Sometimes I’m really good! For those of you who doubted we would be able to fit all the stuff we needed for the show in the little Mustang, I get to say “I told you so!” LOL I don’t mean this in a nasty way at all, but I must say that I am pretty darn proud that we were able to fit everything in – and even had room to spare.
I suppose that I am so proud because before I had Mustang(s) I had a 1990 Buick Regal. If any of you are familiar with them, you know that you could fit another small vehicle in the trunk of it – not to mention the large rear back seat. It was the ideal car for me when my children were growing up, as we always had plenty of ‘equipment.’
But when I graduated to my first Mustang (a 2000 V-6) it was quite a shock to have about a quarter of the room that the good old Buick had. But I adapted.
Three years later, when I moved up to this car, with its killer sound system, I thought I would drop when after I signed the paperwork on the car and asked if the trunk was much smaller because it was a convertible. The salesman said “no, it is only about 3” shorter” and opened the trunk for me to look.
“What’s all that?” I asked as I looked into the tiny trunk with a rack and two large boxes on each side.
“Well, that is your Mach 1000 sound system.” he replied.
“Can you take it out?” I blurted out, thinking about the upcoming wood shows and wondering how I would get everything I needed to fit in.
He looked at me like I had two heads.
I honestly didn’t realize that having that type of sound system would require the use of so much of the already limited space.
“Caveat emptor”
Over a short period of time I have learned to love and live with the music system. I figured out that it was better to have cool sound than trunk space. Like living in my little one bedroom, my car has taught me to minimize the amount of “stuff” that I have or cart around with me. And that isn’t a bad thing.
I did have a trailer hitch installed and I expect I will be renting a trailer for the ride home. After all, I will be carting home a NEW EXCALIBUR SAW!!!! :D
But for those of you disbelievers (Dennis – are you looking???) here are the pictures . . .
The “necessities”
And below are two more pictures of how nicely it all fits:
Believe it or not, the trunk is still completely EMPTY! I do still have to put in my two medium size suitcases and my travel bags and there is one other small box with miscellaneous thing in it, but that is all. As the title of this post reads – there will even be room to spare!
I am quite proud of the accomplishment, as we used every cubic inch available.
I am writing this last night to post this morning. We plan on shoving off early – how early? I don’t know. If I am up early then there is no reason not to hit the road.
It is a great way to begin the trip. I hear it snowed in New York today and a storm is moving through. The doomsayers are telling me that there is more to come but I looked on the weather and it looks as if there will be little if any additional accumulation. Besides, we have an extra day and a half to get there if we need it.
We are prepared.
It’s a great start to a great couple of weeks. I feel it in my heart that this will be a trip of a lifetime. I will do my best to keep you all posted. :)
Have a great day!
-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"
15 comments so far
William
home | projects | blog
7056 posts in 1007 days
#1 posted 788 days ago
Be careful, but most of all, HAVE FUN!
-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/
NH_Hermit
home | projects | blog
334 posts in 1261 days
#2 posted 788 days ago
You did it, Sheila. You got the car packed.
Now let’s hope you get a sympathic border patrol who won’t demand you umpack everything.
We’re wishing you a productive and enjoyable the trip. We’re looking forward to reports.
-- John from Horse Shoe
GaryD
home | projects | blog
608 posts in 1535 days
#3 posted 788 days ago
Sheila, you and yours be careful and have a great time!
-- Gary, Little River,SC I've Learned that the Lord didn't do it all in one day and neither can I
BertFlores58
home | projects | blog
1527 posts in 1087 days
#4 posted 788 days ago
Hi Sheila,
Nice stowage but still I am not pleased about it…. The way we secure things onboard ship is different. We have to think of the movement of the ship and there should be tightness and stability of the stowage. Similarly, please have it also on your stowage. What if you apply sudden brake, or a sharp curve and one will fall directly to your front… it will disturbed your driving. I prefer that you lash it firmly … a masking tape will help…. I mean make it as one big box by taping them. In that way no movement. Also, stabilitiy.. the heavier stuff (not the big one) should be on the lower part to make it more stable… Can you still see the back on your mirror?... Just caring… Careful and be safe.. My prayers for your safe travel!
God Bless!
-- Bert
Bob Kollman
home | projects | blog
1779 posts in 1356 days
#5 posted 788 days ago
It’s not the car your wood working grandma owned!!!!
Have a nice trip!!!
-- Bob Kenosha Wi.
Dennisgrosen
home | projects | blog
10854 posts in 1280 days
#6 posted 788 days ago
OOH yes I´m looking …. LOL
I would have gessed you wuold have taken the backseat out
but I have to second Bert … so at least take the printer down from the shelf
you don´t want a thing like that fly forward under a surpricing stop … it cuold kill one of you
the worst/werd I have seen was one who had a first aid kit in a plasticbox on the rear windowshelf
like almost everybody ells in europe back then …. the box only waight ca ½ kg … well you got the picture
today they are made as a softbox
drive safly
Dennis
patron
home | projects | blog
12048 posts in 1506 days
#7 posted 788 days ago
have a safe and enjoyable time
you can mount the excalibur
on the hood
if need’s be
for the journey home
-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle
BigTiny
home | projects | blog
1653 posts in 1053 days
#8 posted 788 days ago
Hi Sheila.
For the trip home, just put the top down and lash the Excaliber on top of everything. (grin)
Since you have all that extra room, how about spinning by Winnipeg and taking yours truly with you?
Have fun.
Paul
-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!
BritBoxmaker
home | projects | blog
4003 posts in 1201 days
#9 posted 788 days ago
Won’t the Excalibur be hard to pull out of a car or is it just hard to pull out of a stone?
Have a good trip and a wonderful time.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com
Verna
home | projects | blog
202 posts in 939 days
#10 posted 788 days ago
Sheila, I could NEVER be that efficient at packing!!! (I am an official member of the Wood Hoarder’s Anonymous and the Pack Rat Anonymous Associations :<) .) You really did well.
I do have to agree that I wouldn’t want those boxes to hit you in the back of the head—please be careful.
Have Fun!!
-- Verna -- Indianapolis, IN
David Kirtley
home | projects | blog
1250 posts in 1163 days
#11 posted 788 days ago
That Excalibur would make an awesome hood ornament.
-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/
stevebuk
home | projects | blog
57 posts in 849 days
#12 posted 787 days ago
hi sheila
thoughts and admiration go with you both, go knock em dead..
rivergirl
home | projects | blog
3200 posts in 1004 days
#13 posted 787 days ago
Remember- you will empty all those boxes and sell all your stuff at the event- and have an empty seat for the return trip- viva excalibur. I had a mustang for years- big fat engine. They don’t rolll well.. and neither did I. :) But man I loved that car. I hope you have a v8 in that thing- all that weight going all that distance will burn some engine parts. :) Have fun!
-- Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
home | projects | blog
5923 posts in 1085 days
#14 posted 787 days ago
Hi, all! We made it to Augusta Maine tonight. We had to go to two border places because the customs agent considered this a “commercial’ visit. Oh, well, I was glad I made a list of what each box contained. That helped a lot along with the ad from the magazine saying I was teaching at the show. They checked all out and he was very nice to us. It took an extra hour but not bad really.
As far as the stuff being stable, it is. Everything is secured so not to slide about or move forward. And we can see out the back. Honestly. :) I may have taken the pic before we did that part. Oh, and the heavier stuff is on the bottom too – all the paperwork. Thanks for caring :)
More Tomorrow!
Sheila
-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"
rivergirl
home | projects | blog
3200 posts in 1004 days
#15 posted 787 days ago
Sheila, glad to see that our border patrol is working diligently to keep the riff -raff out of the U.S. via our northernmost borders. LOL It is snowing up there again these days so be careful driving!
-- Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."
Have your say...