My horoscope is right on!

Daily Horoscope for Friday May 31, 2013

A creative outlet is just what you need right now, so make sure that you have a way to release that pent-up energy. It could be writing, taking pictures or even acting out your own one-person improv show.

...

Or, in my case, the guitar! Our friend Bryce is back in camp with us for a couple of weeks and he has been going nuts on his new guitar over the past few months. He has been very motivating for me to get on mine and actually spend more than 10 minutes every two weeks practicing! So far, for the past two days he comes over around 2 p.m. and we sit, learn and play together for at least an hour. It is way more fun to play, er... practice with someone rather than doing it by yourself, with yourself....booorrrring! haha One of the things I really like about Bryce is that nothing really phases him, so when I get frustrated he laughs along with me and we just start over...perfect! My fingers are holding up pretty well so far...we'll see how long that lasts until they need a little break. Let's see, so far we are learning: Little Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, Wild Thing by The Troggs, and the song I bought my guitar for (and a bugger to learn) Best for Last by Adele...we'll see how that goes. Most of these songs I would not have even thought about taking on but it doesn't seem too complicated with someone else learning beside you. All in all, it's hella fun and I'm actually digging my guitar now! This whole time all I needed was another player to strum with...who would've thunk!

Have you tapped into your creative side today?

PEACE

...with a light lull in between...

The last two days have been a little different for us. Mikey left. Coffee in the morning just isn't the same without you...come back to us safe and soon brotha'!

We are expecting Bryce to pop in any day now, though. That will be fun to see him...we haven't seen him since March, when we all went totally separate ways. I'm sure there will be lots of guitar practice in my near future! It'll be fun to play with someone and actually learn some stuff!

[caption id="attachment_4830" align="aligncenter" width="224"] What a Beauty![/caption]

There's been more down time around here now that Mikey is gone, so not too much to blab about. However, I did get some new diggs! A groovy new shirt and some new (Bass) shoes...for FREE! Pretty cute too!

[caption id="attachment_4831" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Groovin' in my new diggs[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4832" align="aligncenter" width="224"] I'm the Groovy Giant![/caption]

That about wraps it up for today!

Just chillin' and waiting for B-ryce to get here...

PEACE

 

A Little "Help" Goes a Long Way

J' got some super good shots of the "hotties" this morning...I guess I'm getting used to the sounds they make, I didn't even budge when he got up.

[gallery ids="4815,4816,4817"]

Over the last couple of days we have acquired some good stuff. Our friend, Mikey, did some spring cleaning in his rig and asked us if we wanted his cooler...reflectix and all! He will be leaving us and going East for about a month and during that time will buy himself an actual fridge, he will not have room for both and rarely uses the cooler for cooling, more so for storage, so we happily accepted the offer and now have a sweet set-up for cooling. The cooler we were using and this cooler are actually the same size (50 Quart), but the new cooler is an extreme 6 day, it locks down, it's thicker and with the already fitted reflectix it's like another barrier, the ice actually does stay ice much longer. We've had to get used to the length of it just a bit: we have to use a long funnel now to put water into our water bottles and it sticks out a little bit more to use the potty in the middle of the night...but nothing we can't get used to and overcome. There are some advantages as well. The top of it is all flat, it doesn't dip in the middle so I can use it as a table now...couldn't do that before. The outside also has two handles so it's easier to get it out of its hole, PLUS, the wheels are in the back...easier for sliding it out and in (yep, that's what she said). It's made a huge difference and we are very happy with the decision. The other cooler, for now, is storage...great more stuff! haha

[gallery ids="4805,4804,4801,4803,4802"]

Remember when J' got me those awesome clips at O'Reilly? We were there getting leaf spring helpers for Joon. In case some of you don't know what leaf spring helpers are, (I didn't), here's a little run down...**copied right out of Wikipedia:

**Leaf springs are a simple form of spring, commonly used for suspension. The leaf spring acts as a linkage for holding the axle in position and thus separate linkage are not necessary. It makes the construction of the suspension simple and strong.** The leaf spring helper attaches to the bottom of the leaf spring providing more support. Our helpers will provide 1,500+ lbs. of support to the back leaf springs.

It was great to find some wood in the cactus and bushes around here when we set-up camp because they were a great help to the jack stands, keeping them on more firm ground than the soft sand here. J' got under the van and put the leaf spring helpers on by himself...how handy is he!!?

Now we have more support in the back! Woo hoo...we've wanted and needed that for a 'minute'. Also, having the tires off and being able to see underneath Joon was a good thing due to us being able to see our muffler hanger had broken. A quick trip into a good auto body shop in town, ABC Auto Body, to weld it back together was all we needed and we were back in business. We may have a few tweaks here and there with the helpers but, so far, so good!

We've been busy little bees, haven't we?

Not as busy as this little guy though...he was partying hard in the pollen!

[caption id="attachment_4820" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Bee Butt[/caption]

PEACE

The Weekend Wedge

Here's a little wedge of our weekend for ya...

Just about every morning, especially on the weekends, we get woken up by the "ssshhhhhhhhhhhhh" of hot air balloons over the van. I think we may be part of their fly over tour now!

Savannah is finally chewing on the bone we bought for her almost a year ago! Well, she carries it around more than she chews on it but she's paying attention to it and that makes me happy. See, I found it in the depths of her crate the other day and saw it had not even one single bite mark on it, so I put it in a ziploc bag, poured a little bit of bbq sauce, some bacon molasses seasoning and a few squirts of water in and let it marinade for two days. Needless to say, she carries it everywhere with her now...silly girl...but it does make me happy!

Miss Cheri popped in for a little lunch date. It was a nice surprise...and she brought these amazing rolls from Fry's. Oh.My.Goodness...these rolls (or whatever they were). They are considered gourmet bread, J' calls them bagels, I call them rolls, Miss Cheri calls them amazing bread...and we all call them scrumpdiddlyumptious! The bread almost looks like a big croissant and has cheese and green chiles baked into it. They are to die for, we are definitely going to have to throw these into the mix!

It was nice to see her and she was able to see Mikey again as well.

Even though most of our weekends are just like any other part of the week, it's always nice to be able to take a load off, sit down, enjoy good food, good conversation, have a few laughs and bask in the ambiance of knowing how good we have it out here. Some people think we are just wandering aimlessly through the desert and for those people, I feel sad that they don't get to experience the amazing life we have made for ourselves out here or get to meet the totally awesome people that have become like family to us. If this is wandering aimlessly through, well...anywhere...We'll take it!

PEACE

Logged. Another Great Day in the Books!

Woke up this morning to Savannah going a little buck wild looking out of my side window, when I finally saw what she had 'window hunted' all I could do was giggle and get my camera!

[caption id="attachment_4756" align="aligncenter" width="221"] Be careful![/caption]

What started out as two little mice at the top of this bush ended up with one in the bush and one on the ground. We watched & giggled in amazement that one- the bush could hold the fat lil thing and two- he/she was putting themselves in an open invitation position (not hiding from predators). We were also surprised the food we did have outside had not been gone through or chewed through by the little critters. They were so stinkin' cute! A good way to start this busy busy day of ours...today would be laundry day, among other things. Now, for the average Joe, or Josephine, this would not really be a daunting task and usually, even for me, it is something I thrive on and like to do...but today...oh today would be so different! With the weather always changing, meaning not having to wear the same Summer/Winter clothes, and now having an extra set of sheets and pillow cases there hasn't been a major need to go to the laundromat...so we haven't... for two months! We have been soaking and washing the essentials in the 3 1/2 gallon bucket and line drying them to get us by until "The Big Wash". I definitely had my work cut out for me today, BUT we found a great, very clean laundromat right next to Safeway and there was only one other person there...score! J' helped pull all of our stuff out, bags inside, bags up-top, every single little thing was going to get washed today, even our canvas tarp was going to get a full cycle! I started sorting and mushing clothes into the front load dryers, which are really great because they hold way more and use less soap. The front loaders are a little bit more expensive but they do a really nice job and get everything really clean. As I did all of the inside work on the laundry, J' started the stuff in the van: fresh water, fresh ice, empty the cooler, clean the cooler (another one of those pizza crusts exploded in the cooler and was stopping up the plug, ewww), refill the cooler...lots of cooler time! Even though there was a ton of stuff to wash, dry and then fold and put away it went pretty fast, I'd say the whole process took us a little over two hours. Team work at its best baby! J' brought in our duffle bags, as well as our backpacks, so the clothes would be put away on site, (he knows me too well, I do not like doing this later). Everything smells so good and feels so soft....awww, the little things!! The other great thing about this place and the front loaders is, with all of our laundry we only spent about 17-18 bucks! Just to give you an idea, I did roughly 6 small loads of laundry in Lake Havasu for $35.00...not a ganga! Today I did, (hard to say with the front loaders but...) anywhere from 10-13 loads. I had 6 machines to wash and about the same to dry all for about $18.00...now that's a ganga!!

[caption id="attachment_4761" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Laundry is done man[/caption]

All wrapped up at the laundromat and Safeway we hit up a couple more places: Dollar Tree, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Wal-mart, gas station, and Little Caesars. 

We feel like millionaires of life right now! Everything got done in one day, everything went super smooth and it was still light when we got home to re-set camp. What a great day! My babaa' even got me a surprise...this is how you know your hubby really listens and that I'm not like every other girl...

[caption id="attachment_4760" align="aligncenter" width="303"] Er.mer.gaw..YESSSS!![/caption]

 I'm always clipping things and trying to tack down stuff... and I make a lot of forts but never have the "clip power" to keep what I make together, especially in this wind. When he came out of O'Reilly he said, "I got you a surprise." I said, "From the automotive store...stickers??" He handed me a bag and as I peeked inside I shrieked with excitement and tons and tons of giggles. What a sweetie! And now what do I yearn for...yep, MORE clips! haha

It's great being so close to town because even though it took most of our day, we didn't have to stay overnight in a Wal-mart parking lot to finish up our stuff the next day (like we did going to Fresno from Shaver Lake). We got everything done and now back at camp and ready to take on whatever comes our way. Even Savannah is completely satisfied, her bedding (from her gifted bed from Mikey), her blankies and her "babies" all got washed AND we found her favorite food at the store...spoiled yes, but oh so content!!

[caption id="attachment_4762" align="aligncenter" width="350"] C'mon everyone
.....awwww![/caption]

 PEACE

Days like this = Priceless

I don't know if we're just getting used to it or if it's just not as bad...but the wind doesn't seem to really bother us that much anymore. Now, it's definitely still blowing... believe me, but instead of taking the tarp (awning) down with every little whip of air, we just let it do its thing and it passes. Some days are much better than others but when the big gusts come, we just pull the door closed until it passes and then re-open for business! Today has been a gorgeous day though, we have a slight breeze, blue skies, the sunshine is out warming all of the nature...it just feels like one of those exceptionally perfect days. I love days like this, nothing seems wrong or out of place...and the lighting is great for beautiful photos!!

And then to top it all off, the moon came out to play a little early tonight...almost full!

There is talk of getting some major things done tomorrow, so I'm off to Snoozeville...I hope you had a beautiful day!

PEACE

***Pictures are up on Shutterfly***

http://2completespirits.shutterfly.com/

If the link doesn't work, just click on the photos button at the top of the page.

As the Pizza Turns

It's been nice being "back". Our spot really does feel right for us, right now. We are picking up where we left off having our cafe' convo's in the a.m. with Mike, making breakfast, shooting the shizz for a few hours and then going about our day. We took a trip into the town of Cottonwood yesterday to stock up and get a shower. We walked around and saw parts of the little town that we hadn't seen before...such a cute little downtown area!

We had picked up some Pillsbury pizza crust at the store in one of those poppable aluminum containers and figured we would make pizza for dinner...somehow! I thought we would spread the dough out in our Orgreenic pan but J' had other plans for that, instead he spread the crust out over the grill (good thing the grill is clean!)...okay, let's see how this goes!

[caption id="attachment_4733" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Literally...grilled pizza[/caption]

I'd say it came out purty darn good for not knowing what the heck we were doing! We all got a "slice" of pizza that could have fed an army of dinosaurs but saving something like that for later wasn't in the cards so there were a lot of deep breaths and maybe even some pants getting unbuttoned! We put a whole new spin on Grilled Garlic Chicken Pizza...we may have to try it again.

Have you fed your inner dinosaur today?

[caption id="attachment_4736" align="aligncenter" width="350"] I want pizza!!![/caption]

PEACE

Blowing Around like Dust in the Wind

We ended up having a shorter time with our friend Micheal than we had anticipated but it was great having him in our 'home' and to have everybody hang out together. We threw a little "See ya later" dinner where everyone came over, ate burgers, beans & taters and enjoyed some fun conversations.

Safe travels to him and hope we see you soon buddy.

We had gone to bed the night before with the intention of leaving Sedona, so when we woke up this morning we started packing it up...this was going to take a 'few' minutes! We had our morning cafe' convo's (conversations over coffee) with Kevin and Mike and little by little Joon was packed stuffed and we were ready to roll. We figured we would just organize everything at the next place, so this is what you get when you roll like that...

[caption id="attachment_4705" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Yikes![/caption]

Where were we off to, you ask? Flagstaff. The first day J' & Micheal went riding they drove up toward the Flagstaff area and found some areas with National Forest land and some possible great spots. I wasn't really ready to leave this area just yet but sometimes you just gotta go along with it. The main reason for us leaving was the wind gets pretty strong around 12:30 p.m. until about 5-6 p.m... that's a lot of van time... with the doors and windows closed, due to the 'dust in the wind'. When we left we drove through a part of Sedona we hadn't been through yet, so that was a treat! I love seeing new views and new things!

As you drive North the landscape changes drastically. We drove from the big and beautiful red rocks into 40 ft. tall pine trees. I almost felt like we were in Montana (I've never been to Montana, it's just what I felt like). We popped over this hill and there was this HUGE mountain in front of us... with snow on it! What the heck, where did that come from? It was a pretty drastic scenery change!

We drove around and looked at spots, checking the wifi and some open air for the solar panels. We were sitting pretty high on a 3g signal but that's because the towers are back in the forest, we don't think they have 4g towers out here. As for the solar, we weren't having any luck with too much open air. The panels would probably only end up getting a few hours of sun instead of a whole day... which we need. After checking out a few different areas and many spots within those areas, we stopped and had lunch at Subway (getting to use our awesome Subway coupons!) and talked over our options of staying here or going back to Sedona and checking out other campsites around the area. After filling our bellies we decided to head back to Sedona and check out areas around where we were just camping.

We drive back to Sedona!

I was actually pretty stoked about this because, like I said before, I was not ready to leave yet...GRIN! 

[caption id="attachment_4709" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Over it![/caption]

Believe it or not, we drove to about 5 or 6 different camping areas and spots within the area and after about an hour of that, ended up right back in the same exact spot we left this morning! We now truly know that we have the best spot in town. What a great feeling!

We are tired but happy we are back. Sometimes you just have to satisfy that curiosity bug, ya know! We'll probably go back up to Flagstaff, during the Summer R.T.R. that Bob is holding in June, but until then we'll deal with the wind when it comes and be happy little campers at the best camp spot in Sedona!

[caption id="attachment_4710" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Pleasantly Pooped![/caption]

Have you fed your curiosity bug today?

PEACE

 

 

 

The BEST rock shop in Sedona!

With the boys going on bike rides, every day that Micheal was here, I was able to spend some time in a Rock Shop that was nearby the trails. I walked into this shop, The Village Rock Shop of Sedona, and at first was just another shopper, oooing and awing at the beautiful gems, stones, crystals and jewelry. I got to talking to one of the owners, Kristen Joy, and the next thing you know we are sitting on the couch in the shop going through my box of rocks! What a cool experience it was to have someone else with great energy feeling the energy in MY stones!

I had questions about a few of the stones I've been carrying and have never been able to place...a name or a feeling. When she picked them up, just as for me, there was no feeling...just flat. After some conversation about them we came to a conclusion that maybe I should just "recycle" them. She told me I would know what to do with them when the time came...although I already knew what I wanted to do with them! It was great sitting and talking with her, it turns out we're even from the same area in Florida...small world.

If you're ever in the area or want to stop by online, she is a great energy to be around and knows "a thing or two" about stones! She raves about her partner Mike Silberhorn and his amazing knowledge about the rocks, stones and much more. They also have open mic night, where bands will come and play for a couple of hours and fill the room with an uplifting energy and peaceful mood.

http://www.villagerockshopofsedona.com

6101 Hwy 179, Suite C Sedona, AZ 86351

I just really loved this shop and the owner and would love for everyone to have an amazing experience like I did while visiting the area. 

Thank you Kristen for taking the time to sit down with me and go through all of my stones and hear the stories. The energy of the shops' ambiance was as awesome as it gets...I could have stayed here all day, but the boys came back!

Have you visited your local (enter favorite store/store you've never visited) today?

PEACE

Babes & Bicycles

Not too much to report today.

The boys went on their first trail ride today and the girls stayed home due to some personal issues I didn't factor into the equation...grrr. They were gone the majority of the day but they seemed like they had a blast and that's what matters!

Back at camp...

I can say that I tried to 'hold down the fort' but it was so dang windy I took the fort down!! So I guess I did hold it down, eh!? I took the awning off (not a simple chore for this girl...alone) around 2 p.m., the wind seemed to start dissipating around 4 so I put the awning back up but since I don't have the brute strength of the hubs it was flying all over the place...so down it came again. Needless to say, we had to stay in the van all day but the bed was down so it wasn't too shabby...just one of those days. The boys returned to camp around 7 p.m. and in their possession a new bicycle...not a second one, a new one. In a week the one we bought was almost toast, so the boys went back to get another one and the "bike builder" gave them all brand new parts to build a new bike with...and it was a little cheaper! All the guys say they like this one much better than the one that was returned...I guess they will find out tomorrow on their next ride!

[caption id="attachment_4684" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Build-a-bike[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4685" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Wreaking Havoc[/caption]

PEACE

Waiting Upon Arrival

About 4 out of our 7 days of the week we are woken up by loud 'whoosh' noises. One morning we rushed out of the van to catch a glimpse of the noise maker...

[caption id="attachment_4659" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Top o' the mornin'![/caption]

We have been hearing the noise from time to time in the early mornings but due to how our camp is situated with an awning and these great trees, it's kind of hard to see them...but today we would see them, 'shoot' them and even talk about what we were going to have for brekkie with the people in them! Pretty cool place here.

 I've grown a little "concerned" with Savannah these days. She just can't seem to get comfortable no matter what she does. Poor little baby.

[gallery ids="4662,4663,4661"]

I'm sure she'll get over it due to another piece of man candy making a grand entrance from Denver tonight! Our friend, Micheal, left Denver yesterday and should be getting here any time now. We are quite excited, other than our daughter, no one has really stepped into our world of the travelling lifestyle and while we will only have a limited time together it should be super duper fun to get out and explore with him and show him what this life has to offer. He's a HUGE trail rider so I'm sure the boys will have their fun riding the trails and just being boys together.

[caption id="attachment_4671" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Down the trail already[/caption]

Now with him coming, it makes me want ALL of my peeps from everywhere to come be with us. The invitation is always open my lovies!!

Have you checked your calendar today??

PEACE

Weekly Wedge

A little wedge out of our week:

[caption id="attachment_4652" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Vittles on the way[/caption]

I made my very first omelettes and they were delish! Egg whites, grilled mushrooms, onions and green peppers and a little bit of butter.

[caption id="attachment_4646" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Color = A-May-Zing[/caption]

I finally found an awesome clear coat for my polish. It's a base coat and a top coat called Double Duty from Sally Hansen. It has not bubbled or chipped yet! Wee hooo

[caption id="attachment_4647" align="aligncenter" width="350"] In love[/caption]

Our view is simply breathtaking.

[caption id="attachment_4648" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Tricky tricky[/caption]

 Savannah is getting really good with this trick.

[caption id="attachment_4650" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Crisp sound[/caption]

J' moved one of the back speakers to the pantry door. When we roll up the bed the back speakers are blocked and you can't hear out of them...one down, one to go!

[caption id="attachment_4651" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Er.mer.gawd.[/caption]

We went to Crystal Magic one of the local gem and rock stores. I did not want to leave, they have everything I've been looking for plus way more.

[caption id="attachment_4649" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Desert Dinner[/caption]

Who says you can't feast in the middle of the desert!? One of our many 'dinner parties' with Ray and Kevin; steaks with grilled mushrooms and onions, yummy buttery asparagus and the best mashed taters you can buy!

I'd say it's been a pretty worthy wedge, eh!?

PEACE