I’m very good at starting projects.
How long am I going to live with this ugly thing?
Finishing them is another matter. For instance, about a year ago I purchased a can of white spray paint for plastic. The project? To paint the tacky, yellowed plastic vent cover on the Best Little Trailer.
Well, that can of paint went on a seven-state road trip with me and the crew. The yellowed plastic thing still hangs off the side of the BLT.
Rather than complete the paint-the-vent project, I order supplies for more projects.
At the UPS Customer Center in Yuma I happily slide a big box and a small box through the back doors of the Perfect Tow Vehicle. Someday I’ll get the ambition . . . Someday . . . and when I do, I’ll have what I need!
“Flagship AND Premium” . . . Gee, must be fantastic!
In the small box is a bottle of Meguiar’s Marine and RV Oxidation Remover.
The stove/sink side of the BLT faces west most often, mainly because I like my door to face the sunrise and the refrigerator side to be out of the afternoon sun.
Oxidation is appearing along the top curve of the BLT’s west-facing side. These products earned good reviews on forums from people who have fiberglass trailers.
To follow-up the oxidation removal, I have Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Marine Wax.
Okay, that’s one project for an overcast, cool day which today isn’t.
In the big box is a roll of Reflectix.
See how bright it is inside the BLT in the afternoon?
I’m going to cut a piece for the interior of each of the three back windows of the BLT. This will serve three purposes.
In warm weather, the sun’s rays will reflect off the windows, helping to keep the BLT from heating up.
In cold weather, once I blacken the side facing out, the sun’s rays will be absorbed and heat up the air between the Reflectix and the window glass.
The third purpose is to darken the BLT’s interior. My new white curtains, which I love, do let in a lot of light. During the afternoon it’s so bright inside that I can’t edit photos.
I like a bright room, so I want the pieces of Reflectix to be easy to put up and take down before and after photo editing.
I’m into grommets these days. (If you are, too, click to see them better.)
My plan is to put grommets, also known as eyelets, along the top and bottom of each piece.
Then I can hang them on drapery hooks inserted into the BLT’s carpeted wall around each window.
Given my current rate of project completion, I estimate that I’ll finish these projects, including the backlog of projects not mentioned here, some time in late 2019 or early 2020.
Update on the crew going raw . . . .
The crew naps. Sleep is deep and satisfying when bellies are full of good food.
I’m surprised by the interest in Bridget and Spike’s change to a raw meat and bones diet, as evidenced by the comments under the previous post.
We’re into day four as I type this and all is going well with one very annoying exception . . .
Bridget.
She won’t eat any organ meat. This is problematic because organs (heart, kidney, liver, etc.) are an essential part of the diet, responsible for providing several minerals and vitamins.
I really don’t want to get involved with nutritional supplements if I can avoid them.
I’m in the process of researching alternate food sources to replace the organ meat for finicky Bridget. Today I set tuna fish before them and was relieved to see Bridget gobble it up. Tuna fish will provide some minerals and B vitamins, but not all. Fortified milk products might be the answer for Vitamin D. I’ll continue searching.
Spike — God bless his little canine heart — loves anything I put on his plate.
This is Spike inhaling raw ground turkey. I had to increase the shutter speed to photograph the turkey before it was all gone.
As you know, Spike’s arthritis slows him down.
Spike thinks the two tablets a day are treats.
He’s been taking glucosamine for several months. It hasn’t helped much that I can see. Our walks are becoming shorter and shorter. Not good.
Along with supplies for projects, I ordered Cetyl-M. Several readers have witnessed excellent results in their arthritic dogs with Cetyl-M.
I’d love to see Spike regain the spring in his step he had previously and to be relieved of the aches and pains of arthritis.
I’ll let you know how it goes . . .
It’s time for a sheep break.
See? There’s more around here than sand and dust. Hey, what’s with the black spot?
I took this photo a few days ago while the crew and I wandered around the outskirts of Yuma. I’ve been waiting for a good place to post it, but, you know, it’s not easy finding a logical place to post sheep photos. Thus the creation of The Sheep Break. Relax and enjoy!
We’re expecting the day’s high to reach 80 degrees on Wednesday.
That’s if my crazy weather widget can be trusted. The crew and I enjoy this perfect weather. We’ve had a couple of visitors to our campsite. I’ll save that for the next post.
rvsue
RVSUE SHOPPERS, I LOVE YOU!
Thank you for using my blog to enter Amazon.
The products mentioned in this post are available from Amazon:
Reflectix Bubble Pack Insulation
Meguiar’s Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover
Meguiar’s Flagship Premium Marine and RV Wax
Good plan on the windows. Spike LOVES his turkey. He may be getting older but he sure hasn’t lost his appetite. That’s a good sign. It’s always a good idea to put things off cause it makes you feel you’re playing hooky, and that’s what retirement is all about.
I like the way you think, Jim. 🙂
Sue,
Perhaps you, or other Readers, don’t know how the sheep flocks are ‘managed’ there in the Yuma area. In the foreground of your picture you can see two red strings – that is the fence. The fence posts are metal rods about 3′ long that are pushed into the ground and then the string wrapped around them. That size flock is probably grazing on about 30 acres which can be fenced in almost no time. The sheep will eat the alfalfa right down to the ground (about 3 weeks) and they will then be moved to another nearby field.
Very interesting, Ed. How do you learn such things as this?
I stayed at KOFA Escapee Park for a couple months last winter and there was an alfalfa field, about 100 acres, directly south of the Park. I watched a fence go up, then the flock move in on about 1/3 of the total acreage then move two more times before I left. I spoke to one of the shepherds about the flock and found out that they were raised for their wool (this is assuming that he understood my very poor Spanish and I understood his answer).
Long answer to your question – short answer: I keep my eyes open and ask questions.
Thanks, Ed. I enjoy learning things like this. I like to think I do that same thing — observe and ask. It’s a fascinating world to the curious.
You make me laugh…2019 or 2020! Hilarious!
Our vent cover thingamajiggy turn the ugly yellowish color AND we were diligent about applying uv protection on it! Well wishes on your project! Maybe an extra coating of NuFinish on the sunny side will help it!
High heat FLAT black spray paint on the reflectix will work great! Used it on a beer can solar heater for our insulated feral cat house. The amount of heat it generates is amazing! The ferals …love it and it doesn’t cost anything!
Um…. What are you going to do about Bridget? Maybe try cooking it a bit…like seared on the outside but raw in the middle! Then slowly give it to her raw! Have no clue if that’s good or bad!
Gobble up Spike! remember how she wasn’t a fan of the raw bone at first? Patience…your girl knows your doing the best for them.
Time to eat! Cooked food that is!
Enjoy your evening!
Gall darn it, I don’t want to have to cook livers for her! Gosh, why does she have to be so fussy. For crying out loud, she’s a dog. It’s time she realized that.
Okay, I feel better. Nina suggested sprinkling liver pill on her food. Haven’t decided yet what to do.
So you think painting the Reflectix will work. I was wondering about that. That would be easier than working with black fabric.
Stir it around in a fry pan for a minute….so she tastes the outside first…then gobbles it up. Then reduce the time…until eventually it’s raw!
You know as well as I know…you’ll do anything for Bridget! Get cooking woman! Your girl is waiting!
I know this…..I spray painted the beer cans with high heat flat black paint. I set them in the sun and seriously after a few minutes they were hot.
I will send you a picture ck email.
The only problem that may arise is reflectix is pliable and the paint may flake off. Tell you what…I will try it out on some regular bubble wrap because I don’t have any reflectix…and let you know.
I was wondering about the paint coming off, too. That would be great if you’d test it for me.
Your beer can solar heater is ingenious!
Good heavens, I don’t want to cook liver. Please don’t make me cook liver. Ewww. . .
Whew! I’m exhausted thinking about all those projects. Hope you get them done sooner than predicted. BTW, usually when those plastic covers turn yellow, they soon turn brittle and need to be replaced. Might be a better option than painting.
Hi, Pleinguy,
Well, I already have the paint. Eventually I’ll paint it if it doesn’t break apart beforehand. When it does, I’ll replace it, spraying it with plastic paint before installing it.
But by then the paint in your spray can will have all dried up… LOL
do you also give Spike chondroitin? as a human I take glucosimine and chondrotin for arthritic joints…I’m sure there are other places to buy this, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=929
but do some research and see if this works
I might be first! It sure looks like spike likes his raw turkey!
Congratulations, Marilu!
If you have to change shutter speed to photograph Spike eating the turkey, that means he can clean a plate in 1/500th of a second! Wow, I’d love to see a video of that!
It’d be a very brief video . . . 🙂
Hi Sue,
I have had my two dogs on raw for about 4 weeks now and they love it, they jump and whine while I’m fixing their bowls. My miniature dachshund has Cushing’s disease and has been on a compounded trilostane medicine for about a year and a half. About 7 months ago she started getting her Cushing’s symptoms again (extreme thirst… to the point she would wake me at night to get a drink). I was at my wit’s end, and had been kicking around the idea of raw for a few years anyway and thought I’d give it a shot. Well, now she walks right past her water bowl that has water in it!
I’m looking forward to seeing what her blood tests reveal in a few months.
Hi, Marcia,
That’s great! You must be very encouraged. Now that you mention it, I realize that Spike isn’t drinking as much as he used to. It was common for him to get up a couple times in the night to get a drink and then to go outside. The past three nights he’s slept right through the night.
I’m happy the diet is helping your pup.
Can u just give her a d 3 gel cap. In Canada we can only get the 1000 mil in the USA
U should be able to get a 4000 mil. Pop a few yourself and one or 2 for each of them.
They help big time. If u were only going to take one vitamin this would be the one.
U can sometimes find them made with organic olive oil. Usually it’s canola oil
Just make sure it’s the cap with the oil. Not the white solids .
Cheers
Rob
Vernon BC Canada
Hi, Rob,
What kind of gel cap do you mean? Fish oil? Multivitamin?
I believe he means something like this:
Nutrigold Vitamin D3 Mini Softgels (GMO-free, Preservative-free, Soy-free, USP Grade Natural Vitamin D in Organic Olive Oil)
(This is one of my links. RVSue)
I have low vitamin D so I have to take a pill every day.
If you do get to feeling ambitious, might want to start on the fiberglass oxidation first; that vent would be easy to replace, but the shell of the BLT….not so much. 😉
You’re right, Ladybug. I need to get busy on the fiberglass. Unfortunately, right before my packages arrived, we had two cool and overcast days which would’ve been perfect for working on the fiberglass. It’s not recommended on sunny days.
Thanks for looking up the capsules. I overlooked where Rob wrote D3. I changed the link to one of mine.
Thanks to Ladybug for interpreting the post, I was a little lost too! 🙂
The solar farms here use sheep to eat around the solar panels. They have a donkey in them too to act as a livestock guardian against dogs and coyotes. Yes we have coyotes here in the east now, the fox hunters brought them in about 15 years ago and they have been fruitful and mutiplied and multipled etc you get it! LOL
Hi, Bill,
That’s smart to use sheep. You remind me of my property in Georgia. When I bought it, the land (about 1.5 acre) was overgrown with brush. Anybody who’s lived in Georgia knows how tangled the brush can be and how fast it grows.
Anyway . . .I bought a few goats and turned them loose. Then I adopted two collies from people who were moving to a city in another state. The collies protected those goats from predators. One time the goats got out of their fenced area (as goats notoriously do). By this time I had a herd of goats. I looked out the window and saw the collies herding the goats out of the road.
Yes Sue I know how the briers and vines can grow in the humid south. When I bought my place, its only 3 acres, it was so thick and overgrown that you could throw a cinder block at it and it would bounse back at you! LOL Well maybe not quite that thick but I too got some goats to clear it. Three little pigmy goats named, Elmo, Lucy and No Name. They coulnt eat the brush and vines tho because they were always either in my neighbors yard or mine munching out on the landscaping! I built and rebuilt that fence but those little goats won the battle, war etc. finally got them a chain link dog kennel.
Mine were pygmy goats, too. One of them was part fainting goat. Any loud noise would put that goat flat on its side on the ground.
I started following your blog because I enjoyed your writing and figured I would learn a lot about the RV lifestyle. I had no idea that I would learn about sheep, raw diets, cholla, recipes, and interior décor. You and your readers contribute a wealth of information here. If I can just remember some of it long enough I may be able to use it in our future travels.
Hi, katydid,
We do wander across a lot of territory here on “rvsue and her canine crew.” You never can tell what we’ll discuss next, especially in winter when the wheels aren’t turning much.
remember to except no sheep imitations and we all know what they say when we leave. I can’t help myself it was in the 70s here today.
It’s okay, Tom. I understand. You Texans must be thrilled not to be sweating in 100+ heat or freezing your rear ends off. Enjoy!
We have used the Reflectix cut to fit all our trailer windows and the skylights for many years now. It sure helps, especially in the heat. We also have some cut to fit the windows of our tow vehicle, so on days we are not using it, they just go right up, and keep the interior cool. I think you will like them, once you get them fitted the way you want.
Hi, Judy,
I appreciate the endorsement for Reflectix. Maybe I’ll get around to making the window panels. We do manage to move to higher elevations and avoid camping in the heat. Sometimes we are caught in it and I hope the Reflectix will make us more comfortable.
Speaking of all this dog diet things…one wonders if those who maintain we humans ought to eat a LOT less grains…just might be onto something too!! Just maybe…especially wheat!! Well, what passes for wheat these days…does not hardly resemble the wheat of yesteryear I understand…
Hi, Elizabeth,
It’s difficult to know what foods are best for humans. It seems like every thing is definitely bad for you and every thing has someone saying it’s good for you, depending upon the latest “study” or the people trying to sell books and then there are the fanatics . . . . Even the sacred food pyramid that hung on the wall in the nurse’s office in school has been attacked! LOL!
Isn’t that the truth!! I’ve decided that I don’t really care that much about what “they say.” I made it this far in decent health and from now on I will eat what I want… when I want… if I want… with the only caveat that I mustn’t gain weight because I don’t want to have to buy any new clothes!!
Tis true that the powers that be change their minds often!!
Hi Sue,
I just fitted a reflectix panel for the back window in my trailer. I cut it ever so slightly bigger and it fits into the window channel without anything else needed to hold it in place. I haven’t had it very long so I don’t know if repeatedly taking it in and out of the window channel will cause it to wear out – seems OK now. Theres a picture on my blog.
Anyway, that might save you a step. I hadn’t thought about painting one side black – high heat spray paint (who knew there was such a thing!) – I learn stuff from you and your readers!
High heat paint is for bbq’s and heat registers! Anything else won’t last
Cinandjules… I’m glad you brought up the high heat paint. I would’ve run out and bought cheapo black matte paint . . .
Hi, Anne,
I suspect your windows are different from those in a Casita as there doesn’t seem to be an interior window channel.
My readers are such a treasure. They’ve turned my blog into a learning center! I hope the readers who lurk will join in the discussions with their ideas, too, even if only once in a while.
Hello again from North Texas! I’ve been reading your posts for the last week or so, but by the time I get to them there’s over 100+ comments and my thoughts have usually been expressed already. But it’s still fun to keep up with your adventures! I’m still here, just don’t get to read your blog till nighttime lately because I’m working again.
I got a kick out of your Sheep Break. I didn’t realize they even had sheep in Arizona, so this blog is educational as well as entertaining.
North Texas weather is playing its usual up and down game again. Thursday 1/23 it was 25 degrees, then today 1/26 it was 70. Tomorrow it’s supposed to plummet back down to 30 with wind chill in the teens. Then Thursday 1/30 back to 65. Fortunately I can adjust my work schedule so I can stay home when it’s really cold – being outside in 20 degree weather is not an option, at least for me. I pity everyone in New England and the Ohio area right now. At least we don’t have the snow and ice (yet).
P.S. I love your new quilt, rug, and curtains! Bright and cheery colors, and they all look comfortable (at least, the photos of the crew lounging on them gives that impression) 🙂
Hi, Cari,
Good to know you’re still with us and enjoying our “adventures” as I sit here in the desert coming up with things to do SOMEDAY and playing with raw meat and bones.
Occasionally I read other RVing blogs — everybody seems to be having such a great time doing stuff, going places — and here I am with these two nutcakes watching the sun come up and go down and puttering around in between. Haha!
Thanks for the thumbs up on my new decor. I’m enjoying it!
Here is the solution to the side vent dilemma:
Ventline (V2111-11) Colonial White Horizontal Exterior Wall Vent
(I made one of my links to replace yours. RVSue)
Cheaper and better than messing with refinishing. Told ya, I’m retired.
I’m intimidated whenever faced with the task of removing a part and replacing it. Seems I always run into a problem.
This is a piece of cake. You need a small container of plumbers putty. You remove the yellowed vent cover, if the puttylike gasket under the outer rim of the cover is still in place, no need for your plumbers putty. If it is damaged or came off with the old cover, simply roll little balls of the putty into pencil thick strings and apply it to the underside rim of the new cover and replace the screws. Done. Oh! If you don’t already have one you need a Robertson type screwdriver, cheap at any hardware store. If you don’t have one you should because virtually all RV types use that type screw so if you need to tighten a screw anywhere in the rig you’ll need one. It is a simple job Sue.
Thanks, Jim. Very helpful!
Hi Sue – I think that you are very kind to take the can of paint on a 7 state trip before you use it and toss it into a trash can. 🙂 I don’t know why Casita and other RV makers use those cheap vents! I replaced mine with one that is guaranteed not to yellow. So far, so good! When you are ready for a replacement, I recommend this one.
JR Products Endura range vent – White 5/8 inch flange (Chris, I took out the link. Don’t want Amazon robots knocking at my door!)
I tried the Reflectix on my last trip. Since our trip was last minute, I cut three pieces for the windows about and inch or two bigger than the window size and put them between the blinds. I noticed way less draft coming off the side windows. I’m going to grommet them to simplify hanging them. I also purchased the shorter width to insulate under the bench seats and I’ll probably add some under the sink.
Happy Travels!
Chris
Well, hello, Reflectix Mama! First thing ya’ know, you’ll be making yourself a pantsuit with hat to match out Reflectix. 🙂 Good heavens! Watch out, Clete, here she comes and she’s got a roll of Reflectix under her arm!
You mean to say there are vents that don’t yellow and Casita still puts these crummy vents on their trailers? Gosh, it’s like wearing a $3,000 suit with shoes from Payless!
Thanks for the info. I can find the vent with a simple search at JR Products.
We just cut the reflex a bit bigger than the windows and vent and tuck them in when we need to use the insulation. Works great. The vents work great in keeping out the cold.
Hi, Sierra,
There’s no tucking with these windows. In other words, I’m not going to tuck around with my windows . . . . 🙂
I had a similar insulation situation with my ceiling vent. It let in cold and hot. I got a thick insulator for it that was just a little larger than the opening inside then just tucked it up. 😉
Sue, couple of things to try with Bridget. Include any juices with the meat and make a production of stirring it as “special” for her. A tablespoon of 100% vegetable oil is also usually a winner. Lastly, it could be as simple as the temperature being too cold initially (sensitive teeth?) so letting it sit out for a bit before serving could do the trick.
Hi, NadaThing,
I’ve tried thawed, warm liver and frozen liver. Bridget’s is a fussy girl. She likes turkey, beef, and pork. It’s the organ meats she refuses.
Rhonda’s Dog food recipe: Several have asked for this
Lean ground beef or turkey. I always used beef cause I am from Alberta and that is what we do. Brown it up and add whatever vegetables you have on hand cut in small cubes. Potato, carrot, broccoli, turnip, sweet potato, cauliflower, whatever you have. (Note: I could not put in peas as our beloved Andy would eat everything but the peas.) Add them with LOW sodium broth or make your own. A bit of rice and let it simmer until done. NO spices, salt, pepper, ONIONS or garlic. I would make a big batch, keep enough fresh for a few days and freeze the rest in small containers. It was really good and sometime I would put some aside, spice it up and have it for my diner. 😉 This was loved by our dog and so much healthier than bought dog food.
Thanks, Rhonda, for posting your recipe again for everyone.
Sue, try some Yogurt for Bridget. I always used it if there was a stomach problem for our dogs and they loved it. Now I prefer plain greek so you may want to mix a bit of yours in with Bridget’s food. Try a little at first, it can not hurt. Posted my homemade dog food recipe as saw a few had asked for it. Tell Bridget I will eat her liver but I want mine cooked with fried onions. Would she eat it if you cooked it ? Could not hurt to try.
Both Bridget and Spike like it when I share some of my plain Greek yogurt, so that’s a plus.
Maybe Bridget would eat cooked liver, but to tell the truth I’m trying to keep this new diet as simple as possible re: food prep. I have the time during these lazy days of winter sitting in the desert. However, once we’re moving around a lot, I don’t want food prep to be a burden. Cooking is a last resort.
If you put a little bit of finely chopped organ meat in some ground turkey or pork would Bridget ferret it out or might she eat it? Or perhaps turn her picky nose up at the whole thing? As always, another interesting post. I also have a hard time finishing projects. I have several quilts in various stages as well as unfinished watercolors in the closet.
Hi, Marilu,
Bridget picks around anything she doesn’t like. She also sniffs around to make sure her meal isn’t “contaminated” with something she doesn’t like. Unlike Spike who would eat ground turkey laced with moth balls . . .
Why not get a small meat grinder and grind the organ meat then mix it with the other? I’d start out with maybe a teaspoon and work my way up so she gets use to it very slowly.
Hi, Nancy,
Grinding it up might work. I’m going to give her more chances to try it in a small chunk. Sometimes it takes time for her to accept something new. I really don’t relish the idea of fooling around with a grinder and having to clean it up afterward. Trying to keep my life simple, so that would be a last resort.
May I add a few tips to this WONDERFUL all around balanced posting.
Tinfoil – wrap peppers, green onions, lettuce, corn on the cob, celery, carrots, potatoes and they will keep much longer in the fridge and still remain crisp. I do this all the time.
Raw egg is great for the crew’s coat of hair. My first Rowdie wouldn’t eat it, so the next best thing was to bathe him in once a month. It’s great for us women’s hair as well. AND an old neighbor woman from India told my daughter when acne was super bad to take the raw yoke and use as a mask. BEAUTIFUL face and skin in a few short weeks.
Liver – love the stuff smothered with onions and gravy. In June 2010, I found myself praying God would let me live as the Mayo Doctors wheeled my butt to the OR. They believed without a doubt, they were about to open me up and find gallbladder cancer. Instead they found the septic gallbladder ALONG with a diseased liver only found in a person who has cirrhosis or hepatitis A. Since I don’t drink, they suspected Hep A. While they kept me open in the OR waiting on the pathologist to do his STAT testing they suspected I contracted the liver disease from food, and likely from eating liver! They suspected correctly and removed about half of my liver before closing me up. I spent a year living in a great deal of pain. Although much better now, I learned a valuable lesson. Liver is the body’s filter. ANY BODY’S filter. We all know what “filters” do. That is all the doctors at Mayo had to tell me. I have to watch my liver enzymes every 6 months as they were in the 500 range and are to be below 35. BE CAREFUL with eating organs. It’s a very painful recovery, and a very sickly one too. It often lays dormant in healthy folks for years, until a gallbladder or other illness of stomach takes the person down then it flares fast. I was nearly dead from it in a matter of days. So please, be careful.
Hi, Kay,
Gosh, Kay, what a horror story you went through! I’m glad your surgery turned out okay and a lot of suffering is behind you. We’re blessed to have you still with us!
I’ve wondered about eating liver, considering its function. I’m not serving the crew a lot of it.
Nina told me to cut up the liver into bite-sized pieces, freeze them and give them one at a time as a snack.
I agree . . . eggs are fortifying. I tried raw eggs with the crew, and, once again, Bridget had a problem. She ate her raw egg and two minutes later vomited it up. It may be that she ate too fast. From now on I’ll mix up the egg in something else, like ground turkey.
Here’s to your health, Kay. . . and thank you for posting your experience and subsequent warning re eating too much liver.
Hi Sue and Crew and Blog Readers!
Well who knew that when I started reading about a woman and her dogs going to live in her trailer full time and travel the USA I would learn about……downsizing, solar power, cooking/recipes, pet food, decorating, photography, maps, budgeting, boondocking, travel trailers, shopping, socializing… or not, blogs and soooo much more!!!! Your followers come to life with their comments….I love reading all about them! I have learned so much that I know I will be prepared when I head out in 5-6 more summers….definitely sounds better than 5-6 years! Until then I will continue to enjoy your blog and the comments that are posted here. Have a great day everybody!
Hi, Deb,
Maybe I need to rename my blog, “RVSue and her canine crew plus everything under the sun.” We do touch on a lot of topics. . . In one post we go from sheep management to window insulation to eating liver! And it’s all good!
From reading my blog I bet you know more about RVing and boondocking and all the rest than I did when I started out.
Love your enthusiasm… Those summers will pass . . . 🙂
In reference to your vent cover, you might try spraying it with Mean Green cleaner (available at Dollar General stores and some Walmarts). Allow it to set a moment but try to keep the overspray off the sides of your trailer or wipe it off right away. Scrub and rinse well. Mean Green is an all purpose cleaner in a concentrated form that works on all kinds of things but I know for a fact that it will take the yellow off the trim around your refrigerator vent (those sometimes turns as yellow as the stove vent.)
Hi, Linda,
I appreciate the tip! I’ll pick up some Mean Green the next time I visit Dollar General.
ONCE AGAIN, you manage to make me giggle!
More than once before, you’ve mentioned things that make me think “We’re RELATED”! This starting projects and not quite finishing things sounds right up my alley!
Sounds like you’re gearing up for some annual maintenance things. IF you end up replacing that vent, don’t forget to have some of that goop on hand to seal all around those screws that attach it to the BLT (everytime I type that, I immediately crave the sandwich). Casita question: since the shell is fiberglass, why don’t they just mold that vent as part of the shell and there would be one less thing to attach to it? Not being the Engineer who designed it, I may not know that there’s already a very good reason – like maybe it could break. Oh well.
Way down south in Louisiana, we’ve been very cold! All of our bridges and overpasses in these parts were closed down and travel was next to impossible for about 2 days last week. Now I’m hearing it’s gonna happen AGAIN. I can’t go any farther south without getting WET!
Can’t wait to hear how that Reflectix performs once you paint it. I used it in the windows of our last TT (unpainted) and it worked wonders in our hot summers.
Remind Bridget that you’re RETIRED and didn’t have visions of being a short-order cook for fur babies! Maybe she’ll get the hint?
hugs as always!
Lacy
ps- enjoyed the sheep!
Hi, Lacy,
What’s the world coming to when you can’t drive over a bridge in Louisiana due to the cold weather!
Good reminder on the goop for the vent screws. I wouldn’t have thought about it. Thank you.
Re the sheep… Now I know how to fit in an odd photo. Just call it a “whatever” break. Actually, a sheep break makes sense. Watching sheep graze is very calming.
Always nice to hear from you, Lacy . . .
Bwahaha, a sheep break…you are such a hoot! I understand about being good at starting projects, heck I have a quilt that I started er uh…20 years ago? Maybe I’ll get it finished in retirement. LOL…yeah right.
Anxious to hear how the supplement’s work for Spike’s arthritis and how well it works for people also?
Now back to my sheep break.
Hi, Patti,
You just did Spike a big favor! I forgot to give him his two Cetyl-M pills after his breakfast this morning. (It’s advised to give the pills before or after a meal.) Your comment had me running to the pill bottle . . . . Spike’s lying on the bed next to me and now he’s taking his morning nap after chewing up his pills.
I’ll be sure and let everyone know how well it works for Spike. It may take 4 weeks or more before results appear.
Thanks for the reminder!
Wow, Sue! You’re still getting comments about the raw food diet today!
I add yogurt for the probiotics. I also give them a teaspoon of ProBios, which I also give to my horses for their digestion. I read somewhere (I think on K9 raw diet) that with the raw diet, dogs need the probiotics. My aunt’s doctor always recommended (for her) the Trader Joe’s PLAIN yogurt…he said it was the best. Neither one of them would touch the yogurt I bought at WalMart! Little buggers!…sigh…I’ll have to buy another brand. Maybe I’ll do a Trader Joe’s trip today…They do like the cottage cheese (extra calcium). COSTCO also has a good liquid glucosamine supplement (“joint juice”) or something like that…just a teaspoon for the dogs, but in your case it would be less because your guys are so little. It really helped our former German Shepherd when he got “achy”…
Man, I’ve sure read and learned a lot from your blog the last two days! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post! Thank you to ALL your readers, too, who have contributed!
The outside cats now come running when the dogs get their chicken! I read up on a raw food diet for cats and I don’t think I’m up to grinding up chicken bones with a grinder, so I’ll just continue to give them a little bit of chicken. Apparently cats’ requirements are a LOT different than dogs!
~~Cheryl Ann~~Oh, and I’m going to order some of that reflective stuff for our single-paned west facing window! 🙂
Hi, Cheryl Ann,
I can tell from your comment that you certainly are getting a lot of this blog, especially all the info from readers. I’m thrilled to see good participation in our discussions. I learn a lot, too!
I am including plain Greek yogurt in the crew’s diet. Both Bridget and Spike seem to have adjusted to all these diet changes. The first day or two their poops were off, but that’s resolved. I read somewhere that the first few days on the diet are a time for the body to rid itself of toxins. Don’t know how true that is . . .
This may be a repeat of one or more of your comments, but have you considered getting a small meat grinder (hand turned type) and grinding organ meat into another kind of meat Bridgett loves? You know, like hiding the kids medicine in a spoon of applesauce for our kids when they were younger.
Hi, Nan,
A grinder is a big step as far as food prep goes. Lots of mess to clean up in my tiny kitchen… I’ve put that low on my list of things to try for that reason. I’m hoping by cutting the liver into small pieces with a knife I can put it into something that will get her to try it. I think if she were to give it a try, she might like it. With Bridget, anything unusual is to be feared!
We, too, have used the reflextix material on our sailboat portholes; just cut it a bit larger than the porthole and pushed it in. We do this when we leave the sailboat “on the hard” in the summer. After 2 seasons, the sun has caused some of the material to flake off, and I’ll need to make new ones, but it’s a small price to pay to keep the sun damage in the boat down. We also sprayed adhesive on it and used it to line the icebox, keeping the cold in longer. Great stuff.
Sitting here in Colorado listening to the wind blow this am; but knowing that in 3 weeks, I’ll listen to the wind blow on the Sea of Cortez, hopefully with warmer temps. Can’t Wait! Almost as good as boondocking.
Hi, Mary,
Gee, the more comments from readers about this Reflectix, the more impressed I am with its effectiveness. I might get motivated enough to work on it today! (Don’t hold your breath.)
Hang in there! Three more weeks to Paradise!
Wow, Sue. I enjoy your blog so much and all the people who comment. My “new” ’98 Casita is under snow ( and a blanket — it’s -2 out there) awaiting spring to get the ball rolling on fulltiming. In the mean time, I’m researching and learning lots right here. It’s great. Regarding projects, I have finally learned not to buy things until I’m ready to do the work. I’m a little older than you and we can only handle so much of this wisdom stuff at a time. Give yourself a few more years.
Jane
P.S. The yellow vent covers are on the top of the list to fix. My very own “BLT” will look so much better.
Watch the ice!
Jane
Hi, Jane,
Ooh, you must be getting anxious more than ever for spring to arrive, what with your Casita outside your door, covered in snow and cold.
I hear what you’re saying about waiting to buy things for projects until ready to work on them. The way we move around most of the year, I can’t do that. I have to do my purchasing now when I have the time to shop online and when I’m in a good place to receive shipments.
Also when ambition surfaces, I have to act fast before it goes away! 🙂
No ice here to watch, thank heavens . . . Thanks for letting me know you enjoy my blog.
Hi Sue,
I am enjoying unusually hot weather (upper 80s) here on the beach at Lost Frailes.
I just got back from a hike in the foothills overlooking the bay on the Sea of Cortez. I have wifi this year and can still follow your fun blog from 1500 miles away.
Here is another solution to the windows – blocking out light, reflecting heat out, keeping some heat in when desired. I measured the windows, then bought various sizes of those folding silver car window shades. I cut notches out of the bottom. They slide easily between the blinds and stay put. When not using them they fit on that ledge under the table in our Casita Spirit Deluxe. They are great at keeping light out at night (here on the beach it would just be light from the full moon. ) It also helps keep the trailer a little cooler (or at least not as hot) when we are traveling in the summer.
Penny
Hi, Penny,
The good thing about the car window shades is they fold up nicely and some have elastic across the corners to hold the folds together for storage. I’m already committed to the Reflectix, but I appreciate you sharing this other option for the benefit of my blog readers.
Try to stay cool… getting kind of warm your way . . . It imagine it is quite beautiful looking out over the water from the beach!
Personally I eat nothing but health foods. KFC, Burger King, Steak, Roast beef hash, Pizza to name but a few.
Hi Sue,
Sorry to hear about how bad Spike’s arthritis is becoming. I had a similar issue with my dog, a keeshond, like you met a few weeks ago. My vet thought it was one of the worse cases she had seen, likely brought on by Lyme disease he had prior to my adoption of him. Two products that I used that may help:
Green lipped mussel extract (Glyco-flex is the brand I used). Note that this is not glycosamine, but similarly helps lubricate the joints.
Platinum Performance – my vet saw marked improvements in her dogs with this and started recommending it. What I saw with my dog was just spectacular. He was walking like he had two years earlier. Now I should say that the decline did continue, but I feel this gave him another 6-9 months of mobility.
Hi Sue,
I have been using Recovery Extra Strength on my dogs and myself for years. It is amazing. It was recommended to me by my Labrador’s rehab veterinarian when he was first diagnosed with severe elbow dysplasia. I had been giving him anothe rglucosamine supplement, and taking others myself, none of which helped. When both he and I started taking Recovery, after a month, there was a dramatic improvemement. I NEVER have to take any pain meds or NSAIDs anymore for my once, terribly arthritic hands. All of the pain, swelling and inflammation are gone. There is a dog flavored a horse flavored and a human flavored preparation. I get the large horse (unflavored) one for my dogs in powder form, and the human capsules for myself. Their contact phone number is 1-877-746-9397. They give four bottles for the price of three of the human capsules, which lasts forever. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Carol Landesman,
As always great photos, love the sheep. 🙂
Here in the frozen north we have used the ”emergency space blankets” hung on the curtain rod behind the curtains to reflect heat out in the summer and in front of the curtains to keep the heat in during the winter. They are very inexpensive and easy to attach with safety pins. They are not durable so won’t last as lmg as the reflextic. Just a thought for readers that don’t expect to stay in temperature extremes.
My Kindle Paperwhite came today. 🙂 Have to let it thaw out before charging it. Cold outside so nice to relax inside. Keep up the postponing of projects and enjoy the days.
Hi, Mary,
Thanks for sharing the emergency space blanket method of temperature control. I’m glad your Paperwhite arrived. Enjoy curling up with a good ereader. 🙂
Hey Sue,
I have been feeding my allergic dog raw diet for about 6 months now and he is doing so much better I cannot tell you…I also wanted to tell you that I feed him Stella and Chewey’s that I buy at the pet store down the street, it comes in frozed paddies and he loves them..but I have to thaw one out every night to be ready for the next day…WELL, I just went on Amazon (from your site) and bought a bunch of freeze dried paddies…same thing only has a long shelf life…only raw meat, 90 percent meat, 5 percent veggies and 5 percent fruits cause the owner said that is what would probably be in the stomach of prey…so I will give the freeze dried a try…pricey but worth the trouble for me since I am still working, but I am looking for a good alternative for when I join everyone on the road full time in 2 years…fingers crossed. Sleep tight tonight. Hugs to the pups.
Hi, Shirlene,
I’ve never heard of Stella and Chewey’s. Hmm . . Frozen patties sure do sound easy and you need that if you’re still working. Only 2 years to go . . . 🙂
Sue
If you decide to try to grind Bridget’s organ meats you might consider getting a baby food mill, the hand crank kind..very small, easy to clean and it gets the job done. I used to grind my son’s baby food way back when, he is 40 now..wow, how did that happen?
And guess what? Amazon sells them!
Hi, LeeJ,
Yeah, a baby food grinder would be sufficient. I’m not at the point of considering that route. I’m hoping Bridget will give the organ meats another try.
Sue it’s vitiam D 3 u want it will be listed right on the bottle
Cheers
Rob
Canada
Thanks, Rob.
Hi Sue….well it is Feb 02,2014…I have just received this post..??? Who knows …cyber space!
I love your blog!!!
Hi, Betty-Shea,
You’ve got some catchin’ up to do! BTW, where the heck are you? It’s February 1, 2014, in this part of the world. Are you lost in cyber space?