To PAINT, or NOT to PAINT!!!!

Actually, there is no choice, really. If we want to drive the thing as an RV, we have to remove the SCHOOL BUS-NESS of it. That includes "SCHOOL BUS YELLOW"...which brings us to now. We are washing and putting a primer coat on the bus over the next few days to a week. This is tedious but good work. We have had MANY, MANY people say "YOU HAVE TO LET US KNOW WHEN YOU ARE PAINTING THE BUS!!!!" and I just want to be clear. IF this is the kind of mass-painting you enjoy, drop by anytime. If it is sunny, then most likely I will be out there slapping on this blue primer coat. IF it is the mural you are interested in, however, our PAINT DAY is tentatively scheduled for AUGUST 7TH. Anyone who wants to paint flowers and bugs and such on the GARDEN side of the mural can do so and anyone who wants to try their hand at the fish and sea creatures on the OCEAN side of the bus may also do so. The amount of space you get to paint depends upon the number of people who show up interested in adding to the overall decor. Anyone who paints will also get to sign the bus. SOOOOOOOOOOOO, check back here before AUGUST THE 7th to find out all the details of time, rain date, etc. Here's a few more pics and a few more visitors/babysitters in the meantime.

SEE YOU THEN!!!!!

Bed, bath and beyond B. Cook Bday!

Happy Birthday, B Cook! (AND MOCHIE SOON TOO!!!!) As you can see, we had some visitors from the far WEST at the BUS STOP. Wahoo!

Yes, there is a special place in our hearts (and space on the bus) for some Cook kiddos. LOTS has happened since we last wrote - as the pics will divulge. But FIRST, a little verbal meander. JR and I have started to really talk about living in a bus, and the prep therefore, as an exercise. In stupidity, you ask?!? Futility? In many things actually. In creating, trusting in yourself, making choices and decisions, living simpler, finding out what it means to scale down, gratitude, letting go, abundance, allowing yourself NOT to know, learning, teaching, being taught, effort, reviewing basics like cleanliness and routine, living together as a unit, crock pot cooking, flexibility, surrender, and many, many more that I am sure we haven't even stumbled across yet. I am sure it will not be pretty in a number of ways - I am not naive about this! But I am hopeful that the evolution emerging from such an experience will benefit and inspire us for years to come. I would also like to praise my husband for a moment. The work he has put into this movehicle is substantial, do not be fooled. If upon completion the bus drives ten feet and dies (which we are not hoping for) it will have still been worth watching him accomplish something he has never done before and inspires and excites him on a daily basis. I look forward to a time when the kids are a bit older and he and I can work more consistently side by side on a project. He has taken the lead on this and grows with confidence and enthusiasm (and aches and pains) each day :) Thank you, Jones, for all your work. We love and appreciate YOU!!!

Meanwhile, in an effort to remove distracting children from the mix, in just the last two days alone the kids and I have been to three creeks and night pool swimming! Wahoo for tiring out children and adventure no matter where you are :) On to bus development:

Morg stopped by and gave some good advice on carving out the back of the cabinets to fit around the plumbing and electric.

While the other Williams boys entertained P.

The kids helped out priming their bunks and the walls and the bunk boards and mattresses were tried out.

Except for P's bed, though she seemed ok with a drawer instead. Just like Daddy, right Omi!?!

The kitchen is starting to shape up nicely. Lots of extras and hopefuls in the mind, but we will see what time and expense will allow.

And Uncle T was the first to christen the toilet. (Just kidding, we don't even have it yet! But the bathroom is framed at least :) Lastly we have been working on our rough sketches of the outside murals on the bus. We are going with themes from the natural world and images that are easy enough for children young and old to feel comfortable adding.

Don't worry, we will post the painting date for all to join us once we have done the base coat and picked a date. We would LOVE to have you all add a flower, fish or any other odd thing to our world :) Finally, here are a few of the latest faces to drop by and check us out or lend a hand...

OK, so those last two weren't anywheres near the bus, but we were soooooooooo happy to see those crazy ladies and their families regardless. And we look forward to parking in their driveways someday :) In any case, PEACE!!!! More news to come soon. Are we crazy?!? YES!!!! But at least it's a nice place to visit and you can join us on this wild ride.