I am having a personal energy crises. Let me give you an example.
I am parked in the desert with no hookups. I want to take a shower. I need to strip my bed so I can convert it to a couch so I can see under it to my fresh water tank to be sure it has enough water in it that my water heater will not run out before I finish my shower. Then I need to turn on my inverter to power my water heater for ten minutes which is enough warmth for me to take a shower. Then I need to set my timer for ten minutes to remind me to turn off the water heater so it doesn’t run down my batteries. During that ten minutes, I need to remove everything from my bathroom that I don’t want to get wet because my shower is the entire bathroom. Then I need to remember to close the waterproof curtain over my window so I don’t soak the day/night shade in it. Then I need to get out my clean clothes to have ready to put on because I will be too tired to do that once I wash myself. Now I can actually take my shower, while mostly sitting on the toilet because there is not a lot of room in there which, at least, gives me some recovery time from all that prep. Then I have 2 1/2 gallons of warm enough water to wash in. So I wet my hair and body, turn off the water, wash my hair and body, turn on the water and rinse as well as I can before running out of warm enough water. Then I have to dry the entire bathroom because I sprayed water everywhere. I must also clean the toilet because if I forget to dry it I will get wet the next time I sit down on it. And I need to wrap a towel around the shower head because it will continue to drain for some unknown amount of time which means it will drip on me the next time I enter the bathroom. Once dressed and combed I need to check my shower drain to be sure all the water went down because if it didn’t I need to drive to the dump to empty my gray water tank. But first, I need to put back everything I took out of the bathroom–like the extra toilet paper.
And that’s not even taking into consideration how many times I have to unload then reload the Scoot to buy groceries because the odds of me getting to park in the only spot within walking distance of the grocery store for me in which my over-sized vehicle will fit is not good. And my Scoot doesn’t hold a lot of groceries so I have to make more trips if I can’t park close enough to use a store cart.
And doing laundry? By the time I park as close as I can, haul everything, in, do the actual wash, haul everything back, and put away only those clothes that will wrinkle right away if I don’t I am exhausted.
Part of that is because I am neither eating nor sleeping well. And I’m paying for both of those by being tired.
You tired yet? Me, too. And those are just a few examples of taking care of myself out here. I miss being able to stand under warm running water in the shower at the apartment. I miss not having to think about if the shower will back up while I’m still in it. I miss being able to have groceries delivered. I miss having a washer and dryer right in our apartment.
And I miss so many things about sharing my life with Dave.
If I was healthy enough to be able to walk long distances I could go use campground showers. And buying groceries and doing laundry wouldn’t be so tiring. But I’m not healthy and I appear to be getting weaker. I even had to ask for help getting the cover off a dump the other day.
It is still November and I’m ready to go home.
Anyone want to make a good offer on a fabulous RV?
TTYL,
Linda
Oh Linda. You sound so discouraged. Maybe it is time for you to return to Dave and all the comforts of the apartment. This life is supposed to be fun not such a challenge. There has to be another way to deal with those times when you do get hitch itch. Sure hope we’re going to see you tomorrow at lunch/dinner whatever it is.
I hear ya. It can be so hard traveling alone. So much work and so many steps to accomplish the most mundane task. You ask yourself “what am I doing this for?” Then you start to feel alone and that’s enough to want to end it.
To face all of that when you are not in good physical condition must be really discouraging. No one would blame you if you packed it up and left for home.
But I doubt you will. Something will happen tomorrow to turn it all around. Betcha.
Oh my! I’m so discouraged that you’re so discouraged! I want you to be happy. I’m so sorry Dave isn’t traveling with you. That’s a bummer. However, we’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. If we can help you with anything while you’re in the Phoenix area, let us know and we most certainly will. Hugs to you!!
I hear you and empathize. It’s the spoon theory, and those of us with health issues have to learn how to conserve those spoons. Some days I start a day with 10 or more spoons and other days, not more than just a couple or three. Everything you spoke about here uses up spoons. I have days on end like you described and so I have to plan what I’ll do on any given day and never do more than one thing. For example, I shampoo with no-rinse shampoo and that’s it for the day. I’ll bathe using no-rinse body wash and that’s all I do that day. For full body showering in nice hot water for as long as I can stand up, I wait for public park or campground facilities. Or do what Kim does — truck stop showers — she says it’s heavenly. Shopping? UGH! Perhaps you could try this — take the Scoot to the store from your parking spot. Once inside, go to Customer Service and ask them to hold your scoot while you use one of their carts to shop. When finished, go back to Customer Service, ask them to hold your purchases while you take the scoot back to the RV, then drive right up to the door and there your basket will be with your purchases. In most stores, you can ask to have someone help you unload your packages and hand them to you in the RV. Don’t be shy about asking for help. If you find a place that won’t let you do this, then find another. Or call the customer service desk before going in to ask if they can accommodate your mobility issues. I bet you’ll find lots of friendly people to help. Good luck. Hope you feel better soon!
Yes, I am exhausted just reading what you need to do just to take a shower. I think I would work up a sweat after taking the shower just making sure everything from my shower is in order. What good was the shower?
I am with Sandie. You should be enjoying yourself, and if that isn’t happening, I agree….go back to Dave and all the luxuries of home. I am sure he will be thrilled to have you with him 24/7. I am also sure he doesn’t get any pleasure out of knowing how miserable you are.
oh good lord.
i could feel your pain and frustration in every word. i would not last a minute in that life!
one of the VERY few luxuries in my life is a good hot shower. there is simply nothing like it.
but . . .
if you wind up keeping the rv I would suggest this . . .
1. cut your hair short. if it’s a hot enough day you could even wash it outside. you would look super cute with short hair! it’s so EASY. and cool too. less mess to deal with washing it anywhere. quick.
2. take what my gram called a French Bath. no doubt made famous by French Ladies of the Evening who had to bathe quickly with very little modern convenience in between customers!
very similar in practice if not the spirit – is the two pan method i discovered during one of my surgeries!
i once had a “bath” in a hospital that was one of the most refreshing in my life. the nurse walked in with 2 plastic pans of hot water . . . a bar of soap and a wash cloth. she said it was baby soap and would not irritate my skin if i didn’t get it rinsed totally off. I felt refreshed and I was clean! one pan used for water to soap all over lightly . . . the other pan to use for rinsing. it WORKED! beautifully.
who says we need a SHOWER??? !!!! 😀
3. but . . . I don’t want to live without a wonderful shower whenever I want one . . .
so . . . I would move back with dave. sell the rv. buy a reasonable little timeshare somewhere in a warm climate for about 4 to 6 months . . . gets you out of the worst of the minnesota winter . . .
or . . . if you can afford it . . . have a cosy little MINIMALIST apartment somewhere warm and split the times of year there! that’s exactly what becky does (from “the abbey”) they have 2 places.
4. or talk dave into moving into a tiny bit more mild climate than the arctic minnesota . . . full time!
so many options.
you only live once. and each day should not whittle away at your health and strength.
it should be fun to get up and do ordinary things without taking a toll on your body.
and now . . .
i will apologize for the overlong comment and fade into the background.
or maybe i’ll just take a shower.
AGGGGHHHH. sorry charlie brown! not cool to rub it in. i’m sorry! snoopy hug coming your way!
XOXOXO
Remember that winter is just beginning up there. Couldn’t you maybe stay in an Escapees Park? Ask for a site close to the bathrooms? Boondocking sounds like too much work for you.
Sounds like it’s time to go home. No shame in it. You ain’t giving up anything. Just sounds like you would be better off back in Mn. Another option, put the RV in storage someplace safe down there for now, fly back home and come back later when you feel more better. Or hire a driving service to bring it back.
It really feels like you would be better off back in the apartment. At least you would be warm and comfy, and have someone with you. Tough decision but if the rv thing is getting to be too much, don’t risk your health just to maintain a lifestyle.