If I have to wash it, it's submersible.

Jon doesn't have a lot of time lately to keep this blog updated, so I'll be contributing my thoughts for a little while.

If nothing else, to make a memory of this time in our lives together when we're getting ready to hit retirement AND... The Road!

We're still about a year or so away but I want to start journaling our progress and all the silly little things that occur because major life events should be recorded in some way.  So later on, when our gray matter is shrinking, we can look back and remember when.

Anyway... I know this downsizing is going to be huge... LIFE CHANGING event.  I know we're going to have to let go of a LOT of stuff...   And I have some attachments to certain of my stuff... YARN mostly and that is going to be really hard because right now my yarn stash takes up the better part of a room of our house... But I can do this!  I recently became aware of vacuum pack bags and  I plan to put them to good use,

So I'm going to write my thoughts here now and then --- while enjoying a glass of wine --- just to memorialize my part of this adventure.

Feel free to join me occasionally with your advice, your experience, and a toast... To the next big adventure!

One last thing... New rule in my kitchen!  If I have to wash it, it IS submersible.

Cheers! - Felicia

This is Kiki... He's the BOSS!

Creative juices are flowin'

Sorry we haven't posted in so long.  Lots of life getting in the way of life.  Felicia has been very busy with her pottery.  Below are some of the items she has created recently.  Hope everyone is doing well!

Rollin-On with some yummy eats!

I don't usually post pics of my dinner creations but this one turned out amazing. So easy too! Portobello Mushroom, Olive Oil, Spinach, and Mozzarella. 20 minutes at 360. I used the broil setting for the last 3 minutes to brown the cheese.  

We saw this recipe on Rollin-On TV, an RV related television show.  

I'm thinking next time I'll use some sausage or pepperoni and make some mini pizzas!

Work follows me home...

Sometimes work follows you home... today, my co-worker came in and asked if I could look at her microscope.  After ten years of constant use, it was finally starting to show a bit of wear and tear.  Well, I got it all apart and the rack was a bit messed up, and it was full of dirt and debris.  So after a great deal of cleaning, it went back together... a bit to clean, as the friction mechanism now was to loose, so I had to build a small friction tab to keep things cinched up.  It appears to be working, so we shall see once I get the rest of it back together.  All this and it only took three hours LOL...  Let us know your fun work experiences.

Getting sick of Sticks and Bricks

I need to apologize for not posting as often.  Recently, I walked into our laundry room and I felt a warm, wet feeling creeping into my socks.  I looked down, and what do I see?  Water running from under the washing machine.  I quickly did a situational assessment and determined that a drip was emanating from the valve and hose area within the wall.  I turned off the water valves and pulled the washer out to get a better look.  What I saw amazed me... The previous owners had installed a splitter valve like you would use in your yard to add a second hose.  These were installed on each of the hose bibs.  I looked at the damage to the wall and discovered that two of the walls would require replacement.  So the deconstruction began... from the sheet rock walls, to the sub floor.  Everything was removed.  I then began the fun and exciting task of installing new walls, taping, texturing, painting, installing new trim, shelves, etc.  And of course, the sheet vinyl need to be upgraded to tile... so, down goes the Hardy backer board, then installation of the new tile, grouting, sealing and finally the cove base.  I thought I was almost done, but wait, there's more.  I put the water heater back in and what happens?  The pilot light will not stay lit.  So I replace the thermocouple, thinking I am home free.  Nope... didn't work,  So I then went searching for a new gas valve.  Well folks, what I discovered was, when the valve goes out, the supply stores won't sell you a gas valve, in fact, they don't even stock them, because when the gas valve goes out, they figure that the water heater is old enough that the tank will soon fail, so you must buy a new water heater instead.  So, another $500.00 dollars, and we finally have hot water again.  I was able to get everything all finished and put back together yesterday.  Today I went back to work to get some rest.  I tell ya, I am getting closer and closer to being ready to get on the road as we are getting really sick of sticks and bricks...

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave your nightmare stories regarding your sticks and bricks adventures, or troubles you have had on the road... it will probably make me feel better knowing we aren't the only ones ;-)

Crafting To Go

Felicia started the New Year by participating in a Mystery Crochet-A-Long (CAL).  Each Sunday, the creators of this event release another section of crochet instructions.  Felicia came up with a patriotic, cowboy type color scheme.  She had in mind the colors of our US flag, a wagon wheel and the gold and green reminded her of out military and specifically our Soldier Son.  This is her progress after finishing Part 4.  Part 5 was just released this morning and she is excited to get started.

If you know a crocheter who would like to participate in this crochet-a-long, go to: 
http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/sophies-universe-cal-2015/sophies-universe-cal-2015-information/

And these are from our pottery classes... Felicia made numerous items over the four week class, while I made one...  We plan to rent studio time as we travel to keep our hands in the clay!

Long day of moving a friend

We just finished up helping a friend and her daughter move.  We had a good group of people and we didn't need to move them very far.  Our back muscles are sure letting us know we may have over done things a bit, but it was good to help a friend.  The best part is, it has been raining all week, and it was supposed to rain today, yet it was bright and sunshiny all day until we were done, then the clouds starting coming in.  Someone was looking out for us ;-)   Getting excited for the good weather to start moving in, so we can get the 5'er out on the road.  Have been seeing more and more people getting out with their RVs, which gets us motivated to get ours out and about.  Well, better go heat the grill up for some grilled veggies and a nice steak.  Feel free to drop us a line!