Failure to Launch

 February 1 - 14, 2025

Tombstone, Arizona

Lots of "well crap" times include equal amounts of "thank goodness" when escalating to "holy crap" is avoided.

You can quote me.

Neuropathy is part of the diabetes package. Bill has had it for years in his extremities, rarely more than an occasional annoyance. With the addition of the dialysis fistula in his forearm he's had increasing pain in that hand as well as the other. Always worse at night, he finds some relief with the adjustable bed and prescription pain meds. 

It dawns on me, almost too late, that the bed in the RV is not adjustable and there is no recliner option for getting comfortable. A trial overnight stay in our yard seems prudent. 

He lasts an hour.

The "thank goodness" is that we didn't drive six hours only to find out Bill can't sleep in PJ with the current conditions. It would have been the same with the bigger rig. Our friends already have a houseful so figuring out any changes after the fact would have been a hassle, or even not available. 

The "well crap" is obvious. We stay put.

Reservations are made for a week in SoCal next month so we have to figure out something before then. 

During preparations the last couple weeks I've learned a few more of PJ's "things". Being a basic unit means I spend time trying to figure out how something works only to learn that something doesn't exist.

Want to confirm you're successfully hooked up to 30 amp? Check the microwave. If it works, you're hooked up. There is no read-out or light, etc.

PJ has a typical RV frig with both AC and propane power sources. What her frig doesn't have is the option to run on the house battery. Soooo on travel days the frig is off unless we want to leave the propane on, which we absolutely do not. 

A couple large ice blocks will work, and it gives me another excuse for short travel days!

The drawers all fly open at the slightest curve in the road, after-market magnets don't line up, child locks don't hold, it's a work-in-progress with a bungee cord temporary fix. 

Great news when we take PJ to the new Maverick truck stop in Benson where they have a very accessible dump station. And I learn I can do it easily. This is more of a big deal than one might think, as I could never dump the Tuscany. The outgoing pipe didn't line up with the hole in the bottom of the compartment, and after many attempts over several years to hook up the sewer hose I finally admitted defeat. Bill was able (obviously) to tweak it just right, but I was never going to make it happen.

So knowing I can handle this important detail opens up opportunities I never had with the bigger rig. 

I finally remember to get some overdue PJ interior pics. She's pretty cute!

The only kitchen outlet is beside the door to the left of the sink which isn't great.

A couple large windows make it very bright with the shades up.

The only slide unfolds the queen bed with walk around access. Both side shelves have phone chargers and USB ports.

The upstairs bedroom.

Plenty of bathroom space. The medicine cabinet is huge.

The large closet above two large drawers give us plenty of storage options in the bedroom.

I can't wait to live in her for a few nights!

As is often the case, our February starts out with higher temps. 80 degrees on the back porch does not feel like Winter! When I finally make it to Tucson for a massage, it's nearly 90!! Fortunately it's short-lived and although no rain, we do return to colder.

February!

I prefer a moody, cloudy winter day.

Clouds paint the western skies at sunset.

Dare I say I loved the Super Bowl halftime show? Just wow!! Clearly the game was horrible. I can't even..... 

I thought the commercials were better this year than in the last several years - the Budweiser colt pushing the keg and the Doritos UFO were my favorites with their writers consistently bringing the best. Harrison Ford's Jeep commercial was pretty good too. With all the money spent on those spots I imagine many were missed by Chiefs' fans who bailed before the end of the game. Myself included. I'm not a masochist!  

My choice for MVP.

Rebecca is unable to get the last two episodes of Yellowstone for some reason, and they are SO brilliant that I really want to share them with her. Friday we get together at the house to make that happen and enjoy a little lunch. The winds have returned and it's especially nice to be tucked inside with friends, fun and food!

Our sweet, sweet Penelope and Reese.

Little M is always cool :-)

Ezra loves being a mountain-kid, especially on Snow Days!

Elliott's little snow ball is very special.