They say, “What comes around, goes around.” My husband, retired for eight years, started his career as an engineer. In fact, in addition to a B.S. in engineering from Florida State, he also earned a master’s degree. After about 10 years working for DuPont (he actually designed fibers for pantyhose!), he and his former wife and sons returned to Florida, and he opened a muffler shop. Later, he became a travel agent, the occupation from which he retired.
But there is no doubt: He is an engineer at heart. He is happiest when he can find and correct problems or design a way to fix them. For the last several weeks, he’s been in “hog heaven,” because he’s back to fixing things.
Ed, the fellow who sold us our RV, was frustrated he could not find a competent, reliable part-time RV technician. Since he deals in used motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels, something always has to be fixed. I’m not sure how it happened, but Jim has been working for Ed part-time—and loving almost every minute of it. He says, “It’s wonderful. I’m getting paid to learn how to do the things I need to do on our own motorhome.” So, every morning, I take him to work, and return in the evening, finding him covered with grit and grease and smiling broadly.
I think, though, he’s feeling like it’s time to slow that part-time job down and finish with “Baby.” Somehow that’s the affectionate name he has given our RV.
We haven’t gone out yet. One reason is because of the work he’s doing. Another is because we thought Baby was sold. We still have it sitting in the RV lot while Ed finishes getting permits for his storage area, which will open soon. (We can’t store it at home—deed restrictions.) Since it is sitting there, we have a price tag on it, and a woman put money down, telling Ed she was due for a bonus check within two weeks. The two weeks stretched into three, and finally she backed out of the deal. Not a problem, except that Jim stopped fixing Baby up and checking it out during that time.
Now, though, all systems seem to be good. The frig works; the heater works; the air conditioning works; the sewage system works. Everything except the entertainment system. It appears that a new one was installed but not completely wired! I have faith my personal engineer will figure it all out—very soon.
This Reluctant RoVer is starting to get antsy to hit the road!
Until next time,
Linda
Linda@segallenterprises.com