"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 16 May 2013 22:11:44 -0700 (PDT), Roy >
> wrote:
>
>> Always have boxes in your van to put those bags of groceries into.
>
> I still don't have anything like that. I've wanted one of those nets
> that are like slings installed in the last couple of cars we've owned,
> but for some reason hubby doesn't like the idea. Haven't ever had a
> problem like Julie's, even with 6 bags of groceries... but accidents
> do happen.

The problem was that we had 6-12 packs of soda plus two large soft sided
coolers, one of which is round, in addition to many empty shopping bags.
And I think, 7 or 8 full or mostly full shopping bags. That sounds like a
lot but it wasn't all groceries.

This particular van (Windstar) has far less storage type room in it than our
old Dodge Caravan. When the Caravan's transmission went, we left it in PA
with my BIL and bought the Windstar from him. We were in the middle of a
cross country move so it was already pretty full, particularly because we
were making the move between summer and fall and did not know how long it
would take to get our household goods. So we packed more than we normally
would. Plus we had the cat. Plus, Angela and I had birthdays and people
loaded us up with presents that in their mind took up very little room. But
really, a foot tall porcelain doll in a box is not what you want to move in
your van like that.

The old van also had two cartop carriers on it that where shaped like
bullets. They were soft sided. I have never seen them in use anywhere
else. Found them on the Internet. People made extreme fun of them! The
Windstar would not accommodate them. The roof began to cave in from the
weight. So my other BIL took those to use for camping. My SIL also had to
ship two large boxes of our stuff to us because it simply would not fit in
our new van.

By the time we got here, we were packed in like sardines! The only one who
didn't have trouble getting in and out was my husband because he had nothing
packed around him. I have to sleep with my legs on a wedge pillow and even
though I didn't bring my standard one, the smaller one was still pretty
large. I used that as an arm rest. But we also had blankets, folding
stools, food, cat stuff, toys and books and all of my supplements and
medications. Thankfully I wasn't on insulin then. That would have been a
BIG problem. Thankfully that was our last move.

We also had a problem doing a big stock up at the military commissary which
we no longer do now that Target sells fresh food and we have a Winco. The
old van would easily hold two heaped shopping carts full of stuff. But this
one? The back gets packed as high as possible and still be able to see
over. And the back seat is full. And the spare front seat is full. And
there is still stuff packed all around us. This van does give the
passengers more room though so that is good.

I haven't had to buy stuff in this quantity for a while but with husband
home, I need to buy more stuff. He needed things like toiletries. And I
always forget just how much food he can eat in a day. It just astounds me.
He did say that his new job has lots of free food and drinks there. And he
started it yesterday. So I really only had to make dinner for him these
past few days. He is also right next to where he used to work for the
military so can use the dining hall there if he so chooses.