The Furbuster

One of the unwelcome side effects of traveling with a canine companion in an RV is the abundance of hair that seems to accumulate everywhere.  It seems to me that most dogs should really be bald if you considered the amount of hair that they shed.  But alas, they are not bald and the hair continues to be a never ending challenge.  Last summer, while I was volunteering at Swan Lake NWR, I noticed that Pam Wood, a fellow volunteer, was grooming her dog with something that didn't look like an ordinary brush.  She told me that she swears by the Furminator dog grooming brush.  I needed to look into that.

What I found at a local Pet Smart store was the Furbuster.

It's about half the price of the Furminator and does the same job.  It has really been a help to me in keeping a lid on Emma's shedding.  If I use a regular dog brush, I don't get much hair, but with the Furbuster, it really catches hairs that would otherwise fall inside the rig.  So, if you travel with a dog, I'd recommend this product.

As was predicted, the skies were blue today and all the snow melted away.  I headed out first thing this morning to take all the education boxes up to the Flying X for tomorrow's training.  Peggy and Paul were ready when I arrived, and we spent the entire morning setting things up.  There will be about 32 people coming for the training tomorrow, and we're ready for them!  I will set up my station on bird banding outside in the morning. 

I had packed the extra propane tank into the van this morning, so after everything was set up, I headed for the small town of Liberty Hill to get the tank filled.  I am so happy that I have the extent-a-stay option for propane since the temps have been so unusually low.  After almost four years of really conserving on heat, I am basking in 70* temps inside since I got the e-a-s setup. 

Of course, since I was going to Liberty Hill I had to stop at the local market.  It's a small grocery store, but it has an excellent butcher shop.  I like this place because they have excellent meats, and I can choose exactly what pork chop or steak I want, and can buy only one of each.  It's hard to find a grocery store where you can purchase only one of a certain meat item.  They are also known for their excellent rib eye steaks, so I splurged!  That steak will give me two delicious meals.

I'll close with tonight's sunset....

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

A convenient fix for a worry

As you know, we have been having quite a cold snap here in Texas.  My biggest worry has been that I might run out of propane this past weekend.  I'm happy to report that I did not run out.  Last week, on the Escapees Forum, I asked for suggestions of a way to supplement my propane tank.  I received several responses that recommended a kit that can be installed on my tank so I can tap into an outside source of propane.

So, today I headed for Channelview Supply, about 60 miles from here, to pick up the needed kit.  Channelview Supply turned out to be similar to a Camping World store.  They had the Extend-A-Stay kit ($83.95)  I needed in stock, and assured me I wouldn't need any additional parts for installation.  While I was there, I decided to walk around and see if there was anything else in the store that I couldn't live without.  :)  Being in a store specializing in RV products is much more exciting to me than all those other kinds of shopping that most women enjoy.  My friend Susan's favorite place is Fleet Farm in Rochester, MN.  What's your favorite place to shop?

I did find a water filter cartridge for a cheaper price than Camping World, and a set of rugs for my hallway, steps, and bathroom.  I've had my present set for five years and the rubber backing has disintegrated over time.  I tried to order them on-line from Camping World, but apparently they don't carry them anymore.  So now I'm set for the next five years.  Today's little excursion put more than a $200 hole in my pocketbook, but everything was needed.  I felt very happy with myself as I left the store.

After stopping for groceries, I headed back to the rig to get busy installing the kit.  That's when my elevated mood began to sink.  As I looked at the directions, with pictures, and then at my on-board propane tank, there didn't appear to be enough room to install the fitting.  I also didn't have the kind of wrenches necessary for installation.  Hmmm, what's a girl to do? 

I put the word out via cell phone that I was having trouble with the installation, and in very short order Nathan and Chuck showed up. 

                            

In less than a half hour, these two refuge staff members had remedied the problem and finished the installation.  So now I can relax and have all the heat I want!  The staff here at Anahuac NWR really makes an outstanding effort to support their volunteers.  The fire crew members staying at the RV pads take the tanks in every week to get refilled.  I feel like I'm sitting on easy street right now.  And to top it all off, I haven't had a mouse in the rig in three days!  Color me HAPPY!!!

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy