#WYFF - School.....

It's #WYFF - and I'm relieved. 

We spent the day pushing to reach our weekly goals. We are now set to take 3 weeks off and be on track when we return! It's been difficult to stay on track with all of the unexpected happenings this year. We had hoped to be all done by the end of May. We won't be. HOWEVER, we are in our last quarter and I count that as a modern day miracle given all the challenges this year. 

Michael got home this evening. It's nice to be together under one roof. 

More #WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) posts can be found at the tab under the blog header.

The Discontent of Gingerbread Man

"Move into the RV with us Gingerbread Man," she said.

"It's an adventure,"  she said.

Then we moved to an RV park....and I spend my days watching....as it rains....

....and rains...

 ...and rains!

To think, I could be in Mexico now with Krista.

The winning Girls team of the 2016 Gingerbread Competition is hosting Gingerbread Man this year. He seems a bit discontent with his adventures at this point.

Rhythm of the Pacific NW

Nolan offered to take the trash to the dumpster today. The sun was shining....and then it wasn't. It came down in LOUD BUCKETS!

Michael is gone, but his colorful gifts brighten our rainy day. 

We're learning to work with the rhythm of the weather here in the Pacific NW. There were brief moments of beautiful sunshine - and we got out and walked. We should have waited for the break to run the trash up.  We've got lots to do inside to keep us busy....though Alex looks a bit suspect.

Fully "Ours" ....and tidbits

We've switched out plates on Nimo - the Jeep. She is now 100% Gherkin. Very soon we'll be in a state where the plates won't garner extra attention. 😏We are getting excited to get back home.

Still so much to accomplish before we leave - any and all prayers are welcomed. Michael is down south with probate stuff again. He just called to say he'll need extra time down there.

Mom will be half way through her radiation tomorrow.

Krista was in the states and called today.

This is our last week of "double-time" school work before we leave for Colorado - which is not on the way to Alaska.

My RV Pantry

One of these is my RV pantry

The green tub, along with some space under a seat, are my RV pantry. Sure, it's a little sad next to Nadine's pantry....but it works.

I'm often questioned how I carry "enough" groceries in the RV for a family with 3 big kids (18, 15, 12).

I did change my mentality of a once a month big trip, partnered with weekly trips for fresh produce. I now think in terms of a once a week grocery trip. I simply don't have enough freezer, fridge or pantry space for more.

When living in an RV, one does NOT want to carry around a lot of weight in food! Every pound of tomato sauce means a pair of shoes, or book that has to be left behind.

Third, there ARE some items which seem to multiply or get pushed to the back and get lost. Some items are difficult to find in obscure grocery stores.  In other words, food does back up and I needed a system to store the few items I keep on hand.  For now, we have spare food under a seat and in a tub. This running list in my bullet journal, helps me KNOW where I have food and what I have on hand when we run across a grocery store.

Running list of food which likes to multiply

Here are a few items I've found harder to find in obscure towns:  SAF Yeast, Whole grain berries, Rapadura, Agave Nectar, specific herb teas I like - I have found most of these things from time to time in our travels.  I also like to keep things like dried apples from the trees in Crescent City and dried bananas on hand. As I'm trying to eliminate sugar these days I don't need a stock of Agave Nectar or Rapadura anyway. 😕

I've gotten very used to cooking in my tiny kitchen.  I will, however,  be happy to someday have a pantry modeled after Nadine's. 😉

RVing Moments

That moment when one simultaneously wonders if Uchi will make like Noah's Ark - AND -  remembers Alex has walked up to the bathhouse. 😜

Two years ago, I LOVED the sound of rain on the roof of The Caboose. It reminded me of being a child and listening to rain on our tin roof in Liberia. Living in an RV one lives much closer to nature - even when stationary in a park for medical reasons.  When it storms -  it affects us.....some days the noise is deafening - but none of us have gone stark raving mad as of yet. I still love the rain on the roof of Uchi (the RV).

Note this is one reason *I* brave the small hot water tank and cramped confines to use our very own shower provided by Uchi. I suppose  big space costs! ::snort:: 

Gingerbread Man does the RV Life

The girls were the winning team of the 2016 Gherkin's New Year's Gingerbread Competition. One of the honors of winning this momentous competition is hosting Mr. Gingerbread Man for the year. His exploits will be showcased here throughout the year.

Stacia was the team captain for the girls and Mr. Gingerbread Man hasn't taken advantage of many travel opportunities - he COULD be in Mexico or Alaska - but he's been content to stay in OR and CA at this point.

Gingerbread man is fool-hardy. He thinks he can drive Uchi. 

Most of the time he rides HERE and not behind the wheel  

He has made many trips Grandma and Grandpa's place.

Gingerbread Man helped plant a Cherry Tree in memory of Dad G.

He seems to be so worn out from that exertion that he is content to maintain his perch on the dash of Uchi and stare out the window.  While it makes us unique in the park, it also allows friends to find us quickly - though no one seems to visit us in the park. ::snort:: 

We'll do better at allowing him to participate in "life." Eventually, he'll need to hitch a ride with other team members....he could do boot camp, labor and delivery, glaciers, COT graduation, hikes, oncology appointments...you just never know where he'll show up.