Beaver scent

On a good day (when the moisture levels are down and the tanks are freshly, disposed of) the Beaver smells like Palo Santo, Sydney Hale Co. candle in Bluegrass and Juniper, and Meyer's Clean Day Room Freshener in lavender.

Keep a little green nearby at all times

What's in your fridge right now?

1. Flask
2. Almond Milk
3. Marley Coffee
4. Butter

Kitchen life in the Beaver

This little box is the actual fridge

This is the fridge, used a pantry instead.

Inside the Beaver pantry

Top shelf in the pantry. I keep my tea bags in the Irresponsabilidad Juvenil tin.

Compost bowl

The Italian Bialetti makes the strongest cup.

I found these vintage plastic cups on Hawthorne

Every day I'm trying to think of how to reduce unesscary things around me. I have noticed a huge growing awareness of products, before buying them at the store. Before I buy things I think of how easy it will be to dispose of them, how quickly can I eat/use all of it, what's recyclable or not. The last thing I want is a cluttered kitchen or lots of garbage to get rid of.

I've been using the fridge as a pantry. I have a small fridge I keep on the counter. It's small and perfect. I keep a big bowl on top for compost. I'm constantly parring down. There is no room for anything extraneous.

Plugged in

Tiki, chillin' in the Beaver

 Because of weather and the need for a consistent use of the heater, life is way easier to be plugged in. Thanks to Jake and Amanda we've worked out a deal to plug in when I'm at their place. This makes things so much easier and quieter (not running generator) not too mention being in one spot takes away the need to be on the move. It feels like a vacation. I think I may have a point here: Make things so hard and difficult for awhile that when they get a little bit easier it feels like bliss. Keep that up and you'll be in a constant state of gratitude and feeling of graciousness.

The Beaver might be making me a better person.

Below are some highlights of where the Beaver has been, when not parked at Jake and Amanda's.

This is the view from Alberta Park. Can you even see the Beaver?

This is where I stay in North Portland, at Yorra's place.

Old is the New New

This whole time hasn't been totally problems. I've had some fun ripping apart the bedroom area. I tore off the carpet on the wall and repainted it. I then placed the adhesive tile squares from Home Depot and layed some new carpet down. I'd rather this space be more living room like. The hanging bin for the laptop is a new addition as well.

It's funny how even though everything is newly placed it still looks old. Oh well! I have been making Beaver choices, like what would a Beaver want instead of trying to attempt to make things look modern. It's clear Beavers like green and brown, so I'm going with green and brown. This way things blend and I can get away with fixing most things, versus everything. Leaving room for error? Maybe. Better thought of as it's what the Beaver wants.

This area used to be the bedroom/bed area, but I felt a living/lounging room would be more useful. The bed area has been moved to above the cab.

That's the brakes

Now that the leaking issues are resolved for now, I can start thinking about the brake issue Blue Lake Repair informed me about. When I took it in to get the simple gas line and power steel line replaced, they stopped before starting because they noticed a much bigger problem. The brakes were worn to the metal. Everything brake related needed replaced. They estimated the job at $1,700. I was like, right now- no way. For that day I was depressed about it. I thought how the Beaver days must be over because this is getting ridiculous. I was about to start writing up the ad: BEAVER FOR SALE.

That night Pete stayed me and it was interesting how when I told him about that problem, he didn't flinch and just mentioned how his old RV in Mexico had to have to same things and it immediately made me realize that this is part of the deal. Brakes go out. So what, get them fixed. 

That didn't make me act fast on it though. Actually, haven't acted on it at all yet. I've driven in this metal to metal condition more than any normal person would. But I am going to wait to find the right place to have this done, $1,700 seems too high. 

Jake noticed my tire was flat, so I rolled the Beaver down the road to Tire Factory to get it fixed.

This opinion was confirmed when the other day I had to get the front flat tire fixed (people leave nails in the street?) I limped it down to Tire Factory (which they fixed for free) I asked about the brake repair, and they were confident they could do it for half the price. Stoked.

It is pretty funny how for the first few months I was anxious about the Beaver dying going up hills, now I hold my breathe trying to brake going down hills. 

Problem: Leaking

I'm pretty sure the cause of some leaking is from this storage box on top. It has a few pretty sizable holes in it and it's suspicious after it rains there is no water collected in the bottom of this thing. The water must be going somewhere. So with my $100 Dicor tape from Camping World, I patched the holes and with my other Dicor products I sealed up (globbed) over the screws. This has been done by a previous owner but their sealant was eroding and coming off on most of the screws. It needed a fresh coating. And they used a silicone sealant, which I just learned causes rusting. Tsk tsk.

Putting Dicor sealant on the screws felt putting frosting on a cupcake, which therefore made it fun. 

In addition to that, I also used the Dicor tape along the damaged area on the roof/side seam. The tape is extremely adhesive and it worked well to bring the edges back together. I then got a few pieces of metal flashing. I liked the idea of light weight angled metal, like a mini roof that water will drop off and away from the seam. I then used plenty of sealant that was made for metal to metal. This repair job is so janky I'm reluctant to show photos because at no angle do they look nice. But after I paint the flashing, I'll take a photo. Maybe.

I believe my water leaking problems are fixed for now... 

Beaver goes to Howl for Halloween

During Halloween, of course we went to HOWL. And this year the Beaver was parked near the venue. It worked perfectly as a place to get dressed, take a nap and have some friends over. Staying on location during a party is so convenient it's not even funny.

I actually love the gritty look of these dumpsters next to the Beaver

Pete and Chel-c

Me kissing Chel-c