Six Week Bus Life Update

[@oldyellow8120]

Always enjoy your chats. Interestingly, I noticed how you started off with, and continued with your "likes" before moving to your "dislikes". That suggests a positive, optimistic attitude and outlook rather than negativity and cynicism. Having struggled with significant depression/anxiety for quite a while, I find that I am much more likely to almost automatically focus on what is "wrong", and I have to actively try to focus more on what is "right". I'm getting there slowly with some help, but for those who have never struggled with true depression (as opposed to periodic unhappiness), it is far more debilitating and difficult than many may realize. One thing that helps me significantly is staying as busy as possible, and also controlling worry. I have a saying posted on my refrigerator: "Some things are important. Most things aren't. Know the difference." It helps to remember that. Anyway, just an observation that you sparked in me today. Enjoy!

[@charleneduncan-xq4qh]

What a beautiful job you've done in your bus! You have such a sense of style!!

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Hi Charlene…thanks very much! ❤️

[@rachelstarr8914]

Wishing you well Zia.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thanks Rachel!😊

[@douglashoward5738]

Zia, I really like your bedding. It blends so well with the other decor. It’s so nice to have extra time relaxing in one’s cozy bed. Have a great week.❤

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thanks Douglas! I love the bedding too and found it, brand new, in a thrift shop! Hope you’re having a great week. 😊

[@janecopeland2306]

How disappointing that you couldn't join in on the long weekend fun! The good news is that the things you don't like about shuttle bus life are mostly things you'll be fixing as time goes on. Your view that day was spectacular!! I would never want to leave.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

It was disappointing, but I’m hoping to visit my son’s house next week. I’ll be glad when the ‘comforts’ are dealt well in the bus.❤️

[@chistinemartel9043]

Thank you for sharing, even if you don’t do much it’s nice just seeing where you are at with your bus and the struggles that we may encounter.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Awww thanks Christine! 😊

[@keithbrennan576]

Thanks again for your weekly update. It is always good to hear what you have been up to

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thanks for watching Keith! 😊

[@michelelovesfreedom]

Beautiful bus! I love all the windows! I have a skoolie I'm working on to go fulltime.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thank you! I’m excited for you and hope you have some amazing adventures when your conversion is done! 🚐❤️🇨🇦

[@Ladythyme]

I could never do the “VanLifer” life…not talking about a weekend or a week …but the permanent kind of thing like you are doing…..I need my secured stationary roots …I need to know where I’m going to sleep (location wise) every night and have no timetable to leave … that would drive me bonkers…as well as having to find a place to park to feel safe….the things you love about your Shuttle Bus, I have here in my small mountain lake home. I even have a loft room that I call my Tree House Room…as I have a big window that looks out at the tree tops…and probably my favorite place to be. I just can’t move it around but I have a vehicle and can go as I please…. Obviously there are pros and cons to every choice one makes. Settling in from every move takes time…you’ll get there if it’s truly the way you want to live.

[@cindygaudet1390]

Yes my husband and I were going to do full time rv, but I got breast cancer so we couldn’t go them. Now neither of us want to do fulltime although it enters our minds, at 66 snd 67 we (well more I lol) say so when we don’t want or can’t rv then what... I couldn’t do stealth camping, we both would put out a route and stop stay and then tour around the area. I would be very anxious not knowing where we would be at night.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis Cindy and hope you’re doing well. I like to think you and your husband will come up with the perfect option to enjoy a little nomad travel time.🚐❤️🇨🇦

[@chasingthemoonrv]

You’re absolutely right, there are pros and cons to every lifestyle choice. I have to admit though, your ’Tree House’ sounds amazing. 😊

[@brigittecrawley1872]

Glad you are enjoying your shuttle bus life ! You have done a lovely job renovating it and it has served you well so far. The rest will fall into place over time. Do you have a permanent spot to stay over the winter months so you don’t have to move around so much? Enjoy your woman’s weekend adventure, looking forward to seeing how it all went. Stay safe and live your life to the fullest.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thanks Brigitte! I’m not sure, but I may be doing some housesitting for my sister in October & November. I’m looking forward to the women’s event and do hope to film some of it. ❤️

[@shelaghjackson9577]

Great to see you last week….your new home really is gorgeous! Hope the workshop is a great success!🚌

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Awww, thanks so much Shelagh!🩷

[@Etelka-m8n]

All the best for you. See you on the road one day.

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thank you! 😊

[@barbaratoynes296]

Beautiful views!

[@chasingthemoonrv]

They are Barbara!😊

[@virginiavilas]

Howdy, Zia! I have to giggle when you speak about “stealth parking” the shuttle bus - but it does seem to be working. Have you seen “Just Rowan’s” latest video where she runs a small freezer to make ice packs for her cooler? She does it with a cigarette charger and an adapter of sorts. It’s the video about 100 degree heat in Missoula Montana. This would eliminate the need to buy ice and may give you a way to use your Bluetti….. One other thought: Adelina would know about this - using a “she-wee” and a disposable bottle would eliminate the frequent T-cleaning duty, if you know what I mean. Practice at your daughter’s home and free yourself in future. Best of luck with your upcoming Bolder Women Camper trip. 💚+💎, -V

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Hi Virginia. I have thought about the small freezer/ice pack option, but with so much I still need to do and being on a tight budget, I decided not to spend money on that. At least for now. Oh my gosh I wish someone had told me to practice with the SheWee before I tried it the first night in my tiny Transit Connect XLT! 😂

[@virginiavilas]

@@chasingthemoonrv 😂😂😂

[@connectingpointss]

Hi Zia, I like the vibe when I see your bed area with the curtains and the harp. Feels like a country living style. Is there a possibility in the future that you would get a regular parking spot so you can stay in your bed as long as you want?

[@chasingthemoonrv]

In the future yes, but how far in the future is hard to say. Staying optimistic. 😊

[@loriurban1070]

Zia, did you ever consider a tiny home? Not as big as Adelina’s..there’s a builder here in the states called Incredible Tiny Homes that builds really affordable homes…keep your shuttle bus for adventures but also have yourself a small situated space…with a flushing toilet …and where you don’t have to jump out of bed every morning …🤔 Just a thought..

[@klw8771]

With our Canadian $$, tiny homes, unless manufactured here in Canada aren’t as affordable. (Certainly better than brick & mortar) Plus VERY minimal tiny home communities here too compared to some of the states or even down under .. so for Zia maybe not the most affordable option??

[@loriurban1070]

@@klw8771 …oh, I was of the impression that there were more tiny home communities in Canada vs the US…there are so many TH builders up there too..Teacup and Minimaliste are 2 of my favs..

[@chasingthemoonrv]

That’s a great question and I will answer you in my next Q&A Lori.❤️

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Great response to Lori and I will talk about all of that in my next Q&A. 😊

[@sue9252]

A big hello to you Zia and just to start I’d like to say how helpful it was to hear of even the not so likability of living in a shuttle bus. I’m sure it will be as helpful to anyone that is thinking about starting this lifestyle. Sometimes we don’t think of the small things such as not being able to sleep in or fit into a camping spot. I was wondering if those gel things I’ve heard of that you put in the pee pot would be another way of disposing the contents . Your living space is looking lovely and fresh and makes me a bit envious if truth be told. I sure hope you find someone soon to install the DC to DC charger. You’ll have to let us know how you have been making out with the extremely warm weather as of late. As always, it’s nice to catch up with you. Take care 🚐🙏🏻🙂

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Hi Sue! The gel things, pine pellets, etc. won’t work in the toilet that I have, at least not in the urine container part. There have been a few days that were uncomfortably hot, but usually if I can find a shady spot it’s manageable. I hope I get the whole fridge power situation sorted out soon too! 😊

[@angelamurphy3331]

Great catch up Zia. Got f my draft kitchen design. So there will be lots of changes along the way. Need to find another space for my potential Fridge/Freezer. I have been scouring Pinterest for novel ways to create a furniture feature to surround the Fridge/Freezer. In the US and Canada you are spoiled for choice with so many off the peg kitchen cabinets compared to Europe. Good luck with the DC to DC charger and hope it's sorted soon for you. Hugs 🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪🐱🐱💚💚

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Thanks Angela! How exciting that your plans are coming together. I love the furniture idea, for hiding your fridge/freezer. Right now I have a laundry hamper sitting in front of mine to hide it. 🚐❤️🇨🇦

[@kariburns6682]

❤

[@AlisonGreenValleyCrone]

Could you not join your son because the shuttle bus was too big for the site ? Is the larger size going to potentially be a problem for parking ?

[@chasingthemoonrv]

Parking definitely becomes an issue the larger your vehicle is. There were larger spaces where my son was, but it was a last minute invite and they were all full. We’ll plan ahead next time. 🚐❤️🇨🇦