The Great Motorhome Reveal

Hey everyone!  I know it has been forever since I posted any information on our 1998 Jayco Eagle Class C RV, but I am finally making the time to update you all.  Long story short - we replaced the entire roof, rebuilt the front bunk and part of one wall, painted the interior, removed the carpet and replaced it with hard surface flooring, re-wired most of the RV, added 450 watts of solar panels, an air ride suspension, new tires, LED lights throughout, had brand new foam cushions made and upholstered, replaced all of the window coverings, replaced the awning, etc.  We kept the original appliances, shower, sink and counter surfaces.  There were a few minor mechanical adjustments along the way in regard to the generator and engine, as well.  All of the above took about 11 months from start to finish.  11 months of hard, back breaking work.  There were moments where I could not even look at the project because it caused so much anxiety.  We originally purchased this RV for $10k and over the next year we added approximately $8k to that cost in renovations and upgrades.  We have been offered $30K for it at an RV show and all of our friends ask if they can buy it, so we know we could get our money out of it if we ever wanted to.  For now, it suits our little family of three (sometimes four, if you count my mom) and we couldn't be happier.

The pictures tell a better story than I ever could, so here goes...

1998 Jayco Eagle Class C RV parked on our property in Southern California

Removing front bunk

Front bunk rebuilt

New Floors in Progress

New Floors in Progress

Painting the Cabinets

Painting the Interior

Painting the Cabinet Hardware

Polishing the Exterior

Replacing the Dicor Roof

Installing Solar Panels

New Day-Night Shades Installed

Interior After

Bathroom After

Bathroom Shower After

My Little Happy Camper on a Road Trip

We have used the RV lots of times for day and weekend trips.  We have only stayed in the Southern California area, but plan on going a bit further this Summer.  When people see all of the work we have done they always ask, "Would you do it again?" and our answer is, "We could do it again, but would rather not!"

Another question I often get is why did I choose to go with a white and light grey palette and is it hard to maintain.  Honestly, I love all things white and it is super easy to maintain.  I wash the bedding when we return from a trip just like I would anyway, so it has been very easy.  All of the painted surfaces are easy to wipe down and I steam mop the floors.  Easy-Peasy!

Feel free to post any questions you may have and I will try my best to answer them.  I plan on posting another blog in the future with all of the particulars (brand names, products, etc.), but for now this will have to do.  Until next time...

Happy Camping!

Everyone Should Have Their Own Robot

Green iRobot Logo via iRobot

I Heart iRobot.  For realsies.  This is a post I intended to write a long time ago.  I am a HUGE fan of iRobot.  I own both the Roomba and Scooba models and can not say enough good things about them.  Anyone who comes to my house gets introduced to them at some point.  Often, I refer to them as my kids.  Their names are Claire and Sam.  As in, Claire Redfield & Sam Fisher.  If they ever (who am I kidding?!) When they have a baby robot, she will be named Lara Croft.  Don't hate.  I have a photo album dedicated to my robots on facebook.  Seriously.

Had I known they would one day become celebrities, I would have taken better pictures when they were first born.  I regret to say I never took pictures of Claire (the Scooba aka the mop), when she first came to live with us.  But, when her boyfriend Sam moved in, it was so on.  I understood the power of the robot by then.

A Little History.

Meet Claire.  She was born in January, 2010.  I found her online.  At the time, it was the only way she could be had.  I ordered her directly from iRobot.  I paid $599 with free shipping.  OUCH.  But, I would do it again.  In an instant.  Even if it meant blowing the dust off of my American Express.

Claire aka iRobot Scooba 380, cleaning our floors.

Claire is an extremely hard worker.  She even cleans our guest house.

Claire, age 2

It wasn't long before I decided Claire needed a boyfriend.

Meet Sam.  Born April 27th, 2012.

Sam Fisher aka iRobot Roomba 560

I purchased Sam from Bed, Bath & Beyond.  I utilized a 20% off coupon and a free upgrade kit with purchase.  I paid just under $400.

Don't doubt the cleaning power of the Roomba. This is after 3 cleaning cycles of all rooms. Our floors are super clean, too. We never, ever wear shoes indoors.

Gross, eh?

 Sam even cleans under the table and between the chairs.

I love this little guy.  Our cat, not so much.

The Nitty, Gritty Details.
Both units are low maintenance and easy to use.  Because it uses water, the Scooba requires a bit more maintenance (aka cleaning) to keep it working efficiently.  It is all really easy, though.  The Roomba picks up the grossest stuff you don't even know is in your house.  It cleans under the beds and in closets.  You can even schedule your Roomba to turn on automatically every day of the week!  Need I say more?

Some people may think they are too loud.  In my opinion, the noise level is the equivalent of a blow dryer on the low setting.  It does not bother me at all.  Better than having to bust out the Shark Steam Mop or Dyson (my other mop and vacuum power couple of choice).

The Roomba with an upgraded bin kit works great.  We have a Husky dog and a Siamese kitty and there is not a speck hair on my tile after these robots have done their daily chores.  If you are wondering how the animals like the robots - they have never bothered the dog and with our cat, it was touch and go at first, but now he doesn't even move when the robots come near him.  Like as in, he stays asleep.

In October of 2012, I had to replace Claire's battery pack.  This cost me $69.70, including shipping.  Again, I ordered directly from iRobot.  I have not had a problem since.

Do you have access to a Bed, Bath & Beyond?  If so, utilize their 20% off coupon and call it a day.  They have the best return policy, hands-down.  Especially, if let's say, the robot eats a few Nerf bullets and never sounds the same again.  BOOM!  Return and get a new one.  You will be right around the $300-400 mark with the upgrade and the one with scheduling.   No need to get all cray-cray and buy the remote...now that's just LAZY!

So, what are you waiting for?  Step up your robot game, today.  Your floors and your white socks will thank you.  This has been a public service announcement to dirty floors everywhere.

Disclaimer:  If you think I am alone in my Robot fandom, think again!  People everywhere name their robots and even let their kids ride on them! (Not recommended by iRobot).  Yes, I really refer to them by their names.  You can ask anyone who knows me.  Also, at some point, I would love to own my very own iRobot pool cleaning and gutter cleaning robots, too.