Sunday, June 5, 2011

Idle hands are the devil's tools.

We spent the weekend moving the stuff designated for family from its staging area in the livingroom into the Coachmen. We managed to transfer 85% of the items, including a pre-lighted Christmas tree we bought at a CVS for $10. We set the pictures we will be hanging, in the dinnette area. We even stacked boxes and bins on the queen bed. There is room still for our North CArolina Seafood Festival posters, and our clothes.

While Mary was arranging the stuff, I checked the Coachmen's batteries. I pulled both AC Delco marine batteries out of the hold. Both felt a little bulged at the ends. Not a good sign. Both are maintenance free and even if they needed water, no way to add it. They still have their original warranty tags, so it is safe to say they are OEM 1998 issue. I tried to test the voltage and one read 2.36 volts and the other 1.38 volts. Another sign that isn't very good to see.

I then re-installed the single step from the livingroom up to the bathroom / bedroom area. We are going to replace the rectangular step with a semi-circular design once we get to Michigan. The idea is to have a flip-top where we will store some 12 volt fuses and other equipment to test, and repair the 12 volt system.

Mary found a flat screen TV bracket online yesterday. It is $62 and will place the TV against the wall, probably above the window next to the entrance door. We will be assessing the placement of he TV above the window and might want to have it swing down to a more suitable viewing level.

One other project we are anticipating finishing while we are in Michigan will be a Murphy style fold down computer / work desk. It will mount on the outside of the pantry (next to the refridgerator)and fold towards the entrance door. I would sit at the desk looking out the window. The desk would also have a entension that would pivot out forming an "L" shape desk and Mary would be seated on the kitchen side looking towards the entertainment center.

Since we will be reworking the pantry wall, we are seriously considering revamping the pantry pull out wire shelving. Several folks have suggested replacing the wire rack with individual units that pull out like drawers. Some have told us that wire baskets will reduce the weight and that the baskets are functional in that they prevent items from tumbling out while in motion and when accessing the pantry.

Looks like I just created 5 or 6 chores to keep me busy. Hmmmmm...I was thinking this vacation was a time to get away and relax. Truth be told, having projects to complete is one of the things I really miss about owning a house. Taking a vacation to get away from it all is the perfect time to tinker and update the new residence. Besides, if we are going to haul 150 pounds of tools, why sit around and be idle? We all know what they say about that....

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