Monday, July 28, 2014

It's The Simple Things

The average house in America is 2300 square feet. Just forty years ago it was 1000. The average house in Europe is still at 1000 square feet while in Spain it is only 924. The smallest apartment in Manhattan is 78 square feet and is rented out for $800 a month. The house I just left was
2500 square feet and the travel trailer I am living in now is a mere 330.

This is our third week living in the trailer at the RV park and it's finally starting to set in. Sure it's great at first, but after the fun and games are over and the newness wears off, reality starts to set in. It's the simple things, once taken for granted, that's starting to come to light.
For instance, ice. We have had an ice maker forever. Now, with only six ice trays in the small freezer, it has become a high commodity in the camper. It's really funny when I crack the tray and pop the cubes up, one always jumps out and lands on the floor. That saddens me because of how precious each cube is now. When we had a ice maker it was no big deal, but now it's like someone just kicked my dog when I see them fall to the floor.

Another is the simple task of getting dressed. I have had to learn a new way to dress because my arms hit the roof when I put on my shirt. The little bedroom is too small to get dressed in so I have to lay my clothes out the night before in the living room and get dressed out there the next morning.

The main thing I took for granted is my own personal space. I can't just go in the other room or go out in the shop to work out my frustrations. 
No matter how much you love someone, when they are around you all the time, frustrations tend to build up. That is not saying anyone is doing anything wrong, it's just there is no where to go without having someone right there.
If I want to just get out for a second and walk the dog, there is always someone there walking their dog that wants to stop and talk, "Walking your dog?" they always ask. "No, I'm just trying to sniff her butt, but she wont stop." I don't want to talk. I am walking the dog by myself for a reason, leave me alone.
Last night I went out to grill pork chops, sure as the world, RV neighbors stopped by, asked what I was cooking then sat and started talking. Last weekend was the same thing.
Saturday night I was relaxing in the pool at 10:00 PM. Well how about that, folks had to walk by and ask how the water was. "Well, if it wasn't good I wouldn't be in it dumb ass."
Last night I walked up to shave and shower because mine in the camper is small hard to do when you are my size, I am carrying my towel and shower stuff and a guy asked if I was headed to the shower, "No, I carry this stuff around the park waiting for it to rain." Why would you ask someone that?
I know everyone is just trying to be nice, I get that and I probably just need to relax and be thankful there are folks out there who are nice. 

Only after three weeks I want my freedom back. Sure it is nice to be 30 minutes closer to work. It's nice not to have to mow and it's nice there are not any hell raisers around disturbing my sleep like at the other house. It is also nice all the dogs have to be on a leash and none are destroying my trash.  Even with all those nice things, I guess I am just not a RV Park kinda guy.

(Sigh) I feel better now, and I didn't even have to say a word.
See Ya,
Jerry 

20 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Reading your blog makes my day! It cracks me up :) I giggle when reading it, giggle at teatime and then giggle again in the afternoon :) It's so nice to have you back blogging regularly :)

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    2. Thank you both for the comments. Maybe I was a little harsh. Today I am not as frustrated. LOL

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    3. I'm guilty of having an RV but we don't stay in parks we are woods campers with 3 solar panels but I'd never give up my home to go back to. It will get better once you start on your new adventure. But keep on giving us laughs.

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    4. RJA, if I wasn't living in it then I would be in the woods. The problem is the State parks don't let you stay that long and it is expensive to do it.
      Thanks for the comment.

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  2. Nothing at all wrong with simple.

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  3. Replies
    1. As long as you didn't pee Izzy,
      Thanks for the comment.

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  4. MDR,

    How's the water over there?? Are you going to the shower house??
    Living in a trailer park has it's down side, you don't have any privacy because the other people in trailers have nothing to do......their retired and You Are Their Entertainment.
    Hang in there my friend!!!! I loved reading this post, and I did laugh......you put a smile on my face.

    Is there any other park, no so populated close to work that maybe you could relocate to?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment Sandy. Yes there is one and we looked at it first but, and there is always a but, it is where the camper folks all go when kicked out of the good ones. I would not leave my camper there unattended much less the wife.
      Things are better today. Going back to work and getting out of the park made all the difference.

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  5. We lost of our refrigerator due to a lightening strike. The replacement was back ordered a month and then the wrong one delivered so we are just completing month two of living out of a mini fridge. I UNDERSTAND your ice cube feelings. I've actually picked them up off the floor and used them anyway!

    My favorite ploy when meeting people who like to ask questions for the sake of opening their mouths, is to simply wave and pretend like I misunderstood that they were asking me a question. These days it is even easier by just putting a pair of ear buds in and running the cord down to your pocket. It doesn't even need to go into anything.

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    1. Ed it would be tough to live with an ice box, that is for sure.
      Good idea on the ear buds.
      Thanks for the comment.

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  6. Hey, Jerry. Try wearing ear buds.(I'm old. Did I use the right term?) Pretend you are listening to music or a taped book. That way you don't even have to look much less answer. It helps if you have a really blank expression on your face. I don't have to work at that one. Julia

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  7. Good heavens! I'd go nuts living in an RV park!

    I've lived in my 17-foot travel trailer for 3 years and I've stayed in RV parks two nights. Yuck! I hardly ever stay in campgrounds. Sorry if this sounds like boasting... Just trying to make a point...

    It's a beautiful world out there when you get away from people... Try boondocking! I love it!

    Sue

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sue, as much as I would love to boondock, I don't think the wife would care much for it. A night or two would be fine but long term stay without running water and sewer would be the downfall.
      Great idea though.

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  8. I know I missed something why are you in a trailer??

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    Replies
    1. I sent you an email Rob explaining everything.

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    2. I know I posted this about 3 weeks ago when I was behind times.

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