AWNING REPAIR

Opened my awning today to clean it and noticed that there was a tear on the left side near the roof.  Got my repair tape and cleaning cloths and climbed up onto the roof.  This is only the second time I have been up there and it wasn't as scary as the first time.

I got on my stomach and reached down over the edge of the roof to inspect the area.  My coach is only 3 years old yet it appears that this area of the awning has dry rot and is cracking open.  I cleaned the dirt off and dried with a towel then began to place the repair tape over the area.  Placed two layers of tape and covered a large area (about 8 inches) aound the tear.

While I was up there I cleaned the front of the coach where the lights are.  I can never reach that area when I wash the coach so this was a good time to do so.  I inspected my TV antennae and it looked intact.  I can never catch any stations and always think it is due to the antennae but is more than likely the cheap TV that came with the coach.

Not sure how long this awning will last but replacing it will be a huge expense for me.  I don't have a cover for the coach and know that the harsh sunlight bearing down on it all day is going to make the situation worse.  I was thinking of getting a carport cover and now I guess that I'll have to look into that as a way of protecting the coach from the sun while it is in my driveway.  I may also get an awning cover.  All of this could cost between $3,000 to $4,000.  It's never ending. 

 

I'm thinking about something like this.

 

 

 

My neighbors thought I was insane when they noticed me up on the roof but didn't say anything to me.  Didn't bring the camera up there so no photos... but trust me, it wasn't a pretty picture. 

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News & other things.

Jonathan and I listen to Radio 2 every morning on the way to work (coz that's how we roll) and a song has been catching my ear for a while now. After some investigation that song is Kissing You Goodbye by The Pierces. I have since obtained the album and have been listening to it on repeat this morning and it is pretty damn good.

I took Lily and Lola on a walk yesterday evening when a lady pulled her car over next to us and came running over. I thought "hang on a minute, what's going on 'ere!" but it turns out she lives a couple of minutes away from us and has a boy Pug named Elvis. She was so excited to see my little Pugs and thought they were so dinky and cute compared to her chunky Elvis (I have spotted her husband walking him and he certainly is a chunk-ster!) She fussed over Lily and Lola for ages while they barked at her and licked her. They have rather smelly breath so I hope she washed her hands afterwards! :) When we got back they were all worn out after making a new friend and cuddled in various positions all evening...

I am excited to have episodes of New Girl lined up to watch this week. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see Zooey D in the trailer wearing glasses similar to mine. Yes I love her far too much, but I can't help it. She is perfection!

Picture via Google images

In other news, yesterday I added buddha charms, cupcake charms and horseshoes to my shop! And if you follow me on Twitter you may have seen that if you retweet my giveaway tweet before 5pm today you could win a friendship bracelet of your choice! I'm feeling generous today :)

Good luck! There is roast dinner to be eaten so I bid you adieu and wish you all a lovely Sunday.

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My first Graze box.

I first heard about Graze boxes a while ago but I didn't hop on the bandwagon. I didn't have the spare income, and treats like this were few and far between. Fast forward a few months and I decided to give Graze boxes a try as I think they're a great idea, especially as I used a code from Fiona to get my first box free. Plus when I entered the code it turns out I get my 5th box free too (psst, use my code HDTKYQF to bag yourself some freebies!)

I think the website is brilliant. The way you can 'bin' foods you don't like to avoid ever receiving them (bye-bye olives) and give a thumbs up to the foods you do like the look of is brilliant and saves any disappointment further down the line. I also like the surprise element of not knowing what will arrive. The fact the box fits perfectly through the letterbox is also a great plus, as was my first box arriving dead on the day it was supposed to (always a plus when the post service works!)

My first box contained:

Copacabana: brazil nuts, dark chocolate buttons and milk chocolate buttons. My verdict = yum! I love brazil nuts as they're quite meaty as nuts go, and quite filling. Giant milk chocolate buttons can only ever be a good thing and I don't often have dark chocolate so it made a nice change. These were eaten within 10 minutes of receiving my box through the door *oops*

The Beach: banana coins, mango and pineapple pieces. I found these so-so. I would eat them again if I received them but I could live without.

Orange and ginger flapjack: As flapjacks go this was quite tasty. I'm not a huge ginger fan so I'd be interested in trying a different variety of flapjack, however Jonathan (not normally a flapjack fan at all) enjoyed his piece *yes I shared!* very much so and raved about it.

Oven roasted cashews: I could have eaten these all day had I had a bigger box of them. Completely moreish and very yummy!

I am definitely going to continue with my Graze membership to try a few more boxes. Snacks like this are ideal to keep in the cupboard or in your drawer at work. I am not sure if receiving the boxes will be a novelty and eventually wear off, but I'll certainly give a few more a go, if only to try the delicious looking grub I have spotted on the website! Give a box a try for free if you like the sound of it. Just enter my code - HDTKYQF 

Happy munching!

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SOME VERY EXPENSIVE SILICONE

What a long day this was.  Got up at the crack of dawn.  Gulped down some breakfast and got dressed.  Fed the dog.  Walked the dog.  Groomed the dog.  Unhooked the coach and headed out for Dixie RV to get the leaky window fixed.  Got there at 8:00.  Went to the service department and asked for Adam.  He filled out a service order and took the coach into a stall by 8:30. WOW... I was impressed.

I put the Shih Tzu in her doggie stroller and loaded it up with lunch, water, and her dog food.  She stayed in her stroller and got lots of attention while I shopped at Camping World.  Bought a pet basket for the front of my bike, a wind sock, and a tire gauge.

Then I walked around the grounds and let Xi Shi walk in the grass.  She enjoyed that.  We found a picnic table on the outskirts of the property and stayed there for awhile.  Then we went back inside Dixie RV and after looking at some of the RVs - sat in their showroom for the next few hours. 

Finally, Adam came out and said that it appeared to be some cracked caulking at the top of the window.  They sealed it and he was waiting for the sealant to dry and then he was going to test again for leaks.  A couple of hours later it was ready.  We left at 2:00pm and headed for home.  Got home at 4:00.  Waiting is very tiring.  Even Xi Shi appeared exhausted and fell asleep in the coach and slept all the way home.

The cost was $220.00.  My shopping was $82.00.  My campground stay was $29.00.  Total of $331 not counting fuel.  Pretty expensive trip.

Adam explained that I could do the same type of repair using clear, exterior silicone around the edges of the rubber window seals.  Yep.. you bet I will.

No photos... left the camera in the coach.

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GETTING THE LEAKY WINDOW FIXED

Left home this morning around 10:00 heading for Hammond and Dixie RV for repair of my leaky window in the RV.  Got to Punkin Park Campground around noon and set up in spot 49... right next to the Interstate.  It's a good thing my AC makes a lot of white noise so I think I'll sleep alright tonight.  As soon as the sun wakes me in the morning I'll be leaving for Dixie RV which is less than a mile from here.

Took a ride to Camping World, which is next door to Dixie RV, and noticed the parking lot was full of RVs.  Not good.  That means they are really busy and I'm hoping they can take me first thing in the morning as I plan on going home tomorrow afternoon.  I'm not sure what time they open but I'll be there when they open the gates.  I didn't bring my 2 cats on this trip so they are at home alone.  They do fine for a few days so I don't want to stay gone too long.

This campground is alright for an overnighter but I wouldn't stay here again.  The spots are grass and the streets are gravel.  I'm next to the office and swimming pool which is fine.  The spot has WiFi, electric, water, and sewer which I like but won't need.  The cost was $29.00 which I don't like.  I think they get a lot of RVers who are having work done at DIxie RV as it is so close.

It  is good to be back in the coach and away from home.  Me and my little Shih Tzu are enjoying our time here and have walked around the area several times today and placed our Peace Rock #5. 

Now we are getting ready to watch a little TV.  The movie tonight is "Fool's Gold."  Supper is left over Chicken Fricassee' with rice.

More photos tomorrow.

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