This post was updated in December 2019 to reflect some additional things we learned during our time as pop up camper owners.

Our pop up camper is packed up like a little jigsaw puzzle with everything fitting snuggly into place.  Setting up involves a series of steps that must be done in just the right sequence for everything to fit together.   Pop up camping can be a lot of work.  But, you can easily enjoy a pop-up camper if you know what you are doing and make smart work of these tasks.  So where should a beginner start?

Why a Pop Up Camper is the Right RV for Our Family

With dozens of RV brands, sizes, and types available on the market, there really is an RV for everyone.  It is easy to get sidetracked with the shiny new RV with fancy upgrades.  But, what is the right RV for you?  It is a big decision to make.  Here are the five things that helped us to decide that a pop-up camper was the right RV for our family.

3 Essential Tools Every Blogger Should Use

Once you have gotten your blog up and running, now what?  The phrase 'time is money' is true.  You want to spend your time wisely.  Devote your energy to developing great content and becoming a better blogger.  Social media is a big part of getting that hard work out there to readers.  Timing is everything when it comes to social media content.  And there are tools out there to help you maximize your efforts and do much of the work for you.

Chatbooks - Easy Photo Books You Can Make From Your Phone

Our first Chatbook is hardcover.  You can also order soft cover books.

I have a closet in my house filled with a mixture of old school photo albums from childhood, "perfectly" laid out scrapbooks from my early marriage and photos stuffed into a plastic bin hoping for attention.  Gone are the days of my plastic camera with a little square flash perched on top.  Most of my photos are taken with my smartphone.  Then what?  Social media seems to be the photo album of the 21st century.

Camping Inspired Apron

This camping themed fabric from Timeless Treasures is an excellent combination.

Growing up, my mom always wore an apron in the kitchen.  She still wears an apron or a smock and encourages me to do so.  Even though I tend to scoff at her suggestion, I need an apron.  I'm easily the messiest person I know.  My sister refuses to eat sushi with me in a white tee shirt.  I've stained good clothing while cooking dinner more times than I care to count and have become a whiz at removing greasy blemishes from culinary mishaps.

Small Changes with Big Dividends - January Health and Fitness Update

I have placed marbles in a jar to represent the number of pounds I'm trying to lose.  Each time I lose a pound, I transfer a marble to my jar of pounds I've lost!

I'm not an advocate of diets or changes I can't maintain over time.  I avoid fad and crash diets.  I hate programs that eliminate certain foods and brutal exercise that isn't enjoyable.  Balance is the key.  For a long time in my life, I maintained a healthy weight by doing 3 things regularly.

Free Camping Themed Valentine Printables

Free camping themed printable Valentine cards.

I was the kindergarten teacher making three dimensional decorated doors for every season with loads of hot glue.  I stayed after school getting my bulletin boards just right and organizing learning games.  I'm an overachiever.  And, I'm an overachiever that likes to share.  I would stay late helping with school-wide displays, planning school carnivals, and afterschool activities.  What's the fun in doing something that you enjoy and not having someone to share it with?