Lady Tear Droppers, drop in and say "Hello"!

[Lynn Coleman]

I couldn't get a job!
pam

Pam, I feel your pain. I'm excited you've found some work.

I'm in the same boat with regard to my job. The problem is that I'm self employed but being a writer also depends on the market and right now the market is not good. I haven't had a book contract in 2 years. Which means starting next year I won't have a book coming out. Now, part of this is my own fault with various health issues and not sending out tons and tons of proposals. But most of it is the economy. Thankfully I'm getting healthier and hope to send some solid proposals out by fall.

Well congrats again on the job, Pam.

Lynn

[Dagny]

[quote="CAJUN LADY"][size=24]I'M GONNA BE A GRANNY FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!

Hi Becca,

New here but wanted to chime in congrats as well. I'm a ways off from that news as I had my kiddos at an advanced maternal age. Boy, I hated hearing that description at every visit.

I am happy to have a new online home with all of you. My original online home of 3 yrs was http://www.thebabywearer.com I highly recommend baby carriers for new moms and grannies. I didn't discover them until my 3rd little one but it was the best choice I made. I still wear her occasionally as you see in my avatar. I made many myself as they have great tutorials on the site.

No affiliation with any vendor just a fan of the act of babywearing. It is part of the Attachment Parenting philosophy coined by Dr. Sears.

Congrats again!

[cdfnchico]

That gets pretty depressing. And I have a habit of withdrawing from every one and everything when I am hit with the 'depression'..... thus no postings!

I AM FINE!

I had an email from Shelly today, she's fine but working lots of long hours getting ready for a BIG inspection. the USAF is keeping her busy!

Pam - I am so glad to hear you've found a job. These harsh economic times are depressing for a lot of people. California has got itself into a terrible mess...I work in education and we've been hard hit. I think I'll have a job next year...just not exactly where...which is a little disconcerting. My husband works in lumber sales...an industry that is seeing it's lowest numbers in 30 years. Man!! Sometimes I just try not to think about it too much!

Martha - what an amazing job on your daughters dress! I wish I had that kind of talent. It will be extra special for her. I can't wait to see the finished dress.

[CAJUN LADY]

Hi everybody!!! Thank you all for the new granny congratulations! I just got back last night from 8 days in Louisiana and just getting back online today. My hometown is so small that I couldn't get a cell phone signal and no one seems to have the internet. I really felt out of the loop but it was sorta nice at the same time. It was sooooo humid in LA and for some reason I forgot the mosquitoes are as big as horse flies! But, I loved every humid second of being back home. When my plane touched ground last night in Tampa, I thought I was gonna cry. I love Louisiana.

I gotta do a lot of catching up on the forum. I sure am glad to see all your sweet faces again!

[mandy]

Hi Becca

Sounds like you had loads of fun.

[StLouisDyan]

Hi

I am new to the idea of campng, I loved it as a kid and now I have a daughter of my own so I am thinking about getting a tear drop -- I will need to buy one and I have never towed a thing -- any pointers on what's the easiest most relaible tear out there????????

As for me, I am single, 42 and live in ST Louis. My daughter is from Guatemala and she is a total laugh riot and very adventurous!

[CAJUN LADY]

Hi

I am new to the idea of campng, I loved it as a kid and now I have a daughter of my own so I am thinking about getting a tear drop -- I will need to buy one and I have never towed a thing -- any pointers on what's the easiest most relaible tear out there????????

As for me, I am single, 42 and live in ST Louis. My daughter is from Guatemala and she is a total laugh riot and very adventurous!

Hi Dyan and a big WELCOME to the Teardrop world! I am not one to give advice on which Teardrop would be best for you since mine is a generic homebuilt, but I would highly recommend a 5'x10' with 2 doors. But, you may be more comfortable towing something smaller.

It's really not hard to tow a Teardrop and once you get the hang of backing it up, everything else will be a breeze. Think Safety, Safety, Safety...can't stress that enough.

You might want to rent an enclosed U-Haul trailer one weekend, tow it around town and on the interstate, go to a large parking lot and practice backing it in. This will give you a pretty good idea of what it will be like to pull a Tear, in my opinion. You can do it.

[Jazzy Lynn]

Hi Dyan
What kind of vehicle will you be using to tow with? Find out what it's towing capacity and max tongue weight are and start researching your td purchase from there. If your vehicle can only pull 1000 lbs, you don't want to buy a 1000 lb tear because you will still need to load all your gear and food. Also, you will need to find out what your state's requirements are for trailer brakes. Some states require trailers that weigh 1000 lbs, for example, to have electric brakes.

Ask lots of questions here. There are lots of knowledgable people here who are willing to share their expertise and experience. Have fun shopping for your td.
Barbara

[lisasweetie]

I have a 4x8 Silver Shadow Highline by Little Guy. I took it on a trip Memorial Day weekend 3 1/2 hours each way. My tow vehicle is a Hyundai Elantra. I am very confident now that I can tow her anywhere. (Still can't back it up). A 4x8 will sleep 2 people who really like each other. Since it's just me I kept stuff on the other side of the camper and was very comfortable. The one thing I did which worked out great was my cabana. It fit under the easy up and had room for my clothes box, table, and luggable loo. Best camping ever. (I've tent camped for years).

[cdfnchico]

Dyan,
We went with a 5 wide after someone suggested trying a cardboard mockup or something....so we laid down in our 4 foot hallway and decided it was too tight for us...though I know some are happy. So find some cardboard or measure your foyer...and then yo'll know what to look for! Anyway...have fun!

[mandy]

I have a 4x8 Silver Shadow Highline by Little Guy. I took it on a trip Memorial Day weekend 3 1/2 hours each way. My tow vehicle is a Hyundai Elantra. I am very confident now that I can tow her anywhere. (Still can't back it up). A 4x8 will sleep 2 people who really like each other. Since it's just me I kept stuff on the other side of the camper and was very comfortable. The one thing I did which worked out great was my cabana. It fit under the easy up and had room for my clothes box, table, and luggable loo. Best camping ever. (I've tent camped for years).

Hi Lisa

How have you been? How exciting to get camping in your new TD. Hope your feeling better and having fun.

Mandy

[mandy]

Dyan,
We went with a 5 wide after someone suggested trying a cardboard mockup or something....so we laid down in our 4 foot hallway and decided it was too tight for us...though I know some are happy. So find some cardboard or measure your foyer...and then yo'll know what to look for! Anyway...have fun!

That a really good Idea. I'm gonna have to try it.

Thanks
Mandy

[Eunice]

Dyan,
We went with a 5 wide after someone suggested trying a cardboard mockup or something....so we laid down in our 4 foot hallway and decided it was too tight for us...though I know some are happy. So find some cardboard or measure your foyer...and then yo'll know what to look for! Anyway...have fun!

That a really good Idea. I'm gonna have to try it.

Thanks
Mandy

this is a good idea but easier is a 4x8 is a double bed. a 5 wide is a queen bed. which is best for you? Kenny and I do fine with our 4x8 but with the two dogs I would love a 5 wide. I still dont back up well but that doesnt stop me. If by myself I have been lucky in finding campsites that I can drive through. If at a gathering I get out and say "who will back this up for me?" works everytime!

[martha24]

Hello to all,
Another quick update. I haven't had any time for computers of late.
Most all of my time is spent working on the dress. A great deal has been done on it, but still a ton of finishing to do.
My daughter & finance are coming down for a quick weekend visit and the dress is ready for another fitting. Hopefully just nothing more than a little tweaking is needed. Even with making a muslin, different fabrics act differently. The zipper is basted in and the 3 layers, dress, inner lining & lining are all basted together. I'm planning on pinning the hem this time. Also made a bow out of inexpensive organza to make sure it is the right size and all before I make it out of the good organza. My daughter bought some beautiful trim in San Francisco (Britex, a 3 floor fabric store) for the empire seam and I have to figure out exactly where that is to go. For my daughter details are very important. I still have a bunch of covered buttons to make to.
Right now the dress is hiding in my closet, since her husband to be can't see it.
Anyway here's a progress pic to give you an idea of what the dress is looking like. Wedding dresses & teardrops have something in common, the finishing details take a ton of time.

[iplay10us2]

Well, I am back home after 2 weeks, 3870 miles and travel thru a portion of 8 states! I experienced sun, crosswinds, rain, fog, mist, hail, and tornadoes/straight line winds, but had a fantastic time!

One thing that I learned the almost hard way was to get and carry spare fuses for the fuse on the battery that came with my Silver Shadow. I pulled into my first stopover at a state park in Missouri around 6pm and when I went to turn on the interior lights and fan....NOTHING! I had just checked and charged the battery before I left, but when I pulled the battery cover off to check the battery, I saw the wiring for the in-line fuse and sure enough, that was the problem. Fortunately, one of the guys working the park office had one at the maintenance shop and brought it to me. It saved the day, and was a good lesson learned. I went to an auto parts store the next morning and bought a box of fuses to keep in the tear with me.

I also found out that I cannot put up the First Up by myself in windy conditions.

I stopped Lake Vermillion Rec Area in eastern South Dakota for a couple of nights, but when I tried to set up the canopy in what they called "normal wind", I felt like I was about to go parasailing with my canopy. I decided it wasn't worth the hassle and stress to continue my attempt at setting it up. I was able to set it up when I arrived at Custer State Park and was glad for it because I had rain/light mist everyday I was there.

I had a great time, but I am sure glad to be home.