I’m hoping that you are all still enjoying my posts but I thought it might be nice to hear other women’s perspective so I will try to continue bringing other interviews or guest posts in the future.

Kathleen Reagan started a group in 2013 on Facebook specifically for luncheons in hopes of connecting with other pipeline women while traveling with work.  To her delight, the group grew quickly helping other traveling families find each other and making time to connect face to face over lunch and sometimes, other gatherings.

I hope you enjoy Pipeline Ladies Lunching – An Interview,

TWC: Could you please introduce yourself and a little about you?

Kathleen: My name is Kathleen Reagan, my husband is a helper/journeyman/foreman/testing out of Local 798. We are a blended family of 7, 5 kids, 2 his, 2 mine and 1 ours. Ages range from 15-6. From early 2013 through mid 2016 we traveled with my Husband Zach. He worked non stop for those years, allowing us to travel and be a one income household when previously we were 2. I no longer travel. I am the Marketing and Digital General Manager for CE, LLC in Houston TX.

TWC:  How long have you been a part of the pipeline family?

Kathleen:  Just under 8 years. 

TWC:  Do you travel with your significant other?

Kathleen:  We do not travel with him anymore. 

TWC:  If so, how long have you been traveling?  How many states in how many years?

Kathleen:  We traveled just over 3 years and made it through a dozen or so states, mostly Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, WV and PA.

TWC:  What have you found to be the most difficult thing about your pipeline experience so far?

Kathleen:  The only guarantee in pipeline is there is NO guarantee. With children I am not comfortable not having a source of income to provide when work is slow, like right now. 

TWC:  What do you enjoy most about it?

Kathleen:  I truly have enjoyed the wives and families we’ve gotten to meet. 

TWC:  What is Pipeline Ladies Lunching?

Kathleen:  Pipeline Ladies Lunching is a social group dedicated to JUST luncheon posts. (There is no fee to join.)

TWC:  How/why did you start the group?

Kathleen:  I started the group because I was tired of fishing through drama filled pages for a luncheon post. 

TWC:  How quickly did the word get out?

Kathleen:  It got out incredibly fast. We grew in a few weeks to 500 or more members. 

TWC:  How many members are in the group now?

Kathleen:  3.8k members

TWC:  Are the luncheons only for a certain area of the country?

Kathleen:  No they are for all areas of country and all walks of pipeline life. Union, non union, from Superintendant to swamper. 

TWC:  How often do you get a chance to attend luncheons?

Kathleen:  As I do not travel and work full-time I don’t get to attend many anymore.

TWC:  How can someone find the group? 

Kathleen:  They can search for the group title or be added by a current user. We do require you answer a few questions as we have children attending the event and we want to keep them safe. 

TWC:  Can anyone organize a luncheon?

Kathleen:  Anyone is welcome to organize a luncheon. 

TWC: What has creating this group meant to you?

Kathleen:  This group has meant a drama free setting to meet and get to know other families. 

TWC:  What do you love about the group?

Kathleen:  The camaraderie between the wives and lifelong friends for our children. 

TWC:  Where do you see the group in 5 years?  Will you still run the group?

Kathleen:  Hopefully in another 5 years the group is still maintaining itself with a collective group of women who are interested in supporting the other families in the industry. I am less hands off now, compared to what I was when I started the group but I would like to think in 5 years I would still be somehow involved. 

TWC:  Would you share some of your tips/words of wisdom for someone getting started with the pipeline?

Kathleen:  The only guarantee in pipelining is there is no guarantee. Find a support system no matter where you travel. Part of the intention of the group was to assist families in building a support system where ever they may roam. 

TWC:  What has been your favorite place to visit with or without the pipeline?

Kathleen:  My favorite place to visit has been Leslie, Michigan. We stayed there on two separated jobs for almost a year each time. We made lifelong friends and our children had the opportunity to enjoy a true winter, something we don’t get to experience in South Texas.

There you have it, how the Pipeline Ladies Lunching was born!

Let me hear from you!  Did you already know about this group?  Are you ready to join the group if you are not a member, (no fee involved)?

If you are interested in sharing your personal pipeline story please comment below or send me a message.

If you are looking for other ways to connect with people while traveling, check out my blog here.

As always, thanks for reading!

–Kate

I say “forever” because it really can be difficult to determine if that will be the home you will live in for the rest of your lives but it can certainly be the goal.  We bought our home with the intention of settling down for the kids so that they could establish friends and be a bit closer to family.

Looking back at our previous home purchases, it would have been difficult to make them our “forever” home. Our family doubled in size and then we added my parents to our home as well.  That little 1200 sq ft ranch would have been a tight fit for all of us and our things.

Luckily, when we chose to buy and then again, when we chose to sell it worked out in our favor and we were able to make a profit to help go towards debt and our savings for the next purchase.

These previous purchases allowed us to build up some savings and knock out some debt so that this was an option for us when we were ready to start thinking more about our future.

Here are just some of the reasons we thought it was a good idea to plan to buy a home before leaving the pipeline…

Pay down now with the potentially larger income

If you have little to no debt besides your home left you can take anything extra and apply it to the home. This will help pay things down even quicker and save you interest!  Also, depending on how early on you start doing this, you have the potential to have NO house payments when you are done traveling with the pipeline!!  How amazing would that be?!

Can afford your dream home

Choosing to buy your future home now may mean that you can afford some or all the things you want in a home.  With the bigger paychecks and your other debt paid off it gives you a bit more flexibility in getting what you want.  To some that may mean building a home.  To others it could be a bigger home or high-end finishes.  Whatever your dream home means to you, you have the potential to work it in to your plan if you start thinking ahead a bit.

Make necessary improvements during layoffs

If your option was to build or buy a fixer upper, buying that home ahead of time gives you space to work on it at your pace and fix things up as you go.  This way it is ready by the time you come off the road. You can work on it little by little during any layoff periods.  Another option is to pay someone to work on it during your work periods but obviously this comes at an additional cost.

Start accumulating things/equipment/toys you may want after done traveling

Getting a home ahead of time allows you to start decorating, fixing and gathering any tools/toys you may want to have when you are home.  You can take your time picking out your furniture, paint colors, fixtures, etc since you are not living in it now.  This extra time allows you to slowly update anything you may want to replace.

Rent out the home until you are done traveling

If you are worried about an unoccupied home that you are paying for consider renting it out.  You could rent it to someone you may know or trust. Utilizing a rental property management company who will screen your tenants for you and generally take about 10% for their fee is another great option.  These companies also have a team that is available if something goes wrong and needs to be fixed.  And if god forbid, someone needs to be evicted, they know how to handle the situation.

What’s great about this too, is that depending on your mortgage payment you may be getting that paid for you by your tenant!  How great would it be to have someone else making your payments for you!!  Even if they are not making the full payment they are still helping to pay it down faster.

Debt reduction is key!

It’s important to note that this plan may not be for everyone.  Your current situation will determine whether or not this is something you could do.  If you currently have quite a bit of debt and no savings, I would consider paying that off and getting an emergency fund (about 6-8 months of bills) saved up first.

If you don’t know where to start with debt reduction check out these resources:  Dave Ramsey who I referenced in this post.  Another great resource for money saving tips is from Ruth Soukup’s blog, Living Well Spending Less.

The debt snowball vs debt avalanche

As you pay off each bill of debt try following the avalanche method.  This method has you pay off the debt with the highest interest first and then take that payment and apply it to the next high interest debt.  You continue to do so until everything is paid off. This is a great method to use but can be a bit more difficult with those of us receiving unreliable or unsteady income.

For that reason, I prefer to use the snowball method.  With the snowball method you focus on the smallest debt first.  Not only can you often pay something off quicker but you also get that satisfaction quicker of knowing you knocked some of your debt out.  This can often help keep you excited about paying things off and continue to do so.

Ready?

Get your debt list going! Gather all your debts owed except any mortgages.  List them out with the amount owed and monthly payment.  If you are opting for the avalanche method be sure to get the interest rate as well.   Organize your list based on which payment method you will be using.  Then start tackling that debt!

We followed Dave Ramsey’s plan initially and have tweaked things as we have gone along.  With the plan we were able to knock out several credit cards, a personal loan and our truck.  The thing is, if you want the plan to work and continue to work, you need to stick to it and then continue following it!

What happened is that we did not…we upgraded our trailer to a brand new one, rolling our loss in to the payment.  We bought a used vehicle but used financing.  The only thing we have maintained regularly is our savings.

Looking for a boost?

Pick up a side job or two to help pay down that debt or house even faster!  There are quite a few different options for finding flexible jobs that work with our travel.  If you need some help finding ideas, check out my post here!

Let’s recap…consider having a plan to buy a home before leaving the pipeline so that you are not scrambling when it is time to come off the road.

Follow these tips to get you started:

• Pay down debt
• Save at least 6-8 months expenses
• Find your dream home and purchase
• Consider renting out home to help pay it down
• Pay off your dream home or at least half by the time you want to stop working on the road

Let me know if you have done this, are planning to or have different ideas!  I love hearing from you so please leave a comment below!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Kate

Today is our son’s first day of Kindergarten and I am sitting here crying like a baby.

I’m doing it for all the typical reasons;

• He’s growing so fast
• His first experience of school
• He was nervous (and so am I)

But one of the biggest reasons I’m sitting here is because my husband isn’t.  He should be here.  He is missing out on these big occasions.

No, he is not dead. No, he is not in the military.

He has something else that keeps him away…the pipeline.

Have you heard of it? Probably just the protests, right? A topic for another time.

In case you have not heard of it…our country is full of pipelines that run under and above the ground. They crisscross our nation like the veins in our body, providing a supply of liquid and gas that our country depends on.

They help transport liquid petroleum and natural gas to help create products we use EVERY DAY like our cell phones, TVs, fuel for our cars, heat to our homes, etc.   You can read about pipelines here.

Another story, another time.

Let’s get back to our story…

The kids and I decided to come back about a week before so I had time to get the school supplies from the list, figure out timing (for driving), plan out lunches (I’m failing here) and overall scheduling.

We also wanted to give our son a bit of time to adjust back home before entering a new situation.  To have time to run around and enjoy summer at the big house.  To get used to sleeping in a new bed and place.

It is such an exciting time and yet so hard on our family.

For an undetermined amount of time we will be apart from my husband, their daddy.  He is staying back to work, to provide for our family. Unless he gets laid off soon, we most likely won’t see him until around Thanksgiving break.  He is about 8 hours away and that is just too hard on two littles for a weekend trip.

This is a job that we chose before we had children.  My husband has worked so hard to get where he is and has become damn good at what he does. As a family we support him!  We know it will be hard and the visits will not come often enough but it is a short-term game at this point.

Although, this was a choice we made, it doesn’t make it any easier.

The kids and I get to be back in our home.  Making new friends and enjoying our new town.  We get to check out our festivals, sports and whatever else we can find.  We have all these things to keep us busy along with navigating school and all the things that come along with daily life.

While it can be fun doing these things, it is also bittersweet.

It’s hard for me to not think about the fact that he will miss out on different activities or the excitement of making a new friend.  He will miss out on the bedtime routine, the homework and even simple things like pickup and drop-off.

He doesn’t get to hold our sons hand at the dentist when he is scared.

He doesn’t get to wipe our daughters tears away when she gets hurt.

But he wants to.

He doesn’t get to teach them how to ride bikes.

He doesn’t get to snuggle with them every night.

But he wants to.

I often don’t send him as many pictures when we are apart.  Not because I don’t think that he should see them.  I worry about how it will affect him.  I don’t want him to miss them more than he already does but I don’t want him to miss out either.

We know there are options.

Trust me when I say that we have talked about a lot of them.  Our minds have changed several times already.  We know there are options for schooling.  Homeschooling or to just change schools whenever we moved is an option.

I know many families that are doing these things successfully and it works for them.  But each of us is different.  We feel this is what are family needs right now.

We also know there is always a way to make something work.  So, for now we are finding ways to make being apart work for our family. Technology certainly helps.  FaceTime is often used as signal allows.

Our family talks daily, even if it is only for a few minutes.  We keep the kids informed on what is happening and encourage them to be engaged in the conversation.

Please don’t mistake this post as looking for sympathy.

We know this is the path that we have chosen.  We have a plan and right now, this separation, this difficult situation is a part of that plan.

This post is more for those that are also experiencing this same situation.  I just want you to know that you are not alone.  There are others going through separation just like you.

It may not be for the same reasons but they know the heartache you feel.  The questions you have unanswered.  They have family and friends that just don’t understand.

There are others that loved this lifestyle but now want it to change so desperately.  Some are trapped financially and trying to figure a way out.  Others just love this work and are not ready to walk away from it.

Whatever the situation, there are others out there that are negotiating similar situations.  Trying to do the best for their family.

This post is for you. I hope you know that there are others out there, experiencing similar situations with our travel lifestyle. You are not alone.

Ways to help ease the separation…

• FaceTime, Skype, Zoom are great tools to have so that you can have a sense of connection.  They help by providing you with video calls.  You get to see each other while you chat.  We do this daily as long as he has a decent signal.
• Talk.  I’m mean really talk.  Separation makes things seem worse than they are sometimes.  You need to be able to share what you are feeling so things don’t get mixed up or lost in translation.
• Put yourself in their “shoes”.  Try to see things from the other person’s point of view.  Both parties are struggling with different things when separated.  My husband is so good at this, I need to do better.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in whatever we are dealing with that we don’t always stop to see what they are going through also.
• Make time for visits as often as possible.  Obviously this varies on distance and schedules but if you can make something work, DO IT!
• Find support.  Talk to people that can relate or are at least willing to listen.  If you need help finding places for support, check out my post about some resources here.
• If you don’t like the situation, make a plan to change it!

If you can relate and want to share, I would love to hear from you!  Drop a comment below!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Kate

I don’t know about you but I do not enjoy cooking in the camper kitchen to begin with but when you add high temps…I’m out!  Between chasing the kids out of the kitchen area, searching for my ingredients and getting the pans warmed up I was already in full on workout sweat mode!

I finally started using my brain and coming up with a few ideas on how I could keep it a bit cooler in the kitchen.

Are you ready to learn about my top ways to keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer?

Read on sister!

Meal Prep

One of the easiest ways is to prep your food in the morning when the temps are cooler outside.

Meal prep is nothing new but doing it to help keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer may be a new idea to some.

If you focus on doing the cooking in the morning you get two great advantages;

1. You can relax in the afternoon because most of your dinner is done
2. You don’t have to worry about that boob sweat as you prep your sweetie’s dinner

I don’t know about you but both of those reasons alone have my vote for early morning cooking!

Now if only I could get my act together and actually put that plan in to action!

Don’t fear though if you are not a morning kind of person, there is still help!

Meet your new best friends – The Crockpot and Instapot

These two are great at helping keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer because they keep the steam/heat inside a lid and once again all your prep is done and your food is just in there cooking itself!

The crockpot is great because you generally just throw all the ingredients in and let it cook for a set period of time.  If you have one of those fancier ones it will even put it on “keep warm” after the cooking period is over.  One of the issues that occasionally may happen is that you overcook the meat and it turns into a mushy mess, depending on the recipe and meat.  The other issue relates to comparing it with the Instapot, you may dirty more dishes with the crockpot.

The instapot is super helpful in that it can do a variety of cooking tasks!  You can saute it, then pressure cook it…think a roast where you want to sear the meat first.  One less dish right there!

It’s great for boiling eggs, making chili, and more!  Some models have options for baking, soups, and homemade yogurt.  You can find the model I currently have here and other RV needs here!  I even have a few accessories to go along with it.

Use your convection oven(newer models) instead of regular oven

I have found that the convection oven puts off a bit less heat than the regular oven in the camper. Both get a bad rap for cooking in a camper though.  The regular oven is so small, a pain to light and it often seems to take forever or burn your item to a crisp!

The convection oven is still on the small side but bigger than the regular oven.  You don’t have to bend down or get on the floor to light it (or light it period)!  It can still be tricky though as it seems that you can’t always go with the same temperature or cooking time as what is called for in a typical home oven.

If that is still too much heat in your kitchen try these options…

Use your fire pit

Fire pits are great because they take the cooking outside.  Sure, you may have a side item or two that you want to do inside but those can be a simple choice or at least something that requires less heat.

There are a lot of great meals out there that can all be done over the fire.  You can seriously cook just about anything over a camp fire!  If you are like me and need help getting creative over a camp fire check out Pinterest for some suggestions.

This one is great for that nostalgia feeling of camping too!  Bonus points because your kids might think you are cool for starting a fire AND cooking over it too.

Checkout my Pinterest Board for more great ideas!

Use your grill

Another great option for cooking outside is a portable grill.  Depending on what type of grill you carry with you will determine how much you can actually cook on it.  We just tote around a little one that could hold a couple steaks or plenty of burgers/dogs for a small gathering.  We like to keep it simple!

A charcoal grill may give you more grilling space than a portable gas one but they are also a bit messier to clean up.  You need a bit more planning as well so you get it lit and heated up before cooking.

I have to admit that grilling is not my go to cooking method.  I love the taste of grilled food but lack the skill and experience in preparing anything on there.  I usually pawn it off on my husband if he will be home at a decent hour.  Which translates in to, we don’t eat off the grill much!

Make salads

If you are not in to grilling or just want to change things up a great dinner option to help keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer is to make a salad!

Salads are one of those things that I loathe to make because in my mind there are so many different steps before you get to eat it.  Plus, I feel like they never compare to some fancy salads I have ordered at restaurants in the past.

In reality though, it’s simple and versatile!  You can keep it simple with just your standard vegetables or add in some different proteins to change it up.  I love adding some bean varieties or some quinoa!

What’s great about salads too, is that you can prep most of the ingredients days before making the salad OR make several different salads ready to eat in just a few hours.

I love the majority of recipes found here!

Well, there you have it…my top ways to keep your camper kitchen cool in the summer!

Do you use these methods now?  Do you have other suggestions not listed?  Comment below and let me know what works best for you!

As always, thanks for reading

-Katie

Can anyone relate to falling out of your routine after traveling?

These last few weeks have been CRAZY for our family!  And it has wreaked havoc on any type of schedule we have managed to assemble prior!  This has left me feeling all kinds of out of sorts and not accomplishing anything!

I am in desperate need of strategies to reset a routine and stick to it!  Who’s with me?!!

Story time

My parents celebrated 50 years (Woohoo!!!) and we (my 2 brothers, myself and our families) decided to throw them a party back in our home state.

Most of the to do list involved internet searches and lining up some vendors.  Not too much to undertake while living out of state but our home is still pretty new to us and the basement looked like a storage facility for plastic totes and cardboard boxes.

So, the kids and I headed home about 2 weeks before the party.  We were having some renovations done to the home and needed to check in on that process.  We’ve had some bad experiences in the past in other states so we just needed to make sure everyone was on the same page.

Prior to leaving I was all in on a workout program, 6 days a week.  The kids were getting settled in to a routine back in the trailer and we were starting to find some fun activities in the area.

The problem

It only took me about 2 days to get off track on my workouts.  (Need ideas for working out while on the road?  Check this post out!). Just seemed like there was SOOO much to get done each day.  Plus, once I started on our project that gave me a bit of a workout!

The first week home involved making sure things were going smoothly with renovations, getting readjusted to our home and getting some supplies.

Second week my Dad and I took on a project in the basement to get that storage facility under control! It involved building a room around our mechanicals and shelves to hold ALL those totes.  I have to say it felt so good to be working on that, especially since it was a surprise for my husband.

The secret was out (almost)!

The kids almost spilled the secret on FaceTime though!  Luckily, Grandma was nearby to intercept.

During those two weeks the focus was on getting the house prepped for the party and completing so much so that I didn’t really get much else accomplished.  The kids’ routine was off, I stopped writing and as usual, I fall in to some bad eating/snacking habits.

These habits, or lack of, lasted for the entire time we were gone and for a bit back at the trailer too.  It finally hit me what I needed to do to change things and get back to a routine again.

Of course, true to this traveling life, it will all change in another few weeks.  Story of our lives, right?!

How to reset a routine and stick to it…

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” -Tony Robbins

Assess your current routine

Sometimes it is just nice to take a break/change routine

Sometimes, we just need that interruption to help us refocus and get back on track.  The break can be as short as a few hours or as long as several days.  Whatever the duration, sometimes it is just nice to get that break from a long standing routine.

Acknowledge what isn’t working

Often times we don’t stick to our routines because there is something in there that is just not working for us anymore.  Maybe it is your wake up/bedtime.  Are you trying to do something that just doesn’t interest you anymore?

Whatever it may be, take a minute to think about the differences in your routines and what felt good to you in each of them.

Make a list of what needs to get done

Think about your perfect day.  What is involved in that day?  Do you sleep in?  When do you exercise, first thing or save it for later?  Do you make time for a hobby?  What tasks do you have to do on a daily basis?

Make a list of all the things that would make up your perfect day.  Then find a way to make it happen!

Focus on what is important to you

Knowing this information can help you set up a great routine.  Setting your day up with plenty of rest, movement, to do list items and fun things is a great way to help you stick to your routine.

What is important to us can change often.  Take time to look at what things are important and how to incorporate or keep them in your life.

You may have to reset a routine often

Obviously with our traveling routine there has to be some built in flexibility.  This can certainly cause some anxiety and chaos.  I could either not do any type of routine because it is changing SO often OR I can embrace the change and take that time to restructure/refine my routine with each new move or disruption.

Staying on track when you reset a routine

Put sticky notes out/phone reminders

Put your routine where you can see it.  Whether it is on a bunch of sticky notes or just on a sheet of paper, have it somewhere visible so you see it several times a day.

Use a journal if that is more your style.  Take time to write out your schedule in your journal and then make sure you reference it often.  The Happy Planner is one of my favorites because you can customize it to your liking!!

Set alarms on your phone when it is time to change activities.  If you are constantly checking your phone throughout the day, this may be a great option for you!  Getting those little chimes can help direct your attention to whatever task you have assigned for yourself.

Note:  If you are someone that can tune out your notifications on your phone this may not be best option.

Keep a set bedtime/wake up

Set your wake and bedtimes so that you get enough rest.  We often underestimate our bodies need for sleep, pushing ourselves until we are exhausted.

Establishing a regular wake up and bedtime helps your body regulate.  I know I am guilty of this!  Thinking I don’t have enough time to get everything done so I stay up later.  In all honesty though, it is not that I don’t have enough time, it’s that my time management sucks!

Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up, just pick up where you left off

We are humans, not robots. If you have a slip, acknowledge it and then get back on track.  If it keeps occurring, take a look at that schedule.

Is there something that needs to change?  Are you forcing yourself to do something that is not enjoyable?

Is there a way to reframe your thoughts about that task?  There will be times that we have to do something that we just don’t want or enjoy so, looking at how you think about that task may help you get through it.  If it is still a struggle, maybe it is just not the right time.  See if you can have someone else take it on for now or if you can tackle it at another point in time.

Accountability – share it with someone you know

Don’t underestimate the power of accountability.  It is nice to know someone else has your back and give you that friendly reminder of goals you have set.  Make sure you pick someone that will help you stay on track and not help derail you!

However you decide to reset a routine for yourself just remember that it is meant to be adjusted.  I know I could not maintain the exact same routine my entire life.  There are too many changes as we grow!  We need to adjust as we grow physically, mentally and professionally.

Make some space to make a plan for you and/or your family.  If you need some ideas feel free to reach out to friends, family, myself or our best pal, Pinterest!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

That’s why I wanted to share my 7 unique gift ideas for the “hard to buy for” father on Father’s Day!

This category of men tend to

buy what they want, when they want it and

respond with, “I don’t need anything” when asked for ideas

This is great for every ordinary day but so frustrating for special occasions!

I grew up in a gift giving family so it feels so strange not to give something on a special occasion.  I find myself scrambling last minute to get something together.

So, what do you get the guy that can get himself anything?  Keep reading to see my 7 unique gift ideas for the “hard to buy for” father

Experiences

Being that we travel often and usually have limited space for storing stuff, a great gift idea would be an experience.  I’m thinking like race car driving, wine/beer tasting, or an evening out to a concert or comedy club in the closest area that offers such an event.  Groupon is a great resource for finding ideas like this.

I know most only get Saturday evening free and time to rest on Sunday so try to plan it around those days.  If that is not a possibility look at something in the future, hopefully during a layoff.  Of course, check to see if there is a refund policy and/or a date exchange in case something comes up and he cannot attend.

Something pipeline related

Have something pipeline related or job related made just for him.

There are a ton of shops selling items online that can create something unique.

I love shopping in the FB groups as well as on Etsy to find things like T-shirts, wallets, mugs, wall hangings, etc.  Check out Home Businesses of the Pipeline on FB or ask in one of the groups to see if someone makes something you are looking for as a gift.

Sentimental

Sentimental gifts like a nice card, a love letter, a back rub or helping to create a gift with the kiddos are always a nice gift.  These gifts generally show more expression of your love because of the time and/or effort it took to put together.

Unique on Etsy, Uncommon Goods

I like to try to find unique gifts to give.  Some of my favorites are found on Etsy, Uncommon Goods or Amazon.

One of my favorite gifts (his too) was a big photo of our first dog together that was made up of smaller pictures of us.  I had it matted and framed.  He was so surprised and it turned out great!!

Kid’s gifts

Skip something from you and head right to the motherland of gift giving ideas, Pinterest!

Pinterest is my best friend when it comes to finding crafty ideas for celebrations like Father’s Day! I usually have my kids make a card or something on canvas to give to the man who can get anything for himself.

Nothing says “we love you Daddy” like a few handprints and some sweet words from the kids.

If you have older kids, another option might be to have them fill out something sentimental like this book you can find on Amazon.

A trip

Taking a trip is always a nice gift too!  I know we travel a lot but going somewhere because you want to is way different than going because your job tells you to.  Find something close by for a Saturday night away or again, plan something for in the future.

Sometimes just a night in a hotel can be relaxing!  With kids, we usually opt for a nice place with a pool.

If you need more tips or ideas for finding things to do near you, check out my post here.

Donate or Save

If gifting really isn’t your or his thing why not donate the money you would have spent.  You can choose a charity that is close to his heart or has some meaning to either of you.  Another option is to donate to yourself!  Put it in your savings account, vacation fund or pay on a bill!!

Whether you choose from the 7 unique gift ideas for the “hard to buy for” father or come up with something completely different, the idea of the day is to show your love and appreciation.  Enjoy your time together and try not to sweat the gift giving.

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

That is quickly followed up by…

Asking my husband 100 questions he doesn’t have answers to

Anyone else do this? No?  Just me then.  LOL

I know I annoy him to no end but he still insists on telling me before he has all the details.  So, who is to blame really?

Part of it is the excitement of a new place but the other part is fear that we won’t find somewhere decent to stay.

My next steps all involve one word…internet!  I don’t know how we survived sometimes without it!  The internet has been such a big help though when it comes to finding out about new locations and places to stay.  So, my next steps are as follows:

Look up the location

If he doesn’t already know this answer he will generally go back and ask to satisfy my need.  LOL

I consider myself a planner. Not one of those super organized and well thought out planners though.  More like I need to have all the info to make a plan but I will only make half the plan and procrastinate the rest.

If I know the general area then I can scout out about a 50-mile radius of all the amenities we may need. Puts my mind at ease until I get more details.

See how long the drive will be and best route

I am always the navigator as my husband generally does the driving.  If I know how long the drive will be then I can find stops along the way to break up the drive so that our kids are not going nuts locked up in their car seats.

If it is a long drive, we like to look for a half way point to stay for the night.  None of us like to be in the vehicle for an all-day excursion so we make it about 6-7 hours max.

Locate closest campgrounds, hotels & short-term rentals

I check out ALL the housing options because I never know what we are going to find.  We try to stay in our camper as much as possible but there have been times because of lack of campgrounds nearby or them being full that we have had to find other options.  This is always dependent on when we are coming in to a job or how many other jobs are around the same area.

Check out city/town webpage

Another great resource is the closest town websites.  They often list any events happening and I have come across others that also help with rentals.  At the minimum, they list the local businesses which can help you decide if you want to stay near that area or a different one.  This is great for finding hair/nail salons, restaurants, healthcare or any services you may need.

My next focus is usually on what the city has to offer while we are there.  Any events, gyms, parks, kids’ activities, etc.

See if there is a local FB page

If there is you can connect with local businesses and any events that may be happening while you are in the area.  I tend to search for indoor play options for rainy/cold days, any unique shops or farms for trips and children’s museums or at least some museums the kids might be interested in checking out.

Don’t forget to look at a map to see what other towns may be close by and what they have to offer too!

Check out FB events

FB events is helpful for finding any festivals, art classes, food/drink tastings or other special activities that may be taking place near you.  It will default to the last place you used or biggest city nearby if you have location services on.  With smaller towns, you may have to type it in or look at towns close by.

To access FB events, go to your Facebook.  If on your computer, click on events on the left side.  Then Discover and type in your city.  You can also search a date range to help narrow things down.

If you are on your phone, click on the 3 lines at bottom left.  Find events then select your location either as nearby (preset) or change to town needed.  You can also select a radius to help find things close by.  Once you select your town you can choose from today, tomorrow or this weekend.

Groupon

Groupon is helpful for finding coupons to local activities, events or service in a location you choose. It will not be a complete list of things around but it can save you some money on a few of them!

Local hotel or chamber of commerce for pamphlets and info

We often go to a hotel to let the kids swim in the pool if we don’t have one at the campground.  Hotels usually have a shelving unit full of pamphlets for local attractions.

Chamber of commerce also has a ton of information and usually a knowledgeable person to speak with about the local area.  Both are great resources when you get to a new town.

See what activity options are near

My kids are just getting to school age so I usually try to find activities to keep us busy a couple days/week.  We have found sports camps, indoor play areas, farms, zoos and plenty of hiking trails to keep us busy.

For more information on finding things to do check out my post here

By this time the location has changed or time has been pushed back…LOL. Sound familiar?

Once we know for sure that we are going I either start from scratch for the new location (see above list) or start focusing on a place to stay.

Take a drive

If we are within 2 hours of the new location, myself and the kids or all of us will take a trip to the new area.  Look around. Find out where we are warehousing and map out what places we are considering staying (if there are options).

Most reputable places are honest with their pictures of their property and what sites may look like but there are other businesses that are not.  It’s just nice to be able to see them in person and also scout out other places to help anyone else that might be looking for a place to stay.

Visiting also gives us a chance to time and find the best routes to the yard from potential campgrounds, hotels, etc.  As well as routes from the current location to the new location.

Our most recent move we actually did about 3 trips.  Two to scout the area, to see what was around and potential yard locations.  The third was more of a drive by once we found a place we wanted to stay.  The kids and I were heading home to MI anyways so, we just drove an alternate route to see if that would work for taking the trailer and also to check out the campsite.

The two scouting trips were to check out some places I had already called on and to review a potential yard site.  Glad we made the trips because all the locations were not so great.  Definitely doable in a pinch but not ideal for us.

Peace of mind

All of the above tasks are essential to me getting comfortable with a new area.  I like to research and learn about the new place and see what options we have.  It helps me feel like I am participating a bit more with his work and gives me a sense of connection.  Some tasks are necessary for getting us set up but others are more for my satisfaction and mental health.

I hope these tips were helpful.

Let me know if you have a similar process for your moves, send me a message or comment below!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

This campground review was our second campground experience with the pipeline.  This job would take us to Seven Mountains Campground in Spring Mills, PA.  The area is known as Happy Valley, home of the Allegheny mountains and close to Penn State University.

Highlights

Seven Mountains Campground– Spring Mills, PA

• RV rentals, cabins and RV parking spots
• Full hookups
• Cable/wifi
• On top of a mountain
• Friendly owners
• Small store/snacks
• Wooded and rainy

Layout

We stayed at this campground the first time from about May 2009 to August 2009.  The campground was on top of a mountain about 15 minutes outside of State College. Right off on US-322, it was easy to get in, out and on your way. It was heavily wooded with dirt roads around the campground.  A majority of it was filled with seasonal campers who were set up permanently.

This was my first experience with seasonal camping.  I love the idea of it!  Being able to get away to your camper on the weekends and holidays.  Knowing your neighbors.  Building a deck or patio alongside the camper for additional space. Maybe someday when we stop traveling full time!

Most sites were back in only.  There was sufficient space between neighbors.  The sites were gravel with grassy patches for picnic tables.  Plenty of shade with all the trees.  Plenty of parking for at least two vehicles at most sites as well.

Towards the back of the campground were several cabins for rent.  They had several varieties of cabins; park models, parked rvs, and traditional cabin style.  Same setup back there, wooded, dirt roads and decent parking.  If I remember correctly they had a few other cabins mixed in with the other RV spots.

Story time

As you will find with most of my posts, I have a story to include with this campground review as well.

I didn’t spend a ton of time at this campground initially.  We had just gotten married a few months prior and were in the middle of our first home purchase.  I ended up making several trips back to Michigan to sign papers for the house as well as move in to it on my own (with the help of family & friends).

One of those trips also involved the adoption of the cutest pug EVER!  We found him on Petfinder.com.  He was part of a Michigan rescue and his profile pic melted my heart! I should have saved that one!!

We thought our current pup, Piglet, could use a friend.  He bonded so well with the raccoon we took in when we were in Missouri that we thought it was time.

I had to do some sweet talking in order to convince the rescue that we should adopt him.  Their policy was that you needed to live in the state.  I explained our situation and that we were Michigan residents, just traveling for work.

They agreed to let me meet Mater, the pug along with our dog, Piglet.  Piglet had a multitude of issues that included him needing to be held like a baby after eating to allow his food down.  If you didn’t, you usually had a mess to clean up.

The visit

On the day of the visit, Piglet had eaten before we left our home to drive the 40 minutes to the rescue. We were running late so, I didn’t have a chance to hold him properly.  He was also a high anxiety kind of dog so he would get nervous at new places.

We got to the rescue, made our people introductions.  It was now time for Mater to come out and meet Piglet.  Piglet was so excited to see another dog, he started racing around the room.

After a few minutes of this he stopped abruptly.  Took a wide stance and began moving his head back and forth.  I knew what this meant.  If I didn’t act quickly, we were going to be scrubbing the carpet!

I dove hands first towards Piglet with my hands cupped!!  I made it just in time for the vomit to cascade from his mouth in to my hands.  YUCK!!!

NOT a drop hit the floor!!

The rescue owners were so impressed they brought out the papers for Mater immediately after I washed my hands!

We were now a family of four!!

Our new addition was a hit at the campground.  During our many walks around, it would often takes us about an hour to complete from all the people stopping to see the pups.

Any who, back to the park info…

The park owners were pleasant and we had no issues while we stayed there.  One of our friends had an issue with their camper and the owners were very helpful in getting the assistance our friend needed.

There were no additional amenities besides cable/WIFI and a small store with a few parts and snacks. My favorite part were the views(once on the road out of the park) and the local trails nearby for hiking.

The town

Spring Mills is just a tiny blip on the map.  There was a little bar down the mountain about a mile that had a bit of food and you could get your 6 pack from.  Other than that, not much there besides the campground.

Nearby

State College was closer to about a 15 minute drive down the mountain.  Home to Penn State University, it has just about everything a college town should…bars, food, laundry and a mall.  It’s only a two lane road up and down most of the mountain so traffic could be a pain sometimes.

This is the closest big town without having to drive an hour or more.  Harrisburg, the capital of PA, is a little over an hour away.  We didn’t end up going over there on this trip.

On the other side of the mountain is a small town, Milroy.  There you will find a camper service & dealership, Lerch RV.  We ended up buying our second camper from them, the second time we were in the area.  I was on the hunt for those front living rooms when they first came out and they happened to have one that we loved!

Overall, we enjoyed our experience in Happy Valley and would recommend Seven Mountains Campground to anyone passing through!

I hope you have found this review and information helpful!

If you are looking for other campground reviews please check them out here.

Please remember that anything written above was my opinion and experience of the area/s.  I have also linked to the RV park page and State College, Pa website for more information.

Let me know if you have visited this place or surrounding area!  What did you think?

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

https://www.visitpennstate.org/about-us/state-college/

http://www.sevenmountainscampground.com

Consider finding work while you travel.

Traveling with your significant other can be filled with fun and new adventures but it can also get REAL boring and lonely too.

We all have different reasons for wanting to make money while traveling…maybe it is

• a creative outlet
• extra income
• meet others
• need more than being a stay at home mom (me raising my hand!)
• security in case something happens

Whatever the reason, there are options, EVEN while traveling.

Seasonal jobs

Most large corporations as well as some small businesses will often look for seasonal help.  That season depends on their industry. Sometimes it is summer help for outdoor companies or businesses related to warmer temps.  Other times it is focused more around the holidays, usually end of October to January.  This type of work provides flexibility because it is temporary.

Nationwide companies

If you want something steadier, look for nationwide companies that may allow you to transfer as you change locations.  For part of my time with Con-way Freight (now XPO Logistics), I was able to transfer to different terminals since they were a nationwide company.

Work at home

This type of work provides the ultimate flexibility because it can go wherever you go!  In most cases you are the boss as well so there is no checking to make sure you can transfer your work.

• MLMs

MLMs often get a bad rap.  They get called names like pyramid and Ponzi schemes but their structure is very similar to corporate America.  You have a president, then VPs, then Managers, then workers.  If you drew it out it would look much like a pyramid! There are a variety of different industries/products out there that involve MLMs.  Find one that fits your interests!

• Create something

Maybe you are a creative person.  Do you love to craft?  Have you designed something unique or improved on something already out there?   You could start an online store and sell what you make.  Depending on what it is you are creating, will determine how easily you could run the business on the road.

• Virtual assistants

Do you have administrative or specialized skills, a computer, phone and time to complete the tasks?  Do you enjoy helping others get the job done?  You could sign up to be a VA for online companies or better yet, start your own VA business!

• Transcriptionist

Transcription is another great option for working from home.  You need fast typing skills, a computer and an ability to pick up words from a variety of people.  Most people think of medical transcription in this category but there are many other types. Check out Rev.com for a listing of current jobs as well as opportunities to do captions for TV programming.

• Recruiting

If you are detail oriented, enjoy working, helping and talking with people then consider recruiting.  Recruiters get to help others find jobs.  Although many companies require a degree for this position you do have the option of creating your own freelance business.

• Customer Service

People skills are a must for this type of work!  A good portion of this position is done from a phone and/or email.  So, as long as you have good signal and enjoy talking to people this could be a great fit for you!

• Writer

Do what I do, share your thoughts with others!  You could write a book or blog, depending on your goals around writing. Both formats have the potential to bring in income and you definitely have the flexibility of working from anywhere. If this interests you, feel free to message me about any questions you have.  Check out the course that got me started here

Help others

Not all significant others travel with their Pipeliner.  We all know that they put in long hours most days and could use an extra hand.  If you are looking to make money while traveling, consider offering some of the following services to help out the other Pipeliners on the job;

• Pet sitter
• Baby sitter
• Laundry or cleaning
• Grocery shopping
• Running errands

Improve your skills

This option is not great on a resume if repeated over a long period but it does get you out of your small living space and meet others!  If you choose to, look for places you could get a discount like your favorite retail store. You could also find your favorite coffee shop or bookstore.  Another idea is to think of a new skill you would like to learn or improve on and try a place that offers it.

Work with significant other/on pipeline

Another option is to also work on the road.  This could be a bit more difficult if you have children only because of the added need for childcare if you both are out of the home for long hours.  If you can make it work then there are a few options;

• Many women opt to be their significant other’s helper (welders)
• Laborer
• Safety
• X-ray teams
• Office staff

Some choose to work directly with their significant other while others choose to work on a different crew.  Take in the factors of needing childcare, amount of time spent with each other and the type of work to help you decide if this would be a good fit for you and your family.

As I mentioned before, there are a variety of reasons to take up employment while traveling.

Here are my reasons…

In the 12 years we have been traveling together I have held a couple of the jobs above and also spent about 2.5 years at home while he traveled.

I worked at a tanning salon because I wanted to meet others.

We needed the extra income so, I took a job at Con-way and stayed home for 2.5 years and then transferred terminal to terminal.  His job was not very stable at the time (long lay-offs) and we had acquired too much debt.

I worked my first MLM because of pregnancy hormones and boredom.

My second MLM was started to get healthy and have extra income.

My current endeavors have been started to begin an exit strategy from this line of work.  Our kids will be starting school and we have chosen to be stationary for them.  This means our family will be split until we can get my husband off the road.

If you decide to seek employment, I encourage you to find something that you have an interest in and do enjoy.  Remember that it is ok to try something, not like it and then try something different. Don’t trap yourself in a job that makes you unhappy.

Please feel free to comment or send a message to me with any questions about working on the road.

If you are currently working or thinking about working on the road comment below.  I’d love to hear what you are doing!

If you are looking for other ways to beat the isolation, check out my post here.

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

How about an RV?! Sounds simple enough, right?  It can be but first check out these 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

Continue reading to find out what those questions are and how it will affect your decision.

10 questions to consider before buying an RV

1.What type of RV should I get?

There are a variety of different types of RVs to choose from; The motorhome which allows you to drive and live in the same space.  These can also be broken down into Class A, Class B, and Class C.

There are travel trailers that are pulled behind a vehicle attached to a hitch at the bumper.

Fifth wheels are pulled behind a pickup truck and attached at a hitch in the bed of the truck.

Finally, a few other types, like the van and bus conversions, not as popular but still great options depending on your situation.

Learn more about the different types of RVs here, https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types

2.Will you be staying in it full time?

If you plan on staying in your trailer for the majority of the year there are a few features you may want to consider.

The top 2, in my opinion, being a bigger fridge and storage.  These two are my necessities in a trailer that we will spend a lot of time in.

I am not a big fan of going to the grocery store every couple of days so I like to have more fridge space.  Plus, my two littles eat like they are teenagers already!!

Lots of storage is great for being able to rotate your clothing in seasons as well as toys if you have kids.

Having lots of storage inside and out means you can bring a few more of your favorite things and also have space to store the tools and necessary RV items.

Our current camper has the most storage I have seen in a fifth wheel to date.  We found this one in 2017.  It is a Grand Design Solitude 375RES.  It has a middle kitchen and elevated bedroom in the front and elevated living in the back.

In the kitchen, there is a pantry as well as wall and bottom cabinets.  The elevated living room in the back allows for more basement storage with a slide-out tray in the middle.  Seriously, SO much storage!!!

3.Will you be traveling to cold climates?

If you think you might be spending lots of time in colder climates you may want to check out the insulation packages for the trailers.

Many claim to be 4 seasons but I can tell you from experience that our 2007 Forest River Flagstaff with the rear kitchen was NOT!

It was our first job in the camper in northern Missouri.  We had bought the 4-season camper because we were unsure of where we would be.

I believe it was November. It had gotten pretty cold, quickly. After the first real cold night we had (maybe high 20s) we woke up the next morning with our pillows frozen to the walls!

In the camping industries defense, most are meant just for a weekend or a week or two trips and not long term.  So, when they say 4 seasons you could handle it in mild winters or for a weekend.

4.If considering a travel trailer or fifth wheel, how much can I tow?

This question really depends on the vehicle you have to tow.  Usually, a diesel dually will give you the most towing power but there are many full-size pick-ups that can handle the load as well.  Some travel trailers and fifth wheels can be pulled by a light truck (F150 or Chevy 1500).  This is what we initially started out with, an F150 pulling a Forest River Flagstaff lite(not in the picture below)

5.What is my budget?

RVs range anywhere from really small pull behinds around $20,000 brand new and go up to as much as $500,000+ if you look at motorhomes.

We have always bought brand new but I have to say that I would recommend buying used and an older model!  You lose SO much money buying brand new.  There are plenty of trailers out there that have been well taken care of or just didn’t sell the first year on the market.

Consider the time of year you buy as well if you are buying from a dealership.  It is better to buy towards the end of the camping season (Oct-Dec).  Most places aren’t wanting to have to store older inventory through the winter so they may discount them to get em’ sold!

After you answer the above, check out these questions to consider before buying an RV;

6.How often do we cook?

The kitchens in most trailers are not big. The industry is changing a bit in order to get a bigger kitchen but in doing that you sacrifice space elsewhere.

So, you have to be honest with yourself.  How often do you really cook?  Do you need that oven or can you make do with a stovetop and convection microwave?

Speaking of ovens, how awkward are those?!  Who wants to get down on the floor to light the pilot??  Am I right?

For those of you that do cook a majority of your meals, check out a few of these trailers…

https://www.rvingplanet.com/blog/top-5-best-fifth-wheels-with-front-kitchen/

I would also suggest

Grand Design Solitude 375RES (our current model)

Keystone Montana 3820FK

7.How much time do we plan to spend inside?

Think about how much time you will be spending inside your trailer.  Will you be spending most of it in the living room?  Kitchen?  Will everyone be there at the same time?

In most trailers, your biggest areas are your living room and bedroom.  If you will be inside a lot you will want more space that allows you to convert areas to function for multiple activities.  Think pull out couches or tables that convert to other sleeping areas.

8.How much storage do we need?

If you are like a good majority of the country, you have a lot of stuff!  Moving into about 200 sq. ft is NOT going to accommodate ALL of that stuff.  But it can hold quite a bit.  So, make sure you take into consideration how much storage, both inside and outside, you will need to hold your items.

Need help deciding what you might want to have in your RV?  Check out my post here for some ideas.

9.How old are your kids, if you have them?  Don’t forget about those pets too!

Accommodating babies and toddlers is way different than accommodating teenagers.  They need privacy and take up more space physically.

Most people with children, no matter the age, opt for trailers that offer a bunkhouse and a half bath, a toy hauler (has a “garage”), or something with a mid-bunk room. This gives a bit more privacy to your kids and a place to close the door on clutter and some noise.

10.Will your family grow in the near future?

Same as above, think about how your family might look in the future and what kind of setup you may need. Not that you can’t sell your current and upgrade to a different layout but wouldn’t it be nice to have something that would last!

There you have it!  My initial 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

I know there are a ton more factors to consider when buying an RV.  This was just a list to get your mind going and really think about what is important to your family for this purchase.

If you have already purchased, what was your biggest deciding factor in choosing your trailer?

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie