Speed Queen


Everything takes longer living in an RV. (Even typing, my space key is a bit stuck and most times I have to back up to correct the ensuing mistake.)


I've learned, in my less than two weeks here, that I spend a lot of time doing things that I either put off in the house or didn't worry about.  For instance, we're living in about 240 square feet.  I've watched House Hunters, I know that in NYC, that's a common size for an apartment, but I moved from a 2100 square foot house.  In here I must clean up after every meal.  No dishwasher waiting to hold the dirty dishes until I'm ready to wash.  


We turn on the water heater about 15 minutes before we're ready to shower.  I must say, I'm very impressed by how far the 6 gallons go.  I don't think there's a temperature lock out, like at the house.  When the hot water comes out of the tap, it's HOT!  And, the heater is well insulated.  It stays hot for hours afterwards.  


I have yet to organize all of what I brought.  When I loaded things for the RV, I looked at everything individually, not in aggregate.  Consequently, I have too many things.  One day, I will have the time and the inclination to look at all my things and pack up some to store for our future home.  But until that time, I must look for items below the seats, or in the poorly organized cabinet.


My day starts with the alarm Dave has set so he can be to work on time.  (5:30!  I'm used to  getting up when I awake and then taking the 15 steps to my office to go to work.)  Then, I lie in bed until he gets his breakfast done.  I offered to walk the dogs in the morning, since he has to actually go somewhere for work.  Once he is settled, I get dressed and take the pups out to pee.  Henry, our newest, is a bit insane.  We've had him for about 3 mos.  He had little exposure to a leash, or even the inside of a house.  He's getting better, but he's still a handful, even though he's about 20 lbs. Our walks are full of tugs, twists and braiding of leashes.  


After our morning walk, I make my morning tea and maybe make my breakfast while Dave is showering.  After he leaves, I start getting myself ready for the day.  At the house, we had three bathrooms and only two people.  Plenty of opportunity for us both to get ready at the same time.  Plus, while our kitchen wasn't huge, it was definitely a two butt kitchen.  I think now we have a 1/2 butt kitchen.


After I get ready, I take the dogs on another walk.  By now it's about 9:30.  We're out for 15 - 20 minutes - sniffing, squirting and hopefully pooping.  Bailey, our old girl at 13 yrs. 8 mos., won't do her business on the leash, so I have to go to an area where I can safely (I hope) let her off.  Henry is a maniac.  He runs around me, tying me up, trying to get Rudy to play.  He's distracted by everything.  He's fabulous, but he really tries my patience in the mornings.  I know that they are already experiencing cabin fever, but sometimes I wish they could understand the situation and be calm about it, doing their business and then coming back in.


We must do dishes after every meal.  I know, many folks already do that, but I used to put them in the dishwasher until it was ready to run.  Then I'd let it do the work.


Laundry takes a committed time period.  The campground has a fine little laundry, but, unlike at the house, I can't put a load in, go out and come back to move it.  Here I must plan to be around and engaged for a couple of hours while it washes, then is moved, and dried. In the house, I carried my full hamper downstairs.  It wasn't that far to go.  Here, I have to carry a full duffle about 100 yards.  Seems simple enough, but it gets heavy. Plus I need to have the money and the laundry detergent.  I've chosen to drive.  I know, it seems silly, but that's the way it is.  I wish I'd brought that wagon.  


Cooking takes longer too.  Instead of reaching into a cabinet for the proper tool, I must pull out tubs to get to another tub and then dig through said tub to find what I want.  Then, I have to put it all back.  All this for a spatula so I can flip my egg.  


I could not have a job and be occupied all day with the tasks involved in living in the RV.  Dog walks four times a day, cleaning up everything when it happens, laundry, going to fetch some little item I ran out of, but can't stock a supply of.  I must consider all of this while planning my day.