Category Archives: A Girl & Her Tools

Finding Joy in Small Successes

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There are moments in my life when I take great pride in my accomplishments and moments when I find joy in this continuing journey. I like feeling proud and accomplished for a job well done. It is good to stretch my knowledge and experience and know I can do more and be more. Feeling accomplished leads to feeling joyful. I attempt to look for those moments, large or small, that offer me the feeling of joy.

I have had a slow leak in the rear tire of my road bike. To deal with it, I pumped it up at the beginning of a ride and hoped it would still be OK after fifteen miles. I have been doing this for a while, and it has worked. Two days ago, I was out riding the Bay, and the tire was too soft after ten miles. Finally, I had to address this situation.

My Bike Feeling Picturesque

Before Jim died, I would have gone to him, and he would fix anything with my bike or car. If I had a flat while cycling, all it took was one phone call, and Jim would arrive to rescue me. Now, I have to think about calling Lyft or fixing that tire on the fly. That sounds easy, but changing a tire, especially a rear one, requires time, patience, and muscle.

Yesterday, I decided to change the tube on that tire. I did not have all the necessary tools; where did that bike tool set go? With the help of one tire tool and a few kitchen tools (the mother of invention), I successfully changed the inner tube and was up for a 15-mile ride around the bay.

Pride, oh yes, I feel proud. Whenever I tackle something independently and succeed, I feel proud of myself. I also know that the correct tools will be present next time, making it easier for me to accomplish this task. This is good pride. This is joy.

Joy has been on my mind often lately. I have been considering what gives me joy every day. What are the little things that make me smile each day? Yesterday, successfully changing that tire was a moment of joy at a well-done task. Pride and Joy.

Yesterday, I was at Starbucks, and one of the baristas came by to give me a free sample of Christmas coffee and bread. It made me smile and feel special. Joy at work.

What has brought me joy as I traveled over the past spring and summer? Friends, oh yes, Friends. My life would be so lonely without the love and support of new and long-time friends. I met people on Vancouver Island this summer who have invited me back to visit and live with them. How cool is that? I have people who have embraced me and made me feel treasured and valued. They have invited me into their homes and driveways, making me feel unique and loved. That is definitely Joy.

Unlimited joy, large and small, has come in the form of a little brown bird, Birdie Boy. When I think of my time in the Northwest, I immediately think of Whidbey Island, Jim and Sandy, Robyn and Tom. They think I am wonderful, and the feeling is mutual.

Mostly, I think of Birdie Boy.

How can a little brown song sparrow infuse me with such joy? How can Birdie Boy still remember me two years later? How can he express such joy at seeing me again? He leads his own life, yet I show up, and his and my world stop. We met on the deck in the spring of this year. He sat atop my computer screen and chitted at me non-stop. We had a lot to catch up on. My heart expands with great and small joy when I think of all my encounters with him. Who knew this little brown bird would be so crucial in my healing from the loss of Jim twelve years ago

I love my camera. I love being out in the wild, taking photos of birds, animals, and just about anything. Nature always cheers me up. My photos can bring me such joy. I love looking through my pictures and picking out my favorite of the day.

Socks…New socks! A few days ago I bought 3 pair of new socks. I love putting them on. I love their colors. Their softness is delightful. New soft cushy socks equals joy.

I must note those moments of accomplishment and joy in my life. When things look a little dark or sad, I find that if I can recall one moment of pleasure in the day I am in or from the past, my mood lightens, and things don’t look as bad. Finding joy, no matter how small, reminds me of life’s magic. It helps me take another step forward and often reminds me that I am not alone.

What are your small or significant moments of joy?

What have you accomplished that has made you feel joyful and proud? Please share in the comments. I would enjoy seeing them in print.

Today, I am Thankful. I am grateful for my friends. I am thankful for the little and big moments of success in a job well done. I am thankful for any wee moments of joy in my life.

Today, I am Thankful.

Feeling a Sense of Accomplishment

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There are times in my life that I get frustrated with the everyday world. I would like everything to run smoothly and efficiently without any attention from me. This is not how my normal everyday works. I bet it is not how yours works, either.

When I first got my rig I decided upfront that I was going to hire someone to do any needed repairs. That type of thinking did not last long. Before I knew it I was under the rig, in the engine, and fixing anything that might have needed fixing. I am, after all, my father’s daughter. My two sisters are my father’s daughters as well.

I am not the most gentle of RVers. I travel on dirt roads and small country roads. I don’t particularly like freeway or highway driving. At least once a year I go through my rig and tighten screws, replacing them if need be. It is good to do home checks.

My refrigerator in my RV is a little workhorse. And I mean “little”. It has seen wear over time. It has been jostled. It has been filled to the hilt. More than a year ago the door started to show some issues. I decided that while I was stationary I was going to work on it.

It was not easy work. It required new tools, new thoughts, and ideas. My door was sliding off the bottom pin. Although it would close I could never guarantee that when I opened it that it wouldn’t slide off the pin. Thanks to J&B Weld and my trusty Dremel tool I created new holes to support the pins.

Of course while I was working on that I decided to buy some contact wall paper and add it to the front door panel so that it would look spiffy. It covers the dents and scratches and looks brand new.

Of course, as I was finishing that project I discovered that my door latch no longer worked. After perusing the YouTube Videos I discovered what needed to be done. In the process, I broke some of the plastic and finally bought a new latch. The latch that came out so easy did not go back in that way. I contacted my favorite everything Roadtrek person and with the help and encouragement of Campskunk, my latch is now in place and my refrigerator door has the sweetest click.

The Workhorse is Back.

When I tackle projects, such as this, I feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride. I am glad I can ask for help and ideas. I am glad when it all works out. I am glad my door won’t come off. I am really glad I have a snazzy refrigerator that is ready to take on the next road trip. Yep it is an afternoon of feeling good.

On to the next project.

A Girl & Her Tools

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When Jim and I were a team, I used to tease him about trips to Home Depot. He would walk into the store and immediately developed this glazed look in his eyes. He loved Home Depot and any other store that had tools and other items that he could dream about.

While I still owned my home, I began to appreciate his tools. I soon found myself walking into Home Depot and developing that same glazed look on my face. My first purchase was a battery-run drill. I love that little drill. It is in a cool orange case with different drill bits. I have added new bits as I have needed them.

Since then I have purchased more tools. With each one, I read about them and learn how to use them properly. I carry my tools with me in my rig. I actually find I enjoy looking at them and trying them out.

My second purchase was a riveter so I could replace the cabinet latches in my rig. When I first tried it out, I was so excited to see how easy it was to complete the job. The right tool makes it so much easier.

I recently decided to take Jim’s Dremel Tool out of storage and add it to the items in my rig. I really like the Dremel tool. I have used it with a diamond sander to repair my windows. They now fit so much more snuggly. There are no leaks and when it gets cold, down to the 30’s tomorrow night, my Roadtrek is warmer. The right tool for the right job, that is what I say now.

 

Two weeks ago I sold a computer desk and file cabinet out of my storage unit, in San Diego. The people who bought it were having trouble putting it in their SUV. We needed a screwdriver to take screws out of a shelf so there was more room to fit the two pieces in the car. Those screws were tight. I immediately said, “wait I have a drill” and went to my rig to get it out. Within a few seconds, all the stubborn screws were loose. Both the desk and the file cabinet fit into the back of their SUV and they were on their way.

More evidence to prove the right tool for the right job.

When I first purchased my sweet little Roadtrek, I told myself that if anything went wrong with it I was going to find someone to repair it. It is amazing how that has changed. Unless it is totally out of my league, I will attempt to fix it myself. It is not unusual to find me creeping under the rig to look around. If something is held in place better, with a few zip ties, out they come and the job is done.

I appreciate the encouragement other RV owners have given me to try solutions first. When something is new I ask for instruction, in person or on the web. If it looks doable and will not cause irreparable harm I will give it a try.

Being involved with repairs has helped me to learn more about my rig. I find I don’t panic as much when something goes wrong. I can take a deep breath, and see if I can figure out a solution.

What is fun for me is to be able to offer my tools to men and women in need. I can even tell them how to use them. I was proud of my little drill in the orange case the other night. I was proud that I could bring it along and get the job done.

I am proud to be a girl and her tools.