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Welcome to the Weekend: What’s New & Summer Plans

We’re making reservations and packing up for our next adventure in our little RV. If you followed me back in January, you saw us trade in our trailer for a glamorous Class A motorhome.Ā We were pretty excited to trade up and feeling excited about our decision until we drove home.

roof repairs

We’d driven home to switch out our things before making the trade and found portions of our roof damaged from the wind and substantial rain damage inside. Sheets of plaster were saturated and chunks of the ceiling were dangling in our stairwell.

If you’ve ever dealt with your home insurance policy you may have discovered they consider everything to be “an act of nature”. Meaning, they don’t cover it. We were on the hook for massive roof repairs plus interior wall demolition and rebuilding. Several exterior walls also needed work.

It was costly. As these bills began adding up we started to panic at the amount we’d just committed to a shiny new, expensive motor home.

It soon became apparent something had to give and that something was the new RV.

packing our rv trailer

In two weeks we’re heading north for my daughters MBA graduation and to spend time exploring the interior of BC. We’ve also scheduled a couple of weeks at the beach in Parksville on Vancouver Island. I can’t wait to be there!

Do you have plans for the summer?

What’s New – I had my front tooth pulled and the implant placed on Thursday morning. It was slightly more traumatic than I was expecting so I’m taking it easy and resting a lot. The oral surgeon was surprised that myĀ bone was more porous than he expected so I’ll be eating soft foods for months and be crossing my fingers it holds.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

 

 

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34 Comments

  1. Good luck with your adventures. We once had a neighbor’s ginormous tree uproot and land on our garage roof. Oddly enough our homeowner’s insurance paid for repairs, not theirs. The neighbor was good enough to split the cost of hiring someone with a crane to remove the tree. On another subject, I had an implant–two stage involving a bone graft–several years ago. It was a grueling process but totally worth it.

    1. I know it’ll be a long process but worth it in the end šŸ™‚

  2. Louise K. says:

    I’m so sorry about your home, but I know you’ll enjoy your travels! Thankfully you were working with such a customer-oriented dealer.

    Would you consider doing a blog post about wedding attire? I’m going to a wedding at the end of June, in So. Calif. The invitation states “cocktail attire” and the wedding is in the evening. We’ll be flying so my clothing have to be packable, and something I can dress down to wear other ways. I’m thinking maybe separates – simple yet elegant.

    Any ideas? I’m sure other readers would appreciate guidance as well. Thanks!

    1. Hi Louise! I do recommend separates for formal events but for cocktail attire you could could also wear a classic dress and jazz it up with your handbag and accessories. A LBD or any flattering color in a smooth jersey knit with minimal detailing can be the perfect base for a statement necklace, sparkly evening bag and fancy shoes. A gossamer wrap also adds a level of dressiness to simple dresses. Extra attention to your makeup and hair, perhaps a red lip can also dress your look up. Feel free to email me some photos and I’ll help you out!

      1. Louise K. says:

        Thank you for the input..it’s appreciated! I like the idea of simple yet elegant separates or a dress, but jazzed up with accessories and jewelry. I’ll be looking for a gossamer wrap, also. We don’t have many clothing stores in my neck of the woods, but I know I can find something suitable. Thank you for steering me in a good direction!

      2. Good luck, Louise! Feel free to email me if you have further questions or want to bounce ideas off me.

  3. When it rains, it pours! Very stressful and expensive, I’m sure…
    You will I’ve love the interior of BC and of course the island. I winter in Nelson (ski) and it’s a tourist town in the Kootenays. Very unique if you’re that way.
    Being a retired dental assistant, I’d do the same route as you. Fingers crossed for success!
    Take care and safe journey!
    Robin

    1. I have always wanted to visit Nelson. It looks like a gorgeous little town with pretty, historical buildings. Maybe we will head home going that direction and check it out:) Thanks Robin!

  4. Gosh, that is a pretty hard week! Insurance companies are not really very helpful – if they can opt out they will…..
    Glad to hear the RV company was very understanding.

    Maybe no wine these days but at least you can enjoy ice cream!
    Enjoy your trip and visit
    Suz from Vancouver

    1. I am having more than my fair share of sorbet and ice cream:) It’s a perfect excuse! Thanks, Suz.

  5. Oh I feel your pain on the home repairs, Jennifer! We’re still remodeling from two years ago when it rained I side our tv room. More upgrades will keep us busy this summer, so we’ll be enjoying a staycation in lovely Bangor, Maine. I hope you’ll soon be past the worst of the stage of your tooth journey and that the rest of it goes well. Take care!

    Jane

    1. Bangor Maine is a gorgeous spot so you do live in a slice of paradise. Sorry to hear about your rain issues. I hope you’re making improvements you’ll enjoy:) xox

  6. Marian Allen says:

    I hope you re-try the gym and adopt an exercise routine. Research shows we can stave off many aging woes with such a program.

    And….sleep! I’ve never slept so well ever! The M-W-F gets the credit for excellent rest.

    1. Restful sleep is but a distant memory. One of the joys of getting older that I would love to fix!! Thanks Marian!

  7. Gail Schwartz says:

    Have a wonderful time in British Columbia. We live on the east coast and have had a couple of visits to Victoria, one of my favorite places. Be sure to post pictures!

    We have a big journey planned this August. We are traveling with a couple we love to Kenya and Tanzania for 2 weeks, including hot air ballooning and a visit to a local village. I’m turning 70 there!

    1. Oh my gosh, Gail, that sounds amazing!!! Happy Birthday, you are definitely celebrating in an amazing place!!!

  8. Can’t wait to see you!
    Xo
    Vava

    1. We are counting the days!!!!! xoxoxox

  9. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear, Jennifer. I can just imagine the happiness leaching out of you, as you assessed the damage and cost. Holland Motors came through for you and that is a big plus.
    Let’s think positive thoughts about your tooth. Ummmmmmm I hope wine is still on the menu because after this week you need a glass or two.

    1. They were really great about it! Sadly, so wine for me right now because of the pain meds they’ve given me. I could definitely use a glass or 2 so I hope this heals quickly.

  10. We’re going on our first and only cruise.

    1. That’s exciting Karen! We love cruising on small ships. I’m actually saving up to surprise my husband with one for his next birthday!!

  11. Atonia Walpole says:

    What a mess you came home to! We’re planning 17 days in Wyoming and Montana and will be flying out in about 3 weeks. Bought new tennies for the trip and have been trying to break them in. One fits fine the other bothers my big toe. I’m trying to stretch the toe area out. Always something!

    1. That sounds so fun! I have never been to Wyoming and Montana and hear it’s beautiful. be sure you pack band-aids and some moleskin in case the shoe continues to bother your toe!

  12. Oh, that’s so sad you’re insurance didn’t pay for it. I hate insurance, all kinds of insurance, health insurance especially. It seems we pay so much for it, and it covers nothing. I’m sorry you had to give up your new motor home.

    1. Insurance is tough these days. The paltry amount they are paying for my tooth issues is disgraceful!I’m not a fan of insurance either and poor coverage plagues so many of us. We are at their mercy!

  13. Janet Williams says:

    Wow, you have had quite the time lately! I admire your positive outlook! I had a flood two years ago that was traumatic and even though covered by insurance for the most part I still paid thousands of my own money and was sued by contractors before the insurance company finally paid them. Stressful doesn’t even cover it! Thanks for keeping us updated on the tooth. I hope this is a distant memory for you before long. Have a great vacation and look forward!

    1. Oh no, Janet! Being sued by contractors sounds like a nightmare. Floods are so stressful and expensive. I’m looking forward to this tooth fiasco being something I joke about in the very near future but it’ll take a bit longer than that. I’m doing my best to look forward:)

  14. Gee Jennifer, you’ve had a heck of a winter/spring. Here’s to an adventure-filled summer with no mishaps.

    1. Thanks, Ann. It has felt a bit like the sky is falling so we’re looking forward to a calm summer:)

  15. You deserve the rest, my friend. A trip to the beach and to see your daughter is just what you need. Enjoy each moment.

    1. Thanks, Pam. I am really looking forward to decompressing and breathing salt air with my girl:)

  16. Roxanne B. says:

    Jennifer, I am so sorry you have had so much on your plate. What a disaster with the insurance. I’m going to review our policy, so you’ve done a public service. In hurricane-prone SC if you don’t pay extra for wind, hail, and flood, you’re not covered. It’s traumatic enough that your house and belongings are destroyed without dealing with insurance. But bravo there are decent business owners out there, like your RV company! And adding your tooth issue on top, bless your heart. Extra prayers for you. Try not to worry too much and enjoy your daughter’s BIG accomplishment.
    (I noticed you have 2 Roxanne readers, so I’m becoming Roxanne B!)

    1. Thank you, Roxanne, B. You’re a sweetheart! xox

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