Linda Goes Off To Sing & Howard Starts A Photo Inventory

Today was the final day of recording for the Christmas CD project our friend Debbie is producing.  So Linda was going to be gone all day.

The good news is that meant Linda fixed breakfast for the second day in a row.  She wanted to make sure she had enough protein to get her through the day.  :)

After breakfast, two of the former alumni, Scott & Tim, came by to check out the rig and pick Linda up so I could have the truck to come later.  I have to go in the evening for photos for the CD cover - sheesh.

After Linda left, I pondered the hauling of the blue boy to the dump station to get rid of the galley water.

As some of you may recall, I was trying to avoid having one of these things completely.  I didn't want to have to find a place for it, and I didn't want to use it.  :)

However, we compromised and I agreed to get a small one (15 gallons) for use with the galley tank only.  Since we have cut down on stuff, storage is not a problem, and we have it just in case we have to use it.

But to date, we have used it only once.  And I whined and moaned the whole time.  My problem was that we did not have the proper accessories and I pulled the thing to the dump station by hand.  With the standard of a gallon of water being about 8 pounds, that would make even our small 15 gallon wagon weigh 120 pounds.

Yes, we had the little short sewer hose to make things easier.  But what I didn't have were extra connectors.  I had to remove the connectors from our regular sewer hose and put them on the stubby one.  No big deal - except that first time was before I figured out how easy our connectors work.  But now I know and we have an extra set anyway to make this as easy as possible.

Now the instructions say that hauling the blue boy at more than a walking pace could damage the wheels and void the warranty.  That's why I pulled it to the dump station that first time - that and the fact that I thought our truck was too tall to hook it onto the ball hitch.

This morning I still thought the truck was too tall, but I didn't care about the warranty thing anymore.  The only way I'm using this thing is to tow it behind the truck.  I tried to hook it up with some twine we carry.  Too heavy - the twine broke immediately.

Now I'm not sure how to spell "doofus", but that's what I am.  Even though the instructions say don't pull the thing at more than a walking pace, there is a diagram showing how to hook this thing to a truck.  Whaddya know?  It worked for our truck, too - it was not too tall at all.  All I had to do was test it.

So I pulled the little wagon to the dump station, easily dumped with the short hose and the proper connectors and towed it back with no wheel damage.  Piece of cake.  That was a lot of stress over nothing.  :)

As you might imagine, that little 15 minute chore took me about an hour.  :)  Then I started on my own little project.

We get so many questions about what we brought with us, that I have wanted to do a photo inventory of everything we have.  Not only could we list everything on a web page, we could have photos and descriptions so that visitors could see exactly what we carry.

Plus, this would be really helpful as we prepare our "Packing Your RV For Extended & Full-Time Travel" class for Life On Wheels.  It will help us prepare lists and how to prioritize items.  Of course everything starts with weight and storage space considerations when trying to prioritize.  The more items that can be used for multiple purposes, the better.

So I took over 80 photos of just the stuff we carry in the basement.  Picture this.  A lonely guy hauling out tools, placing them on the picnic table one at a time, and taking pictures for hours.  I even took a picture of our Christmas Tree.  Who else would do something so bizarre? :)

If you just can't help yourself and have to see the photos without captions or anything, you can click on this link: Photos Of Our Home - Accessories.  I place all photos on smugmug where I can access them and link to them later for RV-Dreams.com and the Journal.

Here are a couple of teasers.  Our new in-line water filter, our new SurgeGuard power protection station, our new scissor wheel chocks, and our wonderful tool chest that sits in the basement.

Yes, even I need SOME tools.  This little five drawer chest was one of our best up-front purchases and sits perfectly in our basement for easy access.

I'm almost done with the outside stuff though not quite.  I am also going to do an inside inventory and maybe even a separate one for just the kitchen since Linda gets lots of questions just on that.

I finally had to get ready to go meet Linda and have my picture taken.  I arrived to find everyone in a pretty professional looking studio.

I watched as the group of accomplished singers, vocal teachers, and musical directors worked on getting individual lines just right.  Of course, with so many artists together, it would have driven me crazy trying to get them organized to move things along - sort of like herding cats.  :)

After the group photos and a taped holiday greeting from The Paynes, I waited, and waited, and waited.  I can sing a correct note once in awhile, but no way was I getting my tone-deaf self involved with all this talent around.  :)

Linda enjoyed visiting and singing with so many great voices.  And I like sitting and talking individually with these folks.  Unfortunately, there was not a lot of opportunity for that, and I was certainly ready to go as it got later and later.

It should be quite a compilation when it is complete.  I have a feeling that what started out as a nostalgic project for Debbie's baby will turn into something a little bigger before all is said and done.  We'll have to see.

Driving back to the campground late on the country roads, I kept my eye out for deer.  Yep, there's one starting to cross the road from my left.  Good thing I was watching.  :)  Once in the park where our speed was greatly reduced, we saw another - if you like deer, you don't have to look far around here.

Who knew Linda would be singing on a CD, and I would be taking pictures of electrical cords, screwdrivers, and sewer hoses?  :)  Oh yeah, it's another last Friday of the month - we could have been stressing out over 40 or 50 real estate closings today.

We just have to pinch ourselves every time we think about the differences in our lives from a year ago.  Hmmm - we'll take the unexpected days like this one every time!  :)

Comments

[Jeff]

Don't forget that photo inventory could be very useful if you ever (heaven forbid) have to file an insurance claim. Which also begs reminding of the obligatory make sure to have a backup of all your data files AWAY from the rig.

[Fred Wishnie]

The photo of your filter triggered a suggestion. We were doing the same and found that we lost water pressure after a few months and had to buy a replacement (they're quite expensive). I gave the problem some thought and came to the conclusion that it's not really necessary that the dishes, shower, washing machine and toilet water be that pure. So we've removed the all coach filter and now only use one on the drinking faucet in the kitchen.
Fred

[Robbie Simons]

Howard,

Use that yellow crowbar much?

Don't worry, in case of fire, you won't have to worry about that nail puller getting burned! :-))

[Susan]

Hi Howard,
I looked at your photo inventory--where did you get the side table attachment for your loungers? We have the same kind which are absolutely the most comfortable in the world! They do need a side table though. Susan

[Linda]

Susan, We love our tables! Here is the website. http://www.sitincomfort.com/larech.html?wcw=google

[Howard]

Jeff,
I meant to mention the insurance aspect of having a photo inventory. Thanks for the reminder.

It can help in determining the amount of "contents" coverage you need and it is important to have a list of items you want insured in the insurance company records.

Fred,
I'll have to disagree on this one. Steve Savage at Life On Wheels says it is important to keep all sediment out of the RV's plumbing. Therefore, all water should be filtered before it gets to the coach.

Robbie,
Haven't had to use that crowbar. :) We got it when our hydraulic jacks failed and we saw that it might be useful in case that happened again to help pry the jacks up into a position so they could be strapped until we get to a dealer.

[Randy & Pam Warner]

Pam and I just finished viewing your inventory yesterday on your smugmug gallery.

This entry is still paying dividends! I have been looking at tool boxes with sliding drawers so I liked the picture of Craftsman.

Another mystery is the blueboy so I appreciated a little insight there.

Randy