Reflectix Window Shades

Good morning!  It's another beautiful day.  Chilly, but not cold like it usually is this time of year.  Some say lows in the 20s is downright COLD, but it could be worse, oh yes, a lot worse. We have had no single digit overnight temps and no sub zero so yes, it could be worse; has been in past winters and will be again I am sure, but for now I am loving the warmer temps and looking forward to highs in the 50s. 
Today, I want to show you the window covers I made for Freedom that have a dual purpose; covering the windows to reflect the heat of the sun and blacking out the windows for complete privacy at night. This great idea was found on http://CheapRVLiving.com , a community of like-minded people who live in mobile shelter, want to live in mobile shelter, or just curious about the life style.  Lots and lots of wonderful information on that site.

This first photo is of the black fabric applied to the Reflectix with Super 77 spray glue.  It's pretty simple, just spray the Reflectix with the glue, let it tack up a bit, then apply the black fabric (that you have pre-cut with 1/2 - 1 inch edges) by laying the fabric on the Reflectix (also precut to size for each window) and then smooth out starting from the middle and working from the center to the outside edge.  Let it dry completely and they are ready to use.  Start with the smaller windows......the large windows are kind of tricky, but the glue is a bit forgiving, so just pull it up and smooth it back down if it gives you any trouble or better yet, enlist a helper with the bigger pieces.

 This is the opposite side of the first photo.

 Here is the same shade pressed into the window with the Reflectix to the outside.

 Same window from outside the van.

This is the driver's side back window with the fabric side of the shade facing out.  Perfect night time  camouflage for stealth camping.  You cannot even tell it's anything other than Limousine tint unless you are right up to the window.  And the first person who does that is in for a rude surprise :)

When I am driving or parked and want a view, the shades are stored under the bed on top of some storage bins.  They are out of the way yet easy to get to when the time comes to use them. 

I bought the 48" x 25' Reflectix roll and there was enough for all my windows (didn't make any for the driver and passenger windows), a windshield sunscreen, cover for my Cube Cooler, and I still have enough I think for making a solar oven. 

Huge thanks to the guy who posted this technique on Cheap RV Living.  I can't remember who it was, but would love to give him credit for this so if you know, please let me know!

Have a great day!  Hugs, Shawna
 

Merry Christmas and the Flu

Flu season is in full swing.  I got my flu shot last fall, but they are saying it wasn't the correct strain.  OK. Some protection is better than none, but I am hoping this year will be as mild as last year, but in any case, I like to be prepared.  And I like to know my bathroom is clean.  The easier THAT chore is the better.  The more cost effective and chemical free the better.  

Here's a great cleaning hack from One Good Thing that I have found to be exceptionally cost effective and works great.  Homemade Cleaning Wipes.

"CLOROX" WIPES

 

1 C water

1/4 C rubbing alcohol

2 T Dawn Dish Detergent

2 T ammonia (optional according to the original recipe)

Old T-shirts cut up into wipe-size pieces.  Even a little larger won't hurt.

 

Stack your T-shirt pieces into a glass or plastic container with a tight fitting lid.  I used an empty plastic coffee "can".  Mix all the ingredients together and pour over the T-shirt pieces.

Every once in awhile, if I remember, I turn the can upside down just in case the wipes need to be remoistened.  I stuffed so many in the can that I don't think there is any of the mixture settling in the bottom, but yours might not be so full.  I have had this large coffee container with these wipes in them for months and what's left are still moist.

Use like Clorox wipes all around the house. If you leave out the ammonia you can even use these to wash your armpits and your feet.  I wouldn't use them on any sensitive areas, but maybe you're tougher than I am! ;-)  I LOVE these. Easy on your pocket book and easy on the environment.

 

IMHO it doesn't hurt to have another container on hand to put the used wipe in until you have enough for a washing.  It probably doesn't matter if you throw the used wipes into the laundry basket, but I just don't like that idea so I keep a separate container for the soiled ones. This is at home.  In the van where the toilet process is different, I wouldn't hesitate to put these in with other dirty laundry.
 

Hugs from the Two Dogs blog!  Shawna

Save where you can, so you can spend where you want.

 

 



More Details on Freedom

Hello friends!  Happy New Year!

 Before I decided to combine Two Dogs and a Single Life with my van conversion, I bought the van (Phase One) and began Phase Two (converting her to be livable), so you are going to have to use your imagination on how she looked inside before I got my hands on her and started putting the dreaming and planning into action.  I have this need to journal the process but I got ahead of myself and didn't take inside photos.

Freedom is a seven passenger vehicle:  Front seats, two middle seats, and a bench seat in the back which also happens to fold down into a bed.  This was very convenient as it meant one less thing to add to her and I could potentially take off on short trips right away since the necessity of a comfortable place to sleep was at the ready, just add bedding.

My oldest son was the one who checked her out for me and took her for a test drive and then called and said "Mom if you are going to do this, this is the one.  It's mechanically sound and in very nice condition."  OK!  Let's get this deal done!  Thank you Scott.

My youngest son helped me get the two middle seats out and they are now in my grandson's bedroom and he uses them as gaming chairs.  HA!  A dry place to store them and he has a a comfy chair in which to sit while playing his video games.  Thank you Jeremy!

So with the middle seats gone all that was left was to plug the holes where those seats were bolted to the floor and that was easily accomplished with some plastic plugs from the hardware store.  I vacuumed the rug and then began measuring and taking notes and trying to envision what would go where, what I would need, etc.  I have a file folder titled "The Van Plan" which had a few notes in it, but recently it has become stuffed with more notes and lists......the plan is in action!!

I knew I wanted to get some Reflectix for the windows to provide not only some insulation against heat and cold but also for privacy at night when parked.  I had never heard of Reflectix until reading some very good blogs on vandwelling, namely Bob Well's  www.CheapRVLiving.com and all the wonderful members of this group who contribute and share what they have done in their vehicles (and trailers, camper shells, you name it.)  There is a ton of information there and everyone is so generous with their knowledge.  Also, the VanDwelling group on Facebook started by the lovely Brenda Curtiss. I am honored to be part of her Vanily.  She also has a wonderful blog, www.LordandCurtiss.ws that has a ton of information for vandwellers along with some really good ebooks on the subject.  I devoured all these sites had to offer, sometimes my head spinning with ideas or decisions or with just the shear magnitude of choices. 

So how to finance all these things I needed for living in a van?  At present I am unemployed and there just isn't any extra cash. The tentative plan is to perhaps one day actually live in Freedom, but even if I just become a Snow Bird, I will have to downsize.  Bob's suggestion is to start getting rid of things, and I felt that I should start now and not leave something like that to some last-minute-mad dash-going-crazy event, so, I began going through my home finding things that I not longer used, wanted, or needed and I posted them on our local Swap and Trade Facebook group to get some cash to get Freedom fixed up the way I want.

This downsizing isn't something that just popped in my head.  I have been planning on downsizing and getting rid of a lot of things so that when the time comes my sons don't have as much to deal with.  I truly want to make it as easy on them as possible.  If I am living in a van with nothing but what's in Freedom, that should do the trick!  I'm making jokes, but truly it's a win-win situation for all concerned.  If I don't become a full time vandweller I have my home pared down to something manageable, and if I do become a full time vandweller, the extraneous "stuff" will be gone and the final dash to freedom in Freedom will be that much easier. 

So that's enough for today. Once I get past the "beginning" my posts will not be so long and you can join me in the process of making my new travel home a haven of comfort and convenience; please bear with me.    I leave with a couple of photos of the area surrounding the Burney Basin/Intermountain Area. It's a gorgeous place!

To seek and see and live life, rather than existing.  This is part of the plan. 

 

 

Burney Falls

 



Mt. Lassen



Mt. Shasta



I didn't take these photos and because they were taken off the Internet and so small, they are a bit fuzzy at the medium setting.  Thanks for stopping by Two Dogs today!  Hugs, Shawna

Why I Make My Own Cleaning Products

About ten years ago I became sensitive to a lot of chemicals.  It started out while I was driving truck as part of a team and my sensitivity to the smell of diesel got worse over time. Not only the diesel, which gave me horrible headaches, but one particular incident comes to mind as the turning point when I realized that I needed to quit breathing these things. 

We were somewhere in Missouri and I was out for a walk and I still don't know what it was that triggered a sneezing fit, but it went on and on and my eyes watered, my chest tightened and I have been more sensitive than ever since that time. Some cleaning products I simply cannot be around, period.  Here is a great article by Sophie Gratton on the chemicals found in a lot of our cleaning products.

The best way to be able to fight the battle properly against harmful cleaning products is to be prepared. Knowing the name of the most common and most dangerous chemicals, as well as their potential effects on you and your family is the best plan of attack. Here is the list of the top 5 most harmful chemicals found in cleaning products.

1. Diethylene glycol: Found in many commercial window and glass cleaners. The main danger is when diethylene glycol is ingested. The effects can be mild to very dangerous and can include gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea)  depression, kidney and renal failure, neurological complications such as lethargy, paralysis, coma and even death.
2. Phenols: Phenols  are difficult to avoid in cleaning products because it is present in almost all antibacterial cleaners and disinfectant, and is a very common ingredient in detergents and all-purpose cleaners. Depending on how phenol is absorbed (skin contact, inhaled or ingested) the potential effects of phenol on health can be severe eye, nose, throat and skin irritation, headache, shortness of breath, coma, convulsions, organ damage and death.
3. Formaldehyde:  Formaldehyde is in so many things. When it comes to cleaning products, formaldehyde is found in air and carpet deodorizers, fabric softener and furniture polish.  It is known to cause cancer in humans.  You can make better products or eliminate some (like furniture polish), do your health a favor, AND save a lot of money. 
4. Butyl cellosolve: Butyl cellosolve is uncommon in major US or Canada cleaning product brands but it can be found in products at discount stores and some inexpensive brand name products. Be aware when purchasing discount cleaning products for your windows, bathroom and tiles, all-purpose cleaners and kitchen disinfectants. Butyl cellosolve is suspected to damage the nervous system, liver, kidneys and even bone marrow.  Better to make your own!!!
5. Petroleum solvents: Found in furniture polishes and floor cleaners, these solvents are known irritants to mucus membranes in the mouth, nose, ears and eyes. They can also hidden in our food as they are  used to clean machinery that process food.

Not everyone takes the time to read the labels when purchasing cleaning products, and we are even at a disadvantage when it comes to the  manufacturer as they are not required by law to list all the ingredients in cleaning products like they are in cosmetics. I think we become immune to the dangers of the products we buy to keep our homes clean even if we do read those labels.  And I think our health is suffering for it. 

 

So I began making my own cleaning products as a way to clean my home without suffering for it, and then realized I was saving a lot of money. Now, the more I do and the more items I find that can be made easily and so much cheaper at home, the more I want to do.  I know many of you do not have a lot of extra time and adding "homemade cleaning products" to your to-do list is not very appealing, but I think your and your family's health will be the better for it.  And the best part is, so much of it is made from some of the same ingredients so this could be perfect for vandwelling. And just think of the things you could do or buy when you are saving all that money!!! 

Save where you can so you can spend where you want.  And your lungs will thank you for ridding your home (or travel vehicle) of all those chemicals.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hugs, Shawna

 

Let's Take the Blog in a Different Direction

Hello my friends!  I hope you are ready for Christmas, it's just days away, and 2015 is breathing down our necks.  I try not to dwell on that for long.  Ha!

With much thought I want to share something with you that I hope will be pleasing to all.  Two Dogs has always been a little mish mash of this, that, and the other, and I want to continue in that vein while taking the blog in a slightly different direction.  Maybe "adding to the blog" would be a better term as I want to continue with inexpensive recipes for household cleaning supplies, easier ways to do things, and some gardening tips and tricks along with the occasional recipe.  But after the realization of a dream of mine ---to have a way to do some travelling---my life is going to take a bit of a different turn , and my hope is that I can combine the old with the new and it might be beneficial to all who like to read my blog.

As some of you are aware I have purchased an older van and am in the process of converting it into something I can not only travel in but also live in. I am not that far from retirement (oh please come sooner rather than later!) and would, at the very least, like to become a Snow Bird and get out of dodge during the winter months. There are a few things holding me back from going now, but in any case Phase One --- buying the vehicle-- is completed and I am now in Phase Two, fixing it up. I want to journal the process and hope that you will be interested in it also. 

I think adding another facet to the blog focusing on the transformation of my van--who I have named Freedom--will fit right in as so many of the household tips would be beneficial to vandwellers as well. Also, I believe that organization on a smaller scale would benefit many who live in a stick and brick residence and could simply apply it on a larger scale if it was something that appealed to them.

So let's give it a try and see how it goes.

For the first post I want to introduce you to Freedom.  Here she is, a 1998 Ford E150.   She has been very well taken care of and runs like a champ.  I did have a wee bit of anxiety when the gentleman I bought her from said "Honey, it's going to take a hundred dollar bill to fill 'er up", but he left her with a half tank of fuel and the price of fuel has dropped over a dollar since I bought her.  I am liking that!

So Merry Christmas one and all and my wish for you is a stellar, healthy, happy 2015!
Hugs, Shawna
 

Update to Laundry Soap II

Hi there!  Thanks for reading Two Dogs today.  This is a quick little post to update the laundry soap formula.   The original post has the ingredients listed as:

3 Tablespoons Borax
3 Tablespoons Washing Soda (washing soda, not baking soda)
2 Tablespoons Dawn Ultra Dish Detergent

I have increased the amount of Dawn Ultra Dish Detergent to 3 T instead of 2.  I thought it might give a tiny bit more oomph, but it's mainly because 3,3,3 is easier to remember!

I also want to report that I have not had a sinus headache since I started using this formula (original or new proportions either one).  Still have chronic sinusitis, but the all-too-frequent headaches that were so dibilitating are gone.  I am sooooo thankful for that.  Ban those yucky chemicals added to the cleaning products we use to clean our homes, do our laundry, and freshen our bodies, and make your own!!!  I think you will be pleasantly surprised, not to mention you'll have a quite a few more coins to rub together. 

My motto has become:  'Scrimp where you can, so you can spend where you want'.  Hmmmmmm, I think I will add that to my banner. 

OK , gotta run.  Have a wonderful week!

Hugs, Shawna

A Dog Day Afternoon

Hi there!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Yesterday I spent a dog day afternoon.  Yes, it was quite warm outside, but I am not referring to the weather.  I spent the afternoon making dog beds!  The days are getting shorter and even though the afternoons are very warm, the mornings are very cool. 

The Chiweenie Brothers -- and I think most small dogs --- do not like to be cold.  I jokingly call Fries "The Heatalator" because his body temperature is high and having him snuggle up to me is like having a small electric heater against my skin.  Yes, he is a warm one and he likes to stay that way.  Charlie isn't quite as warm blooded but he, too, likes to snuggle and be warm.  And winter is coming! 

So while cruising the internet looking for something completely unrelated I ran across a site called Craftsy and they were offering a wad of free patterns for all kinds of things.  This little envelope bed was one of them.  You can whip one up really fast. I made two envelope beds and a sleep pillow (Burger had to have something, too!) in just a couple of hours.  You can find the directions HERE. 

After a few rounds of musical dog beds, they chose which one they wanted and curled up for a little siesta. Just look at Fries' sweet little face.  Doesn't he look content?  And Charlie is already in doggie dreamland.  The Chiweenie Brothers will be warm and cozy always. 

 Burger doesn't look too pleased with his.  He would rather have one of the Chiweenie Brothers' beds!!   I think he knows I used some fleece I cut up for dog blankets many moons ago and he is having none of that!  We'll work it out..................

So we have two warm, content chiweenies and an upset wire hair.  BUT,  these beds cost me a fraction of what one has to pay for a dog bed in the stores or on-line.  I chose the fleece from Joanns.com (it was on sale for half off and I love the cute paw print pattern) a bag of poly fill-- also on sale--and had a coupon for free shipping.  I made the beds a bit smaller than the designer's thus using less fleece, so that was a savings, too.  You can make the beds any size you need; just remember, fleece is 54" wide.

Thank for stopping by Two Dogs.  Hugs, Shawna