Officially on our first week of FT, house should close any day now, last Sunday we drove away from the old house for the last time. So nice to know we never have to level on that driveway again. Saturday afternoon we ended up with a lot of last minute "stashing" of things until we could figure out where everything belonged in their permanent homes. 3 days later and we're already purging "stuff".
However, now we're in the mode of constantly asking, where did we put XYZ??? Didn't we bring ABC??? Where should this go???
After living on the driveway for almost 2 months in the RV you would think we would have figured this all out, but with a procrastinator (Dale) and with taking a small biz, plus my full time job on the road, we're finding that all those things we had in the old house until the last minute are now coming back to haunt us.
Oh yeah, we're also now re-organizing one cabinet, one closet, one area at a time. Trips to stores that sell organizing items have been high on our priority list.
Beginning to appreciate the freedom, at the same time we keep wondering if we've lost our minds as we're sure we brought "ABC" with us but can't find it anywhere.
Is this normal?? Or are we just 2 silly blondes on this life adventure?
Wow, what a week, will take a deep breath when we know the closing is official.
Thanks again for all the support and letting me vent on this site!!!
scrappy said
05:56 AM Jul 17, 2013
You'll find it.................Theres only so many places "it" can be!
At first I wanted kitchen stuff in the kitchen. Clothes and stuff in the bedroom. Living room stuff in the living room. Well. That didn't work out so well.
I have boots and shoes in the living room cabinet. I have a crock pot in the living room cabinet. I have kitchen stuff in the hallway closet. But, we do have a handy liquor cabinet by the door.
So, my "it needs to be in the room it is used in" rule blew right on out the window............
You will find it, and find a spot for it. Promise. Glad you are free!! Yay!
2riker2go said
01:03 PM Jul 17, 2013
I went through that a lot in the first couple months. Now I find I know where almost everything is inside the rig without breaking a sweat! As far as the basement, Harry labeled the plastic containers, like A through whatever, and made a list on the computer of what is in each container. Made it a lot easier, especially in the beginning when he was looking for some random tool that he hasn't seen in a while.
Terry and Jo said
02:10 PM Jul 17, 2013
Heh. We've been living in our coach for over two years and I still can't find the satellite signal finding meter-thingie.
Does that now give you goose bumps as to whether you will find everything?
A help for us was to buy some clear plastic tubs that are about 6-inches high and then to take a sheet of paper with a list of everything that is in the tub placed in the front of the tub so that when I first look at the tub, there is the list.
Keep plugging away. It will (maybe) eventually lead to organization. At least, I hope so.
Terry
Lucky Mike said
02:32 PM Jul 17, 2013
I found the toaster!!!!...............it was in the bathroom , bottom shelf behind the TP , next to the tacklebox where I keep the motor oil!!!!!!!
cherylbrv said
02:42 PM Jul 17, 2013
Mike, as always, you keep me in stitches!!! Ruth - this happens to me all the time, and I'm not in an RV yet. It's frustrating when I had something in my hand and the next minute I can't find it! And even more so when I put something away and it's not where I thought it should have been. Good luck!
WestWardHo said
03:39 PM Jul 17, 2013
Laughing at Ruth and Mike and Terry. As I've posted, we've been purging too. Anyone want to buy a 28 lb. Kevlar canoe and a brand new rack purchased just to carry it!? We reorganized some kitchen cabinets the first week. Jesse digs thru the basement at least weekly to find stuff although I've suggested like stuff together with labels countless times. Oh yeah and he has to go out and buy some tools to replace the ones he had triplicates of before but gave, sold or donated. And I'm on the hunt for pasta bowls to replace the sold ones.
I still have a small drawer of belts! How many times are belts comfortable these days?! Oh and one of scarves!
Seriously, Ruth, I am in awe of all you both have pulled off in a short period of time in spite of working and doing shows!
Sherry
NWescapee said
03:43 PM Jul 17, 2013
Thanks for the laughs and encouragement. You would have all been laughing if you could have seen how long it took us to find the masking tape yesterday, we found every other kind of tape, packing tape, scotch tape, duct tape, gorilla tape, etc. But the masking tape that my husband needs for one specific step in his work was MIA. He just knew he packed it in with a box of tools he uses for work.
Pleased to say I finally found it, in yet another bin of his work stuff that was thrown in at the last minute.
We'll get there, everything has been so hectic with 3 art shows in July and our house closing in July. The busiest month of the year for Dale's work and art shows combined with the house closing, a few glitches in that process and we're just exhausted. I'm seeing a trip to Container Store or Storables in my near future:)
Dave Buck said
04:05 PM Jul 17, 2013
We've been over a year and still know we have things but don't know or remember where. This summer we have been going though about everything and reorganizing things and eliminating things we now realize we will never need. Also finding things we forgot we had or couldn't find. Part of that could be because I'm so forgetful. I'm sure this will go on and on.
Fergizmo said
06:22 PM Jul 17, 2013
Kinda fun isn't it? We had yellow sticky notes on all our cabinets and drawers for a month. We are doing pretty good now....sometimes...
See ya in SD!
scrappy said
12:41 AM Jul 18, 2013
Lucky Mike wrote:
I found the toaster!!!!...............it was in the bathroom , bottom shelf behind the TP , next to the tacklebox where I keep the motor oil!!!!!!!
*snort*
Mike. You slay me.
nightsky said
06:38 PM Jul 18, 2013
Mike, isn't that where everyone keeps the toaster!? LOL
I'm in the process of loading up the new TT, and this time I'm actually weighing things as I haul them out and find places for them. Before I pulled the big camper south last fall I unloaded a lot of the things that I had in it to lighten the load, and stashed them in the farmhouse in MN knowing I would be replacing that camper with a different one. Unfortunately, a bunch of that stuff is things I want in the new camper. Or think I might need/want. So now the problem is remember what things are where. I think the toaster is in MN. Or maybe I didn't leave it in MN and it's really in a box here in TN someplace. Do I really even need a toaster? I'm going from a 30' with a super slide to a 20' with no slide, so even if I DO need a toaster do I have a place to keep it? You think it's hard to pack while parked in the driveway, try it when your "stuff" is in 2 spots 1000 miles apart! LOL
Trix said
04:33 AM Jul 19, 2013
I've been on the road since December. I just found my scissors last week.
Me, sure I'm organized!
Kyra
DBEANZ said
06:20 PM Jul 27, 2013
Sounds familiar!! We've been FT since June 28 and my DH keeps saying, "Where is XYZ?" And believe it or not, I can come up with it most times. My question for everyone is, once we are on the road (we're staying in the same campground until October), how do you keep everything from moving around in the cupboards? For example, all the food (canned goods, etc)?
bjoyce said
07:38 PM Jul 27, 2013
(Now we are getting off subject again.)
Non-skid shelf liner helps a lot in cabinets and with appliances on the counter, though the rugs our manufacturer installed seem to do the job. Smaller nubs seem better than large nubs when choosing shelf liner. We also have a set of pieces that go between the plates and bowls that we picked up at Camping World many years ago. They also sell refrigerator bars that often work in cabinet doors, keeps our water glasses and mugs from falling out when we open the cabinet. Don't let items lean against the cabinet doors, one bounce and the door will open.
RVKevi said
11:53 PM Jul 27, 2013
In addition to what Bill mentioned, we stuff blankets or towels in some of the cupboards. The fuller the cupboard the better as the stuff doesn't shift because it is full. Also, we put our plates in a drawer. For us that works better. We only brought table service for 4, as if we have more here than that, we'll use paper. So the drawer is large enough for that.
Vi
Jim01 said
02:25 PM Jul 28, 2013
Getting kinda back on the subject again,
I really believe that even though you know you packed it into the RV somewhere, some items just go to that "Big Campground Up In The Sky", never to be seen again.
Jim
suse1023 said
06:12 PM Jul 28, 2013
i find the fastest way to find a missing anything is to buy a new one and lose the receipt.
works every dang time.
NWescapee said
05:49 AM Jul 29, 2013
Suse - you made me laugh, shame on you for making me almost spit my wine!! Just kidding of course.
That's exactly what just happened today, couldn't find some tape that I was absolutely positive we packed, bought another roll at Target and sure enough, set up in tonight's campground where we'll be for 6 days, opened a different cabinet for something else "that should have been there", couldn't find what I thought I packed, but there was that roll of tape we were sure we didn't have!! So tonight all "tape products" that we could find are now in one basket. Sheeesh, how many rolls of tape do we really need???? Of course, that is probably yet a different topic!
kb0zke said
02:33 AM Aug 1, 2013
The two fastest ways to find a lost item are to buy another one or to stop looking for it and start looking for something else. Of course, in my case I usually forget that I was originally looking for the item, and so continue on my way. A few days later I remember that I was looking for something and recently saw it, but then I can't remember where I saw it.
NWescapee said
05:42 AM Aug 1, 2013
Whoo Hoo, tonight we found the sunscreen fabric to hang off our awning to keep the sun from being too intense on our "patio" in North Idaho. Of course we couldn't find the special clips Dale knew we had somewhere, thank goodness for bungies. Now, where are those special clips???????
Hina said
06:40 PM Aug 1, 2013
I can never find "important papers" although there are not that many places around here to put them. I also get stuff, then forgot I have it. When you go to the store for organizing stuff, take a tape measure! Measure all your spaces before, then make sure it will all fit nicely, and color coordinating can make all the difference of turning the RV into a home!
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
01:50 AM Aug 2, 2013
NWescapee wrote:
Whoo Hoo, tonight we found the sunscreen fabric to hang off our awning to keep the sun from being too intense on our "patio" in North Idaho. Of course we couldn't find the special clips Dale knew we had somewhere, thank goodness for bungies. Now, where are those special clips???????
The special clips will "Be in the last place you look for them"
Officially on our first week of FT, house should close any day now, last Sunday we drove away from the old house for the last time. So nice to know we never have to level on that driveway again. Saturday afternoon we ended up with a lot of last minute "stashing" of things until we could figure out where everything belonged in their permanent homes. 3 days later and we're already purging "stuff".
However, now we're in the mode of constantly asking, where did we put XYZ??? Didn't we bring ABC??? Where should this go???
After living on the driveway for almost 2 months in the RV you would think we would have figured this all out, but with a procrastinator (Dale) and with taking a small biz, plus my full time job on the road, we're finding that all those things we had in the old house until the last minute are now coming back to haunt us.
Oh yeah, we're also now re-organizing one cabinet, one closet, one area at a time. Trips to stores that sell organizing items have been high on our priority list.
Beginning to appreciate the freedom, at the same time we keep wondering if we've lost our minds as we're sure we brought "ABC" with us but can't find it anywhere.
Is this normal?? Or are we just 2 silly blondes on this life adventure?
Wow, what a week, will take a deep breath when we know the closing is official.
Thanks again for all the support and letting me vent on this site!!!
You'll find it.................Theres only so many places "it" can be!
At first I wanted kitchen stuff in the kitchen. Clothes and stuff in the bedroom. Living room stuff in the living room. Well. That didn't work out so well.
I have boots and shoes in the living room cabinet. I have a crock pot in the living room cabinet. I have kitchen stuff in the hallway closet. But, we do have a handy liquor cabinet by the door.
So, my "it needs to be in the room it is used in" rule blew right on out the window............
You will find it, and find a spot for it. Promise. Glad you are free!! Yay!
Heh. We've been living in our coach for over two years and I still can't find the satellite signal finding meter-thingie.
Does that now give you goose bumps as to whether you will find everything?
A help for us was to buy some clear plastic tubs that are about 6-inches high and then to take a sheet of paper with a list of everything that is in the tub placed in the front of the tub so that when I first look at the tub, there is the list.
Keep plugging away. It will (maybe) eventually lead to organization. At least, I hope so.
Terry
I still have a small drawer of belts! How many times are belts comfortable these days?! Oh and one of scarves!
Seriously, Ruth, I am in awe of all you both have pulled off in a short period of time in spite of working and doing shows!
Sherry
Pleased to say I finally found it, in yet another bin of his work stuff that was thrown in at the last minute.
We'll get there, everything has been so hectic with 3 art shows in July and our house closing in July. The busiest month of the year for Dale's work and art shows combined with the house closing, a few glitches in that process and we're just exhausted. I'm seeing a trip to Container Store or Storables in my near future:)
See ya in SD!
*snort*
Mike. You slay me.
I'm in the process of loading up the new TT, and this time I'm actually weighing things as I haul them out and find places for them. Before I pulled the big camper south last fall I unloaded a lot of the things that I had in it to lighten the load, and stashed them in the farmhouse in MN knowing I would be replacing that camper with a different one. Unfortunately, a bunch of that stuff is things I want in the new camper. Or think I might need/want. So now the problem is remember what things are where. I think the toaster is in MN. Or maybe I didn't leave it in MN and it's really in a box here in TN someplace. Do I really even need a toaster? I'm going from a 30' with a super slide to a 20' with no slide, so even if I DO need a toaster do I have a place to keep it? You think it's hard to pack while parked in the driveway, try it when your "stuff" is in 2 spots 1000 miles apart! LOL
Me, sure I'm organized!
Kyra
Sounds familiar!! We've been FT since June 28 and my DH keeps saying, "Where is XYZ?" And believe it or not, I can come up with it most times. My question for everyone is, once we are on the road (we're staying in the same campground until October), how do you keep everything from moving around in the cupboards? For example, all the food (canned goods, etc)?
Non-skid shelf liner helps a lot in cabinets and with appliances on the counter, though the rugs our manufacturer installed seem to do the job. Smaller nubs seem better than large nubs when choosing shelf liner. We also have a set of pieces that go between the plates and bowls that we picked up at Camping World many years ago. They also sell refrigerator bars that often work in cabinet doors, keeps our water glasses and mugs from falling out when we open the cabinet. Don't let items lean against the cabinet doors, one bounce and the door will open.
Vi
Getting kinda back on the subject again,
I really believe that even though you know you packed it into the RV somewhere, some items just go to that "Big Campground Up In The Sky", never to be seen again.
Jim
works every dang time.
That's exactly what just happened today, couldn't find some tape that I was absolutely positive we packed, bought another roll at Target and sure enough, set up in tonight's campground where we'll be for 6 days, opened a different cabinet for something else "that should have been there", couldn't find what I thought I packed, but there was that roll of tape we were sure we didn't have!! So tonight all "tape products" that we could find are now in one basket. Sheeesh, how many rolls of tape do we really need???? Of course, that is probably yet a different topic!
I can never find "important papers" although there are not that many places around here to put them. I also get stuff, then forgot I have it. When you go to the store for organizing stuff, take a tape measure! Measure all your spaces before, then make sure it will all fit nicely, and color coordinating can make all the difference of turning the RV into a home!
The special clips will "Be in the last place you look for them"