Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
How are You Doing with All That Rain?
This was posted on wunderground.com on the morning of June 19, 2009. It was followed by warnings of more rain and flash-flooding.
The tent (EMS Pallas 6 Tent) has been amazing. It deserves it's very own post.
The facilities are dismal for tent campers and pop-up campers who might not be able to access a vehicle in order to escape the danger of the lightning.
The amazing lack of education about lightning is alarming. The blatant disregard for the safety of children ... especially after the adults are informed ... is discouraging on so many levels.
Example:
I have been working on this post in bits and pieces since June 19th ... Two weeks later I might be able to actually complete this. But let me tell you yesterday was the absolute topper.
Record ReportAnd the rain came and more came and I've not looked at the record-breaking info any more but ... Here we are into July and even more rain ... rain of some sort nearly every day. It loves to rain on our moving days. (But not as much as on Fridays.) How am I doing with all of this? In a word? Resigned? I would say "resentful" except I don't resent it 100% of the time.
Statement as of 2:16 am EDT on June 19, 2009
... Record daily maximum rainfall set at Kennedy Airport NY...
A record rainfall of 2.25 inch(es) was set at Kennedy Airport NY yesterday. This breaks the old record of 1.49 set in 1972.
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 10:35 am EDT on June 19, 2009
... Unusually cool and wet weather continues in June...
June 2009 in Central Park NY been marked by persistent wet weather and below average temperatures
Through June 18... the average monthly temperature is 64.7 degrees... 5.0 degrees below normal.
Total rainfall for the month through June 18 is 7.62 inches... which is 5.33 inches above normal thus far. Rain has fallen on 15 of the first 18 days this month.
The tent (EMS Pallas 6 Tent) has been amazing. It deserves it's very own post.
The facilities are dismal for tent campers and pop-up campers who might not be able to access a vehicle in order to escape the danger of the lightning.
The amazing lack of education about lightning is alarming. The blatant disregard for the safety of children ... especially after the adults are informed ... is discouraging on so many levels.
Example:
Me to man who was bringing children to the restrooms: "Please tell me you know that the trees and canopies do not protect you from the possibility of lightning strike."I have worked to become more and more resourceful and resistant to just giving up:
Man: "Oh yeah. We know. We're just taking it in stride waiting it out under the canopies ... just part of the adventure."
Me to man: "That is fine for you to make that decision for yourself but please do not endanger the lives of the children who do not really have the ability to completely make a truly educated decision for themselves."
Man gave me a startled look and left with the girls ... after making sure they washed their hands ... priorities you know.
- I can stake down the tent as well as Billy (if not better than -- just from practice)
- I've learned to keep moving. Either put on the water proof jacket and pants or do housekeeping inside the tent that requires moving from spot to spot. (Yes, the tent is large enough to do this.)
- I have links to several weather info sources in both my pc and my cell phone. The cell phone is so helpful. One link is to the local radar image. HUGE help!
- I am becoming much more able to discern when I should take the dog and lurk around the bathhouse ... in case ... OR ... take off at break-neck speed.
I have been working on this post in bits and pieces since June 19th ... Two weeks later I might be able to actually complete this. But let me tell you yesterday was the absolute topper.
- Camp director told me that the only place I could go during a daytime rain storm with the dog is under a pavilion. I have a news flash for him and you -- this is not a safe solution. Most of the large pavilions are just dirt floor; therefore, the current that would travel into the ground from a strike would still harm/kill me. It is akin to standing under a tall tree. The pavilions that do have flooring are small and filled with aluminum tables. Yeah ok.
- Billy told me that he didn't consider me replaceable ... so leave the dog in her crate in the tent.
- I left the dog in her crate. With all the zippers to the three doors and two windows zipped up tight.
- I went to the bathhouse. Visited with the lady who was cleaning the place. And as the rain and lightning let up a bit ... I realized ...
- WAIT I only zipped up one of the windows. Worse: the window I didn't zip is right beside the container that holds some of our rain sensitive equipment ... and I had had the lid off earlier ... and I couldn't remember putting the lid back on.
- I decided that the rain had let up enough to make a run for it and maybe be okay.
- I reached the tent only to find Shelbie out running around the tent ... wet & upset. She had banged the crate around until the door fell out (not hard to do since i didn't really have all the screws in it ... silly me thought that 40lbs of weight on top would hold the top down) and then she nosed open the zippers.
- Sigh
- The thunder and lightning was moving back in ... I zipped up the window ... quick glance in ... the lid was mostly in place ... grabbed the dog's leash and the dog and took off for the closest small pavilion.
- For the record ... mosquitoes have an amazingly easy time biting right through wet jeans.
- In the mean time Billy came through and we managed to cross paths. He was waiting for me at the bathhouse ... scaring little girls by calling into the bathroom. "Pam are you in there?" Ermmm one of the girls was named Pam ..
- Fortunately I was able to get a text msg off to him and we made a connection ... and left the campground and ate at McDonald's and got on the Internet for a little while
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Power, Rain, and T-Storms :)
It has been fairly fun the last week.. as no surprise we have had rainy day after rainy day. Some rain was expected but for four weeks straight is a little excessive. But we only had to make some semi-moderate adjustments. We are not strangers to this.
We had a thunder storm come through the area a couple of times, but what amazes me is the comments from people out here camping that tells me "Oh, we are under trees so we are safe"... huh?! Then why do people that stand under trees that get hit with lighting die? Am I just missing something here?.... City folk need more education before attempting to camp, the saying may say ignorance is bliss but this is deadly!
Power, we now have power, enough to power a house and the noise level to go with it. Will have to look for a smaller generator that is quieter, there has to be one.
Ok, that is the short of my rant. Ya'll have fun :)
We had a thunder storm come through the area a couple of times, but what amazes me is the comments from people out here camping that tells me "Oh, we are under trees so we are safe"... huh?! Then why do people that stand under trees that get hit with lighting die? Am I just missing something here?.... City folk need more education before attempting to camp, the saying may say ignorance is bliss but this is deadly!
Power, we now have power, enough to power a house and the noise level to go with it. Will have to look for a smaller generator that is quieter, there has to be one.
Ok, that is the short of my rant. Ya'll have fun :)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Power Struggle
This week has been all about a power struggle. The short of it all is this: My husband was gifted with a generator. We do need one since tents are largely relegated to sites without power & water. It is nearly impossible to function without power due to:
Billy has to sleep with a c-pap machine.
The dog and I are stuck at the campsite because I still don't have a driver's license. This makes it impossible to do anything Internet without power.
Sooo anyway the challenge is that the gift-generator is large enough to run a small home --5200 watts. It is loud enough to be heard all over the campground. It is a monster and Billy is in love with it.
Compromise: He gets to run it only between the tume he gets home from work and bed time. So far this has been 2 hrs and about enough battery charging to get his c-pap through the night.
More conversations, considerations, and compromises are in our future.
Oh and if any of our friends have power issues this winter, remember ... Billy has power!
Billy has to sleep with a c-pap machine.
The dog and I are stuck at the campsite because I still don't have a driver's license. This makes it impossible to do anything Internet without power.
Sooo anyway the challenge is that the gift-generator is large enough to run a small home --5200 watts. It is loud enough to be heard all over the campground. It is a monster and Billy is in love with it.
Compromise: He gets to run it only between the tume he gets home from work and bed time. So far this has been 2 hrs and about enough battery charging to get his c-pap through the night.
More conversations, considerations, and compromises are in our future.
Oh and if any of our friends have power issues this winter, remember ... Billy has power!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Not on Vacation
We are not on vacation.
First, this is true because Billy is still going to work every day.
Second, it is true because we are still keeping up with various church activities.
Third, it is true because -- even in a tent -- we have to keep house ... we still have a home and a home has to be tended.
It is very difficult for Billy to leave every morning. The area is beautiful. It is relaxing -- in spite of the rain and the noise. It makes going to the cubical farm very difficult.
We have not been at the campground on the weekends because of various obligations at church. There was one Saturday event we could have skipped -- except that the list of things we needed to accomplish to run a home was also long: Visit the storage unit, collect mail, buy Shelbie's Abady dog food from Utter Brothers Feed Store, visit the BaklaJava coffee shop.
I'm still doing laundry. I'm still attempting to organize our stuff and keep it in order. If it ever ever stops raining, I'll probably learn to use the little camp stove and at least make coffee. I'm still tending to the dog. (Even more so now since she cannot be left unattended.) And I'm still attempting to work on my various art projects.
I think I might be out doing more sight seeing if I had my driver's license. More than likely, I'd just be traveling to more places to find more Internet options. But this is certainly another conversation for another post.
First, this is true because Billy is still going to work every day.
Second, it is true because we are still keeping up with various church activities.
Third, it is true because -- even in a tent -- we have to keep house ... we still have a home and a home has to be tended.
It is very difficult for Billy to leave every morning. The area is beautiful. It is relaxing -- in spite of the rain and the noise. It makes going to the cubical farm very difficult.
We have not been at the campground on the weekends because of various obligations at church. There was one Saturday event we could have skipped -- except that the list of things we needed to accomplish to run a home was also long: Visit the storage unit, collect mail, buy Shelbie's Abady dog food from Utter Brothers Feed Store, visit the BaklaJava coffee shop.
I'm still doing laundry. I'm still attempting to organize our stuff and keep it in order. If it ever ever stops raining, I'll probably learn to use the little camp stove and at least make coffee. I'm still tending to the dog. (Even more so now since she cannot be left unattended.) And I'm still attempting to work on my various art projects.
I think I might be out doing more sight seeing if I had my driver's license. More than likely, I'd just be traveling to more places to find more Internet options. But this is certainly another conversation for another post.
The Routine
Saturday, June 13, 2009
On the road between Syracuse and West Point
(We went to a Southern Baptist Relief Team Training)
Well let me see if I can get you caught up on a few things.
That really loud siren was a test for the local nuclear plant warning system. Seems that if I hear that sound constantly, I'm suppose to get like 60 miles north or some such non-sense.
In one way or another, every day here is never calm nor serene. Let me tell you the routine of the last few weeks.
As we have already established, the day begins with a surprising and loud noise. You may pick one of the following as your starting sound:
** Nuclear Power Plant Alarm Siren (ear-piercing and heart-stopping),
** Distant Cannon fire (possibly 106mm Howitzer, mortars & probably simulators),
** Black Hawk helicopters overhead (transporting trainees),
** Fighter jets overhead from a nearby Air Force Base (possibly F22 Raptors),
** And/OR a ear splitting thunderstorm complete with blinding lightening (aka speed dressing event and running with old dog & computer and camera to a nearby pavilion).
This is followed by rain.
Then during any break in the rainfall you will listen to artillery fire and machine guns. I was given a whole plethora of possible weapons M14 & M16 M240 M249 and a few that I missed.
This is followed by rain.
As you adjust to this routine, you may pick one of following afternoon delights:
** Do laundry dressed in your best rain gear. My personal favorite is a rain jacket and rain pants.
** Pout about the rain by reading for 8 straight hours.
** Walk the dog in her very fine rain jacket -- Our dog gets only the best impromptu designs from Glad trash bags. The drawstring trash bag works very well. Cut open one side and about 1/2 of the bottom. After cutting, open the bag and drape the it over the dog. Work Quickly from this point forward. Pull the drawstring to fit the top of the bag around the dog's neck and tie it under the chin. Tug the bottom of the sack over the dog's back end. Tuck the tail into the corner. Leave room for the tail-end business to function. And finally gather, tape & tie the open side under the poor, sad-looking dog's belly. No. I don't have photos.
** Sit in your tent (while reading or writing or resting) and listen to various ages of children present in groups of 3 to 130. Teenage girls scream the best. Boys between 8 and 12 say the funniest things about being out in the woods and fishing.
If you didn't notice, most of the afternoon activities include interacting with &/or ignoring the rain.
Evening activities can include:
** Sitting in the truck with your husband while eating either gourmet bbq from the local cafe (which really is pretty decent) or the equally decent gourmet cream of celery soup from Mrs Green's.
** On a rare evening without rain, you may show your darling husband a hidden quiet pond with a well defined walkway ... which he will somehow manage to turn into a plunge into the woods for at least one mile ... at dusk. Yes, a dark, dusky walk in the woods on a "rustic" "trail". And just a moment before dark you emerge at lookout point with a near full moon rising. This redeems him and the walk through the woods (even though the same destination can also be reached my mostly following paved camp roads).
** You may spend the evenings chasing Internet connectivity. This will land you at the local BBQ shop or McDonald's.
This is followed by rain.
Early retirement to bed is advisable.
And hope it is only followed by rain.
The reason "early to bed" is exceedingly wise is because somewhere in the wee-early hours of the morning unplanned and unpredictable activities can occur.
** Sitting in the truck waiting for the lightening to end happens two to three times a week.
** Waking in the middle of the night -- desperate to go pee -- and rather certain you shouldn't have been reading a book that discusses bear attacks -- because now you're pretty sure there's something sniffing & snuffling outside the tent -- finally you wake your poor husband and plead for his company on the way to the bathhouse. Then insist on taking the truck because there's something going through the bushes. Amazingly, He doesn't argue. The following a.m. you will discover a dumpster has been pushed over and ransacked. Sigh.
** Around 4:30 a.m. (one hour before the alarm clock goes off) you can find yourself greeted by a large cacophony of birds and sunlight (if the rain & clouds have mostly subsided).
Usually even the wee early morning activities are followed by rain.
Seriously, this is pretty much how the last weeks have passed: Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
The running joke with my friends is that I have not yet drowned, all artillery has missed me, the bear has not eaten me, I've not been struck by lightning, and the nuclear plant is still functioning.
And yet ... I enjoy this place immensely. We've managed to get the length of our stay extended by one week ... Through this Saturday. Then we are going to go try a state park for a week. Then we will be back here for two weeks. Well that's the plan at the moment.
On the road between Syracuse and West Point
(We went to a Southern Baptist Relief Team Training)
Well let me see if I can get you caught up on a few things.
That really loud siren was a test for the local nuclear plant warning system. Seems that if I hear that sound constantly, I'm suppose to get like 60 miles north or some such non-sense.
In one way or another, every day here is never calm nor serene. Let me tell you the routine of the last few weeks.
As we have already established, the day begins with a surprising and loud noise. You may pick one of the following as your starting sound:
** Nuclear Power Plant Alarm Siren (ear-piercing and heart-stopping),
** Distant Cannon fire (possibly 106mm Howitzer, mortars & probably simulators),
** Black Hawk helicopters overhead (transporting trainees),
** Fighter jets overhead from a nearby Air Force Base (possibly F22 Raptors),
** And/OR a ear splitting thunderstorm complete with blinding lightening (aka speed dressing event and running with old dog & computer and camera to a nearby pavilion).
This is followed by rain.
Then during any break in the rainfall you will listen to artillery fire and machine guns. I was given a whole plethora of possible weapons M14 & M16 M240 M249 and a few that I missed.
This is followed by rain.
As you adjust to this routine, you may pick one of following afternoon delights:
** Do laundry dressed in your best rain gear. My personal favorite is a rain jacket and rain pants.
** Pout about the rain by reading for 8 straight hours.
** Walk the dog in her very fine rain jacket -- Our dog gets only the best impromptu designs from Glad trash bags. The drawstring trash bag works very well. Cut open one side and about 1/2 of the bottom. After cutting, open the bag and drape the it over the dog. Work Quickly from this point forward. Pull the drawstring to fit the top of the bag around the dog's neck and tie it under the chin. Tug the bottom of the sack over the dog's back end. Tuck the tail into the corner. Leave room for the tail-end business to function. And finally gather, tape & tie the open side under the poor, sad-looking dog's belly. No. I don't have photos.
** Sit in your tent (while reading or writing or resting) and listen to various ages of children present in groups of 3 to 130. Teenage girls scream the best. Boys between 8 and 12 say the funniest things about being out in the woods and fishing.
If you didn't notice, most of the afternoon activities include interacting with &/or ignoring the rain.
Evening activities can include:
** Sitting in the truck with your husband while eating either gourmet bbq from the local cafe (which really is pretty decent) or the equally decent gourmet cream of celery soup from Mrs Green's.
** On a rare evening without rain, you may show your darling husband a hidden quiet pond with a well defined walkway ... which he will somehow manage to turn into a plunge into the woods for at least one mile ... at dusk. Yes, a dark, dusky walk in the woods on a "rustic" "trail". And just a moment before dark you emerge at lookout point with a near full moon rising. This redeems him and the walk through the woods (even though the same destination can also be reached my mostly following paved camp roads).
** You may spend the evenings chasing Internet connectivity. This will land you at the local BBQ shop or McDonald's.
This is followed by rain.
Early retirement to bed is advisable.
And hope it is only followed by rain.
The reason "early to bed" is exceedingly wise is because somewhere in the wee-early hours of the morning unplanned and unpredictable activities can occur.
** Sitting in the truck waiting for the lightening to end happens two to three times a week.
** Waking in the middle of the night -- desperate to go pee -- and rather certain you shouldn't have been reading a book that discusses bear attacks -- because now you're pretty sure there's something sniffing & snuffling outside the tent -- finally you wake your poor husband and plead for his company on the way to the bathhouse. Then insist on taking the truck because there's something going through the bushes. Amazingly, He doesn't argue. The following a.m. you will discover a dumpster has been pushed over and ransacked. Sigh.
** Around 4:30 a.m. (one hour before the alarm clock goes off) you can find yourself greeted by a large cacophony of birds and sunlight (if the rain & clouds have mostly subsided).
Usually even the wee early morning activities are followed by rain.
Seriously, this is pretty much how the last weeks have passed: Wash, Rinse, Repeat.
The running joke with my friends is that I have not yet drowned, all artillery has missed me, the bear has not eaten me, I've not been struck by lightning, and the nuclear plant is still functioning.
And yet ... I enjoy this place immensely. We've managed to get the length of our stay extended by one week ... Through this Saturday. Then we are going to go try a state park for a week. Then we will be back here for two weeks. Well that's the plan at the moment.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Shelbie (the dog) has a new Passion
C H I P M U N K S !!!
On Monday, I was sitting on my bed in the tent. Shelbie was asleep in the screen room (attached and floorless). I just happened to be looking at her when a chipmunk ran in to the screen room and slammed on it's breaks just inches from smacking into Shelbie's nose.
Ummm to be continued. There's a major loud siren going off ... and I have no idea why.
On Monday, I was sitting on my bed in the tent. Shelbie was asleep in the screen room (attached and floorless). I just happened to be looking at her when a chipmunk ran in to the screen room and slammed on it's breaks just inches from smacking into Shelbie's nose.
Ummm to be continued. There's a major loud siren going off ... and I have no idea why.
Greetings from my home to yours!
Monday, June 1, 2009
We got out of the apartment one night later than we had wanted but ... such is life. Our first night in our tent was blissfully peaceful. No thunderstorms, no rain (as predicted for the area). Just a really great night's sleep. This is a very excellent thing. By the time we went to sleep last night, we had been awake for around 38 hours. Subtract a few short naps here and there. Let me assure you of this one thing: Packing procrastination continues to be a bad thing. That's all we're saying about this whole thing.
I will have to get a photo of the storage unit. I'm very pleased with it. Billy created the loading plan for it. It is 5'x10' and holds most of the items we would need to again establish an abode within walls.
The truck seemed to be so full of stuff. And, after fingering every item in my apartment at least once, and considering taking at least 60% with me, I was sure we had packed way too much to just go camping. Yet, now that the tent is up (and mostly empty) And most of the rest is raked out of the truck and sitting on the picnic table or the ground, it hasn't seemed like so much. I suspect we can do better. Even so, Billy just called me from Home Depot to see what else he should bring home -- maybe we'll leave with a trailer. I am going to see if there's a way I can take anything back to storage.
When we were checking in, we asked about a place where Billy could charge his batteries that he uses to run his sleep apnea machine. (His sleep apnea is not a mild condition.) So, one of the campground personnel had an idea: Take a spot near an RV site and use an extension cord to the electric outlet there to charge the batteries -- not to run an entire plethora of appliances! All the same, I believe our laptops and other gizmos will benefit. We are still researching generator options. If you have some ideas on that topic, say so.
The cell phone connection is weak and unstable at our campsite. If I walk down toward the office, there's a better signal. There is a pavilion near there. I will go down there to do things on the Internet. If I use my cell phone to send data that is stored or generated on the cell phone (without involving my laptop) then I have unlimited data transfer. BUT ... if I involve my laptop in the connection, I am limited to 5 gig of data transfer. So, I'm working on my strategies there.
Well, I'm going to see what I can do now about putting away all the items that are all over the picnic table.
We got out of the apartment one night later than we had wanted but ... such is life. Our first night in our tent was blissfully peaceful. No thunderstorms, no rain (as predicted for the area). Just a really great night's sleep. This is a very excellent thing. By the time we went to sleep last night, we had been awake for around 38 hours. Subtract a few short naps here and there. Let me assure you of this one thing: Packing procrastination continues to be a bad thing. That's all we're saying about this whole thing.
I will have to get a photo of the storage unit. I'm very pleased with it. Billy created the loading plan for it. It is 5'x10' and holds most of the items we would need to again establish an abode within walls.
The truck seemed to be so full of stuff. And, after fingering every item in my apartment at least once, and considering taking at least 60% with me, I was sure we had packed way too much to just go camping. Yet, now that the tent is up (and mostly empty) And most of the rest is raked out of the truck and sitting on the picnic table or the ground, it hasn't seemed like so much. I suspect we can do better. Even so, Billy just called me from Home Depot to see what else he should bring home -- maybe we'll leave with a trailer. I am going to see if there's a way I can take anything back to storage.
When we were checking in, we asked about a place where Billy could charge his batteries that he uses to run his sleep apnea machine. (His sleep apnea is not a mild condition.) So, one of the campground personnel had an idea: Take a spot near an RV site and use an extension cord to the electric outlet there to charge the batteries -- not to run an entire plethora of appliances! All the same, I believe our laptops and other gizmos will benefit. We are still researching generator options. If you have some ideas on that topic, say so.
The cell phone connection is weak and unstable at our campsite. If I walk down toward the office, there's a better signal. There is a pavilion near there. I will go down there to do things on the Internet. If I use my cell phone to send data that is stored or generated on the cell phone (without involving my laptop) then I have unlimited data transfer. BUT ... if I involve my laptop in the connection, I am limited to 5 gig of data transfer. So, I'm working on my strategies there.
Well, I'm going to see what I can do now about putting away all the items that are all over the picnic table.
Monday, June 1, 2009
In the tent at last..
Yes.. believe it or not this is the hubby finally makeing a post to the blog.
Ok, we finally made it out to the tent on Sunday (31 May, 2009). Phone signal is week at the camp site but will have to move around the area to find best signal so we can have internet :).
Tent is large enough for me which was a requirement, I had laying down to get dressed and at my size that is not an easy task.
Ok.. Wife will make a post at some point tonight or tomorrow.
Have fun.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
One Reason a Tent can be an UpGrade Over our Current Apt.
Sunday morning I had a dream. Members of my church were over at my house working with Billy. They were fixing everything that could possibly involve the use of water. Dishwasher, Washing Machine, ... the Washing Machine was packed down and heaped over with rancid clothing and I kept saying "how could this be?" ... Mainly because I have an apt with no dw no washer. There was also something about the showers and sink. I dunno.
So ... woke up ... went in bathroom ... ewww I hoped the shower curtain just needed to be replaced and the mold and mildew from the apt across the hall wasn't migrating.
Opened the apt door to take the dog out and I nearly gagged on the mildew in the main hallway. I spent the morning making sure that the front door stayed open.
Today I unpacked another box of clothing that didn't get unpacked when we moved in 7 months ago. The purpose of the exercise was to be to toss/give away more of Billy's old clothes. Well ... the lower 1/3 of the box had mildew in the box ... This is the second box of clothes we found in this condition.
Plus, any clothes hanging in the closet that haven't been washed in the last month or so were kind of stiff feeling from being lightly covered with the mildew -- you know just enough to make them smell musty. So, two more hrs at the laundry mat and another $15 later, we have removed all the mildew from the clothes that I could find. I hope.
There's no point in discussing this with the landlord. Trust me. The apt across the way is empty (for the second time in 5 months). I always know when he's about to show it. He shows up with bleach and paint the day before. He knows. (I always pray that the person doesn't rent it -- I've already watched 2 single mom's struggle with the situation.)
Three more days.
So ... woke up ... went in bathroom ... ewww I hoped the shower curtain just needed to be replaced and the mold and mildew from the apt across the hall wasn't migrating.
Opened the apt door to take the dog out and I nearly gagged on the mildew in the main hallway. I spent the morning making sure that the front door stayed open.
Today I unpacked another box of clothing that didn't get unpacked when we moved in 7 months ago. The purpose of the exercise was to be to toss/give away more of Billy's old clothes. Well ... the lower 1/3 of the box had mildew in the box ... This is the second box of clothes we found in this condition.
Plus, any clothes hanging in the closet that haven't been washed in the last month or so were kind of stiff feeling from being lightly covered with the mildew -- you know just enough to make them smell musty. So, two more hrs at the laundry mat and another $15 later, we have removed all the mildew from the clothes that I could find. I hope.
There's no point in discussing this with the landlord. Trust me. The apt across the way is empty (for the second time in 5 months). I always know when he's about to show it. He shows up with bleach and paint the day before. He knows. (I always pray that the person doesn't rent it -- I've already watched 2 single mom's struggle with the situation.)
Three more days.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Why are You doing This?!
There's a really long version and there's a really short version.
The really long version goes back to the first time we did this about 8 yrs ago. I'll give you a short version on that ...
We lived in a house. On the (spring) day that the heater died, we decided we were sick of the house. We decided it was time to live where we wanted to live -- in an RV. We did a quick sale on the house. We had 30 days to move out of a house in which I had raised my kids.
Every time we went to look for an RV ... no matter what was on the lot, we were about $4k short of what we wanted. With about 15 days left, Billy was ranting one day about "how are we going to get everything done and find a place to live etc etc."
I turned to him (from packing) and said "Let's go live in a tent for the summer. We have a membership at the campground. It should be easy. By the end of the summer we should be able to buy the kind of RV we want." After he figured out I was serious, that's what we agreed to do.
So about 15 days later we turned the key in the door to the house and moved into a tent. Then ... about 15 days after that began about three years of poverty. Billy's work contract suddenly all but dried up. We ended up living off of the money we'd made in the sale of the house. And things got messy.
BUT we did indeed live about five months in a tent (then a very old RV and then a hotel and then the very old RV and then my daughter's apt and then things improved based on a lot of prayer and faith.) AND our favorite time in all of that was when we lived in the tent. AND we've always said we'd like to try it again. So that's the really short version of the beginning to this story.
The really short version for why we're going to live in a tent again, now, is ... we got a surprise release (supposedly ... we'll see for sure in a few days) from the lease that we have on a death trap, um er uh, I mean apartment. The apartment we're living in ... well ... that's a story for another day. Let's just say that we've had the fire department out more than once.
So anyway ... the release from the lease came as a bit of a surprise ... and when Billy came in and said "Well we can find another place to live..." I said ... "Let's go live in a tent."
I keep reminding God that this time is suppose to be just for fun. We'd really appreciate it if Billy could keep his job this time around. Have I mentioned that? Yes, Billy will still have to go to work most days. Although it is convenient that his two weeks of vacation time renews July 1.
Ok I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow is another long day.
The really long version goes back to the first time we did this about 8 yrs ago. I'll give you a short version on that ...
We lived in a house. On the (spring) day that the heater died, we decided we were sick of the house. We decided it was time to live where we wanted to live -- in an RV. We did a quick sale on the house. We had 30 days to move out of a house in which I had raised my kids.
Every time we went to look for an RV ... no matter what was on the lot, we were about $4k short of what we wanted. With about 15 days left, Billy was ranting one day about "how are we going to get everything done and find a place to live etc etc."
I turned to him (from packing) and said "Let's go live in a tent for the summer. We have a membership at the campground. It should be easy. By the end of the summer we should be able to buy the kind of RV we want." After he figured out I was serious, that's what we agreed to do.
So about 15 days later we turned the key in the door to the house and moved into a tent. Then ... about 15 days after that began about three years of poverty. Billy's work contract suddenly all but dried up. We ended up living off of the money we'd made in the sale of the house. And things got messy.
BUT we did indeed live about five months in a tent (then a very old RV and then a hotel and then the very old RV and then my daughter's apt and then things improved based on a lot of prayer and faith.) AND our favorite time in all of that was when we lived in the tent. AND we've always said we'd like to try it again. So that's the really short version of the beginning to this story.
The really short version for why we're going to live in a tent again, now, is ... we got a surprise release (supposedly ... we'll see for sure in a few days) from the lease that we have on a death trap, um er uh, I mean apartment. The apartment we're living in ... well ... that's a story for another day. Let's just say that we've had the fire department out more than once.
So anyway ... the release from the lease came as a bit of a surprise ... and when Billy came in and said "Well we can find another place to live..." I said ... "Let's go live in a tent."
I keep reminding God that this time is suppose to be just for fun. We'd really appreciate it if Billy could keep his job this time around. Have I mentioned that? Yes, Billy will still have to go to work most days. Although it is convenient that his two weeks of vacation time renews July 1.
Ok I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow is another long day.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Friend and I did Tent Recon Today
Last night we put up our old tent to see if we would even get a few nights sleep in it. We quickly decided it would be a great way to start out challenged.
So, today, instead of doing laundry at the laundry mat, my friend and I took off for Danbury, CT. She knew exactly where she wanted to start: EMS aka Eastern Mountain Sports
I was impressed with the construction of the EMS Pallas 6 Tent. The construction design, the poles, the zippers, and the anchor strap design all match up with the large size of this tent. And the fact that it's currently on sale for $335 doesn't hurt!
So the tent is on reserve for the man to consider tomorrow afternoon.
Thennn the friend drug me over to the shoes and forced me to put some shoes on hold. They're her favorites. No. Wait. They're my favorites now. The pair I chose this trip is the MERRELL Women's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoes
Huge thanks to Kevin and Walter! They made shopping very interesting and productive because they knew their products. More: they knew how to match our goals to invaluable information about camping in the area (and to more products but that's irrelevant).
So now ... about this packing avoidance issue .... hmmm ...
So, today, instead of doing laundry at the laundry mat, my friend and I took off for Danbury, CT. She knew exactly where she wanted to start: EMS aka Eastern Mountain Sports
I was impressed with the construction of the EMS Pallas 6 Tent. The construction design, the poles, the zippers, and the anchor strap design all match up with the large size of this tent. And the fact that it's currently on sale for $335 doesn't hurt!
So the tent is on reserve for the man to consider tomorrow afternoon.
Thennn the friend drug me over to the shoes and forced me to put some shoes on hold. They're her favorites. No. Wait. They're my favorites now. The pair I chose this trip is the MERRELL Women's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoes
Huge thanks to Kevin and Walter! They made shopping very interesting and productive because they knew their products. More: they knew how to match our goals to invaluable information about camping in the area (and to more products but that's irrelevant).
So now ... about this packing avoidance issue .... hmmm ...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Separation Anxiety
I have some really old clothes ... rags. Every time I start to toss them out, I think of the other times I ended up without money. I hesitate. I finally had to get Billy to tell me it was okay to throw out the worn out stuff. If I wouldn't wear it to the coffee shop, it should go out.
Okay.
However, I am suppose to remember that clothes I would not want him wearing to the coffee shop are not the same clothes that he would not wear to the coffee shop.
Right.
So. I can toss all of his clothes except for 2 shirts. Got it.
Okay.
However, I am suppose to remember that clothes I would not want him wearing to the coffee shop are not the same clothes that he would not wear to the coffee shop.
Right.
So. I can toss all of his clothes except for 2 shirts. Got it.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Wow! You'll be able to save sooo much money!
Maybe. If we didn't have to have electric. If we didn't have a dog. If we didn't want a big really-waterproof tent. If we didn't want to set up a full time "storage closet." Oh and if we didn't want to stay connected to the Internet in a really great way.
More. Later. I need to be packing.
More. Later. I need to be packing.
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