24/7 Chat About Anything

[user 30781]

Your trailer is adorable! What is that?

 

[Cammalu]

She needs to post a larger pic of that camper. It’s super cute. AND matches her car!!!

 

[Cammalu]

That must have been a hell of a dirt devil HDR. I had one sneak up behind me as I was driving on a dirt road in Quartzsite this year. It was full of gravel and I got pelted pretty good.

 

[user 30781]

Seems I have developed an intolerance (maybe an allergy?) to bananas in my older age.

If the weather's not too bad I'm taking off for a roadtrip next weekend and hiking will be happening. I was at the store a couple days ago and thought some bananas might be in order. Potassium for your muscles. I rarely eat bananas unless they're in banana bread.

I ate one about 9:30 this morning and by 10:30 I was having the worst stomach pain. I have GERD, so I know stomach pain. It just got worse and worse and started to move down a little bit and I was bloated. I was considering calling my daughter and having her take me to the ER, it was that bad. At the 4 hour point it just stopped and I passed right out and had a couple hour nap. I feel fine now. While I was laying on the bed trying to find a comfortable position I googled 'stomach pain after eating banana'. Yep. And now I have to watch for avocados too. Also mangoes and kiwis but I don't eat those.

That was worse pain than the gallbladder 'attacks' I had after taking curcumin (from tumeric) for a few days. Don't ever take that if you know you have gallbladder issues. If you do and don't know it yet, you'll find out if you take curcumin.

 

[user 30781]

Looks like I can't edit that post now. I was having an anaphylactic shock reaction and didn't know it. This is scary as heck. Breathing funny (I though that was from the pain), VERY clammy, voice was doing weird things, anxious. I don't know if I had any hives or rashes, I was completely focused on that pain.

 

[Cammalu]

Danggggg. I have never even heard of anyone allergic to bananas! Be careful!

 

[user 30781]

Danggggg. I have never even heard of anyone allergic to bananas!  Be careful!

It can go along with a latex allergy and include mangoes, avocados and kiwi.

I also had a weird metallic taste in my mouth when this was all going on. That can be a sign of anaphylactic shock too. Scary!

 

[Gypsy108]

I think bananas have some latex in them
I’m allergic to latex.  
I made banana bread many times... last weekend I made it...has stomach aches last week too...maybe a connection...

I rarely eat bananas too...

“ Latex allergy and food
Around half of all people with latex allergy have allergic reactions when eating particular foods, including avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwifruit, passionfruit, plum, strawberry and tomato. This is because some of the proteins in latex that cause latex allergy are also present in these fruits.”

 

[user 30781]

The only allergies I had up until now were cats and sulfa. Guess I won't have that avocado toast I've been thinking about.

 

[user 30781]

For about $25 you can make a plywood base, using 2x2 cleats to fasten the plywood uprights to the big piece of half inch plywood. You wind up with a bunch of cubbies underneath for your gear.

The cots are much lighter if that is a consideration.
-crofter

Links to Bob's vids on beds & cots in vans.

I spent the night in the minivan Saturday and one thing I realize is I HAVE to get that mattress up off the floor.  I'm old and out of shape and having trouble maneuvering off the floor, I think it would be easier getting up off a bed.  I'm watching the first video now.

 

[maki2]

It will be easier getting up off a higher surface. However you will increase your muscle strength quicker than you realize by doing things such as standing up from a mattress on the floor. Van life will make you stronger and fitter if you think of these things as essential strength building. Stay safe but take opportunities to get stronger through routine movements.

The stronger you get, the more self sufficient you will be. You can self rescue easier. Your increased ankle leg and muscle strength and improved balance means less risk of sprains and falls. Unless you are getting inflamed knees I say stick with the mattress on the floor for a few weeks for building strength enhanchment until you can manage it without much trouble. Getting up more easily from low surfaces is pretty essential for seniors who live on the road. After that go ahead and make the change to a taller bed.

 

[user 30781]

Yeah, you're right, maki.

 

[Gypsy108]

I want to put my twin size mattress on the floor of my suv....i know it will be a bitch for me to get up....so i thought of just sleeping on the back seat instead...but i'm going to still keep that mattress just in case.   You're right about building strength Maki...i used to sleep on the floor with that mattress a few years ago...but i was in better shape than i am now...

I get up about 3-5 times every night to use the bathroom now in sticks & bricks....I am very concerned how all that will work living in a vehicle....i think sleeping in the back seat & getting up will be easier....

I will find out soon enough....

 

[user 30781]

That's actually what's at the front of my mind. Will I be able to get up off the floor and on to a potty bucket fast enough?

I did not put the potty bucket through it's paces Saturday, I've used that thing enough already to be comfortable with it.

 

[maki2]

The number 2 reason for raising up the bed is to maximize the spave so you can store stuff under it. Of course that means youwill still be getting up off the floor after moving stuff in and out of that low space.
There are other reasons to raise it up such as keepng warmer in winter, being able to use the bed for seating.

I did not say don't ever raise it up.

 

[user 30781]

I know, Maki

Well, after second, third and fourth guessing myself the last few days I ordered that Zinus cot frame. I had a list for Lowes (plywood, 2x4s, wood screws) and saw my landlord working outside, asked if I could borrow a cordless drill when I got home. Explained what I was going to do. He told me by the time I got done with Lowes, I was going to want to hit at least one person over the head with one of those 2x4s. I don't think he likes Lowes. lol

It's 14", a little higher than I wanted but I figured if this van business doesn't work out, I can sell the frame and tri-fold Milliard mattress on Craiglist as a child's or guest bed. And I'll be able to fit everything I need underneath.

I'll get in shape hiking trails on the Olympic Peninsula next week instead of trying to get off the van floor. Got my new hiking boots broke in and they sure are comfortable.

 

[VanFan]

...I ordered that Zinus cot frame.

I'll get in shape hiking trails on the Olympic Peninsula next week...

Hope you like it.  I have something similar, only full-sized in a full-size van.  It works well for us.  The ventilation under your foam mattress will be a plus--especially in the PNW.  Enjoy!!

 

[GypsyJan]

Another thing I like about my cot is that it raises me up to the window so I have better ventilation than on the floor.

 

[user 30781]

I have two clamp on USB fans, one drawing air out of a front window and aimed towards the back and then another one clamped onto the panic handle and aimed right at my face. I have to have air blowing in my face to be comfortable at night.

 

[maki2]

When I have air blowing in my face while I sleep I wake up with a stuffy nose and sinus headache.everyone is d iffert, what helps one person can cause issues for another. Theyre is no one best solution for all when it comes to getting a good nights sleep.