Final Preparations

Two days later - December 29th - after driving down from Big Bear, we received a phone call that Jeannette's mother (87 and in good health) had died suddenly back in Chattanooga. So we scrambled to get airline tickets (which was almost impossible) and flew back for the funeral and handling all the estate affairs afterwards.

Now, 5 weeks later, we've been here in Fullerton this past week. At 8am each morning, we drive our two grandchildren to their respective Christian schools (elementary and middle). This gives us personal, upclose 1:00 with them in the car or sometimes our LAZY DAZE. The first time in the LD, the Monitor Teacher was so surprised to see our Katie jumping out the door! And we go back to pick them up each afternoon.
This past Monday I spent at mothership. Unfortunately while up at Big Bear in the mtns (7,700'), the water line frooze in the LD and broke off the faucet. When I talked with Vince (service manager) @ mothership, his words were gloom and despair...i.e. booked solid until mid-April, could be major, big-time work to replace cracked water lines, etc.
However, after about 20 minutes, he gradually came to say: "Hey if you can get it here in 45 minutes, I'll take a look at it." 41 minutes later, I pulled into the LD parking lot!
The freezing water of course had expanded and found the weakest link, which was the plastic screw nut holding the faucet to the fixture. It literally had fallen over into the sink. Vince explains he will probably have to replace entire faucet. No problem... can you work that into your schedule? His reply was he would give it about 20 minutes... all he could spare.
Well, praise the Lord, he found another identical faucet (circa 1996) scavanged the nut ring, screwed all back together, turned on the water pump and.... Voilà.... NO LEAKS!! As he was out of time he instructed me, as soon as I got back home, to light the water heater, pressurize that system, and check for leaks there. IF there were, to call him, but that would mean working us in early next week.
He took another 10 minutes and made some quick adjustments to shades, mirrors, etc. I purchased some things in the LD store, paid IN CASH (No credit cards; only cash/check), and headed home... One Happy LD Camper!
Upon arriving back at our daughter's, did the water heater routine and NO LEAKS! Glory!!
Our LD came from original owner who purchased the 50th Anniversay 30' IB floor demo unit. So they took everything out of their old rig, to put in their new rig. Thus we are starting from ground zero. So... yesterday, off to Walmart with our list of everything from toothpiks to towels to tire gauge, etc. 2 hours later, we wheeled a single shopping cart out to our LD with $272. of supplies and a few grocieres. Next stop was Circuit City to get a TV, since the previous owner used a small portable tv and of course took it.
Tomorrow (Thursday) we drive out to Redlands for a couple days with our two single sons. Pack stuff away, make a couple of quick runs to find rattles and check everything. Then Saturday, we hopefully head out on our first-ever RV trip - Desination: Quartzsite. Ray and Joan were out there for the Rock and RV shows last month. They will probably have stories and pictures for us at Hannah Park. Then along I-10 eastbound and pedal down!