In spite of the cold wind that’s blowing across the Sonoran this early morning, Spike, Bridget, and I enjoy a long walk.
We’ve spent a lot of time inside the past few days in order to keep out of the wind. The solar panel has given me more than enough power for watching television and going online, and the Wave 3 catalytic heater has taken the chill out of the mornings.
I notice a strange phenomenon related to living fulltime in my little trailer.
When I lived in my four-bedroom house in Georgia, I would sometimes get cabin fever.
This made me wonder how I’d cope with the confines of a 17-foot trailer, especially when the weather keeps the crew and me indoors.
I don’t know why, but I haven’t once had a case of cabin fever in my Casita. Not even during the snowstorm in New Mexico last fall or during the past few days of constant wind in the desert.
I can’t explain it, but it’s nice to know!
I need to take the Perfect Tow Vehicle into town.
As soon as the engine is on, the oil pressure gauge needle goes all the way up as far as it can go. I noticed this a few days ago while towing the BLT to empty the waste tanks and fill up with water. The guy at NAPA said it might need a new sending unit. “You’ll be okay driving it. Just bring it in so we can take a look at it.” Of course, I interpret his words as permission to procrastinate!
While walking with the crew this morning, I thank God for my good health.
Lately several people I know have faced health challenges. Here I am, sixty-three years old, and I’m able to climb rocky slopes and take long walks without discomfort (and at a pretty fast pace in order to keep up with Spike!).
I don’t take any pills or shots and all my senses are in good working order. My digestion is good and I sleep well at night. No longer do I have the headaches, leg cramps, foot problems, neck pain, shortness of breath, anxiety attacks, depression, and bad dreams I used to have before I retired and hit the road.
My brainpower isn’t what it used to be and my memory sucks, but that’s okay.
I guess one could say my life pressure gauge is on low.
rvsue
Happy Valentine’s Day!!! I am so glad you are happy.
Love you
Same to you, Pauline!
“I guess one could say my life pressure gauge is on low.” What a blessing and how wise are you to realize that it’s a blessing. I do suggest that you get the PTV looked at and get whatever it is fixed so it doesn’t get in the way and cause real problems when you’re ready to move on. Getting things fixed when you notice them is the way to KEEP your pressure gauge on low.
I love the variety in the photos you post. It really brings the desert back to us.
I’ll be sure to get the PTV looked at. It’s been resting at our campsite!
Glad you enjoy the photos.
As an avid RVer with the strongest of desires to go full-timing myself someday, I can use your help stocking my pantry in healthful order.
Besides the obvious change of lifestyle, to what diet do you attribute your current better health? In other words, would you list your typical daily menu/intake? I, too, need to eliminate some of those ailments you mention……
Thanks.
Hi, Jody!
I think absence of stress is a bigger factor than my diet choices, but I’m happy to give you an idea of what I eat and don’t eat.
Typical breakfast is a bowl of raisin bran, or two fried eggs, or a boiled egg and OJ, once in a while, a bowl of oatmeal. And coffee or tea.
Lunch is a green salad, a pasta salad, soup or a sandwich. Sometimes just a few crackers and peanut butter.
I don’t eat very much red meat or pork, only when someone else cooks it. Mostly I eat poultry and once in a while, fish. I eat chicken or turkey hot dogs, for instance. I eat too much pasta, but I love it! When I can force myself to pay the price, I eat nuts like almonds and cashews. I eat an apple almost every day. I don’t eat many sweets until I go crazy and then I eat half a carton of ice cream or three eclairs in one sitting. It’s not pretty.
I’m not a role model for healthful eating! Again, for me, I think no stress is important . . . and genes. I may fall apart tomorrow.
What a beautiful spot. You are so fortunate to be so healthy.
Mike and Dee
I agree with you on both points!
Does your oil pressure guage stayed pegged or does it slowly come back toward normal?
It stays pegged.
Happy Valentines Day!!! I prefer the MotherShip to our PMH (perfect mobile home) in T or C. Can’t wait to get on the road again, besides, Geri can’t find as many projects for me to do!!!!!!! Chuckles
So she’s keeping you busy, huh? Happy Valentine’s Day to you both!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and the crew! Chuck is taking me to Groovy Gritz tonight, they are doing a special Valentine dinner and red velvet cake for dessert! Some diet I’m on huh? I gotta keep Chuck busy, he gets bored so easily! LOL! Now he is making me a new craft table!!!
So glad to hear from you again! I always enjoy reading your posts! Sounds like this lifestyle should be prescribed by my doctor! Savor every moment!! 🙂
Happy Valentines Day!!
Same to you, Robin! Always nice to hear from you . ..
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Spike and Bridget.
I know that having animals in your life can be quite stress-inducing but, more often than not, they are stress-relieving. And, other than your occasional sugar-binging, your diet sounds healthful. I think you have found the perfect lifestyle.
Did I get a little too hyphen happy in that post?
Sorry to correct you, Page, but shouldn’t that be hyphen-happy? LOL
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.
LOL!!!
Hi Sue – I laughed when I read about the symptoms you had before retiring. I was off work for about 1 1/2 months due to that shooting incident at my job in mid-December and returned just yesterday. Even though I’m starting out part time, several of those symptoms have returned within one day!!!
The brainpower….I’ve given up. I don’t understand why I can remember every single word of the songs in the 5th grade Christmas program but I can’t remember the password that I changed three minutes ago!
Happy travels!
Chris
Hi, Chris . . . Ooh, I’m sorry to hear your work gives you stress symptoms. . . the plague of the modern world. You hit on the key when you mentioned forgetting the password.
A big reason so many people are stressed at their jobs is because the jobs are so meaningless, like a password. Now that 5th grade Christmas program meant something to you!
Good luck, nice to hear from you again.
Gives me something to look forward to, although my health is not great now so I do worry about making it to the future. I dream about traveling someday.
I wish you improved health and no worries about the future. I hope your dream comes true!
Thank you Sue. In my mind I have already been to some of these places, thanks to you bloggers.
I was just wondering how you were faring in the sunny desert. Rain here as usual. Looked at your blog page and low and behold more beautiful pictures and thoughts on camping in the BLT.
I have cabin fever Sue. As soon as we arrive home. I experience it everytime we come home from a long trip in the Casita; or after long months with no time in the Casita. I know. It drives Bill nuts. I sleep so……much better in the Casita. The dogs do also. I try not to complain, just work on plans for more time in the trailer.
Hi, Ann!
I wish I could send some of this sunshine up to Oregon!
Hi there. It is in the middle of the day, I am at work, and my android phone has advised me there is a new post from RVSue. I am either an RVSue online groupie, or a good story junkie, because I just cannot be grown up about it and wait until I get home this evening to take a look. Oh no, I simply must take a little break and see what Sue and crew are up to. It’s a definate addiction. I wonder if there is a 12 step program and, if there is, does it involve striking out on my own in the R-Pod (or un-Casista) and heading for parts unknown? (well, sortof unknown… we know where those parts are, but we are all sworn to secrecy) If that’s what’s involved, sign me up!
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day Sue and crew. I would tell you to stop and smell the flowers but I know you’d say “been there, done that”. 🙂
“Hello. My name is CeCe and I’m an rvsue addict.”
Your comment gave me a good laugh. I love that you “cannot be grown up about it.”
Happy Valentine’s Day. Now get back to work!
You’re probably right, Carla. Sometimes it’s a feeling of being trapped in life.
As always beautiful pictures, and wonderful words. Its amazing when we let all the materialistic things, work pressure, house pressures go, how peaceful our lives can be. Happy retirement Sue, and so glad you are loving every minute of it. Like many others, I can’t wait to get home have my coffee, read your post and then get on with my life, ha ha. You are enlightening to us all and thank you for reminding us all the time how good life really is, and for the wonderful pictures. take care and a hug to the crew.
Thanks,bearwise. You always say the nicest things!
I love how everything in my RV is within reach. I get lost in big houses. But not in wide open spaces like you can see. That southern desert wind gets to me easily.
I’m sure the relaxed lifestyle has a lot to do with health.
Good luck with the PTV.
I love how I can cook a meal and never move my feet! LOL
I’m so happy to read that you are happy, Sue. Content might be a better word. That should be our goal: peace and contentment.
I’m not much of a grown up either…I check your blog far too often for a new story and new photos. 😉 And I enjoy reading the comments from all your wonderful followers too. So many folks live vicariously through you, Sue. Hopefully they can live their dreams soon too!
Happiness is fleeting. Contentment sticks around!
Yes, the readers of my blog are great. I enjoy the comments, too.
There is such a thing as an oil pressure bypass valve in the oil pump. This regulates the oil pressure in your engine. If it is stuck, the high pressure could do all sorts of damage to the seals and gaskets and things that were not designed for such pressure. So please get it checked out. Maybe it is only the sending unit and you will be lucky, but knowing for sure will contribute to your low pressure lifestyle……
Thanks, Rod. I will get it checked. I haven’t turned on the engine since the day I noticed the gauge reading high. I’ll report what I find out.
I look for your posts every night when I get home. Love reading about your days and your babies. I have always said if you have your health you are blessed. I would love to travel and take pictures as you do. Might not ever get there, but I enjoy living my dream through your adventures. Keep writing.
Well, Pat, I wish my recent days were more interesting.
I refrained from writing another entry about Spike . . . Don’t want to have to change the name of the blog to “Spike and his crew!”
The health situation can turn very quickly. I was diagnosed with psoriasis in 1997 and told at that time that there was a chance I would develop scoratic arthritis at some point. I think that point in my life came last December-January; at this time it is self diagnosed and self treated (with advise via on-line from the VA). I’ll be at my VA provider later this month and sort it all out for sure. What I can tell you is that it changed my life VERY suddenly and can come in a multitude of ways.
Good health to you!
I’m sorry you are having to deal with life-changing health issues. I wish you the best of luck and good days ahead.
Hi Sue, I noticed something about your pictures that may be of interest to other rvsueandcrew followers; the pictures on the blog have been softened by a aggressive filter. If you click the photos you see them in much higher resolution.
Mick
Mick, you are so smart.
I’ve been disappointed in my photos for a long time. If you look at the photos at the beginning of the blog, you’ll see they’re even worse than they are now. I started using the “auto adjust” button in Live Photo Editor and that helped somewhat. It straightens the horizon and improves the exposure. I don’t know if it helps with resolution though. I’ll look into that. I guess I need to stop blaming my camera and take some responsibility for the poor quality!
I continue to receive compliments on the design of the panel lifter!
Happy Heart Day, Sue. I appreciate your concern comment on my blog recently. Reading your posts keeps me positive and to continue working towards my full-time adventures. The surgical area is healing nicely and I am slowly getting use to feeling better with my pacemaker. Be glad when I can drive my truck again, as I consider Big Red (and Eggie) my therapist. Love the pictures. Glad you are feeling so good, lack of constant stress can heal.
Hi, Emily!
You gave us a scare with your recent episode. It definitely was a Happy Heart Day! Your friends are happy that you got the help you needed so quickly. You, along with others, inspired my post.
I look forward to seeing you behind the wheel of Big Red, pulling Eggie into a campsite. Take care!
Sue, you do the best job of staying in one place over an extended period of time and having interesting and thought provoking things to write on your blog. I hear others say that they don’t post because they didn’t “do” anything. Clearly you are an example of how much we all “do” even when we aren’t on the go. You notice, you think, you observe, you reflect, you take great pictures………….thanks!
Wow, Sherry, nice compliment! Thanks.
It’s tougher to write when “material” doesn’t appear during the day . . . like the time I overheard the couple who couldn’t have beans with their hot dogs because he packed a garlic press instead of a can opener. You can’t make that stuff up and it’s a lot of fun writing with something like that to work with.
I’m happy you enjoy the slow newsdays, too.
Hi Sue,
You seem to have weathered your recent pressure bump in stride and with your usual bright outlook. We can’t change the past; we learn from it. We make adjustments as we learn from our experiences and you are finding your stride. When you first started there were those who wondered how you would make the adjustment to fulltiming in your new Casita; wonder no more. Congratulations on your transformation. I will continue to enjoy following the exploits of Spike, Bridget and the pleasant lady they have adopted for their journey.
Barrie
Thank you for the congratulations, Barrie, although I don’t feel I deserve any. It was so easy for me to become a fulltimer! That’s because it’s the perfect way of life for me. I’ve doubted my ability in many different situations that I’ve encountered in my life, but I never doubted for one minute that I could do this and love it! I wish everyone could find their perfect lifestyle and find a way to make it happen.
Talk about pleasant . . .. that’s you! I enjoy your positive comments.
I think commenter Mick is on to something about your photos. There is definately something going on that is degrading your pics, Not sure what he means by a filter thing though but I think your resolution needs to be bumped up for sure. Not sure what photo editor you use but I would highly recommend Google’s free & easy to use Picasa http://picasa.google.com/ If it wasn’t easy to use I would not be using it:)) All the best Sue & it’s good to see you getting along so well and enjoying the RV lifestyle. There has been a change in plans at our end & it doesn’t look like we’ll be back to Darby Wells now. You & the crew are in our thoughts & maybe we’ll catch you on our next journey to the Southwest. Pheebs & Motor say, ‘Woof Woof’ to Spike & Bridget:))
Hi, Al!
I use Live Photo Writer that came already loaded on my HP computer. I’m going to look to see if I can adjust the resolution (because I’m lazy) before going to Picasa. Here all along I’ve been blaming my Sanyo digital camera for the poor quality . . .
I’ve been reading about your travels on your blog. You do such a great job with photos and narrative that I don’t have to spend money on gas actually going to those places! I feel like I’ve already been there.
I’ll be hoping to see you, Kelly, Pheebs, and Motormouse again next season. I guess this means I can move to your spot and get five television channels, ha-ha!
Thanks for the photo editor suggestion. I’ll probably end up switching. Enjoy your travels and stay safe. I’ll always be grateful to you for rescuing me from the snow and cold.
Sue, I can loan you my Adobe Photoshop disc to load and try if you like, it’s an older version but it works for me! It is the CS3 extended version!
May I also say I miss all the roll over descriptions of your photographs?? Loved the roll over on Radar’s picture where you called him the weirdest ever cute dog! LOL!
I like having those “secret messages” in the photos, too. When they aren’t there, you’ll know it was one of those days when each photo took 20 minutes or more to load!
I ran across a new web comic this morning. He calls this one “Rodeo”. I call it “The Life of a Blogger”.
http://pbfcomics.com/177
Bob
It can seem that way sometimes!
You seem to appreciate what is most important in life and as the saying goes, “the best things in life are free.” But in order to enjoy those “free things” we must do our homework first and do it well. Enjoy reading your blog and hearing how your new lifestyle of “less means more” is working out for you. Some day soon, I would like to follow in your foot steps and start my own path to a more meaningful life of opening up new horizons and living frugally.
Hello, Virginia!
You have an interesting way of expressing yourself. One phrase in your last sentence carries an important message . . . “start my own path . . .” That’s the key!
Hi Sue, Ur blog is an everyday blessing for me. It’s wonderful to see someone close to my age who is enjoying this wonderful lifestyle. And what a blessing ur good health is! Some of us never realize what we have til it is brought to our attention. I spent 10 years as caregiver for the last of my family members and consider that to be a huge blessing. I was able to be with them during the last of their lives on earth. Shortly after I got the news that my breast cancer had returned in my bones. Strange feeling that was and it got to me for a few months….then I realized that in reality I’m no different than anyone else. Most of us in our 60’s have some sort of pain or aliment to deal with…it’s how we deal with it that matters. I allowed myself some grieving time and had a couple of pity parties, then decided that I was wasting too much time in that direction. U r completely right about the stress factor in our lives! It can really decide our future! I’m much happier in our rv anywhere than in our sticks and bricks so I’ve decided to be in it as much as possible. My dh isn’t inclined to fulltime yet but I’m hoping he will see the advantes of it. lol There is soooo much maintenance with sticks and bricks living….it does have it’s advantages but to me the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. So, we’ll see what the future holds. In the meantime I will continue to follow ur blogs with much anticipation. U r one of the few people I’ve “met” on here and in day-to-day living who is completely happy and at peace with their lives. That is quite an accomplishment. And it shows that it is possible for all of us if we simply realize what it is we want out of life and then start the path to that life. Thank u for ur posts and praying that u continue to enjoy that wonderful good health and ur days with the crew. I think they have a lot to do with it too. Animals, and especially for me, dogs have a great part in blessing our lives. They love unconditionally and give a companionship that most humans don’t know exists. So, from my little Killer (so named because he will lick u to death) woof woof to Spike and Bridgette and a big hug and thank u to u from me. Keep up the beautiful life! Hopefully one day soon we will be out there with u!
Hello, Judie,
Your comment is full of hard-earned wisdom. Thank you for sharing with us. As for feeling sorry for yourself, you have my permission! I believe feeling sorry for oneself is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, who can do it better?
Your positive attitude will take you far . . . hopefully in your rv with a willing husband! LOL I agree 100 percent about maintaining a home. If I had stayed in my house most of my retirement money would go toward things like a new roof or keeping up the landscaping. There’d be little left for anything else.
Best wishes to you, Judie, and to your husband, with a special pat for Killer. Thank you for your thoughtful words.
Sue, like Al from the Bayfield Bunch, I use Picassa. It is very easy to use or I wouldn’t use it. And, it is FREE! Anyway, you might want to check it out. As usual, you blog is delightful! Like everyone else, I wait for it with anticipation. Thank you!
You guys are talking me into trying it.
Just a word here….. after using Picassa for my blog the past few years…. I finally used up all my “free” storage! I thought I could just delete some of the photos to make room for more…….. NOT! They actually removed those 2 photos from my blog! You can check our blog about the snow for Christmas posted a few months ago and the first two photos are now missing!!! However, the cost of buying more space was not too bad… $5 per year for 20 GB! So as wonderful as Picassa is…. and it is wonderful… you are only allotted a certain amount of space for “free”!
Not many folks reveal to the world their age and so it is refreshing to see you are enjoying your lifestyle and your youthful age. Good medicine for the rest of us. 🙂
I never understood the big deal about age. Pretending to be younger than you really are is like turning your nose up at a gift in the presence of the Giver.
Sue, I did a little adjusting on one of your photos. would like to send it to you. Hope you don’t mind.
Hi Sue, Great pictures as usual. Happy you and the pups are well. Yes, good health is a blessing. Thank my lucky stars everyday. Stay warm and safe Sue….HoboJoe
Thanks, Joe! Stay healthy!
Will do, Barry. I’ve got an appointment. In the meantime I’m not driving a lot. I appreciate your concern.
Hi Sue,
Enjoying your blog. Also just discovered the Bayfield Bunch and love that blog also. About 5 years ago to the day I sold my house in Moab and lived in my pickup with a shell on it, camping in the high desert of Utah with five dogs (Blue Heelers, all rescues), one who was diabetic and had to have insulin shots twice a day. I then bought a brand-new Casita. It was delivered in October and I had it outfitted with solar, two 120 watt panels. The day I was ready to leave, we got 8 inches of snow and it was just the start of the record-breaking winter from hell. I camped in that little Casita with four dogs in temps that hit 15 below zero and in two feet of snow. The diabetic dog had cancer and she had to have surgery and I was waiting for things to settle down and a special medication to arrive. I even had the BLM come and check on me once to see if I was alive – LOL. The rugs froze to the floor and I would wake up with ice so thick on the inside of the windows you couldn’t see out. I had shut down the water systems so they wouldn’t freeze. Anyway, I finally, after three weeks of this, made it down to AZ. BTW, if you get up north Snow Canyon by St. George is an awesome little state park, as is Valley of Fire near Las Vegas, but niether are summer camps as it’s too hot. I finally sold the Casita because I preferred tent camping, which I do now, though not full time (I have a large cabin tent). I like the freedom of not pulling anything, but am thinking of buying another Casita so I can winter camp.
Didn’t mean to get long-winded, but if you’re ever in the Moab region, look me up – I have a blog called spotted-dog-ranch.blogspot.com though I’m not currently blogging. Following your and Al’s blogs are giving me hitch-itch bad, and I don’t even have a hitch! Thanks for the inspiration and great blog! Love the dogs, they’re cutie pies.
Wow, Chinle! What an amazing ride! You’ve no shortage of adventure in your spirit!
I think you can safely say you’ve had some four-dog nights in your Casita. I’d love to hear more about your experiences with your pick-up camper, your Casita, and your tent. And also your dogs, of course. Maybe I’ll see you when the crew and I explore Utah this year.
Thanks for writing and welcome to my blog!
Utah = paradise if you’re in the right place at the right time. I’m from Colorado, but have spent the last 15 years here. It does get hot, though, but there are some nice mtns here also. Contact me anytime, chinlemiller at gmail dot com.