No one can ever prepare you for a baby. You think you’ll have all the answers eventually, however you don’t even know the questions. She needed a name though. I loved the “ette” in Spartanette. I wanted a more “older” sounding name. I thought of my grandmother. Her name is Lillian. Our girls have always liked that name. I’m also extra wordy. Within moments, we (I) decided Lillianette Lulu would be her name.
As proud, nervous parents. We wanted to ensure a safe, smooth ride home. That was the first thing to get our baby home.
We had to travel two hours to pick her up. We decided to take two cars. Carl would haul her in the big work van and I would follow. Excellent communication with the current owner and our wonderful group on Facebook helped us to make decisions. I have never bought tires online, but ya know that was the bomb!
Things we know when we arrive. We’ll have to re-pack the bearings and change the tires.
Things I don’t know – how to re-pack the bearings and change the tires. However, Carl does. But, it’s been awhile. He brought a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air back to life, that was years ago.
On a beautiful July day – we head out to get her. I’m so excited I even pack snacks so we don’t have to stop anywhere. I couldn’t imagine pulling through a drive-thru with Lulu. Ok, I know we wouldn’t pull through a drive-thru, my mind just thinks that way.
We arrive. My heart flips.
As we get started, the owner is a gem. He truly is an amazing person. He had all kinds of gadgets and grease we didn’t prepare for. And he was hands on. He helped us and taught Carl a few things.
Carl turns to me and says, “Help.”
Um, there are already two of you doing this, why do I have to do this. And then I thought, wait, I need to do this to. Full experience. And I did! I got my hands dirty!
I was a little nervous with the bolts. Those things were really rusty. Only ONE gave us some trouble.
We cleaned those bearings!!! LOOK at those bearings. Honestly a beautiful sight. Yes. Yes I said that!
The entire process of changing four tires, repacking the bearings took about 3 hours. I think that’s pretty good.
We forgot a safety chain. One of the owners takes off and gets us a chain. They insist on paying for it. What?! No way, here more cash for all your efforts. Sincerely!
When we were lined up and ready to leave – I have to tell you the amount of excitement in my body created this weird sensation in my eyes. That feeling under your eyeballs that is twitchy and tingly. My nose started to bother me too. Like you’re going to cry.
I’m glad my husband told me to “HELP”.
Don’t tell him I said that!
And we are leaving!
The two hour journey took us about 3.5 hours back. It wasn’t hard, it was just cautious. We pulled over twice. Once about 20 minutes into the ride to check the tires, their heat and the balance of them. The second time was when the vent flopped backwards and a wad of dusty/venty/grossy things flew on the road. Oh wait, and one more time halfway through to check those tires.
We glide into our neighborhood. The homeowners before us put a concrete pad for their RV in. Never thought about using it much. Now we are grateful it is here.
Carl, oh that Carl. He backed our baby up in one shot! No screaming, cussing, bitching. No starting over, no pissing and moaning. It was a fit!
Welcome home Lilliannette Lulu. Born 1952, adopted 2017. Weighing in at approximately 7060 pounds and measuring 35 feet long.
Wait’ll you see the inside!