Small Amish-Mennonite community of Grabill, Indiana

We are in NE Indiana. That means we can explore some Amish areas in northern Indiana or as we found, some that aren't far from Fort Wayne. This was one beautiful day in July in Grabill (Gray-bill). I found the Country Shops of Grabill. Three floors and multiple buildings interwoven of wonderful treasures.  Old, not too old and new. Just wish we had room in the RV to hold some.

How many Flea Markets do you know that have not one, but two hand-hewn canoes?

Minor Upgrades to the Suite

We've found making upgrades is a process. We have the Suite almost just the way we want it. This time we ordered an RV Stained Glass window. Kathy Magarelli, from RVStainedGlass.com did an outstanding job. She made it quickly and shipped it safely to us. We ordered the extra plexi to protect it from the elements.

As soon as we could, I had hubby install it on our door at the Campground. When the sun shines in through the window, the red lights up our kitchen. Very pretty.

 

Then we added new step covers in blue to match.

 

 

 

Next we did some things in the Interior. Additional shelves in cabinets are always a necessity. I also needed some in the walk-in closet.


New curtains to keep the sun and heat out. Also helps in the Winter when the cold wind is blowing. Still have two large windows to redo. The insulated ones from Wal-mart just don't match the interior. But when you are in a hurry, you have to use what you can get locally.  

 

While in Indiana, we found we wanted a sofa instead of just one recliner in the rear of the RV. Looked up in Shipshewana at Amish Furniture stores, but couldn't find what we wanted. So after we moved to a new RV Park south of Fort Wayne (Bluffton), we stopped into Ossian Furniture and found a beautiful jean blue Palliser's sofa. I measured and re-measured to make sure it would fit when the slides come in. Had it delivered and it looks great with our Americana décor.  So comfortable, that I think we'll be looking at their Loveseat to match once the Lazyboy recliners wear out.

 

Retirement Home

This time last year, we were still finalizing some custom changes on our new retirement home. Getting closer to SS age, made us realize that it was now or never to order a new 2014 Suite.

So working with Alicia @Rolling Retreats in Elk City, OK, we settled on a new floorplan and then reconsidered all the options we had on our 2009 and made as many upgrades as our budget could afford. As it was being built, they would send up photos of our unit. Did it make it easier or tougher, am not really sure. But it was a long wait, since they seemed to get very busy last Fall and were trying to keep up with the demand. Took at least a month longer than our previous Suite to take possession.

Unfortunately, the delays meant we were getting into Winter weather. So when we picked up our unit the week before Thanksgiving. Left Dodge City on a sunny day. Then the wind started. By the time we arrived at the dealership, we encountered strong frigid cold wind that made the process of transferring our items from one Suite to the other a big headache. By the next morning, the rain had turned to Ice, then Snow on top of the Ice the following day. So we were trapped on the dealer's lot living in our new RV.

Finally, after 3 days of Winter, the sun came out and melted everything enough to leave.