Sunday, November 27, 2011

I Miss My Back Yard



The thing I miss the most about no longer being in my house is my back yard!!!  Especially at 6:30 AM and 8:30 PM when it’s time for a potty break for my dog.  I miss being able to open the back door, let him walk out, do his thing, then let him back in while I remain in my bathrobe!!  Even though it’s in the 70s during the day, being in the desert it’s a lot cooler at 6:30 AM and 8:30 PM, before the sun has come up and after it’s gone down.  Believe it or not, my winter coat that goes down to my ankles is wonderful at both those times and I’m so glad that I have it, including my gloves.  Fortunately, those are the only times I need both on any given day down here in Tucson.

The lack of space has finally gotten to me and I found a larger motorhome.  If you didn't notice the new picture, look up.  Geez, is it larger.  I went with an Alfa See Ya 40 ft diesel pusher.

It has two hallways, one loaded with closets and drawers...


and the other one goes through the bathroom… 


Both end up in the bedroom...





Whoopee...a bedroom.  The slide on the right isn't out so it's larger than it appears.  

The living/dining rooms and kitchen have so much space I hope I'll know what to do with all of it...



The storage, inside and out, is unbelievable.  I know that what I currently have in Olivia probably won't even make a dent in the storage available. This is quite the home on wheels.

There’s a circular opening on the Corion counter for throwing garbage into the garbage pail.  Access to the garbage pail is from the outside and it has it’s own door.  Right now, in Olivia, I put up two removable hooks on a wall and I have a plastic bag hanging on it for my garbage.  It doesn't look great but at least I have a place for my garbage.  

A requirement on my wish list for my next motorhome was a washer and dryer and I have that in addition to a built in vacuum.  While the built in vacuum wasn’t a requirement I won’t turn it down!!

The space I’m in right now is next door to a park model.  I’m thinking that it’s going to be a tight fit so I’m going to see if I can move into a space not next to a park model.  The park model itself isn’t the problem but I think the carport cover will be.  Also, slides on Alfa’s are deeper so that might be a problem too, not for living with, but for when parked next to a park model. 

If you're looking for a non-hard sell dealership, let me recommend Pedata in Tucson.  They're a very laid back, non-pressure dealership and that's where I found my motorhome.  What's more, the salesman lives down the street from where I'm living!!!  He has a good reputation in the RV park so that's also a plus.    

While I like the dealership, I don't like what they offered me for Olivia so I'm going to sell her on my own.  I figure I'll make $12,000 - 16,000 more that way and that's quite a difference.  

Now that I've found my next home I figure I'll have more time to spend  catching up on your blogs.  I'm soooo way behind.  Wait, I'll have more time after I've moved all my stuff from Olivia to my new motorhome (unnamed, so far) and cleared out my storage area.  Fortunately, the Voyager, where I'm at, is having a "yard sale" on December 10th so I hope I'll be able to get rid of stuff I've decided not to leave in storage.  I see further downsizing in the near future!!!

Feeling good today,

Jeana

P.S.  I notice I have a number of new followers and I promise to acknowledge you in the near future.  In the meantime, thanks for joining me on my journey, if you call wintering in Tucson, a journey.  


24 comments:

  1. Wow, that is definitely larger and very nice looking, have fun filling her up. You'll probably be glad not to keep anything in storage. Put an ad for "Olivia" on your blog.

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  2. I noticed your header right off! Nice looking rig. I'm not sure I'd call moving to the Alfa downsizing. :)

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  3. Wow, I noticed immediately that the header was different. Thought I hit a different blog ;-)
    Well congratulations, she's a beauty! I think selling Olivia on your own is a good idea. I took my RV in last summer & was quite dissapointed in what they offered for it. Plus they tried to swindle me by offering the Chevy price, which is lower than the Ford price & mine IS a Ford! So I decided when the time is right, I'll sell it myself, then upgrade. Have fun! I'm impressed with the closet space & well, jealous!

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  4. I noticed the header photo right away. Now you have a condo on wheels...lots of room. Looks so spacious. Do you feel comfortable driving it?

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  5. Good lord! you've got a mansion on wheels! You're also going to tow your Volvo? what bravery!

    It's gorgeous!

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  6. WOW! Love, love your new rig!! It is really a beauty! Good luck on the selling of Olivia! You shouldn't have any problems there...nice rig. It is what we are looking for when we downsize...wish we were closer!!

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  7. Oh, I'm so excited! Another Alfa in the blogging family! We just love ours so far. So much storage! We only have the little brother 36'. I have all the links and Yahoo group information. Email me!

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  8. When I saw your header, I hoped it was the one you bought. It's humungous, and gorgeous. I'll bet you're going to love living there. Very luxurious and you'll have all the room you wanted. What year is it? It' looks new. Congratulations!

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  9. Congrats on that beautiful diesel pusher. LOL...that is one way to tow your Volvo like you wanted...were you able to test drive it? I think with that rig I wouldn't mind missing my backyard!!

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  10. Congrats on finding your new motorhome! Sounds like just what you were looking for.

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  11. WOW! She's a beauty. Hope you will be happy with it. Can't see why not. You wanted more room and you sure found it. :) Have fun setting it up. When your all done give me a call I would love to see it.

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  12. what a beauty on wheels!!..good for you!!..happy unpacking!

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  13. Congrats Jeana! She's a beauty. I guarantee you will lose the "confined" feeling in that rig. Just a confirmation - make sure you have a little extra room on the slide sides - minimize the potential of ricochet objects (like hail). The Alfa is truly a magnificent home. Now, your best buddy can get his exercise running ovals inside your 40 :-) UGH - absolute monsoon here in Edmonds today - lots of flooding in downtown area. You're in heaven :-) T

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  14. Congratulatins on your new home. It's fabulous.

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  15. Congratulations! The new rig is gorgeous! It's only a foot shorter than my sailboat and looks like it has way more storage. :-)

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  16. Congrats on the new ride! I like it. You'll be fittin gin less places that with the smaller RV but you have sooo much more room and storage!

    May I ask the details of your trade? Mileage, year and what they offered you?

    I ask because I own an 2008 24 H View and am thinking of trading up next spring.

    There is a selection that you can "uncheck" in your blog settings that make it so your commenters don't have to type in one of those crazy words before their posts are published. It would make for easier commenting and probably more comments.

    CYA!

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  17. She's a big'un! Hope you enjoy her more than the View.

    And, X2 to Don's comment. Or, make it all one page so we don't have to load a whole 'nother page to type in a non-word.

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  18. Wow! What a beautiful new home! Im new to your blog, so I havent yet seen what you had before... but I will check out your blog further. We will be coming through Tucson in the near future, so maybe we will look you up. Where you at?

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  19. Hi Jenna,

    I don't see an email for you. You might be interested in the Alfa Owners Group and their annual Rally that will be held in Arizona in April. We are going to a more local one and a FMCA in Southern California in January.

    This is the URL for the National Rally:

    http://alfalonestars.synthasite.com/resources/2012RallyInformationandRegistrationPacket.pdf

    The Yahoo groups are also very interesting and helpful.

    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SeeYaDP/

    http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/alfaseeya/
    my email is merikaym@gmail.com
    or
    merikay@animalhead.com

    have you gotten it yet?

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  20. Hi Jenna,

    You haven't posted for a while - is everything okay? Are you just busy getting into the new rig, or did you decide not to get it? Still looking? When you get a chance, write a short post to let us know you're okay, okay? :)

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  21. WOW. I found your blog yesterday and immediately fell in love with it. I literally spent my ENTIRE day reading! The laundry didn't get done and neither did cleaning the house. Instead, I lived vicariously through your adventures and enjoyed it thoroughly. I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your dog. Been there, done that and understand your pain. Then the excitement of your new home.........and after that, nothing. I have to tell you that I went to bed worrying about you!!! I hope you're well and busy and enjoying the sunshine and just haven't stopped to blog!!!! And I hope that SOMEDAY, I get to do something similar.....

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