Short Bed? Payment Trap. Short Hose. Floor Vents. 5 Stupid Things. Wasps Like Gas. Surge Protector. Stow Stuff. RV Tips. Deadline in Iraq.

 

For 'tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day

How to lengthen an RV bed

"A bed in an RV can often be too short for tall RVers, who have to scrunch up to fit in — not good for a restful sleep. This video shows you how to fix that problem for about $30 — a lot cheaper than a new bed!"

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The Payment Trap / The Illusion Of Freedom...

"Many people are making payments on their recreation vehicles thinking that they are free to travel and live off the grid when in actuality they are tied to the system and a slave to their wages. Their possessions end up owning them, they do not own their possessions. Many people are just one paycheck away from repossession and losing everything.."

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Carry an extra hose?

"Carrying an extra, specially sized water hose, can be a godsend for the traveling RVer. Here's why.

Keeping a long water hose in the rig is always a given, particularly if you frequent RV parks with hookups. But a short coupled water hose, just a few feet long, can make life a whole lot easier when on the road."

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A tip about heating vents in your RV

"Jim Nelson shows you a way to cover one or more of your RV's heating vents to keep debris from falling in and to help control your heating comfort."

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5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV

"Here are 5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV plus One *Bonus Stupidity Not Done by Me. When You travel enough time in your RV you are bound to eventually do some stupid things. These are my top doh! moments."

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Flea collars keep wasps out

"Wasps like the smell and sweet taste of propane, and will turn the pilot light areas in the refrigeration and water heater compartments into their next home. If too many wasps move in, their condo will clog up the pilot light area and the system won’t work. When the propane is turned on, it could result in not only frying the wasps but also the RV wiring, meaning a potentially expensive service call to the repair shop.

Cut a flea collar in half and lay each half on the bottom of one of the compartments. Wasps don’t like the smell of flea collars and will congregate elsewhere.

Other solutions, such as commercial wasp traps to keep wasps out are available. If wasps have already invaded these compartments, one-shot solutions to get rid of them include dousing them with a cup of soapy dish detergent in water. Wasps reportedly like the smell of beer better than they do propane, so place a half-full can of beer in the compartment. The wasps will crawl into the can to get at the beer and drown."  by Cheryl Probst

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Are surge protectors needed in RVs? And what about extended service plans?

"Dear Gary,
A friend told me about how his 120-volt appliances in his RV fried at a campground in AK. He said a surge protector probably would have prevented a huge bill to replace what was destroyed. Is it a good idea to have a surge protector? Also what are your thoughts on extended service plans?" —Jim G. (Seattle, WA)

Read Gary's response. Posted by The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer

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A Sometimes Overlooked Motor Home Safety Tip

"All motor home owners observe certain procedures prior to taking off from a camp stay. Things like, disconnect all connections, slides in, jacks up, antennas down, and more, are standard rituals they are all accustom to. A vehicle walk around after everything is set, is a good policy and hopefully is done by every RV’er. These often reveal issues that need attention such as open compartments, obstacles beneath the coach or wheels, awnings not locked, etc. A little time spent completing this can save a lot of time and possibly costly repairs later.

Okay, all checks out as ready for the road, but, what about loose items within the coach? Those items like toasters, coffee pots, cutlery and other personal things that we all carry, are they safe? They create little or no danger while driving down the road outside of possibly rattling in harmony with the bumps on the road surface. However, in the case of a sudden deceleration caused by a collision or even a panic braking action, these items can become lethal. The sink with several dishes, knives and forks, can be tossed up and become ballistic household shrapnel.

Many makes of class “A” RV’s do not fair well in a collision, and in some impact instances, the body may practically disintegrate, offering little or no protection for the occupants.  Unlike automobiles, trucks and even buses made today, RV’s do not have to meet the same crash test safety regulations.

But, even if they did, they still pose an added danger that the others generally do not. That is, loose cargo items throughout the interior. These normally harmless pieces will continue their forward travel speed should the vehicle be caused to stop instantly.

So, if you are lucky enough to survive the impact moment of a bad collision, you may still be seriously injured, or worse, from this flying debris. So what can we do to reduce this potential danger? Well, cleaning off the counter and removing items in the sink is a good start. Look for items that would be unimpeded from travelling in a forward motion to the front passenger area.

Be sure any heavy items are secure and would be blocked by a wall or bulkhead towards the direction of travel. If there is nowhere else to store that blender, place it on the floor, preferably without a clear path forward. If you have any forward facing cupboards, use a tie of some type to prevent them from opening in a sudden stop event. These are just some ideas, but each rig is different, as are what people carry with them. Use common sense in how items are stored while travelling.

Now, don’t forget your seatbelts! While your motor home may seem like sitting in a living room, you are travelling in a vehicle that is, not only less maneuverable than your car, but also may possess other possible dangers. Drive safe!"   With an Eye on Safety – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer

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From me:  This includes your pets. Keep them safe in strapped-down carriers or in a seat belt harness.  A man had his neck broken by a large dog being thrown forward, and beloved animals have escaped through broken windows, never to be seen again.  It is also easier for the medics to tend to passengers if the animals are restrained.

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RV Tips:

Use big enough leveling blocks
"Got leveling blocks for under the tires? Make sure the blocks are big enough that the tire sits completely on the block — not overhanging it. Dually rig owners, BOTH the tires must be supported, not just one."

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Keep your RV food safe

"Food borne illnesses can stop your RVing fun in a big hurry. How can a RV foodie keep this nastiness away? The food safety experts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center provide a few tips to keep the food fun going."

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Prep your rig to be sales-ready before upgrading to a new RV 
"Is it pristine clean? Do the appliances work? Does it have any off-putting odors? Look at your rig as a new buyer sees it — and take care of its shortcomings before they turn off a prospective buyer. These tips will tell you how."

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Treat your campground neighbors as you would want to be treated.

"Don't play your music so loud that they are forced to listen to it — they may not share your love of Conway Twitty. Would you want to listen to their music? Always be considerate."

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From me:  Standard size sheets v. RV sheets?

Get some sheet grippers.  Available at most dept. stores.

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Adjust the hitch ball height
“Towing with the tongue high (or low) can overload one of your trailer axles.  Set your ball height to level the trailer when attached to the tow vehicle."

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Cleaning the RV shower, sinks and toilet
"Remember that whatever you use to clean the sinks, showers and toilet ends up in the RV holding tanks. Never use any cleaners that could possibly damage the holding tanks. Clean these surfaces with a non-abrasive mild detergent, water and a soft cloth.

Never use any harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners that can scratch or damage ABS, plastic and fiberglass finishes. Some wet wipe products work well on these surfaces, but avoid using bleach." Tech Tips from Mark Polk

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On This Day:

Benny Goodman brings jazz to Carnegie Hall, Jan 16, 1938:

"Jazz has been called "America's classical music," a label that does more than just recognize its American origins. The label also makes the case that jazz is worthy of aesthetic consideration alongside music usually thought of as "classical." In the current era, when programs of Duke Ellington and J.S. Bach often draw the same highbrow crowds, that argument hardly seems controversial. In the 1930s, however, the notion was almost laughable, which is what made Benny Goodman's January 16, 1938, concert at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall so revolutionary. Goodman and his supporting cast claimed a new place for jazz on the American cultural scene that night, in what has come to be seen as the most important jazz concert in history."

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Bush waits for deadline in Iraq, Jan 16, 1991:

"On this day in 1991, President George Herbert Walker Bush waits to see if Iraq will withdraw from Kuwait by midnight, a deadline mandated by the United Nations, or if war will ensue.

On November 29, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of all means necessary to remove Hussein's forces from Kuwait, giving Iraq the deadline of midnight on January 16 to leave or risk forcible removal.

Just after midnight in the U.S. on January 17, Bush gave the order for U.S. troops to lead an international coalition in an attack on Saddam Hussein's army. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf led Operation Desert Storm, which began with a massive bombing of Hussein's armies in Iraq and Kuwait.

Following an intense bombing of Baghdad, U.S.-led coalition ground forces marched into Kuwait and across the Iraq border. Regular Iraqi troops surrendered in droves, leaving only Hussein's hard-line Republican Guard to defend the capital. After pushing Hussein's forces out of Kuwait, Schwarzkopf called a ceasefire on February 28 and accepted the surrender of Iraqi generals on March 3."

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Yesterday:

It was a good time to go shopping, mostly for fresh green veggies and pet food.

As Jay is in his own little world of getting drunk, I went by myself.  Ray was taking his son to the doctor. 

After I had dropped off the paper recycling, I  stopped at several thrift shops as I was looking for a food processor.   All I found was a very bulky old one that would not be very practical.  Anyway, it didn't have all the attachments. My small one is great, but lately it seems to have lost it's oomph to mix some things.

Maybe Nala is missing Misty, or maybe she just likes a different bed.  After I put laundered Misty's beds back in place, I found Nala asleep in the one under my bed.  She and Ava actually got within two feet of each other without Ava hissing, so we are making progress.  Nala was here first so she should, in theory, be alpha cat, but senior Ava wants that title.  She doesn't seem to realize that shy, gentle Nala wouldn't want to defend her title, she's a lover not a fighter.

It was a nice sunny day, but very windy. At Kroger's I really had to hang onto my door to stop it from hitting the car next to me, yesterday.

Cruise Control or Overdrive? Parasitic Battery Drain. Fifth Wheel Hitching. King Pin Stabilizers. Many RV Tips. And A Laugh! Poor Richard's Almanack.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday" or RV Day:

Use your cruise control or overdrive while towing?

"When towing a travel trailer, can you use the cruise control? What about an overdrive transmission? These are questions that can puzzle new RVers — and even some veterans.

First, cruise control. Here's a school of thought where most folks who've had cruise tend to agree: Towing a trailer with cruise control is fine — with certain caveats. Towing "on the flat" is a snap, and may save you fuel if your cruise control handles the accelerator. However, if you encounter a situation where your transmission begins to "hunt," that is, to move from one gear to another and back, then you may need to make a change. Usually the "hunting" can be stopped by simply slowing down or speeding up just a tad. If this settles the transmission down, well and good. If not, you may be back to "flying manually."

Cruise on hills can be a different story. We've found by our own experience that leaving the cruise control engaged when hill climbing is OK when the grade isn't real steep. On steeper grades the cruise will try to maintain speed, downshifting and eating more fuel. If you have a fuel economy gauge in your rig, try using the cruise while hill climbing and see what happens to consumption. We often tow up hills with the cruise "off" and holding the accelerator at a given point — this means slowing down, of course, and downshifting where needed, but it pays at the pump.

On the downhill side, safety is the chief concern. Cruise control won't hold your speed from going "over" the set-point, so on a steep downgrade we feel more comfortable with the cruise off.

Other places to forgo the comfort of cruise control include icy or otherwise slick roads, and in heavy traffic. We've found some bridge decks set up an awful "bounce" for our truck-and-trailer combination that's enough to rattle your teeth out. Drop off the speed control and slow down to get these nasty bounces under control.

For automatic transmission users, what about overdrive while towing? There were some trucks produced in the past that decidedly recommended against towing in overdrive. This is because by the design of these transmissions overheating could be a problem. Towing adds a heat load, and to keep the transmission cool, fluid is pumped through a radiator-like device to cool it off. In overdrive, some transmissions couldn't pump it fast enough to handle the added heat load, and the results could be really expensive.

First rule: Read your rig's owner's manual. If the manual rules out towing in overdrive, then lock out the overdrive. If the manual allows towing in overdrive, you could be conservative and safe by installing a transmission temperature gauge and keeping a close eye on it.

Finally, you may have a rig with a "Tow/Haul" switch. For many transmissions, that switch resets the shift points of your transmission to a selection more appropriate for the extra transmission load. It may also lock up the torque converter (reducing heat buildup), and may even lock out overdrive. Again, check your owner's manual to be safe." by Russ and Tiña De Maris

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How to drain an RV fresh water tank

"Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, explains how to properly drain the fresh water holding tank of a recreational vehicle, whether a motorhome, travel trailer or other RV."

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How to stop parasitic battery drain

"How to prevent parasitic battery drain, and manage the level of current being drawn from an RV battery.

The folks at Trailer Life show you how to find sources of parasitic drain on your RV, plus a device to show you if you are, in fact, inadvertently drawing power that will ultimately run down your RV batteries."

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Fifth wheel hitching: an old-timer’s advice

"From several years of observations at campgrounds, it seems most RVers don’t know the importance of hooking up the umbilical cord from the truck to the fifth wheel trailer before trying to connect (or disconnect) the king pin to (or from) the fifth wheel.

This is necessary so you can apply the brakes on the trailer, and is a "must do" to avoid pushing your trailer off its leveling blocks or to prevent it from moving even a few inches — which would put great strain on the landing gear. If the trailer rolls or you don’t get a good king pin connection, your trailer can be sitting on the box rails of your truck — a very expensive experience.

Mind you, this advice is largely pertinent to those fifth-wheel owners who have "electric over hydraulic" braking systems. When you hit the brakes in your truck – or hit the control lever on your brake control, electricity is run back to a motor in the trailer that in turn, pumps hydraulic pressure to the trailer breaks. Conventional electric trailer brakes don't react in this same way. If your trailer brakes are electric, the only completely assured safety when hitching up to keep it from rolling is to tightly chock the wheels, on both the front and rear of the tires.

An old-time truck driver told me that in years gone by when a semitrailer was parked, it often had no brakes until air was applied to the trailer. Today’s semitrailers have spring brakes that come on automatically if the trailer loses air, much like activating a breakaway switch on your towed RV trailer.

One last important step to remember on unhooking: Disconnect the umbilical cord once the king pin releases from the fifth wheel so you don’t drive away and pull the wiring apart." by George Bliss

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How useful are king pin stabilizers?

"One fifth wheel owner we know refuses to set foot in her fiver unless the front end is "supported" with a king pin stabilizer. She knows it's nuts, but she's afraid the trailer will topple forward if she puts her weight up there without the support. Not everyone is quite so paranoid, but plenty of fifth wheel folks put a stabilizer under their king pin. Is it worth it?

The answer to that question is subjective: Some fiver owners wouldn't do without, others simply scoff at them. Here are the facts and the fiction.

First, unless your DNA is related to Godzilla's, there's no way you'll "tip over" a fifth wheel by crawling up above the king pin area. The laws of physics (and proper RV design) simply won't allow it. So why a stabilizer? Most supporters point to less "rolling" motion when walking in the trailer. But keep in mind that motion in a parked trailer isn't just affected by a king pin stabilizer.

When you pull into camp and set up any rig, its own running gear, including tires, springs and occasional shock absorbers, are still going to give some bounce. Unless you get the tires out of contact with the ground, the running gear will still "give," regardless of the number of stabilizers and their location. Most who use a pin stabilizer report reduced "bounce" — never heard of one sitting still like a "sticks and bricks" home.

It comes down to how much bounce reduction is worth to you. King pin stabilizers have their drawbacks, among them:

Weight: To really get bounce reduction, stabilizers built of steel seem to work best. Users report lighter-weight aluminum stabilizers just aren't as solid as steel.

Bulk: You have to store them when traveling. Mama isn't going to put up with those big old clunkers in the fifth wheel — they'll be in the back of your tow vehicle taking up space. And while most king pin stabilizers are like tripods, having three legs, many users report the "bipod" two-legged variety of stabilizer that takes less space is less supportive than its three-legged cousin.

Not useful everywhere: Parked in a site not close to level, you may find the stabilizers won't work. If the ground under the front end of the fifth wheel slopes down, they may not reach the pin box. If the ground slopes the other way, the legs may be too long to work.

On the other hand, there is an unexpected benefit of a king pin stabilizer that many have commented on: They no longer bang their heads on the king pin. Of course, they may not be telling us about banging their shins on their stabilizer legs!" by Russ and Tiña De Maris

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RV Tips:

Where is the best place to mount a portable generator on a fifth wheeler?

"You have several options for mounting your generator on your fifth wheel, but what is the best place? And all RVers do not agree. Check out these options and figure out the best place for you.

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Clean your Plexiglas shower door without scratching it
"If your RV shower door is Plexiglas, it'll scratch real easy. Here's a recipe/directions for cleaning without scratching: To an empty spray bottle add 1 cup of water with ½ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. Add ¼ cup of vinegar. Mix contents GENTLY. Now spray the Plexiglas with a light, thin mist. Let sit a few seconds and wipe clean with a soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe in large circles. Repeat until clean."

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Interstate Rest Areas. A guide to rest stops across the USA.

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Prepare for recipes for the road
"Favorite recipes look good for the road? Take a photocopy of them, note the ingredients needed. Next trip, pack the ingredients – and the recipes – in your galley items."

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How to fix windshield chips yourself and save money. This could come in handy.

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Keep your keyholes clear
"Some bugs like to lay eggs in little spots — like in the keyholes of locks on RV storage compartments. Once in there, the stuff's like glue. If your locks are steel, get small disc magnets from the hardware store and "stick" one over each lock."

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Clean water stains off your RV ceiling
"Water stains on your RV ceiling? Take a clean sponge, impregnate it with hydrogen peroxide straight out of the bottle. Carefully rub the stain with the sponge and follow up with clean paper towels. Best to test an inconspicuous spot first, and be sure to protect the floor below where you're cleaning the ceiling from drips."

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Keep wasp nests out of your RV
"Maybe you don't have any wasp screens, a simple preventive to keep those nasty mud-daubing wasps from taking up residence in your RV. See how Russ De Maris tackles the problem of uninvited wasps."

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Barehanded dumper changes his ways.
"Jim Twamley used to dump his holding tanks barehanded. Then he came upon nitrile disposable gloves. That was it — no more barehanded dumping and the exposure to bad germs that came along in the process. Read more."

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Is it a good idea to buy an extended warranty for your RV?
"In this short video aimed at new and novice RVers, RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury discusses the pros and cons of buying an extended warranty for your RV. While some RVers believe such policies are important, others disagree. Watch the video."

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Use a laser pointer when loading your truck camper
"When loading your camper back onto your truck, you must make sure that truck and camper line up parallel and stay that way.

Here is a clever way to do it using a beam of light from a laser pointer. See how."

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Protect your Android device from hostile invaders
"The popularity of Android devices has begun to make them a target of the bad guys — not just the ones who'd like to steal your device, but those who'd hijack it through malware. But you can take measures to keep malware out of your device."

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Tips for buying LED lights — saving power and money
"Conserving 12-volt power is one of the many fundamentals of becoming a seasoned RVer, especially a boondocker. Replacing the incandescent lights in your RV with LED lights is a great start. LED lights draw about one-tenth the amperage of the conventional RV bulbs while providing the same or in some cases more light. Read more."  The comments are interesting, too.

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"Make sure other adults who travel with you are capable and confident in driving the motorhome or towing the trailer. It’s better to share the driving duties or, at a minimum, have the ability to drive if the need presents itself. Are you confident in driving or towing?" Tech Tips from Mark Polk

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Taste fresh water first.
“Always taste water before adding to your fresh water tank from an unfamiliar source.  It’s a lot easier to keep bad water out than to GET it out.” Bill's Hints

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"Don't bring your firewood from home with you to a distant campground. It could carry bad bugs. Many campgrounds these days do not allow such "imported" firewood."

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Cleaning a black water holding tank with a Camco Swivel Stik

"Sometimes you won't get all the solids removed from a holding tank, including its walls. Here's a product from Camco that promises to easily dislodge waste deposits and odor-causing particles after a tank is emptied.

Patented holding tank rinsers with shut-off valves dislodge and flush stubborn waste deposits and odor-causing particles left after holding tank is emptied. Powerful rotary cleaning action reaches corners and walls of tank. One-quarter turn shut-off valve at your fingertips. All brass moving parts. Flexible Swivel Stik™ has a flexible 55-1⁄2" reach for basement holding tanks."

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Product keeps mice out of your RV

"Randy Murray of Pete's RV shows you a product that will keep mice out of your RV, and potentially save you thousands of dollars of repair bills repairing their damage. Setting traps and scattering dryer sheets when an RV is parked is not enough to keep pests and their damage away. This product, says Randy, will do just that."

Mouse-free:  http://www.mouse-free.com/    http://www.mouse-free.com/dealers/

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Ready to laugh?
"Read the tale about the proper lady and her restroom request.
Kids — and sometimes older ladies — say the darndest things, but even Art Linkletter would have been flumoxed by this letter sent by an older lady (presumably raised with a focus on the genteel side of upbringing) inquiring on a campground's facilities where she hoped to make a reservation. The campground manager's letter must have given her quite a flush in the face. Read more."

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On This Day:

Poor Richard's Almanack is published, Dec 19, 1732:

"On this day in 1732, Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia first published Poor Richard's Almanack. The book, filled with proverbs preaching industry and prudence, was published continuously for 25 years and became one of the most popular publications in colonial America, selling an average of 10,000 copies a year.

Franklin was born in Boston in 1706 and was apprenticed to his brother, a printer, at age 12. In 1729, Franklin became the official printer of currency for the colony of Pennsylvania. He began publishing Poor Richard's, as well as the Pennsylvania Gazette, one of the colonies' first and best newspapers. By 1748, Franklin had become more interested in inventions and science than publishing. He spent time in London representing Pennsylvania in its dispute with England and later spent time in France. He returned to America in March 1775, with war on the horizon. He served on the Second Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He was also instrumental in persuading the French to lend military assistance to the colonies. He died in Philadelphia in 1790."

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Yesterday:

When I was in the hospital I realized that it had been a while since I had updated my will.   So I called the lawyer and they took the details over the phone.  I'll go pick it up when it's done.

The weather turned into a nice 70°, so it was time to do some work outside.  Misty enjoyed sitting out in the sun, and soaking up some rays.  While the foster cats were playing in the Grooming Room, I let Ava, my 'new' old cat, out onto the screen porch in the front of the house, for the first time.  She looks like she has gained weight since she has been here.

She usually likes to hide in my bathroom and look out the back window, so she had a different view at the front.  She is quiet and sedate, so I didn't worry about her jumping on the empty plant shelves and getting a leg caught, and maybe broken, in the rails. 

Energetic young Peekers would jump on those shelves, so I haven't let the foster cats out there yet.  Jay is in one of his 'moods' again, so I don't have anyone to help me to get the shelves out of there. 

Ray is still sore from the truck accident, and they have now x-rayed his ribs, as one might be broken or cracked.  He brought my cats some of that 'cat grass' to eat, as his cat just loves it, but none of mine were even interested in it. 

Jim, the mechanic down the street, took my little old Puddle Jumper station wagon down to his shop to service it, and I knew it also needed something in the exhaust system. It is just driven here in the subdivision, like a golf cart, but it was getting noisy.  I hoped that it was just a loose pipe, but it was the muffler, so I ordered one of those. It was over $100 locally, but only $31 with free shipping, on eBay.   It should be here in a few days.  

The time went fast, and as you can see, I spent more time gathering a lot of info for this "RV Day".

Mind Your Fingers. First Aid Kit. Cleaning. Trucks!

"When stuffing your fingers into chassis cavities, a bit of an inspection is usually best too.  We have a couple of “dead space” areas in our fifth wheel that with a bit of dexterity can be reached. 

But don’t bet the farm that the boys back in Elkhart were careful about making sure screws, staples, or other sharp metal was carefully embedded and safely out of the way of fingers. Shine a flashlight, and use a hand mirror if needed, to see where your hands are going.

We had one come up recently that caught us off guard.  Took the truck camper down to the coast for a few days of R & R.  The camper had been solidly placed on the truck bed for several months, and it never dawned that something might have happened between the truck bed and the outside of the camper box. That is, until we had to do a fancy leveling operation that brought the camper up out of the box several inches.  It was then we noticed that the wasps had found a gas pipe was an excellent place to start new home construction."

More at: http://www.rvtechtips.com/?p=260

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Are you carrying the basics in a First Aid Kit:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-home/first-aid-kit-essentials.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthinCoordinationWithFDAFoodDrugandMedicalProductSafety_20100707

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Today:

Ray vacuumed the Grooming Room and Middle Room with the shop vac, and I mopped the floor.  The puppy, Booger, had piddled on the floor, and so it all needed disinfecting.  He was very good and would pee and poop outside, but I guess it was Booger who had a couple of accidents on the linoleum that I had to mop up while the dogs were here.  

I told Mindi that I didn't want to take care of that many again, especially Caesar.  He is very energetic and barks all the time.  It drives me nuts.  He does it when you can't get to the spray bottle, but the minute I pick it up he shuts up, then the minute my back is turned, or I am the other side of the door, he starts it up again.  He stirs up the other dogs, who are usually very quiet and well-behaved.   He is always wanting attention or something, just like a hyper child.  I had enough of that raising Kevin.

The poor cats were let out of their big cages, as soon as Mindi's dogs left, about 9.15 PM last night.  Much as I love her dogs, we were all glad to see them go.  So the cats are happy now, their Grooming Room and Middle Room are all clean.  They were able to come in the living room so Prime could lounge on the couch, and Prime could sit on the back of the recliner.  Those are their favorite places.

I had to go into our little town's Post Office to get a letter weighed for mailing, so I bought a few things on sale at Kroger's, and the T-nuts that we needed at the hardware store.  I will be glad when my exerciser seat is fixed!

Of course, I had more phone calls to field for my son's trucking company, and the drivers asked me to go down there tomorrow to get some things straight.  They did get the new windshield put in the Chevy Zodiac, but they still didn't get it to the D.O.T station to get it re-inspected. 

They have some jobs to do with one of the mobile home toters first, so that will bring in some money now, and we can concentrate on the Zodiac next.  One of the other guys has the escort truck over off Highway 59, so I have to help them get that first, before they can move the mobile homes.  The other toter is in the shop, and I haven't been able to do anything about that yet.    Gee, I hope Kevin can be home soon!

 

I am almost wishing I hadn't given up my CDL license, or I would have driven one of the trucks today.

21 Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You! Memories.

(But these convicted Burglars did!!)

1. Of course I look familiar.   I was here just last week cleaning your carpets,  painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey,  thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week.    While I was in there,  I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers.  That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside.  Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes,  I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway.    And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it...!!
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set.     That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink.   And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom  -  and your jewelry.     It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining,  you're fumbling with your umbrella,  and you forget to lock your door  -understandable.      But understand this:     I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first.    If you answer,   I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.     (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer?     I always check dresser drawers,  the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet...
11. Helpful hint:   I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right:    I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down,   I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.   If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town,   you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard.  Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever,  look like a crook.
15. The two things I hate most:   loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I'll break a window to get in,  even if it makes a little noise.   If your neighbor hears one loud sound,  he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again.    If he doesn't hear it again,  he'll just go back to what he was doing.     It's human nature.
17. I'm not complaining,  but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows.   I'm looking for signs that you are at home,  and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like.    I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night,   before you close the blinds - just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation or weekend holiday on your Facebook page.   It's easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me,  it's an invitation.
21. If you don't answer when I knock,  I try the door.    Occasionally,  I hit the jackpot and walk right in. . . . .
Sources:   Convicted burglars in North Carolina,  Oregon,  California, and Kentucky;   security consultant Chris McGoey,  who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright,   a criminology professor at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book,  "Burglars on the Job."

One more protection for you and your home:
"If you don't have a gun,  here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil  plans for you.
 I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.   Get Wasp Spray!
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection.  She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to TWENTY FEET away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you.    The wasp spray temporarily BLINDS  an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote.   
She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would.    She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection... "

Because of Anonymous' comment, I am adding this: http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/waspspray.asp
I thought this was interesting & might be of use!!

So, of you're looking for protection, look to the wasp spray.
"That's going to give you a chance to call the police;  & maybe get out."
Maybe even save a life.
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A lazy day today, as no one was coming, and I didn’t have to take any one anywhere.  I leisurely drank my morning coffee, tended to emails, then a long soak in the tub, washed my hair, and laundered sheets.
I think I have a head cold, but with my sinuses messed up, it is difficult to tell.  I still haven’t been to my new doctor to find out what can be done about these cysts in my sinuses.
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This is a ‘mizzy’ time of year for me.  Four years ago today,  my granddaughter was laying in Galveston Hospital (UTMB) in a coma hooked to numerous machines, having been hit my a DDD (dam drunk driver).  Also, I had just been informed that my dog had terminal inoperable spleen cancer, and needed to be PTS.

On top of that, I had about 10 sick and injured Llasa Apsos here who belonged to a neighbor who had had a severe stroke.  Her daughter and granddaughter saw the $ signs in the dogs, especially the puppies, and wouldn’t let me take care of them.  They thought it was going to be easy!! But they had never been around a mess of dogs, and didn’t know how to take care of them. They lost some pups with coccidiosis, and then didn’t vaccinate them, so they got parvo.   They hadn’t left food or water for the dogs, so they dug out of two fences, and were all over the streets, some injured,  trying to get to me.  Naturally, I had to pick them up and take them in, and got the worst ones to Kenya of the SPCA, for immediate medical attention.   So I couldn’t leave or spend time with my dog.

I was so stressed that I had some kind of a kind of heart attack, like Atrial Fibrillation and angina.  I was weak, and even passed out on the dog room floor, awakened by being licked by the Llasas, who all loved me, as I had lovingly groomed them for many years.

 I knew that I had to do something, so I called my friend Sherry of the Llasa Rescue. (The dog’s owner had told me that if anything happened to her, that is where she wanted her dogs to go.)   Sherry and her family drove many miles, and took all the Llasas that night.  But I still wouldn’t go to the hospital, as I wanted to spend the last day or two with my dying dog, and see my granddaughter one last time.

I took aspirin, nitro glycerin, green tea, and sat and held him all night.  The following morning, Jay helped me pack the old motor home, and I drove to Galveston, with enough pain meds for my dog for three days.  I did see my granddaughter for the last time before she passed away on the 14th. February. Jay went with me to watch my dog while I was in the hospital.

Jake and Shari, yes, our JATexas, who I have known since the old RVAmerica chat, of http://jatexas.blogspot.com/ and his great website : http://jatexas.com/ let me plug in outside their house at High Island, so I could see my granddaughter again the following day in Galveston. 

But my dog was getting worse, and Jay had got hold of some beer, so I unplugged, and I drove through the night to the only Animal Emergency Hospital that I knew where it was.  So early that morning, my doggie went to Rainbow bridge.

Finally, after Jay dug a resting place next to Honky, my white cat, and Critter, my late DH's dog, I went to the Urgent Care Clinic near the house, and an EKG confirmed that I had had a heart attack.

In loving memory of my Levi, today.