New Camper -- just days away...

[Popupnut]

Hi FOlks,

I've got some exciting news - our new travel trailer will be home in a few days - we are scheduled to pick it up on Tuesday - hopefully nothing glitches our plans.  I'm ready!  We delivered my Pop-up to our dear family friends, a wonderful man and his two beautiful children - their Mom passed away last June - one of my closest friends in life.  I was so reluctant to give up my camper - but when he spoke up we knew it was the right thing to do - and they are like family so I didn't hesitate.  We brouiht it up to them last weekend - popped it up for them - showed them the in's and outs - when we left on Sunday - they were in 7th heaven - getting ready to camp with us again this summer in their "new" camper!!  
On the ride home I was feeling like we would never get our new camper - there were a number of delays - but on my machine was the message "It's in and Prepped" - I was delighted!!
NightOwl - I still have yet to finish the crochet balnkets for the bunks!!!! UGH!!
As long as it makes it up my very steep driveway without bottoming out on it's way up (sharp turn off the road), and I don't chew on valium like they are tic-tacs....we should be in GREAT SHAPE!!!

These last months have been a living nightmare - my sister in law landed in the hospital with hepatitis of the auto-immune system and CMV (virus) - she may be in need of a liver transplant, my brother, her husband just received a kidney transplant less than a year ago...she's doing better now though - thank God!   My teenager crashed her car on Good Friday ( she walked away from it - another good reason to remember it as Good friday), I developed a fungal infection from my guine pigs (of all things) -- they put me on oral anti-fungals and told me I could'nt have even a sip of wine for over a month on the meds...!

The teenager DD is pulling stunts left and right - total attitude with us regarding our new restrictions on her driving and social life etc....We are being "Ridiculous" -- just because she was involved in a high speed chase - her fault, caused $2500 worth of damage to a car we purchased for her use, did over $200 damage to a neighbors mailbox, fence, flower beds etc....add in visits to the MD and ER for post concussion pain  etc., etc.... we should restrict her?  How totally unfair - I mean totally!!
So I think when the camper makes it up the hill here - I will just lock myself inside it for a long time !!
By the way - did I mention how excited we are to be getting our new camper???  I'll be working on making a new sign soon - have a few to get finished first though.  
Thanks for letting me rant - it was not intended - but BOY did it feel good!!!  Kinda like walking in to Momma's house - sitting at the kitchen table and saying can you believe this?  And having that knowledgeable sympathetic ear listening......Thanks Gang!!

[wiininkwe]

Hey, that's what we're here for!
 
And BTW, congrats and have fun with that new TT.  Sounds like it's just what you need when it's time to get away from those teenager blues.  I haev to confess that I  did smile a little, while I was reading your post, as it brought back memories of  raising my three kids as teens.   Believe it or not, all this too shall pass, and at some point you will find yourself the proud parent of a mature and productive adult.   Just celebrated the 27th b-day of my son (the baby of the family) and had to say that I was amazed at the way he has become so much like his Dad.  (that's a good thing)   He gave us some moments too, so don't fret, just hang in there, try not to chew the valiums too much, and you'll be fine.
T

[brainpause]

Congratulations? No...that's not what I mean.

Sorry...no that's not what I mean either.

Woo Hoo!!...no that's not it.

Whatever it is you need, say it to yourself, from ME (and all of us).

I guess Congrats ARE in order on your new trailer. What did you get? (I like running to the net and looking up floorplans, etc.).

Larry

[birol]

Sorry to hear all the problems, but they will all be behind you soon I hope. And Congrats on the new TT ! Like Brainpause asked, what brand, model ? I also love going over to the floorplan and drool over them !

[NightOwl]

:-()  :-() OH, BETH, I am SOOOO HAPPY  to see you here again and so delighted to hear about the new TT!! :-()  :-()

When it comes to things like giving away the beloved popup, your heart is always the voice to listen to.  And I think what you did with it honors your mother and her lovely gift to you.  I am sure that on her heavenly cloud she is smiling down on you with loving approval as you help to comfort the aching hearts of your friend's family.

And as Toni has so wisely  said, turmoil often accompanies the raising of teens (as well as sheer terror) but ten years from now, you and DD will be sharing the memories of this as two adult friends who look back at it and she will shake her head at how stupid she was and wonder how she could have been so blind.  THAT is often an unadvertised benefit of parenthood.  :S

Doing the covers for the beds sounds like it  will be good Esacpe Therapy!!;)

Will you be keeping the  TT at a seasonal site?  (I have started a thread asking  for some thoughts  about "seasonals" in the General  Forum, so if you have anything to add, I would really appreciate it.)

BTW, TopCat (Al and Peggy Parker)  also have just "moved in" to their new TT--talked to them both on the phone last night and they are loving every minute of it.  They have a seasonal site for it and Al is building a deck to overlook the private  little wooded stream the trailer faces

You know you'll always find friends here to share your worries and triumphs with!   I send hugs and look forward to hearing more details about the new RV !  :W

[Popupnut]

Thanks everyone for your compassion and encouragement - I can't wait until we are two adult friends laughing at these times - My Mom used to always say - "This too shall pass" - thanks for the reminder - sometimes we get lost in the midst of it all and forget the possibilities that lie ahead!
The TT is a Springdale Clearwater 268 BHL-GL  - by Keystone campers   //www.keystone-springdale.com
It has a slide out couch and dinette with the bunks at the back - they could not give me an oven so they threw in a convection/microwave to make up for it - Ha! I bake - so how lucky am I?
As far as dropping it for seasonal camping - we have not gotten to that point - however, we do have a favorite spot in Connecticut that well may end up being the "place " when we decide to do so.  I have friends who drag their TT around the US - they have over 12 trips booked already for this spring - Halloween - they've been doing that for years and have yet to go  seasonal - so I don't know what to anticipate - if DH feels that it's too much of a hassle to tow around we may decide to lock in.
The blankets are a great distraction - I'm trying to stay focused on the positives here --- there are many!!

NightOwl - you are so right about where/who our Pop-up  went to - my Mom and my dear friend were connected from the beginning - and I believe that things do happen for a reason - so when the way was made clear - I knew it was not my own doing!!

Thanks again to everyone for being just what I needed - I'm so delighted to have this group in my life!!!  Sounds corny maybe - but it's the real deal!
I'll fill you all in on tuesday the adventures of towing this puppy home!  I'll refrain from chewing the Valiums too -- probably not such a good idea-- I'll just stick with the Tic -Tacs - my breath will be fresh and my face all puckered by the time we're done!  LOL!!

Thanks again gang!

[B-flat]

Gee, can I come along?  I just checked out the floor plan and it is similar to the one that Winchesterette (who used to be a member here, I think) and her DH got and they also got a new tow vehicle.  That thing must sleep about 8 or 10.  Yesterday, I went to visit my old Popup over in Apex where it went to live with a nice family with two small kids.  We had forgotten to give them the battery box and the keys, so I just dropped it by.  The popup was nicely parked on one side of the house beside the garage and looked like it was ready to be hooked up and taken on a trip at any moment.  Oh, the memories........but they said they had already been doing a lot of camping and they have more trips planned.  I know how it feels watching the popup and all those memories go out the driveway.

I can really relate to the DD and her problems.  Been there, lived through that.   Those times will pass and then you will become closer when she realizes how stupid she was to damage a car and cause all kinds of problems. :yikes:   You need to camp more.  So be ready to take off when that TT is delivered.

[brainpause]

We've seen that layout in both TT's and 5'ers, and really like it. Congratulations on such a great layout!

Larry

[Gone-Camping]

Congratulations Beth!!! I know you're gonna enjoy that new TT. Now you're going to have to make yourself a new sign too! Send picture of the new sign when you eventually get it done and I'll post it on your page!

[MommaMia]

Hey Beth!  Congrats on the new digs....

But I do have to admit...you have me shaking in my boots over the DD thing.  I have 2 girls that will be new teen drivers at the same time!!!  I still remember all the stuff I did as a teen too!!  Oh... I'm so scared!  My mom always said... "Payback is coming!"

[birol]

We all survived it, so did our parents ! I was caught  driving without a license in downton of the city we lived (ANkara) when I was 11'th grade ! MY father had to go in front of the judge and was sentenced to a hefty fine hehhehe all because of me I thought he would kill me that day

Hey Beth!  Congrats on the new digs....

But I do have to admit...you have me shaking in my boots over the DD thing.  I have 2 girls that will be new teen drivers at the same time!!!  I still remember all the stuff I did as a teen too!!  Oh... I'm so scared!  My mom always said... "Payback is coming!"

[Popupnut]

Hi Folls!

One day to go until we bring homw our new baby - we are hoping all goes well.  I told my DH not to make any plans for later in the evening as I know I will be puttzing about -- figuring out the new diggs.

DD finally broke the last straw yesterday and we all had to sit down and have a POW WOW - we set the record straight and have all agreed on a new plan to keep her on the straight and narrow.  

The exhausting part here is that the two little ones will be putting us thru their own version of this stuff in less than 10 years - I'll be that much older.......

I am forever amazed (not amused) by this job (mothering/parenting) my DH said to me lastnight - we can only do "our" best - there's no exact science..Sometimes the right thing comes out of his mouth and it makes all the difference!

Thanks for all youir support and compassion - I will be typing away like a crazy lady tomorrow night after I'm done playing with my new baby - Is it weird to want to buy matching towels for the  bathroom and kitchen...kidding!!

Anyone have any info on how to hoist smaller child to top bunk??  This trailer does not have a step or a ladder (I actually have a brand new one from a bunk we never set up) not sure how to mount it so it can be out of the way when it's not needed -- or a step - but DS is worried about falling out of top bunk during the night - so I may have to revert to duck tape if all else fails LOL!!!  

Can't wait!  Can't wait!  Can't wait!!!

[B-flat]

:#  :!  :-()  :-()   Cause for celebration!

[birol]

Ummm, if the bunk thingie proves to be a real problem, I have the ultimate solution for you ! A solution that willensure that your DS will never fall off the bunk ! We swap RV's ! Yes, you heard me right ! Mine has specially enforced bunkbeds ! And only a few inches from ground !  :eyecrazy:  :yikes:  You take my RV, and ensure safety of your children, and I will risk the lifes of my children in yours, just for you, I am so sacrificing and giving  :-():-():-():-():-()

[MommaMia]

Anyone have any info on how to hoist smaller child to top bunk??  This trailer does not have a step or a ladder (I actually have a brand new one from a bunk we never set up) not sure how to mount it so it can be out of the way when it's not needed -- or a step - but DS is worried about falling out of top bunk during the night - so I may have to revert to duck tape if all else fails LOL!!!  

Can't wait!  Can't wait!  Can't wait!!!

Maybe one of those home fire escape ladders may work.  You can shorten it to the length you need.  Since they aren't rigid ladders, they fold up neatly to a compact size that can just be left at the foot of the bed until you need it.  They do take a little practice to get used to climbing.  We had a couple of them in our old house and actually practiced using them in fire drills. ( A good tip for people with 2 stories... GET THE LADDERS and learn to and practice using them!  You don't want to have to figure it all out when there is an ACTUAL FIRE)