I’ve been procrastinating about getting the oil changed on the car the last couple of weeks, and today was no exception to that. I’m really going to do it tomorrow…really. I did decide to tackle one of the other jobs I’ve been putting off. I needed to dump the tanks, and before I could do that I had to install a new sewer hose. The Rhino-flex that I’ve had for about four years has sprung several leaks which can be just a little too fragrant when I pull the plug on the tanks, besides being tired of doing a little jitterbugging with one foot on the end to miss the little sprays. I thought maybe I could replace the original 15’ hose with a 5’ Rhino extension hose that has been sitting in one of the bins unused for as long. I gave it the good old college try, but I just couldn’t get that elbow that goes into the sewer hole detached from the old hose. I had purchased a whole new dump hose with the universal dump end a week or so ago, but I was hoping to use the short Rhino. So, it was bag all that stuff up for the dumpster, and put the new hose on. It went smoothly enough, but it’s just one of those “blue” jobs that is not a favorite for me. It would be nice to have a man around the house.
I also chose to make something for dinner in the convection oven for the first time. I’ve been a little leery of the convection oven, and I haven’t made the pork shoulder steak over sliced potatoes recipe in about 20 years. Everything went well until I opened the drawer to get my oven mitts out. I’ve kept a mouse trap in that drawer since I got back from my ill fated trip to South Dakota to renew my license. I had noticed some calling cards in that drawer when I got back. As I reached in for the mitts, I noticed the mousetrap, and it was moving! Oh yuck!! I wish I could scream, as I would have belted out a good one. The trap had caught the mouse by the snout, and it was wriggling around. Ugh! Where is a man when you need one?
Being the wimp about mice that I am, I put on some leather gloves, and then picked up the trap with the wriggling mouse attached using a long set of outdoor tongs. Out the door I rushed, with the mouse held at full arms length in front of me, and into the woods. I released it there. It was stunned, but was later gone. Now I suppose I’ll have to do battle with this mouse again, but as it looked up at me I just couldn’t stomp on it. 
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
I am so sorry you had to do the yucky jobs and yes it is nice to have a man around most of the time :)
ReplyDeleteHope the mice stay away. We use dcon but then we don't have any animals that we travel with like you do.
I'm afraid Johnny isn't much help with the things like your sewer hose... Can't get down under the RV and not a lot of hand strength due to the rheumatoid arthritis. However, he would've made short work of the mouse! lol
ReplyDeletemakes for a good weight loss program...
ReplyDeleteOMIGAWD, I would have died on the spot with the mouse, Judy!
ReplyDeleteI could tell you some scary stories about the delicacy of dumping. I'll suffice it to say that a group of women with whom I camp with have dubbed me the first member of the "purple glove society".
Hopefully, we'll meet some day and I can tell you some stories that will make you laugh, but I prefer not to divulge them in male company. ;-)
I am a peaceable person and feel comfortable in nature, but I don't have the least qualms about poisoning the little bas***ds!
ReplyDeleteThere was hardly a day that went by in my RVing history that I didn't wish I had a man with me, for one reason or another :-)
Yes, both of those are jobs (and we can add on getting the oil in the car changed) that Odel handles (though I did the dumping for awhile after his knee surgery). It IS very helpful to have a partner... not only to do the "blue" jobs and kill mice (which I would NEVER be able to do), but to share with driving, navigating, maintenance, and decision making.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with you: better to do it alone than not do it at all! I admire the many solo women we have met on our travels. Judy, you are an excellent role model - and after reading your post today, I gave Odel an extra hug and kiss of appreciation, so you improved his day, too.
Safe travels,
Laurie
Oh, yuick, we have those days, don't we?? Just one step at a time. I do that to, just put off doing what i know needs be done :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to those of us who have partners how lucky we are. At least you got the mouse out before it died in your drawer and caused a stink! I would have done the same thing...hate pests but hate to kill them also.
ReplyDeleteMaybe tomorrow will be a better day to try out the convection oven.
Oh come on Judy, you've done it and done it well! You're too hard on yourself, you were able to reach deep down and get the strength you needed to get the job done.
ReplyDeleteRemember, "I am Woman, hear me roar!" :c)
I admire your ability to get the job done, no matter what!
I hear ya, Judy. There are just some jobs that need extra hands or hands stronger than my own. However, for some reason, there aren't many men lining up to be my freebie gofer/fix-it/handyman, and I'm still enjoying having my own life too much to give up my independence OR provide benefits!! Guess I'll keep paying for the ones I can't do myself!!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness, I'm afraid the mouse would have been my downfall. lol But I would have had to let it go also. If u can narrow down where it's coming in I've heard it's good to stuff steel wool around the hole and they can't get past that. Course finding the entry is something else again. I too admire ur courage and think it's wonderful to travel and enjoy life as u do. Stay safe and keep driving and thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteSo how was dinner in the convection oven? Let's forget about the mouse for the moment (Yuck) (OMG - can't believe you actually took it outside and released it). I honestly don't know what I'd do if I ever caught a mouse - well, first of all, I would never set a trap. I guess I'd just sell the RV.
ReplyDeletegood for you ...you are the 'woman'!!..mouse trapping and sewer hose changing..at least you are out there doing what you love!!!..better than the rest of us 'sorry slobs' you have to read the blogs and dream!!!
ReplyDeleteI would have let the mouse go too! Frankly, I am impressed that you tackled the convection oven. We still have not done that one :)
ReplyDeleteYou got my day off to a good start! With the mouse story...I would have done the same thing!
ReplyDeleteLOL
Donna
Ok... I could handle the sewer but the mouse is a little much for me. I'd a ben yelling for some neighbor man to come help! I am more wuss then you I guess. I hate when a mouse gets in the house!
ReplyDeleteHave fun & Travel safe
Donna
That was some mouse story - a very lucky mouse indeed! Hopefully, this mouse has learned his lesson and won't return.
ReplyDeleteLaugh out loud funny! I had to read your mouse adventure to Greg. Once you start using your convection oven more, you will love it. Just check your food (cakes or casseroles) about 10 or 15 min. before the cooking time is over so you don't overcook stuff. With cookies, we like them crispy, so I cook them the full cooking time. Preheating the oven is a must.
ReplyDeleteI would have let the mouse go too. Hopefully, he learned his lesson and will stay away.
ReplyDeleteI just started using my convection oven and love it. I just had to get used to using metal in a "microwave."
Give me the sewer dump job ... definitely better than having to deal with the mouse ... all wiggly too! We used our convection oven for the first time when we went out to the OBX this spring ... surprised at how good steak and shrimp turned out.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about the mouse. My cat used to bring them in the house at the farm on a regular basis and with JB gone out of town to work all of the time I had to get rid of them myself. Yes gloves, arms length and a dustpan lol I can see you now clearly.
ReplyDeleteTake Care Judy
Brenda
I like would like to say something witty, but I am stuck on the image of you running into the woods with a mouse hanging by the nose from a mouse trap.
ReplyDeleteI admit that there would be no coming back for that mouse, if I dropped it off in the woods.
I look forward to hearing when you will use that tongs again for the grill:)
I never did learn how to use the convection oven when I had one. The mouse, yuck, definitely arms length, out the door, I would have done the same.
ReplyDeleteYou already know how I feel about snakes, mice rank just about the same with me. I'm a big wuss too.
ReplyDeleteJust think of how your self esteem has risen, Judy. You could do EVERYTHING you needed to.
ReplyDeleteI hate to kill mice too - they are soo cute, at least I thought so until they ate out the wiring to my trailer heater. Now I try to remember that they are feeding shrikes.
Last spring a shrike had the nerve to come and complain that he hadn't gotten his mouse breakfast. Becasuse he had gotten a mouse for the past 6 days, guess he thought he had me trained.
Those Zapper traps are wonderful. Just dump mouse and food out, then reload. Just have to keep them washed or the dust makes them short out.
Judy, I sure wish we were closer. I'd gladly lend out my hubby for those chores and he wouldn't mind at all. And I know I'm really losing it when I didn't realize that I had said tails instead of nails. Talk about being out of it. I told Jim he can't let me sit and stagnate in one place for so long any more.
ReplyDelete