So after accidentally and suddenly becoming full timers … We have decided we needed to make a few changes inside our boy (to address every day living), get some new clothes and a suitcase (one of us has to travel).  After that discussion, we will give a quick update on the fire and some things we have learned…

But first todays updates to the coach because who doesn’t love Walter?

So over the winter one of our fuzzy kids chewed the optical cable running from the TV to the soundbar. Now, we’ve been fighting that sound bar for about a year now (with and without the optical cable).  Some days it connected, others not so ugh.  And frankly the Sammy (Samsung) sound bar just wasn’t cutting it.  So instead of replacing the $20 cable and hoping for a miraculous fix, we went full-monty and replaced the sound bar (of course we did). Y’all what is that rats nest of wiring inside media cabinet!?  Holy crap!  I think this whole house system is pretty much crap.  Give me the HDMI splitter for sound and TV across the house, after that, forget it.  Too many wires, too many sources of heat and potential failures.  BTW… each of those wires cost in labor, commodity parts, etc.  Just not a fan.  At. All.  

So after untangling that horrifying mess… .  Boom! New Bose sound bar.  Honestly, it was way harder to replace than it should have been.  Whole other issue there.  And the TV… yeah no HDMI-ARC out plug which caused us nearly another hour of troubleshooting (this TV is next on the replace list).  Yes, I even read the manual!  Anyway, a few hours later, all good.

Next, we took our old Dyson stick vac (moved from two other RVs), which was on it’s last legs of life 5 years ago and swapped it for a new v10 animal.  Let’s take a moment and respect the fallen.  That stick vac was bought as a refurb nearly… oh too many years ago.  It was literally the first version of the battery powered stick vac.   So it has had a good life. We had mounted it in the closet, in the rear of Walter.  So it gets heat from the big ass motor, it bounces around, its battery gets drained… it just is what it is.  

Now for the new one, WOW what a difference!  First so much quieter than the old stick vac.  The old one was like a dental drill but 50x louder.  This new one, is quiet in comparison and really does clean so much better.  Bonus, only pisses off the cats half as much! Crazy how battery powered tech has changed in 7 years (kinda like how much better sound bars are)! 

Finally a fire update… We have been having regular calls with our agent and adjusters.  Folks, lesson 1, write down when you call/take a call and who(m) you talk to.  This is IMPORTANT.  No one will fight for you more than you!  You will need to reference calls and your notes.  We are buying a new car to replace both of our vehicles, keep those notes too.  Write down numbers (payouts), write down any policy references.  Keep detailed notes.  Everyone you deal with wants to know your claim number.  You need it.  Keep it close.   

We met with our salvage crew.  Folks.   This.  Is.  Hard.  You can’t get away with out it.  No one will ever understand what you are feeling.   It’s.  Really.  Hard.  I can’t say this enough because it is where it is.  This is unbelievable hard.  We’ve lost everything.  At this point we are being told everything in our lives, over 20 years of history fits exactly in 44 boxes.  Seriously, this is difficult to deal with.  If you haven’t found a counselor, an independent voice you need to.  Don’t do this alone.  

The future:

We have cancelled all of the “things” that need it.  Yet, you will clearly find something you miss (we did too).  It happens, but cancel it and move on.  U.S. Mail, that is a whole different story.  Maybe at the time you read this, things will be quicker, but today, here we are, where we are on a 30 day hold at the local post office with a 14 business day redirect window.  Our plan is to get a PO Box, then consider a mail service from South Dakota who can help us with residency as well as physical mail.   Keeping in mind we are living in our RV which means we will be moving around.  Either way, your choice, your decide what works for you.  The reality is, this is a discussion you need to have, and something to think through.  Each of us have a different story and yours will lead one way vs another.  

Be safe, be strong… Find your peace and tranquility.