Issue 31, GETTING READY TO MOVE AGAIN.

Diary published weekly since 2001

Hi Again, summer is here and in Canada it is a long weekend (Civic holiday Monday). Numerous RVers are out enjoying fun filled adventures, sure hope you are joining them. We have been back in the London area for the past 10 days and tomorrow we are off and running again – this time for a week in Michigan – for a family gathering with John’s sister Marilyn, hubby Arnold and many of the kids. Mid September we have booked for a week in Ottawa for a ‘Navy Huron Reunion’ (the ‘Huron’ was the last ship John served on - for 5 years) – but more on that later. We sure do love the freedom of this lifestyle. Cool

We were very fortunate during our trip west that the severe hot or wet weather surfaced a day or two after we departed in most of the places we visited. We feel bad for the friends we left that had to deal with their uncomfortable climate. However I will say it again – our past trip west has been up there as one of our most memorable during our 22 years of F/T. Good friends, fun things to see, outstanding RV Parks, a coach that purred like a kitten the entire trip, along with spectacular scenery – what more could anyone ask for? Cool

Much of this week we have been catching up on touching base with good friends, picking up and dealing with 6-weeks of mail back log, med appointments etc. We have also made time to relax, unwind and clean house before another adventure takes place. Cool
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OUR WEEK IN REVIEW

A long overdue lunch date with Doug and Bonnie (fulltimers) from Chatham, Ontario took place last Sunday at Timbers Restaurant in London – it helped to kick-started the week. Thanks guys for making the long trip down, it was so good to see you. Cool

Monday we ran mega errands and Tuesday I again had my BOTOX. Hey!!! I have stopped my incessant blinking and my eyes will no longer hurt for the next 3 months. They were pretty bad by appointment time. This is a lifetime commitment every 3 months, so I may as well get used to it. Cool

Wednesday it was John’s turn to visit his Ophthalmologist so he could deal with his eye problems. Vision in his left eye is fuzzy – he thought it was his cataract but they are both doing well. Apparently his retina needs to have a fine layer removed by a different eye professional – at this point, an appointment with the specialist is still pending. Isn’t it fun to get old where medical problems take on such a high priority? Cool

Thursday we finally touched base with friends Trudy and Rod. They have been away at different times than us plus they’re heading east again for a month. Lunch at Montana’s was a perfect meeting place to catch-up on the mega events from our interesting summers. Following lunch, all four of us checked out possible parks for us next year. We will NOT be coming back to this one in the London area, but I will relay more on that in a ‘Life Lesson report’ in the fall (send me an email if you live in the area and want details sooner). Sooooo as of 1 October, when our contract is up with this park, we will be moving to Braemar Valley RV Park, 6 km north of Woodstock on Highway 59 until we head south. There are many park models in that campground, but a perfect site for the LUXOR with a clear view for our Internet Dish was available. We plan to spend next summer there. A new backyard is always appreciated. Cool

Friday it was Katie’s turn to see the Dr. She has about 3-bad teeth on her upper left side that she wouldn’t let anyone near, but with her bad heart, Dr Allyson does not want to put her under. So she has been on antibiotics for the past 10 days and on Friday with the help of two other assistants holding her head, Dr Allyson was able to remove a mega amount of calculus from the area. Another 10 days of antibiotics should do the trick for now. It seems that the calculus was more of the problem than the actual teeth. Katie seems to be a much happier old lady these days. And guess what? – Today is Saturday again – this has been a busy week. Cool
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FUTURE TRAVEL PLANS

FYI, our proposed plans for the next year have changed. Following old habits we learned from our military training, John and I always make long-term plans – but following the freedom of the RV lifestyle we also frequently change these extended forecasts. As I already relayed, we have committed to be in Woodstock next summer and this coming winter, it looks like we will NOT be heading to Arizona as we hoped to – instead we expect to spend the winter in the Rio Grande Valley - not sure where as yet. Right now we expect to go to the pretty River Bend C2C RV Park in Brownsville for a week during late October/early November. From there we will check out all available valley parks. There are numerous available, and most will be almost empty during November and December – many will still have spaces available for the busy months of the winter. So we will look for a getaway that appeals to the interests of both John and I, plus of course reasonable monthly rates will also come into the picture. Cool
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FINAL THOUGHTS

I will keep this news section short this week. One mute point, many RVers have issues with the parks they are in and sometimes we customers have very few options to get justice. I heard a cute comment today. “With an RV, we can always vote by turning the key and driving off”. Take care and wherever you go Travel Safe. P&M Cool Cool Cool

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TIPS OF THE WEEK


EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE - from RV Living in the 21st Century

[list]***My all time favourite tip is a way to create EXTRA DRAWER SPACE. Attach an ordinary pocket style shoe bag to the inside of a cupboard door. For stability, add elastic strips side to side across the pockets and fasten with screws to the door. These portable pocket ‘drawers’ work well in the kitchen to store long or large utensils; in the bedroom for underwear; in the bathroom for shampoo bottles plus toiletries and in a storage compartment for easy to find screw drivers and other tools.

***When NON SLIP VINYL MESH, originally designed for use on boats, is placed beneath kitchen appliances they won't move when the unit is in motion. If you line cupboards with this miracle fabric, dishes or pots and pans also stay exactly where you put them.

***Over the years I discovered the mesh works even better if I place a SIX-INCH SQUARE beneath each pile of dishes or pots rather than the entire shelf. This way when I pick up the last dish the entire shelf is not rearranged. However, this mesh will destroy the finish of some items such as the bottom of acrylic glasses.

***After our recent renovations I discovered that LINING THE SHELF of our dish cupboards with scrap carpet added one more cushion of protection.

***HIDE A KEY outside your coach for emergency entry. If you misplace your keys as much as I do, it's more convenient to use a spare key than it is to break in.[/list]

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PROMOS THIS WEEK from my Inbox

This week I have been privileged to preview two of Mark Polk’s new seminar DVD series – DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES. This is the most complex detailed info on this subject I have seen anywhere. Mark explains in simplified terms the intricacies of each type of battery along with the ratings, uses, types, sizes, configurations plus how to connect in series or parallel. Storage, charging, cleaning terminals, plus what’s required for general battery care of these ‘hearts’ of our RV’s is also included. Let’s face it, if our batteries don’t work, our RV’s don’t function properly. All these points and more are covered in detail on this complex DVD’. Since understanding your batteries is paramount, this DVD is a must for all new and seasoned RVers.

In their RV CARE AND MAINTENANCE DVD, Dawn and Mark share many of their secrets on how to tackle major spring and fall cleaning as well as periodic cleaning touch-up secrets. Mark also explains how to discover potential problems before they cause major problems such as a wasp nest in the water heater or a bird nest in the fridge. Knowing how each system functions and how to keep it working helps to ensure our homes-on-wheels operate trouble free – not to mention the money we can save in a repair facility. Mark addresses how to trouble shoot potential problems, followed with preventive maintenance for each system, component and accessory in your RV. Explaining the in's and out's of keeping your unit mechanically sound is his #1 priority. Knowing what to look for is 90% of the problem. This DVD is a comprehensive asset to any RV library.

For more details, and/or how to order these two DVD’s, or to learn about any of their extensive line of How-to publications – go to http://rveducation101.com/cart/shopaff.asp?affid=12
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NEW ADDITIONS TO RV Living.net

I recently added a comprehensive story about RV Dishwashers written by Ed Doyle. To read all about these time saving accessories go to www.rvliving.net/RVdishwasher.htm
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Through Picasa I found I could make any album into a video slideshow and add it to my website. Soooo to try this out I saved my Power Point Packing seminar slides (my shortest PPT seminar) as images and put it into a video. I know it runs too fast to read and as yet I have not found out how to slow it down, but I did add a link at the bottom of the video that takes you to the Picasa albums where you can view the entire content as a slide show in slow motion. This is a trial project I am experimenting with and I value ANY feedback. If you have time and can take a look on my ‘LETS ORGANIZE PACKING TIPS’ page, please do so. http://www.rvliving.net/packing.htm I really do want your good and maybe not so good comments. Not sure if I will proceed with this type of content but I have to know if it has any value. A photo album may be a better presentation this way, however it may not be good for a seminar. Thanks in advance.
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RV TRAVEL NEWSLETTER

This informative newsletter http://rvtravel.com:80/publish/newsletter/issue287.shtml arrives every Saturday and this weeks interesting and valuable info.

www.rvtravel.com/blog/rvsinthenews/2007/08/ford-recalling-36-million-vehicles.html Reference Vehicle Recalls.

www.rvtravel.com/blog/digitalrv/2007/07/boost-your-cell-signal-wherever-you-are.html A new device to boost cell phones – several varieties are available – this one is $300.00. The This issue also highlights a new Verizon USB adapter for Internet access – Note - generally this type of access does not travel across the border. Call verizon to ask (1-800-922-0204).

I also posted the last two blogs to the RVing Canada series for this summer as well. Not sure how long these posts will be up for viewing but this week I discussed amazing drives to the East and West of Canada http://rvtravel.com/blog/canada/index.shtml
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NEWBIE CLUB PROMOS.

I send a big thanks to everyone who participated in the money-saving NEWBIE CLUB’S ‘2 for 1’ sale last week. Their informative and educational publications on ‘HOW TO DEAL WITH UNDERSTANDING YOUR COMPUTER are very helpful. If you missed the sale, this site still offers great value for each item offered. Newbie Club also has many FREE info items available. www.newbieclub.com/?rvliving Why not take a look?