As in the power of now, I'm trying very hard to get back to now, rather than dwelling on past and future. My cat is all about now so I'm following her lead. She eats, she sleeps, she poops, she just is. I just now ate a lovely lunch of water and a salad. The salad was laden with mung bean and alfalfa sprouts, carrots, cherry tomatoes, brocolli, cauliflour, sunflower seeds, dried cranberry bits, dried blueberries, sweet vidalia onions, a tomato vinagrette, plus some essential oils (flax & sundry omega fatty acids). I ate a huge bowl of it, which should keep me in the now of software development for a few hours yet.
It's raining outside, pretty steadily. Hot oolong tea is steaming by my side, and it's drinkable now. I serve myself tea without sugars or additives, to enjoy it for its own true nature. I woke up feeling anxious about getting everything done to go camping for three days. I'm behind in my work, behind in getting ready, and I don't have a broadband card. Plus its raining. So I decided not to be anxious and possibly just bag tonight and stay here at Little Bird's. That will take some pressure off as I finish getting ready and continue to make progress on the software.
I'll work to the point where I have made significant progress, then I'll dismantle my current cramped living arrangements upstairs, with the plan of sleeping in the van. Then I can help Little Bird's stash more clutter into the room I'm cramped out in now. I will take some before and after pictures. But really now, shouldn't I be living out of the van? That's what I'll contemplate on my camping trip this time. It all comes back to the cat. I can't leave her in a hot van or a van with the windows open. I also don't envision being with her 24 x 7. That is my dilemna, else I'd be working in the van right now.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Van Camping Planning
The rain subsided long enough yesterday and I got enough done with the software development to go ahead and pick up my new bike and ride it home. It is sitting in Little Bird's house now, waiting to be ridden today, and trucked to French Creek tomorrow. It has its cute little backpacking panniers attached to the bike rack. There are two adorable grocery panniers that I will keep in the van for grocery shopping. I may be an ultra-lightweight backpacker, but I'm not carrying all my stuff on my back while biking. Not happening!
It is Saturday, a beautiful day from all glances out of the window. I've been working this morning and will take some time to get showered and ready for outdoor activities. A nice long bike ride (a shakedown cruise), then more software development work, then perhaps some errands for beer, food, and camping supplies. I'll hit Walmart and Home Depot tomorrow if I'm energetic enough in the morning. I promised to help Little Bird consolidate clutter in a big room she wants to move into, then move it to the room I'm cramping out in now.
I'll move my computer lab to the dining room while all that is going on. The laptop and hardware will travel with me to the campsite, then hopefully I'll have a new and empty room when I get back. There I'll set up jewelry and crafts, and my computer collection. Mostly, I'll work in Exton for a few days next week and perhaps will leave all the PC's onsite. I don't have to commute every day, especially with the van. I can camp out in the van overnight and still get 20 hours of work done over two days.
My hope and plan is that once I'm in the big room I can work out a nice routine that gives me plenty of time for hiking, biking, and camping. I do feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that all my stuff will no longer be my topic of the day. Can't wait!
It is Saturday, a beautiful day from all glances out of the window. I've been working this morning and will take some time to get showered and ready for outdoor activities. A nice long bike ride (a shakedown cruise), then more software development work, then perhaps some errands for beer, food, and camping supplies. I'll hit Walmart and Home Depot tomorrow if I'm energetic enough in the morning. I promised to help Little Bird consolidate clutter in a big room she wants to move into, then move it to the room I'm cramping out in now.
I'll move my computer lab to the dining room while all that is going on. The laptop and hardware will travel with me to the campsite, then hopefully I'll have a new and empty room when I get back. There I'll set up jewelry and crafts, and my computer collection. Mostly, I'll work in Exton for a few days next week and perhaps will leave all the PC's onsite. I don't have to commute every day, especially with the van. I can camp out in the van overnight and still get 20 hours of work done over two days.
My hope and plan is that once I'm in the big room I can work out a nice routine that gives me plenty of time for hiking, biking, and camping. I do feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that all my stuff will no longer be my topic of the day. Can't wait!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Procrastination
I'm still procrastinating. The software I need to work on is soooo easy, but I'm not into it. Instead, I'm huddled inside over a hot cup of oolong tea while buying gadgets for van camping, van dwelling, and van accessorizing. The roommate's alarm is beeping, for about ten minutes now. There, I just shut it off and got a reheat on the tea.
It's raining pretty steady today, here in Trappe, Pennsylvania. My bike is ready to pick up, but I told them I'd wait for the weather to clear a bit. I'm also waiting for the Thule bike rack to come in, but it probably won't arrive in time for my trip. So I purchased a Thule lock and rattle-dampener for the hitch, plus 4 adapters for transporting women's bikes. That's for the occasional trips with other mountain bikers. Now, I don't mind cold and wet, but only if I'm going to be having fun, not working, and taking a nice nap later. None of that applies, today. >^;^<
I found two new gadgets that I "must have" from the e-trailer website. One is a seat mounted trash can with lid, and the other is a seat mounted DVD player stand. That will raise stuff off the floor, while giving me a good view of the DVD player from the bed. I won't be traveling to buy the Home Depot stuff, or the sewing machine today. It is just too wet and miserable. Now is the perfect time to concentrate on my work. And I will concentrate, really I will.
Yawn.....
Oh, more fun shopping stuff. For hiking, camping, and general personal protection, I ordered some bear, dog, and human pepper spray. I plan to get a taser, in a few weeks. And for hiking and camping, I picked up two lightweight GSI recliners. I'm probably the only ultra-lightweight backpacker who carries a 30 oz camp recliner, but why else should I save on weight but to make room for my comforts and joys?
Someone recently asked me how things are going. Well, the accident case settled, I'm located in Pennsylvania to visit my son and new grandchild, I'm still working on the software project from hell, and I'm about to enter into a payment agreement with the infernal revenue service. That old adage of my Gran Gran's, "Never pay until you see the white's of their eyes!" and "Never give anyone your last dollar!" are my motto's. I'm hiking as much as possible, and planning some great van camping expeditions. So I'm stocking up on every item that would enhance my enjoyment of van camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, and general survival planning. I've acquired a night-vision monocular (so I can see if there is a bear outside my hammock), and new solar battery chargers.
In spite of the spate of buying and shopping, I'm not cluttering and I'm still downsizing. During my upcoming three day camping trip I'll further downsize my paperwork collection from 6 bins to 1 bin. My entire jewelry making collection fits under the van bed area. My clothes and toiletries fit into two large gym bags. My backpacking gear fits into a 1600 cc ultra-lightweight backpack, and the electronics and excess stuff fits into bins that travel in the van and are stored in the seats when I'm stopped or camping. At most I may want to pull a trailer for long trips, or have a roof-mounted cargo carrier for excess stuff. For the most part, I'm self-contained within the body of the van.
It's raining pretty steady today, here in Trappe, Pennsylvania. My bike is ready to pick up, but I told them I'd wait for the weather to clear a bit. I'm also waiting for the Thule bike rack to come in, but it probably won't arrive in time for my trip. So I purchased a Thule lock and rattle-dampener for the hitch, plus 4 adapters for transporting women's bikes. That's for the occasional trips with other mountain bikers. Now, I don't mind cold and wet, but only if I'm going to be having fun, not working, and taking a nice nap later. None of that applies, today. >^;^<
I found two new gadgets that I "must have" from the e-trailer website. One is a seat mounted trash can with lid, and the other is a seat mounted DVD player stand. That will raise stuff off the floor, while giving me a good view of the DVD player from the bed. I won't be traveling to buy the Home Depot stuff, or the sewing machine today. It is just too wet and miserable. Now is the perfect time to concentrate on my work. And I will concentrate, really I will.
Yawn.....
Oh, more fun shopping stuff. For hiking, camping, and general personal protection, I ordered some bear, dog, and human pepper spray. I plan to get a taser, in a few weeks. And for hiking and camping, I picked up two lightweight GSI recliners. I'm probably the only ultra-lightweight backpacker who carries a 30 oz camp recliner, but why else should I save on weight but to make room for my comforts and joys?
Someone recently asked me how things are going. Well, the accident case settled, I'm located in Pennsylvania to visit my son and new grandchild, I'm still working on the software project from hell, and I'm about to enter into a payment agreement with the infernal revenue service. That old adage of my Gran Gran's, "Never pay until you see the white's of their eyes!" and "Never give anyone your last dollar!" are my motto's. I'm hiking as much as possible, and planning some great van camping expeditions. So I'm stocking up on every item that would enhance my enjoyment of van camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, and general survival planning. I've acquired a night-vision monocular (so I can see if there is a bear outside my hammock), and new solar battery chargers.
In spite of the spate of buying and shopping, I'm not cluttering and I'm still downsizing. During my upcoming three day camping trip I'll further downsize my paperwork collection from 6 bins to 1 bin. My entire jewelry making collection fits under the van bed area. My clothes and toiletries fit into two large gym bags. My backpacking gear fits into a 1600 cc ultra-lightweight backpack, and the electronics and excess stuff fits into bins that travel in the van and are stored in the seats when I'm stopped or camping. At most I may want to pull a trailer for long trips, or have a roof-mounted cargo carrier for excess stuff. For the most part, I'm self-contained within the body of the van.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Mountain Bike & Hitch
Wow, I budgeted $2000 for a new mountain bike and hitch, and I got everything for only $1200. I got a Thule hitch-mount with locking cable for four bikes. This moves out of the way for ease in getting into the back of the van. The bike is a cool grandma green with 60's purple flowers. It's a Barbie bike!
http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/2008/mountain/3700wsd
I left it at the shop to have some gadgets attached. The kick-stand, water bottle rack, rear cargo rack (will also hold removable panniers), wireless odometer, kick-ass headlight, and a rear safety light. The new Trek helmet is also in green to match my new Trek bike. I will have it in time to take it camping Sunday, for three days.
Tomorrow I'll head over to Home Depot to buy the reflextix and screen for a van camping van window covering project. If I have energy, I'll head over to JoAnne's for a sewing machine and some material for curtains.
This three day weekend is for meditation, van windows, biking, sorting all my paperwork for final disposition, hiking, studying C# threading, remediating threading in a server application, eating healthy, and napping--a lot! I think I can fit all that in.
http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/2008/mountain/3700wsd
I left it at the shop to have some gadgets attached. The kick-stand, water bottle rack, rear cargo rack (will also hold removable panniers), wireless odometer, kick-ass headlight, and a rear safety light. The new Trek helmet is also in green to match my new Trek bike. I will have it in time to take it camping Sunday, for three days.
Tomorrow I'll head over to Home Depot to buy the reflextix and screen for a van camping van window covering project. If I have energy, I'll head over to JoAnne's for a sewing machine and some material for curtains.
This three day weekend is for meditation, van windows, biking, sorting all my paperwork for final disposition, hiking, studying C# threading, remediating threading in a server application, eating healthy, and napping--a lot! I think I can fit all that in.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
When the Van is a'Rocking, Don't Come a'Knocking!
Before:
During:
The van is coming along as I make the changes needed to van dwell comfortably. This is the progress, as I put in the bed platform and sorted necessities into clear plastic bins underneath. I still have plans to obtain 42 inch 2 x 4's, to raise the bed platform slightly. Then deeper plastic bins will be housed safely.
A work in progress, with lots of editing and planning left to do:
The air mattress is an adjustable Coleman SUV model, that is 43 inches wide and up to 70 inches long--the exact width at the back of the van for those of us short folks who can sleep cross-ways. This gives a lot of room for the living space. A nice black bedspread is in the dryer, and will make the bed look more finished, while covering up the under platform storage area.
I especially like the clean lines of the pair of plastic three drawer units that fit perfectly behind the driver's seat. The top is perfect for meal preparation when i'm stuck inside. The drawers house other necessities, like toilet paper, batteries, gadgets, and the like.
Rocky the Van, parked in a quiet neighborhood:
I like the doors, because they can be used to rig up an awning, or even a privacy curtain for outdoor showers.
Next on the list:
During:
The van is coming along as I make the changes needed to van dwell comfortably. This is the progress, as I put in the bed platform and sorted necessities into clear plastic bins underneath. I still have plans to obtain 42 inch 2 x 4's, to raise the bed platform slightly. Then deeper plastic bins will be housed safely.
A work in progress, with lots of editing and planning left to do:
The air mattress is an adjustable Coleman SUV model, that is 43 inches wide and up to 70 inches long--the exact width at the back of the van for those of us short folks who can sleep cross-ways. This gives a lot of room for the living space. A nice black bedspread is in the dryer, and will make the bed look more finished, while covering up the under platform storage area.
I especially like the clean lines of the pair of plastic three drawer units that fit perfectly behind the driver's seat. The top is perfect for meal preparation when i'm stuck inside. The drawers house other necessities, like toilet paper, batteries, gadgets, and the like.
Rocky the Van, parked in a quiet neighborhood:
I like the doors, because they can be used to rig up an awning, or even a privacy curtain for outdoor showers.
Next on the list:
- Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack & Locking System
- Custom Reflectix Window Pads - Removable
- Install Alarm, Remote Start, and Locking Gas Cap
- Custom Vecro or Magnet Mounted Interior Window Screens
- Tires & Balance Wheels
- Maintenane (oil, fluids, belts, wipers, brakes, etc.)
- Evaluation (steering, transmission, electrical systems, engine, etc.)
- Ladder & Roof Rack
- Electrical Installation (deep cycle batteries, solar roof panels, wiring, cable, outside box, TV platform, etc.)
- Solar Vent(s) Installation
- Roof Air Conditioner Installation
- Wood Stove Installation (venting outside, removable, fireproof underpad)
- Swivel Seat Installation
The hitch-mounted bike rack will be ordered this Thursday. Friday, I'll buy the materials to make the custom window pads and interior screens, which I hope to finish during a three day van camping trip to French Creek starting this coming Sunday. I may have the alarm and remote start installed on Friday, if someone can come out that soon.
Next week will involve the maintenance part of the plans. I have someone who may be able to install the roof rack, ladder, and all the electrical the following week. I want to get all this done before I head to Missouri for a few weeks.
I'll give up the use of the van for a week in the summertime, to have the vents and AC installed. The AC is planned for use where electric is available.
The wood stove is a real wish list item. I think that a tiny wood stove is feasible, and with reflectix pads and heavy curtains for insulation I can keep the van safely heated off the grid using found wood.
It may take some effort to locate and have a swivel seat installed, but it would make it nice having a reclining seat available to make the interior space feel more roomy, and for guests.
I think with all that done, I can get the camper van improvements rolled into the insurance coverage, but I'll have to research it to be sure. I can't wait to get started!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Sucked in, again!
Every now and then I see things with great clarity, and then I blink and the vision is gone. I simply have to stop getting sucked into the drama's that are manufactured by other people. Marie finally cut the chains to Brock and told him to "get your life together, man!" I've been telling her that for years. And now, I'm visiting my old roommate Little Bird, and she got us sucked into a bigtime 17 1/2 year old drah-mah! It's is still a bit of a roommate situation, where I pay her $100 a week towards expenses, plus I help her declutter. Sigh...
I admit, I saw this one coming with the 17 1/2 year old. Verona came to Little Bird with a horrible tale of woe. We've known the kid for years and we know Verona came from an abusive and unstable background, with foster homes and children's homes, before becoming adopted, with her younger sister. The family has been in turmoil for six years now. Verona rages at them and they were afraid to come into the house when she was home--and that's what we learned after giving her some requested help.
The tale of woe did not include anything that would cause the police or social services to intervene, but it was bad enough that two old birds got temporarily sucked in. Within three weeks of housing her, with the express permission of her "evil parents," we got the picture. The only tale of woe was to stir up chaos and instigate drama on a 24 x 7 basis. So, Verona (has NOTHING to do with veracity!) was booted back to her tale of woe a few nights ago. I like to call that "consequences".
In the meantime, I'm trying to finish up my own projects with back taxes, paperwork, a lucrative software engagement, and outfitting my new van. The accident settlement money is on the way, and that would sure help in getting things done right from the beginning. But I'm happy enough to cobble together what I need. I wish I had the time and the inclination to figure out how to install and outfit my own electrical and HVAC needs. But I have no interest in building this shelter. I have to farm the good stuff out to experts.
My new SUV mattress from Coleman is perfect for my set up. I sleep the short way in the van, not the long way. That takes up far less room. I like to see a cozy bed made up in the back with a hidden storage space underneath. It makes the van look more like a home. I am using a thick plywood board to hold the air mattress, and still have room to fit six one foot deep plastic bins underneath. If I raised the board about 8 inches onto a railing, then I could fit six smaller bins on top of the deeper bins, for more storage and organization. Ideally, jewelry making supplies would fit under the bed.
I'm using two Snap 'n Stack craft organizers (http://www.acmoore.com/p-31381-snap-n-stack-craft-organizer-large-square-3-layers.aspx) to organize my cooking, eating, and drinking implements. One organizer has small pots and pans, cooking utensils, cutting board, knifes, and miscellaneous accessories. The top is empty and ready to be filled with herbs, sea salt, spices, and my collection of dehydrated vegies (onions, shallots, tomatoes, celery, mushrooms, spinach flakes, etc.). The other organizer has my smart mug and hot drink fixin's in the top, with plates, bowls, cups, and eating utensils in the bottom.
A milk crate holds four one gallon water jugs, two large white rubbermaid three drawer storage units hold clothes, extra food, cooking items, and miscellaneous. I have a large toolbox, a medium sized cooler, a rectangular folding table, a folding chair, a toilet hassock, and a bike. Then there's the hiking and outside camping stuff. Oy, vey! Where does all this stuff come from?
Pictures are coming soon. In the meantime I'm playing hookey from work and need to get back to it.
I admit, I saw this one coming with the 17 1/2 year old. Verona came to Little Bird with a horrible tale of woe. We've known the kid for years and we know Verona came from an abusive and unstable background, with foster homes and children's homes, before becoming adopted, with her younger sister. The family has been in turmoil for six years now. Verona rages at them and they were afraid to come into the house when she was home--and that's what we learned after giving her some requested help.
The tale of woe did not include anything that would cause the police or social services to intervene, but it was bad enough that two old birds got temporarily sucked in. Within three weeks of housing her, with the express permission of her "evil parents," we got the picture. The only tale of woe was to stir up chaos and instigate drama on a 24 x 7 basis. So, Verona (has NOTHING to do with veracity!) was booted back to her tale of woe a few nights ago. I like to call that "consequences".
In the meantime, I'm trying to finish up my own projects with back taxes, paperwork, a lucrative software engagement, and outfitting my new van. The accident settlement money is on the way, and that would sure help in getting things done right from the beginning. But I'm happy enough to cobble together what I need. I wish I had the time and the inclination to figure out how to install and outfit my own electrical and HVAC needs. But I have no interest in building this shelter. I have to farm the good stuff out to experts.
My new SUV mattress from Coleman is perfect for my set up. I sleep the short way in the van, not the long way. That takes up far less room. I like to see a cozy bed made up in the back with a hidden storage space underneath. It makes the van look more like a home. I am using a thick plywood board to hold the air mattress, and still have room to fit six one foot deep plastic bins underneath. If I raised the board about 8 inches onto a railing, then I could fit six smaller bins on top of the deeper bins, for more storage and organization. Ideally, jewelry making supplies would fit under the bed.
I'm using two Snap 'n Stack craft organizers (http://www.acmoore.com/p-31381-snap-n-stack-craft-organizer-large-square-3-layers.aspx) to organize my cooking, eating, and drinking implements. One organizer has small pots and pans, cooking utensils, cutting board, knifes, and miscellaneous accessories. The top is empty and ready to be filled with herbs, sea salt, spices, and my collection of dehydrated vegies (onions, shallots, tomatoes, celery, mushrooms, spinach flakes, etc.). The other organizer has my smart mug and hot drink fixin's in the top, with plates, bowls, cups, and eating utensils in the bottom.
A milk crate holds four one gallon water jugs, two large white rubbermaid three drawer storage units hold clothes, extra food, cooking items, and miscellaneous. I have a large toolbox, a medium sized cooler, a rectangular folding table, a folding chair, a toilet hassock, and a bike. Then there's the hiking and outside camping stuff. Oy, vey! Where does all this stuff come from?
Pictures are coming soon. In the meantime I'm playing hookey from work and need to get back to it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)