December 11

My goodness. Several of the comments said that some of you are also having trouble sleeping at night. I had no idea that so many of us have that issue. I think some of it is anxiety over the state of the world, and maybe some of it is just normal at our age. At least that’s what other ladies tell me. I did sleep a little better last night because I took a melatonin gummy. I just take so much medication already between my heart and my back that I hate to take something for me to sleep. But it did help me get about 6 1/2 hours sleep last night so I guess that’s better than laying there awake most of the night.

And here is day 11’s stocking. More candy and a cute little mitt that is used to clean your phone screen. It also worked very well on my glasses. It’s pretty cute And very soft!💜

I was asked if we have a fireplace in our trailer. Yes, we do. And Chloe, as you have seen in previous photos, has the best spot in the house with her bed. You can see it just a little bit in the bottom of the photo below. We use the electric fireplace once in a while, but during the day I tend to use a little space heater that we have. We have been told that both are much more economical than the propane furnace. They came and filled our propane tank yesterday as we are on a “keep full” program with a local company. We rented a 100 gallon tank from them which makes it so much easier than using the two smaller tanks that are on the trailer. That way we have those tanks for emergency back up in case we run out of propane in the middle of the night! Anyway, the big tank was at 55% capacity and they only fill it to 80% because of expansion. That 25% of the tank he filled cost $113!  I sure hope it’s never close to empty. 😧  

Now to be honest, that was for about two months worth of propane, so really that wasn’t too bad. But our furnace hasn’t come on for over 14 hours today and it’s been 25 to 30°F outside all day. That little ceramic heater is keeping it at 70° inside. We’re very comfortable.  We do let the furnace run at night, although we keep it at 60°F overnight. That way our water tanks and pipes are kept heated with the furnace and we’re toasty and warm under the covers in bed.  We always kept it that same temperature at night when we had our house too.

And, just in case any of you are interested in RVing through winter months in a cold climate, I will also tell you that our electric bill was $133.83 last month. Honestly I was amazed it wasn’t more. Not only do I run the little heater inside during the day, but we also have an electric heater in our front “wet bay” where the washer drain is and where all of the water goes into the trailer from the outside hose. That heater runs 24 hours a day to keep the lines from freezing. We also have a trouble light on a thermostat by the valves where we dump our tanks. That comes on if the temperature gets below 36°. Plus the normal lights and electricity you would use in a “sticks and bricks” as permanent homes are called.

There is a lot to think about when you live in an RV during the winter months. We also have a custom skirt that was made for the trailer and Dennis put foam board insulation all around the inside of the skirting to provide extra protection. We have four thermometers placed in strategic spots, with a master read out inside so he can keep an eye out to make sure water lines aren’t getting close to freezing.  It is so much easier to live in a house or an apartment. But so far we don’t regret the decision we made. We are very comfortable and cozy in the RV.

Today was a very quiet day as it snowed off and on all day long. I only went outside to take Chloe for her walks. She loves the snow. After we finished at the dog park for her to do her “duty” she wanted to run in the open field. I took her leash off of her and she ran from one end to the other and back three times. She loves, loves, loves to run and roll in the snow. Watching her, there is no way anyone would believe she’s 15 years old. Then she comes back and collapses on her bed and sleeps for a few hours. I spent the day sewing the pieces of the sweater together and I think it turned out well. I will wash and block it tomorrow and hopefully get it in the mail on Monday. Now I need to catch up on my mitten knitting. I am behind about two weeks in my weekly goals. But all of my Christmas knitting is now done. That’s a very good feeling.

Do any of you have big plans for the weekend?

Blessings,

Betsy