The Big Move

Wauchula, FL - Events of Friday, April 6 to Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Moving from our motor home to our 5th wheel several years ago only took one afternoon and part of the following day; but we knew moving into the park model would be more work, especially since we were supplying, moving, and setting up all our own furniture. However, we had no idea it would be THAT much more work.

When both our motor home and 5th wheel were new, we had sawdust in some of the light fixtures and more sawdust blowing out the AC vents so we expected to do some cleanup of construction debris inside the park model. However, we were totally unprepared for the fact there was fine, white dust everywhere from sanding the drywall joints. There were also a few paint specks here and there on the floor and on the baseboards.

After gently scraping off the paint specks, we vacuumed the floors, then wet-mopped with our new Swiffer. It did a pretty good job and got the floors clean enough that Paul could start assembling the bed.

Paul assembling the bed

Meanwhile, Margery started wiping out cupboards and drawers. By dinner time, we had the floors somewhat clean, the bed assembled, and some of the cabinets cleaned out.

On Saturday, Margery cleaned out more cabinets and started putting in shelf liner...

Margery cutting shelf liner for the cupboards

...while Paul worked on hanging the living room TV.

Paul installing the mount for the TV

Paul finished installing the TV after church on Sunday, and Margery worked on more cupboards. However, we didn't push too hard and ended up knocking off early.

We got a text Sunday night from Lowe's saying they would be delivering the washer and dryer on Monday somewhere between 4 and 8 p.m. When we ordered the washer and dryer a while back we requested delivery on Tuesday, but late Monday was okay with us.

Paul's goal for Monday was to get the propane hooked up and the stove operating. However, that endeavor was interrupted by a call from Lowe's in the morning saying they were 10 minutes away with our washer and dryer. We weren't expecting them until at least late afternoon, but earlier was better than later.

Paul thought the guys from Lowe's would take the washer and dryer into the park model, remove them from the boxes, haul the boxes away, and just leave the washer and dryer sit. However, they did the entire setup, including stacking the dryer on top of the washer, installing the stacking kit, hooking up the water and vent, and shoe-horning the whole stack into the hall closet. They were even thoughtful enough to ask if we had a piece of carpet to protect the floor.

Sliding the washer and dryer into the hall closet

After lunch, Paul finished hooking up the propane tanks. After we get settled, he will build an enclosure for them.

Propane tanks installed

With the tanks hooked up, Paul headed inside to get the stove operational. Most gas stoves are set up to run on natural gas. Because propane has a different heat value, different orifices are required to provide the correct flow of gas. Fortunately, the stove that we got with our park model came with an extra set of orifices for propane. Unfortunately, however, changing the orifice for the oven requires quite a bit of disassembly including removal of the oven floor to get at the burner. Several hours later, the stove was finally operational.

We had to interrupt our work on the park model on Tuesday morning to take Freeway to the vet for a routine checkup to get a new prescription for his heartworm meds. Paul's goal for the afternoon was to get our portable satellite dish set up at the park model, but that was interrupted by a gully-washer of a rain storm. We got almost 1¾" of rain in less than an hour followed by off-and-on showers that continued for the rest of the day. Therefore, instead of setting up the satellite dish, we did more cleaning and prep work inside.

On Wednesday, Paul got the satellite dish aimed, Margery finished with the shelf liner, and we finally started moving stuff in. We didn't get much moved, but it was a start.

On Thursday morning, we made the decision that night would be the first night sleeping in the new park model. Margery started packing food from the pantry into borrowed plastic bins while Paul busied himself doing more prep work in the park model. Each time Margery had three of four bins filled, we would carry them across the street, and Margery would start trying to find places for everything. After we got the pantry cleaned out, it was on to dishes and cooking utensils, refrigerator contents, clothes, and finally toiletries.

We finally took a break for dinner around 7:30, then we went back and made a couple more trips to bring over our computers and the blankets and pillows from our bed. It was a long day, and there were still more non-critical items to move; but we made it.

On Friday, Margery had an appointment for a haircut over in Sebring. She made the appointment a month ago thinking we we would be pretty much settled by Friday, which wasn't the case at all. Paul went along because we also had several things we needed for the park model at Lowe's and Walmart. While we were out, we stopped at Dee's Place for a late lunch of delicious half-pound burgers before heading back to the Co-op to continue carrying things across the street from the 5th wheel to the park model.

Winter Haven RV was scheduled to pick up the 5th wheel the following Monday so we hit the ground running on Saturday morning making trip after trip across the street to finally get everything emptied out. Even though the park model is bigger than the 5th wheel, the 5th wheel has much more storage space. Therefore, finding a place for everything was a challenge. Once we get settled, we'll need to sort, clean out, and organize. We finally got enough put away we could take a photo of the living area.

All moved in

Freeway was initially out of sorts in his new surroundings, especially with us running back and forth. His favorite perch in the 5th wheel was up on the back of the theater seating. The back of our new love seat is a lot thinner so it won't make a good perch. Therefore, we figured Freeway's new favorite spot would be on the side chair. Since the chair is a light color, we ordered Freeway a new bed to keep on the chair when we don't have company to help keep the chair clean. It didn't take too long for him to feel at home.

Freeway starting to feel at home

On Sunday, we picked up a few items we needed at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Lowe's. As soon as we got back, we headed over to the 5th wheel to clean it up a bit before Winter Haven RV came on Monday. We pulled in the slides and disconnected the utilities.

It turned out Winter Haven RV had a problem with another setup they were doing on Monday and didn't make it to pick up the 5th wheel until first thing Tuesday morning. There was sadness as we watched the 5th wheel being towed away because it meant saying good-bye to our full-timing adventure of almost 12 years. However, it also means we have our new home and new adventures in central Florida to look forward to. Paul is especially eager to tackle new projects around the park model and around the Co-op.

Many people in our little community have been supportive and excited for us. We returned home one day to find a triple planter of herbs outside our door. Another resident graced us with a hibiscus plant; and a neighbor down the street, famous for her incredible oatmeal raisin cookies, came by with a basket full of them.

We still have a long list of things to do in the new park model, but most of the critical things are done, and we have plenty of time to do the rest. Stay tuned for our next update

Comments

[Katie And Bill]

Looks like things are moving right along! You will be settled in no time! 😊

[Mike and Gerri]

Your new home looks amazing!! You guys have truly worked hard and it shows!! It’s beautiful!!!

[Paul Weaver]

Congratulations on the move! It looks amazing and we can't wait to see the rest of the park model. We didn't realize you decided to sell the 5th wheel but agree it was probably a good idea. We're sure it was a sad time to see it head down the road but what an adventure you have before you! Enjoy your new home and keep us posted.

[Cheri Peine]

Your park model looks very nice. What an exciting new chapter in your life. Best wishes. You must have some wonderful friends to leave you such nice gifts.

[Nelson & Ann]

Wow, wow " wow! Your new home looks wonderful. You both are so talented and such hard workers, and so organized. Hugs!

[Janice L Evans]

I am almost as excited as you guys about this new adventure.

Onward to the next phase of your wonderful life!

[Bob & Jo Baskerville]

Your new place looks great. Glad Freeway is getting settled. Appreciate the comment about 5th wheel storage. It is amazing how much stuff we can store in ours.