The Last Six Months in Review

Wow! Has it been six months since the last post? Time has a way of getting away from me!

Well, let's do this with bullet points for now and I'll elaborate later, otherwise this post is going to get way too long! And before I forget, and miss the holiday again...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all internet friends!

So here's what's happened since June...

• The basic remodeling, including removal of the rear bunk and bikes, and installation of a side dinettte/couch/bed plus rear shelving (as described in the previous post) has been completed on the trailer, but no trim work, tile backsplash or painting. (Most of that can wait until spring.)
• The drawer locks, which I have carried around for four years, are finally installed! Yay!
• The end caps for the kitchen counter (also carried for four years) are installed! Yay #2!
• The second roof rack and two more 100 watt solar panels are installed.
• Two brand new AGM batteries were purchased after we got on the road, because the old ones weren't holding a charge long enough anymore.
• The Dexter axle lift kit has been installed.

• Two new 8-ply tires were installed on the trailer.
• A new Class 3 receiver hitch with full 7-pin wiring and electric brake controller was installed on the van.
• A new load compensating hitch was also added to the receiver hitch and trailer tongue.
• A new shelf over the front couch (but just below the overhead cabinets) was installed.
• The piano, and a first trailer load of excess "stuff" was taken to storage.
• The leftover tool carts and panels from storage were given to our host of last summer.
• A second partial load of excess "stuff" was taken to storage on our way south.
• The RV was literally given away to a nice young couple from Ohio, so that we can travel lighter and go more places that we couldn't go before!

Our trailer being prepped for the lift kit.

Now, as far as personal stuff, Sharon spent part of the summer (five weeks total) at her sister's new apartment, first to get help with dietary stuff to get her insulin under control. She was back with me for about three weeks, after which she went back to her sister's to care for her after she underwent knee replacement surgery. She was gone nine weeks, until her sister could drive her own car again. Sharon has gotten her diabetes "somewhat" more under control at home, or at least as much as it can be. Everyone said it would be a "wild ride", and they were right! Right before we left, her doctor suggested a Freestyle Libre CGM system, which we had forwarded to us through our mail forwarding company. So far, she loves it! But when we return next spring, her doctor wants to order an insulin pump for her.

One of the books that has helped her decide what foods are within her carbohydrate range is the Calorie King, Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter, which includes not only general foods, but restaurant foods as well. It includes diet guides for Diabetes, cholesterol, sodium, fiber and alcohol, also. We highly recommend it.

We were at a friend's farm all last summer. We arrived there April 5th, but the end date kept getting pushed out by doctor's appointments, and we didn't get away from there until November 2nd, after the first snow (just before Halloween). That was much later than we had planned on, but couldn't be helped.

We are also planning on being back there next spring. I will be helping our host to hang the 15 tool boards and figure out the best use for the tool carts, which I donated for his generosity and hospitality in letting us park there. He has been bringing many things from his other house, so there will be a lot of sorting to locate tools and get them organized. I also help to mow and trim his expansive lawn, and help with any other projects he wants help with. There is some machinery there, too, which needs some cleanup and repair, so that will also keep me busy. Only next summer, we may be heading out on more short side trips (some with just the van, and some with the trailer attached) as we have time (and money), and we won't plan to stay as late into the fall.

As for our experiences in getting out here to the great Southwest... well, maybe the cool and windy Southwest...we'll save that for the next post. Despite some obstacles and unexpected expense, we got here safe and sound, other than being a little lighter in the wallet! And we're on the move again to (hopefully) a warmer location, and hope to arrive by Christmas. We've already gotten snowed on since we arrived here, and we're not taking any more chances!

After much searching, we did find a couple of Plan D policies we could get into before the enrollment period ran out, but because we didn't sign up along with Medicare, we now have to pay penalties for the rest of our lives! These places are bound and determined to get their money one way or the other! The premiums will be taken out of our Social Security checks starting next month, but we still don't have a definite figure on how much that will be. And due to all the changes that will be happening, we still have no idea how all this is going to impact our budget next year!

As a result, I plan to step up my income game a little bit. That means more focused advertising efforts after the first of the year (don't say it, I know...I should have gotten in on the Christmas shopping rush), with a lot more product reviews of specific products that we use and recommend. I will also be working on other products, including monetizing my currently free book on creating a minivan camper, and finishing other books and digital products that I will include under my Azgrand umbrella.

So stick around and see what else we will reveal in the next post! Meanwhile, enjoy some great movies from Amazon Prime during the colder months ahead!