I love to shop! I buy things I need mostly but every once in a while... Amazon is addictive, I can shop for hours for almost anything I could ever want. I read the reviews and choose carefully on even the smallest item. I have an Amazon credit card so it's so easy to click and it's on the way. Therein lies the problem. I actually have to pay for this stuff eventually and interest to boot.
I needed a Porti Potti for my dream trip. It's now snuggled neatly into it's spot in my van, yet to be christened. Good shoes for my Amazon job, gotta have em. They're quite comfortable just like they promised but since I wear them almost daily, it's unlikely that they will last till November. I checked the reviews for insoles too and bought the suggested ones at Wal-Mart. My feet are happy now, my wallet not so much.
Did you know you can get auto parts on Amazon? I saved a bunch on the heater core and the universal joints for my van. Those were necessities, I can't travel in the winter without heat and that annoying clunk could be dangerous. I really needed the dog brush and clipper blade to replace broken equipment too. It's not like I'm just blowing money.
I had to buy a Thermos since I'll be taking my lunch every day and the purple one was on sale. Keeps food hot for 7 hours! It hasn't arrived yet but I'm sure it will come in handy. The tote with the Poodle on it will be perfect to carry it along with everything else I'll need to get through the day. Granted I have other bags that would work just as well but it looks so cute in the picture.
I don't just love shopping online, a store will do just fine. I look for bargains and I find them. Three pairs of really thick socks for $2.19. In a cart at the front of the grocery store would you believe? They have colorful reading glasses for two bucks a pair too. Granted they're not made to last but I either step on them or the puppy carries them off way before they have time to break. I redid my travel trailer floor with peel and stick tiles from Family Dollar. $12 a box and still looks great after six months. The Odd Lots outlet is where I get all my craft supplies and household items.
I've found a way to get paid to do what I love. Every Friday morning I shop for the campground. On the clock and they pay for the gas. I'm careful not to spend too much time browsing for myself but heck if I'm already there...
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Amazon
My plan is coming together. I'm going to work for Amazon during the holiday season so I will have money for the big trip out west. They have a program called Camperforce. They give you a choice of campgrounds to stay at and your lot rent and electricity is paid. You also get a pretty decent salary with lots of overtime. A dollar for every hour worked as a bonus when you leave. Yes, there is a catch. Ten hours a day packing boxes while standing on concrete.
The entire hiring process was very easy. I filled out an application online. I chose Kentucky as my preferred location. I then received an e-mail requesting a good time for a phone interview. I spoke to a woman with a lovely southern accent. She asked me several questions just to make sure I understood what the job entailed. I told her of my fear of heights and was guaranteed a job on the ground floor. What a relief. I could just see myself holding the rails on the third story catwalk frozen in fear. She assured me it has happened. One of the requirements is proof of graduation. Ok, it's been how many years since I got out of high school? My diploma is where? Not a clue. Turns out a call to the school and my proof is in the mail.
I'm going to spend the two months in my van. There's no way this old trailer would make the trip even if my van was strong enough to pull it. I was told that there would be no problem finding someone to swap dog walking duties with but I'm torn on whether to bring Gable (my 60 pounder) along. I have friends in New York who will watch him and where he'll get a chance to run every day. I know he'll be happier but it's still hard. Three dog night is a great name for a band but in a 32 inch wide bed, it's just plain uncomfortable. Thank goodness my little ones don't need much space. I wouldn't go without them.
I'll be working most of October here at the campground. I'll start Amazon in November and have to stay until released no later than Dec 23rd. Drive to New York to get Gable and spend the holidays with my friends. Then it's either Florida to see my family or Quartsite and Las Vegas first then to Florida. Depends on weather. Any way I map it, it's a lot of driving.
I've already started prepping the van for full time living. Planning on what I'll take and where it will fit. I need to get a few things to make life more comfortable. An electric blanket that runs on 12 volt. A Porti Potti. Really good shoes for standing all day. I know just where to buy everything. Amazon of course. I wonder if I can get my employee discount early?
The entire hiring process was very easy. I filled out an application online. I chose Kentucky as my preferred location. I then received an e-mail requesting a good time for a phone interview. I spoke to a woman with a lovely southern accent. She asked me several questions just to make sure I understood what the job entailed. I told her of my fear of heights and was guaranteed a job on the ground floor. What a relief. I could just see myself holding the rails on the third story catwalk frozen in fear. She assured me it has happened. One of the requirements is proof of graduation. Ok, it's been how many years since I got out of high school? My diploma is where? Not a clue. Turns out a call to the school and my proof is in the mail.
I'm going to spend the two months in my van. There's no way this old trailer would make the trip even if my van was strong enough to pull it. I was told that there would be no problem finding someone to swap dog walking duties with but I'm torn on whether to bring Gable (my 60 pounder) along. I have friends in New York who will watch him and where he'll get a chance to run every day. I know he'll be happier but it's still hard. Three dog night is a great name for a band but in a 32 inch wide bed, it's just plain uncomfortable. Thank goodness my little ones don't need much space. I wouldn't go without them.
I'll be working most of October here at the campground. I'll start Amazon in November and have to stay until released no later than Dec 23rd. Drive to New York to get Gable and spend the holidays with my friends. Then it's either Florida to see my family or Quartsite and Las Vegas first then to Florida. Depends on weather. Any way I map it, it's a lot of driving.
I've already started prepping the van for full time living. Planning on what I'll take and where it will fit. I need to get a few things to make life more comfortable. An electric blanket that runs on 12 volt. A Porti Potti. Really good shoes for standing all day. I know just where to buy everything. Amazon of course. I wonder if I can get my employee discount early?
Spring has sprung
I've been scarce on the blog front lately. The snow is finally gone and the to do list at the campground is remarkably long. I'm one of those rare birds who prefers snow to it's warmer wetter cousin. I don't keep track of how many inches we've gotten but it's way too much for me. Stain the decks, paint the cement mascot, paint the playground equipment. I'd love to get it all done if it would just stop raining! I did finish the photo sign, it resides under my awning waiting to be installed.
I roll over and look out the window in the morning. The sun is out, yippee. I pull on my parka to walk the dogs. Switch to a hoodie by ten, that's off by noon. Switch my pants for shorts around two, back into pants by four. Add hoodie by six and into the parka again for the last walk at night. Make up your mind Mother nature, this is ridiculous.
We've got quite a variety of workampers this year. Local rednecks, those returning from last year, and a few newbies. "Empty the waste tanks, that was not on the job description". I'm sure the retired NYC police officer has never driven a tractor pulling a hay wagon full of screaming kids, welcome to KOA. Aged 16 to mid 60s they are busy removing dead leaves leftover from the fall. Rake into huge piles, shovel into bucket of tractor, empty into dump truck. Big boy toys. The burn pile was lovely until they added the plastic covered mattresses and insulation from other projects on their lists. Four new cabins, remodeled store, tons of spring cleaning. It's only a few weeks until the official Memorial Day start of the season.
Not that we haven't been busy already. Last weekend we made birdfeeders and the kids decorated their own cupcakes for our mascot's birthday. There was a huge family reunion here yesterday. I helped the kids make maracas out of cardboard toilet paper rolls. We built barriers out of foam insulation and had a water balloon fight. Hours on the field with sack races and tug of war. I staggered home and saw my neighbor sitting at her picnic table. "I just need to talk to an adult" I told her. It's only just begun.
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| The photo sign I painted |
I roll over and look out the window in the morning. The sun is out, yippee. I pull on my parka to walk the dogs. Switch to a hoodie by ten, that's off by noon. Switch my pants for shorts around two, back into pants by four. Add hoodie by six and into the parka again for the last walk at night. Make up your mind Mother nature, this is ridiculous.
We've got quite a variety of workampers this year. Local rednecks, those returning from last year, and a few newbies. "Empty the waste tanks, that was not on the job description". I'm sure the retired NYC police officer has never driven a tractor pulling a hay wagon full of screaming kids, welcome to KOA. Aged 16 to mid 60s they are busy removing dead leaves leftover from the fall. Rake into huge piles, shovel into bucket of tractor, empty into dump truck. Big boy toys. The burn pile was lovely until they added the plastic covered mattresses and insulation from other projects on their lists. Four new cabins, remodeled store, tons of spring cleaning. It's only a few weeks until the official Memorial Day start of the season.
Not that we haven't been busy already. Last weekend we made birdfeeders and the kids decorated their own cupcakes for our mascot's birthday. There was a huge family reunion here yesterday. I helped the kids make maracas out of cardboard toilet paper rolls. We built barriers out of foam insulation and had a water balloon fight. Hours on the field with sack races and tug of war. I staggered home and saw my neighbor sitting at her picnic table. "I just need to talk to an adult" I told her. It's only just begun.
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| Cupcakes the kids decorated themselves |
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| "Chippy" and company |
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Typical morning.
I roll over, open one eye and notice that there is dim light showing through the window. Mom's awake! Eight tiny paws do a tap dance on my chest. Cricket thinks it's her duty to clean the sleep out of my eyes and I feel her rough tongue on my cheek. "OK guys, I can't get up unless you move". A quick trip to the bathroom. Let the cat out. Actually let the cat stand in the open doorway deciding whether he want's to go out. A gentle push with my bare foot, decision made. I pull on my boots, something is not quite right. I take off one boot and remove the cat food lid. Yesterday it was a bone, the day before a spool of thread. Liza has been busy.
The weather is dreary, it's only 7 am, off leash should be ok. Three dogs dash out the door and immediately run to the rear of the nearby storage barn looking for feral cats. None found so under the wire fence into the adjoining horse pasture they go. No horses out yet thank goodness. It amazes me that something as big as a horse will run from a six pound Poodle but I've seen it happen more than once. Cricket thinks it's her job and will totally ignores my screams to come.
I cannot follow them into the pasture but I know where they will end up and make the trek towards the creek. Liza, drop that! She has found a pile of deer scat and is wolfing it down. She grabs another bite and takes off again. Gable is running full speed ahead and disappears for a moment only to return wet to the ankles from the muddy creek water. I pick up the mess Cricket just made and a few piles uncovered by the melting snow and enough already. "Time for breakfast, everybody inside". Dry Gable's legs with a towel and throw a cover over the bed he is about to jump on.
I found this great one cup coffee maker at the nearby Big Lots. You put a mug on it, a tablespoon of coffee in the mini filter add water and two minutes later, a steaming cup is ready. I pour in the water, add the coffee and open a can of food for the cat. Collect the dog bowls and start preparing their food. I notice the brown stream coming off the side of the counter and grab a mug to catch the last drips still coming from the pot. Clean up the mess, put on another pot, and feed the dogs.
I consider myself a morning person. I get a lot done before most people wake up. If I didn't have so many pets, I'd get a lot more done. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
The weather is dreary, it's only 7 am, off leash should be ok. Three dogs dash out the door and immediately run to the rear of the nearby storage barn looking for feral cats. None found so under the wire fence into the adjoining horse pasture they go. No horses out yet thank goodness. It amazes me that something as big as a horse will run from a six pound Poodle but I've seen it happen more than once. Cricket thinks it's her job and will totally ignores my screams to come.
I cannot follow them into the pasture but I know where they will end up and make the trek towards the creek. Liza, drop that! She has found a pile of deer scat and is wolfing it down. She grabs another bite and takes off again. Gable is running full speed ahead and disappears for a moment only to return wet to the ankles from the muddy creek water. I pick up the mess Cricket just made and a few piles uncovered by the melting snow and enough already. "Time for breakfast, everybody inside". Dry Gable's legs with a towel and throw a cover over the bed he is about to jump on.
I found this great one cup coffee maker at the nearby Big Lots. You put a mug on it, a tablespoon of coffee in the mini filter add water and two minutes later, a steaming cup is ready. I pour in the water, add the coffee and open a can of food for the cat. Collect the dog bowls and start preparing their food. I notice the brown stream coming off the side of the counter and grab a mug to catch the last drips still coming from the pot. Clean up the mess, put on another pot, and feed the dogs.
I consider myself a morning person. I get a lot done before most people wake up. If I didn't have so many pets, I'd get a lot more done. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Friday, March 21, 2014
What I drive
It's funny how the vehicle we drive defines us. The cute little collage student in the bright green VW bug. The aging CEO trying to regain his youth in the red sports car. The soccer mom in the minivan. I've always driven vans. I had a mini van once. I bought it only because parking my full sized one was almost impossible in the New York area. To me a van or at least one without Bobs Plumbing written on it says Traveler.
My current van says "There goes the neighborhood." and makes you want to start humming the theme song from the Beverly Hillbillies. It's 19 feet long and 8 feet high. You can still see the words Ice Cream Truck stenciled on the fiberglass roof. It's grey, light grey mostly where I attempted to make it look better by painting it with spray cans. I never finished the passengers side. That still has spots of black primer. There are ghosts of the stars that used to embellish it showing through. The passengers side mirror has a mind of its own and is usually in a position better suited for viewing the car in front of me.
If it were human the van would be old enough to drink. Old enough to have married and have a kid in school for that matter. Not as old as me thank goodness. She has lower miles on her odometer than most her age and my best guess is that she sat ignored in a field somewhere for a long time. I don't see a beat up old truck, I see a diamond in the rough.
Oh the plans I have for my old van. It's the perfect size for a camper for the Poodles and I. I've already put the sofa bed in. Cabinets over the bed to store my clothing. The grooming tub will be my sink, the table my place to dine. She still needs a good cleaning and a lot of paint but we're headed in the right direction. No matter how she looks, it's how she runs that matters. The engine is strong, the tires are good, she's ready to go. And one day we will.
The day I bought it.
6 months later, One side almost done.
My current van says "There goes the neighborhood." and makes you want to start humming the theme song from the Beverly Hillbillies. It's 19 feet long and 8 feet high. You can still see the words Ice Cream Truck stenciled on the fiberglass roof. It's grey, light grey mostly where I attempted to make it look better by painting it with spray cans. I never finished the passengers side. That still has spots of black primer. There are ghosts of the stars that used to embellish it showing through. The passengers side mirror has a mind of its own and is usually in a position better suited for viewing the car in front of me.
If it were human the van would be old enough to drink. Old enough to have married and have a kid in school for that matter. Not as old as me thank goodness. She has lower miles on her odometer than most her age and my best guess is that she sat ignored in a field somewhere for a long time. I don't see a beat up old truck, I see a diamond in the rough.
Oh the plans I have for my old van. It's the perfect size for a camper for the Poodles and I. I've already put the sofa bed in. Cabinets over the bed to store my clothing. The grooming tub will be my sink, the table my place to dine. She still needs a good cleaning and a lot of paint but we're headed in the right direction. No matter how she looks, it's how she runs that matters. The engine is strong, the tires are good, she's ready to go. And one day we will.
The day I bought it.
6 months later, One side almost done.Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Working vacation
Home at last. Most would wonder why in the hell I didn't stay away a few days longer but as small as it is, this trailer is all mine. I did enjoy my trip though. I stayed with two different friends and really felt like they wanted me to be there. M is older and admits that I could be her daughter. I have the most comfortable bed and hours in the evening to relax in front of the huge television. M has told me many times that she is not going to cook for me but broke that rule twice this weekend. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch on Saturday and traditional corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's day Monday. Staying with E is a different story altogether. The woman lives a don't stop to breathe life and it's catch up or get left behind. This weekend she was only watching five dogs plus her two plus my three. Sadie snores, Teddy is picking a fight with Jerry, someone is scratching and you can hear their foot hitting an empty crate. The futon I'm trying to sleep on is only a few feet away and Cricket just took off after E's cat as he tries to escape through an open window. You don't go to E's house to relax but she is one of my favorite people and it's all worth it. One day I'll actually beat her at Scrabble, we got four late night games in and as usual I got whooped.
I always take too many clothes and was determined to take only what I needed this time. I groomed a total of 13 dogs in the four days I was in New York and the majority of my clothing was covered in dog hair. I remembered pajama bottoms but didn't have a top to sleep in. No problem, "E, do you have a large t-shirt I can borrow?" "Large for YOU? I'm not sure." Ok, I admit I've gained a few pounds but come on now, I'm not that big. This was actually the second time she brought up my weight. She came right out and said "So what do you weigh these days?" as we drove to the nearby casino. OK, message received, I need to get serious about losing some of this weight that has accumulated since menopause reared it's ugly head.
I got to see two other friends when the old gang got together for dinner on Saturday night. Lots of laughter, the biggest Cobb salad I've ever seen and a few games of quick draw made it an enjoyable evening for sure. D has been battling cancer for years and still looks amazing. Nobody would ever guess what she's gone through to look at her. I don't know how she deals with the constant ups and downs. A has had her share of health scares too. They both look at my life as a bit uncivilized but say they admire how I deal with living off the grid. I admire the way they deal with living on it.
I always take too many clothes and was determined to take only what I needed this time. I groomed a total of 13 dogs in the four days I was in New York and the majority of my clothing was covered in dog hair. I remembered pajama bottoms but didn't have a top to sleep in. No problem, "E, do you have a large t-shirt I can borrow?" "Large for YOU? I'm not sure." Ok, I admit I've gained a few pounds but come on now, I'm not that big. This was actually the second time she brought up my weight. She came right out and said "So what do you weigh these days?" as we drove to the nearby casino. OK, message received, I need to get serious about losing some of this weight that has accumulated since menopause reared it's ugly head.
I got to see two other friends when the old gang got together for dinner on Saturday night. Lots of laughter, the biggest Cobb salad I've ever seen and a few games of quick draw made it an enjoyable evening for sure. D has been battling cancer for years and still looks amazing. Nobody would ever guess what she's gone through to look at her. I don't know how she deals with the constant ups and downs. A has had her share of health scares too. They both look at my life as a bit uncivilized but say they admire how I deal with living off the grid. I admire the way they deal with living on it.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Favorite Photos
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| Gable in a Newburgh NY pond |
Ok, I'm just like any other Mom who posts photos of her kids. At least there is a little scenery in most of them.
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| Deco at a state park in Connecticut |
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| Joey, Chico, and Deco 2002 |
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| My beloved Cricket |
Finally, A few photos that don't include my pets.
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| My former tow vehicle |
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| My first class C at a Maine campground |
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| The roller coaster in Cape May NJ before hurricane Sandy hit |
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| Yes, that's me. Corn makes a great camouflage for a few extra pounds. |
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