We haul Duck. (Roxi)

We took the Duck to Fletcher's a week ago for a long list of modifications and repairs that we can't do. However, we will proudly do everything that requires duct tape.

Here are a few things we think need attention. Attention, and maybe a big hug.


This was the maiden haul! That sounds wrong!

First, Annie lined up the pin with the hitch:


Pin:





Hitch:

Because natural law demands that these two will never start off at the same height, this calls for a lot of not-resting. This is me not-resting:
I am turning a crank that raises and lowers the legs.

All of this not-resting makes us wish this weren't broken:
I also wish it weren't rusty, but this is a hierarchical wish list. Other wishes are prioritized.

Annie slowly backs the truck up, and ... Victory! See Annie flash the international symbol for victory.

(Note: this is not really the international symbol for victory, and these bloggers do not endorse, recommend or suggest the use of this gesture anywhere outside your own home.)

Emergency line goes here?

Or, maybe here?

Details! We'll think about emergencies later!

When being followed is a good thing.


Smilin' Annie:

The Bucket (Roxi)

We've been thinking a lot about toilets, and it's time for us to fish or get off the pot.

We seriously considered the Loveable Loo. [If you poke around Jenkins' site, you can download his Humanure book for free; I recommend it highly.]



In fact, we had pretty much decided that was the set-up for us, but the hang-up is that we couldn't use it until we were on our own property. Who knows when that will be? Until then, we would have to deal with black water (euphemism alert!) tanks and dumping stations.

Then, we stumbled across this little beauty.
Turned off by reviews of expensive composting toilets (especially Sun-Mar), we had abandoned the idea of commercial potties until this one. It requires no power to work its magic, aside from a tiny amount to run the ventilation fan, and that can be achieved with a small solar vent shed. The active ingredients are peat moss, a crank handle to mix, and, you know, poo.

Bathos, or From the Sublime to the Duck. (Roxi)

This weekend we enjoyed the company of our friends in Syracuse, then Sunday morning we stopped in at the (still-closed) Carousel Mall. I got lost. Fact: if you need a GPS to buy your clothes, things have gone astray.

Afterward, we traveled on to Camping World to check out accessories. I added the link, not as a promotion, but so you can see just how much money you can pay to live the simple life. We strolled through the floor models long enough that I was dizzy from the consumption fumes. At least two models cost more than our stick home. One posh Class C featured a 27" TV in prime storage space. You can gauge my righteous indignation by the html.

The point is, if you like this idea but hate the idea of "roughing it," there is a rig for you.

Today: the maiden tow of the Duck! We're off to Fletcher's to leave it for servicing. There will be a story to follow, if I have to write it myself.

Cool. (Roxi)

I'm feeling grateful for the perspectives you guys are bringing to this project. Metaphors that pin down precisely how I'm feeling about things. Good things to read, to listen to, to think about and to sit with.

Pretty soon we'll have new things to say about the Duck. She's going in for servicing next week. Keep a good thought for making the bed fit; we need to move some wiring to make that happen.

Yikes and whew. (Roxi)

THANK YOU for soothing and encouraging emails, and one beautiful card that made me cry.



It has been an emotionally icky week, and I'm torn between the commitment to blog this experience honestly and compassion for our friends. I have given mixed messages about my intentions for this project. I have been moody and broody and have hatched alternate plans for leaving this nest, which I knew were cracked as soon as I laid them.

I had a helpful visit with an EAP therapist who kindly reminded me that all losses must be grieved, and some of them get pre-grieved. Grief is not a sign that we are making a mistake, it's just letting go, in a gummy, wet, snotty way. While we can't avoid it, we could bury our emotions in a Chefsburger (stop judging me! Animals are comfort food).

~~~~~

We found that the electrical systems are functioning, both AC and DC. Our trailer does swing that way. We brainstormed a couple of new ideas for kitchen space, and pulled out a few carpet staples.

How good can it be? (Roxi)

The weather is so good now, and my mood so bad that I can't imagine what we could be thinking. I haven't seen Arizona in five months, and what is the big stinking deal? I knew this would happen, because nothing is better than Ithaca's eleven days of summer.

Here's something nice:


And another good thing:


Pretty:


I'm scared. I know how to be here. I've never been an adult anywhere else.

I melted down. (Roxi)

It has been a bad week. Not like I burned the toast twice and got a flat tire and my PCR failed. Bad enough that I can't make fun or laugh it away.

And, when things quieted down yesterday, I was filled with sadness: over the losses, GreyC, this place, this house, the friends I've made. My fears that my friends will forget me, that I am leaving here for a place where I don't matter to anyone. I blubbered like a ... whale? and laughed like a maniac. It's possible I was hysterical. Annie just held me and let me keen.

But, we had a house-showing, and it's not even on the market. A friend of a friend, a very nice woman with one cat (for now), is in the market for a little house in the 'Burg. That's what we have. So, we cleaned like crazy cleaning women and let her come over with her agent and another friend.

They looked for about an hour, and asked a couple of questions. It was fine.

GreyC (Roxi)

Our very good friends came over to visit us, and to try out the Duck's sleeping quarters. During the visit, GreyC escaped three times. It makes her miserable to be inside all the time, and the kennel does not make it okay.



Julie and David live on 33 acres of woods and meadows, surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods and meadows. Julie said, out of the blue, Would you consider letting GreyC live with us? We knew immediately that this was a great solution. For GreyC and for us, because we love them and know they'll give her a great home. No doubts. GreyC would be able to have the great outdoors, without dangerous roads. And without mountain lions and eagles.

That only makes it better, though, not good. GreyC is Annie's favorite, and that breaks my heart.

Thanks!

Hey, thanks to our friends for following and reading!

A friend from work (hi Pat!) suggested we rethink the flooring. This caused us to rethink the flooring. Painting and sealing is an option, but we realized that high-traffic areas will need periodic attention. Who would remind us it was past-due?  The cat with Inappropriate Urination syndrome: Oh look! My impulse control problem is soaking in over here!

So, we're back to thinking vinyl might be the better choice.

As Heard In Our RV™ (Roxi)

If this trailer's rockin' ... come on in and help us tear up carpeting.