Saturday, May 5
I’m typing this post sitting in the lounger of the outdoor room. The mesquite tree makes pleasant shade for us on this warm day with a slight breeze.
The Best Little Trailer is camped next to the house that my sister Nancy and I will live in, along with Reggie, Roger, and her Westie, Marg. For the next few months the house will be empty, no furniture, dishes, or other household items.
For now it’s a really big and private shower house.
It’s nice to stand in a shower blissfully unaware of the passage of time, rather than plunking quarters and listening to the countdown – tick, tick, tick, tick — while bathing like a madwoman.
Besides going inside for showers and the bathroom facilities, sometimes I use the stove and the kitchen sink, too, because — get this! — the gas and water come into the house automatically and as much as I want!
The boys run inside with me, of course.
For them the house is a huge playscape. They chase each other from room to room, nails clicking on the tiles, every sound magnified because of the empty air and bare walls.
I love how the light streams through the windows in the morning.
Nancy and Marg won’t join us until the third week of August.
Her son will help load her furniture into a truck and drive it here from south Florida, either towing Nancy’s car or she will drive her car. Gosh, I’m really looking forward to seeing my nephew again. Last time we were together he was barely into his teens or maybe he was younger than that.
Now he’s married with children.
How can that be?
What an exciting day it will be when they arrive!
Several blogorinos are curious about what furniture we will have. Okay, okay, I’ll show you a few pics. Nancy sent these from her phone.
In the accompanying email she refers to the set in her spare bedroom, “You can have this if you want it, that is, if it’s not too girly for you.”
She adds, “The mattress has hardly been slept on, only a few times.”
Gee, Nancy, I don’t know if this is up to my standards for a bedroom. I’m used to a mattress 24 inches wide, a dresser made out of plastic, and no chair.
~ ~ ~
What have we been doing today?
Working on security. Hence, the title of this post.
You see, the chain link fence that surrounds the property has been here a while. Apparently a previous canine resident, a lot bigger and stronger than Reg and Rog, made exit openings at the bottom of the chain link.
I thought I had fixed those until I look out the window and see Roger strutting up the street. (Don’t worry, very little traffic here, and it’s slow.) That was late yesterday. I discover another escape opening and block it.
Roger shows up about twenty minutes later.
He looks through the chain link with a sad and worried face. After a few minutes, which I admit I enjoyed, I open the gate for Roger, the Runaway Rascal.
Then this morning, while I’m in the shower, Reggie and Roger decide to go on a hike around the neighborhood. I find them three blocks over, snooping around yards.
Big boy Roger (I know it was his idea) had pressed against the gate and was able to open it enough for him to squeeze through. Obviously Reggie thought that was a dandy idea and followed!
I fix the gate.
I also hop online.
At Amazon I order two name tags, the kind shaped like bones. These tags will display their name, address, and phone number.
When the tags come, the boys will wear them on soft collars while at home. The soft harnesses will be for walks and for when we go places in the Perfect Tow Vehicle. If I like these tags, I’ll order two more for the harnesses.
rvsue
In case you’re interested, here’s a link to the tags at Amazon:
Double Sided Laser Etched Stainless Steel Pet ID Tag for Dog
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Floor Liner
No-Drill MudFlap Kit
Folding Truck Bed Cover
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very nice furniture and bedspread — is it a chenille?
Hi, Lisa,
I don’t think it’s chenille. It looks to me like it has a woven pattern.
Understated. I like.
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’RE FIRST!
oh my gosh! and I wasn’t even trying!!
Bet you’re glad now that Nancy liked playing with doll houses-that bedroom furniture is gorgeous! more later…
Ha! You are so good at making connections, weather. See ya’ later!
A few more connections…
On May 5th of this year your crew got loose. Two dogs also got loose on May 5th, 2016 (that story was in your Two Close Calls post). Reggie was right outside the BLT’s door, just untethered that time, and Juno, someone else’s dog, was also safely found. On May 5th of last year Roger was loose because he was homeless in Rogerson, you got there a few days later. How blessed we are to have so many incidents like that with happy endings!
It’s wonderful, and so refreshing, to watch how grateful you are for everything, Sue. What most people take for granted or barely notice you see as gifts worth appreciating. You were as excited and happy about getting a 24 inch wide bed and plastic dresser as you are about the bedroom furniture Nancy is bringing for you. Your reply below here to MB this morning was another beautifully written, great example of how thankful you are for whatsoever is lovely.
I went to that old post and read about leaving Reggie outside after forgetting to latch him onto the tether. Also Juno’s excursion into the forest. Thanks for connecting me with those memories from a camp I haven’t thought about in a long while.
Thank you for the compliments. You’re right — I was as excited over these plastic drawers as I am over Nancy’s gorgeous bedroom suite. I do appreciate beauty and when something fulfills its function well, as do these plastic drawers, that’s something beautiful to me. 🙂
Hi Sue
Hi Pauline
Hi Nancy
Glad all is well
Hi, Ken! Hope all is well with you, too!
Hi Ken. All is well here in Mississippi …hope you are doing well.
Wow! I’m excited for you! I hope the temps will be good for you and the ‘family’…. It will probably be good for you and the family to spend some time together…..
Yes, it will be fantastic to have family together again. Nancy loves hot weather.
The house has a very good air conditioner. I don’t have the house a/c running. When I step inside during the hottest part of the day, the house is much cooler. A good sign!
Wow, you get to sleep in a real bed! You may get lost with the additional 13″ on bed! Oh wait, no doubt the boys will take care of that for you.
Years ago, when we were first married (so you can only imagine how long ago it was, something like 45 years ago!), we had two bassett hounds (George and Grinch) that no matter how tight we made the fence managed to find a way out. I don’t how many times we had to go out and search for them. Of course, hounds like to follow their noses so it often took some time to find them.
Can’t wait to hear more about life in your new “shower house.”
Hi, Robin,
It’s a special kind of crazy feeling discovering one’s dogs have escaped. Worry mixed with irritation. I want to clobber them and hug them at the same time! I’m sure you know the feeling from the escapades of George and Grinch.
Yup, I know that sinking feeling, even after all of these years. The dogs were followed by an indoor cat who liked to escape and he was even harder to find. One day he was gone for 3 days and I was sure it was forever. However, he was around until he was 17.
🙂
Oh those guilty little boys! But Mom they just wanted to meet the neighbors. Lucky for you no other dogs followed them home lol! Even with a big yard these adventurers still want to wander. Gotta love them!
🙂
Oops I just remembered you had to go and round them up.
Hi, Karen,
I didn’t round them up. They run the other way if I try. I found them by walking toward the sound of barking dogs disturbed by the crew’s presence.
When the boys saw me, I turned around and slowly walked home. That brought them to our street and finally to our yard.
Good move Sue! I will have to try that if Radar ever escapes agsin! Sure better than the “catch me if you can” game!
Hi Sue and Nancy…
I am so happy for you and getting into your new home. I am glad you will
be keeping your BLT and continue to to travel.
Do you have any fruit trees……or is it too hot? Will you have a garden?
AZ.geta very hot in the summer….maybe that’s a good time to travel
to cooler places.
Take care….play safe…be HAPPY88
Hi again, Ken,
I agree. Summer will be the time, as usual, to make a loop northward to cooler elevations. Then in the winter, if I get the urge, I could go camping in AZ.
This summer I’ll stay around the house a lot. Del and I will probably get together sometime next winter.
We don’t have fruit trees but there are two pecan trees. Nancy loves plants. I’m sure she will have flower beds, probably a vegetable garden (on the north side?). She’s already mentioned a kitchen garden of herbs out the back door.
Is this fun or what? 🙂
Hi Sue,
I got the biggest chuckle out the shower business! And a stove and a sink with unlimited water and gas! Who would have thought!
The escape artists! I wondered when you mentioned chain link before if you would have to find some places that would need to be beefed up, sounds like you did. I used chain link dog panels when I built some outdoor space for my chickens and I had to fix them also. Good idea on the dog tags.
Well as I said last night in the comments, I am going back to the beginning of the your blog and reading all over again. Today I am reading about your house you had in the country. The HUGE yard and the HUGE garden! I don’t imagine in AZ you will have to worry about a lawn like that but will you do some gardening of some type? Maybe some container gardening? It was obvious you must have enjoyed the fresh veggies that a garden the size you had gave you.
https://rvsueandcrew.com/2011/05/01/whens-the-right-time-and-whats-the-right-stuff/
Oh and I loved the furniture you will get when Nancy gets there! Beautiful! And so awesome you get to see your nephew also!
Such a happy post! I can read a change in you with these last posts. I can feel the ahhhh coming through. Even though you have a lot to do, I feel a peace in your writing now.
Enjoyed your comment, Jolene. How sweet of you to include a link to that old post. Boy, that seems like eons ago. It’s a satisfying feeling to read that someone enjoyed my posts, old or new. 🙂
Thank you for your faithfulness to my blog.
Yes, we’ll be gardening! See my reply to Ken Canada above.
The great thing about gardening in Az. is weeds only grow where you water! Weeding was always a big job when we were living in Oregon. Do have to water though.
Sue have you thought about adding some Snake Fencing to the bottom of your fence to help keep snakes out of the yard? They also have Snake Aversion classes for dogs. I live in Buckeye AZ at the foot of the White Tank Mountains and we have a lot of snakes. Just a thought I know you have a lot of “To Do Things” on your list right now.
Hi, Gail,
I didn’t know there was such a thing as “snake fencing.” I’ll look into it.
Snake fence is 1/4” hardware cloth. Home Depot. Should do the trick. My heart skipped a beat when I read they both got out.
Lovely bedroom furniture.
Thanks, Harriet.
My heart skipped and did back flips!
I had snake fencing put in when in Northern California due to rattlesnakes. It was effective – I had a limited mobility cat and she loved being in the yard. Figured it was cheaper than vet for rattlesnake bite and I loved her.
The boys went on an excellent adventure… have to check out the neighborhood, check the p-mail and see who wonders around. I had similar issues with my fence here, after 20 years in this house all the holes for little dogs are blocked off, as are places where digging a hole might provide escape. I’d plug one hole and they’d find another… luckily they mostly ran around the house to scratch on the front door, to say let me in. They prefer being house dogs 🙂
Hi, Elaine,
These aren’t the last of their escapades, I’m sure. Chihuahuas can squeeze through so easily. The only good thing about their escapes is I get out of walking them. I’m not walking those two after chasing them up and down streets!
Have you considered getting the boys ID chipped??
Hi, Don,
They are chipped already. The rescue org took care of that for Reggie.
Roger got his chip when he was at the vet for neutering.
Sue, just a reminder you probably don’t need, but be sure to contact the registry for the microchips and give them your new contact info. It is surprising how many dogs carry chips made useless because the info hasn’t been updated-
Thanks, Becky. I’ll do that. The phone is the same but the address needs to be updated.
Hi Sue, when I moved into a building after 11 years in my camper it was quite awhile before I got used to endless running water and not thinking about getting propane. It’s funny to me,I do think everybody should experience limited utilities for awhile just to appreciate what we have.
I agree, Rik! A shower whenever I want one! What a luxury! And the gas stove always has gas. Wow.
It will be nice to have a real mailing address too. You will need to re-register your vehicles in AZ but our rates are good. When we relocated from South Dakota years ago we discovered our property taxes were half what we had been paying. All in all this is a good state in most regards except those hot summers but even they provide pleasant mornings and late evenings most days. Welcome Zonie!
Thank you, Jim, for the welcome. Arizona is great!
Monday will include a visit to the DMZ. It was a delight for me to be able to place an order with Amazon and type in my new address. No fooling around with General Delivery, wondering how it will be shipped, will it be refused, blah, blah. After a while I’ll end my relationship with Americas Mailbox.
The escapees are too adorable. I can hear them now, “What’s the big deal, we were just checkin out the neighborhood.” That shade looks so inviting. I can imagine stretching out with a good book and a cool refreshing glass of lemonade or Jamaica agua fresca. Agua fresca is a tasty , refreshing fruit drink that comes in many flavors. If you get the chance to sample that or raspados ( shaved ice, fruit juice, fruit and ice cream) take it. You probably already knew that, but anyway. They will help cool those hot summer days.
Your bedroom set looks lovely. Sounds like you and your sis picked a fantastic home and I am looking forward to reading many more chapters of you and the crews’ new adventures:)
You have me wanting an agua fresca right now, Gingerita!
That shade is nice. It will probably go close to or into the 90s today. It’s almost 3 pm as I type this and it’s comfortable in the BLT with a fan going and the mesquite tree throwing shade.
Hi Sue,
I’m still here, sorry I haven’t checked in in comments lately. My husband and I just returned from eastern Oregon. We had a great trip! We had awesome BLM campsites! First on the John Day River ($5) near John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and then on the Snake River (free)in Hell’s Canyon.
Congratulations on your new home base! I’m so happy for you and your sister, and the crew. Although it sounds like the crew are having too much fun exploring their new stomping grounds.😃🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Hi, Ronda,
I’m trying to remember if we camped at a $5 a night campground on the John Day River. I think we were on another part of the river on a different road through farms and ended up in an RV park. Nice but too much $$.
Now, the Snake River in Hell’s Canyon sounds interesting. Almost went there, took a different route at the last minute. I’m glad you had a great trip and it didn’t cost you a fortune either, which makes it even greater! 🙂
There are many campgrounds on the John Day River. Last year we camped at 3 different ones; Big Bend $5, Service Creek $5, and Cottonwood Canyon SP $15.
I highly recommend Hell’s Canyon, although I’m sure it is bedlam in the summer time. Not my thing! So if that’s when you were considering going you were wise to choose another route. Hell’s Canyon Area BLM / Idaho is not well signed. They seem to have done away with the individual campground names and just a few Hell’s Canyon Area signs. All stays app is not accurate, Bob’s Creek has been made mostly a day use area with just one overnight campsite now and what we think used to be The Airstrip Campground the entrance has been bulldozed and the sites growing wild.
I also have a related story I should share so others learn from my mistake. But I’m kind of embarrassed. Oregon DOT was certainly no help but ultimately as navigator I’m responsible. 😞 Know your road conditions
Oops I should proofread before posting.
That is BLM/Idaho Power; the two entities seem to share caretaker responsibilities of the area. Both of their logos are on all the signs.
Love that last picture – I can’t say I’ve ever seen any cuter “criminals”. 🐾 💕
Hi, Rochelle . . . New title for the blog: “RVSue and her canine criminals”
Let the adventure begin say the boys. I expect they are used to their walkabout a couple of times a day…..being able to freely check pee mail and see the sights….little stinkers!
Are you going to paint rooms? Do you know which bedroom is yours? Fun times for sure.
I’m sitting in front of the television watching the Kentucky Derby program. I have never bet on a horse race in my life, but I still enjoy the pageantry. Not many pretty hats today though, too much rain!
I am so glad the blog continues, my friend.👏🏻👏🏻👍
Hi, LeeJ,
Thank you for the nice note. Yes, I’ll probably paint a few rooms. Nancy is in charge of all decorating decisions because she is the expert. She will choose the paint colors for me. She also gets the choice of bedrooms. 🙂
At present the house is freshly painted… in the wrong color, of course!
Both you and Nancy probably have experience with painting rooms. I’ll just mention something in case you haven’t run into this before. Twice I bought paint that looked right in the store’s lighting, and even on a paint mixing stick we dipped in the paint and took outside of the store to see in sunlight. However, when it dried on the walls at home it was not the same exact shade of color as the one I had chosen. Now I ask them to sell me a small sample size, and try it in an inconspicuous spot at home(like inside a well lit closet). If it looks right then I buy enough to finish the room. Some stores will do that first pint/quart as a free sample for us. It probably sounds like a lot of trouble to get the sample, use some, mail the rest to Nancy, let her try it and then decide. Yet in the long run you may be glad to have something you both like in your real life, setting and light.
Thanks, weather. It’s especially important to bring a sample home if asking for a custom color. I bet Nancy knows what to do. Even so, I’ll pass on this information.
Hi Sue!
Sounds like there may be a pecan pie or two in your future!
The bedroom furniture is very attractive! How wonderful that your sis can bring it into your new shared household.
I am very close to my three sisters, so I totally relate to your happiness at being together. Two of my sisters are just 12 miles from me, in opposite directions, and the other just about 90 miles away. In fact, going to visit the latter tomorrow. So fun!
One of my brothers moved, with his wife, to the Scottsdale AZ area about 15 years ago. We thought they were crazy to move from SoCal, where they lived just a ride thru the canyon to malibu. Guess they weren’t that beachy! They never looked back and love it, monsoons, and all!
‘Bout 95 degrees here this aft, and sending it east, as usual. Enjoy! 🙂
Hi, Nancy,
I don’t need to tell you how fortunate you are to have three sisters and a brother and also to have those sisters nearby. You know you are blessed.
Pecan pie has to be the easiest pie in the world to make. I used to get loads of pecans from my tree in Georgia. These trees are small, yet they are producing.
I also have another brother who I love dearly, in Wiscosin! Pecan pies are easy huh? I will look up a recipe and make one. I love pie
You ARE blessed!!
Might want to take a walk in the neighborhood with Roger and Reggie. Let the neighbors recognize the 3 of you. Then if R and R decide to wander they will know not to call the animal control.
I am sure the furniture that Nancy will contribute will be beautiful. She has very good taste in stuff like that. I am so excited!!! You sound comfortable in your new home already.
I envy the reunion with you, Nancy and Frank!!!
Sending lots of love and hugs.
Hi, Pauline,
Good idea. We did walk around the neighborhood a few times. I think everyone on our street knows I’m the new resident with the little dogs who run loose. Sheesh.
You have a reunion in your future, Pauline, if I have to drive to Mississippi myself!
Love and hugs to you, too.
Pauline, Really good idea about walking the neighborhood with the boys. They will learn their way around and be able to come back home. July 4th is an especially scary time for pets to escape.
Radar is our “escape artist”! Our residential RV park has very few rules BUT one is keep your dogs on a leash. So poor Radar 😢, he has to follow the rules like all the other dogs!
Sue, that is a very nice, exceptional bedroom suite! Wow Nancy, you have good taste! 💗 Not that I ever doubted that! I am envious!
You could start a garden in 5 gallon buckets like mine! So easy to water and no broken back!!! My grape tomatoes are almost ready to eat! Will be ripe this time next week! We have been eating strawberries for a couple of weeks now, makes me wish I had planted more, they are so good! I get 5 gallon pickle buckets for a buck at McDonald’s or other restaurants!
Reggie, Roger, you better be good and stay home !!! 💗. We all love you!
Hi, Geri,
Pickle buckets from McDonald’s — How resourceful of you! Your grape tomatoes and strawberries sound wonderful. I tried container gardening and bombed. Nancy and I will probably garden in a few raised beds (square foot intensive). That way, if we need to erect a screen cover, it will be easier to do so than with a regular garden… Plus the cultivating isn’t as rough on the back.
Nancy has exceptionally good taste. She transforms rooms. You know, that nice bedroom suite came from a thrift shop. One advantage of living among the rich is the high quality items they give to the thrift store!
My aunt lives in Surprise AZ and their Del Webb community have “estate sale’s” all the time. Great way to find some deals.
I know when Nancy is here we will be scouring the shops for the house. Nancy is a excellent shopper. I don’t have the patience nor the expertise. I run in, grab, pay, and leave.
Sue, that’s just how I shop, in and out! Chuck has to inventory every single shelf, not just once but twice in case he missed something the first round! Hahaha! 💗
You two are funny. Very different and very much the same.
Retirement, Chapter II for RVSue and crew begins. Though your posts had not been quite the same for awhile and hoped you were alright. This is an awesome turn of events in your life and your sister Nancys’ as well as for miss Marg and the boys. I hope you don’t post pictures of the house, or the fence, or the neighborhood, or your nearest grocery store, or gas station. You know there are those who will make it their mission to try and find you regardless of your desire for privacy. But then, if you changed your hair color, wore long flowing summer dresses and carried the boys in two kiddie packs, one front, one back, maybe you could go unnoticed. The boys would have to get dye jobs as well. You know just what to do to take care of you and yours. Enjoy this next instalment. We will be here.
Hi, JazzLover,
I’m finding out how difficult it is to come up with photos that don’t include big clues. I hope to get better at it with time. And you’re right, local scenes are out, too. It’s too bad that a few cause problems when most folks wouldn’t care or bother.
Yes, it was difficult to write blog posts while holding back the major topic on my mind for months. I’m used to being open and straightforward with my readers. I knew some readers would sense the difference.
Thank you for the reassurance — “We will be here.” 🙂
Yes, agree on the photos, you have to look at framing them differently now, and you will get good at it, just have to step back and say,” hmm how can I change this shot so it shows what I want without showing too much, a different angle maybe”? Those few that cause problems remind me of the kid in class who is the first hand up, waving around, almost jumping out of their seat. Just so they can say “I know, I know”.
Oh, wanted you to know I finally got my act together and ordered some things from Amazon thru your blog. The binoculars and some cd’s for now, more as I find what is needed. A year or so ago I ordered some Fiskars tools, hatchet & brush cutter and other small things and forgot to mention it. Like the kid with the hand up, “I ordered, I ordered”. Ok, that’s your Sunday smile from the Berkshires. Be Well.
OMG…………..WHAT have I missed………….you are going to be living in a house Sue and Crew??!!! I better get cracking on some reading to see what I have missed…..wow
Hi, Glenda,
You aren’t the only one who strayed and came back to catch up! That’ll teach ya!
Seriously, good to hear from you again, Glenda.
Yes that will surely teach me!
Is your new place near Tucson ?? I have not seen it mentioned where it is.
Hi, Susan,
I’m trying my best not to give hints that will disclose the location of our new home. You may not have been reading my blog during the times our privacy has been intruded upon nor the battles I’ve fought to protect it.
All I’m saying is we bought a house in Arizona. It’s best I leave it at that.
Sue, I think it funny to read blogorino comments wondering where your new home is. Maybe we should pretend you are in a town not in AZ. on a street not in that town. with a made up address. Kinda like television does it. Your new address should be
12345 Crew DR.
Somewhere AZ 812345
tele number 555-1234
🙂
Hi, Sue! Welcome to Sticks and Bricks (maybe, adobe and plaster???)! You cannot know how happy I am about your decision. I am 70 years old and have followed you for about three years or so. Your lifestyle intrigued me, in every post. I contemplated going “your way” various times, but realized that I was not really prepared for it. For one thing, I feel very secure with the fact that I have primary care provider who is like a friend and gives me the best advice and medications to address the ailments. I know people in this little town that would come to help if I am alone. Those two factors alone have kept me grounded, with a foot inside my little BLT for short forays into the forest in the summer and fall.
I wish for you security and freedom of movement for the rest of your years.
Your sister Nancy has tremendous taste. Now, how could you ever turn down that fantastic bedroom, girl. LOL Talk about a Blessing that sister Nancy can be! Enjoy the luxury of Nancy’s “exceptional taste”. Hah! “Luxarate” in it and don’t be too hard on the Crew if they see the pleasure, too!! Congrats, Sue, On your new lifestyle!
Thank you, Diann. Oh, I won’t have any problem luxuriating. I can do luxuriating. It’s like riding a bicycle, you know. 🙂
I appreciate you explaining your situation for us and your reasoning when making a decision on your lifestyle. We each need to find the best way to live during our retirement, to determine the best timing, to appreciate what we already have, to be aware of what we need, to carve out a retirement that is fulfilling, healthful, and hopefully has some fun in it, too.
God bless you, Sue.
Too funny. We (my sisters and I) experience limited water supply all our lives on the rez. We wet down, turn shower off, soap down, scrub, shampoo, turn water back on to rinse. Sisters have a 1200 gallon cistern but we still do the shower ritual. When we were little bath day was once a week (no cistern back then) and wash day every two weeks by hand. Then in my pre-teens, we got a windmill up the hill from our house with water trough. The water was piped from our tank down three miles to another tank and water trough for neighbors to use. It was heaven to have unlimited water supply. Bath everyday and wash daily if we wanted. And, our sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats and I’m sure other wild life loved the water trough. After my parents passed away, we finally were able to install propane tank for stoves.
About 10 years ago, I decided to have a block fence installed. The wooden fence I had kept blowing over every summer with haboobs and wind storms. I use to have a little black dog (Chihuahua mix) who could jump and clear that six foot wooden fence. Our neighbor east of us, would carry Muffin home and wonder why we didn’t clip Muffin’s wings LOL Then we had a German shepherd named Heike who love her back yard and hop up on a water barrel and gaze over the block fence. Heike never ran away from home.
A couple of blogerinos have mentioned rattle snakes…we too had that problem before the area developed. Now I don’t see them. I did look up snake fence on the web because I had never seen them. Snakes can crawl up block fence, trees, etc. My nephew has been bitten two times by a rattle snake. He lives in a remote area on five acre property West of Casa Grande. I thought I’d mention the fence to him.
Love the bedroom furniture and I’d love to see Nancy’s color scheme in paints. I’m not brave enough to use bold exterior paints like in Mexico but often dream I’d love to do that. I did paint my front door fire engine red and looks beautiful (got the idea from a Phoenix home magazine). Have fun. Reggie and Rodger look happy…little stinkers.
You’ve given us another interesting post as good as any blog post, Rita. You write in an easy style that’s easy to read. In addition to that, you know what you’re writing about and your life experiences are different from what most of us here have experienced.
Thank you for giving us a picture of life on the rez across the years. What rich memories you have. Oh, and the red door? Fantastic! Why live a color-neutral life, right?
💗loved your comment Rita!
Rita, I loved reading your post! You should write a book. I’d buy one for sure.
Have a great day!
MB from VA
Rita, I enjoyed reading about some of your life on the rez. I listen to the news and and all the various races, religions, etc. complaining about this and that, and almost always tell my husband how I think the Native Americans are the worst treated people in our society yesterday and continues today. It really makes me sad.
I sincerely hope this isn’t too political, if so Sue, you can delete.
Don’t forget to get them chipped…. or update info if they already have chips!!
I have to say I, like a few others, was a little curious how this would affect the blog…… but this all feels like a very smooth transition.
I began following you bc you are an older woman rv-ing solo with dogs – which is what I am preparing to do. But what really keeps me is your very colorful, description of life as it is….. with the additional canine antic peppered throughout!
Keep it up, you are loved by many! I’m on this roller coaster ride and I’m afraid I can not get off!,!
Enjoy!!! (I know I will)
Thank you, Lauri. Both the boys are chipped. I appreciate the reminder to have their information updated. I didn’t think of that, although the phone number will be the same.
Good for you for planning to RV with your crew. We have beautiful country to explore — USA, CAN and MEX… lots of variety in landscapes!
Ah, those naughty boys…well, nothing wrong with some kennels for when you want to bathe in peace you know…ha!
Ha! That reminds me….. These two turkeys have figured out that I close them up in the house when I want to take a shower and that interferes with their devious plans. They won’t come in!
They look so sweet in the photos I post. Underneath all the cute are stubborn little devils.
Well, I suppose their breeds are kind of known for being rather hard headed aren’t they? I guess that is why one needs to find a breed they can easiest live with…we had some go arounds with our dogs at times…but they were short lived and usually no more troubles. I am especially not fond of those dogs that run off…one we inherited from hubby’s mom was keen on running off you know…so I left her outside, with water, ALL day when she did…now THAT she was NOT keen on…and that would make her stick close for awhile…but every once in awhile she just had to run off again. One place she did that once, was where hubby later was faced down with the cougar…NOT a good idea girlie…you could have been that thing’s meal!!
I’m big on miniature poodles for exactly that reason. When I was married, we rescued a couple of them, and I couldn’t ask for better dogs. Of course, I’d never owned a dog in my life. My wife was the experienced person who knew the breeds (and knew how to clip poodles).
Congratulations on the no-wheeler! The yard looks great. Two sided engraving for that price? I’ll be ordering a new tag for Tala! I saw one a while back that said “I’m lost and my Mom is panicking! Call her on phone number”
“the no-wheeler” Huh?
I hope these tags are good ones because, as you say, the price is very reasonable.
When the boys get out and are roaming around, there’s the risk of coyotes.
However, my greater fear is the kindness of strangers. There are animal lovers who are a bit quick to pick up strays and take off with them, thinking they’re helping. Chihuahuas are especially vulnerable to this because of their size. They take the dog home and then it’s “Oh, Mom, Can we keep him? He’s so cute. Pleeeeezze.”
Well, that didn’t come out right. Sounds like I’d rather a coyote get them than someone nice. No. I was talking probability.
Angel is so super friendly to all humans and especially kids. I fear if she ever got loose, I would never see her again, as someone would take off with her. However, she was outside without her leash or harness once and stayed in the yard. She is chipped, but still.
No wheeler as in the PTV has 4 wheels, the BLT has 2 wheels and the house is a no wheeler! Tala is a runner and has escaped twice here (and probably that is what got her into a high kill shelter in the first place).
Aha! That “no-wheeler” was so obvious it flew right over my head. Sheesh.
So you have a runaway rascal, too. Tala and Roger may be kindred spirits. 🙂
Escape artists! Hope you have found all the exits. On the last photo Roger looks proud of himself and Reggie a little nervous.
Funny you describe them that way, Lisa, because those are their usual expressions.
Roger is Mr. Confident In Charge. Eats with gusto. Doesn’t hesitate to get in your face. He’s ready for anything and willing to go full out on anything sparking his curiosity.
Reggie is more cautious and sensitive. He startles easily and gets upset over loud or sharp noises. Happily submissive. He can be an imp at times, and, man, can that little guy run.
Those rascals! We had a beagle that climbed the fence! She didn’t need no stinkin’ holes! Finally my father put up an electric fence. We had a big backyard, so he was not amused.
Those boys are so cute – you couldn’t stay mad at them long! I imagine Roger remembers the freedom of a stray dog’s life and wants to get some of that back. I hope you can get all their getaway places closed up!
Your new furniture is beautiful!!
Hi, Jan,
Thank you regarding the furniture. I knew folks would like that bedroom suite. Elegant. Restful colors. Comfortable to live with.
I’m not sure I’ve blocked all the exits on the fence. I’m watching them very carefully and hope that they will show me where the fence needs patching. I need to buy something to use to patch up the holes, along with wire to fasten it securely.
An electric fence…. Your father was an exasperated dog owner. You have to do something to keep escape artists safe.
When I had to patch holes for my chicken yard, I bought chicken wire and strung it the length of the fence along the bottom and then just pulled it tight and just got some wire to hold it in place. I can’t remember, maybe 3 or 4 feet tall? Worked great.
Chicken wire is inexpensive. It tends to buckle and sag after a while, but chickens don’t care (no homeowner’s association). 🙂
Roger the Instigator! Guilty! Reggie, Guilty By Association! Sue, I got such a laugh out of that last picture 🙂
I love the bedroom furniture, especially that cute little night stand. Nancy has great taste. So excited for you. I don’t imagine you will stop traveling, but so nice to have a home base with family…and a long luxurious shower when you feel like it.
Hi, Paula,
You’re lenient toward Reggie… I’d up the charge to Accomplice!
Not only a shower when I feel like it, but my own laundromat! In my house! Oh, my oh my!
The house doesn’t have a washer and dryer. I’m shopping for them online. Leaning toward Maytag which has served me well in the past. I want a set that will last.
🙂
We always buy Maytag!!! They hold up where other brands fail.
I certainly understand the gratefulness in being able to do all one’s laundry in their house!! Here, due to the wretched water, I only wash things I don’t care about…so must truck over every few days with our laundry to daughter’s house…grateful she lets us do so…but it is getting to be a royal pain!!
We like the front loaders….no agitator thingymagiggy that tears your clothes up….uses a lot less water.
We have been very fortunate with the GE brand.
Hah!! Best of luck with something that lasts….back in the day quality was huge…stuff last forever and a day. But how is a company going to make money if you don’t keep on buying?
I just got rid of my 1999 Chevy Blazer with 85K miles. The AAA buyback man asked if it was repainted cuz the thickness was 9 and it still looked brand new. Apparently paint on new vehicles are now a 4 and I’ll be grateful if my 2018 lasts 5 years…quality has dropped dramatically! The price was 3x as much….somehow their math equations are not quite right! SMH!
Congratulations on the new vehicle! You’re stylin’ now!!!
I hate front loading washers. Isn’t that weird? Old habits die hard, I guess. You’re fortunate with no problems with the GE brand. I hear what you’re saying about quality these days.
We went to a front loader in NY where we were on a spring fed point….not a well. Didn’t want to waste water….cuz you never know. Then we noticed no more holes in the underwear and t shirts and the clothes weren’t in twisted knots.
It’s all good…and comes down to personal preference!
The sad thing is no more laundromat incidents for us to read about….i always remember the time you ran into Ilse….holding the door open.
I will need to wash clothes on long summer trips.
Thinking of the faux pas with Ilse…. Maybe this will be a comfort:
I can make an a$$ out of myself anywhere I go. Laundromat not necessary!
We’ve been happy with our MayTag washer and dryer. But will never again buy a GE fridge! What a hunk of junk.
I ordered the Maytag w/d set. It will be delivered later this week. Oh boy!!
Nice to hear that you’ve been pleased with your Maytags.
Hoses, vent and electrical plug?
There are so many configurations for the plug!
Cinandjules has got my back!
The delivery driver brings the configurations and installs the right plug. Accessories were ordered along with appliances.
😎
Did you know moth balls are toxic? Insecticide and dangerous for pets..especially if eaten..heads up for Rog! Google it…..
Bad juju!
You put it on the outside of the fence. Even so, you’re right. Not good.
Yippee! One more “to-do” item crossed of your list! 🙂
I already have a huge pile of laundry waiting!
I’ve had a long day, but I didn’t comment when there were only 17 comments ahead of me, so now I’ll at least get the emails. I’ll catch up tomorrow.
Have a good evening, Calvin. I hope you sleep well.
So happy for you Sue in your new location and lifestyle. We have traveled the US and found Arizona suited us best. Moved here from California in the mid 70’s with no regrets.
I was petrified about snakes, having come across a lot in the first year we were living here…most were rattlesnakes. Keep watch on your little ones especially in the early am, as in the hot summers snakes are out at night and seek shelter when the sun gets too hot. Also I’m hearing that the Phoenix subdivisions are having a large influx of bobcats comin into the home yards looking for food and especially water. I’ve never heard of a snake fence (had to build a block wall around my house) glad we did as found a few baby rattlers out at night as small as a pencil, and ironically, they are the most potent.
The hottest month for Arizona is usually about the middle of June. . .it got up to 122 degrees one year. Usually the monsoons follow by July, then it makes it a stickey, muggy HOT 110 degrees + definitely indoor air conditioner all the time. You will love when it cools down in mid September, and oh, the sunsets are just to die for!
Welcome again to Arizona Sue and crew, I know you and your sis will love it here and maybe next summer you can get her to accompany you to explore the cooler northern climates in the your BLT.
I’m so excited to hear about your raised gardening beds, I’m planning to start some myself this fall, so I’ll look forward to lots of pics on how you do it so you can teach me how to build it. I have a brother and a sister living in Georgia and they are into their gardens in a big way, almost everyone always plants a garden…love fresh vine ripened tomatoes and videlia onions, ….even in a sandwich. Now, I’m hungry…gotta go and make dinner. Take care and stay hydrated as we may break some heat records this coming week.
Hi, Barbara,
You’ve given me lots to ponder. I’m wondering if I should depend upon the BLT’s air conditioner during the high temps of July. It might be too much for it, going on high all the time. It might even have trouble keeping the interior cool. I’ll figure it out as we go along.
Nancy and I are considering putting up some kind of privacy fence. With what was mentioned in comments above, I’m thinking a snake barrier would be good to have installed at the time of the privacy fence install. It wouldn’t go all around the property because that would be weird, just the back yard. Locals told me to put down a strip of rock salt or moth balls, because snakes don’t want to go over that. It’s sold in big bags at a store in town.
I’d better stop talking about this or Nancy will change her mind. Nooo!!!
Raised beds are more fun than traditional garden plots, in my opinion. Of course, we’re not interested in raising crops. We already have some beds in place. When planting time comes, I’ll be sure to include photos and write about it, and blogorinos will probably have lots to say on the topic. 🙂
I don’t know if you’ve run the AC in the BLT using the feed from the house .. 15amp probably.
I can run lights and what-not plugged into my house, but the breaker trips as soon as I try to run the AC.
I’ll agree with Barbara, above … 110 is about the cutoff when the temperature becomes almost unbearable. Definitely need to have a good AC at that point or it could be dangerous for you and the crew. And, when the humidity hits at the same time … not fun. But as she said, get through that period and the rest of the year is the best.
Glad to hear of this new phase in your life. I will certainly continue reading your blog … gotta see how a new resident learns to deal with this climate. 🙂
I was born in Phoenix and grew up in Lake Havasu. Returned to Phoenix in 1985 and have been here ever since. I will admit, though, that the older I get (55), the more the heat bothers me.
Leaving the desert between June and August would be a great plan.
Hi, Jeff,
I have used the a/c in the BLT with the power from the house. Although it worked fine, I’m hesitant to do so again. The temps are going up to where the BLT’s fans and the shade are barely keeping us comfortable. We have a couple more hours of hot afternoon ahead. Guess I’ll turn it on and see how it goes.
This conversation about the approaching 100+ temps has me thinking about setting up a camp inside the house. By that I mean the necessities of the way I live (and blog)— Table, chair, a place to lie down for a nap, etc. At the same time I don’t want to duplicate what Nancy will bring…. Scads of expenses are cropping up, as anyone who has bought a home, especially an older one, is aware.
Enjoyable comment, Jeff. It’s a treat for me when I get to read about the lives of my readers instead of it always being me blabbing about me. 🙂
It does seem really important for you and the boys to be able to stay cool with it about to become even hotter there soon. It would be great if you could find a few things at a thrift store, looks wouldn’t matter but function and comfort will. You wouldn’t have to spend much, and could donate the pieces when Nancy arrives.
Great suggestion, weather. I’ll visit the thrift store this week!
Oh it’s a hot one today! Weird cloud cover like rain clouds…we are at 104 .
Stay cool….
Yeah, clouds are weird today. I didn’t know if they were clouds or suspended dust. I’m still learning how to read the desert sky. 🙂
You stay cool, too.
Is the house’s main electrical panel fuse or circuit breakers?
Plugging in the Shore power cord should be fine.
Or you can always go to Wally and get a big box fan $16..hang a wet towel in FRONT of it..and turn it on high. That will keep the BLT or a bedroom cool.
Circuit breakers. The big box fan with wet towel image has me laughing! The BLT is so small, I see a box fan blowing us three against the bathroom door. Hahahaa!
Ok…..medium speed.
Jules parents did it when the humidity was atrocious…north country hillbilly a/c. But it worked….cuz lord knows..they can’t run around in their tight-ee white-ees!
I just realized I missed your Backyard Birds post, so I went back and read it. Have you ever played the Cornell’s bird sounds for the crew? When my Zoey was alive (and before she became deaf), she would come running into the room whenever I played the bird sounds. She would cock her head and give me the most quizzical look! She was so cute and funny when she did that. I was just wondering if Reggie and Roger noticed.
How cute of your Zoey…. The boys don’t pay any attention. We’re in such close quarters inside the BLT that they’re accustomed to various sounds emanating from the laptop. Those recordings from Cornell are very lifelike! I thought about playing them for the birds outside our window, although it wouldn’t be nice to confuse them, would it.
Fancy fancy…bedroom set!
Hah…you could have been IN the shower, lathering up with shampoo..when a quick glimpse out the window…only to spot Reg and Rog!
It’s your soap and water….take as long as you want!
Sounds like Rog knows his way home!
Securing the perimeter will be fun! Are the boys protective of foot traffic?
August will be here in a flash!
Enjoy!
Hi, Cinandjules,
I’ll be happy when August comes and Nancy arrives. The house seems a bit forlorn inside with no furniture and no people. 🙂
Roger runs to the front yard when anyone walks by and he barks at them. So does every other dog in the neighborhood. Seems to be accepted around here. I’m hopeful Roger will cut back on the barking once he’s settled and secure in his new home and knows the regular passers-by.
What a lovely bedroom set! You’re going to be living in style!
Why do I think Roger has a lot of experience being a Houdini? Maybe in his pre RVSue life? Hmmmm.
You might have to extend the fence or something below ground if it looks like he’s getting digging ideas. I once pet sat 2 Scotties who tunneled out of my yard faster than you can say it, practically. They skedaddled off into the neighborhood. Luckiky, we had a neighborhood email communication system and someone from blocks away reported the miscreants, so all was good.
Have a wonderful time enjoying the perks of civilization. 🙂
Hi, ValGal,
No digging by the crew so far. And no sign that they’re thinking about it. Good heavens, I hope not. It’s the fence. It’s taken a lot of abuse from a previous dog and once a chain link comes up, it’s tricky to repair. I have holes blocked with piles of heavy rocks because I wasn’t anticipating fence repairs and don’t have the supplies on hand. Roger looks at the pile of rocks, looks at me, looks back at the rocks. Yeah, too bad, Roger. I’m in charge here!
Ha-ha-ha. 👍👍👍👍👍
Hi, Sue,
Love following your adventures and hope to be on my own next year. Lov the mug shots of the ‘Little Rascals’. They make the journey that much more fun.
Betty
Hi, Betty,
Enjoy your dreaming and planning in the coming months. Exciting times await you! I hope you will stay with us so we can share some of that. 🙂
The boys do make life more fun and interesting, if a bit frustrating at times.
I recently bought the dog bone i’d for my cats. I did something maybe a little different:
Side 1 facing reader of tag:
MAGGIE
CHIPPED
Side 2 next to pet’s neck
MY LAST NAME
MY PHONE NUMBER
Showing my pet is CHIPPED may help get it home to me sooner.
Clever, Cat Lady!
You remind me of an alternative I used at one time when my budget was so tight I was reluctant to buy a customized dog tag. (Yeah, living on the edge)…
My dog at that time was medium-sized. Her collar was wide enough that it gave room for me to write my phone number in permanent marker on it, where it couldn’t be missed.
I did a combination of these 2. I used a permanent marker to write “microchip” & my phone # on the collar.
You got it covered, Ronda!
Look into this:
TabCat Pet Tracking Collar Cat Locator Lite Cat Finder Tracker System
I use them on my cats and they are great. When Cleo died out in the meadows of Alpine Az. it was the tabcat that took me to her.
Sue, this isn’t one of your links so you should replace it to get credits.
House looks great.
Thank you, Alan, for alerting everyone about the link. I replaced it with one embedded with my affiliate code. — Sue
Hi Sue,
My girls and I wanted to tell you how happy we are for you and the boys. There’s no reason not to “have it all”. 😉 I have made that decision myself over the winter. After I chose to return here in Oct., I decided that I could pout about what I didn’t have or think of all the positive points of what I did have. So, I plan to keep my property and still long term travel when the time is right. I can imagine how wonderful it is for you to know that you have your home base to work with and make into a home together with your sister….and also know that you can pack up and go wherever you like….anytime you like. Sweet. 🙂
You mentioned the birds in your last post. Mine saved my sanity this winter while I made necessary emotional/attitude adjustments. My work space looks out into my woods. I put several types of feeders there and was rewarded with a multitude of birds. Some would even eat off my windowsill, 3 ft from where I sat working at the computer. Watching them calmed me, entertained me and helped reconnect me to the MB that I like…the calm (most of the time) nature girl. So, instead of buying a little camper, I will be buying a commercial zero turn mower like the one I had when I managed the farm. I will be caring for my own property (a first for me) from now on and somehow that makes all the aches and pains that come from giving that care not seem so bad……LOL!
I wish you every happiness as you begin this next chapter in your life. And thank you for continuing to share it with us.
Have a wonderful day!
MB, Wyndy and Bella
Hi, MB,
Isn’t it wonderful that we are provided comfort in the appearance of tiny, feathered creatures? They bring us calm and relaxation, settling the turbulence in our spirits brought on by indecision, disappointment, a change of course,all sorts of life events, even great losses.
Therapy on the wing — How nice that you had those “therapists” on your windowsill to help you! Mine are singing around me as I type this while sitting in my lounger. God cares for us in more ways than we can realize.
I admire your choice to be happy, MB. Enjoy your property with Wyndy and Bella. 🙂
Omg. That wandering little critter! Glad he seems to know his was home, but still! Who needs that heart attack?!!!
This new adventure of yours is pretty interesting! Glad for you!
Hugs from Hoquiam.
Always appreciate your hugs, Barb! I hope you’re feeling well these days, finding time to relax and enjoy spring in Hoquiam. 🙂
Haha. Cute.
🙂
I envy you getting close again with your sister, Sue! I lost both my little sisters in the last year and half. One was 63 and the other only 61. I am close to 67 so sometimes I feel like I am on borrowed time! Good to reconnect. I love the pic of Reggie and Roger gazing at you. You can just see the love in their eyes!
I was wondering about your solar panel and batteries, when you stay on shore power for a month or so, do they just shut down or do you have to do
something to protect them or shut them off? Sorry solar illiterate.
Dear Patricia,
Your sadness at the passing of your two sisters must be enormous and very difficult to bear. I wish you comfort as you cope with these painful losses.
No need to apologize for being solar illiterate. I still am after all these years.
When the BLT is parked at the house, it isn’t connected to the PTV. The two storage batteries in the PTV, as well as the starter battery for the engine, continue to receive charge from the solar panel on the PTV’s roof and from the alternator (the latter when the engine is running).
The BLT’s battery doesn’t miss the solar power because it receives charge from being hooked up to the new house’s electrical system.
Because of this regular feeding of all batteries, there’s no need to turn anything off. If there’s something I should be doing to protect them, I don’t know what it is.
Patricia, I’m glad you come here. Please connect with us whenever you feel like it.
Congratulations on taking the plunge! We closed on a house in April. However, we’re still living in the RV, getting stuff for the house. After ten years of full timing, it feels weird to have to walk so far to get from the kitchen to the living room, via the eating area. I wish it would cool off 10 degrees, the RV a/c can’t keep up. Happy backyard camping and good luck corralling the escapees.
Congratulations on your new house, Allison! Isn’t it a gigantic relief when you walk out of a closing, all that “paperwork” done. How things have changed since the last time I bought a house — electronic signatures, a closing without the seller present, etc.
I can relate to your comment about walking so far from one room to another. Same here!
Hi, Sue!
Well, it was just a matter of time before the little rascals found a way to escape the yard! I am glad you were able to locate them and encourage their little butts to follow you home. Your comment about the pile of rocks blocking an escape route made me chuckle! 🙂 I agree with your concerns about the boys escaping and being taken. That is one of my fears, too. If Gracie got loose (she has given me a heart attack twice before!) if she was not hit and killed by a car, despite her being chipped, I fear that she would be taken and never returned. She is just so darn cute! May all of our pets stay safe and secure! 🙂
It will be interesting to see how Reggie and Roger get along with Mags. If memory serves, she is a bit older than the boys. She may declare herself queen of the house! Ha! May be best to keep the pups closed off in the bathroom when you, Nancy, and your nephew are emptying the moving van. You all will be distracted and don’t need to worry about them escaping or getting into mischief.
Last year I had to replace my w/d set. Bought a Maytag washer and dryer from Home Depot. Model# MVWC416FW and MEDC215EW. The washer is a top load, water sensing, high efficiency (HE) model. It sets the water needed based on load type/weight. Both the w/d have a large enough capacity that will handle a queen-sized quilt. I have been pleased with them. Most of the washers now have a safety feature which locks the lid once the cycle is started. Kind of annoying when you find an item that was overlooked to put in the load. My unit has a pause feature that will unlock the lid for an item to be added. You need to use HE rated detergent. Thankfully, I did not have to change the Tide Free powder that I use. The set I bought got good ratings by Consumer Reports. By the way….if you have not done so yet, join your local library so you can access their offerings electronically. Under their reference section, you will the whole Consumer Reports database. I find CR invaluable!
Just a thought: It may be a good idea to install a circuit/electric receptacle so you can plug in the BLT without fear of damaging it or the house. Since this will be your permanent home base, it would be a worthwhile investment. That way you can run the BLT A/C all summer worry free.
I enjoyed this post! You will absolutely be living in luxury with that gorgeous bedroom set, a real mattress, and all of the perks of a stationary home! I don’t think it will be too much of an adjustment for you or the boys! 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your day, Sue! Sending you and the boys lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! xo 🙂
Hi, Denise,
Excellent advice about corralling all dogs during the truck unload and move-in. That’s a risky time, easy for a gate to be left open.
Thank you for reporting on your Maytag washers and dryers. Very helpful!
I tried to find the washer you bought, using the model numbers. Couldn’t find it. I’ve been considering Model# MVWX655DW It’s top load, 4.3 cu. I’m going to check if it has that safety lock you mention. It’s High Efficiency also.
I did find the dryer you bought and it’s the same one I’m considering! Both Maytags are on sale.
Thanks, Denise.
🙂
Here is a Maytag link for the model you are considering. It has the pause option. Looking at picture of the controls, the dark gray start/pause button is located to the right of the cycle indicator lights (wash/rinse/spin/done….etc) which are at the bottom of the control panel. The difference between the model I have and the one you are considering is mine has a traditional center agitator, yours has the newer shallow one (which allows greater capacity) on the bottom of the tub. It looks like my model is no longer available. If I had to replace my washer today, I would go with the modl you are considering. 🙂
https://www.maytag.com/washers-and-dryers/washers/top-load-washers/p.large-capacity-washer-with-optimal-dispensers-4.3-cu.-ft.mvwx655dw.html
You are a jewel, Denise. After sitting on this decision for days, you helped me commit to this washer-dryer set. I needed someone I trust to give me a review and here you appear with the information I needed! Thank you for the effort you put into this. I’m ordering today! 🙂
You are most welcome, Sue! I just about drove myself crazy with my research….glad that sharing it was helpful! I saw your comment above that you placed the order and the set will be delivered later in the week. Whoo Hoo!! 🙂
The research was driving me crazy, too. Who knew washing machines were so complicated? You saved the day!
I tend to research large purchases “to death”. A former co-worker used to give me grief about it. He would always say that if he wanted it, he buys it. He said I would find the item on sale and then find a coupon or other discount on top of it.
I currently work with a bunch of men that are constantly trying to one up each other. One buys a new car, home, the latest iPhone, etc. the next one has to buy one, too….but it is more expensive, larger, etc. *sigh* 🙂
I have the same features you mentioned on my Samsung w/d as on the Maytag. I have had it a little over 3 years and am really pleased with it. It is also large capacity, so I can wash quilts, comforters etc. and I really like the water sensing feature. It saves a lot of water.
🙂
You know, Barbara, I’ve been dithering between the Samsung set and the Maytag set for days now. Nancy did a lot of research for us and left the final decision to me. I was beginning to think I was depressed or something because I could not choose!
My experience with Maytag (and Denise’s comment) tipped the scales today. Both sets are good quality which made this decision tough (also spending that much $$!). I’m glad you’re happy with your w/d. Life is much better when appliances WORK the way they’re supposed to.
“On Sale” – Great! 🙂
Some of these new-fangled things actually have a wifi feature that I can’t imagine what for.
I know what you mean, Toni. One of the guys at work was telling everyone how he can operate his washer and dryer by using an app on his iPhone. Why he would “need” to do that, who knows. 🙂
I wouldn’t mind if it actually *did* the laundry.
How fun to be getting things set up for your new home. I’m so happy that this opportunity has come along for you.
It is great to see that Roger knows his way home if he does manage to escape. They are a couple of rascals sneaking off on you. Makes me think of teenagers, waiting for mom to go to bed to sneak out of the house :). Hopefully you will be able to fix all the fence holes or come up with a solution to keep them from sneaking out. Maybe you can rig a run in the back yard so you can tether them when you shower or for move-in day.
Hi, Jan,
The crew and I set out in the cool of morning to pick up what I need to patch the fence. I have things jerry-rigged for now. It’s too hot to work in the sun today.
During the unloading of the truck, I’ll probably have the boys on a tether and we’ll work something out to keep Marg safe, too.
I love the bedroom set. The stenciling on the front is really nice. I always like things that are different. Wish I had enough nerve to paint the interior house in more bold colors. My DH is more neutral, so I try to stay more conservative, but would really like to brighten things up. If I ever get to move my sewing room downstairs, it will be more cheery. I am excited for you and Nancy, but will miss the travel adventures.
Well, Barbara, maybe you could “go bold” with fabrics? Introduce bright colors gradually so DH doesn’t notice or at least has time to adjust.
As most women know, when a man resists an idea, back off, give him some time, and, before long, he’s suggesting it and proud for having thought of it. 🙂
Just catching up with this blog, so belated congratulations on choosing the Best of Both Worlds Option! Excellent choice!
How fantastic that you have an adventurous sister willing to pull up stakes & embark on this new path with you in AZ. I hope you ladies keep enough room there reserved for the third sister Pauline to hang out with you two if she gets the chance.
As an only girl, I can only dream of doing this someday. I love all my brothers dearly, but let’s face it, they’re basically worthless. 😉
Congratulations again & the very best of luck to you & Nancy & the whole crew which now includes that gorgeous Westie!
Thank you, leilani. We are very fortunate to have this house. Great hearing from you again. I hope you won’t stray too long from my blog in the future!
Great post. It’s been fun to hear about your settling in and the boys’ conquering the neighborhood. They seem to be fearless. Without my getting too personal, and if I am my apologies, do you care to share your househunt? Was it a long one? Did you see several possibles or was this the one from the minute you stepped thru the door? I look forward to your future posts and hearing about your transition and to meeting your sister and Marg.
I’m happy to answer your questions, Stephanie.
I started looking several months ago, on the internet, not “on the ground.” I looked at land, cabins, mobile homes, and small houses. When Nancy entered the picture, I took her needs into consideration, of course. She wanted a place within reasonable driving distance to an airport. I looked for properties in NV, AZ, and NM. It soon became apparent that the little cabin in the woods wasn’t practical or sufficient for both of us. Two women in the same house need their space!
Then there’s my aversion to being close to people. That eliminated a lot of properties. I found a few condos that, unbelievable as it sounds, provided privacy and were quite nice. However, they didn’t have a fenced area for our dogs.
Because of the popularity of this blog and the notoriety it has brought me, I soon dropped the idea of a park model in an RV park, such as you saw in my photos of Quail Ridge (although I didn’t see that park up close until much later). It didn’t seem smart to settle in a place occupied by RVers.
I realized the best solution would be a modest home with a fenced yard in a regular neighborhood. We made an offer on a property, never having seen it in person, but someone else’s offer was accepted.
The house we eventually bought was our second choice. It turned out to be more suitable for us than the first one. Nancy and I fell in love with it. I looked it over in person several times, visited the neighborhood on different days and at different times of day to check for problems like noise, everything checked out, made a low-ball offer, and after some negotiation, we were on our way to making it ours.
When it seemed I was being lazy about this blog, I was very busy involved with title company, insurance company, loan company, home inspector, termite inspector, realtors, on and on, simultaneously dealing with moving camp and the transmission rebuild. Plus I’m shooting emails with photos of the house to Nancy and conferring with her about decisions. Exhausting at times, yet exciting!
Sounds like you were very thorough and analytical. I admire your discipline. Me, I make most decisions on feelings versus a systematic process. I sometimes wish I were more analytical. But we are who we are. It sounds like you made a great decision. Those feelings of excitement are wonderful. I look forward to hearing how you make your new house into a cozy home. Getting the washer/dryer is a big step. Good bye laundry mat.
Whew! With all of that going on, you still managed to put together posts! Thank you for taking the time to do so!
I remember you saying in a previous post (you and the Crew were camped near Del) that you were dealing with many things, but could not share because it involved another person. Now we know why! 🙂
That’s right. 🙂
Cozy cabin in the woods…….hmmmm…..can you point which way that may be? Northern AZ or East?
🙂
You’re a flatland-er…..your already fessed up!
Alan told us about Pine….and other places.
We’ve looked north of here…. online…you are well traveled finding little known quaint places.
The only “cozy cabin in the woods” I found was in a remote area of Utah at a high elevation with no water, no toilet, and no access in the winter. Dreams are cozy. Reality can be harsh. 🙂
Oh no desert woman….that’s way tooooo primitive for this girl!
Congratulations Sue and sister Nancy on your home together.
Sounds like a blessing for you both!
Haven’t commented earlier as I thought so many had written great
comments I would only be repeating…… but, wanted to anyway! Ha
It all sounds like a wise decision. You have the best of both worlds.
To me, a good strong fence with snake proofing, would be one among
my first investments. Those little ‘guys’ are precious to you.
Never heard of snake proofing but love the sound of it.
Also, what about scorpions….. have those too, I bet.
We had a second house in the Cottonwood area for a while and I never
‘saw’ a snake but did find several scorpions in the house. After spraying
around the house never had another one.
We live in California, so Arizona is a new learning experience, but
truly enjoyed it. Always thought the Prescott area would have been
easier to adapt to as it’s cooler there.
I’m thinking you are in for a good time and a lovely home…
The sister’s nest! 😊
Hi, Linda,
I love your attitude — Why care if you’re repeating what someone else wrote, you “wanted to anyway!” 🙂 I wish everyone thought that way, because everyone who writes anyway brings something unique to my blog — themselves!
No sign of scorpions in the house. In fact, in seven years in the southwest, I don’t think I’ve seen one scorpion. Yeah, a new fence would be nice.
get a little portable UV light and go out at night — you might see a scorpion glowing in the dark
I dunno, Lisa… It’s nice thinking they aren’t out there. Haha!
Congrats on this huge new turn of events.
Have you considered renting furniture? There are companies that will rent by the room for whatever period of time you need. I’d check one out for you but I don’t know what you’re near….laughing! Be well Sue and Crew!
Thank you, Adrienne. You be well, too!
I don’t need much and renting isn’t something I like to do. I’ll put something together. To be honest, I’m perfectly comfortable in the BLT, other than the impending 3-digit heat that will occur soon. I’ll probably pick up a few things at a thrift store.
I’m jumping in a few posts late but honestly, your decision doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I don’t know, I just “felt” a change coming. I’m so happy for you (as always). You’ve constructed your life so that you have choices. That’s what we all would want for our retirement years.
Hi, Toni,
How blessed we are to be able to choose how we want to live and where we want to live! The combination of retirement and freedom is priceless.
Thank you for sharing in our happiness. 🙂
Hi Sue, and if you hadn’t heard it enough lately congratulations to you and your sister. What a wise decision. Now you have the best of both living conditions. I too left my house for a “Casita” but my Casita is in my back yard. My son and Daughter in Law live in the big house in the front! Best way to avoid maintenance on a big-ol-house. Take care looking forward to your new life style and stories.
Sounds like you have a wise set-up yourself, Ruthie. Thank you for the congratulations and for understanding the wisdom of our decision. I look forward to sharing more “stories” with you!
Ruthie reading your comment for Sue gave me the best plan yet. Never thought of putting our RV in the back yard for a solution to having Mom near us and near enough to take good care of her…thanks for that great idea! Take care.
Sue, I have to say it again…I am so EXCITED for you and your new chapter! It sounds like you were looking at property even before the idea to share a house with Nancy. How long have you been feeling that way? I must admit that at first I was a little disappointed that you were getting sticks and bricks. Upon reflection, you’re right that you can’t live indefinitely on the road with out a back up plan. I am about 20 years out from retirement, but so want to do what you have done. However, I need to have consistent doctors and dentists to visit. So, I too would need to have either a home base or a spot where I came back to every few months. I am glad that you have a home base now! If you’re sick or even just tired of being a nomad, you can rest for a bit! No matter where you are, your blog is always so interesting, fun to read and well written that I am happy to follow you along your new adventures!
Hi, Dawn,
Yes, I was looking at property before Nancy and I decided to join forces. It was casual investigation in preparation for the “someday” when the crew and I would be forced to leave a life on the road.
With the opening of the opportunity to share life with my sister, I also saw the opportunity to prepare for that “someday.” In the meantime I can enjoy a few amenities and respites from the road whenever I want.
Thank you for sharing our excitement and for planning to stick with us during this new chapter. 🙂
Congratulations Sue and Nancy! Sue, the tenor of your posts heralding this new chapter communicates your happiness beautifully. A pleasure to read and to see, thank you for continuing to let us follow along. The best book Ive ever read about Southern Arizona is titled “Going Back to Bisbee” by Richard Shelton. If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it. Amazon link here:
Going Back to Bisbee
Lorrie… I replaced your link with one that has my affiliate code. — Sue
Wishing you both, and your canine gang, all good things.
Thank you! 🙂
GOOD MORNING, BLOGORINOS!
The crew and I are off to take care of various errands before the day turns hot. Be back later!
Sue
So happy for you and Nancy! That last picture of the boys just broke the cute meter! I swear Roger smiles at the camera!
Hi, Susan . . . I imagine you folks in Dallas are enjoying the heat like we are in Arizona!
Yeah, Roger is full of enthusiasm for life. He makes the most of every day.
Oh,Sue! So many changes. So many adventures! I haven’t had much time to myself lately, so haven’t had time to react to all that is going on with you. This is going to be fun to watch!
I worry about the boys…because I’ve been there, done that. My little granddog Sassy was an escape artist. I’m sure you’ve seen the meme that shows a blurry running dog and says “Run like someone left the gate open!” That was Sassy. When we were looking after her, she would get out every time. Made me crazy! Finally, I learned that she would do ANYTHING for a baby carrot! All I had to do was stand in the yard and yell…”Sassy! Carrot!” and she’d come running, with the biggest grin on her face. Finally, I realized her escapes were extortion. But, I kept the carrots handy, anyway.
I look forward to reading more of your adventures in the near future.
Good morning, Suzette,
Change is good! I love a new camp! 🙂
Your Sassy story is cute. What a sweetie, with a spirit for adventure and a mind of her own.
Lots to do again today. Every project and even the simplest of tasks require we go to the store to get the needed equipment and supplies.
Thank you for a fun read!
GOOD MORNING . . . AGAIN!
I have to give up on the post in progress in order to get things done before the temperatures go into the 90s today.
I have this problem — Writing and blogging is easiest for me in the morning. And the morning is when I need to get things done (like fixing escape holes in the fence) before the heat sets in. Errands must be done early because I can’t leave Reg and Rog in the PTV after 10 a.m.
And then when the day cools off in late afternoon, my energy is sapped and writing is the last thing I want to do!
I’ll try to put something together when we return from errands. Thanks again for your well-wishes and participation in my blog.
Bye for now,
Sue
Just get done what needs doing. We will be here !!! 💗
Love you, too!
Hi Sue!
I’m with you! In the heat, mornings are the time to do chores or write, afternoons for relaxing with a good book and a cool drink!
I am a bit of a worrier, so very glad the fence repair is a priority!
Looking forward to your next post
Hi Nancy,
Fence has held them in for over 48 hours. Maybe I found all the escape routes!
I am so glad!!! Good work!! And not a bit easy or fun by yourself in the heat, i bet. I am thinking the little rascals did not give you a lick of help!
Using the cooler hours to ensure the safety, comfort and health of the crew and yourself is more important than entertaining us. You, of course, know that, I appreciate your leaving us these updates. It can be daunting to have a long to-do list, I hope you are taking some time out to just breathe and appreciate how much you’ve already accomplished .
I appreciate your understanding, weather. During the hottest part of each day, I take a break, usually a short nap with the crew. Wishing you a lovely day!
RVSue I am so happy for you.
That’s nice. Thank you. 🙂
Those little devil boys!! They must be so full of themselves … new house, new yard, new neighborhood. They just think it’s their doggone right to explore it all on their own! Did they both come to you when you found them 3 blocks away?
We spent the entire morning yesterday and today on the beach at Morro Bay. Lucy ran herself silly in circles around us. Sammy just plodded down the beach, peeing on every pile of seaweed he could find. It fills my heart with so much joy to see them off leash, just enjoying being dogs.
The beach with your pups sounds wonderful. Fully dog! No, Reg and Rog never come to me when they are loose. I walked home and they followed, taking their time.
Hi Sue! Whew, you know I have worried about you and the pups being out there boondocking alone. As much as I know you are so capable, I am so glad and happy for your decision to share some good time with your sister…..there will be so many joyous times for all of you! Security, running water, showers, washer/dryer and a little more protection from the elements..its all there and you still have the option to take off on a whim if you want to. Gosh, I am so happy for you!!
Thank you for those words of caring, Andrea.
New post coming up …. finally!!!
🙂