my experience, campgrounds are close to nature, a relaxed atmosphere and WAY BETTER then a hotel!!!  I will have control over where l work and for which campgrounds and which projects.  If they are crappy and are not working out, l am not at the mercy of a prepaid plane ticket where l can't leave until the set date.

So follow me, l'm sure there will be some things to write about as l travel.  :-)

2 Days It's Friday, Friday!!!!

I Just have to get through today.  Which won't be hard.  I need to head to the airport by 1:30pm to catch my flight home.  My work day will be short, however, my travel day won't end until after midnight.

My count down is almost over.  Looking back, it seems to have flown by.

I received a call yesterday that will change my plans a wee bit.  Good job l am flexible. :-)   The change in my plans are that as soon as l get back from the conference in Palm Springs, l have two days to pack up, then l will start my new job.  A project came up that needs to be done right away.

I was planning on taking a week off to work on "renovating" the van, but that will have to be put on the back burning for a little while.  I really wanted to paint it (the interior), and l may do that on the Sunday or the Monday before l leave since it will be much easier to do while it is empty and l am not living in it.  That will depend on the weather when l get home.

Actually as l type this, l realize when l get back it will be Easter Sunday, so  it will have to wait until Monday, since our stores in Canada will be closed for the Easter Sunday Holiday.

Whatever happens, However it happens, will happen just the way it's supposed to so......no stress here!!!!

Have a great Friday Every Body!  :-)

Can You Say "3", Yep 3 Days Left

The great thing about my job now was that l was only anywhere for 2 weeks at a time.  So the first week was spent getting to know the town, and the second week was busy tying things up, and before you know it, l was back on a plane heading back to Toronto.  So my first week in Saskatoon was spent booting around, figuring out the town/city.  And this last week has flown by.  I will be getting on a plane Friday afternoon.  And then that't it.  Over.  Gonzo.

Actually the 30 day countdown has gone pretty fast.  Yes, the days spent in the office were long, but the week did speed by.

I just had a thought, l can check in online for  my flight home tonight.  Speeding by l tell ya.

4 Days...Come On, Come On

Oh, it's coming fast!  Woohoo!!!  It has been a tough project, being stuck here when all l want to do it move on.  I only have four more days left (actually only 3 work days).  I am so looking forward to being back in the control of my life.  To being able to direct my life, my way.  Stopping and smelling the roses when I choose.

I was thinking today that l have waited four months to make the move.  I knew l had my new job four months ago.  I have patiently waited for the time to pass to this count down l am doing.  I wanted to time it so that l was in a position to succeed.  By going to the conference for the new job, l feel l am achieving this. By picking the brains of successful in the company, on how they do things, the best way to do things, the right way to do the job.

Yesterday turned out to be a great day weather wise, they were calling for snow,  it was too warm for it, and it didn't even rain.  The skies cleared and the sun came out in the afternoon.  It was great.  It made the day easier to take.  My jacket was off, the car window cracked a bit.  And l could have sworn, l had a spring in my step.

5 Days..... So close

It's so close now.  Only 5 days left until l have turned the page in my new life.

Is it any wonder why l can only think about it?  I am constantly thinking about what changes l want to make to my van when l get home.  The downfall of that is that all l want to do it move on.  I am relishing the change.  The jitters are gone, the excitement is there, the longing is driving me crazy!!!

 

6 Days...Not A Moment Too Soon

Saturday won't come a moment too soon.  Pretty bad when it's only Monday, isn't it.  Why is it always easier to get out of bed on a weekend, then on a weekday when you have to go to work?  And then we only have 2 days on the weekend, it should be 5 for a weekend, and two for work.  My opinion anyways...lol

I am chopping at the bit, and just want this week to be over.  One reason is l'm tired of the gloomy, snowy, cold of Saskatoon when other places are breaking records with high temperatures for the season.  Another reason is l want to travel to Palm Springs for the conference, to pick the brains of successful current employees.  And of course, l want to get the Van ready, do a Vanover (Van Makeover).