Our tolerance levels are tested when we’re cooped up in our shoebox RV. Bad vibes bounce right back to the perpetrator and can ricochet between us with increasing ferocity. Some days I bite back caustic remarks in a bid for peace in the box. Some days I don’t. Some days I try to couch accusations as innocuous statements so as not to be seen to be blaming him.
“The water should be nice and hot. I turned the water heater off when I got up for a wee at 3:00.”
“Was it on all night?” himself asked, his voice raising in alarm as our water heater can be temperamental and hot water spews down the outside of the trailer in its own campaign to escape the box.
“Not all night. Just half the night.” I valiantly left it at that. He knew he had turned it on and left it on. If he thought I’d done it, he’d have let me know. If he thought I’d accused him of doing it, he’d have let me know that too.
The merits of sarcasm, nagging, letting rip and knowing when to shut up often “debated.”
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Which Way Now 101 
Been doing this for 2 years but we have been lucky that we don’t get on each others nerves but wanted to tell you i really enjoyed your pics:)
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Thanks for that and good luck to you. What are you surviving in? Is it the Montana 5th wheel?
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yes it is a montana 5th wheel 34 foot two slides. we are in redding ca right now but heading to almont colorado in about a month
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Safe travels. Have a great time!
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Beautiful, beautiful, I must take the girls one day. It took my breath away when I went… (I’ll never moan about not having enough space again!)
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It’s all relative isn’t it?
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We all know exactly what sets our ‘other halves’ off – PF know just how to goad me into reacting. I can’t imagine not being able to escape into another room though, and that aspect probably strengthens your couple even more than the nomadic lifestyle you lead. Beautiful pics – my favourite has to be the siesta in the sun.
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I’ve sat in the car with a cup of tea and a book – still hitched up to the trailer – but still, “another room.” Don’t know who the guy on the table was but couldn’t resist a click! 😀
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Did you get an adrenaline rush as you pressed that button to steal that shot, WWN? He looks like the type to have tattooes up his arms and a Harley parked in the shade.
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I did! It was very sneaky and intrusive! He was parked next to us in Monument Valley. I thought he looked the sort to have a stash of MaryJane in his caravan.
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Who is Mary Jane? Did he chop her into pieces? You were VERY brave to take that photo.
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He wasn’t giving off sinister vibes. I might be wrong, but am still alive to tell the tale!
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Must be a nick name for Marijuana. You well travelled sage, you.
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Aha! I didn’t like to say that “out loud!”
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What happens if you say it out loud? You make me want to leap around in the air and shout it at the top of my voice, like the stoning scene in Monty Python 🙂
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You might disappear in a poof of strange smelling smoke! Take a deep breath first!
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Peace, sister. Ommmm.
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You made me lol in the library!!!
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Biting your tongue can hurt, but often can be less pain than not !!!
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Knowing when to shut up – the secret to a happy marriage!
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hahahahaha… yes, I think you’re so right. 😀
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😉
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Such refreshing honesty! So many times people look at us living full-time in our little trailer and say, “Wow, you must really get along well!” We just look at each other and laugh. For the most part, I suppose we do get along well for living in such a small space. Sure helps to have a sense of humor. Time-outs help immensely, too!!
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Survival in a box…yes not a lot of room for two people. Glad he didn’t jump. 🙂
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No he didn’t jump. He’s still here to pour my wine! 😀
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I think both Terry and I can relate, each needing our own space at times. Laundry and grocery-shopping work well for me, and Terry will just take a stroll around the campground when his pacing begins to wear thin the carpeting (or was that my nerves). 😉
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I can meditate in a grocery store. I love to wander around food!
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😀
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And I’m finding my ‘van quite lonely and thinking what fun it would be to share. The grass is always greener…
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Awww. Shame we can’t meet for coffee. I hope things are looking up now winter is drawing to a close.
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hahaha! I’m glad I’m not the only one guilty of the ‘innocent’ snide remark 😀
There are various levels of coping mechanisms before full-on meltdown occurs 🙂
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We are well familiar with all of them! I’m told I’m snotty sometimes. Well!
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hahaha! Thankfully Husband hasn’t put any labels on my comments – although I have been told about The Look.
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Oh yes! That too. He calls it my Death Stare. Fortunately for him, other drivers suffer it more often than he does.
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Makes you sound a bit like Darth Vader … feel the force!! 😀
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Thing is . . . . no one takes any notice of it. 😕
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Carry a light sabre 🙂
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Great idea! I love it. Now going shopping.
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That is why I look forward to my laundry time, just to get enough space. I can so relate too.
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I thought about you and your laundry time when I posted this. Drastic times call for drastic measures!
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Too funny! However… Close quarters brings cuddling time, right?? 😉
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Ooooo! Not telling!
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Funny story, tho I’m sure not in reality!
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Only funny in hindsight. I sit in the car sometimes!
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The closer quarters aren’t for everyone for sure. Many of our friends are amazed how well we do in this 40 ft space. Luckily for many people in this lifestyle, they are visiting places that allow them to get alone time. We are the odd ones out sometime I think. We really don’t enjoy alone time. Strange, I know, but after 38 years it works for us. Different strokes for different folks:) Makes the world a nice place:) But please don’t jump!!! Haha!
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He didn’t jump and I didn’t run away from home! 😀
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It’s a testament to the strength of your marriage that you can spend that much time together in those kind of close quarters and still stay together!
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We say we’re too old and stupid to manage on our own or find anyone else!
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Ha! I can SO relate to that!
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You are neither of those things!
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I can relate to the sentiment. I often say that divorcing Ed would be akin to chopping an arm or leg off. He’s basically an appendage. 🙂
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I thought, “Oh, how sweet,” until I got to the last sentence.
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I recognized several of those locations. And I can sooooo relate 🙂
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I’ll bet you can. The art of diplomacy even makes an entrance now and again! 🙂
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