Sunday, May 31, 2015

Countdown to BLAST OFF!

We are getting rather close to our DESIRED departure date (JUNE 11th!!!) and trying not to totally STRESS OUT! If the JOURNEY is the DESTINATION, then I know that these days are as important as the ones to come. Today was an excellent reminder of this. It poured BUCKETS of rain on the roof and as we ran in circles getting things done and mopping up the water streaming in through the roof hatch (I think there are maple tree helicopters jammed in the vents - gotta check that!) I caught myself and my tone with the kids. I went into mom and dad's house to take a break and interact with everyone and it was a moment I will carry with me always. The kids were laughing and engaging with my parents and my parents were equally enjoying themselves in ways that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't parked in their driveway. I may inadvertently paint our lives as being rosy and sunshiny trying to focus on the positive and the inspiration, but there are definite swings as with every family. This, however, was a moment that made it all seem important and worthwhile. Confirmation that we are on the right track - which is not something you get all the time. At least not if you (me) are too caught up in everything else.
These two, of course, share a brain. Equally enjoyable to spending time with my parents has been spending time with the various community around them. Their friends and neighbors, most of whom I've known all my life. Being here on a daily basis means visiting with the same people they visit with - something I wouldn't do unless at a family wedding, funeral, etc. How could I not consider these people my friends? They know me often better than I know myself. And spending time with them is like wearing familiar gloves or breathing in the scents of a childhood blanket. I am so blessed to know them now as an adult.
And there is always the ever-precious cousin time. (Ask me sometime about my outfit here. It is an AWESOME story!!!)
We have decided to sneak this one onto the bus with us :)
There is also the occasional visit from the animal world. Luckily so far it has only been a dog, a sparrow, some ants/bees/spiders, and a few chickens and roosters. We have even gotten an egg laid in the back window by our bed...twice! Talk about breakfast in bed!
The roof of the bus got hosed off and scrubbed.
Some muddy children got hosed off.
My husband got hosed off.
And then there was paint.
And a little man far too eager to assist.
Right now we are just trying to streamline things and get ourselves in a good position for the end of the school year and the shove off. Adding some shelving and storage, thinning out non-essentials, fixing a leaky toilet, paperless billing, adding an occasional paint splotch. Should you wish to see the bus we may not have time to entertain, but would love to see you just the same if you don't take offense to us working while you're here. Any adults interested in adding paint to our work-in-progress bus canvas, feel free. The paint is on a wagon in the barn and there are some roof sun rays that need painting, a Ganesh trunk on the front, some faeries, bugs, flowers, fish, etc. Children also welcome who don't require my supervision or direction (I already have too many of those and cannot divert my attention!).
Thanks for walking through our crazy woods with us! I'll keep you posted. See you on the trip side!!!

Monday, May 18, 2015

Roxaboxanatterbuswhat?!?!

Apartment is empty of everything and we are back on the bus full-time! Even the sleeping baby, though she doesn't quite have the hang of it and, while she LOVES being in Gramma and Nonno's driveway for a bit, she has been asking when we are going to go home. :(
I know for a fact it is these fabulous neighbors that she misses cause she asks for them. Thanks ladies for all your care and companionship!
Being back in the bus feels like slipping on an old pair of cowboys boots. It just fits so well. The kids definitely need constant change to keep them challenged, involved and out of each other's hair!
There was quite a bit, and still is, organizing that has to happen to fold us back into compact living. Much trial and error of what we need now for school still, for cold weather, for being parked at Gramma's with no water/sewer, and then for being on the road STARTING JUNE 11TH!!!! It approaches so rapidly that stress is not even a word I can speak without a sick feeling in my belly...mostly because it is compounded by some ugly dentist and doctors appt. before we leave. But that is a story for another day. The next week or so I will be painting the roof...all are welcome!!! :)
So the kids, JR and I have been working on an official name for the bus. We started writing this crazy poem in an effort to find our way to it. The poem involves references to various favorite children's stories that involve oddball homes, creative living situations or just fun bus uses. I will scatter the poem among the pics, though it won't space or format it the way I want it. Feel free to write with additional verses or to guess which stories are referenced in these verses: Roxaboxanatterbusblack Devoid of flavor and built by Jack Roxaboxanatterbusblue A boy with some sheep and a mom in a shoe Roxaboxanatterbusred Wolves are all in and the pig out instead Roxaboxanatterbusgrey One home rebuilt and one blows away Roxaboxanatterbusgreen The friendliest earthship that you've never seen Roxaboxanatterbuspink A squash and a squeeze to make you rethink Roxaboxanatterbusbrown She and her farmhouse spin right out of town
Roxaboxanatterbusyellow Life in a factory with this sweet fellow. Roxaboxanatterbusgo A Magical ride and the Friz runs the show Roxaboxanatterbusfree A house in a wagon or out on the prairie Roxaboxanatterbussleep On granny's belly we snore nice and deep Roxaboxanatterbuscuddle A knit place for mole, rabbit, hedgehog to huddle. Roxaboxanatterbusdream Of faraway places where the wildest beasts scream
Roxaboxanatterbusswim Window agape for a fish to fly in Roxaboxanatterbusspin I wish we could go there and they’re off again Roxaboxanatterbussand She builds up a castle, they set sail for land Roxaboxanatterbusfloat Each Tuesday is different, Frog, pig, maybe goat
Roxaboxanatterbuswee The adventure begins and we live where we be! See you soon on the open road! S.