A Mouse in the....

I have struggled with my laptop for a few months. The space bar, and a few other keys in the same area, have not worked reliably. I figured I had crumbs and dirt under the keys, and they were impeding the motion of the keys so that the whatchamacallit under the spacebar wasn't hitting the whadingy below and sending an electronic message to the whoseywhatsit. Whenever I typed, I had to watch what was registering, so that I could hit the space bar again, and again... however many times it took to "click"! It was very annoying. I tried vacuuming the keyboard. I used the upholstery brush with the vacuum. All to no avail.

Plan B... I'll use my iPad. I opened it, and the start-up screen with the Apple on it appears... and doesn't disappear. Another time it started blinking. I Googled "my iPad opens with the start-up screen but doesn't do anything." I tried some of the fixes I found online and was able to get it up and running a few times, but it kept coming back to the Apple, despite my fixes and my updating software.

I Googled "my MAC book space bar doesn't always work" to see if there was a recommended "fix". (What would I do without Google?!) It turnes out that to keep the slim profile of the MAC machines, a different "spring" was developed to create the same feel as a regular keyboard. This "Butterly" spring has developed a high rate of failure. Ah hah! It wasn't necessarily crumbs impeding the movement.

So, I made an appointment at the closest Apple Store Genious Bar... for my laptop AND my iPad.

The iPad turned out to be a bit more problematic than the MAC book. The technician plugged it into his computer so that it could run diagnostics. It didn't work. He pulled out a different cord, and tried again. It didn't work. He found another computer, and tried again. It didn't work. He borrowed another cord from a coworker... ta daaaaa! It finally ran the diagnostics. However, despite the diagnostics apparently finding the problem, the iPad would not progress past the Apple start-up screen. As my iPad was still under extended warranty (I am so glad that I bought Apple Care) I was given a new, refurbished unit.

Next, the technician tackled my laptop issue. He tried the keys and agreed they did not work correctly. He took the unit into the back to open it up and have a look. When he returned, I asked if the problem I was experiencing was due to the mice. He looked at me with a quizzical expression. I pointed out that with the amount of crumbs that were probably under the keys, there must be a family of mice in there as well. He laughed, and assured me that there were no mice, probably because the snake that had moved in had taken care of the mouse population!

I had to leave my laptop at the store. I received a notification the next morning that it was ready for pick-up. I am now typing on my repaired laptop which has remarkably springy keys and a spacebar that works! Hallelujah! 

The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank

Septic tanks have to be emptied and inspected before a house can be sold. During our inspection it was discovered that a pipe leading into the tank had sunk, allowing roots to invade. This morning the septic company came to make the repair.

I was fascinated by how the big Bobcat made its way down the steep bank. The driver teetered on the edge of the bank, then put the shovel down to stabilize the machine.

The Bobcat dug out the area in short order.

The pipe was replaced, and the areas was filled in.

The Bobcat made its way up the bank. The driver turned the cab around so he could again use the shovel to stabilize the machine on the incline. 

From start to finish the repair took about an hour.

Screwed

I feel like we were given a "Get Out of Jail, Free" card today. 

Our repairs at Red Bay were finally complete. It was a painful process on this trip.

We came in with a few minor problems.

We found more problems. 

Repairs caused problems. 

The repairs didn't always go well. They were painful, if not comical, to watch. 

For example, we had a shade that wouldn't go up when one pushed the button. It would inch up, literally, with each press of the button. (I am still wondering why the design engineers felt people need shades driven by a motor when using shades with the old spring system is far faster and easier?!) The techs played with it and decided the motor was faulty. They removed the bracket holding both shades, motor and all, and replaced the motor.  They climbed back on board, connected the motor to the wires, remounted the bracket, taped the wires up into the valence and pressed the button. Nothing. No whirring sound. No moving shade. At least before the shade would function to some degree. Down came the whole mechanism again, out went the techs, and they began the process again. They returned and began the process of reinstalling the system, again. I forgot to mention that this bracket with shades and motors is mounted inside a wood valence with scant room for a screwdriver, let alone tech fingers trying to locate the holes from which they had removed the screws. I also forgot to mention that the screws are only about 3/8" in length and were, if judged by the number of times they dropped them, difficult to hold onto. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the mechanism had to be removed and replaced a third time because the end of the plastic "tool" used to adjust the limits of the shades broke off inside the adjustment screw, so they had to take it all out to extract a tiny piece of plastic. Oh, and the shades, once installed and working, came down at an angle, so more fiddling with the screws had to happen. I am not certain who was more frustrated!

Mr. Dreamy, do you think the techs are ignoring us?

We had some other repairs that went equally poorly and took far too long to accomplish. I won't go into all of the details, but the sink faucet was adjusted twice. Once on the first day of repair, and again the next day. The drawer that had to be removed to effect the repair had to be reattached the correct way three days later, so it would latch correctly. 

The leak in the shower was addressed twice, in two days, and on the third day another technician had to adjust the shower so a cover could snap into place. 

Every night we spent at the campground caused more problems for the technicians, because each night we would discover something else that needed repair, or re-repair. Things that were quite insignificant, like a piece of molding that was missing, or a bay door that was difficult to unlock with the key. And that was where we were screwed! Although we wouldn't discover that for another 5 days. 

On Friday we had a new satellite dish installed, as I mentioned in my previous post, and shortly afterwards an annoying, repetitive beeping sound signaled something was wrong. Some of the 12-volt electrical items failed to work, and since the control panels for lights, hot water, heat, etc are controlled by the failed system, those systems were inoperable. An experienced technician disconnected those items that were causing the shorts so we were able to live comfortably through the weekend. Miraculously, when the systems were reconnected on Monday, they worked... at least, so we thought! 

All repairs were completed by noon and we were told to go back to our camp site and try everything to make certain everything worked. We did. It didn't. The new dish failed. The techs had to come out. They tried their best to diagnose the issues.  They had to crank the dish down by hand, standing on top of the motorhome in the rain, so we could return to the service bay. The dish was DOA. It was replaced. All seemed to work well, until Mr. Dreamy mentioned the door and bay locks would lock, using the remote system, but would not unlock. We'd have to return for yet another day. 

This morning we pulled into the service bay. 

The techs assigned to that bay locked the doors, couldn't unlock them, and scratched their heads. They checked with the antenna guys. 

The antenna guys locked the doors, couldn't unlock them, and scratched their heads. They checked with the experienced technician. 

The experienced technician locked the doors, couldn't unlock them, and scratched his head. He checked with the engineers at the nearby electronics supplier. 

The engineers from the nearby electronics supplier locked the doors, couldn't unlock them, and scratched their heads. They checked with an installer at the plant. 

The installer locked the doors, couldn't unlock them, and quickly isolated the problem to the lock mechanism in the bay door that was repaired the previous week. It seems that when the tech reassembled the lock after lubricating the mechanism, a screw nicked a wire that caused all of the problems.  Yup. Screwed!!

Murphy's Law

You know about Murphy’s Law, right? The law states that if something is going to go wrong, it will, at the most inopportune place and time....

We just experienced Murphy’s Law on our trip across country. We were approaching Dallas-Forth Worth, yeah...what fun! Suddenly, Mr. Dreamy commented that a light had popped up on the dash, and he asked me to find out what the light was trying to tell us. That all sounds reasonable and calm - but it wasn’t. Trust me!

A quick look through one of several manuals told me the light is an MIL light. Now, that’s helpful! I didn’t suppose that it stood for Mother-in-law! I couldn’t find out what it meant in any one of a dozen books we have, so I had to call Cummins to find out that it is a “Malfunction Indicator Light”. It means something isn’t working, or wasn’t working, quite right. It means the engine sensed a problem. It may have fixed the problem, or it may still exist, but we should have it checked out. Okay.... it is approaching 4:00 PM on a Friday. Who are they kidding?! 

We have a list of repair facilities. I call the Dallas number. “Sorry, M’am, we close in 45 minutes. We can’t fit you in tonight. We will reopen on Monday.” Mr. Dreamy drove on. I call the Fort Worth number. “Sorry, M’am, we close at 4:30. Our shop is full. We will reopen on Monday and might be able to fit you in then.” Mr. Dreamy drove on. I call the Abilene number. This time I preface my call by saying, “I don’t suppose you guys are open on Saturday?” Imagine my surprise when I get a positive response. I am connected to service and talk to Carlton. I explain our situation. Carlton tells me that as long as no other lights are on (on the dash) we should be OK to continue. He also explains that although they are open on Saturday, he doesn’t have a mechanic who can see us, as his shop is full. However... if we want to stop by, he’ll run the diagnostics and tell us whether it is a “NO! or GO”! God Bless Carlton! 

The next morning we pull into Corley-Wetsel Freightliner in Abilene, TX. Carlton hooks his computer up to a plug hanging under the dash. Technology is Amazing!! 

The history of the engine is downloaded to his computer and Carlton is able to tell us what is going on. We had a problem with the EGR valve. The problem is not active, so we should have no problem going on. He clears the codes, and lets us know that we should seek service if the MIL light reappears. He charges us nothing. Zero. Nada! He is amazing! Corley-Wetsel is amazing! 

Mr. Dreamy purchased some items from the parts department and we went on down the road towards our destination. 

PS The light came on... again, as we approached our destination. At least we now have time to make a reservation for service when we are prepared to leave.

RV There Yet?

No.

We are not there.

But...

we are on our way!

So, when I left you we were stranded 

at the campground in Gaffney, SC.

The Gaffney Peach

Source

Also known as 

"The Moon Over Gaffney"

Source

Butt, why do you suppose some folks call it that?!

The part we were awaiting arrived early in the morning.

Overnight delivery is amazing!

We had a technician there before lunch.

He installed the new part,

and,

with Mr. Dreamy chomping at the bit

quickly tested it...

and,

we were on our way.

We stopped at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, GA. 

We found this gem on our way to Gaffney,

so we were delighted to visit again.

It is a great place to camp,

and is listed on my 

Dreamy Places to Camp page.

Mr. Dreamy backed the RV into our site,

and pushed the button for the stabilizer jacks.

Trouble.

The jacks did not want to respond correctly.

The slide outs did not want to go out.

We camped in cramped style. 

Thank Heaven for the Internet.

I found an RV service center 10 miles from our location.

We called at 7:30 in the morning.

They had no problem seeing us, 

so we made our way to the

Apalachee RV Center.

They took our motorhome in as soon as we arrived.

Tucker and Gypsy wait patiently(?) for their 

home on wheels to be repaired.

Two hours later we were on our way.

All systems...

GO!

So, we are not there, yet,

But, we are on our way!

And, the Apalachee RV Center
needs to be commended for their fabulous technicians,
responsive managers and wonderful personnel.
Thank you for getting us back on the road!

(Oh, and Tucker and Gypsy say, "Woof, woof"...
that is, thanks, for all of the treats,
and, uh, we apologize about the dog hair on your carpet!)