WAITING (IM)PATIENTLY

Our Roadtrek campervan isn't home from the RV Center yet. We're anxious to get started on our road adventures, but "she" needs some TLC first. The new tires are mounted. The awning slides in and out. The generator hums along nicely. But there's this switch that needs replacing before its camp-ready.  In the meantime, we stopped by over the weekend and started to clean up the inside, "trashing" that FOR SALE sign.

The previous owner and her grandsons are "good people", but I can't live in a space someone else has without disinfecting. There's an ICK FACTOR of knowing others, strangers really, have been sleeping in the bed or using the facilities. Now, don't misunderstand; I'm not obsessive about germs and dirt, but I want it to be OUR germs and dirt.

We started cleaning by tossing out Linda's "left behinds". Throw pillows, blankets, exploded air fresheners, disposable plates, cleaning rags, hotel-sized toiletries, and a plethora of "junk drawer" stuff were bagged up and removed. (I may even use a few of those things, but I'll decide that later.)

It was also a great time for us to start to get to know all the spaces inside the campervan (without other people waiting impatiently). Tom started "her" up and soon the inside was toasty warm despite the cold weather outside. Every drawer and cabinet was opened. We even made the dinette into a bed and laid down. (It's pretty comfy and cozy!) I also jotted down measurements of drawers, shelves and cabinets. These measurements will be very important when I shop for containers and organizers.

(All those scribbles make perfect sense to me...)

Hopefully we'll have the campervan home this weekend and I can DEEP CLEAN and start getting "the essentials" into the cabinets. I'm impatient though and bought a few things, basic kitchen tools, sheets, pillows, and storage containers, and gathered up some odds and ends from around the house, a fan, a small heater, a folding clothes dryer rack, a propane 2 burner camp stove.

Next time you see "her" she'll be decked out and ready to roll!

IN THE BEGINNING WE HAD A DREAM

When we saw this campervan parked in the icy snow beside the road with a FOR SALE sign propped up on the dash, we had to call. Just out of curiosity. We weren't planning to buy an RV yet. With 5 kids still at home, most of them teenagers not keen on "roughing it", we knew it would be for our enjoyment only, limited by home and family responsibilities.

It's hard to stifle a dream though. At least not for the asking price the PREVIOUS owner wanted. A month later, on Valentine's Day, my husband sealed the deal on the Roadtrek in the parking lot of a Cumberland Farms while the kids and I waited (im)patiently in the mini van. I never did get flowers or chocolates that day, but, hey, I got a camper!

Looking into the front, we have the cab, diningroom and livingroom. The captain's chairs swivel around to make seating for 4. If the kids do venture out with us, the seats can be made into 2 twin size sleeping beds.

We even have skylights! Do you see the knobs under the skylights? There's a side-to-side drawer hidden behind there for storage. Not for anything bulky, but I'm sure I can find something to fill it with. Reflectix window coverings?

Looking into the back, you'll see our bathroom, linen, cleaning supplies, and wardrobe closet to the left, the dinette (which we'll make into the full-sized bed) and the kitchen to the right. Our kitchen has a 2 burner propane stove with hood, a microwave, a sink, and a 3 way fridge and freezer. There are cupboards and an AC unit above the dinette as well as more drawers and cupboards in the kitchen area. Hidden underneath the dinette benches are the water heater, house batteries and furnace.

(Oh, and that long white pole on the floor is for the outside awning.)

Did you notice the track on the ceiling fan and light? Well, that's for the stand up shower! Just open up the doors to create privacy in the aisle, pull the shower curtain around the track on the ceiling, and get clean. There's a drain in the floor under the throw rug.

There's a fully functioning toilet! The previous owner even left behind TP...

Soon, when we bring the campervan home from the garage (for minor repairs and new tires), I'll deep clean, declutter and "spruce it up". I'm not much for shopping, but I can't wait to make our home-away-from-home cozy and comfortable.