Happy to see this new article, Into the World, in Missions Mosaic.
It has been a whirlwind summer!
Selling our home, moving into an RV, fixing the RV set-up, sorting belongings, giving away stuff, acclimatizing the kitties to living in said RV, learning how to cook in an RV, . . .
The list is much longer, but just that much lets you know why I have been lost in cyberspace.
On to fall. The dust is settling, and in just a few more days, we will have only 1 home to care for.
Writing is back on the menu, boys! (Can you name that movie reference? Comment below!)
Into the World
Here is something I’m happy to see, rewards from past labors. I love this magazine, Missions Mosaic, and am honored to write for Woman’s Missionary Union in several different areas.
I just finished repainting our shoe shelf with a fresh coat of clean paint. Now it’s ready for storing shoes at the RV. Welcome to our shoe-free zone. Come on in, but plant the shoes right here!
We’ve used the shoe rack for years and it’s been very handy to keep most of the shoes off the ground. But it was ugly. Add paint.
The problem was the paint. Color (secluded garden) was lovely, but as it hadn’t been used in years since the Blue Door Table was painted, the ingredients had separated.
So there I stood, mixing with one of those silly wooden sticks they give you at the hardware store. I think it would have taken hours. It would’ve been faster to drive to Lowe’s and ask them to remix it for me – at least a 45 minute round trip.
Hmmm, how could I assist and speed-up this remixing process?
Aha! I needed to sacrifice a kitchen whisk. That should work.
Oh boy! Work it did! I LOVE my new discovery of the most excellent painting tool. I whisked that paint right back into shape. Perfect!
My new favorite painting tool – a whisk!
Maybe you’ve already had this idea, but for me, it was original. Guess I should check out the rest of the kitchen section before I take on any more painting projects.
I don’t usually dwell on where my towels originated, other than to contemplate how old the ratty ones are and consider if it’s time for a towel shopping bonanza.
As all but the last few ancient, ragged towels are happily ensconced in the RV, awaiting our arrival, we are making due with some threadbare specimens.
No remaining borders, faded designs, frayed edges, thin fabric – this is the state of the towels piled in the cupboard. If my sister saw them, she would zoom straight as the crow flies to a nearby department store and stock us up with new fluffy towels.
But sister, never fear. We have plenty of good towels. They are just living in our other home.
Tonight, as I dried off with one of the antique versions, tiny in size but amazingly colorful, I had a flashback to when towels came free.
In detergent boxes! Do you remember those little plastic encased free towels? I’m not entirely sure that this blue floral number is not one of those freebies. It’s still in use, at least 25 years later.
After an online search, I found several old detergent brands that offered free face cloths, knives, glasses, and towels. Breeze sounded familiar, but the images I saw only offered face cloths. Bonus advertised a full sized towel, but that name doesn’t ring a bell. How fun to look at the old packaging, all the way back in the late 1950’s and 1960’s.
Wait! I found it. Breeze is one of the detergents that included free towels. Check out my Pinterest board (For the Home) and scroll to see the Breeze box. Angie’s Pinterest Boards
Ahh, memories. I truly am not old enough to buy detergent in the 50-60’s, but let’s try the 70’s. Back in the good old days. . . free stuff when one went shopping!
I still love free!
I’d love to hear your memories. Were you ever the recipient of free towels? Glasses? Dinnerware? Green stamps (you could buy all sorts of wonderful items with green stamps)?
Enter plastic wrap. It’s my new favorite packing tool.
Not only can I easily see what is packed inside the wrapping, the items are secure (should a moving earthquake occur and miniature items move around), the glass is held firmly in place, cords are stuck together instead of trailing around, and I always have plastic wrap on hand.
12 towels (the hubby uses many each week, plus there are the grands . . .)
12 dish clothes
12 sets of silverware (in case we have company)
12 wash clothes (we are messy)
I don’t know why 12 seems like such a good number. Except 12 towels will hold us if I can’t get to the laundry for a bit. Dishes shouldn’t be a problem, though we do go through them each day.
I am a 12th Fan (Go, Seahawks!). Maybe that’s the influence of 12.
A dozen. That usually means good things. A dozen eggs, donuts, months in a year . . .
Hmmm. 12’s were always the hardest for me to remember when it came to multiplication facts. I still have to think hard (or cheat) to figure out 12’s.
Moving into an RV trailer is a huge commitment. The storage space. Oh, boy. I mean the lack of storage space. That is the challenge. But we are up for adventure.
To end on a positive note, let’s have a list of 12 great and wonderful reasons to live in an RV!
1. Life will be one big adventure.
2. It will feel like camping. all. the. time.
3. We can move our house any time we want a change of scenery.
4. Less square footage means less area to clean!
5. Change. Change is good. Change makes you think outside of the box in which you currently reside.
6. Weeding. This is necessary to reduce personal effects to a sufficiently tiny amount that they fit inside the RV.
7. Cooking requirements will force creativity!
8. Potential for blog posts (the good, the bad, the ugly) will increase exponentially the longer we abide in each other’s hip pockets.
9. The porch. Sitting under the awning enjoying the evening quiet (and chatter of young grands) will be exquisite.
10. Free time! No sense in shopping – there’s no place to put it.
11. Clothing choices will be easy each day. With a limited wardrobe, it’s recycle outfits over and over again.
12. Fairy tale living. It’s true! I will be snuggled up to my honey in our home sweet home.
13. And for the baker’s dozen – Living in an RV will get us ready to live in our small home.
Now. That being said . . . I’d love to hear your RV living suggestions, tips, and strategies! Pretty please!
Love, Laughter, and Life 