Catch me if you can

I'm not going to lie...it's really easy to find other things to do than sit down and write a post for this blog. I guess I only have myself to blame, along with my new computer (and my other lame excuses)...which has taken up a good majority of my time with the screen jumping back and forth, back and forth...I swear you breathe on the mouse and the screen jumps to another screen. I had made the excuse (to myself) that I can't write a post without all of my pictures, so I finally got all of my pictures on the computer. Then, I made the excuse that I don't have anything to write about (an excuse I've been making for about 7 months now...oops). Then, I was making the excuse that no one is interested in this blog anyway....then I went to the RTR and people kept telling me they WERE reading the blog up until about 3 months ago when they realized I wasn't updating anymore. So I was excited to start writing again but now that it's been so long, I feel like I've lost my verve for tha' word.

[caption id="attachment_5207" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Feeling Flat[/caption]

So bear with me peeps, while I try to get my groove back. I may ramble and I will try not to vent too much, for there are things that have happened within the last couple of months that have really irked me and I'm trying to keep the negatives out...negative thoughts AND negative people.

There is a ton of awesome in the here and now though and on the horizon for us. For example, we have found a great spot to camp for a couple of months (hopefully), with solitude and amazing views and pretty good weather. Chili Moon is doing amazingly well in this lifestyle, she never ventures away from the van and loves to smell the air in the wind and feeling the sunshine on her skin (she has very little fur). She has been an amazing little addition to our tribe, I love her so much! And yes, Savannah is still a brat!

[caption id="attachment_5206" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Fun in the Sun[/caption]

I will be selling my Claramae soon...that's my guitar for those of you that are just joining us. I found out, from two people that I trust (and know what they're talking about) that there is too much wrong with it to be a good learning instrument or a good instrument period. I knew there had to be something else going on there, I just knew it couldn't be that hard!! So, while Claramae was my first, she's not worth the save, and the money will go back into other funds. I am a little sad to sell her, but it's for the greater good of my tribe (& their ears) & my poor little fingers. You will be missed Claramae..you're so purty!

[caption id="attachment_5208" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Ya ole stinker[/caption]

On the other hand, I was able to play a friends' Ukulele at the RTR and fell instantaneously in love with it.... so I am awaiting the arrival of my Anuenue Akua (pronounced AA-Nuw-eh-Nuw-eh-aa-KUW-aa)...I am very very excited!

I'm afraid that's all you'll be getting out of me this time, but I figured if I didn't just sit down and put some words on my "paper screen", I never would.

I hope all of you that are dealing with horrible weather are keeping safe and warm and those of you in the better weather...Wear your sunscreen, wear your hats and have fun keeping the sunshine out of your face and the sand out of your van!

Until next time my peeps

Much Love & 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

 

Getting creative with our days

Woke up about 6 a.m. this morning and laid in bed gazing out the windows at the beautiful nature surrounding us...wow!

[caption id="attachment_2499" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Good Morning[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2500" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is what we get to wake up to[/caption]

I turned my ipod on to my Zen Garden playlist and just chilled watching my babies sleep, thinking how lucky I am to have them in my life.. and they're just so cute cuddled up together. Savannah is definitely daddy's little girl!

[caption id="attachment_2498" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sweepy baby[/caption]

After laying in bed, zenning out and messing with Savannah we finally got up and did our morning rituals, still having to bundle up for the breezy, cool day ahead. We cooked up a little brunch of chicken and potatoes...let me tell you about the best find ever! J' found potatoes in a bag...sounds appetizing right! This bag full of flakes are like gourmet potatoes you'd get at Outback or something, they are the bomb AND only cost a buck! Yep, one whole dollar! What a ganga!!

[caption id="attachment_2501" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I see you through the smokey air ♫[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2502" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Home cookin'[/caption]

After brunch we worked, hung out and practiced the guitar for a bit...our fingers can only take so much right now, but we're doing it!

[caption id="attachment_2503" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Looking like a pro[/caption]

It is a little cramped in the van, but it's doable so, we get'r done! I am doing a beginners course that I found on the Internet (for free) back when we lived in the cabin. The guys name is Justin Sandercore (JustinGuitar), he breaks down everything step by step...I downloaded his videos before we left, so I watch them through RealPlayer. When I downloaded them I thought they would all end up in sequence...silly girl. They didn't, so for the rest of the day I renamed every video (84 of them) and put them in the right order. I don't work well unorganized, so now I can turn on the 'puter and go straight to the right video instead of searching for 10 minutes, getting bored and barely doing anything on the guitar. Now, let's see what else I come up with to steer me off course from my Claramae! haha It does help that J' is learning along with me, although he has a little bit of guitar experience from the past, so I think he's a big show-off...haha...but it does help!

Oh and I also found a cool picture program so I messed with that as well for the rest of the day...ya gotta be creative to fill your time sometimes people!

[caption id="attachment_2504" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Kaleidoscopic[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2505" align="aligncenter" width="225"] See the ghost!? Creepy[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2507" align="aligncenter" width="225"] From 1849, haha[/caption]

PEACE

&

CHICKEN GREASE, YA'LL 

 

 

 

 

River Walkin' ~ Phone Stalkin' ~ Duck Gawkin' Fools

So, I was up all night tossing and turning over this stupid phone call. I wouldn't be so stressed out about it if I knew our phone was going to still be on for the next week or so, but it's supposed to be shut off either today or tomorrow because we are switching phone companies...so the stress remains. I woke up this morning at 6:30 to start with my phone stalking once again, we are three hours behind the company I am trying to get in touch with.

[caption id="attachment_2395" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Impatiently waiting[/caption]

I was finally able to leave a message on the full voicemail from yesterday, I guess they clean it out the next morning, anyway ya slice it, I got my message in, so now... I wait...again. I laid in bed until my sleepy babies got up and we all went out for a walk around town. We walked down the sidewalk and across the street to the backlot of the Tropicana. We found that they had self-contained parking back there, you have to get a pass from security (I'm sure that means running your ID and all of that) but it was free parking on asphalt for 14 days. I thought it was pretty nifty. We also saw one of the coolest 5th wheels/pull behind I've ever seen.

[caption id="attachment_2396" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Free 14 day parking[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2397" align="aligncenter" width="300"] We'll take it![/caption]

I wish all cities were as RV friendly as Laughlin is, but I guess that's where the 'adventure' comes in...right!? We walked around the Tropicana, relieving the Bug and sipping on our coffee. We found the pool...totally empty of people but it is November!

[caption id="attachment_2399" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Wanna go for a dip?[/caption]

We walked back to Joon to put Nana in her crate, it was pretty overcast with a nice little breeze so we figured it was the perfect day to see the inside of the casino's, take our time and enjoy the time we have without baby.

We are still leaking oil, not enough to be a huge problem but enough to be a bit of a concern. We'll just have to go buy some and keep it on us...just in case.

[caption id="attachment_2401" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The cutest mechanic everrrr[/caption]

Yesterday while I was geeking out over the phone call, J' had taken a walk over to the Golden Nugget to stretch his legs and strolled around inside, he wanted me to see it so we walked on over to have a looksie.

[caption id="attachment_2402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I want a golden goose to lay golden eggs for Easter~ Veruca Salt[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2403" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Am I in Hawaii? haha[/caption]

We hit the potties in the Golden Nugget, nothing else to really see here so we moved down the line to the Pioneer. The Pioneer seems a bit older of a casino, almost looks like it was the first one on the river but maybe it was just the old western style decor...?

[caption id="attachment_2404" align="aligncenter" width="300"] If the boot fits...you must be a giant![/caption]

As soon as we walked in, we saw doors that went out to the Riverwalk so we just walked on through to the outside. I don't know whether it's the time of year, the time of day or that it's super overcast today, but no one was out...seemed like we were the only ones walking around.

[caption id="attachment_2421" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Monkey see, Monkey do[/caption]

We walked down as far as we could go, the Riverwalk is closed off at certain parts, for what...I don't know. On the opposite side of the Riverwalk there was a team of people setting up stages, lights and a sound system for the Veterans Day festivities that are starting tomorrow. As we were walking, J' said look 'black ducks', we walked down a ramp to have a closer look. I was super stoked because I had just seen these 'ducks' in one of my girlfriends' blogs and thought they were so beautiful... now we're seeing them!!

We were talking about how cool they were and I was snapping pics left and right and this guy walked up and started telling us alllll about them. They are actually called Coots or Mud Hens as the locals call them, they migrate here for the Winter. It was a very educational 2 minutes, then just as he came, he disappeared...well, that was neat, thank you Mr. 411! I counted 48 all together...oh and I love their little white beaks.

[caption id="attachment_2408" align="aligncenter" width="300"] They actually run across the water![/caption]

We started walking back to Joon and on our way back I smelled just about every single flower on the path! I even made J' smell a few, they smelled like candy!!

[caption id="attachment_2410" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Always stopping to smell the flowers![/caption]

Thought I'd try the phone call again while J' was chit chatting with a boat tour guide guy...

[caption id="attachment_2411" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Grrrrr....[/caption]

Trying to not let it get to me as much as it did yesterday....but still pretty aggravated no one is calling me back OR picking up the damn phone.

We walk.

We walked back to the van and just hung out the rest of the day. We played the guitar a little bit too, J' has decided he is going to learn right along with me...now it's much more fun. Maybe it's a little bit of that competitive streak I have in me too...it just pushes me to practice a little more than I have been...it's a good thing! I think where we are staying is a pretty good spot, we know we're not going to get hassled due to The Pioneer actually advertising their dry camping. We were wondering why everyone looked like they were at a camp site, they have tables and chairs sitting outside of their campers/RV's...now we know why!

It has turned into a beautiful night, let's hope the weather stays nice and we don't get hit by any big storms or anything. I hope you have a wonderful evening...we will catch ya on the flip side yo'!

[caption id="attachment_2414" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Goodnight![/caption]

PEACE

(128 ) 'Black ducks' aka Coots by Ayevangabond

Strummin' the guitar and the grill

The last few days have been pretty calm (& calming). We are finishing up the last of our "cold food" i.e. meat & cheese. I tell you what, I am becoming quite the grill master out here. I don't know how some of these woman (& men) have a full-on work schedule, family schedule, whatever other schedule and still have time to cook well rounded meals for their families. It takes me all day just to decide and figure out how to cook the damn thing, then I actually have to do it! Just yesterday it took me about 4 hours to figure out what to do with these pork chops. I don't think I've ever cooked/grilled a pork chop in my life and being out here you don't have everything at your beck and call, so you have to be creative. I got creative all right, after all of that research and many forums later, I put my own spin on some of the dishes that were recommended and I think I did a swell job! I marinaded the chops in honey, soy sauce, a lil' bit of brown sugar and some garlic salt for about 2 hours and then grilled 'em up. I just added some corn which I tried to make it taste like corn on the cob (but not on the cob) with butter and salt and stuff but it just tasted like regular corn to me. I also made a side "salad" of tomatoes and avocado with some seasonings on it mostly for J', he doesn't really dig tomatoes and I LOVE them so I had to do something for him to eat his veggies! The plate was so full of food it seemed like we weren't very far from civilization at all...I did good!

[caption id="attachment_537" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Honey Soy Chops, Corn & Toma-Cado Salad...Yummm[/caption]

Other than researching and cooking one good solid meal a day, I've been trying to spend more and more time on Claramae. Some days I think I have it and some days I can't even seem to tune her . To say the least it's frustrating but I can't expect to be Numero Uno right off the bat, it just doesn't work that way with guitar.I'll learn it...someday!

[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Me & my girl[/caption]

I just have to remind myself that I have to practice at least 15 minutes a day or until my fingers start hurting 'til I can't play anymore or I won't get any better.  I've got a ton of support from my friends and family (most of them do play guitar) so it's nice to have encouragement from so far away. Love ya'll!

[caption id="attachment_541" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fire Fingers[/caption]

Tonight I made our last savory meal...Top Round Sirloin, not the best steak out there but cheap enough for us to have steak in the woods...works for this girl! I marinated the steak in Jack Daniels BBQ sauce with a bit of salt and pepper and some Montreal Steak Seasoning for about an hour. I put our trusty onion, potato and mushrooms in a foil packet, seasoned and grilled those babies up. I also made some spinach that I didn't think was going to come out any better than it was in the can...but once again I surprised myself. I drained the spinach (into Savannah's bowl of course, she needs her greens too!), I put in some salt pepper, garlic salt, butter buds (my new best friend), a packet of Stevia to cut the bitterness and a couple of slices of cheese (the last ones). I served up the plates and voila dinner was a success yet again!

[caption id="attachment_539" align="aligncenter" width="300"] BBQ Sirloin, taters onions & shrooms with the best spinach in town![/caption]

The spinach was a hit, J' LOVED it and told me to remember what I did so I could keep making it, that never gets said about canned spinach! Patting myself on the back...haha I cooked dinner so late that right after dinner we just packed it up for the night and came in. We're gonna watch a little boob tube and then J' will go to sleep and I will lay there trying to fall asleep for the next 7 hours....fun stuff! Insomnia can suck it, haha

[caption id="attachment_538" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Our sunset in Joon Van's eyes[/caption]

Have a groovy night and hopefully your bellies are as full as ours tonight!

PEACE

Hola Esteban

Yesterday, I came to a decision that I was going to learn how to play the guitar. I have been wanting and wanting for years to learn how to play some kind of musical instrument, especially the drums but always the guitar. I've always been the girl that hung out with a lot of musicians and worked at some music venues in Denver but never the girl that was the musician. I remember going out to the Boulder mountains on Full Moon Midnight Hike Night, (that's what we called it, when everybody would meet at the base of the mountain about 10:30 p.m. or so with their instruments and we'd hike up the mountain during the full moon and then sit and play for hours). Anyway, I remember going with them all the time and always wanting to be able to be more than just a voice. Well, yesterday was my day of decision. What better time than now when I don't really have that much going on. J' works during the day so it would be a perfect time to learn with no distractions to me (or him). And my dad who has played the guitar since his teenage years lives right here and would love to teach me some things. So, at that moment I called my dad and asked him if I could borrow a guitar, he said yes and that he would teach me some basics. I went over to his house today around 2 o'clock or so and sat with him for a good hour and learned the chords of D, E, A and E minor.

I then came home and practiced. My fingers hurt pretty bad and I guess they will for a while. I'm getting the chords but I get them confused and can't move to another chord quickly....I know I haven't even had it a full day and I want to be Numero Uno! It's just how I roll. Needless to say, I'm super duper excited wee-hoo and can't wait to actually learn it to where I don't have to think about it. I know it's going to take weeks and months...haha...and I'm so not the patient type! I guess I gotta learn somehow huh! Oh and my dad said that if I learn how to play, then the guitar, Esteban, will become mine! So there's a goal for me. Well, I'm off for the night, we are hitting up Lake Burton tomorrow on a pontoon with a sea-doo....it's gonna be awesome!

PEACE