***************************************************************** THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter ***************************************************************** Dec, 2003 ***************************************************************** This newsletter has grown from a few friends in 1997 to 8800+ friends in 2003. It seems that we must be doing something right, so we will continue to do so. Many of us converse on the RVerscorner Bulletin board ... and all are welcome there ... posting rules are moderate and there are many fine people who help with questions and answers. Check it out at: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus Inside this issue: - Holiday Greetings - HOW TO MAKE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS STICK By: Dr. Donald E. Wetmore - THE PERFECT RV by Peggi McDonald Classified Ad Section: About the RVer's Corner Newsletter: ***************************************************************** Holiday Greetings to all and may 2004 be a great RV'ing year! Thanks everyone for making 2003 a banner year for this newsletter and the RVers Corner Bulletin Board. Many discussions and helpful answers on the board made RVing more fun and stress free for many readers and participants. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Les Doll ***************************************************************** HOW TO MAKE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS STICK By: Dr. Donald E. Wetmore At the beginning of each year so many of us commit to changes and worthy goals to be accomplished in the next twelve months only to be disappointed come next December 31 when we discover we are no closer to achieving those resolutions than we were on January 1. The noble resolutions we made early on became unstuck. So I looked at this dilemma and created four useful suggestions to increase the probability that your New Year's resolutions will stick this year. 1. Quantify it. Sometimes we are just too vague about what we want. Therefore, a resolution such as, "I want to lose weight this year" will probably fail. It is too vague. How much weight? Be specific. What would your ideal weight be, less what do you weigh now, is what you are going after. It is not enough to resolve that; "I want enough money in the bank this year". Quantify. What specific amount would soothe your soul? 2. Set a deadline. Resolutions that are to be achieved "as soon as possible" wind up in the heap of "Someday I'll". Deadlines are commitments. Without a deadline as a self-imposed pressure point, getting started is easily postponed. You see, deadlines put us on the line and define when failure occurs. Deadlines also help us to break the resolution down into little bite-sized pieces. For example, if your goal is to lose 25 pounds by June 30, that translates into approximately 4 pounds per month, one pound per week, or a daily reduction of caloric intake (or an increase in daily caloric burn) of just 500 calories per day. Now that's manageable. 500 calories a day is easy to achieve. 25 pounds seems like a leap across the Grand Canyon. Until we quantify our goal, set a deadline, then break it down to its daily requirements, the resolution will forever seem unattainable. 3. Change one or two things at a time. We generally do not like change in the first place. We seek the familiar and avoid the strange. The more change you put yourself through, the higher the probability your campaign will collapse. Focus in on one or two of the more important resolutions you seek to accomplish this year. When you achieve one or the other, start on the next one. Don't overwhelm yourself with too much change all at once. 4. Be realistic. There's just something about the start of a new year that gets us all wound up for changes in our lives, sometimes extraordinary and unrealistic changes. We become much like the child in the candy store whose eyes are bigger than his stomach. Be realistic. You can only accomplish a certain amount within a period of time. Don't saddle yourself with unrealistic resolutions that will only spell failure later on. Don Wetmore-Professional Speaker Productivity Institute Time Management Seminars 127 Jefferson St. Stratford, CT 06615 (203) 386-8062 (800) 969-3773 Fax: (203) 386-8064 email:ctsem@msn.com Visit our Supersite: http://www.balancetime.com ***************************************************************** The Perfect RV by Peggi McDonald Recently I've received several e-mails asking for suggestions as to what contributes to a perfect RV. John and I have been fulltiming for more than two decades so what we want in an RV is much different than someone who is buying your first RV or a unit for an occasional getaway. If your RV will become a mobile cottage then you may not need all the things we find important. John and I were not privileged to drive a diesel pusher until 14 years after we began fulltiming. Our first RV's did not have everything on this list and you do not need to add it all either. The listings below from John and I will give you an idea of some of the comfort extras that are available. John's wish list: Some of this we have and some he would love to have. Outside Ø Diesel Pusher---minimum 300 HP (our unit) but up to 350 HP (300 no longer available) would be great. Ø Pac (or Jake) Brake (Exhaust brake is a plus to standard engine braking - great for mountains travel. Ø Six-Speed Allison Transmission with synthetic fluid, (150,000 miles between changes). Ø HWH Jacks- self-levelling hydraulic type with push-button control. Ø Unit built on a heavy-duty chassis. Ø Air-drive suspension. Ø Back-up camera. Ø Inverter 2500 watts - makes living on the move so convenient - almost a must Ø 30 and 50 Amp electric connections. Ø Six-volt golf-cart style house batteries Ø Power Line Monitor to protect from power surges and brownouts - (Ours protected us for 8 years). Note: A surge from a blown transformer destroyed the contractor in our PLM last September. We will never know how many appliances would have been destroyed without its protection. Ø 7.5 or 8 KW diesel or propane generator (quiet model). Ø Drivers door for safety and convenience (reference fire or extending the jacks). Not always available. Ø Fuel tank 100-150 gal (US). Ø Fuel fill on both sides. Ø Quiet water pump. Ø 10 gal propane and electric combo water heater. Ø Easy access electrical connection box for 12 volt Inside Ø Roof-mounted satellite dish (we have a manual set-up - automatic versions also available). Combined TV satellite and GPS system - Internet access would also be appreciated. Ø 42" Plasma TV (on our wish list) Ø 10 disk CD Player plus other technical toys (we have a single CD player). Ø We love our basement air/furnace/fan unit, controlled by wall thermostat control. Ø Vented ceiling for air and floor for furnace. Peggi's wish list: We have the following pluses in this unit, I really want for little else than what we have. But remember this is our only home. If your RV is primarily used for weekends or short vacation getaways (rather than a fulltime home) much less will be necessary to enjoy a perfect getaway. There are also some great gas models on the market as well. Amenities we have that would be difficult to do without at this point: Ø Tinted windows to keep out the sun and add privacy protection. Ø Thermal pane windows enhance insiude insulation but the seals leak so a lifetime warranty is a must. Ø Quality main awning - shorter than 18 feet doesn't require a center bar.. Ø Matching window awnings ALL around (improved models surface regularly). Ø Cloth type awning fabric wears well, dries faster and looks classy - preferred to the regular vinyl fabric. Ø I prefer a center door floor plan over a front door design - because of my driving position/escape route.. Ø Automatic box-style two-level retractable step rather than individual steps. Inside Ø Bedroom and living room slides add space (but weigh the pros and cons of maintenance etc.) Ø Light wood throughout gives the image of more space - my preference but maybe not yours. Ø Wooden blinds add a touch of class - on the move we keep them in the 'up' position to eliminate rattle. In the past we have had woven, day/night and small slat style blinds but my choice is wooden. Ø Wall switches for all long lasting ceiling florescent 'Thin-lites'. Ø Extra large 'Passenger Seat' is more comfortable for long days. Ø Limited carpet - when possible exchange carpet for a washable style floor surfaces such as ceramic tile or vinyl planking type flooring. Upkeep is so much easier. Bathroom Ø Large shower (with a deep tub area). Ø China bowl toilet with ball type valve. Ø An open expansive bath/dressing room. Ø Good size medicine cabinet. Ø Washer/Dryer Combo (a must). Living/Kitchen Area Ø 2 TV's - one large in front and a smaller one in back. Ø Stereo, VCR (my technical ability doesn't include understanding other electronic toys). Ø Micro-convection. Ø Stovetop burners only - sunken style complete with counter top level cover. Ø No propane oven, the space from the oven makes a convenient place to store pots and pans. Ø Double Door side-by-side fridge (not one in our unit but what I wish I had). Ø Separate icemaker. Ø Corian counters. Ø 2-3 Fantastic Vents (a ceiling fan would be nice). Ø Abundant upper cupboards, especially over the couch and dining area. Ø All cabinetry should be hardwood, not veneer finish. Ø Central vacuum (without carpet we use it mainly to clean furnace vents) - suction is adequate. In the Bedroom Ø A wide shirt closets above each bedside end table should include shelves as well as hanging rod. Ø Drawers rather than a cupboard below bedside tables. Ø Queen size bed preferred - king size limits walk around room. Ø Large floor to ceiling cedar-lined wardrobe with a round hanging rod rather than triangle hooks. Add-on extras that enhance living and driving. Outside Ø Steer Safe (side to side stabilizing chocks on front tires). This coach does not have them but our two previous units did. Ø Towbar that fits into the motorhome receptacle rather than the ball type connections Ø A window awning that fits beneath the main patio awning (to provide shade on days when it is too windy to have the big awning extended - a door light prevented us from adding one on this coach. Ø If a new unit has a front door design, an awning over that door is a must Inside Ø Spacious Floor design with or without slides - redesign if necessary. Ø Lounge chair seating in the living room rather than sofa design(s) - our new modifications reflect this. Ø Ceiling fan if space allows (a friend added one in place of a roof vent). Ø Mirrored walls will open everything up -(kitchen, bath, bedroom). They can be added after purchase. Peggi and John are RV Lifestyle Consultants, Webhosts of the Information Site For ALL RVers--- http://www.rvliving.net. Peggi is author of Spirit of the Open Road and e-books RV Living: Facts, Tips, Hints and More. Vol I and II. ***************************************************************** The RVers Corner welcomes Camping World to our list of sponsors! Get more info and a fr-ee Camping World catalog here! Plus !!! the RVers Corner gets $.25 for every catalog requested ... every little '2 bits' help to maintain this website and this newsletter! Help the RVers Corner and get your catalog now! Save 25% off our regular rate of $19.95 when you join the President's Club today! Dear RV and Camping Enthusiast, At Camping World, we believe in offering quality products at the very best price. Camping World's President's Club helps you save even more. PLUS, take advantage of exclusive club benefits designed to match your recreational lifestyle. Only $14.95 for one full year! (Reg $19.95) AND ... Take an extra 10% off Camping World's already low prices everyday A free subscription to RV View magazine "Members Only" Special Sale Pricing, plus much more! To take advantage of this special offer and learn more about the money-saving benefits the President's Club has to offer! It only takes a minute to ensure savings all year long. http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html ***************************************************************** The NEW Rvers Corner Bulletin Board Come join in the discussions on the web's newest RV discussion group! No password or account set-up is needed. Just post your message or browse the categories! Pictures can be posted - just follow the instructions under the Help section. Have fun! http://www.rverscorner.com/discus ***************************************************************** Working on the road A fellow stopped at a rural gas station and, after filling his tank, he paid the bill and bought a soft drink. He stood by his car to drink his cola and he watched a couple of men working along the roadside. One man would dig a hole two or three feet deep and then move on. The other man came along behind and filled in the hole. While one was digging a new hole, the other was about 25 feet behind filling in the old. The men worked right past the fellow with the soft drink and went on down the road. "I can't stand this," said the man tossing the can in a trash container and heading down the road toward the men. "Hold it, hold it," he said to the men. "Can you tell me what's going on here with this digging?" "Well, we work for the county government, " one of the men said. "But one of you is digging a hole and the other is filling it up. You're not accomplishing anything. Aren't you wasting the county's money?" "You don't understand, mister," one of the men said, leaning on his shovel and wiping his brow. "Normally there's three of us--me, Rodney and Mike. I dig the hole, Rodney sticks in the tree and Mike here puts the dirt back." "Yea," piped up Mike. "Now just because Rodney's sick, that don't mean we can't work, does it?" ***************************************************************** CLASSIFIED ADS ***************************************************************** NEW RV HOME VIDEOS and DVDs RV Education 101 presents home videos (and now DVDs) on how to operate everything on an RV. The VHS videos are very useful to anyone new to RVing. RV Education 101 is offering FOUR new e-books "RV Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing", "Checklists for RVers", "101 Tips for RVrs" and "Pop-Up Basics" Read more, or order at: http://www.rverscorner.com/rvvideo.html ***************************************************************** The New FLO-JET Water Pump The performance and reliability you’ve always wished for in a pump can now be yours. Flojet’s unique Variable Speed Drive system needs no pressure switch. Its microprocessor provides precise speed control to match the system demand. As more water is needed, the motor drives the pump for more flow. As the demand lessens, the motor slows to a super-quiet speed, yet maintains a steady pressure. Se more at: http://www.rverscorner.com/flo-jet.html ***************************************************************** The RV'ers Corner is pleased to announce our affiliation with Camping World! Help support the RV'ers Corner and get a free Camping World Catalog mailed to your door! The RVers Corner gets a quarter for every catalog request! Get your fr-ee Camping World catalog here! http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html ***************************************************************** Aluria's Spyware Eliminator Your privacy is being invaded. What you are doing on your computer is being watched right now. There are companies that know you are looking at this page. They know what you typed to your family, friends and coworkers. They know what you are emailing to people. They watch your IMs. Hackers are watching to capture your credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information. The online world is no longer safe. UNTIL NOW. http://www.rverscorner.com/aluria.html ***************************************************************** !!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!! Les Doll - RV Technician My advice is fr-ee and worth only what you gain from it! E-mail address mailto:webmaster@rverscorner.com The RVers Corner - http://www.rverscorner.com/ Visit the RV'ers Corner bulletin board: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus The RVers Corner Newsletter is a monthly newsletter dedicated to enhancing the RV experience - you are being sent this newsletter as a result of subscribing to the RV Corner mailing list. If you wish to unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. We value each one of our subscribers, and you may be assured that we will protect your privacy. We do not share our mailing list with anyone. Les Doll Meet the webmaster at: http://www.rverscorner.com/bio.html ***************************************************************** We hope that this newsletter will prove valuable to you and we strive to bring fresh, new content with every issue. If you wish to contribute an article or relate a tip that you have learned, please e-mail me. ***************************************************************** To UNSUBSCRIBE please go to: http://www.rverscorner.com/newsltr.html We'll miss you!