Mr. Cool's Trailer: Snow Day and Teardrops

Snow-day and teardrops:
What is one to do on a snowy home bound day?

Shovel! And track a favorite obsession.
Awhile back the Cool family went to the local RV dealer to see about renting a motorhome for a National Parks road trip - but they are prohibitively expensive. So hey let's look at renting a trailer. My online escapades led me to the idea of building a teardrop travel trailer (search teardrop trailer on google images) for about the same price as renting an RV for a week ($1500).

After about six weeks of research and design in have decided on a less aerodynamic shape that is both more cost and time efficient and could sleep a family of three (snugly - the point of camping is to be outside anyway - not playing your wii sitting on the foldout couch out your condo on wheels).

I spent the aforementioned snow day building a 1/12 scale model of my design (foam board, hot glue, and a little duct tape). My actual build will sit on a 4x8 trailer and be built out of 8 sheets of plywood and basic building materials and cabinetry techniques.
Foam doesn't do it justice but it did prove a few working concepts of my design. I expect a build time of approximately 40-60 hours and am looking for investors and/ financiers. If you are interested in taking this trailer on a weekend getaway or just curious about the concept of crowd source fundraising and would like to support this project please let me know.

Photos:
1. Full Model
2. It includes a living space with internal cabinets.
3. A gear loft / child sleeping quarters (48x54x18).
4. And a galley kitchen with sink and stovetop.
5. Foam pieces for build

Sledding in our yard

Finally, we got some snow worth playing in--and a clearance sled! And it all led to a nap.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Continuing the well-loved tradition of pink heart pancakes!

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day!

1. I am a big fan of peel and stick foam crafts. Thank you, crafty stores!
2. Lincoln asked, "Can I give these to my friends tomorrow?" When I said yes, he said, "Yay!"

8 Months

Missing my mom is like having a good-sized hole in the floor. I can see it--I know how to avoid it--but I am still getting stuck in it pretty regularly.

Most days, I am doing better. I am confident mom is healed and rejoicing in heaven. I can remember her and honor her here on earth. I can stop at the hole and look at it, and remember, and move on with my day. I can visit joyfully with my family, read Lincoln books his Grammie gave him, and happily bake her recipes.

There are still many days, though, when I get stuck in the hole. I am filled all day with a sluggish sadness, an inability to move with any freedom or joy, a despair over missing my mom, a deep jealousy for anyone I interact with who has a mom, for any child I see with a grandmother. These days are hard--I am aware of how to get out of the hole, but every tear and interaction keeps me stuck.

I think the hole will always be there--I am hoping I will get better at walking around it and hoisting myself out, but the hole will be there--maybe getting smaller.

Mellow Bowl

Mom, Lincoln, and homemade chocolate peanut butter--living the quiet life!

A New Generation

My mom was a fabulous baker, and I see baking as a heritage and connection to her. We decided to keep the joy of cooking alive in a new generation--chef Lincoln has his own kitchen now!