• Storage and recycling becomes necessity with limited space. You can’t buy much and bring it home, since there is not an extra closet or space for storage.
• Water consumption is lower, a 6 gallon water heater shortens the morning shower!
• Grey water is separate and can be captured for use in a garden or for plants. We will be growing container vegetables and herbs.
• Electricity is controlled by a 30 amp plug at the utility pole. If you have too many appliances on at once, you blow your circuit breaker.
• Heating and cooling a smaller space is more efficient.
• Natural air and ventilation help maintain climate control. We used open ventilation, screen doors, and fans much more to control buildup of humidity and condensation in the smaller space.

All of these things led to a much greater awareness of recycling trash (no room for a big kitchen garbage can), using items only as needed, and understanding the space and environment we were connected to. The outside and inside began to blur and we were much more connected all weekend. It wasn’t camping, we were quite comfortable. But it was full-time living with nature and raised our awareness of activities for our best interests.

The journey officially begins in May after we finish renovating our 1998 Fleetwood Bounder. We will move into our RV and live in it “full-timing.” Not necessarily traveling, but mostly parked at RV sites in our metro area. Weekends will be spent in town or at our land where we will work on developing a weekend getaway in the country.

After months of research and test drives, we purchased the RV last month from Best PreOwned RV and have started some basic updates and renovations. The 35’ gas powered RV has been mechanically checked and the onboard living appliances tested. We just replaced the carpet with new flooring, but didn’t quite get the chance to make sure the new wood was as earth friendly as possible before installation. It may come out someday and be recycled for something more sustainable, but we will work with what we have for now. We have ordered no V.O.C. paint from the helpful staff at www.newliving.net and are currently deciding on countertop and tankless water heater options. One of our goals is to decrease our footprint, be more earth friendly and responsible towards our self and our neighbors. So far, pretty good. Anticipation is building!

The biggest challenge is rightsizing, but we are finding it easier than expected. So far, quite a few large pieces of furniture have been placed in new homes through Craigslist and we continue to sort smaller items for upcoming garage sales and charitable donations. Some objects definitely hold memories attached, but letting some of those go for new adventures and travels seems like a fair trade when we wrestle with it a few days. The steadily reducing clutter is keeping us focused. Our new life will cause some choices, but we are looking forward to it and the lessons along the way.

How does this fit on the Ready Queen’s blog? We are planning on this providing us with options. Options to be more financially secure, live a responsible life, develop a second homesite outside of Houston for weather related emergencies and allow us to focus on simple living. Not the answer for everyone, but one we find is right and rightsized.