As I approach the end of the renos I find that my ‘workshop’ is more and more disorganized. I started off with all my tools and hardware in the basement and periodically rearrange it all, but after two years I’ve come to realise that the most used stuff migrates from the basement to the rig and that I will frequently buy a duplicate of small things like nails rather than go digging through the basement in the rain.

Tonight, I made the decision that the big tools, like saws, drills, levels, and squares are going to live in the basement, as are any remaining painting supplies, but I’m going to keep a basic tool kit in the rig as well as all my hardware. I did a huge sort and got rid of several tubs worth of odd bits I know I will never use. I then used containers to set limits on how much of various categories I was going to keep and I began to stack everything into two cabinets in the study:

The big blue bin has industrial strength Velcro, all types of sticky tape, and several kinds of glue. It needed a big bin because of the roll of Eternabond. The other bins include two of hardware (brackets, screws, nails, hooks, eyelets, door handles I do plan on installing, etc.), one for drill bits, one for sewing, one for electrical things, and one for electronics. I have a few more to arrange, but this is just SO easy to go through! I love those clear bins; they have a depression in the lid for stacking and they snap shut so well that I can pull out the one at the bottom and the top two just slide down without the contents spilling out.

This project has cleared out a full side compartment in the basement, which will give me space to relocate some of the things that are currently in the battery compartment, which will make accessing them for watering much easier. This summer, I plan to pull everything out of the basement and do a good sort, especially in the wet bay.

What impressed me the most about this project is just how much I was able to throw away. Having grown up with two very handy parents and having had a fixer upper for several years, keeping all manner of odd bits ‘just in case’ I need them for a project has been ingrained in me. But I now have a very good idea of the sorts of tools and hardware I need to keep around to fix up an RV and that’s all I’m hanging on to.

It’s a good thing that I’m just about done with the renos because I’m past due to get my life back.

The last year in Miranda hasn’t been all that pleasant. I’ve been in a constant state of flux as I’ve tried to stay organized while my house has been completely topsy turvy. The last month, with the library and loft inaccessible, was my breaking point. I need these renos done NOW so that I can put things away properly and get back on track with my home and business routines.

I just finished doing a major sweep through the rig, putting things in the room in which they belong even if I haven’t come up with a final plan for cabinet storage. Part of this project involved bringing anything reno related to the library. I’m going to do a major sort through everything before I begin work on the front room. I’m really pressed for time, there are exactly two weeks left before I’m slated to leave, but I am sorely tempted to just get this done. I’m pretty sure that if my tools and supplies are in order, I can get the library and kitchen finished in three days. One for prep and final carpentry, one for priming and a first coat of paint, and a second for the final paint job. I’m giving myself a Friday deadline to start the final push, otherwise I’ll let it go until the next time I’m paused. I don’t mind if curtains aren’t finished and if there are decorative touches, like recovering chairs, left, but I’d love to be able to put the tools and hardware back in the basement. At least, I know I won’t have any structural surprises with this part of the rig.

Since I really got into the renos and lost access to some spaces, Miranda’s size has been foremost on my mind. It doesn’t help that I’ve been reading blogs by people living in truly tiny rigs. It’s amazing how a hundred twenty-five square feet or so has gone from being tiny, to being more than I really need. How did that happen?! I’ve conceded that Miranda fits the ‘wanting a home’ part of my dream much more than the ‘having the freedom to travel’ part. But, oh, how I love her! This rig is truly special and made for me.

Now, no laughing at my lack of graphic skills, but here’s the current layout:

I hardly ever use the front room area. I suspect that I will once the renos are done and I refinish that lounge chair. But, for the way I’m currently living, I could really have a smaller rig without that front area, like so:

I would not be happy without my dressing room! That space has really spoiled me! But I really could do without the lounge area in the front since I watch movies in the study and usually read in bed. What the lounge area gives me is an out of the way spot for the litter box and a place to dry laundry. I do use it a lot more when I’m traveling, for some reason, but, truly, it’s space I don’t need.

I’m also thinking about my ‘stuff’ and have noticed that I am more aware of it than I ever have been in my life. I’m constantly questioning if something belongs in my home and if it doesn’t, out it goes! But I still find myself wondering how I wound up having so much and I know I have more editing to do, especially in the matter of my wardrobe. Since my rig isn’t stuffed to the gills, I’m favouring a more organic form of downsizing now whereby I hesitate to replace things unless I really use them and can get the replacement at little to no cost (like my breadmaker). This way, should the time come for me to go into an even smaller rig, I won’t have to contend with the guilt of getting rid of things I spent good money for.

But, first, I look forward to many years of comfortable living in my decadently spacious Miranda. 😀

Miranda came with a really ugly and useless stovetop cover made from what I presume is a piece of countertop:

You can’t set anything hot on it, nor can it be used as a cutting board. I used it as a surface for my cutting mats until I added the new counter. Since then, it’s been available as an extra surface ‘just in case’, but it’s usually in the way and not even stored on the stove unless I’m traveling.

Tonight, I was clearing out one of the new cabinets in search of space for the rice cooker when I came across a big cutting board I just about forgot I have:

A light bulb went on and all of two minutes later I had this:

I cleaned the cutting board well and then rubbed mineral oil into it to hydrate it. I’ll do this once a day until it looks healthy again. It’s important to use mineral, not vegetable or olive, oil because mineral oil doesn’t go rancid.

End result:

Finally, I wanted to share my new, pared down, cleaning arsenal. I’m still working my way through bottles of commercial products, but, with one exception, will not be buying any more.

The white bottle holds a mixture of water, vinegar, and a drop of dish soap (Dawn) for cutting grease. That’s really all you need to clean. For scouring power, I add baking soda (not shown). I will be adding a blue bottle with a straight water and vinegar mix for washing windows when I get through my bottle of commercial window cleanser. The yellow bottle holds Nature’s Miracle, an enzymatic cleanser that eliminates pet odours. I use it to clean the cab, where I have carpet that is sometimes the victim of cat accidents.

For years now, I’ve heard about the wonders of microfiber cloths, but never found any that worked for me, until I stumbled on some in the automotive aisle at Walmart. The green ones come in packs of two and are finer, meant for glass, and I also use them for electronics and mirrors. The blue and white ones come in packs of eight (four of each colour). I use the white ones for the kitchen, including  the dishes, and the blue for cleaning, including the floors. I really like these cloths because they not only absorb water, but also really trap dirt and fur.

Reducing the amount of cleaning products, rags, and dishcloths I have is giving me a lot of under counter space in both the dressing room and the kitchen, and the money savings are phenomenal, what with a huge container of vinegar being about a buck, a box of baking soda about fifty cents, and dish soap a buck and a half on sale (just don’t buy it in Dawson–$6!).