One of Those Weeks

Have you ever had one of those weeks that you thought couldn't get any worse, but does?  Well we have and hope it does not continue. 

Actually, it was spread out over a couple of weeks, but who's counting?  I guess it all started while we were back home near Charleston, West Virginia.  We were at the Charleston Town Center Mall shopping for clothes.

While Misty was shopping in a certain store, that I will leave nameless, the kids and I were killing time.  Some of the kids decided to dance in the store front while people waked by and looked.

 Tia posing in the store window.

 Avery, Ian, & Tia in the window

After a while one of the store employees chased them out saying that they could not be in the window, which is totally understandable.  Meanwhile Misty was trying on clothes in the changing room.

So me and the kids wandered over there to wait on Misty.  I was standing in front of Misty's changing booth, with the kids standing next to me in front of the neighboring changing booth,  and I was hidden from others, from certain angles, by a support post.

One of the employees came over and wanted in the changing booth the kids were standing in front of and rather than asking them to move, nicely, he barked something like, "Get out of the way kids!"  or something like that.

I stepped out from behind the post and firmly asked him not yell at my kids, especially since they were not doing anything wrong.  He quickly apologized, but I guess I was still upset, more than I thought, over them chasing the kids out of the window, so went up to the manager, or who I thought was a manager, and told her I was not happy about her associate yelling at my kids.

I also mentioned that they were not hurting anything standing in the window dancing and was told that it was just store policy.  So I told her it was my policy not to buy anything from a store where the employees yell at my kids for no reason.  Not the window issue, but the changing booth issue.

Misty was not too happy when I grabbed everything she was trying on, took them up to the manager, or who I thought was a manager, and said, "Here you go, we're not buying anything now."

Just so you know, I did not make too big of a scene and did not yell at all.  And yes, it was petty on my part, but it did feel good to dump a good amount of items on the counter in protest just knowing they would not be getting any of our money that day.  

And yes, I know that the employees probably thought I was a jerk and really could care less, but I'm not thinking too much about that.  I'm thinking more on the lines that I vindicated my kids for their unjust treatment.

Also while we were in, we took the kids to the eye doctor and had to get Ethan and Courtney new glasses.  So we had to not only pay for the eye exams, but two new sets of glasses.

The following week we took Tia and Ian to the eye doctor and Ian also needed glasses, so back to Vision Works for another pair of glasses.  We broke it up a couple of weeks so we would not have to spend all of the money the same week.  But we still had to pay.

Ian sporting his new pair of glasses.

On a good note, a couple days later, the kids did get to meet Kaitlyn, the WWE Diva Champion while we were at the mall, which was neat!  We had her make her autograph out to LivelyRV.

Ethan, Tia, Kaitlyn, Courtney, Ian, and Avery at the Charleston Town Center Mall.

A few days later after making it to North Carolina, our passenger cargo area window on the Yukon got busted somehow.  We do not think it was done on purpose, but by accident.  We suspect Avery had a hand in it, but can not prove it one way or another, so will just let it go.  We didn't need the $300.00 deductible anyway. (Right!)

Broken window on the Yukon.

Broken Yukon window from the inside.

Luckly we called USAA, who we have our insurance through, and they had Safelite come out and fix it the very next day.

The technician who came out used to sell RV's, so we had a lot to talk about, and he also put us onto an organic Farmer's Market to hit this upcoming weekend.

Yukon with broken window removed and caulk cut away.

Replacement glass for Yukon.

Window opening re-caulked ready for new pane of glass.

Fixed glass making Yukon as good as new.

We may never know how it got broken in the first place, but at least it is fixed now and we hope it does not get broken out anytime soon or ever again.

Another good thing that happened is that we finally received our LivelyRV Geocoins that we ordered a while back from Oakcoins for Geocaching.  We have gotten away from Geocaching for a while, but are starting to pick it back up.

LivelyRV Geocoin.

We ordered fifty of them so we can place one in each state while we travel America.  Each one has its own tracking number so we know which one is which and so they can be tracked between geocaches.

Each geocoin has its own homepage that has what its goal is and its history.  So far we have only registered the ones for North Carolina and West Virginia.  We will register the rest as we get into each new state.

 

So, maybe it was not as bad as we thought and some good things did happen too.  That is usually the case, but sometimes we just look at the bad and do not appreciate the good.  

God is good and has blessed us in many ways to include saving us from our sins by giving us his son, Jesus.  So why are we not happy all of the time?  Human nature I guess or just the devil in us.  May God help us to do what's right and to appreciate all that he has given us.

Until next time, God bless!

Thanks!

Don, Misty, and Kids...  

 

 

  

 

 

RV Storage Solutions

As you may be aware, when living in an RV, you are limited on how much storage space you have.  Probably, the best solution to this is to bring only what you need to live into the RV.  That is way easier said than done though.

Also there is a lot of wasted space in most RVs that is not utilized for storage or overlooked space.  Now, we are not experts and do not pretend to be, but we have made, what we like to think are improvements, to our storage situation.

Probably one of the easiest ways to make extra storage in your RV is to order 3M Command Strips organization products.  They make more than just picture frame hangers and hooks.

We like their Command Clear Medium Caddy to use around the stove for spices and such.  We do worry that they are maybe too close to the heat which may make them go stale quicker, but we hate to see all of the space go to waste.

Of course, we pack all of the spices into a box while traveling and then put them back out once we get parked.  We are afraid that the constant jolts will make them fall off the wall with the extra weight of the spices.

Command Clear Medium Caddy used as spice racks around our stove area.

They are also good to hold remote controls and anything else that will fit.  Now my bedside counter can be cluttered with items other than the remotes.

Command Clear Medium Caddy used as remote control holders in the master bedroom.

 Command Clear Medium Caddy used as remote controls holder for living room TV.

 Below is one we have on the refrigerator along with a small caddy we use to hold pens and pencils.

 Command Clear Medium Caddy used to hold pens and paper pads on our refrigerator.

Not only do they make the caddy in different sizes, but you can also get a phone charger caddy that works well.  We have ours at each end of the bed's headboard like a His' and Her's.  Now at night I can grab my phone quickly since I know exactly where it is.

Command Clear Phone Charger Caddy on Master bedroom headboard.

Of course the Command hooks are also great for hanging up coats or other items.  We have them all throughout the RV being used to hang up coats, towels, a hair dryer in the bathroom, oven mitts and pot holders in the kitchen, and anything else that will hang.

Command hooks used for towels in the bathroom.

Command hooks used in the bunk house for the kid's coats.

More hooks in the bunk house for coats and scarfs.

Command hooks for coats in the front of the RV.

Command hooks on the folding door between the bunk house and master bed room.

 Another thing our RV was missing was a lock on the sliding door between the bunk house and bathroom.  It seemed like anytime Misty or I wanted some privacy in the bathroom, one of the kids would wander in.

To solve this dilemma, I bought a patio door lock bar at Lowe's Home Improvement.  It was easy to mount and the door frame going into the master bedroom from the bathroom was just wide enough for it.

Patio door bar lock fit perfectly on our sliding door into the bathroom.

The below plastic clip was to be used to hold the bar in place once it is deployed in the down position, but I found that it also works well to hold the bar in its upward position, when not being used.

 

Using the bar clip to hold the lock bar in place when in the upward position.

The metal clip was to be inserted into the plastic clip, but will hold the bar in place perfectly without it.   Now we can keep everyone out when wanting some privacy in the bathroom.

Door lock bar in the downward position.

 

Door lock bar doing its job very well.

I could tell you a story about when a visiting family member was in the bathroom one day and the door was slid open by one of the kids, before we had a lock, but will not go into detail about it.  Needless to say, they have not used the bathroom in the RV since.

We also found some dresser draws that are very light and easy to put up when we move, that help give us more storage for the kids' clothes.  They not only work well for clothes but toys and any other miscellaneous items we do not want rolling around on the floors.

Three draw folding dressers we use for the kids' clothes.

They also provide some storage on their tops, which we take full advantage of.  We usually put Tupperware type containers full of socks and underwear on top so we can use the drawers more for regular clothes.

Dresser drawer being used for one of the boys' clothes with the removable top on.

Dresser drawer being used for one of the boys' clothes with the removable top off.

Just adding the caddies, drawers, and hooks have made a big improvement on our storage needs and keep items in a spot where we can easily find them.  So far we have had only a couple of them fall and with using a heavier rated 3M Command strip, that problem was solved.

We love our compact, mobile lifestyle and do not miss our 3100 square foot house at all.

Not everyone can downsize their life and live the way we do, but it is the life for us and we find it much simpler and easier.  Plus when we figure out how to squeeze more space out of the RV, it just makes it that much better.

May God watch over you and keep you blessed!

Thanks!
Don, Misty, and Kids...   

Everything Repeats

We have finally left Virginia and are now back in West Virginia staying at the Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery in Elkview WV.  We were to be in Indiana for warranty work on the RV, but had to reschedule it due to a family emergency.  So for the time being we will just stay put.

It has almost been a year since we first stayed here as we started our full-time RV adventure.  Looking back we only have one true regret.  We regret that we have not seen more of America, especially the west coast.  

Here lately, due to some events out of our control, we have been staying put more and more and not exploring what is around us, like we intended.  We just have to tell ourselves that there is still plenty of time to see it all, and that we just need to be patient.   

Then again, an asteroid could hit tomorrow and all of us be gone, but seriously, do you really think that will happen anytime soon?  Whatever happens, will happen, we just need to trust in God's will.

 Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

Lazy K is a small campground with around six 30 amp and four 50 amp sites.  The owner is adding more 50 amp sites up the road from the main camping area, but I do not know for sure how many.

 30 Amp RV lots next to creek at Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

When we first stayed here last April 2012 the sites had electric and sewer, but no water.  Water had to be trucked to you, in order to fill up your holding tanks.  Later on you could have a water hose strung to your RV to give you a continuous water supply.  That was OK until the temperature dropped below freezing.

As of the past month, water lines have been ran and now all the main campsites have full hookups which is nice.

 Walking trail next to creek in Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

We like to stay here because it is so close to where we used to live and our family.  It is only a couple miles from our house we sold when first starting our full-time RV adventure.

 Our RV and Yukon at Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

We have stayed in many RV parks that were much larger and maybe offered more amenities, but we are happy here and the owner, Ken, is always doing something to improve it.

Currently there is no shower house, but a spot is being cleared and it should go up sometime in the near future.  The trusses have also been ordered and are on site.

 Trusses waiting on the shower house to be built.

Luckily, we do not need a shower house since we always use our RV's shower and toilet, although the children have used facility toilets while outside playing so it is nice to have that option.  One day we may try an electric only site, in which case we would have to rely upon the park's bathing and toiletry facilities, but not any time soon I hope.

Speaking on having our own facilities in the RV, Miss Courtney gladly volunteered her Mom's laundry services to a neighbor who has no washer and dryer.  While I'm walking up to Courtney and the neighbor talking, I hear Courtney say, "My Mom loves doing laundry and does it everyday!  I'm sure she would do yours too!"

I'm sure the neighbor will understand when we do not volunteer to do her laundry, I hope.  I'm also going to have a talk with all the kids on what is off limits to talk about with the neighbors.

 Shower house site being prepared.

 Avery standing in front of where the shower house is to be built.

The road was a little muddy when it rained, but new gravel has been laid which has helped to eliminate that issue too.  Your vehicle still gets dirty while driving on the gravel when it rains, but not caked with mud like before.

The kids love it here, especially the playground.  Last weekend while the kids were at the playground, some local children came to the campground to play.  Our kids knew some of the other kids from church, but also made some new friends.  Now, when the local kids come over to play, if our kids are not out, they come knocking on the RV door looking for them.

 Playground and pavilion at Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

The owner Ken, is very hospitable and will ensure anything, within reason that you need, is provided.  Anytime we have called or talked to him about anything at the campground, he has handled it for us.

Lazy K's serves as a home-base to us, for all sorts of reasons, and Ken treats us like long lost family anytime we are around.

 View behind our RV lot at Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

View in front of our RV lot at Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery.

We are not exactly sure how long we are going to stay here at Lazy K's, but will stay until the family emergency is resolved or we are no longer needed to assist the family.

We are offering our services by providing travel and lodging for a family member requiring medical treatment outside of West Virginia, so at that time we will move to that location.

We are blessed that God has given us the ability to help our family due to our lifestyle.  You often wonder why things do not always work out the way we want, but they always work out for what God wants and, in time, the reasons are slowly revealed to us.

God bless!

Thanks!
Don, Misty, and Kids...

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