LP Dectors

My last few days have been mostly dealing with pain in my hip. I am sure everyone is tired of hearing about it! I am tired of having it!

I had gotten my electric blanket out from under the bed, because it has been dipping into the 40 s this past week. I wanted to wash it, so I got all my quarters out, my detergent, and dryer sheet. For some reason I thought I better read the washing instructions. Wash in warm water, then the drying instructions, air dry? What, I don't have a clothes line. It said do not use commercial dryer, or one in a laundromat. Well this blanket is old, and I thought I better not put it in the dryer, it might melt the wires and cause a fire. So I decided to just spray it good with Lysol, flip it over and spray the other side. Got one side done, flipped it and did the other side. My LP detector went nuts. I could not shut it off. Kandi was scared to death. She kept trying to get in my lap. I kept hitting the reset button. Then it would go off again! I finally decided to take it off the wall. So I got my screwdriver, and had to sit on a low stool, my legs spread apart, which causes my hip to hurt. Finally got it off the wall, but had to take the back off, there is a circuit board with wires running out. when I lifted the board the siren stopped, and the green light came back on. Never have I ever had such a time trying to reset one. I left it apart for a couple hours, just to make sure all the fumes were gone. By then I was in big pain, so I went to bed! After a couple hours I had to put it back together, and it seems OK now. I did look for my manual, I have a big "notebook" of all my manuals, for all the appliances, and receipts for work I have had done. Now my dinning table needs cleaning off again. It never ends!

Yakity Yakity

Sunday I watched my TV Church. Then seems like the phone rang all day! Talked to my Daughter in N.C., and my friend that lives about 150 miles north of here. Tried to trim Kandi's hair, but my hip hurts and I can't stand long. Have to rest and clip a little more.

Today I made the 70 mile (one way) trip to Ft. Worth to do a little shopping and see my no. 1 daughter. I made it to Sears, and was really getting "into it" when my hip starting hurting, but I was determined, after driving that far to do what I came for. I found a snuggle (as on TV) for my daughter Scarlett's, birthday which is Oct. 22 nd. I thought that worked out great, so I gave it to her early.

It was cold here last night and tonight. I didn't sleep good because I was so cold. So I got my blanket out from under my bed when I got in from shopping. It is going to be close to 40 tonight. I am tired, and ready to climb in my warm bed. Goodnight!

Rain

Very nice day with a good shower. It was very humid before the rain came! No sign of the Coyote. I keep looking out the back window, but guess he is long gone.

I washed my sheets today. That is really a job. There must be an easier way to get them back on the bed. If your RV is a "wide" body you might have a little more room than I do. Mine is not a wide body, I think it is 98" wide. Most of the wide body's are 102" wide. Being a little wider does make a difference, in the room inside the rig, and going down the road. Some roads are very narrow, and if you get into construction, with that cement divider in the middle, it can get a little close. Kinda scares me. One of my RV friends had a little Casita, she was going down one of those roads with the cement divider, clipped it, and it tore the whole thing up. It rolled, and just fell apart. They are all fiberglass. You might want to give that some thought if you are considering a Casita.

Coyote!

I was looking out my back picture glass window, about 5:30 pm, when I thought I saw a cat. My neighbors have a cat and I first thought it was out. A second look I saw a "bushy" tail, I thought, no cat, it is a young Coyote! He was very skittish, looking toward my neighbors, while sniffing the ground. I thought he took a bite of something, I was getting up to get my camera when he just disappeared into the brush and trees. Wish I could have gotten a picture. I had heard we had Coyotes in this park, but in the five years I have been staying here, have never seen one. To come out in daylight, he must have really been hungry or looking for water. My dog barks sometime at night when I don't hear a thing, maybe she hears the coyotes!

Just spent most of the day cleaning, now that I have hot water. Needed to wash a load of clothes. Talked to my friend in Quartzsite, they are just about ready to open their grocery store!

Water!!

Finally got water! So happy. You just don't know how much you miss our conveniences until they are gone. I still had a gallon and half of drinking water, but thought I would have to find a shower by tomorrow, or my dog wouldn't let me sleep with her!

Fellow blogger Barbara Spade was here at the park, and I drove down and had a nice visit with her and her two doggies. Came home an took a short nap. Then at 4:30 pm came the knock at my door to tell me I had water! So I have had a good day.

No Water!

Still no water! It's been a long day. Waiting for the water to come on. It would be different had I been prepared to "boondock". I haven't heard a word from management either! I did manage to get two gallons and my pur picture filled before it quit running altogether. I had one gallon, not for drinking, so I have been using it to flush when needed and heat and clean a few dishes. I hope tomorrow they will have it on, or I will have to go find water!

No Water

I went to the Post Office today, then on to Wal Mart to do a little shopping. Picked up my meds. I missed my lunch, not smart. I didn't get home until 5:00. Backed in my driveway, makes it a lot easier to unload the truck. Went to get a glass of tea, and no water! I thought the water pressure was a little low before I left. Called the Ranger and he said there was a leak some where and they were trying to find it. I started filling my milk jugs with water to drink. This has happened before and it took three days to fix! I did get two gallons drawn up and my Pur picture filled. It is just aggravating because they don't seem to have anyone to repair things. I don't know if the whole park is out, or just this area. I think it is just this area, if so, I can drive up to the other sites and fill my water jugs. One time the transformer blew out, it took two days to get that fixed, but that was the electric company's fault. I might as well be boondocking!

Grreat Day

Any day is a great day when I can get out of bed!

Yesterday I tried to study my Bible after watching my TV preacher. Got so sleepy I had to take a "nap". Missed phone call from my daughter, but was able to get back to her. We talked and talked, then I talked to my friend who was having some dental work done today. Sat. and Sun. are my "free" days on the phone, so I try to take advantage of it!

Today, defrosted the ice maker. Tried to trim Kani's hair a little, but I can't stand long enough to get much done. I am going to have to find some way to sit down to do my chores.

Splish Splash

Beautiful day today, and it seems everyone was in the pool! A lot of people at the club house and pool.

I did manage to get out of bed and do a little work. I dumped the back tank, and back flushed it. Got my trash to the trash cans at the end of my driveway. Washed and dried one load of clothes. Went to the grocery store to get some coffee. Of course, you can't just buy one thing! I found other bargains I just had to have. But, in the middle of the store pain hit me. My hip reminded me to take it easy. By the time I got home and took a pain pill, I could barely stand. Wished I had bought a TV dinner for my supper. I finally did get it cooked. I had cabbage and sausage. I couldn't stand long enough to chop all the cabbage, but I had enough. Maybe I can find one of those chairs, looks like a high chair, they used to have them years ago. Sorta a step stool, chair combo. I am glad I was able to get out of bed! I don't know about tomorrow!

Lazy Lazy!!

I am just as lazy today as I was yesterday! I am just going to "melt" into the bed, no one will ever find me! My poor dog is getting as bad as I am. She takes a nap every time I do! Got to get the lead out and start moving around, before I can't.

We did have a nice shower this afternoon which lowered the temps a little.

My electric bill is outrageous to me. I really think they don't bother to actually read it. But, I did, and it wasn't off that much from what they had, so I guess they did read it. I have a big rig, 37 ft, and a washer/dryer. I just didn't think for one person, it should run that much. I don't do as much washing as you would for two people. Some people here in this park, wash and then hang their clothes outside to dry. My lease says you are not supposed to to that. I really don't want to do that anyway, I have allergies and I don't want the dust, bird stuff on my clean clothes! It cost $1.25 to wash a load of clothes, and $1.00 to dry, plus your diesel to go to the laundry, then haul the clothes inside, and back again. I will just have to "suck" it up, cause I am not giving up my washer and dryer. I am too old for that!

I did tell you I am older than dirt?

Slow Day

Really haven't done too much in the last two days.

I went to the office yesterday to take care of my electric bill. Wow! I almost fainted. It was $214.00. I am for sure I will be leaving this park. I got out my maps, and The Next Exit, planning my next move. I still don't know for sure where I will head first. I may first visit one of the Thousand Trails parks that is within 150 miles of here. I can stay for 14 days without paying anything. But I am also thinking of heading to Deming, NM for the LoW's Octoborfest. I hate to be on the road in really hot weather. It is hard on your truck and tires. But I am so ready to move, I may just try it anyway.

For some reason I have been seeping a lot. I think because I am unhappy and don't know what to do, so I just go to bed. I will get things worked out. When I am sure, who knows when, but when I move I really move!

Doing Chores

A warm and humid day. I went to the office to see about my electric bill, but, no one was in the office at 2:00 pm. Went on to the post office picked up my mail. I had a letter from my eldest daughter. Was really glad to hear from her. On to Dollar General, to get my dog her "treat" and thought I would try their cheap brand of "bounce". Went to Brookshires grocery store. Had to drive around and around to find a place to park. Last week they had rump roast for $1.99 pound, and they still had them, so I bought another small one. That is a great buy! Cheaper than hamburger. They also had chicken breast for $1.19 pound, but they were such big packages, and they had skin and bones. I figured I would never use that much chicken as it is not my favorite meat anyway! I would like boneless and skinless chicken, even if I had to pay a little more for it per pound. I am dying to try the Italian Chicken recipe that Rick posted! It felt like a full day, even though I didn't get much done. Kandi was glad to see me, or, was it the treats?

Lazy Day

Today was another day I didn't do anything. I think it is depression! I did watch my Church on TV, which I always enjoy. Tried watching TV, but nothing but re-runs. Took a short nap, cooked some macaroni, watched House on TV. Talked to my friend that lives about 140 miles north of me. She wasn't feeling too good either. I don't feel it was a productive day. I will do better tomorrow!

Nice Day

It has been a nice day. Talked to several of my RV friends. Hoping to meet up with them this winter.

I didn't do a lot of work, defrosted my ice maker, again! Seems the older it gets, the more often I have to defrost. I found out it is a lot easier to defrost before it gets too bad. While it was defrosting I laid down, went off to sleep. Shouldn't have done that, but guess I needed the rest. It has been humid, and I thought a little hot. Looked at my thermostat, and I had set it on 80! So I lowered it to 76 and now it's nice and cool. Watched Direct TV most of the day, everything else is re-runs. I had thought I would dump it, but I talked to them today and they offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. Three free months. So I will decide in December!

Enjoyed talking to my friend, leaving Oregon for Quartzsite. She is a vendor in Quartzsite, and will be selling again this year with two places. Jewelry in one, and discount groceries in the other. I am so hoping to make it there this winter to see my friends.

Surveying the Storm Damage

There seems to have been a lot of storm damage from the tornadoes in Dallas. There were six! So glad I was not in that area. Here in Whitney, there were some apartments that had to be evacuated. That is all the weather report for today!

I did make it to the Post Office, and two grocery stores. I didn't see any water damage, just a little standing in the fields. Sure didn't wash my RV or my Truck. One store had rump roast for $1.99 lb so I bought a small one. I will crock pot it for the week end. I may go back and get another one. That is cheaper than hamburger!

Storms in Texas

Once again we are having some really bad weather in Texas. In Central Texas we got a lot of rain from the tropical storm that hit Brownsville earlier this week. Lot of flooding, some homes damaged, streets flooded. In the Dallas area tornadoes. Some damages there. I really get nervous when bad weather happens. I don't know where I would go for safety. When tornadoes are in the area they say go to your "safe" place. I don't know where that would be. The last time we had severe storms I went up to the rec. room. I was so out of breath from trying to get from the truck to the bldg. I thought I wouldn't make it. We lost electric but I was able to talk to my daughter in Ft.Worth to get weather reports! I don't see that bldg. would be any safer than my rig. There were a lot of campers that came in. It does make one pay attention to the weather! I have a weather alert radio, you almost have to have one in Texas. Makes me want to leave even more!

Needless to say, I did not go out again today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and I can do my shopping! I am going stir crazy!

When it Rains,It Pours!

The rain started sometime early this morning. It has been raining off and on all day. The tropical storm that hit Brownsville, TX yesterday is now in Central Texas. I still don't feel up to par, so I just did not feel like doing battle with the weather and I stayed in all day. Didn't make it to the PO or the grocery store. I will have to go tomorrow, I've eaten every cracker in the house! The water standing around my rig is not too bad, I am up on high ground. I don't think there is a chance of flooding here at this park, although there is flood warnings out for the roads, and some spotted tornadoes close to this area. By another day all the weather will have moved off, and then, back to the heat and humidity. Ain't Texas just grand?

Still Trying to Clean

Still cleaning my closet. Washing some clothes I haven't worn for a while. Getting ready for the rain headed this way. Storm has already hit Brownsville,TX. I hope I can make it to the P.O. and the grocery store before it comes here!

Still don't feel too well, so I will call it a night.

Nice and Cool

Nice and cool, good weather for sleeping! I did sleep a little later than usual. Then decided to clean out my closet! Wish I had not started that! It is Labor Day, you don't wear white after Labor Day, so that is what started the whole cleaning thing. All I was going to do was change shoes and purses! I decided to wash all my clothes. So that is what I have been doing. wash a load, dry a load! Very exciting! It will soon be time to get my electric blanket out, so I am going to look for a laundry that has a big washer, and wash that too!

I have been looking for free or low cost camping for the winter. I have never been to the slabs, but the LoW's group meet there all winter, and I may check it out this year. I heard there is a new super Wal Mart in Brawley,Ca., close to the LoW's camp ground. I understand they have a "cook" tent, and stage, and music every night. Sounds good to me!

More Thoughts on Solar

I am still thinking about getting enough solar panels to keep my battery charged. If you travel/stay mostly in the southwest it is worth the price. I don't think solar would run your air conditioner, but with enough panels you could possibly use your microwave, TV, etc.This is a good place to get more information, free. www.RVSolarElectric.com they are Escapee members. There is a free book if you want more information. I already have a Catalytic Heater that uses NO electric. It is 99.9% more efficient than your furnace. My neighbor installed it for me, making the LP connection under the fridge. On the outside of the wall he installed a quick disconnect connection, so in the summer I could take it down and put in storage. I use it instead of the furnace. I hate to hear that furnace running, and it blows cold air, until the heat come on. It uses way less LP than the furnace. Mine is a wave 8, the largest they had. I keep the back window open just a little bit, and the one by the dining room table cracked also, for safety. In 2008 my daughter and I boondocked on the desert in Quartzsite,we were nice and cozy with the heater. We used candles for light after we had supper, it was wonderful. We stayed up until one am playing cards by candle light! I would like to get a lantern that has rechargeable battery's. I don't want to mess with Coleman fuel, but could charge the battery with my 12 volt plug, or maybe the generator. I think Camping World has them on sale now for about $37.00. Just trying to get ready for this winter! I want to boondock at Quartzsite, and maybe go over to the Slabs with the LoW group.

Solar or not to Solar

I had been planning on getting Solar panels while in AZ this winter. I may try just adding another battery instead. I woke up to storms this morning, so that vetoed my plans for washing my rig and putting on my new tag. So, I did a little "work", little is the key word here. I defrosted my Uline ice maker. It is a stand alone ice maker, and I just love it, but seems like the older it gets the more often I have to defrost it, or it just becomes one big "iceberg" of ice. I think maybe there is a leak in the plastic line, or could be I am off level a little. In any case I read while waiting for it to defrost. I am very interested in linking two batteries together. I like to boondock in AZ desert, to visit with friends, and to save money! I had thought of enough Solar panels to keep my battery up, but now I am thinking maybe linking two batteries together. From what I have read today two 6 volt batteries linked together will have more AH (amp hours) than two 12 volts. One 12 volt group 24 deep cycle battery provides 70-80 AH

Two 12 volt group 24 deep cycle wired in parallel will provide 140-170 AH

Two 6 Volt golf cart batteries, when these are wired in a parallel series provide 180-220 AH.

So, the two 6 Volt golf cart batteries would be the way to go! Now to figure how many AH I would need ! I have a Honda 1000 generator to use for back up, to recharge the batteries. I just have a hard time pulling that cord! And I hate hauling gas to run it! I am lazy, fat and old! I need to see how many amps my new TV uses. I also have a small inverter to plug in my 12 volt plug, and then I can use my ac fan, charge my computer etc. from that plug. Boring enough?