Hello Stormfly...Goodbye Mint Julep

To say the past few months have been a tsunami of one crazy thing after another would be an understatement, the size of a...tsunami.  Wave after wave of sh*t hitting the proverbial fan. It is no wonder that some days it feels like I am drowning.

Reba, my beautiful red truck, has been dead for going on a month now. Her brand new radiator is currently sitting on the passenger side front seat. At this point, it is doubtful that she will ever be road worthy again.

And Mint Julep, Natalie's 1999 Honda Accord is definitely feeling her age. Though she has worked hard to keep us mobile is the past few weeks, the fact that her air conditioning pushes out only HOT air has become a problem. 105+ degree days are practically impossible to handle. Heat stroke, anyone!?!

So, we went out and did a thing! 

Meet Storm-Fly, our new 2017 Mazda CX-5. Purchased from the local CarMax after many, many hours of searching, researching and stressing. This is officially Natalie's car, or will be once she gets her driver's license. Yes, this is now the second car she has owned but still can't drive. Being her car, she got the majority weight on what vehicle we chose. 

When we first arrived at CarMax, I saw a shiny bright blue vehicle right across the little service road. Greg had disappeared into the little boy's room, so Natalie and I walked over to check it out. 

BIG MISTAKE!

The car was cute, but the salesman was on us long before Greg returned. 

Happy talkin' talkin', happy talk                                                                                                                    Talk about things you'd like to do link

Yup, before we even realized what we were doing, we were in the pretty blue car, taking a test drive. Unlike Minnesota, the salesman rode right along with us. It was a fun, cute LITTLE car. I said many times over, "You don't buy a car based on the color."

Still, in minutes we were inside with credit scores being run and deals offered. The car man made us a really good deal. He was definitely working hard for that sale. Still..."You don't buy a car based on the color." The farther into it we got, more uncomfortable I became.  I wanted to see the car we drove out to see.

Finally, I just got up from the table and walked away. We left Greg who was busy talking to the man at Stoneridge Chrysler about this Honda CR something or other, Natalie and I walked across the road to see the Mazdas I had been researching.

Walking out to the far side of the lot, we found what we were looking for. Many SUV just waiting to be adored. The Mazda we chose to give a closer look to was NOT the one we came to see. This 2017 car was a very, very dark blue, not the shiny bright blue that caught my attention earlier. 

The doors were unlocked. Cleaver move, CarMax. Less than ten seconds after we sat down, Natalie declared, "This is the one!" 

So much larger than the Honda, we were sold by the roominess. Natalie then got out and climbed into the back via the push button hatch that swung up magically before us. So much space. Room for cats in cages, groceries and suitcases for going to Disneyland. 

Natalie texted Greg to STOP! Come over and see the car we ARE going to buy! After a few minutes of no response, she called. He hemmed and hawed. "This one has such good gas mileage!" "It's too SMALL!", she replied.

At last, came over, followed by Honda salesman. WTF!

Talk about uncomfortable. Salesman looked over that car, then declared, "I have another SUV I can show you." Sorry, we may have considered going there again, since Greg and I will need a car once Natalie drives, but Honda guy crossed the line when he crossed the road. Very seriously doubt we will go back there. Had a nice car, willing to deal, but definitely got the sense he expected the MAN to overrule us.

Sorry dude, welcome to 2021! Natalie and I were providing the down payment. No deal happens without our little lady approval.

Too late on a Sunday to officially drive the Mazda, us ladies made an appointment for the following afternoon. After an hour and a half wait to deal with the "You can't finance car with a license that say expired." Both Greg's and my driver's licenses we sent off to Rancho Cucamonga in SoCal. An hour and a half trip to the DMV to get provisional license. Got it after they locked the doors to new people from entering. Ooooofff!

 

Harold, our new salesman from CarMax let us drive this car by ourselves. Once around the loop from  Fallen Blvd to Santa Rita, past Natalie's target and back, and we were sold! Back to the car lot to finalize our sale. 

More wait, wait waiting.

Us girls drove Mint Julep back to Target for a couple of Starbucks teas while Greg sold his soul to the car loan guys. Once back, Natalie texted Ryan photos of the new car. Before the paperwork was done on the Mazda CX-5, Natalie had sold her very first car. The Honda Accord called Mint Julep.

 

A  little bittersweet, after only driving her car for a few circles around the RV dog park, Natalie says goodbye to her first baby. A car made the same year she was born.

Finally, as dusk approaches, the paperwork is done. Storm-fly (Natalie named her after just a couple of minutes, the first day) is ready to go home. I get to drive her, as Greg has to bring along the now 'old car'.

 

We stop at Ryan's house. First, to show off the shiny new vehicle. Second, to deliver the car he just purchased. He is just as excited for Natalie to have a new car as she is herself.

The men study the Accord, as Brett meets his new 'driving to work' car. Good luck with that air conditioning, pal. I swear they all say they can fix it. Hummmm, Reba...radiator. I hope it works out for everyone. Not having to solve where we park a third vehicle is a great relief.

Finally, Storm-fly makes it home. Here she is parked in our spot. Welcome to the family, Stormy!

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fixing reba

Definition of friend

 

1a: one attached to another by affection or esteem

She's my best friend. link

For the second time in just a matter of months, Ryan has come to rescue us with his automotive expertise. Natalie's 'Mint Julep', the first car he fixed up for us, is now our only working vehicle.

My little red truck, Reba, is showing her age. Purchased new in 2005 as a 'gift' for our 23rd anniversary, my trusty little baby is showing her age. Sixteen years and well over 200,000 miles, Reba's days seem numbered. 

Today, we could do nothing but watch as Ryan and Landon work to remove the radiator, which seems to have exploded out the bottom and is pouring out fluids. What started out as a, "It'll take about forty minutes to remove" said radiator turned into hours of frustration. Reba was not quite so willing to give up her innards as was hope. Screws and bolts, and whatever else holds in car parts, are seriously 'welded' in place. No amount of yanking and cranking and swearing would convince the metal bits to give up their hold.

Twice, Ryan ended up with a mouthful of radiator fluid from the already drip drained radiator. Definitely not good considering how poisonous that stuff is. She may be old, but Reba is still a feisty little bitch. Thankfully, this was a mid 80 degree day and not the 108 degrees we were sweltering in just days ago.

About an hour into this adventure, Ryan mentions that Brett, the roommate that replaced us when we moved out of Ryan and Amanda's Home for Wayward Souls, has been sitting in his truck. Just sitting and waiting. Curiosity is definitely not gonna kill that cat. Once joining us, Ryan declared Brett would be his 'Heidi' for the rest of the day.

Unfamiliar with this terminology, I researched it's definition. Urban slang, of course.

Heidi

HIGH-dee | /heidi/

To "heidi" is to be incorrect in the performance of a simple task. To consistently perform incorrectly. To be incorrect in the knowledge of a common fact. link

With Reba bleeding sick red fluid into the carport, there wasn't much for Natalie and I to do. We sat on the warm tar, just watching. After the two hour mark, we decided it was time to work on the food Natalie had offered during her first distress text. Having brought out numerous bottles and glasses of water, we prepared our grand meal. 

Actually, we had to wait for Papa Murphy's door dash to deliver the three large pepperoni pizzas we ordered. So very glad to have a usable oven to bake in, once again. It has only been a few weeks that we have been able to get these bake at home pizzas. One of our favorites from back in Minnesota, it was great to to find Papa Murphy's in the Bay Area.

Greg left in search of a replacement radiator for the boys to install. When he returned, the radiator inside Reba was still stuck in place. Three hours into the fixing Reba adventure, and it is decided to call timeout for the night. With a promise to return to this repair job on Wednesday, Reba is left dripping alone while everyone heads into our new apartment for food and drinks. 

So, with just under six weeks in our spanking new apartment, we are once again entertaining guests. Not counting the numerous visits for maintenance, this is the third time we have had actual visitors to our home. That is huge for us. 

Since leaving Minnesota a decade ago, the number of visitors we have had inside our home has been small. Living in a trailer park for many months meant we talked to many fellow RVers, but none ever came inside. 

 With bellies full of pizza, chips and soda, the gentlemen head home. The promise to return in just a couple days keeps hope in my heart that Reba will ride, once again. Sitting in my chair, I can see her shiny red metal glimmering just out of the sun. 

Parked solemnly right outside, I am reminded of the first night we brought her home. We stopped by at my parent's house to show her off.  My father sat in the front passenger side seat and hung a rosary over the rear view mirror. 

The thought of having to replace this red truck at some time in the future makes me sad. Being the last vehicle of mine my father ever sat in still keeps him close to me.  I can move my father's rosary to whatever new car we might get, but it will never be the same as him hanging it up himself.

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A Whole New World

Way back in August of 2016, I learned I am allergic to wheat, milk, sesame and soy. Other foods like egg whites, peanuts, shrimp, walnuts were also on the foods to avoid list. Since then, it has been a journey of learning a whole new way to look at food and cooking.

My youngest daughter, Natalie has helped me create recipes that are, at times gluten-free, sometimes just wheat-free, and yes, there is a difference.

While this blog began as a food/recipe only blog, our life has changed 180 degrees in the past couple of years.

In September of 2019, we became a 100% RV living family of three. After just over a year and a half of both fulltime RVing and worldwide pandemic, we turned in our keys and put the trailer into storage.

This sunshiny blog records the craziness of our lives and is now the perfect place to document another momentous life change. As I write this, I am still surrounded by boxes, so many boxes. And so little furniture.

We spent 15 months being hotel nomads. 21 tucked inside an RV. What the future holds from here, it is hard to say. Today, I am watching a couple of house finches build a nest in my begonia plant hanging out on our new patio. Life is good.

As we lay our RV dreams to rest, I will continue to document the triumphs and challenges of downsizing from house to apartment to hotel to our successful goal of full time RV living and now back into an apartment.

There are plenty of trails to hike and oceans vistas to gaze upon.

As always, we will new recipes using our IP (instant pot) once I find the electric cord, missing from the move. And, for the first time in over three years, we have a real oven…macarons, corn bread, MEAT LOAF! Oh, so many possibilities. Recipes to come!

These first few days, we are enjoying just having space to breathe. Hope you enjoy this journey as much as we do. Time to get this show off the ROAD, setup and ready for new adventures.

By the way, I write as I roll, please excuse any misspellings. I will come back and fix them at some point. Life is busy, busy, busy.

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This is Me

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, 

                                                       this is me

Songwriters: Justin Paul / Benj Pasek This Is Me lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., DistroKid

Song begins at 58 seconds

Everyone makes choices everyday. Some of those choices are quick and insignificant. 

"A venti white chocolate mocha frappuccino, please."

Others you may think about for months, perhaps years. Plan and plan, organize and save, sure you have things figured out to the smallest detail. But, no matter how meticulous you are, one can simply not plan for a world wide pandemic. Nor the physical, emotional and financial fallout from said pandemic.  

One can simply not anticipate the fallout of living inside a 32 foot 'tin coop' for endless months, while the world around you is in complete lockdown. Needing papers to drive around. The endless search for toilet paper and disinfectant. Months of unbreathable air, caused not by the virus, but the California wildfires. 

Then, the inevitable funerals attended online, because we are locked in place hundreds to thousands of miles from so many family and friends. The smallest blessing is that we were able to attend funerals we would never have been able to go to if not for the COVID lockdown.

I don't know if our fulltime RVing experiment would have survived in a non-coronavirus world, but it did not survive COVID. In March, Natalie and I moved into a makeshift 'halfway house' with Ryan, Amanda and a group of weary wayward warriors all homeless for varying reasons.

Luci looking out at the Blood Moon Eclipse

After a very explosive beginning of the end of our RVing life, Natalie and I have spent the past three months living with eight foot high ceilings and flushing toilets. Perhaps, though, the most noticeable change is the entire world does not shake with every single move we make. Whatever our thoughts were at the beginning of March, it was clear by mid-May there was no way either of us could bear the thought of moving back into that tiny, tiny house on wheels.

As of now, we have rented a two bedroom apartment. It has been 39 months since we have lived in a place bigger than 300 square feet. While still in the process of clearing out the RV we were planning on living in for years, at a minimum, all I feel is relief. 

I never thought we would fail at whole fulltime RVing lifestyle.

But fail we did.

In a spectacularly explosive, fireworks type of a way. 

So now, as we work on what shape the future takes, I know that there will will be adventures to write about and worlds to explore. Right now, while I figure out exactly what direction those adventures will take us, I will enjoy sitting here writing in a chair. Not on a bed, because there was no other place, and appreciating the solid floor beneath my feet. 

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silver lining 60

The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday. That's guaranteed. I can't begin to explain that. Or the craziness inside myself and everyone else. But guess what? Sunday's my favorite day again. I think of what everyone did for me, and I feel like a very lucky guy. link

This is it...60 years old!

To say that is this NOT where I expected to be on my 60th birthday would be an understatement. Fifty-three days since we moved out of the RV and into our little Halfway House for Lost Souls. 

Natalie took the day off of work so we could just hangout together. She started the day by giving me a new birthday outfit, so now I am Pretty in Pink. We had lunch at the Pacific Catch, the last restaurant we dined at before covid struck. This made Pacific Catch the alpha and the omega of our pandemic lockdown, dining out wise. Sadly, during the interlude, Pacific Catch had stopped serving lobster mash potatoes as a side dish. My favorite item on their menu.

While we were gone, Ryan decorated the house in streamers and pink balloons. A couple birthday packages arrived from the the boys. Thank you, thank you.

We spent the afternoon painting our nails with Holo Taco nail polish. Natalie new set of colors was too cool to use just one color. I had her paint my nails with the whole rainbow.

As the day worn down, we had a whole lot of pizza and CAKE!!!

And finally, Natalie, Ryan, Amanda and myself spent the evening crafting.  We spent hours creating cards from the Paper Pumpkin collection of Stampin' Up!. Ryan and Amanda signed me up for the monthly subscription last Christmas. a fun gift, made even better with the entire group of us creating together.

By the end of the night, we had Christmas cards, mini Halloween boxes, and a full set of Mother's Day card completed. Definitely a crafting event we need to do again. 

Considering the vast changes that have occurred in our lives, I was expecting a very quiet birthday. This 'surprise' birthday gathering was super sweet. How lucky we are to have ended up here.

You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, you have a shot at a silver lining. link

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