Relaxing at my Toronto friends' home, while everyone is at work or school I am working on my storage/entertainment stand for the cube van (Still thinking of what to call her). I am making similar shelves as I did with the kitchen counters, which is 2X2 framing and 1X4 planks for shelving. To facilitate the building of shelves and sleeping in the truck - I have to pack up bins, bags and other essentials and stash them on the bed to get at the lumber. After working on stuff during the day - I have make sure my bed is accessible and that the area around my heater is cleared of any thing combustible. I slept in the truck last night without any heat, but it was still quite warm out. The forecast for tonight is cooler temperatures. Good thing I have good blankets on my bed.
I am helping out my friends by doing some of the cooking. This is an especially busy household - 3 kid in school and after school activities and 3 adults busy working multiple jobs. Why not help out?
Tonight's meal was a hit with the kiddies - Shaun's Goulash! On Thursday I am going to make garlic prawn linguine - yummy.
The plan tomorrow is we're going to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at CNE. It's gonna be an interesting day.
Wednesday, November 06, 2019
Today, we all played hooky and attended The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at the CNE grounds. I forgot to take pictures, but there were barns and stalls full of cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and random other animals like a very cute mini African cow.
The second part of the fair was going to see all the vendors - many were farm themed. I spent some money - picked up a few Solstice gifts for my sister, got myself a few things for the truck and a new leather belt which is custom made just for me! While waiting for the belt maker I had a conversation with a man who was coming back to get a new belt as the one he bought a year ago longer fit as he had lost over 200 pounds. He's now participating in triathlons and walking more than 10 kms a day. I was really impressed with his story. I told him a bit about my own weight loss and how it all started with a short walk to the corner. He said, "yup, now look at us..trim, healthy and glowing."
Thursday, November 07, 2019
Today was back to work for everyone!
This is the frame of the unit, just pieces of 2X2 screwed together. I will secure it to the wall once it's complete.
Almost done! I will add trim which will keep the bins from sliding out. The TV which is under the grey blanket will be properly bolted to the wall and when I get the electricity, solar power and batteries all connected I will be able to watch movies on my TV again.
The most difficult thing about this build has been the limited amount of space I had to move around. A lot of things piled up on the bed, stashed on the kitchen counter and almost all the extra lumber is out leaning up against the van under a tarp. After finishing this, all I did was move things off the bed and away from my heater, I have to clean up and sweep up the bits of sawdust. Tomorrow will be finish off the unit and then fix the kitchen counter. I have about 5 days before I need to hit the road again.
Friday, November 08, 2019
After fixing everything and getting things into their place, the Amazon delivery guy showed up with my new electrical cooler. I was so preoccupied with my kitchen counters I took the cooler and stuff it under the sewing machine cabinet. Didn't even look at it. But I am very happy it arrived.
Saturday November 09, 2019
Early this morning, about 4:30AM, my propane heater automatically turned off due to no more propane. I was awake briefly and then I fell back to sleep until 8. The truck was cool - but my bed was very cozy.
I borrowed my friends car, and picked up my Home Depot order of a briefcase solar panel and a generator cord. After that I tried to find a propane store that could refill my 30 pounder. I went to Canadian Tire that had the very large propane tank - unfortunately the guy who is licensed to fill propane tanks wasn't at work today. Eventually I bought a 20 pounder and called it a day.
Up next is my super duper deluxe pizza making skills.
Sunday. November 10, 2019
The propane tank I bought yesterday was full of inert gas and no propane. So, I hooked up a 1 pounder which warmed up the truck for 4 1/2 hours. Luckily it's still warm out so I am not too concerned.
When I got up, I returned to the store and traded the propane for a new one. And it works!
I decided to change the kitchen layout. While the L shape looked cool it also made the area seem more crowded. I changed the cabinets and secured them to the walls. I continued working on little organizing things.
In front of the kitchen cupboard are my solar panels, they fit perfectly and securely there. When I finally get the solar system all set up, I will take the panels outside and set them up. Due to having a fibreglass roof I am not sure installing them up there will be viable.
I must admit, I am getting excited for the next part of my trip. For the last couple of nights I have woken up thinking about my trip - crossing the border, heading to the desert and setting up my sewing machine and sewing.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Lest we forget. 101 years since the end of World War One.
Woke up to a bit of a snow storm. It's just below freezing.
Today's jobs - making stew and bannock for the family, doing a load of laundry and finally touches to the living space.
The view from the hatchway. Everything is secured and carefully stashed.
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