Getting up in my normal wake and bake mode. It's a bit harder to wake today since our festival yesterday, but it was so worth it.

Laurie and I in the last minute decided to do the Salad Bowl Festival and we are so glad we did. It was plagued with mishaps, and all kinds of aggravation but I've decided things like that are only there to test us, and we what we are made of.

I was thinking all the while of how it is in the Circus. You just persevere no matter what. In the end you usually come out ahead, or at least you didn't give up. I've always admired that part of Circus people. I've never seen such hard working and spirited people. I admire so many, it's hard to even begin to tell of all my hero's who've made it through life regardless of what hands they have been dealt.

When you spend all your life sniveling, and complaining about your parents or situation, you won't have time to work and improve yourself. I spent a good portion of my younger years in this loop. I just didn't get it. But thank goodness, I have and have been able to move forward and realize it's all up to me what happens in my life and where I go from here.

Many of us have been dealt some pretty tough situations, but I've seen so many people push forward and find peace and their place on earth where they belong.

This is where I am. Of course, there are those that don't agree with your journey and will be more than happy to tell you so, and to try to direct you back to the path 'they' see you on. This is what I'm going through about now. I have a certain bunch of people in my life who think I'm bitter and angry about stuff and that is why I've turned my back on God and the bible.

This is not try. You can believe what you will, just don't expect me to go along with your views. I have my own. And don't be mad at me, nor tell me I'm going to hell. Ridiculous. Pray for me if you think this. But don't spend too much time on your knee's. I'd prefer you walk in the woods.

In my later years I've noticed I'm attracting like minded people. This of course has been true of all the segments of my life. I attracted the people of which I needed at the time. All have had an important impact on things that have happened.

Instead of making some evil and some not so much, I'm looking at all the people of my life as angels that taught me so many lessons to move forward in my life and make a difference. They have all had a piece of my heart at one time or another, but now are a distant memory, and they are put in a box as they should be. To be taken out and admired/remembered, but to be put back, closed, and tucked away in a dark part of the closet. At least, this is the way for me.

It has taken a lot of work on myself to be able to really share anything worth listening too. I see different people in their different journeys and struggles. The exciting part if watching others really grow and become who they were meant to be unencumbered. 

When children come from a religious background there is only a certain part of their lives that are theirs alone to explore. Otherwise, their parents have chosen for them, the way they will or will not think of God. Or even the choice to believe it or not. It's usually brainwashed in by 10.

But I've seen a good wave coming where parents are allowing kids to figure these things out for themselves. Thank goodness my Mother never threatened me with hell of fire if I didn't believe. I so admire my Mother for that.

The Salad Bowl Festival

 

Saturday in Guadalupe was so much fun at the festival. We think it was worth all the mishaps that happened getting there. And there were many.

The first one was Pickles had some kind of episode where she was jumping, crying, and running all over. I tried everything I could to calm her. Held her, walked her, stayed up with her. But every time I thought she was good, I'd go to bed and she'd start jumping up and down again. I couldn't figure out for the life of me what was wrong.

 

So, I didn't get but around 4 hours sleep the night before. Thank goodness, we had most of it already packed.

 

Lets start from the beginning. I saw the TV advertising about it and called to get on board. It didn't take much, just a phone call. So off we were to be part of the festival.

 

We got a booth next to some people that were selling Day of the Dead stuff. We struck up a great friendship, exchanged numbers and hugs, and now we have new friends.

 

Laurie got all her art out there and displayed it beautifully. People were looking, but there weren't as many people there as I originally thought would be. But with what we had we did good. It was well worth our getting out there.

 

One of the mishaps was I had tied on the roof of the car our peg board and such. The rope broke and flew off the car all over the road. It almost hit a car, so we had to back up and get it off the road. Scary!

 

We didn't get a ticket and all was ok, except our peg board. But that didn't stop us, we are determined to do this.

 

I'm glad we did if for no other reason that meeting our new friends. I found he went to the same High School in Lennox Ca. WOW! He's one of my Homies! And he looks like a homie too. His wife is an artist, and we all just had a great time talking, laughing and exchanging information. Perhaps we'll do some more shows with them. Hope so.

 

I'd extremely fun watching Laurie really smile and come out when she is with like minded people. When I first met her, her art was dark, as well as her apartment etc. I've seen her blossom as well as her art. Her art is bright now with brilliant colors. Her clothes reflect more her inner self.  (I pick and buy her clothes) with her approval.

 

I am definitely Laurie's Ying to her Yang. And I bought her a ring recently with a Ying/Yang on it. It's one she like at Charlots shop in Cambria when we were there for the Scarecrow festival. Charlot has one of our favorite shops there. She sells her own jewelry and also sells tie-dye. A great gal and a fun shop.

 

I think getting our art out there is a good thing. Being an entertainer helps so much too, because if you aren't selling art, I can nickel and dime our money with face-painting and animal balloons. A talent I no longer take for granted. Not that I ever did. Being a balloon artist, being able to face-paint, juggle and do magic have served me well.

 

I have a feeling it will serve us both well when we are on the road again. It seems I'm able to get myself into pretty much any festival. There is always so hole I can fill.

 

All of this will help with our dream of getting a bigger RV. We figure this year will be the last year for the one we have now. I love the old Toyota, but have to admit it's better for one person. And when we had Jade for a time, having a big dog in there just didn't work.

 

I look forward to being able to get something bigger. I didn't think I'd ever say that, but then again, so much in my life has changed as well as my mind about many things.

 

My Mother once told me, when you get older, things from your youth are no longer needed and you develop new tastes. She is right once again.

 

Plus, we want to be able to do festivals and art shows, which means having to bring a lot of things. An easy-up, tables, etc. We did get it all in the car, but it was a challenge. Never underestimate the power of a woman, even if they are disabled in the eyes of the world.

 

Having Laurie be a strong female has helped with my journey. Her softness allows for my rough edges.

 

Enjoy your journey wherever you are. You'll get there, but remember, it's the JOURNEY!

 

Namaste' 

 

 

We had to drive Jade back to her last owner.....a sad day for us.

The day had been pretty much busy as usual because we are getting ready to get back on the road and there seems to be so much to get gone.

We got a call around 3pm from Minnie the gal we got our precious Jade from originally. After we told her we were unable to keep Jade, she always said she'd take her back. She said she was on her way to our home to pick her up and could be meet her half way. So, we loaded Jade and all her goodies in the car as well as Pickles, and off we went. It was a sad drive, but beautiful. Laurie and I both were so sad to see her go, but she had no where to really stretch her legs, and we weren't able to care for her as she should be cared for. Laurie can't run, nor can I.  She'd want to play and run and we weren't able to do that. Plus, when we took her to the dog park she would want to play with the other dogs and people took that as aggression so we weren't able to take her there anymore. It was just becoming a big burden on us rather than a blessing. Her fur shed terribly, so when they say that Labradoodles don't shed, they are wrong on that one. As for her smell, it was better than most dogs, but was there regardless.

We gave her a flea bath that day too, so that was nice. Flea season has been pretty bad, and we are on top of it as best we can. Pickles had a bath yesterday too. Not her favorite thing to do. She looks much better and feels better without all those fleas. I put on some oil to keep them off.

We are going to try to tackle all the other things that need to be done before we leave. Going to  try again to call the Action committee to see about having our heat done.
We have to figure out where our mail will go, what to bring, what not to bring.

We are going to try to go as light as possible due to the fact, we want to be able to bring all the rest of the stuff from the storage with us home and that way we will save another $30 a month for NOT having stuff there. We have a shed at home we are trying to empty to put the stuff in.

After this winter I'll probably sell the RV and get a bigger one or something different. We will see what the future brings. Right now, it'll get us where we need to go, and nicely I might say. Just have to get the toilet re-done from Rob the guy I paid good money to put in a new floor. He didn't connect the toilet properly and it leaks. ARF! I know it's not a major job, but just another thing to be done.

I'm still learning to cook for one or two in some cases. Laurie and I have different tastes when it comes to food. She is very limited, and I pretty much like everything. But I've cooked for many people for so long it's hard to cook for just two. I end up having to either throw out food, or give it to whomever is around me. But it's all good. At least we all get fed. I just don't like to waste anything.

I'm learning more about solar as well. More later......for now, I have to get back to work..........

Namaste