Author: Rae

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A Glass Half Full Kinda of Gal

2012 has been quite the year. It’s easy to look on the six months of it that didn’t go as planned because of the accident and call the year a write-off.

But that’s not how I tally up a year. Rather, I look at where I was, where I wanted to go, and where I wound up. Doing that exercise makes it obvious that 2012 was one of the most successful years of my life.

I welcomed 2012 in an apartment while I was working for an outside company, albeit part-time and most definitely temporarily. For the year ahead, I wanted to finish winter with a journey eastward through the US, to spend the summer with my family, to continue growing my business, and to welcome 2013 from a warm spot in the US. I have done all of that. How can I not deem 2012 a success?

Sure, my eastward journey wasn’t uneventful and there was more stress this summer than fun. But the culmination of all that is that I am in the best place I have been in years.

The accident meant that I had to stay put for the summer and gave me the time to learn a new trade while upgrading my home. Except for a little paint, my good home is as done as it ever could be. It took 14 years of adult life to get the idea of ‘home’ right and to fall into a sustainable housekeeping routine. Now, I wake up every morning now contented with my space rather than bemoaning what needs to be done.

Even though I miss my little green car, I have to admit that I am happy with my new rig and consider it to be superior to my old one in many ways. Could that old codger’s misdoing have been a blessing in disguise? It’s starting to feel that way.

But most wonderful of all, because of this new solid foundation to my life, I am parked in my best friend’s driveway for the holiday season. A few days from now, I am going to be heading for the Gulf coast where I will finally get to sit on a beach and drink wonderful rum-based drinks out of coconuts and snicker at all those silly Canadians who choose to winter in snow and sleet. And I missed Snowmaggedon 2012!

I can only look at 2013 with hope because 2012 ends with so much promise. Happy new year indeed!

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Wretched Housekeeping

It’s a beautiful Sunday here in Hampton Roads, but yesterday it was pouring rain! It was perfect weather for a movie, but I was reminded that going to a movie on a rainy Saturday is not the best idea. Boy was the theatre packed!

I saw Les misérables, the depressing nature of which was also perfect for the weather conditions.

Most of the reviews of the movie compare it to the musical, which I have not seen. But I have read the novel straight through at least three times and frequently find myself rereading favourite parts. It’s one of those iconic books of a reader’s life, one whose first reading is remembered forever.

So I went in with fairly low expectations but high hope. And except for a few quibbles (like using the Thénardiers as comic relief), I felt this was one of the better adaptations I’ve seen. It got the mood right, most of the cast was perfect (Fantine, Cosette (child and adult), and Marius especially looked exactly as I have always envisioned them). And not a single one of my favourite scenes from the book was missing.

So while I wasn’t crazy about the musical style and every scene with the Thénardiers, visually this movie was a feast for a fan of Victor Hugo’s classic work. I look forward to seeing it again on DVD.

Today’s project was to rearrange the front room. I am tired of cleaning up the cat litter area every night only to step on filthy clumps in the morning because Neelix decided to have a party overnight. So reversed the layout of the room.

 

This picture of Neelix waiting in line for water was too hilarious not to share.

This picture of Neelix waiting in line for water was too hilarious not to share.

Good about the new layout is that it hides the litter box and gives me space to put my shoes.

Good about the new layout is that it hides the litter box and gives me space to put my shoes.

Not so good about the new layout, the chair looks squeezed in and the window is behind it.

Not so good about the new layout, the chair looks squeezed in and the window is behind it.

The room feels more unbalanced now.

The room feels more unbalanced now.

I’m not crazy about having the chair crammed in like that, but I’ll try it for a bit. Another thing I’m considering is getting a top-entrance litter box. I will miss my Omega Paw so much, but the cleaning is really getting on my nerves. What’s nice about this layout is that you don’t see the box first thing when you come in the door and I have room for my shoes, but the room feels more crammed and unbalanced at first glance.

I really need to do something with that styrofoam and get some colour on the back wall. I think I will stain it.

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Partial Success With the Installation of New House Batteries

It was touch and go for the acquisition of new house batteries because I didn’t want to get them until I got a battery watering system. The Pro-Fill RV edition dual 6V battery watering system from Camping World came quickly, but the Pro-Fill handy pump, which makes the system work, was back ordered. It finally arrived yesterday. With today being the last moderately nice day for the next little bit, I decided to try to get my new batteries in.

I had already done my market research and decided on two Trojan-145s, with 260 amp hours (about 156 usable amp hours), a significant increase from my old pair at 150 amp hours (about 90 usable amp hours). The week before Christmas, I called all the local dealers and was quoted over $200 per battery, plus a hefty disposal fee for my old batteries from all but one company, Battery Outlet, who told me $199.99 with no disposal fee.

So I called Battery Outlet this morning to confirm that they still had T-145s in stock. Yes, two. I had them set aside and then went outside to remove my old pair. With the way Miranda is parked, the closest I can get my truck to the rig is about 35 feet. Don’t ask me how I did it, but I picked up those heavy suckers and marched them to the truck!

I took off just after lunch to the bowels of Chesapeake, finding Battery Outlet without any trouble at all. There, I asked if they had any equivalent batteries for less money and their inventory said they did, but it was mistaken. They decided to price match the other set and I got my batteries for $169.99 each! I just did a Google check for “trojan 145 price” and it looks like I got a good deal not just for Hampton Roads, but in general. Woohoo!

The new batteries are bigger but didn’t feel any heavier than the old ones. I got one to the rig with minimal grunting, but the second one felt about twice as heavy. I am going to be sore tomorrow! But I wasn’t done lifting yet since I wanted to install the Pro-Fill system with the batteries outside of the compartment. So dropped the batteries on the ground (gently!), then lifted them into the compartment in two steps, using my E-Z Foldz stool as a resting point (as a side note, if you don’t have an E-Z Foldz stool, you’re missing out.).

Here are the batteries with their caps removed and the Pro-Fill caps installed:

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I ran out of day, so I didn’t finish the installation. The rest just involves attaching tubing to the barbs and connecting the pump, so it can be done with the batteries in situ.

And here are the batteries in the compartment:

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They are a couple of inches taller than my old pair (and, yes, I measured before buying!). Filling these manually would be almost impossible, so the Pro-Fill system is a must.

Getting everything hooked up was easy and then I tested the voltage before turning 12V power back on. Uh… why were my 6V batteries registering 12V each and 25V together?! Oh, geeze, the multimetre was on the AC, not DC, setting! I got it on the correct setting and got a combined reading of 12.1V, so I set them on the charger.

Inside, I turned the solar controller back on and it was muuuuuuch happier than it has been in a while. I ended up turning it off because it used to display readings that fluctuated violently. Now, it’s registering a steady voltage.

But all is not well as my batter monitor is not working. I had disconnected at the same time I turned off the solar monitor and it’s not coming back on. Connections look good, so I’m thinking (hoping) I have a blown fuse.

Once I get a good charge on the batteries, I am going to unplug from shore power for at least a day with my inverter running to make sure everything is good. It looks like sun for Sunday and Monday, so that will be a good time to test to make sure the batteries are charging well with solar and holding the charge.

Getting out of this spot will be very tricky as I am on a very, very, very, very busy thoroughfare. The best time to get out of here will be late in the day on a weekend, so I am going to tentatively schedule departure for next Saturday. That should give me time to troubleshoot my battery monitor some more.

Battery monitor notwithstanding, my day made me feel very accomplished!

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I Missed Snowmageddon 2012!

Reports rolled in today from family and friends in southern Quebec and eastern Ontario about the crazy amount of snow the region was getting. I heard estimates of 50 cm/20 in some parts! They are going to be digging themselves out of that one for several days.

These stories remind me of how much of my life has been wasted fighting winter. All those hours of dealing with frozen pipes, shovelling, driving in bad conditions, dressing and undressing in 50 billion layers, and earning the money to pay for all the propane needed to stay warm. And then there was the number of times I had to walk with soggy feet because of slush or nurse bad bruises from slipping on ice or lose a piece of my ear to frostbite. I do miss crisp cold sunny days, building snow forts, snowshoeing, and tobogganing, but not enough to ever want to deal with wintery conditions again.

There are no words to express how grateful I am to be in Hampton Roads tonight, warm and snug and not needing more than a heater running on low to keep my home comfortable. All I can say is that I feel very content and satisfied.

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The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (and Virginia’s Eastern Shore)

I awoke to perfect driving conditions and decided to do just that, drive for the sake of driving, with my only goal being to experience the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a one-time engineering wonder of the modern world. This 23-mile long fixed link connects Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area to the eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is just that, a combination of above water causeways and underwater tunnels linking the two shores as well as a series of man made islands.

I was hoping to bring a photographer, but my friend absolutely hates this bridge-tunnel adamantly refused to come! I have to say that the high winds and narrow tunnels would be nerve-wracking in an RV (especially since you have maintain a speed of 45 to 55MPH), but in a small vehicle on a beautiful sunny day, this bridge offered up an incredible drive, the memories of which I shall cherish forever.

I stopped at the Eastern Shore visitor’s centre to find out if there was any place nearby to grab lunch and see something. The lady suggested I check out Cape Charles and showed me a couple of restaurant menus.

So I drove up there and had a nice lunch at Kelly’s Pub, then I checked out the public beach and main street. The town was dead, but I bet it bustles in the summertime! I didn’t wander too much because I would have needed one more layer, a windbreaker, to be really comfortable.

I drove north a little more after to check out a museum that was recommended to me, but it was closed for the holidays. 🙁 It was already mid-afternoon, so I pointed the car towards home. Traffic being at a standstill in Norfolk nothwithstanding, it was a quick drive.

approaching the bridge-tunnel from Norfolk (which is Norfek not Norfoke!)

approaching the bridge-tunnel from Norfolk (which is Norfek not Norfoke!)

out at sea

out at sea

ships in the distance

ships in the distance

Wonder what kind of cargo it has on board.

Wonder what kind of cargo it has on board.

Big ship!

Big ship!

The sun was out in full force, a welcome sight in the middle of December.

The sun was out in full force, a welcome sight in the middle of December.

There is a rest area with a restaurant and gift shop about 3 miles in.

There is a rest area with a restaurant and gift shop about 3 miles in.

The water was a beautiful blue green.

The water was a beautiful blue green.

jetty

jetty

Not sure what this island is all about.

Not sure what this island is all about.

Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge-Tunnel

Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge-Tunnel

fishing pier

fishing pier

Sink for cleaning fish?

Sink for cleaning fish?

It was so windy that this garbage can was swinging to and fro.

It was so windy that this garbage can was swinging to and fro.

looking towards the jetty

looking towards the jetty

it was very windy, making for choppy water

it was very windy, making for choppy water

Eastbound entrance of the Thimble Shoal Tunnel

Eastbound entrance of the Thimble Shoal Tunnel

there are a lot of emergency pull-offs with phones

there are a lot of emergency pull-offs with phones

entrance to the Chesapeake Channel tunnel

entrance to the Chesapeake Channel tunnel

the light at the end of the tunnel!

the light at the end of the tunnel!

climbing up into the sky

climbing up into the sky

the sky was so beautiful and the bridge so elegant

the sky was so beautiful and the bridge so elegant

just about done

just about done

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I was sorry to see the bridge-tunnel end.

I was sorry to see the bridge-tunnel end.

I prefer Atlantic beaches to those on the Pacific; I guess I'm an east coast gal at heart

I prefer Atlantic beaches to those on the Pacific; I guess I’m an east coast gal at heart

the weather was warm, but the wind was bitter!

the weather was warm, but the wind was bitter!

the ocean smelled so lovely

the ocean smelled so lovely

more sand and surf

more sand and surf

the roar of the waves and wind was like a melody

the roar of the waves and wind was like a melody

my truck looks pretty good parked in front of these windswept trees :)

my truck looks pretty good parked in front of these windswept trees 🙂

I had lunch here

I had lunch here

Kelly's Gingerroot Pub

Kelly’s Gingerroot Pub

Nice (but expensive!) pulled pork sandwich with onion rings (worth the $1.50 extra!)

Nice (but expensive!) pulled pork sandwich with onion rings (worth the $1.50 extra!)

the pub reminded me of the ones in Scotland

the pub reminded me of the ones in Scotland

mini golf

mini golf

rather than fix sidewalks, Cape Charles paints the obstacles vivid yellow

rather than fix sidewalks, Cape Charles paints the obstacles vivid yellow

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most of the gorgeous Victorian homes like these looked derelict

most of the gorgeous Victorian homes like these looked derelict

entrance to the public beach

entrance to the public beach

the wind was strong enough to knock over these benches

the wind was strong enough to knock over these benches

those ominous clouds were just posturing and disappeared quickly

those ominous clouds were just posturing and disappeared quickly

barnacle-covered branch

barnacle-covered branch

I love a choppy Atlantic!

I love a choppy Atlantic!

this was nice firm sand for walking on

this was nice firm sand for walking on

a pier (access was closed)

a pier (access was closed)

dunes

dunes

more dunes

more dunes

cool tree

cool tree

rent on a four-bedroom home is just $650

rent on a four-bedroom home is just $650

this building will soon hold the Cape Charles library

this building will soon hold the Cape Charles library

Mason (main) Street has lots of shops, with most being closed in the off season

Mason (main) Street has lots of shops, with most being closed in the off season

I'm pretty sure we don't have ATMs stuck to the side of buildings out in the open like this in Canada

I’m pretty sure we don’t have ATMs stuck to the side of buildings out in the open like this in Canada

Kelly's Pub redux

Kelly’s Pub redux

eastbound toll booth ($12 each way for a regular passenger vehicle, unless you return within 24 hours and then the return toll is just $5)

eastbound toll booth ($12 each way for a regular passenger vehicle, unless you return within 24 hours and then the return toll is just $5)

The space between the road surface and the pillars is painted a blue that so matched the sky that it seems the roadway is floating!

The space between the road surface and the pillars is painted a blue that so matched the sky that it seems the roadway is floating!

toldya those black clouds were just posturing

toldya those black clouds were just posturing

it was so windy that big fat gulls were able to just hover!

it was so windy that big fat gulls were able to just hover!

Norfolk

Norfolk

looking at Norfolk through a saltwater stained windshield

looking at Norfolk through a saltwater stained windshield