RV Poetry

Leon and I are not that old, or rather have not fallen out of love, so we prefer to sleep together – not that we don’t have our moments….

Panoply has space for an over cab bed that is longer than a true queen bed, but it is closer in width to a full bed. We decided we might prefer a wider bed – and a nontoxic bed. Therefore, we wanted the option to sleep on the sofa/beds in the back.

The original beds had plywood that slid across the plywood storage boxes to meet in the middle. The back cushions then slid down to become part of the mattress, therefore providing a king sized bed. We pulled that plywood out and Leon built new slatted frames for the 32′ wide mattresses, though the front legs are still to be added.

His side has room only for the legs, but my side will have additional storage beneath it for shoes. With his size 13 feet, there were few places to store them. I mean I could have just laced the tennis shoes around the ladder out back, but that would not have been something to be proud of, would it? But then again, his shoes will be beneath my side of the bed. I guarantee baking soda and activated charcoal will be on the shopping list.

The frame is 2×2′s with IKEA birch veneer slats. Each slat is screwed into the 2×2 on the ends, installed with countersunk screws in a way that allows the arched slats to flex a bit. Because they are arched he cut equal amounts from each side of the individual slats after removing the ribbon that held them together.

All wood and slats were sealed with AFM Safecoat Hard Seal as I prefer not to smell the glues and wood used to laminate the slats. This is the same product we sealed the walls and wood throughout Panoply.

Seeing the first bed frame in place was “a moment”… bigger than converting the incandescent bulbs to LEDs.

Tweet This Post

Btw, my tag line above was revised today as I want my entire thought in my tag line rather than a ‘read between the lines’ fraction thereof. Can’t see it the way you are reading this post? Here it is:

“Life is lived like poetry is written: though each moment is its own rough draft, we can then ReVisit our past, ReValue our decisions, ReVise our forward path, and ReVitalize our passions.” Marcia M Bogaert

On to the subject at hand. I’ve ignored my blog – and yours – while we have been trying to get work files and personal files scanned, loose ends tied up, research and order products for our future part time-full time RV lifestyle, and get Panoply remodeled enough that we can take our first (ever) RV trip later this year – barring a hurricane hitting here before we leave. If that happens, Leon’s clients take priority to our adventure.

That said, though Leon has not had as much fun as I have during this process, he has had his moments, they usually occur when a project is completed or near completion.

We had the pleasant distraction of our granddog Bella visiting. It was too hot for her to stay outside with us while working on the RV for long periods of time, so I volunteered to go inside to ‘check on her’ often. Which meant, of course, sitting on the floor to pet her and soothe her wounded psyche that ‘grandparents’ ignoring her. : D

I seriously did not get enough done while she was here, but she went home early enough that I did help Leon some.

The closet is shelved!

The first of two bed/sofa frames that slide are cut, drilled, and sealed; MaxxAir Fanmate Rain cover #1 and MaxxAir Window Cover #1 of three are installed so we can air out the RV longer hours; we found what we need to complete our sink installation; the first two LED lightbulbs are installed (Gee, who did that job?); and most all other items needed are at least ordered.

We may get Panoply ready yet! I hope you all are working on your dream project – or have it done and ready to start the next.

Tweet This Post

I have some, yes, but am phasing them out – all of them, home and RV. Why when they are so energy efficient?

Mercury. Wait! Don’t rush off because it is so little and you have been told it doesn’t make a difference if it is disposed of properly!

Think about how many bulbs are broken by tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes each year? Or lamps tossed without thinking after a flood?

I don’t need to do the math for you. And I doubt many people have even thought of this.

We are converting most lights to LEDs – they have changed – much better light produced than they were in previous years. They are cooler and no mercury.

Yes, they are expensive – I won’t go on that rant right now.

Tweet This Post

We gave up on an exact fit. I found a sink I could live with after literally looking at thousands online. (Most of that time was spent trying to find a close fit to the opening.)

The original sink was white acrylic, double bowled, so each side was too small. I wanted a single bowl. Guess what?

I found one big enough for my large pasta pan to fit in with room to spare! And the sink is nearly three inches deeper than the RV sink was. (I know, I probably won’t even take the pan with me, but….)

Yes, we are giving up height beneath the sink, but are, also, gaining space by removing the plumbing for the second sink drain.

The existing sink opening is 14.75 x 23, too big for our new sink. Leon dreamed up two possible solutions for solving the obvious, the cut out is too big. Will he be successful? Yes. Will it look good?

Function over beauty is my choice, but you never know, if either of his ideas are successful, I’ll be thrilled with it! I’ll post the brand and store name with pictures when he is finished….

Now to see if I win the faucet battle or not. Leon and the salesperson ganged up against me. They both refused to give an inch that I could/should try to make my favorite faucet work. I need ONE measurement from a manufacturer to be what I am hoping to win. And if I am wrong, it’s going to cost him (us) a lot more to get my second, third, or fourth choices! Because I will not settle for another “style” faucet.

Keep searching for what you need. You will either find it or find something better.

Tweet This Post

And so, We only just unrolled the awning for the FIRST time. (OK, so that sentence was written months ago. Time flew by, we have not opened it again.) This is what we inherited :

Yuck. Now to figure out how to clean it – someday. Too many priorities right now. I heard those Mr. Clean sponges might help. (Awful tiny to do that big surface.) I suppose I should read the booklet that came with the Lazy Daze and then search the forums for other suggestions as well. Any guesses as to how clean it will come?

Tweet This Post