CARE volunteer month complete and successful RV repairs, Livingston, TX, Aug. 1, 2012

July 31st was our last day volunteering at CARE and it was an easy day for us.  With our service appointment at West RV Service having us scheduled to arrive on Tuesday pm, we drove the coach down to arrive by 1:30 pm.  We were greeted by the lady at West RV Service as referring to us as the overnight guests.  Soon they parked our coach, hooked us up to electric and water and we were set for the afternoon and night.

We joined the CARE residents for dinner and after the table and chair cleaning, Bob with Ron’s help completed the vacuuming for the last time.

After dinner we joined a few of the volunteers and residents’ for several lively games of Wizard.  One of the residents even gave us our own set of Wizard cards.  Soon it was time for good-bye hugs, bittersweet indeed. 

Today was a successful day for our repairs.  A new thermistor for the Norcold achieved the coldness we desired.  A new to us, but used Splendide motor also fixed our washer/dryer combo.

Here is proof the washer/dryer does come out of its space, there is only about 1/2” to spare.  I had to see it to believe it.

By 1:30 we had pulled  out of West RV and were parked at the Escapee’s Rainbow’s End RV Park.  I plan on doing several laundry loads tomorrow to make sure the washer does work as expected before we head down the Mission, TX.

Last full week at CARE, Livingston, TX, July 23-29, 2012

Not so much rain this week, but the high humidity and temps have not let up.

We now have an ice maker that makes ice and have no leaks!!  The tech at West RV Service fixed the leaky outside line in no time, but the Splendide washer/dryer combo was a different story.  We do know the control board is not the problem and are scheduled to bring the coach back on the 31st, plug it in at their shop so they can continue with the diagnosis bright and early on Aug 1st.  When they find out what the problem is, we were told it could be one of fifteen different things, they will order parts and hopefully in a couple of days we will be on our way to the Rio Grande Valley.

On our day off (Wed.) steam coming out from under the hood interrupted our shopping trip in Livingston.

The 19 year old radiator hose sprung a leak.  Since we carry antifreeze from a prior unknown leak, Bob added it so we could limp two miles to the Walmart where we bought anti-freeze, clamps, bicycle tire patches and a set of tools.   Ever seen folks fixing their car in a Walmart parking lot, well that was us on Wed. 

On our way back to the coach, we stopped and ordered a new radiator hose for pickup on Thursday.  Now the Explorer sports a new radiator hose.

Bob is to blame for taking this photo of our neighbor and myself securing her coach’s water hose so she could take her driving test in her coach.

I rode with her to lend moral support and also to let her test drive the route I had taken 18 months ago myself.  She did great on our test drive, but was not able to take her test as her brake lights would not work.

Saturday late afternoon, a loaded (12) Care Center shuttle bus left to attend the Liberty Opry.  What a fun time!  We all stopped for dinner along the way and arrived  at the theater in plenty of time.

Here, the keyboardist, Calvin Gainey, is finishing up his ‘rafter shaking’ performance of “Great Balls of Fire”.

The evening was complete with the comedy routine of Booger Lee and Jerry.  Awesome show for only $12 each.

When the show was over, our bus was parked out front (the little one in front).  During intermission our driver went out and re-parked the bus for easy boarding for everyone.

As I write this entry, we have one more night of being “On Call” (Monday) and then we are done here.  Our replacement team arrived on Saturday. 

We have new luggage for our European trip (we leave Aug 14th from McAllen Airport), the Rick Steves’ rolling backpack.   These cases do seem smaller than the cases we have used before, so, we will see if what we want to bring fits.

Another week at CARE, Livingston, TX - July 16-22, 2012

This past week has been a combination of rain and sunshine, oftentimes in the same day.  Getting our laundry dry can be a challenge.  Since our washer is on the blink (to be diagnosed tomorrow the 23rd) I did a washer full at the laundry at the park, then I hang the clothes to dry on our rack on the back of the coach.  Do you see the plastic shower curtain covering my almost dry laundry from a quick rain shower? It worked great and we had dry fresh sheets to sleep on.

Our frig is also sporting a new ice maker.  According to the RV forums Whirlpool makes a identical replacement available from Lowes.  It didn’t take Bob too long to put it in.  Now to get the heated water line from the solenoid up the back of the frig replaced, that also is on the list for the RV Service repair happening tomorrow.

My next items on the list was to replace the kitchen faucets.  They had been ordered and waiting for the appropriate time to do.  The job went much easier than Bob anticipated.  The hardest part was removing the shelf so he could reach the faucet connections.

The old faucet is out!

The new faucet is installed along with a drinking water faucet.  My new faucet is a Moen 7545 Camerist, stainless.  Its removable sprayer spigot has a little higher arc than the old one had, but not too high to interfere with the cabinet above.

Below are two other volunteers here at Care, Lee on the left and Anita on the right.  Lee and her husband are from Israel and we have had a great time getting to know then.  Anita is originally from England. In fact, not too far from where we will be this fall when visit Norwich, England.  My family originated from the Norwich area dating back to the 1400-1600’s. 

Every night around 6 pm we (us volunteers) gather and clean up the dining room.  Each table top and chair is sprayed and wiped down with a vinegar and water solution.  Then the floor is expertly vacuumed by Bob.

In going through ‘stuff’ at our house last spring, I came across the postcard size photo (below with a white border) of my great grandmother, Adaline Hamilton Crane (1851-1925).  This postcard was sent to our good friends, John and Judy, who own a photo lab in Grand Rapids, MI to see what they could do to enhance this photo.  The photo below is the result.  I love it!!

Looks like she had on her Sunday bonnet which looks to be crocheted.

Our time here at CARE is drawing to an end, just 10 more days.  We have met some amazing folks that stay here.  We came to help but they have given us way more than we have given them.  Such awesome spirits.

Rain, Rain… Livingston, TX, July 9-15, 2012

In the last week we certainly have had our fair share of rain, over 9”.  Also  nine of the next 10 days have a forecast of rain, so it is not over.

We have been busy at the Care Center doing our assigned jobs, which includes every other night being on call.  Thank heavens we have had no emergency calls at night, we  sure have a healthy group of folks here!

Every night all four of us volunteers meet around 5:45 to all help clean up the dining area. All chairs are wiped down with a vinegar and water solution, the tables are also wiped off with the same solution. Then the floor is vacuumed. Bob has become known as the happy vacuumer!

Our new dehumidifier (Eva-Dry 2200)arrived a few days ago.  So far we are pleased with its performance.  It has pulled anywhere between a half to a full cup of water every day. 

This week it was time to deep clean under the stove top, I mean down below the black cover you see.  And yes, there are NO photos of what was there, it was bad.

Also this week, we bought a new shower head, it is larger, more settings and has a wonderful water shut off option.

 

Next Monday, the 23rd, we have an appointment at a local RV repair shop for them to work on our icemaker leak and diagnose our Splendide washer/dryer combo.  We know the icemaker leaks from the solenoid in the back up to where the water enters the frig, so the frig will need to be removed to get at it.  The washer/dryer won’t agitate, but repairs on it also involve its removal and that should be interesting to watch.

International American Pie

Remember Don McLean’s song, American Pie.    Remember the chorus…

So, bye bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinking whiskey and rye, singing...
This'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Well, on July 4th when I was helping with the dishes after our noon meal, this song was playing on the radio while Anita from England, Mike (Hiam) from Israel and myself from Ohio were all singing along.   A special moment indeed!!  Who would have known it was an International Song!!

First Full Week at CARE, Livingston, TX, July 3-8, 2012

All six of us volunteers, two separate singles, Ron and Anita, Mike and Lee, and us survived our first full week of the volunteer staff being just us. We are lucky as Anita was here last month, she has kept us all in line.  (Winter volunteer staff is 5-6 couples [10-12 folks]). Russ, the maintenance man helps out with Anita for her on call nights, which is every other night, with us taking the on call when she is off.  Ron is our full-time driver so he is busy every day. So far we have driven two residents to their respective appointments here in Livingston.   

Mike and Lee, who are parked in another section of the park, help out with what they can, in fact, they organized and cooked the noon and evening meal on the 4th with all of our help.  Lee made a fantastic potato salad and all the residents loved it. They are from Israel and I loved her To Do list. (I think I have it in the right direction)

Here is Bob enjoying his 4th of July noon meal, BBQ Beef sandwiches, homemade potato salad, watermelon, prepared and cleaned up by all the volunteers.

 

 

The Park’s annual 4th of July parade started in front of the CARE Center.

As with most of the United States, the temperatures here have been hot and the humid.  The A/C runs all day, but we do shut it off at night, as we don’t like to hear it run, but by morning the coach is warm and really stuffy.  We don’t want to open up the coach as the outside humidity is between 60-95%.

To try and solve our high humidity issue, I ordered a small dehumidifier, Eva-Dry 2200, should be here on Wednesday.  We will see if it helps keep the humidity in the coach down just a little, hopefully the A/C won’t have to run so much.  Will let you know how well it works.

Livingston, TX 7/2/2012

Our first “on call” night went without incident, yea.  We were ready, flashlights beside the door, clothes ready for a fast dressing, note pad and pen beside phone to write down the callers name and site number, the cell phone with the Care Center’s phone forwarded to it, beside the bed with its ringer set to a high volume and obnoxious ring so it would wake us up.  Even though no calls came in last night, we are ‘On Call’ every other night for at least 2-1/2 more weeks until another couple comes, then it will be every third night until the end of the month.  So I am hopeful it will become less stressful.

After we passed off the “Responder” binder this morning, we had the day off.  With it being very hot, we decided to cover the skylight in the shower, a select window or two and the two top vents with 3/4” coated foam board.

Bob brought a cutter so we could make the new board fit in the Explorer.

This shows the skylight in the shower now covered with the foam board.  We have enough board to add another layer, but are waiting to see if it is needed.

Here is the vent in the bathroom with the foam board.

Also lined the bedroom window.  Not sure I like the printing on the board, but I do like the fact the heat infiltrating is lessened, since this window faces south and gets some sun all day long.

As you can see we are very close to the Care Center, takes about 30 seconds to walk to work, can also drop off the trash along the way.

Livingston, TX June 27-July 1, 2012

My oh my, have we been busy learning our volunteer job at the Escapees Care Center.  Upon arrival we parked in one of the seven sites on Volunteer Row, right next to the Care Center facility.

We started off on Wednesday afternoon and evening shadowing or trailing another volunteer couple who were leaving in a few days. 
Parts of each subsequent day has been spent in learning what we are to do during the next month. 
Today is our first day of being on our own, well sort of.  Another volunteer who has been here a month is a wealth of information and has been very helpful with us newbies.  Tonight we will have the Care Center’s phone forwarded to our cell phone so if one of the residents needs emergency help, they push their button, that button push generates a phone call to the Center and thus to our cell phone.  When answered by us, an automated message will  tell us who pushed their button and their site number.  We then go check out what kind of assistance is needed and respond to that need.   The overnight On Call job rotates amongst the volunteers.  For July we have two couples and two singles, normally they have seven couples, so we will have to have many more On Call nights than normal.
Since we have been here it has been very hot, over 100 degrees and humidity in the 70-80% range, hot, hot, hot and drippy.  I am thankful the park has great electric so we can run our air conditioners.
One morning we were greeted by what looked like fog.  Can fog form in temps in the mid 70’s?

More on our adventures next time.

North Little Rock, Arkansas, June 24-25, 2012

You say, “what is Bob doing outside looking up with his hands’ on his hips”.  Well just check out his blog here for his story, it is close to what actually happened. By the way, recently he has been duplicating his blog in a blogger format to make it easier to receive comments, so you can check out the blogger version here.

The Downtown Riverside RV Park is located in North Little Rock, we have full hookups, well we could, as the hookups for us are on the passenger side.  We just hooked up to the 50 amp as our stay here is only two nights. We also are receiving the Passport America Park rate of $11.50 per night.

The RV park is very close to this pedestrian bridge and the bridge is very close to the William Clinton Presidential Library, so off we went.  Also with it being 100+ degrees a cool place to visit sounded wonderful.

Below shows the displays of each of this year’s as president.  In the white binders they list his daily schedule, hour by hour.  Hummm… wonder what his schedule says for his encounters with Monica.

This was not a high water mark, just a unique way of showing off some old motors.

I really enjoyed the Historic Arkansas Museum.  They treated the artifacts as pieces of art.

The sewing machine stitched Confederate uniforms.

This is a Homespun Dress.

 
I have one of these 4-H signs (even kept it when we cleaned out our house). This one below was in the museum.  So what does that make me?  I was in 4-H for eight years, so I knew the pledge very well. 
"I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world."

And now a few words from our infamous presidential candidate, Bobbarooni.

Tomorrow heading towards Livingston Texas with an overnight stop near Marshall TX.
For the month on July we will be volunteering with the Escapees RV Club’s Care Center.  We were to arrive three days early so we can ‘shadow’ another volunteer so we can get our on the job training.