Hot Water!!

Kate recently asked me how I heat water in my van, so this quick little post is to answer that.

Spoken like a true fellow-tea-fanatic, she said "If I can have my black tea in the morning I can live anywhere."

Glad to know I'm not the only one...

In my van, I use a lightweight GSI 1-quart teapot and a Max Burton butane stove for heating water for tea or oatmeal, cooking soup, and similar simple stuff.

The Stove: There are all sorts of portable butane stoves out there, and this is the one I just happened to pick. I just LOVE this one, although I'm sure they all work about the same. It is surprisingly lightweight and portable, and it came with a nice hard plastic case measuring 13" wide, 11.5" tall, and 4.25" thick. For fuel, the stove requires the use of generic disposable butane canisters (7.8 oz each), which can be ordered online or bought at local hardware and camping stores. You just make sure the ignition knob is turned to "Off," pop in your butane canister (notched-out section up), push down a lever to lock it in place, and then turn the dial (piezo-electric ignition). It lights just like a normal stove and it is extremely easy to use. Lets see... it comes apart easy (simple to clean), is very sturdy (made of metal & porcelain-enamel coated steel), and a butane canister really lasts for quite a while. Even if you aren't a traveler or vehicle dweller, I recommend having one of these in your home in case of emergencies.

I have read online in several places that portable butane stoves are safe to use in a vehicle, BUT I don't totally believe that and want to emphasize caution. I don't use the stove in a totally enclosed space without having windows open and some air flow, because "when oxygen is limited, burning butane can form carbon monoxide." (I stole that line from Wikipedia). Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is extremely poisonous.

The Tea-Kettle: I chose this teapot because I originally really wanted a lightweight one for backpacking, and I saw it on Two-Knives-Katie's site. She said she loved hers, and I can now agree - It is a totally cool little kettle. It's extremely lightweight (1/3 pound), since it is made of Halulite, and holds just the right amount of water (32 oz). The lid doesn't stay on the tightest (doesn't really matter I guess), and I do wish the handles weren't coated since I think they could eventually melt... but otherwise I think this is an excellent little teapot. If I didn't already have this one, though, I might try the Brunton aluminum kettle. It has excellent ratings which say that the lid fits tight, and it looks to me like the handles aren't coated with a meltable material. My kettle works GREAT though, and water boils extremely fast inside it! That is all that really matters.

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Totally apart from that set-up, I do have a backup stove that is mainly for backpacking. Dan the Handyman used some online instructions to make me a tiny little Heineken-can Penny Stove that burns denatured alcohol (easy to get anywhere). I'm not kidding when I say TINY and perfect for backpacking. I could use this in my van, too, if I were out of butane and unable to find any. For now I just keep my little penny-stove inside my bugout bag.

Since I'm on a list-kick lately, my mini BOB (bugout bag)/backpacking cookset consists of:

Snow Peak 700 titanium pot with metal lid (holds everything!!)

JetBoil plastic lid (happens to fit tightly on the Snow Peak 700 & has a slit for draining liquid or drinking out of)
dish scrub pad
Snow Peak 450 single-walled mug (can also put this right over a flame)

bandana (used as a potholder)
penny stove (in the mesh bag that came with the Snow Peak 450)

a penny for my penny stove (or for your thoughts)
homemade coat-hanger pot stand

homemade wind-screen

mesh bag that goes over the Snow Peak 700 (so I guess this technically holds everything)

ITEMS TO HAVE (for vandwelling & emergencies)

Everybody's idea varies a little in terms of what they "need," so these lists are just based on my personal opinions. PLEASE comment with your own suggestions OR things that you keep in your van!! Also let me know if you want to see photos of anything.

I'm sure I will eventually remember to add more things that I had forgotten and also more specifics about certain products, so this list is an ongoing "work in progress," so to speak. I know it's very long, but I do use everything listed; If I don't use it, I lose it. I'm also an organizational nut if you haven't figured that out already, so there's an actual place for all this stuff in my van.

VanDwelling Items (What's in my Van):

Glove Box:
vehicle insurance & registration
envelope containing important AAA membership info
pen
pencil
99¢ poncho
black Sharpie permanent marker
small spiral notepad (blank)
small log-book for gas info (prices, mileage, fill-ups) & maintenance info (parts, repairs, dates)
pepper spray
swiss army knife
2 cell phone chargers (12-volt charger & regular wall charger)
iPod earbuds & cell-phone anti-radiation headseat
12-volt power inverter (I think it is 175 watts, I will have to double check)
12-volt automotive battery tester
spare fuse set
sunglasses
free napkins from fast-food restaurants
spare ignition key
spare gas-tank key
a couple spare bulbs
VW owner's manual & camper supplement guide
Bic lighter & a book of matches
tire pressure gauge

Hanging in a canvas tote, behind my driver's seat:
Rand McNally U.S. Road Atlas
local maps & pamphlets (these change frequently)
book: "2010 RVer's Friend"
book: "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the 50 States, 2010"
printout of the VW Vanagon Rescue Squad list
big lined notepad
folder containing miscellaneous papers, magazine cutouts, coupons, mail, etc.

Inside passenger-side's hanging backseat organizer:
antibacterial wet-wipes!! (always handy)
flower vase (just because it makes me happy to have fresh flowers around)
Zippo refillable butane lighter (and small bottle of butane)
pens & pencils
mini spiral notepad
compact 28-LED flashlight (bought mine from a local auto-parts store)
Petzl Zipka Plus 4-LED Headlamp (perfect for night-time reading)
fleece pouch containing my UCO Candle Lantern, along with a few spare candles

incense (Nag Champa & SuperHit) and incense burner

Inside my nylon gear hammock (easy access):
apples
journal, sketchbook, and whatever book I happen to be reading
daily planner
pajamas
roll of papertowl
box of kleenex
roll of toilet paper in a ziplock bag
warm hat and pair of gloves
LED bendable lamp (free-stands or hangs)

In regards to eating/kitchen stuff:
bottle of Dawn liquid dish soap (I only buy this if I'm parked somewhere long-term with good water access)
dish scrubbie brush
kitchen towel (for drying my dishes)
collapsible 10-Liter sink
titanium spork (my favorite eating utensil)
extra silverware (2 spoons, 2 forks, 2 knives)
2 plastic plates, 2 bowls, and 2 mugs (enough for me and a guest/traveling companion)
1 really good, large kitchen knife and 2 paring knives
knife sharpener
cutting board
can opener
Max Burton Portable Butane Stove
a couple pots/pans
butane fuel canisters for my portable stove
Nalgene BPA-free water bottle (for my daily drinking water)
GSI Outdoor Halulite 1 qt. tea kettle
a couple gallon jugs of water (I re-fill these at the water machines in grocery stores)
ziplock storage bags (quart & gallon sized both come in handy)
2 plastic tupperware containers (1 small, 1 medium)
aluminum foil
non-perishable food (like oatmeal, cereal, pb, granola bars, soup...) AND green tea (essential)

In regards to sleeping/bedtime area:
blankets
sleeping bag (my Moonstone bag is rated comfortable down to 20 degrees)
Cocoon 100% silk mummy bag liner (adds 10 degrees to my bag's comfort rating)
several pillows and body pillow (for ultra comfort and the ability to prop myself up)
slippers (my feet get cold easy, sometimes the floor is wet, and I just love my slippers)
bungee-cord gear hammock (above my bed, on the ceiling, for putting my headlamp & reading material into at night)
bulletin board velcroed to the wall next to my bed, complete with pushpins & calendar

In regards to clothing:

mesh laundry bag

1 pair of flip-flops
1 pair of comfortable everyday shoes (hiking shoes, running shoes, whatever)
1 pair of waterproof overboots or rainboots
rain jacket
regular coat/jacket
hoodie (I've only got one, but I'd keep two in my van if I had two)
2 sweaters
little canister (like a xmas cookie tin) that holds my jewelry (I don't have much)
7 Eagle-Creek "Pack-It Double Cubes" in my van's closet - 3 for my bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts, dresses), 2 for my tops (tank tops, t-shirts, long-sleeves), and 2 for my bras, socks, underwear, belts (I'm always trying to downsize even more)

In regards to personal hygiene/bathroom stuff:
Lady J & Little John (bathroom female funnel w/ portable urinal)
2 towels (1 bath & 1 beach), 1 handtowel, and 2 washcloths
1 small bottle of Campsuds or Dr. Bronners liquid castile soap
first aid kit (containing bandaids, Vick's vapor inhaler, Burt's Bees Res-Q ointment, Neosporin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen-Sodium, a few gauze pads, roll of surgical tape, and various items....)
bugspray
sunscreen (50 SPF)

Listerine
daily Multi-Vitamins, supplements (Spirulina & Garlic-Oil), & some Emergen-C packets

small bottle of No-Rinse Shampoo (for emergency hair "washing")
spray bottle containing water (for quick washups and hair-wetting)
Eagle Creek Pack It Cruiser (hanging organizer for my most important toiletry items) - (VERY easy to hang on a tree if using a solar shower, and very convenient for grabbing to head into a gym, friend's house, or community swimming pool)
Inside my "Pack-It Cruiser" - tiny mirror, deodorant, comb, sharp little hair-cutting-only scissors, bottle of perfume/scented body spritzer, shampoo, conditioner, bar of pure Castile soap inside a soap container, facial scrub, hairbrush, hairpick, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, witch hazel (I poured it into a little spray jar to easily spritz my face with), facial lotion, small hand-lotion, fingernail clippers, toenail clippers, tweezers, couple boxes of contacts, eyeglasses w/ case, contact solution, contact case, OB tampons, travel-sized box of Q-tips, razor, tiny battery-operated Conair personal trimmer, Carmex lip balm, and a couple hairties

Misc. items of importance (stored under bench seat, in cupboards, in drawers, and elsewhere):
fire extinguisher (installed right on the wall behind the passenger seat)
tension curtain-rod (up near ceiling, behind front seats) (perfect for draping things over to dry OR for added privacy)
welcome mat & floor rug (from Kmart clearance)

foldable full-length lounger (used mainly at the beach) (kept behind my driver's seat)

VW repair/maintenance manuals (Bentley, Haynes, etc.)
digital camera
laptop computer, case, Ubiquiti wi-fi card, and solid-state external hard-drive
hand-crank & solar powered radio
can of WD-40
roll of duct-tape
pair of heavy-duty scissors
work gloves (for dirty van maintenance work)
a few rags
spare windshield wiper blades
spare oil filters AND oil-filter wrench

spare air filter
jack
4-way tire iron (lug wrench)
jug of Prestone coolant (phosphate-free) w/ funnel
toolbox w/ tape measure, electrical tape, various screwdrivers, allen wrenches, socket kit, hammer, pliers, superglue, etc.
velcro (for holding things down/attaching things inside my van)
a few quarts of 20W-50 oil
12-volt Typhoon-Max air compressor

12-volt fan
rear hatch bug-screen
skylight bug-screen
window shades (pop-open front shades AND accordian-style homemade side shades)
plastic Folger's coffee can, containing a roll of TP (my mini toilet)
bag of plastic bags (I save them from shopping - they can be very useful)
spare AA & AAA duracell batteries (and eneloop rechargeable AA & AAA batteries)
battery tester
Silva solar AA/AAA battery charger AND regular household Sony battery charger
several wire coat hangers (these always come in handy!)
jumper cables
heavy-duty outdoor extention cord
folding shovel
2 little tri-pod folding stools
1 bottle of "Awesome" brand spray-cleaner (from the Dollar Store)
mini broom/dustpan (from the Dollar Store, for keeping my floor swept up)
a few envelopes and stamps
metal detector & sand-scooper
handheld GPS (for geocaching)
2 gallon gas can, filled with gas (I hate running out!)
Fiamma bike rack, mountain-bike, detachable bike light, and bike lock
mini sewing kit
MSR Mini-Works EX water filter
indoor/outdoor thermometer (from Radio Shack)
4-gallon solar shower
inflatable 4' kid's pool (from Walmart, for showering inside my van)
collapsible 2-gallon bucket
a few holsters, some ammo, and range gear (shooting gloves, glasses, earplugs, boresnake, rag, Hornady One Shot gun cleaner/lube)
backpack

Hanging on the pop-top bar inside my van:
hanging clothespin clips (SO handy! gifted to me, so I have no idea where they're from)
small piece of coat-hanger, bent into an "S" hook (holds clump of bananas)
decorative homemade disco-ball (gifted to me)
windchimes (I find them to be soothing, but they annoy any of my passengers)
Solar LED lights (from Walgreens Christmas-clearance)

On top of my van, in the waterproof Pelican storage tote:
my tent & tent footprint (REI Half Dome 2 HC)
tarp
Therm-a-rest Z-lite sleeping pad (for camping)
fishing pole & tackle box

parachute-nylon travel hammock

Possibly on myself:
clothes
belt
earrings
Apple iPhone
purse - driver's license, CPL, survival-tin, and money (if I've got any!)
tiny gerber pocket knife (from Walmart)
K-Bar TDI knife
Ruger LCR
Maratac AAA flashlight (worn as a necklace)
550-Paracord anklet (homemade and gifted to me)

Still need to get for my van:
2nd battery (deep cycle marine battery)
solar panels

*As a side note, I don't want to come across as a big spender, but you can probably see that I have spent quite a bit of money (over time) on some higher-priced products. It just makes sense to me to buy the higher-quality products that will last longer than the cheap stuff from China. Better to just buy things once, instead of paying to replace them later because they either break or don't work as described.

*When first starting out, buying cheap useful things is totally fine, but here's something to keep in mind: If you move out of a rented apartment and into your vehicle, while continuing to work a full-time job, THEN you can take your previously $600 per month "rent payment" and now put it towards gear/maintenance/"housing supplies" for your vehicle. If you just keep working and putting "rent" towards your own home-on-wheels (instead of into the pockets of landlords), then you will soon have your vehicle all outfitted with everything you could possibly want and need to live comfortably.

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Possible survival things to keep in a back-up location (garage, storage unit, shed, house, friend's house, parent's basement, etc...), in case of emergency (societal collapse, national emergency, ice-storm, earthquake, zombie attack, food shortage, hurricane, short-term emergency, long-term emergency, whatever):

*Basically, just consider the simple things that we need for survival and comfort (food, water, shelter, warmth, health, companionship), and then try to keep some useful items regarding them on hand... (Obviously this is an overwhelming and expensive list to acquire, but it is very important to at least pick out what is MOST important to you and to store it someplace safe... an emergency could strike at any time, and if you aren't prepared, then what?)

canned vegetables, canned meat, wheat, oats, grains, pastas, whole corn, olive oil, peanut butter, dried milk, rice, sugar, dried beans, energy bars, ramen noodles, jerky, etc. (packaged for long-term storage & dated)
MREs or freeze-dried food (if you'd rather go that route)
vegetable/herb seeds and perhaps some gardening supplies (pitchfork, rake, shovel, trowel)
jugs of drinking water
buckets
several gas cans containing gasoline (treated with fuel-stabilizer)
clorox bleach (to purify additional drinking water)
pressure canner, canning equipment, canning jars/lids, and the "Ball Blue Book of Preserving"
distilled white vinegar, salt, baking soda, yeast
multi-vitamins and vitamin C
bars of soap
blankets, towels
a portable butane stove with some butane canisters
candles
lighters, matches, flint & steel firestarter
2-person pullsaw or chainsaw w/ some 2-cycle gas
fishing gear (pole, assorted fishing line, hooks, sinkers, good fillet knife, etc)
tools
ammunition
CB radio
hand-crank powered radio/phone charger

solar panels/solar chargers

batteries

paper

pencils
toilet paper, tampons, first aid supplies, medicine, toothpaste, saline solution, aluminum foil, storage bags, some spare pairs of eyeglasses....

you need it? you name it. add it to the list!

I don't personally have all of this stuff since I don't have a place to store it or the money required to purchase it, but, I do have some things. I've got a well-packed "Bug-Out-Bag," a little stash of canned goods, and a few other odds-n-ends.

Really, this survival-list is to get you thinking ahead and to help you maybe start planning a little for the unknown. If a major emergency ever suddenly occurred, supplies and high-demand goods would be essential to have for the short-term.... In the event of any long-term emergency, however, our own survival ultimately would depend on our skills and knowledge - to kill our own deer, catch our own fish, start our own fires, grow our own food, make our own soap, bake our own bread, find fresh drinking water, etc. A storage room filled with supplies will only last for so long, especially if they're being shared and divided up amongst many individuals.

I'm 28 years old, and I honestly believe that I will reach a day in my lifetime when some things that I have come to depend on, from society, will no longer be available (for some reason or another, either temporarily or long-term). And when that day comes, I want to be able to say 'oh well, I can just provide those things for myself.' I think the best ways to prepare for the unknown are to:

1. Start now
2. Stock up on some of the most important supplies to have (food, gasoline, water, etc.)
3. Buy some books, print some info off the Internet, and learn about how to become more self-sufficient

Photo Time! (A Few Things In My Van)

While I am getting wi-fi with my van's top-popped, I figured I might as well upload a few pics.

I bought two screens a while back and popped them right into my windows... They are a perfect fit, especially made for a Westy, and I've got one on each side of my van (in each slider window). It is SO nice to have a breeze through my van (especially in Florida), without having to worry about mosquitos! (Mosquitoes are my number one enemy)

When I first got my van, I also used velcro to put a little screen over my skylight, which is extremely handy for getting a little airflow at night (bug-free). I hang my LED lantern on the pop-top bar at night:


A close-up of my lovely disco-ball from Dan, made with a Styrofoam craft ball and tons of old cds. It really works and is a lot of fun when the sun is shining thru my poptop:

Splurges, Expenses, and Snow

Ok, so I decided to splurge a bit on some recent purchases. Sometimes even I just can't help it.

Thank you, Ray from Alabama! He recently emailed me and told me about Johnson Foreign Auto, where I was just able to order a new coolant hose for my van! I can't wait until it gets here and I can get it on my van.. Then I will get to bleed the coolant system again, to make sure all the air is out - It was kinda messy last time and takes two people, but its definitely doable. I followed step-by-step instructions in my Vanagon repair manuals. I've got both the big Bentley repair manual and the smaller Haynes repair manual. They both teach me so much about my van, since they've got extremely detailed instructions for everything. I also ordered a 2nd hose from Johnson Foreign Auto, since that one was also looking pretty old. Might as well replace them both at the same time. As thrilled as I am to be able to fix my van now, I'm not too thrilled that I have to shell out over 120 bucks.. One hose was 52.00 and the other was 71.00. Plus shipping. Ouch. That is why sometimes you need to let your vehicle "maintenance fund" build up a little bit. Or just save more money towards emergencies.

I also just spent $45 bucks through JCWhitney for a new air compressor! It is really portable model that will work great on both my bike and if I get a flat on my van. It is the TyphoonMax 300 and is supposed to work really fast. It had excellent reviews, and I know it will be a very good thing to have. I've already gotten one flat tire this past summer. My poor van ran over a chunk of razor blade. Surprisingly enough, the local co-op was able to patch the tire, even though there was a pretty large gash in it. I guess those guys are just good at what they do, because the tire hasn't gone flat again since. Knock on wood.

I'm not sure exactly what compelled me, but I also recently splurged and bought a few more things... a book (The 2008 RVer's Friend - Parking Directory), a new bra (I don't know how I did it, but I actually LOST my all-time favorite one. How do you lose a bra when you live in a van? I know it isn't there anywhere. I looked Everywhere...), a Christmas gift for a friend (a portable little Battery Tester. I have one just like it! It is SO handy), a new SmartMug (perfect for tea), and a hand-crank SideWinder Cell-Phone charger.

I know it sounds like a lot of money, but I haven't spent a big amount of money in a long time, and I'm not planning on doing that again for the next 6 months or so.. Plus, I only have a mailing address for 2 more weeks. . . I have decided to stay in Northern Michigan just a little longer, since I've gotten 2 offers to have Thanksgiving dinner and so I can fix my leaking coolant problem. 2 weeks also gives me just enough time for all my goodies to arrive.

I'm really itching to leave, though. There is snow outside, and I really don't have anything else keeping me here except waiting. Waiting for free holiday meals and waiting for packages, but I guess those are two things that are really worth waiting for.

**Speaking of the fact that there is snow outside, I would like to respond to a question I got on a recent post from Chris, the Scavenger: "How do you heat your van in cold seasons?" Well, one thing that is great about my VW is that my bed is right above the engine compartment. If I run my engine for a little while, my bed really gets warm and cozy. I also have a little heater, near the floor at the end of my bed, and it really cranks out the heat! When I don't want to run my engine, I just crawl into my really nice Moonstone down sleeping bag.. It was about 200 bucks, but well worth it. It is VERY warm. Plus I have a silk mummy-bag liner which adds an extra 10 degrees to its warmth. The liner also protects my bag in case I haven't showered lately. I really love my sleeping bag. I also have a nice warm fleece jacket, a couple hoodies, and some warm socks. I've got an indoor/outdoor thermometer in my van (the wire goes out my slider window), too, and I look at it every morning. It lets me know if I should just stay inside my sleeping bag and not get up. I don't like being cold. I've also got 2 blankets in my van, so I am all set. Here is a picture of my van from the other day. Just a dusting of snow, but it's there, on the roof! And there was more snow today. Brrr.

Meet My Westy!

My Volkswagen Westfalia is a 1985 water-cooled 1.9 liter. She is the greatest van ever & I call her my lady~bus. Although I had momentarily considered breaking out the red & black paint to match her with the name I bestowed upon her, I did not follow thru. Definitely better to remain covert.

It sure was fun when I was first introduced to my Westy. I hadn't realized that so many things were different! Gas goes in near the passenger door, and if you flip up the license plate, in goes oil & coolant. Wiper fluid goes into the driver's side floor, & I've got a fridge, sink, stove and water & electrical hookups. The engine is in the back of the van, so I have to move my bed cushion to get to the engine compartment. The radiator and spare tire, however, are way up in the front. I quickly discovered that her speediest wiper speed is more like a snail's pace, and she really likes to c-r-e-e-p up those hills. On flat ground, though, she has tons of pep if you want to push her pedal to the metal. I, however, do not, and I drive like a little old lady. People pass me all the time, and I don't feel the slightest bit bad about it. Save your gas, people. Quit driving like maniacs. Take it easy. Go the scenic route.

She was in great shape when I got her, and she hasn't really had any extreme problems. She has no rust, since she's from Arizona, so I'll make sure she never has to see a Michigan winter. Shorty after I moved in, I got to give her my very first oil change ever, which was somehow oddly exciting for me. It felt so rewarding to really get to know my vehicle and work on it myself. Other than routine maintenance, I only had to do minor things when I moved in.

First, I definitely had to bleach the life out of the interior ceiling. It was covered with mold. I then had to get a new skylight & have it replaced, since it was cracked & didn't open correctly. Now it works great, and I even velcroed a little bugscreen over it. I do still need to get some foam or something and stitch up a big rip in the passenger seat. I also need to fix the bug screen in my pop-top since it is full of holes. -making mental notes- Oh! Now that I think about it, my cd player is also broken, so maybe I'll mess with that, too. (I've been listening to my hand-crank radio and the mp3s on my phone instead..)

Sometime soon I would like to learn more about hooking up a 2nd battery (I'd prefer an AGM deep cycle battery) and get that done. I've found lots of informational sites out there on how to do it, I just need to combine my resources, sit down, and figure it out. I also have a coolant leak that I really NEED to fix. I've been putting it off, but I can't afford to keep dumping more and more coolant in there. The hose that connects to a pipe underneath the back of my van is really warped, and it leaks badly, even with 2 hose clamps on it. It is expecially bad when I idle, which is when it just gushes out. I tried to track down a new hose, but VW doesn't make the one I need anymore, so I have to figure something out. Hmm. That is a top priority.

Organizing:

One of the first things I got for my van was a bike rack and storage tote for the top. Both are very, very handy. I don't know what I would do without my bike, because I just love having it with me. It is perfect for scoping out different parking areas and getting around while saving on gas... I really ought to get a sticker that says "My other van is a bicycle."

On the inside of my van, there is pretty much a spot for everything. I've got little plastic totes in my "closet" that are perfect for my socks & undies, and I've got 3 plastic totes on my bed that contain the rest of my clothes. Then I've got 3 shelves in the little cupboard near my bed, where I keep things like books, journals, art supplies, hammock, frisbee-golf discs, and toiletries. I used velcro to hang a little mirror inside that cupboard and also to hang a little bulletin board next to my bed. I use it to keep track of where I'm going and where I've been. I also found a handy green storage net and hung it over the top of my kitchen area. It is perfect for my pjs, apples, contact solution, radio, and the tiny toy troll with pink hair that I bought at a yard sale to keep me company...anything and everything finds its way into that net. I also found a terrific backseat organizer. It it perfect for my lighter, pens, bugspray, notepads, incense, wet-wipes, candle lantern, flower vase, etc. My bed also folds into a bench seat, and there is extra storage under there, too. I've found that perfect for my rain boots, shoes, yoga mat, tent, backpack, towels, and "Gift of Enlightenment" boardgame.. Ever played it? It keeps you tuned in to your chakras...

There are many other little nooks and crannys in my van for things like repair manuals, replacement parts, food, and kitchen utensils. I have also found ziplock bags to be a very good friend. My van didn't come with anything to put beverages in while I was driving, so I got a cheap little plastic console at Kmart and put it on the floor between the 2 front seats. My sunglasses & dried lavender also hang out in there. Oh! I also installed a little net on the ceiling above my bed. I can hang an LED light in there, right above me, when I'm reading, or put my books in there when I go to bed.

Keeping things cozy:

I have made my van into a little apartment on wheels, because I just love being comfortable. The rugs and welcome mat on my floor came from my old apartment, and they actually fit perfectly in my van. And I mean they fit just PERFECTLY, without any modification. Since I loved my rugs, I took that as one sign that I was making the right decision by moving into my van. :) My favorite wind-chime also sings to me more than it ever did my apartment.. It jingles above my bed, everywhere I go..

My ivy plant came with me, as did my aloe. I used velcro to secure the ivy to my counter, so it doesn't get hurt. I also bought a 3rd plant of some type at a garage sale this summer, because the lady talked me into it. She seemed to think it would be perfect in my van, and I couldn't disagree.. Some of my favorite magnets and magnetic photo frames came with me too, since there is a handy magnetized area above my bed. I really don't have much in my van, but it does actually get messy at times. I don't know how I manage it, but it can definitely end up looking very much like a closet. Then, if I'm feeling lazy, my method of cleanup is to throw things into my laundry basket & deal with them later. Hmm. That actually seems like a good idea right about now.

Brrr! Windshield Frost!

Brrr!! 9am and there is frost covering my windows! It almost feels like I'm inside my own little igloo. This is a vivid sign to me that it's definitely almost time to fly the coop to a warmer place. Only a few weeks till I can vote and head out. 

I am so glad that I installed a little Radio-Shack indoor/outdoor thermometer inside my van. It is one of the little gadgets that I brought with me from my last apartment. It tells me that it is a whopping 28.6 degrees inside my van and 30.2 outside. BRRR. I really hate being cold, but my down sleeping bag is terrific. It is so warm, and my silk mummy liner adds an extra 10 degrees to its warmth.. :) I love this liner, because it protects my bag (I don't have to worry about when I showered last..), and it is also perfect to crawl into in warm weather. The bag and the liner probably cost me $275, but I got them back when I was working full-time. They are also very valuable to me in my van because they pack down into small, manageable sizes. 

Since I'm on the subject of keeping warm, one thing I love about my VW is that my bed is right above the engine compartment. If I run my van for a little while, my bed gets all warm and cozy. I also have a little heater along the floor, near the end of my bed. That sucker really cranks out the heat! I prefer not to use that very often, though, since I really want to conserve my gas. I only get maybe 16 mpg in my van. 

Blankets are nice, too, but they take up more space. I do have a very nice fuzzy blanket that I found at a summer music festival, and I keep it with me in my van. I hardly use it though, since my sleeping bag is always enough. I do think about getting it out of here, even though I've become very attached to it. Hmm. Sometimes I am just torn, even though I am by no means a pack-rat. I do like to keep things that might be useful someday, but I also like to get things out of my way that I'm not using. There is just no room for unnecessary items in here with me. When it is time for the blanket to go, it will just make its way out. I believe that there is a pattern of natural turnover that occurs. When something comes in, then something will go.