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RE: My loss
Locky - I am sorry to read of your Father's passing. I can empathize with you on the loss. May 13 was my Mother's birthday, she passed 5 weeks ago, within 2 years of my Father's death. They taught me everything I know and I miss them every minute of every day.
One thing we know is that our parents want us to go on with the business of living and they prepared us all along to do so without them.
I am crying with you my friend. And, yes it will get easier with time.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 01:44pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Crossing into Canada and saving the Vegetables
I can never make any predictions on what will and will not be allowed. We cross into Canada twice a year for hunting and each time our MH is searched. I am used to it now and open all the drawers and cupboards ahead of time and take the agents on a tour. They pull up the bed, look in the safe, the fridge, the cargo bays - everywhere. As DH clears the rifles with the agents, I do the MH with another.
I got yelled at over an egg from the US still in the package on the way out of Canada by US agents, it was confiscated. Next time, I threw a dozen eggs away and was told "that was silly, you can take eggs across as long as they are in US packages". A 1/2 lemon was confiscated, I knew about potatoes.
Lamb must be in the original package and must be from New Zealand.
I have tossed all the fresh veggies out, only to be told that none were illegal.
I was written up for bringing a goose feather I found in the Canadian bush into the US. I had stuck it in my cowboy hat. Yep geese fly over the border all day, dropping feathers, but I am a bad girl for the one in my hat.
We found a pair of shed antlers but they were confiscated by a US agent who obviously didn't know what sheds were because her reasoning was that we couldn't prove when the animal died. Ummm sheds are from live animals that SHED their antlers every year. We were instructed to turn back to Canada (if they would allow us entry with our illegal booty) and take the sheds back to where we found them in the Canadian Rockies somewhere in either Alberta or BC. Because we were in the mountains on horseback for 3 weeks, we really couldn't say which province we were in when we found them. Since we wouldn't lie and say Alberta when we weren't sure and no one can take sheds out of BC, we had to turn back and drive about 45 miles where we found a construction site and gave them to the guy in the office trailer. Huh? Confused? Sure. Every crossing has a different set of rules.
I was reemed out by a Canadian agent because while we were at the window, DH wouldn't let me speak up. I had counted the cigarettes and his declaration was 11 cigarettes short. (they were Canadian cigarettes left over from the last trip) The agent screamed at ME when I told him in the office and said "now that you have corssed over it is too late to declare anything, you are in violation of Canadian law and I can deny you entry or arrest you. You only have one chance to declare and that must be done at the window." Really? Arrest me for 11 Canadian cigarettes when we spend 6 months a year and tons of money in Canada? You would have thought I was smuggling illegal immigrants or was a 60 year old drug courier if you heard him tongue lashing me.
Now I make a list, count everything and read it to the agent at the window even if I have to interrupt DH. The agents chuckle like I am being crazy.
You can't please them. It is all a******shoot.
Just read them a list when you are at the window and let them tell you what you need to toss.
Kitten
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 01:33pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: for diebetic and/or weight lose wishers
There are sugar free fudgesicles too. And sugar free Jello pudding is pretty tasty - especially if topped with whipped cream.
DH is diabetic so satisfying his sweet tooth is difficult and as you know, fruits are packed with sugar. While he can not eat a whole apple, he can eat 1/2. Here is something delicious that you can enjoy - even if diabetic -
peel and thinly slice one apple.
saute' the apple slices in butter with one packet of splenda and some cinnamon to taste until the apples are soft.
serve warm with a dollop of real whipped cream on top
makes 2 servings.
very nice dessert, easy to prepare and tames the craving for sweets.
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 12:54pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: dishes vs paper plates
Sandwiches - paper. The cheapest paper ones I can find. To stop them from bending, just use 2 or 3 and throw the top one away.
Everything else - real dishes just like at home. However, I will use paper for prep work rather than dirty all the dishes.
Never plastic utensils or drinkware, in fact took them out of the MH because we never used them. I just cringe at the thought of using plastic or styrofoam and tossing it into a landfill for the next million years or so. Just my nutty self.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 12:45pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Got leftovers? Make a quiche!
I make them without crust as we are having to watch carbs for health reasons. Baking time is 25 minutes without crust.
I use 4 eggs, one can of evaporated milk, 1/2 lb of shredded swiss and whatever vegetables/meats I have on hand. After 20 minutes in the oven, rub a large pat of butter over the top.
Let it sit 10 minutes before cutting.
Kitten
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 12:32pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Homemade wine...cheap, easy and not too darn bad!
My friends in Canada have been making their own wine for years. I love it because of the low alcohol content and no headaches afterwards. I am saving wine bottles now, getting ready for my first attempt.
The wine they made was similar to a nice French red table wine - my favorite anyway. Very much like Coates du Rhone.
Yum.
Kitten
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 12:27pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Forgot to close tank valves
If it bothers you and you are the only one that counts here, close the valves, hook up the water, pour in a bit of bleach - a capful per 5 gallons of holding capacity is enough - pour a bit down each drain - run all the faucets, fill the grey tank, let it sit 20 minutes and open the valves. You can do the same with the black tank - we use a hose to fill it rather than holding the foot pedal down.
If it were me, I would do it rather than worry about not doing it.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 12:09pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Driving Question
Well, you could just remain in the right lane and let the merging traffic wait for you to pass or stay in the left lane and hold up traffic for a few seconds until you are comfortable with switching lanes. No one likes to let a MH get in front of them, when you put on the turn signal - they speed up to dart in front of you. Me, I don't ming being a road hog for a few minutes.
OR you could get mirrors and a back up camera installed.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/14/12 11:36am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Need old timer or good searcher
Monkey bread.
3 packages of biscuits, cut in quarters;
cup of white sugar;
cup of packed brown sugar;
1/2 cup butter/margarine;
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon;
1/2 cup of walnuts and/or raisins.
Bundt pan.
Heat oven to 350. Grease bundt pan.
Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Coat bisuits pieces 6-8 at a time by dropping them in the bag and shaking it. Arrange coated pieces in pan, sprinkling raisins/walnits between layers.
Metl butter/margarine with brown sugar. Boil a minute. Pour over biscuits.
Bake 35 minutes, let cool 10, then flip in onto a plate.
Mmmmmm.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 07:48pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Funeral Edict?
Not too long ago, people would stop in all directions for everyone and get out of their cars and bow their heads. Those days are gone, sadly.
Stop and let the funeral procession pass.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 07:32pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Sheets for king size bed
Jersey sheets. They hug the mattress and shrink to fit too.
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 05:17pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Newbe
How exciting! We did the same and had almost nothing we needed. It was still fun as we made lists for 4 days. Then I went shopping in the cupboards, the attic and WM.
If you haven't heard of the cushy rubber shelf liner trick, get some for the weekend. It keeps things from sliding around.
And don't forget a door mat.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 05:10pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Where Do I Start
Here is how we did it on our first and only purchase:
First and foremost is money. How much are you willing/able to spend on an RV? RV meaning a TT/TV or MH. Budget exactly this and no more. The bling can be blinding while you are looking and it is easy to get pushed into a more expensive model if you are too eager.
Got the budget? Good.
Now, what kind of traveling will you be doing? Will you want to speed across the country to get to the otherside and back within 2 weeks or will you live on the road? How long will your intended trips be mile-wise and time-wise? If you can only take short trips close to home once in a while the best RV set-up may be different than if you are going to travel for 6 months at a time.
I have not seen a van pulling a trailer yet, so I can not comment on whether that is even an option. However, there are some quirky numbers you need to know in order to be able to tow anything properly and you may need a super special hitch. I am not saavy on all the terms for hitches.
Do not under any circumstance let the RV dealer convince you that your tow vehicle "can pull it, no problem". Do your own homework here by asking the mechanically talented people. Too many times the result is that the new vehicle will NOT pull the new RV and something ends up sold/or traded in to get the right combo, usually at a loss. Ask and ye shall receive.
There is a consignment dealer - ppl motorhomes in houston, tx. The website is great and you can "see" a lot of floorplans, specs., details, etc of all sorts of RVs. You will get a feel for what is out there, albeit used.
After you have browsed RVs for a while, make a list of the "must haves" and the "would likes". They are different for everyone. For instance, I rarely use the washer/dryer and could function well without it but having 2 soafas was a "must". I gave up a king bed to get the most of our "musts" in one rig.
Since your girls are small, you should look to an RV that will grow with them. At a certain age, the fold down dinette beds are too small for the kids. Buy for the long run as the kids will grow. And do you want to make the dinette into a bed and back into a dinette everyday? If not, look at bunkhouse models which have a seperate bedroom for parents and bunkbeds for the kids.
You will travel with 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs. Give serious consideration to a living room slide model. It will be a little slice of heaven on rainy/cold days when everyone is inside. But this could be my age and claustrophobia talking. It is up to each family. Without a slide it can be cramped or cozy, depending on perception. My friends have traveled all over the country with 3 kids in a 24' trailer and love the coziness even though the kids are teens and adults now. And they manage to travel in a quad cab pickup truck without anyone being "bored to death".
MHs are great for many reasons, two being there is a bathroom and a kitchen on board and you don't have to leave the RV or unpack it to get to them. Class C's have large overcab beds which are handy for 2 kids.
As for Class A', there is a saying: "six for cocktails, 4 for dinner, 2 for sleeping" as the most manufactured floor plans require kids to sleep in the living area on sofas. There are some with bunkbeds. There are even some with a bath and 1/2.
Budget, style of travel, style of camping, type of RV, features/amenities. In that order.
Have fun looking and learning. It is all fun.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 04:54pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Campground Oops
We do that all the time. Local body shop laughs at us. So how was Jazzfest?
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 01:24pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Just because there has been a leak....
Ours had stains on the ceilings when we bought it (and still does) but the roof had been repaired and was solid. No leaks since.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 01:21pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Why is my dog eating cat poop?
Joel, my sympathies are with you. Mine is a 24/7 velcro hound too. We have been within inches of each other for 12 years, usually touching.
I fed them both a big Sunday dinner of raw meat and they haven't moved in hours - very peaceful. LOL
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 01:17pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Why is my dog eating cat poop?
Yes, I guess it is time for a visit to the Vet. He is driving me crazy with the constant barking and panting. He circles the coffee table while we watch tv, barking and whining as if the other dog is in the spot he wants. But even if she moves, he doesn't stop.
He barks to have the door opened, then just stands there as if he forgot why he wanted the door open in the first place. He goes out, then immediately barks to come back inside. He can't make up his goofy mind about anything. He is so dang lovable and spoiled rotten but is making me crazy!
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/13/12 07:51am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Why is my dog eating cat poop?
Thank you all for the replies. This new behavior is a little disgusting to me, well a lot disgusting actually. My sweetheart is getting old. :( Sam has cataracts so his sight is impaired. He is a little hard of hearing too. His back is swayed now and he walks a little pigeon toed. Once he was shiney black, sleek and slim. Now his face, chest, feet and belly are white and he has gained weight.
He pants constantly, barks at vases, light fixtures, the fireplace and licks his feet or the carpet or even the sofa. He is restless. It's a little aggravating.
And, contrary to the old adage, an old dog can learn new tricks - he now opens the sliding glass doors to let the other dog in.
Miss Kitty is 14. She hates that he is in her litter box. All my babies are elderly. Waaaah!
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/12/12 09:17pm |
RV Pet Stop
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Why is my dog eating cat poop?
My sweet lab is 12 years old, getting a little senile and started eating cat poop from the litter box about a week ago. Why? He has never done this before and it is grossing me out.
He is also barking at nothing - constantly. Stares into space a lot but has learned to open the sliding glass door with his foot. Go figure - an old dog can learn new tricks. He worries about my other dog being outside, it makes him nervous and he barks until she comes inside. Strange, new behaviors. But the kitty poop thing has to stop.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/10/12 11:27pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Leaving home for long time
The post office will only hold mail for 30 days at a time, so you will either have to send in a new request each month or get neighbors to collect your mail.
Let your credit card companies know you are traveling for a long time, we have had issues with cancellations while away for a few months because the CC co. thought the cards were stolen from the activity all across the country and couldn't contact us at home. Embarassing but fixable with a phone call if it happens.
Have fun.
Iris
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StanleyandIris
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05/10/12 11:17pm |
General RVing Issues
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