Navigating Life Changes: From RV Travel to Home Renovation

Embracing the return

What a year 2025 is starting out. Weird weather: we think winter is gone. Nope, comes back around. Leaves and makes another round. One rule I have in RV life. When the wind is blowing, this girl doesn’t drive. It’s stressful and the motorhome just flops around on the road, making for uncomfortable driving. So, I stay put. In the Southwestern states, high winds are standard in the winter season. I hope everyone is safe during this insane weather happening right now.

In a past post, I wrote whether I would continue to travel or go part-time. Well, the decision has come, and I will be part-time for a while.

I have to say and have said, one reason I am not a fan of houses. When it comes to maintenance, they are costly and a general nightmare. I don’t know if it’s Vegas or the mentality of people today. Contractors Suck. It is such a struggle to get someone who wants to do the work. If it is not paid by insurance or isn’t a big price tag job they don’t want to do it.

Why the change?

Well, sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture. Back in November, while we were at our winter spot, the van broke down. Not the motorhome, but the minivan. In December, you know what happened. In January, my son got bronchitis, had massive tooth pain and was diagnosed with a couple of medical issues. During the weirdness of January, a plumbing issue came up in the house that can no longer be ignored. Not a leaky faucet, but an overhaul of all the plumbing in the house. February came along, and I had my minivan transported back to Vegas. I came back to drive my son home from his dental procedure and get the van sorted at the mechanics. My plan was to stay a week, then head back down to the campground and finish out my winter stay.

After accessing the situation of the house, it needs dedicated time to get things done. For my son, time off work for dentists not showing up on the day of the procedure, nor calling to let patients know they will not be there. He would have to reschedule and with all of the medical appointments, time for quotes and contractors coming in is not on his side.

All things adding up, my son doesn’t have the time with his job. I have the time. I decided to stay here for the summer and store my little house. It’s tough. I love the road, and I love the ability to travel. But, priorities do come first. And with other issues happening in our country, I feel more comfortable reassessing how I will travel in the future.

One part of me is looking forward to life back at home. The other part is longing to get in the motorhome and travel. So I am doing the daunting task of cleaning out the motorhome of my personal belongings and setting up house. Before this can happen, I have to clean out two bedrooms, one to sleep in and the other to house my creative needs.

Where to start

The house was built in 1977. It’s old and very little work has been done over the years. With multiple projects on the to-do list, which comes first? Along with plumbing, windows need to be replaced, and the air ducts need cleaning and inspection. In the weeks I’ve been here I am at the point of whoever shows up first. It’s annoying. The master bathroom needs a complete remodel. It is not even usable. We have one working bathroom – and it needs work too.

The biggest issue with scheduling work to be done is the dogs. There are five in this house. They are not keen on strangers in the house. It’s a juggling act.

I will keep you updated on how things go. Stay safe and healthy.