Why do bloggers apologize for “not posting for so long”? You don’t give a shit, and neither do I. The truth is, life happens and hey, I’m not getting paid to blog so I have to work for a living. I’ve been costuming all summer on HBO Girls and flying back and forth from Brooklyn to San Antonio putting my hard-earned money towards my Airstream mobile shop. Yes! The dream is still on the horizon! And it’s taking so long because, well, I am renovating it myself, and no corners will be cut on this bad Mamma-Jamma!
Also, I had no clue what I was doing! So, research, research, research! I’ve been reading books, listening to pod casts, have been very active in the Airstream Forums community and have even been cold-calling nationwide vintage trailer restoration shop owners.
Oh yes, it’s happening and I’m taking a serious pride in building “Chucky” from the ground up, and literally, I’ve broken that beast down to the shell and the rusty frame. I’m still selling vintage in my online shop and doing a few pop up shops here and there but, my costuming job in the film biz keeps me busy and my savings account ready for all my upcoming Airstream dreams.
It’s hard to believe that only one year ago today I was in San Francisco on my 5 month road trip across America. Here’s my visual journal into what I’ve been up to this summer on my Airstream building adventure thus far between New York and Texas:
Welcome home Chucky!
Before demolition
El Bano
Grandpa tried to give us some A/C in the hot TX summer heat #fail
A very tedious job of removing every rivet in the trailer
Ponyo never left my side…until I kicked her out when we removed asbestos tiles
The hardest part was sawing out all the pipes and pulling out the kitchen/bathroom
Getting closer to bare bones
Now that we are down to the fiberglass, we put on hazmat suits
Yup, rat shit everywhere, all the more reason to start from scratch!
Couldn’t have done it without Mom!
This is called ribs + bones
Next, it’s time to rip out all that rotted floor
Drilling, cutting, sawing, sweating
Getting down to the frame allows me to see all the rust damage and prepare for welding new cross members and outriggers which I had to order
Bag it up!
This was a bartering piece to my new Airstream buddy, Bruce
This and so much more!
Salvaging all the 1960’s OG accent pieces for future renovations
This bizarre voodoo from New Orleans is all over the door and window!
Monopoly and the Lord! What a combo
Now that I’ve pulled ALL the bolts and rivets out…what’s holding the shell down? Not much
I get by with a little help from my friends…Chris helping me build the X-frame to secure the shell off restoration
X-marks the sweet spots!
More updates when the new axle comes in!
American Drifter 
very cool – look forward to seeing the restoration as it progresses.
Wow….what an undertaking!!! Truly inspiring and what a treasure you will have afterwards. Best wishes
Reblogged this on SwittersB & Exploring and commented:
A vision, a dream….making it happen one step at a time. Check out this monumental effort at Rock N Roam
I love your blog! (Which I found on a reblog)… and KNEW I had to follow you when I read your opening lines, “Why do bloggers apologize for “not posting for so long”? You don’t give a shit. You didn’t even know I was gone. The truth is, life happens and hey, I’m not getting paid to blog so I have to work for a living….” I have felt this way SO MANY times! 🙂
I agree 100% and what I’ve noticed is that when you actually admit you were offline for a while, it makes your readers realise you were gone for so long! You’re such an inspiration, going from styling to having an awesome adventure and such a cool business! Can’t wait to see more 🙂
Thank you Trish, It’s been a long road from birthing the idea 4 years ago and getting to a place where I started taking the idea seriously. THEN one day you say, “OK, I’m going to do this!” THEN you start making a financial plan to make it happen. You are taking big risks giving up your future in a guaranteed good-paying job with all the benefits and in the meanwhile, you are physically starting to make it happen, wondering when you’ll cross the finish line. I had put off posting these pictures (I have more AND video too!) but, I was so preoccupied trying to keep the ball rolling, posting took a back seat. Thanks for the inspiring words! I am excited to post more now!
West-
It’s kind of funny, right? Even when there are famous bloggers saying “Oh, sorry I’ve been away…” I’m like, oh, gee, I didn’t notice, who cares, why are you apologizing to me? Were you getting your nails done? 😉
SwittersB, Thanks for the reblog, and your blog looks full of inspiration as well. 🙂
Thanks Max! I’m waiting for the axle and to keep me from biting my nails off I’m taking a TV job in NYC for just 3 weeks and then jetting back eagerly to Texas to get that floor and new axle put it!! Pictures coming soon!
lol 🙂
Your very welcome and excited to follow this journey and your busy life.
Wow- this is truly inspiring, especially the pictures of the “making of”. Cannot wait to see the all the places you will visit and all the adventures you will have with Chucky. Love the name you picked! 🙂
@PMStyle
Thank you! I can’t wait to share them either stay tuned! 😉
hey hey>>>>>how’s it going woman? Ready for that cold beer? Much appreciation of your hard work, JoAnn