Here is “must read” just received from a lady-friend in Utah. Seriously, please read this message.

A few years ago, I experienced snow in Shelby, North Carolina. I did not awaken to snow this morning but it was cold and frosty. We haven’t seen the sun all day, and we’ve had misting rain. ~~ Imagine this: Within a couple of days we should have temperatures in the 70’s. ~~ Less than one year ago, we had snow in Waxhaw, North Carolina. ~~ Check the blog message about Unwelcome Visitor.

Good news!! I now have a “hot spot” in my tiny trailer (on a cold day, LOL) and I’m composing this message from the comfort of my cozy home. No more trips to the CARE dining room to use free WiFi. Yippee!!  ~~ Recently I purchased a Verizon 4-G “thing-a-ma-jig”  from another RVer (trusting I’d be able to get it activated). On the recommendation of other RVers, I drove to Cleveland, Texas, this morning and a nice young man–at a Verizon store–worked his magic. Fortunately, I was able to get a monthly payment plan and wasn’t forced to sign a two-year contract. A Christmas gift to myself!!

Prearranged, first thing this morning (8:00 o’clock), I was in the office of my agent for new vehicle insurance. You’ve heard my story about TracFone Nightmare; you’ve followed my search for a larger trailer as my “until I die” home. You’ve sympathized with my weird work schedule and followed my struggle to get the KIA & T@B licensed in Texas. I did not burden you with the equally frustrating battle over insurance. Texas does not… correction, Amica does not want to insure my tiny travel trailer if I am “living” in it. So, step-by-step, I’ve accomplished the necessary tasks and today we created new policies. Bye-bye Amica. ~~ True story: I’ve never enjoyed face-to-face service with Amica; always over the phone. It is delightful to have a nice lady to coach me through the troublesome details!!

Tomorrow, weather permitting, my new (used) trailer should be delivered.

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Comment: I never dreamed I’d encounter all these problems moving to Livingston, Polk County, Texas!!

OMG!! Feels like winter!! Most of the RVs here at CARE had frozen water lines early this morning. Mine was the exception (ha) because I’m not hooked up to water. Furthermore, I have been “snug as a bug in a rug” with my tiny electric heater. Folks have been running out of propane for their furnaces!! ~~ I’ve recovered from the discomfort of “a cold.”

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Sunny, but Very Cold Today

Monday, January 06, 2014 – 11:57am

EAST TEXAS FORECAST:

TODAY:  Sunny and cold.  High 30.  Wind chills in the teens and 20s.  Winds N 5-15 mph.

TONIGHT:  Clear and cold again.  Low 15.

TOMORROW:  Mostly sunny.  High 44.  Winds S 5-10 mph.

WEDNESDAY:  Increasing clouds with a chance for light rain or drizzle (30%).  Low 32.  High 48.  Winds SSE 5-10 mph.

THURSDAY:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for light rain (30%).  Low 45.  High 60.  Winds SE 5-10 mph.

FRIDAY:  Mostly cloudy with a chance for scattered showers and storms (40%).  Low 49.  High 64.  Winds S 5-15 mph.

SATURDAY:  Partly cloudy.  Low 45.  High 58.  Winds N 10-15 mph.

SUNDAY:  Mostly sunny.  Low 36.  High 56.  Winds N becoming S 5-10 mph.

October, November and December: Three months living in my tiny T@B teardrop trailer. I’m counting the days until I have my new (used) trailer home. It is ready for delivery but I think we’ll wait until Wednesday when our weather will be more pleasant.

Today has been quite cold (but mild compared to points North) with penetrating wind. For three days, I have been confined to my trailer, fighting a miserable cold (or ??). I ventured out earlier but quickly retreated to the trailer. I simply “had enough” of limited space and bundled up for the short walk to the CARE dining room (about 4:00 PM).

Finally!! It was frustrating but I finally have Texas plates for my KIA and T@B. I think that makes me–officially–a Texas resident.

(Slightly under $400.00 to get licensed. To be specific: $399.75.)

Around Rainbow’s End Escapee RV Park, folks talk about “Hanging up the keys” when they give up traveling. So I am adopting the expression to say “I’m hanging up my apron.” ~~ It’s 7:25 PM and I finished my last shift (in the CARE kitchen) about twelve minutes ago. ~~ I’m beginning a brand-new lifestyle for 2014.

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Postscript, Monday, December 30, 2013, 12 noon: Last night, I went to bed shortly after 9; I did not awaken until 8:34 this morning. To say I was (am) “bone weary” is an understatement! (I need a “boost.”)

Long story (I’m not sure you want all the details). I had just returned from a trip to public scales to have the T@B weighed. Texas wants weight certification or picture of the “tag inside the door.” Because my T@B came from Germany, there is no “tag inside the door.” ~~ On my first visit to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles, I encountered numerous problems attempting to register the T@B. The clerk rejected the inspection paperwork, demanded weight, wants to see the title, etc., etc. Why? Because the T@B, from Germany, was titled–in Indiana–as a “home” (home made) trailer. The VIN (vehicle identification) number was issued in Indiana and inscribed on the tongue. ~~ Yesterday, I was able to register the KIA. Then I drove to the inspection station and asked if they could write new paperwork so the trailer inspection information corresponds to details on the title. “Yes.”

With the appropriate paperwork, the next challenge was weight. I unloaded several items (including two plastic containers full of clothes), hitched the KIA and T@B and drove to a place with “public scales.” The owner said they have never received a complaint about their non-certified documentation. (Lord knows how far I would need to drive to find a truck station with scales.) The original advertisement for the 2004 T@B says unladen weight is 1250 pounds. My laden weight was 1720. **If** I had off-loaded the composting toilet, and drained the five gallon water tank, I might have lightened the load by 100 pounds.  I doubt the license fee would be much lower if the weight was lower.

Back at CARE, I moved to the new site.  I shifted things from the former site to the new site. I borrowed a broom and swept the patio and sidewalk.  Here I am, twenty-four hours later, the vehicles are still hitched. If all goes well, I should be able to get the trailer licensed on Monday. It’s Friday; I’m actually “on call” and therefore on duty (with a few minutes to compose this message). When I have time (and energy) I’ll unhitch the vehicles.

There is a delay with delivery of my new (used) 5th-wheel trailer. I’m going to be extremely patient because it is well worth waiting for!! Minutes (or hours) prior to its delivery, I’ll move the T@B to the grassy area adjacent to my site.

My personal possessions will be delivered–from North Carolina–about the middle of January.

I officially become a “resident” of  CARE on January first (but my picture is already on the board).

This will be my most enjoyable Christmas in decades!! There is no pleasure celebrating all alone; the holiday is commercially geared for families. It’s 8:45 AM and there are twenty people in the dining room enjoying breakfast–and socializing. We expect 80 to 85 for Christmas dinner. The dining room will be the center of lots of activity today.

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Maybe one of the coldest nights of the year. Thick frost everywhere!! I made the mistake (earlier this morning) of having the small electric heater on AND the electric hot plate to heat water for coffee. It blew a fuse!!  Later today (mid-afternoon) I’ll have to move my unique composting toilet, and unload the closet to get to the fuse box. (Picture taken yesterday through front window of my T@B trailer.)

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Postscript, Friday, December 27, 2013, 4:30 PM: I was blessed with a couple of hours of sunshine, and warmth, mid-afternoon Christmas Day (between meals). I managed to restore electricity BUT found I had lots of mold in lower kitchen cabinets. Whew, what a big job that was!! Remove items, sit on the floor and maneuver into uncomfortable positions, and scrub away the mold. Then I positioned the little electric heater so it would dry out the cabinet. Later replace items. ~~ Too much exercise; too many gymnastics!!

After entering seven “code” numbers, my TracFone was finally activated!! It was 11:18 AM–exactly six weeks after I first attempted to activate a new phone (with old number).

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If this is your first visit to my blog messages regarding TracFone, please be sure to read TracFone Nightmare, TracFone Nightmare–Part Two, TracFone Nightmare–Part Three, TracFone Sleuth, and TracFone response (finally)!!

Comment: I received an LG 236C cell phone. They are selling for $19.99–or less. Rhetorical question: In the interest of “good will” for a longtime customer, why didn’t they send that phone five weeks ago??

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Postscript, several days later: In my humble opinion, the height of ignorance; I missed the call and it went to voice mail. Heather phoned to ask if I received the phone. The fact that I did not have service apparently did not register with alledged “customer service.” Remember, no reception with the old phone. If I had not received–and activated–the new phone, I wouldn’t know she called. Obviously it never occurred to her to call my land-line contact number or send an email message.