Tuesday, January 31
Valley Palms RV Supplies and Service, Blythe, California
Chuck rolls out my new Dometic refrigerator!
Chuck takes out his tape measure and holds it across the door opening. Twenty inches.
Okay.
In order to position the new fridge in the molded fiberglass compartment inside the Best Little Trailer, it must go through that 20-inch door and around a corner in the narrow aisle.
Chuck stretches the tape measure across the refrigerator. Twenty inches.
Uh-oh.
Plus the refrigerator has all sorts of “stuff” that sticks out its back side.
Chuck says, “We might have to put it through the window.”
Groan.
The back window option is considered and discarded. I really don’t want that window removed because — you know how it goes — it would never be as tight a seal again.
An alternative option is suggested.
Remove the door and the “guts” from the back of the refrigerator, leaving only the refrigerator box. It will be a tight fit but we all agree it’s the best we’ve got.
Jared begins removing the old refrigerator stuff while Chuck tends to customers at the store.
Meanwhile . . .
Reggie participates in a few dramas with the resident felines. These cats stroll in and out of the Valley Palms RV store like they own the place.
A customer opens the door and a rather large, shaggy, grey angora steps out. This cat has major swagger going on. Naive to the way of felines, Reggie employs his usual let’s-be-friends tactic of running around acting silly.
“Hey! Ya’ wanna’ play with me? Do ya’? Do ya’?”
Big Bad Tom doesn’t hesitate. He stops dead and immediately lets rip a loud snarl overlaid with a high-pitched screech.
Translation: “BACK OF, squirt, or you’re dead meat. I’m not in the mood for any of your cute, canine crap!”
Whoa.
Reggie stands frozen next to me. Above us the palm fronds shiver.
With a final tail-flick, Big Bad Tom strolls around the corner of the building to the dirt lane that loops through the campground at the rear of Valley Palms. Before disappearing around the bend, he pauses, turns his head — you know how cats always have to have the last word — and shoots a laser-beam stare at Reggie.
Satisfied he’s made his point perfectly clear, he stalks off to play a few games of death-and-dismemberment hockey with the local field mice.
Reggie looks up at me. I look down at Reggie.
“Geez! That is one tough kitty, Reg. You don’t wanna’ mess with that dude.”
Turning our attention to the refrigerator situation . . . .
The job is tedious and time-consuming. Most of the time I stay out of the way as the men work. Jared does chat a little bit. After a while I learn that his wife is pregnant with their second child and he’s supposed to drive her to a doctor’s appointment at four o’clock.
Oh dear, this job won’t be done when it’s time for him to leave . . . .
While the work continues, here’s what happens with the second cat.
I see him first, a black cat sunning on the concrete slab in front of the store. Mellow. Minding his own business. This time I’m ready with my camera.
I wait for Reggie to notice he’s being watched.
There he goes!
He zooms and acts silly, inviting the cat to play.
Gee, the Reggie Man needs to expand his repertoire. . .
Laid-Back Cat doesn’t move, except to thump his tail like a metronome (See photo above.). Soon he’s had enough of Reggie and the sunshine. He finds shade under the palm trees beside a pick-up truck.
Reggie doesn’t give up!
Laid-back Cat observes Reggie for a short while. Then the fur begins to rise.
Reggie’s still dancin’ and prancin’ until Laid-Back reaches his limit of patience and disappears beyond the truck.
Reggie searches for the cat.
“Hellooo! Anybody see a black cat come in here?”
“Give it up, Reggie. Forget about cats. Let’s go for a walk, sweetie.”
The old fridge is ready for removal!
The outside compartments are empty. The bathroom door has been removed to give a little more space for the fridge to be hefted around the corner.
Reg and I wait inside the PTV. I read. Reggie rests in his bed, overtired from the events of this unusual afternoon.
At last, the Moment of Truth arrives. If the old can’t come out the door, the new can’t go in the door!
We turn now to the third cat.
Reg and I return from another walk around the campground. Reggie has a drink.
Oh boy, another cat. This one’s a pretty tricolor.
Again Reggie puts on his performance, this time for the benefit of Calico Kitty. He zooms around so much I have difficulty catching him in a photo.
Calico Kitty is not amused.
She comes out from under the bumper to make her feelings known.
Read the fur, Reggie. Read the fur . . . .
That concludes Reggie’s cat encounters for the day!
The End.
~ ~ ~
But what about the refrigerators?
Will the old one come out of the BLT? Will the new one go in? Will Jared’s pregnant wife make it to the doctor in time?
On the outside of the BLT, Chuck eases the old fridge to line up perfectly with the doorway.
On the inside Jared wrestles the fridge through until it breaks free. Jared hangs on, following the momentum as it goes out the door, letting the old fridge topple to the ground.
Yay!
Break time!
Jared sits in his truck to take a breather and have something to drink. When his break is over he tells me he called his wife and she agreed to postpone her appointment.
“How nice of her to do that!” I respond.
“Well, she knows how long you’ve waited for your refrigerator and now you’re here, still waiting,” Jared explains cheerfully. “She doesn’t mind. She said she didn’t feel like going to the doctor today anyway.”
“Please tell her thank you for me, Jared.”
The new fridge goes in without a scratch.
The back panel follows.
Before the connections are made and it’s plugged in, I take the next photo. Jared comes out of the BLT and sees what I’m doing.
“I want to remember what it looks like clean,” I joke. “It will never be this pretty again!”
Job One — the refrigerator installation — nears completion. Next is the propane leak and heater repair, plus I want two outside rivets replaced.
This has been a long afternoon.
I make an offer to postpone the other projects until another appointment.
“I don’t mind coming back another time or I’ll stay if you want to keep going. It’s up to you.”
The lengthening shadows remind us of the short time before sunset.
Chuck remarks, “We need to have you home before dark.” I nod my head in agreement.
Reggie and I leave with an appointment to return Friday morning.
Before leaving Blythe, I stop at Smart and Final grocery store.
I come out carrying a rotisserie chicken for supper. A tired and hungry pup awaits.
“Look what I got us, Reg!”
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are a few of the items readers recently ordered from Amazon:
Utility Tray
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Renogy 100 Watt Eclipse Monocrystalline Solar Suitcase with Charge Controller
Home sweet home. It’s after 5 o’clock when we arrive at our campsite at Midland LTVA.
Hey Sue, I know you haven’t been feeling well, but I’m in AZ from Mississippi and wondered if it would be possible to have a short visit with you before I go back next week? Thanks!!
Hi, Judy!
I appreciate the invitation to get together. However, it’s my policy to keep my online RVSue life separate from my real life as Sue. If I accept one invitation, it’s harder to turn down another, and it wouldn’t be long before my life would no longer be my own.
Thanks anyway. I hope you enjoy your stay in Arizona. BTW, I removed your email address to protect you from receiving unwanted emails. You wouldn’t believe what my spam filter collects!
I totally understand!! Thanks!!
JUDY IS FIRST TODAY! 🙂
Second?
HI, RENEE! SECOND PLACE!
Yea, I love Cat Drama and Reggie’s behavior is familiar to us…Miss Mollie had two cats to meet when she came to live with us…in about a week, Miss M was laying beside our two Torties: Tommie – 16 and Pywakit 18…it wasn’t love at first sight but grew into a wonderful pack of Furbabies…Glad the fridge is in place…and Rotisserie Chicken is back on the menu!!!!
HI, DEENA, MOLLIE AND KITTIES! THIRD PLACE TODAY!
I’m glad you got the frig done and hope it’s working great!!!
If you need anything, I’m across the way in the Sunseeker. I’m the one who you helped a few years ago in Ajo.
Have a great day!!!!
Hi, Pat,
Welcome to Midland! I’m glad to see you’re enjoying the RV life. Of course I remember you, silly.
You have a great day, too. It sure is a beautiful one!
What a nice place you chose for your repair/replacement work! New fridge looks mighty nice! Poor Reggie – no kitty play date for him. At least he gets to eat some rotisserie chicken again – been a long time!
Hi, Rochelle,
After I put our house back together again, Reggie and I had our celebratory dinner. He was worn out and went to bed early. Me, too!
Hope all is well in Indiana….
I read through and found the technical details peppered with humorous descriptions of Reggie’s antics, wonderful. Poor guy. He just wanted to be friends!
Reggie did get a lot of attention from customers in and out of the store. Lots of pats and “Oh, he’s so cute!” “What a sweet dog!” “He’s so little!” “Are you always this happy?’ and so on. 🙂
Awww, I bet he loved that attention. My little terrier, who looks a lot like Reggie, just loves people!
🙂
Yay a new fridge!..
Hi, Shirlene! Gee, I’ve missed our morning chats! I hope you’re catching lots of beautiful scenes with your camera while in Florida. Thanks for letting us know you’re still here…
OMGosh I thought you were gonna leave us hangin’! Thank Goodness! Whew! Yay! You have a fridge again! Whooohooo!
My dear Amelia the Wonder Cat has finally gotten to the ‘I am going to ignore your sorry butt’ with my pups. Of course they are so old… And yes that IS her name. 🙂
Off to lead brain group. I have so much electricity in my hair I would not need to hook up solar for the trailer!!! And my fingers are frozen. HIGH winds. Blah! Bahumbug!!!!
Hugs from Hoquiam!
Barb
PS holy moly into double digits in the math quiz!
Hi, Barb with a special hello to Amelia the Wonder Cat,
You do seem to be in a very “interesting” location for weather! Hang on in the wind as you go to your meeting.
BTW, don’t bother with those dadburn double-digits. Click the circular arrow until an easier math problem comes up. 🙂
LOL Hey, I added up to 17!!! I just think it is hilarious when I look at it and go ‘huh?’.
I worked for years as a waitress at McCoy’s Pharmacy (in the cafe) and we had to add everything up in our heads… (If you are a fan of Animal House, it was in the movie… I wasn’t. But it was 🙂
I have always been really good at adding lots of stuff! Head crunch and gone!
This is good for me! A test! 🙂 Ya gotta laugh!
Stay safe!
🙂
Poor Reggie, just wants to play. Those cats have no sense of humor, but sensibility where a pup is concerned. I guess you’ll just need to get a kitty so that Reggie can understand feline behavior!
Hi, Mary,
My days of living with cats are over. I was crazy for cats as a kid and in early adulthood. Love ’em still. I can’t imagine dealing with Reg and a cat in this tiny living space. 🙂
Now that paints quite a picture!
Si glad for this report. Have worried just how the heck to replace my fridge if it ever goes out! Good to know how you did it without taking out the window! Bravo to you and the crew for great problem solving skills! Gotta re bookmark this page for the future and hope I never need to use it!
Hi, Pamela,
I’ve heard of Casita owners using the back window. I really balked at that. I don’t want leaks!
Glad you found this post helpful…
I have cats and I can feel Reggie’s pain. My cats do not play, I have two big dogs and the cats let them know who is boss every time the dogs forget. One of my dogs is real big but he acts just like Reggie. It is so funny to watch him hop all over the place trying to get one of the cats or anyone’s attention. He is close to three feet tall at his head, but he will jump in our lap in the recliner. Sometimes, I think he has lost his mind. But we love him. We went to Burger King last night and got their two for ten whopper meal. We bought the two dogs a bacon double whopper with large fries to share. We joked that Fatman could smell us coming as we left Burger King that is about three miles from home. Sure enough Fatman had his nose to the crack of the door when we were unlocking it. We almost could not get in the door for him jumping and bouncing around us. We make him sit on his bed before we will give his burger though. That way he calms down and does not gulp it so fast. Got a love ’em, they are just like our children only they never grow up and leave.
So glad your frig is installed and usable. The first thing I would have bought would have been a rotisserie chicken too. Enjoy everyday and thank you for taking us along.
Hi, Jean,
I enjoyed your story of “Fatman and the Whopper!” You are so generous to your dogs. Bacon! All Reggie gets is a plain patty. I always ask for “the smallest patty you have for my dog.”
The fridge cools great! I didn’t buy a lot of perishable stuff because I didn’t know at that point whether it would cool down well. I’m going to make chicken salad today.
Chicken Salad sounds good. My favorite. I will be right over, when did you say it would be ready?
Hey, wait for me! I love chicken salad, too! Chicken salad par-tay!!!
Hey Jean. I love the Burger King 2 for 10. I get my dogs one too. I get mine in Southaven too. They built one in Horn Lake but still like that one in Southaven best. I live in Horn Lake right down the road. I love following all the adventures of rv Sue and the Reggie man
Hi, Judy!
Hey Sue. Love your posts and pictures
🙂
Thank you for today’s giggle. It’s been a long work week (and it’s only Thursday) and I needed a smile. I have a dog and five cats–I’ve seen these antics and reactions many times. 😀
Good heavens, Kristi! A dog and five cats! You must have seen it all!
I hope your work week progresses smoothly to the weekend. Hello to Daisie and the feline crew…
😉
🙂
Well, rats! Can’t see the Comments unless I make a Comment. Glad you’re finally getting the frig. Bet Reggie had a happy face when you brought out the rotisserie chicken.
Hi, Cat Lady,
Reggie was starved! He usually eats kibble in the middle of the day. I leave it out for whenever he wants it. This day he had to wait until after 5 pm for supper.
I think there’s a way to enter comments without making a comment. Maybe a reader will explain. …. although I kinda’ like you being forced to write something…. hee-hee.
I click on “rvsueandcrew” just under the post title and then on “Continue Reading” (highlighted) at the beginning of the post and you get all the post and the comments.
You can see the comments by clicking on the title of the post
YEA!!!!! New refrigerator will be in and heating will be fixed by end of the week! What a nice way to celebrate the beginning of a weekend. I am hard at work today. After a long week, tomorrow is Friday! Happy earlier Friday everyone!
Hi, Dawn,
You and Kristi (above) seem to be having a hard week. Wishing you a wonderful weekend as a reward! Thanks for stopping by…
Poor Reggie! So many great potential playmates but they’re all so snooty and snotty!
Better luck next time, Reg. So glad you finally got your fridge! Have you been using ice? That’s what I’ve been doing lately and it’s such a hassle. I have an appt. on the 22nd to get it looked at but I’m terribly afraid it will behave perfectly when they go to check it out. Hope the fridge works perfectly for a long long time!
Thanks, Janis,
No, for the 3 months or so that we didn’t have a working fridge, I did not use a cooler or ice at all. I hate that “hassle” you mention. It was more fun to drive into town every other day for take-out and also something for the next day’s main meal. After a while, one adjusts.
Good luck with your appointment. I wish you the best outcome!
Congrats on the sparkling new refer! Glad it all worked out for you Sue.
Thank you, julie. You brought my mother’s words to mind… “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out in the end.”
Enjoy your day, wherever you are! 🙂
I see nothing wrong with any of the picture’s.
Hi, Tammie . . . .I removed the photo. I need to edit more carefully before posting!
Sue, So glad to hear the guys were willing to work with you on getting that fridge in through the door…you are right, windows are never the same once you break that seal. Poor Reggieman…he just wanted to have a little fun…hopefully the chicken soothed him. Yay for chicken salad…how do you make yours? Savory with onions and herbs or kind of sweet with mayo, celery, grapes, pineapple? Like it both ways…even a little curry is good. Hope the propane line repair goes well. My little Gabe sends hello to the Reginator!!!
Thanks, Millie,
Since living on the road, I keep chicken salad simple — chopped chicken, chopped celery, a little grated onion, mayo, no salt, pepper, or spices. Suits me fine. 🙂 I can put it in the center of a green salad or make a sandwich or eat it plain. I used to mix it up with macaroni elbows or shells, too, like one does with tuna salad…
Hi there, Gabe!
Yay!!!! the frig. is in, I hope your loving it and at the same time it has to feel a little weird to have the new frig.
poor Reggie cats will be cats….😾
Hi, Tammie,
The refrigerator is so bright white and super clean! I didn’t realize how the other one had lost its newness. Yes, it’s great having refrigeration again…
Hi Sue,
Glad you finally got your new refrigerator. It’ll be a luxury for you since you were without for so long. Going to the RV Show tomorrow here in the fort. I’m getting closer to retirement and plan on seeing the country. I’m sure there will be a lot of different campers to choose from. I’m not sure what I want but I’m hoping I’ll know it when I see it.
Take care,
Hi, Karen,
An RV show — what fun! Prepare to be dizzy from all the choices! And all the prices!
Word of caution: Go for practicality and a firm idea how you will RV. Avoid anything designed for cuteness, the lure that leads to regrets later.
Having said that, enjoy the experience…. every step brings you closer to your dream.
Easily one of my favorite parts of this post was Chuck saying “We need to have you home before Dark.” Gotta love folks considerate enough to put your comfort and safety above their own convenience. Given their clever ideas about installing the fridge through the narrow doorway without removing your window I imagine they’ll easily figure out and fix your heater’s problem, too. It’s neat, and understandable, that Jared’s wife didn’t feel like going to her doctor’s appointment. You got his great help and she got to reschedule something likely really improving her day.
Reggie’s zooming as an invitation to play with the cat’s is adorable, he’s so-o cute! It’s a good thing that’s his first reaction, rather then charging at a cat as some dogs do. Wow, it must have felt great (after you’d put everything back in it’s place) to have a rotisserie chicken at home again, then go to sleep on your nice clean bedding with little Reggie sweetly tucked in…Are you still more tired than usual?
Sunrises here recently have been all golden and orange shades. Sunsets cast a soft amber glow on all the oak, maple and pine trees’ bark and trunks-it’s breathe taking. I find myself twirling saying “Thank You!” often. Today’s snowstorm topped all of those in beauty though! It was by far the prettiest one I’ve ever seen midday. Now the sky is blue and cloudless with bright sunshine everywhere. There are only seven weeks of winter left. Because we’ve had as much rain as snow this year the lake hasn’t frozen so it will really look like springtime in my yard and on the beach when that season arrives.
Your benchmarks must be a bit frayed at the edges with all the use they get as you dream about new places to go. Do you think you’ll stay camped there for a few more days beyond Friday’s appointment, or strike out for another place?
What a wonderful comment! You included so much. I especially enjoyed reading about your part of the world. 🙂 I agree with your view of Chuck, Jared, and his wife… all came together for a good outcome with consideration for me, which I greatly appreciated.
To answer your questions: No, I’m not back to full energy. I accept that I need a nap every afternoon and time it to coincide with Reggie’s. We napped for only an hour today. Previously we were sleeping for three hours during the daytime! And I still sleep about 12 hours every night. I do make sure my nutrition is good. This sleeping sickness comes and goes throughout my life. It will pass.
Yes, my benchmarks are starting to fall apart! I’ve about worn out AZ and OR. Now CA is battered. As for moving after Friday’s appointment… I probably won’t move on Friday or Saturday. Those aren’t good days for camp moves in general… I’m guessing Sunday will be the day. I have a poor record for predicting moves because I change my mind so much and live according to whim!
Recently you asked if the blue mat helps keep the BLT’s floor clean. Yes, it does! In addition it makes a patch of bare ground become a nice living area. The mat is a necessary item to me.
Thanks for the great comment!
Likely by now you’re on the way to Chuck’s place for this mornings appointment , or soon will be. If so, I’m sorry I missed the chance to say- Good Morning! I hope it goes well without you or Reggie missing meals today.
Good morning to you, too, weather!
I will have to go offline now to prepare the BLT for the trip into town. Thanks for the good-wish send-off!
Good Morning, Sue! There are sparkling bright sunshiny views outside my windows at the moment, so nice to see that and to see you on here 🙂 . Between the appointments for repairs and replying here it seems that your getting as much sleep as you mentioned would be hard to fit in. Assuming you want to save the story of, and news about, what happened at Chuck’s shop yesterday I won’t ask the questions I’d love to know the answers to.
Thanks for remembering that I’d asked about your outdoor rug helping with keeping dirt out of your home. I actually will be getting two, one for inside the tent that attaches to the T@B to protect it’s floor from the weight of chairs and a table, and another for an outside living area much like the one you set up. After a long search on Amazon (for rugs I liked the colors and patterns of) I realized how light in weight yours is in comparison to the rest. That ease of use issue and quick drying feature is what sold me on yours initially, yet unless it would help me keep dirt out of the tent and home I’d have kept looking.
Likely your moving or not tomorrow depends on whether or not you’re through with the repairs, at least for now, how well and rested you feel, and whim of course ( love the freedom of that).
As there’s ten new inches of snow cover here, and this county issued a no driving request to let the plows clear the roads, I plan to stick close to home. Tomorrow instead of our current real feel of 9 degrees it will be in the 30’s. A town about a half hour’s drive from here got ten feet of snow within the last week and it’s still coming down there. I’m grateful to have the beauty around me without all the work those living there have to do.
Gee, you’ve been staying where you are since December 8th. That the longest time in one place since you got the BLT isn’t it? When you got there, and during most of the time since then, you had no idea of when the work on your home would be done. Did you pay the $40 for two weeks at a time? If so it works out to be close to the 6 month fee. Either way it’s a great deal for such a gorgeous and private place to live. Thanks for showing us, once again, how to live on less and enjoy life more.
weather…. I want to reply and answer your questions when I’m not in a rush. I have a post ready to publish, then Reg and I leave for errands in town and the next camp! Love the long comment with lots of details… Talk to you later!
Okay, thanks, I’ll check back – just saw the new post 🙂
Congratulations on getting your new refrigerator installed! Now you can have more chicken and fresh vegetables! Enjoy😀
Thank you, Sharon! I look forward to having yogurt again, too. 🙂
Hurrah! 3 cheers for the tenacity of your repair guy. And Reggie’s, in trying to befriend the felines.
I agree, Pam! Hope you are well and happy in Wisconsin today…
Poor Reggie got the stink eye from those felines, as only they can give it! Didn’t seem to discourage him though. So cute to see him go through his routine., he’s such a little optimist. I’m off to Kentucky to see my son and looking forward to my one day (13 hour) road trip.
Hi, Susan,
Gee, that’s a lotta’ hours on the road in one day. Do take breaks and be very careful. I have no idea what the weather conditions are between Dallas and Kentucky….
May the roads be clear and dry, and the traffic light. Have a wonderful visit with your son, Susan!
It’s all four lane divided highway and if I can’t do it I’ll just roll into a motel. I’m texting a friend and my son as I travel so they know where I am. Traveling when you’re retired is so much easier!
That’s a smart plan, Susan. You’re right about traveling when retired. In fact… Remember that old slogan for margarine? “Everything’s better with Blue Bonnet on it.”
Well, everything’s easier with retirement!
Hello Miss Sue I just love zooming greetings. Our black cat, old man of fifteen, Flick the assassin, sorta accepts our dogs, will lay on top of one if he really needs time a d a dog is already there… I imagine in his youth he would have been more prone to put them in their place!
An update on my 39 year old nephew with the transacting aorta. He is still in ICU still not out of the woods, but baby steps better. He is a paraplegic from his spinal cord being without blood supply. All this from severe sleep apnea. So those of you with this problem heads up, sleep apnea can be a killer, or maimer…. sorry for the downer message, but I hope this might save someone else’s life.
Yippie..we have cold! Get yourself some Tillamook ice cream!
Hi, Lee J.,
So tragic what your nephew and family has gone through. May he improve with each day that passes. Thank you for educating us on the danger with sleep apnea.
In case I haven’t told you lately…. Thank you for being a loyal blogorino!
Lee J in Northern California. Can you tell us what the relationship is between severe sleep apnea and the spinal cord being without a blood supply? I know a few folks with sleep apnea, both have c-pap machines, one uses his faithfully, the other does not. Sleep apnea is more prevalent than one would think I have found. Will pray that your nephews baby step turn into big steps in time. Thanks for the information.
Hi Sue – I was glad to hear about the successful refrigerator install. Rotisserie chicken and real food is always a good thing. I have this thing about half & half in my coffee. Just not coffee without it! With no refrigerator I would have to buy ice and pints! It is an addiction! Poor Reggie-he just wants to be friends with everyone. Cat’s loss! My Maggie rules the roust here. My cat Oreo can be a spitfire when she wants to but one look from Maggie and she backs off. Sometimes she jumps on Maggie and jumps off and Maggie just keeps walking. She will let her go so far and if she wants her to back off she just gives her “the look”. Pretty soon you will be back in full working order. Yay! I hope you are well and enjoying your chicken.
Thank you, Linda. I hope you and your crew are well, too! I enjoyed reading about the feline antics. 🙂
HOORAY! Fridge is in and COLD! Now to get that gas problem tackled so we can get on the road again! Poor Reggie, life can be so disappointing when nobody wants to play with you. Radar does NOT like cats, neither did DoogieBowser, but Tater is so laid back he just watches the few ferals we have here go walking by.
We hope that you are feeling better by now!
The weather here has been wonderful all winter. We have a few cold days here and there and one frost, but our little corner of Florida seems to be protected from the coldest weather that the surrounding areas have been dealt with. Thank you Mom Nature!
Give that sweet little ReggieRocket a hug from us! Hoping that the propane fix goes quick and easy so we can all relax about it! 🙂
Thanks, Geri. I plan to be back on the road soon although there are only so many places to go during winter, places that suit my way of camping, that is.
I do have a spot in mind. 🙂
I know you and Chuck miss DoogieBowser. He was a great little guy. I’m glad Tater is fitting into the family so well and gets along with Radar.
Your weather in Florida may be great for you, but it drives me crazy! Every time I learn there are tornadoes or hurricanes approaching Florida, I wonder if you, Chuck, your canine crew, the Mothership and Mermaid Tears will become airborne! Yes, thank you, Mother Nature, for scaring me on a regular basis! haha!
hahahahaha
Our Maine Coon cat would walk right up to a dog, no matter the size. The dogs would sniff her and she would march on her way to wherever. Now, in her “retirement,” she loves quail. When we are outside, the quail will come right to her and she will make a sound similar to the quail.
How precious! Cat and quail conversations — love it!
It’s nice to read these anecdotes about cats, a change from the usual canine bent of this blog. Thanks for writing, Beverly.
Whew, so glad to hear that the old fridge got out and the new one went in the Casita,
Finally. What a joy to have a nice fridge to properly keep your food supplies cold and tasty. I was holding my breath the entire time this procedure was going on. Now I can breath again, I was turning blue lolol … Bet y’all couldn’t wait to bite into that chicken. 😉 Hugs to you and the crew.
Brenda
Thanks, Brenda. Hugs to you, too!
This post was a doozy to write. I wanted to explain the fridge installation for those interested in that, at the same time realizing that a lot of people would rather see Reggie and cat photos. And, of course, I had to build in a cliff-hanger!
I was in your neck of the woods the other day, driving back from Quartzsite and through Blythe. We sure had a wind storm on the Friday before I left for home. On the way back I heard a terrible sound coming from the back of my class B. Turns out the storm was back enough to break my Fantastic Fan lid!
Oh, no! Sorry about your fan lid, David! You mention leaving for home… Where is that, if you don’t mind me asking? General area… I’m guessing So Cal. 🙂
Good to hear from you. Not many guys have shown up yet!
Well,,, I surely hope that you didn’t get wacked by those Cats, Reggie dear,,, dad and I have been looking at front windshields and just got back to our winter camp and some folks from Colorado SW is there so we are south of them a big bit,, love ya dear ,, oh ya ,, dad says hi too,,,, Miss Piper💕🐾
Hi, Rusty and Piper!
I’m glad you were able to locate a new camp when your old one was taken by someone else. Beautiful day today, isn’t it? So warm, calm, and sunny, it’s hard to believe how cold and windy it was just a few days ago.
Too bad about your windshield. The PTV received a chip from a flying stone, not too bad. I can live with it.
Be well, you two. 🙂
Thanks Sue, have a big crack down the middle and hopefully we will have a new one Tuesday, 7th,,, oh ya,,,, we’re not getting a home or the motorhome “c”,,,, a big waste of time and money, we’ll just keep rolling on like we been,,🚂🚃🚃🚃👌
Rusty, you and Piper are not getting a home? Kind of sounds like a bunch of road blacks have been put in the way and you have had enough of it. You have to do what is right for both of you and only you know what that is. Know that many are rooting for you. God Bless.
Glad you now have your Refrigerator in, now you can keep vegetables and ice cream and chicken too,,, have a great weekend and stay safe and give Reggieman a huge hug from us, okay,,,,,,, me👣
Poor Reggie…trying to show those cats how to have fun with no results! Their loss! I was so worried the new fridge wouldn’t go into the Casita! Thank goodness the servicemen were patient and took care of it for you. And now you can have chicken salad…I do love it so too. I hope the Friday appointment goes quickly and without worries for you and Reggie.
Sue, I hope you are back to your old self soon. Feeling blah is no fun. I am going to sound like a nosey/buttinsky blogger, but perhaps it is time for a checkup and blood work up. Just a thought. I always feel like I have no more secrets after a blood and urine work up!!! My last blood work up was good, but the triglycerides were a bit high…cut down on sugar and alcohol I was told. Well, I don’t drink alcohol, but I have a sweet tooth that is never satisfied!! I try to eat two servings of fruit to ward off the candy/cookie/ice cream binges. Some days are more successful than others. But I truly am trying.
Belly rubs and hugs for sweet Reggie and prayers for you both.
Thank you, retiredcajunlady. Good for you with your efforts at healthy eating!
Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows that I’m not one to go to the doctor. I try to look after my health with exercise and rest and avoiding stressful situations. I also try my best to eat well (lately being the exception due to no refrigeration!).
I’ve cut out or greatly reduced a lot of things I consumed in the past — sugary drinks, diet drinks, stuff made with high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes and preservatives, buy organic when affordable, rarely eat pastries (holidays, yay!), eat ice cream occasionally, lots of fruits and fresh vegetables. I’ve also cut back on carbohydrates (again, except lately)… less bread, taters, pasta, etc. I’m careful about cholesterol. Oatmeal is a frequent breakfast. I’ve learned to drink coffee black.
I quit smoking decades ago. I never salt my food, while cooking or at the table. No chips or other salty snacks. No red meat, no pork, no bacon, no sandwich meats with nitrates and junk. No whole milk, very little milk of any kind. I rarely drink alcohol, usually only to be polite when a guest.
I take 81 mg. of aspirin daily, plus fish oil capsules and AZO caplets (urinary health). I’m 68 years old and do not take daily prescription meds. I drink emergen-C when I feel a twinge of sickness coming on.
My lifestyle keeps me away from people. For the past six years I have been sick only a couple times, mostly this sleepiness that has plagued me all my life. A solitary life protects me from picking up viruses. However, it also makes me more vulnerable when I DO have to be around people. The past few months without a fridge have necessitated I go to the grocery store frequently. I probably picked up a bug, which is a good thing.
It is good because my immune system has been given a chance to rebuild its defenses, so to speak. Total isolation from the viruses and bacteria that crowds carry is not good.
So to conclude…. I doubt there is much a doctor can advise me regarding my diet. As for other stuff, I really don’t care to know as it would ruin my positive, carefree outlook, a foundation of my health and peace of mind.
And that last statement will probably have people jumping on me. Oh well, there it is.
Thank you for caring, retiredcajunlady!
I am with you all the way on not going to the doctor. My Dad used to say that if you want to be experimented on-go for it. There is a reason it is called a “practice”. Dad also said, “That is where sick people are” best to stay away and I have never been in my 67 years. (Had three kids at home). Did finally have to go to the dentist a couple years ago though. That was a one shot deal, no more teeth problems! Ha. The dentist I had at Los Algodones was Great.
Wow! You have been blessed with excellent health, Gloria. More power to ya!
You do indeed take excellent care of yourself, Sue! And sweet Reggie! I forget to take my low dose aspirin, something I do need to pay more attention. Truly, I wasn’t judging you and your lifestyle. It was just a thought.
Now that the fridge is in and the rest of the repairs will be done today, I am anxiously awaiting your next adventure on the road! Can’t wait to see where Sue and Reggie land next.
Take care. Hugs and prayers to you both!
I didn’t think you were judging me at all. Sometimes I give a long-winded reply to head off a pile of questions or comments from other readers that don’t apply to the situation.
You take care, too, rjl!
Happy days are here again – working fridge and rotisserie chicken! WooHoo! Life is good! Happy for you, Sue. 🙂
Thank you for that sweet note, ValGal! 🙂
Hi😃
Hi, Rover Ronda! 🙂
I have decided what treatment I would accept. I don’t go anywhere else. Why spend government money to diagnose something I have no intention of treating. I accepted treatment for high blood pressure. When I had a stroke someone else called amb and transported me. When my heart stopped that night same thing someone else accepted a pacemaker. I’m continuing with blood pressure treatment. Period my choice and unless I’m out that’s it. Can’t stop what I don’t know about though
Hi, Joyce…. What it comes down to is what an individual decides for their own body. It’s not the same for everyone and it may change over time. You make a good point about it not necessary to diagnose something when you have no intention of treating.
Just a comment. At my last physical, the doctor (new to me) said, “I am not going to run tests on things that you would not want treated at your age (72). So you let me know what those might be”. She gave me some good common sense suggestions regarding diet, supplements, exercise, sleep, etc., and said if I still had concerns, she would be glad to discuss them with me. I like that approach, but it may not be the right one for everyone’s situation.
I like that approach, too, Mary…
Just left the Q heading to Mesa to visit family.. Hanging out in Buckeye for the weekend… Just loving the desert.
And Reggie…WOW. With his cat action… What a cutie.
So glad the fridge install happened.
So enjoying the desert. So different than when I was 20 something. ..lol. . Appreciate it so much more..
Travel safe.. Corky says hi and hugs…
Hi, Carlene and Corky,
“So different when I was 20 something”… That’s true about many things! I’m very happy you are loving the desert. Today was beautiful, the air so dry and warm.
Enjoy your family visit!
Hi Sue, Glad your fridge is up and running. What a relief. Sorry Reggie didn’t have better luck with his playmates. Oh well, usually he hits a home run, being Mr. Popular and all. Glad to see you’re on the rebound as well.
We also don’t go to the Dr. very often. We have found that 99% of issues can be resolved with time and care. Not big on taking prescriptions, but they certainly do have their place, as does good medical care.
On a technical level. For some reason, the last week or so when I log on to your web page, it takes me to the post I last read, and I have to hit “refresh” in order for a new post to show up. I’m sure it’s on my end, but I wondered if anyone else has noticed a difference.
We leave for Florida a week from today. Can’t wait! The Casita is ready to roll. We just need to add our clothes and our food and off we go.
Hi, Applegirl,
Thanks for your kind words.
Regarding the blog opening . . . .Maybe you need to clear cache more often? I don’t know. I have weird stuff happen, too, without obvious reason, and then, after a while it disappears.
Yay! Florida here we come! I know you must be excited! It’s wonderful to have a way “to roll” to a favorite place. Only one more week to go…. 🙂
Same here; I waited 4 days for a new post and 2 new posts showed up when I finally hit refresh. It appears that the page doesn’t refresh unless you are on the page and hit the refresh button.
Yup, that’s exactly what’s been happening. I’m going to try to clear the cache, like Sue recommended. Knowing that Sue was taking a break, I just thought everything was quiet, only to find out that folks were posting and so was she!
The only answer I come up with for why that happens is this:
Recently we had a bunch of readers who were all polite and sweet in their comments, some for years, until they found something that didn’t suit their tender sensibilities. They lashed out with their “disappointment” comments and indignant “I’m leaving!” — one even pretending she hadn’t been hurtful and rude and wrote another comment. Seeing these folks for what they truly are, I put them on a list to ban them from my blog.
Unfortunately the spam filter isn’t perfect. It does pick up parts of an ID that may be shared by others who are not spam. Perhaps this is what has happened. And then my reply or some other force of which we know nothing enables you to enter later. I’m hopeful that in time the problem will not appear again. I’ve checked settings and I don’t know what else I can do.
Hi everyone,
Yeah for a new fridge, fresh food at hand and cold. I am sure you will appreciate the convenience in a whole new way. I am glad the fridge fit and Reggie avoided lacerations by cat. Some of those felines were bigger than the Reggieman!
We have been enjoying a new neighborhood and new neighbors. I was a little bit concerned since this area has Breed Specific Legislation and Tommie has often been mistaken for the breed targeted (unfairly) by the BSL. So far, so good, but I am cautious where we walk in the daytime and don’t go far from home. All the people I have met seem very nice. I want to check out a nearby park next. We have been having some lovely winter weather with sunny 70 something days and refreshing 50ish nights. I am thankful for my little ceramic heater. It quickly makes the tiny trailer cozy.
So I am eagerly planning the pickup of my new trailer in the fall, a 17 ft Escape, and I am wondering Sue….is there anything you wish you had gotten in your Casita, or anything that you have but don’t use much ? I think your five years of experience on the road can help me a lot as I choose options. Thanks.
Hi, Lisa,
I’m glad you are enjoying your new neighborhood. I’ve given your question a lot of thought. I can’t think of anything I’d change. I’m glad I didn’t get the furnace. I didn’t get the electric jack. I’ve never used one so don’t know what I’m missing, and cranking the jack by hand isn’t an issue for me, plus it’s something less to break down. I got the outside shower which I never use, but it’s nice to have as a feature when selling, and, who knows, maybe I’ll use it someday. It’s just not my habit to do so now. I don’t think it added much to the price of the BLT anyway.
I’m very glad I opted for larger tanks, larger tires, high lift axle, and vinyl flooring!
Hi Sue, so glad the refrigerator is finally in. I hope the gas line repair goes faster. Reggie has to learn the ways of the cats at some point. At least he didn’t get hurt in the process. We had two cats, one hated the dogs the other wanted to be best friends with them. Strange critters.
Hi, Lisa W,
Thanks for the note. I don’t know if Reggie will ever learn about cats. He has an ever-trusting spirit. It shocks him when he comes across creatures who don’t.
Read the fur … those are words to live by!
🙂
Hi Sue
Your post gave me a laugh…..poor Reg just didn’t have a chance with those cats. So cute with him looking in the doorway. What a character he is.
Glad you have your new fridge installed. So nice to have the convenience again.
Hi, Val R.,
Glad you got a laugh out of this post. Yeah, Reggie was wanting to check out that store. He has no reservations about people, dogs, or cats. He thinks everyone is a potential friend until actions prove otherwise, and he’s always ready to make a new friend.
Phew…. glad the fridge was installed. Too funny about the cats…the hockey dismemberment brought back memories of the ferals…when they were ferals! As soon as I saw the calico…I laughed. Calico means attitude in cat language! Poor Reg man just wants to be the ambassador to all critters!
What a long day you both had! Rest up! Rotisserie chicken indulgence! Happy campers!
Good morning, Cinandjules!
“Reggie stands frozen next to me. Above us the palm fronds shiver.”
LOLOL!!! Sue, you have outdone yourself with this post 🙂 Thank you for such a great laugh. Hugs to you and Reggie!
You’re welcome, Paula! Hugs to you, too!
The one positive thing I can say about Airstream RVs is that if goes inside, it had to go through the door as the shell is built first, tested then filled.
Glad to see you’ll have the cooler back on one hand and the heater on the other. Both make such a difference in long term living in an RV.
I have to dig the Norcold out of the Eurovan this summer to see if I can bring it back to life. It’s small, but cold drinks with dinner and no mess with an icebox is such a treat.
Best of luck!
Thank you, Don!
AZ Jim, Thinking of you today. Hope your medical tests go well.
Lee, I’ve been thinking of you, too.
For anyone who posts concerns, I do want you to know that I pray for you right then and there. I don’t depend on my memory anymore for these things. At one time I would have remembered all of it. LOL. So, even if I don’t always respond, please know you are prayed for, and do keep us in the loop, so we can continue to lift you up.
Good post, Applegirl…. I believe several of us do the same!
Sue, I love your very descriptive animal stories! You know that’s what they are thinking. Thanks for making refrigeration so entertaining. Glad it’s finally taken care of, I know how expensive those things can be. You will feel so much better after all the repairs are done. Thanks again and Take Care Sue and Crew.
You’re welcome, Diane!
Yay! New Reefer!! Thanks for sharing. Good to know how all that went, and good things to think about. I’ve been measuring mine for looking for replacement options, but didn’t think about the door…very good information! Enjoyed Reggie’s antics with the kitties, glad all remained unscathed 🙂
Thank you, Dawn!
Loved the photos of all the cats – they do love laying out in a sunny spot, don’t they? That is until a pesky little terrier comes charging up! When we brought our Wheaten Terrier (Boz) home as a puppy we already had two female cats. They never liked him and he learned to just ignore them. They sort of lived in parallel universes. Then, when Boz was about 3, I rescued a male kitten that some boys were trying to stuff down a storm drain. Willy and Boz became best friends and use to roll around on the floor together and chase each other through the house. The female cats didn’t like Willy any better than they liked Boz and we used to laugh that they were like two old ladies looking down their noses at the boys playing on the floor. That generation of pets has passed on and as far as I know our two current dogs have never seen a cat. I suspect they would be curious like Reggie, but maybe not smart enough to back off.
I’m so glad your new fridge fit through the door – that must have been a little nerve-wracking. Once you get the other things fixed today you’ll be like brand-new and ready to rock and roll to some wonderful new home!
Hi, Cynthia,
I don’t know how I missed seeing your comment earlier. I’m going to blame it on the weird things that have been happening with pages loading recently.
Thanks for another nice note! Take care and have a wonderful day!
So glad you finally have a new refrig! Can’t imagine what it would be like not to have one. Love seeing Reggie’s reaction to the cats. My dog (chihuahua) sees a cat and the barking starts non-stop until the cat is out of sight. Just no stopping him. Been trying for years. Sure hope you are feeling 100% soon!
Hi, Carolyn H,
I apologize for skipping over your comment yesterday. I didn’t see it.
Yeah, there are some dogs that are barkers and it’s a tough habit to break them out of. Good luck and thanks for the wish for my health!
Hi Reggie,
We have a cat and let me tell you, she calls all the shots! We just try to keep a low profile around her. Sometimes she’s friendly and gets in our faces or sideswipes us, other times she doesn’t want to be bothered. Trying to stay in step with her moods keeps us on our toes, that’s for sure!
We heard our mom say we’re going camping in the new thing that’s in our garage. We know that you camp and seem to like it since it gives you the zoomies. Our mom calls this thing a teardrop trailer. We’re not sure about it. We tried to sleep in it with our mom the first night she brought it home in Nov. It was comfy, but by 3:00 a.m. my pug sister and I were ready to come back in the house and sleep in the big bed. Every now and then our mom takes us out to the thing for a nap to get used to sleeping in it. She likes it a lot. It’s way too cold now in N. Illinois to spend much time in it. We’re still not sure about it, but will think of you and be encouraged by your zoomies. We like your backhoe moves too!
Happy travels to you and RVSue,
Your fans,
Pug Izzy and Pug Lilly
Thank you, Izzy Pug and Lilly Pug, for reading our blog and for being fans. I love the RV life! You should love it, too!
RVSue says I need to go offline. Enjoy the snow, whatever that is!
Reg
HI Sue –
Clete, Diego and I are on our annual trip to Quartzsite, so we are temporarily neighbors, sort of. Weather is beautiful! We took a trip to the Fisherman intaglio today. They sure do hide it well, but we managed to find it.
Glad to see that you got your new fridge even though you did fine without it. I’m impressed! You didn’t even use an ice box!
Happy traveling,
Chris B
Hi, Chris, Clete, and Diego!
I don’t think you could have nicer weather for your Quartzsite visit. Today was absolutely gorgeous and as I type this the sun is setting. Not a flashy sunset, soft and lovely.
I hope you’re having fun! Good to hear from you again…
If I ruled the world, I would make it a law that all product engineers had to build, disassemble and reassemble their products, and use them for a year, before they could be put on the market.
Hi, Al,
The BLT was built around the fridge. In the factory…I think the refrigerator is brought in through the window opening before the window is installed.
Ok, going to try this again as the reply I just tried to send went somewhere into cyber space. Sue, what do you think could have been made better, stronger on your refrigerator so it might have lasted longer, if anything. By now you have had the propane leak and heater fixed and are all set to move on, should you feel the inclination to do so. Now you can get back to proper naps during the day to get feeling better. Sometimes rest is the best remedy. That last cat was one nasty looking dude, glad he didn’t do any more than arch is back & hiss. Love Reggie’s red & blue color combo. Hope you can get some rest now.
Thank you, JazzLover, for your wishes for my health. I’m much better now.
How could the refrigerator been made to last longer? I don’t know how, other than changing its owner. Ha!
Seriously, plastic ages and becomes brittle. The structure broke in several places after six years of abuse. If I had kept the BLT off rutted, rocky roads, it probably would have lasted a few more years. I got my money’s worth.
True enough about plastic becoming brittle and does so faster in drier climates. Had you stayed off of rutted, rocky roads you would not have had the sweet experiences that you and the crew did, and that has made all the difference. Don’t change the way you select where to go because this is what makes you happy, your posts interesting, your pictures beautiful and keeps those of us frugal ones out here with hope in our hearts that we may be able to do the same sometime. Thanks for all of that.
Great post Sue!
Good morning, Terri. Thank you!