Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Late Night . . . I really don't have a good title for this one!

It's been a few weeks; sorry about that! I have started several posts but have never completed them due to falling asleep, which I'll be honest I risk for this post as well. Although I do have a late night baked potato in the oven that is oh so enticing.

Okay, where to begin. Last I left you, we had just moved our home into the backyard which was possibly an impossible task but with several of the amazing men I know, accomplishable. Since then a great deal has occurred. First, I finished painting touch-ups, and managed a few, first RV selfies, with my fur baby, Blue (he will also be living in the RV with us. A post to follow more on this topic later).






 I also found the pillow that we used as our color inspirations for the entire main living space of the RV and is beginning to seep into other areas as well :)
 After finishing the painting I began to take out the carpet . . . I was not a happy camper which the next picture demonstrates. First words of wisdom when REMOVING CARPET always use a pry bar as those making RVs have no regard for future buyers that have interest in removing the carpet as they place staple on top of staple . . . and I mean upwards of 20 staples in a single spot. Further, areas around the walls are covered in staples and make it extremely difficult to remove without assistance. I did not know this bit of information during the time and spent a good hour or two screaming my head off. I'm sure the neighbors thought we had purchased a slaughter house!

 The beginning stages of carpet removal. The bedroom, believe it or not, was actually the easiest place to remove carpet.
 During removal of carpet, we began to see the full extent of the water damage . . . More information on the full amount later in this post.
 When they make RVs, they put the flooring in before building the walls . . . so be prepared. This linoleum only covered a small section of the bedroom.
 These three pictures show the removal of the downstairs carpet an linoleum. Overall it took be several evenings of long nights after work to accomplish this task. However, you will see further on why the removal of used flooring is rather essential when purchasing a used RV. In order to remove the flooring under the living room slide out it will be removed. I will also provide instructions on this task in a future post.

Flooring removed from the bedroom, or at least partially. It was definitely a task to complete. In order to get the flooring from under the bed, the bed frame was removed completely. Not a difficult task as it was not directly attached to anything.

 After pulling up the flooring I noticed two things, first, even though I had swept, vacuumed, and washed the floor the filth managed to congregate in areas that were unreachable during cleaning. Most specifically where the carpet and linoleum met. When making the RV the edges of the carpet are just folded over to create a neat looking end, however, as you can see in the first picture, it does nothing but collect dirt, and hair. I was disgusted when I saw it! Second, the state of the carpet was deplorable! As you can see in the second picture, the entire carpet was covered in stains. In this picture, there is no water damage in this particular area. I cannot imagine what those stains are from, and honestly, I do not dare!

Due to the condition of our flooring, I can only assume that flooring in other used RVs is very similar. RVs are not necessarily intended to be lived in on a regular basis. Most people use them as "recreational vehicles" thus care is often minimal. If you intend on living in a used RV, I highly recommend for your own health, and sanitation benefit, replacing the flooring, especially with something easy to clean and durable (more on this topic later).


For the sake of eating dinner late, accomplishing tasks I've been putting off all weekend, and for keeping things short, I shall leave you here. However, I will attempt a flooring post later this week, but we all know how good I am at that! ;)

Happy Camping!
Victoria


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Adventure Time

Okay. There is a lot to get you all caught up on as the past two days have been filled with rehoming, moving, and other essential that really add to our story. First and foremost, we had our very first trailer adventure...attempting to get it in the backyard. I have posted below several pictures of this process. I just have to say, I definitely have the most amazing and fantastic husband; without him and his knowledge this feat would not have been possible. Additionally, I want to thank my father-in-law Jonathan, and our friend Cole for their assistance as ground guides, supervisors, and coordinators. Although I probably could have attempted it, my knowledge and spatial abilities would have fallen flat to the task. You three are amazing men and I appreciate all that you did this weekend!!!

Now, to most people, the daunting task would have been impossible as it was like getting a camel to go through the eye of a needle (is that how the saying goes, well it's too late in the evening for me to care anyways so doesn't really matter). There were several obstacles that had to be considered including a tree, municipality boxes, our neighbors yard, and the gate. Surprisingly, it only took a few hours to accomplish, with many, forward, backward, forward, backwards, inch this way and inch that ways. Somehow it is now in the backyard :)

 This tended to be the issue with each of the obstacles, just shy of enough room :(
 The home stretch...we had to remove the ladder to get it through unscathed.
Nearly there, nearly there!!!! Plus ground guide 1, my father-in-law :D
 Yup, they pulled some MacGyver and winched the branches back. (The tree was not allowed to come down, so although that's a good thought, not an option.) Plus ground guide 2, our friend :D 
PS If you look, both of them have got the head tilt down :,D
My husbands got skills!
Yup, happened a few times. Required some re-situating.
Little man watching the action. I'll make sure to make a post about animal transitions to mobile living.
Like I said, threading!
He took up the whole road. I saw several cars begin to turn down the street, see the trailer, then make a U turn. It was rather amusing. We also managed to gather a few neighborhood bystanders. 
Example of the tree winch. 

In showing all of these pictures, with my silly little captions, I am trying to explain that truly anything is possible, especially with a tiny home. The joke now is that if our in-laws ever sell their home, my husband and I come with it :D

Now, our second big adventure was selling our Nissan. It was a big step. We had placed it on craigslist last year when we thought we were moving out of state and not a single person was interested. This time we had several calls within the first weekend and sold on the third day of the post. I think it's God's way of saying we are following his calling and making decisions that align with his plan for us. I'll admit, I am pretty darn excited.

With all of that being said, the inside is slowly beginning to make some changes that I will share with you later this week, including the final painting photos, determining amperage to decrease the possibility of throwing the breaker *rolls eyes and sighs with exasperation*, and the installation of the new flooring this weekend!!!!!! Each hour, and every step brings us closer to our completed home :)

Happy camping!
Victoria