international midwife

WanderLust Bus after Irma

I know, I know, I’m LONG overdue for an update… I’ll get to that soon, but I did want everyone to have an update of the bus after the storm… it’s 2 a.m. in Jensen Beach, Fl, but Nick, my awesome son, braved the rain to go out and get a pic for me. As I sat here, all the way in Beira, Mozambique, Africa, I began sobbing… I may have confused the poor housekeeper who only speaks Portuguese, but I smiled to let her know I was OK.

I am pouring with relief. Not being there in Florida with my kids, grandkids, mom, neighbors and bus, has been the hardest thing ever. I can’t even imagine what it was like at home! And the north part of my state (or really north of Orlando still) is not out of harm’s way yet… nor is my mother, who stayed in a mobile home with her daughter and son-in-law in the direct path of what is now looking to be just a Cat 1 when it hits… but for the most part, my area, south of the center part of Florida now has to start clean up… watching Jose closely (bastard is going to do a loopy-ti-loop!).

Here’s my bus… the fuel door opened… Nick closed it, she is fine.

Irony… my electric went out here and my wifi, as I was finish typing this… a common occurance here (like nearly daily)… i luckily have a mifi and a charged lap top… Get the lights turned back on at home… I’ll be there soon (Wednesday)!

Ciao!

Sandi

BUS IRMA

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WanderLust Bus Update May 12, 2017

Back from quite a bit of traveling since I got home from my trip to the Panhandle. I was in China for 4 weeks assisting a mama with the birth of her wee little guy. This midwife loves traveling to births!

My son has been helping me tremendously on the bus this week and we’ve made some changes to the bathroom (I know, I know… I’m so indecisive!), but things have kicked into high gear and my boy has been busting his butt getting it done. Thanks, Nick!!!!

MAY 2017 3

So I felt like I wanted the toilet area’s floor space to be a little more spacious, and I wanted the toilet area and the shower to be all once space. So we took out the bench, (you can see it in the bottom left of this pic), took out the wall that was separating the two areas and built a platform a bit bigger than what was there. 

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We then built up the step in area to the shower and started framing out the walls. We will also build a smaller box for the toilet bench, so there appears to be even more room in the space. 

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The hole for the shower drain. Perfect fit. The floor will be covered, of course, with the shower base and then Nick will tile it. I will pick out tile tomorrow. Super excited!

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And the hardware for the shower head has been started… Woot!! Super excited about that!

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Drill bit injury… 😦 Looking for a pity party, my son was having none of that! LOL

So that’s the update for today. I think there will be more to show you on Monday! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Ciao!

Steady Progress

Since we all work during the week, weekends are when most of the work gets done, but we did squeak in some cleaning mid-week with the help of my friend Catherine and my daughter Tiffany 🙂

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Catherine & Tiffany helping scrub down the walls!

This morning I went up to Lowe’s and picked up a quart of paint to cover the back 1/4 of the bus, since the plan is to have the floor in back there and the bed platform built tomorrow. So I wanted to have the walls painted before hand.

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Water Drops by Benjamin Moore

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I spent a couple of hours on prep & painting in solitude. And a perfect 70 degree day to boot!

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Will do the edges before the crew gets there in the morning. Also taped off the bed space!

So a new update tomorrow or Monday. I am also working on doing an expense post, since so many people have asked me. I hope everyone else is having as fabulous a weekend as I am!

Ciao!

Same Goal… Different Direction!

So the bus deal in CA fell apart. The bus was vandalized and it was going to take to much time, effort and money to even get it road ready to bring here. I immediately jumped on line on a source that was recommended to me by skoolie.net forums called Public|Surplus they have tons of stuff on there, not just school buses.

The deal went through very quickly and Monday I will take the train in from Washington, D.C. and pick up my bus from the Culpepper Co School Transportation Department. Mr. John Walsh will hand over the keys and hopefully give me some quick lesson 😉 He’s already said he’ll have the boys pick me up at the train station!

I’ve already picked up my trip transfer tag, bought my plane and train tickets and ready to go with just my back pack!

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She’s an 11 window, 65 pax (bus talk for passenger) with a T444E diesel engine and an Allison Automatic transmission. Recently inspected and good tires!

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The Back door… the only place with rust that I know of.

Pilots Seat
Front End
The Seats that will all be removed!

So, there we have it… I’ll be back mid-week next week and then the work begins. Seat removal party on Saturday, Oct 10th… who’s in?!?!

Ciao!

Welcome to This Midwife Travels!

Welcome! A quick update on what is going on with me. I’ve just finished a birth down here in St. Thomas, USVI and I’m heading home tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I am then back down here for a December birth!

On this trip I got to hang out with a couple of my St. John babies, Ethan and Summer, and their mommies Cassie and Monic!

Ethan and Summer

If you are looking for a traveling midwife, you’ve come to the right place! Please use the contact button to send me an email or email directly at sandiblankenshiprm@gmail.com.