Monday, July 20, 2015

Birthdays, memorials and bus snuggles- oh my!

On the Friday, the 17th, we went to Angela's apartment and helped family and friends sort through her things. We took some things to Book & Music Exchange to get her family some gas money, bought a sword, took things to Goodwill and took Medusa, her beloved snake, home with us. We are ridding her of mites and trying to get her used to human touch again. Then we will rehome her. She is a lovely ball python.
That evening we went to Dragon King's Daughter (Louisville, KY) for the most delicious sushi and then across the street to Nowhere Bar for dancing. I have to say that I may have only known one song that I was dancing to. I didn't care cuz I just wanted to dance and Jacek makes the best goofy dance partner! Jennifer Watson got wiggly too. Meredith Dooley and James Michael Hite boogied for a bit before turning in. Lisa Douglas and Christopher Mills came out and shot pool with us. Lisa gave me a really fun book about gross attractions around the U.S. that we will use on our trip along with a pumpkin scented candle from Chris's work. The bus smells GOOD! And when the candle is done, I get a jewelry surprise inside. Rebekkah Trigg made an appearance with her sassy self. It was a tough day for us having gone through Angela's stuff but, we managed to squeeze out some laughs.
When we realized it was pouring rain we ran home to close the bus windows and luckily nothing really got wet except the middle where the ventilation hatch was open. It was so beautiful to see the storm through the windows and hear the rain hitting the metal roof as we slept.

We have slept on the bus 5 days now?

Saturday was the first memorial for Angela. It was really tough and I didn't expect so much honesty from everyone who shared about their experiences with her. I also didn't expect so many emotions. I had a gig later that night at Chill Bar with Jacek and Wednesday for Chill Bar's 2nd anniversary. I was trying to find someone to replace me at the gig but in the end we needed the money to work on the bus and I committed to it so, I went. I didn't think I was going to make it and prayed for rain but once I got there, I got into the groove of things and was able to smile through flaming lips.

Sunday, we went to my granny's for my birthday celebration and that was a lot of fun. My uncle Timmy cooked a delicious lunch and even though I don't eat cake, the cake was beautiful and glittery… just like us from Lisa's birthday glitter wrapping. My mom made a butterfly theme to the birthday :) My uncle made a fruit salad for me while most everyone had cake. Let them eat cake!
Then we went to yoga and really challenged ourselves. During the hip openers I got really sad and angry about Angela. I started crying after the class. I insisted we go see a movie at Village 8 since the rest of my birthday had been overshadowed by death and bus work. We got to see Mad Max Fury Road and it was sooooo cooool and badass. But seriously, what is up with the guitar dude? That is all I am going to say so I don't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. We moved all of our props into the one empty room of the house so we could see what we have left to go through. 

Today we kicked more butt in cleaning the back room and I swept the bus out. I could sweep the bus out every day the way it collects dirt so easily from us going in and out. There is soooooo much stuff to go through. It can be overwhelming at times and we have to take breaks.

We are slowly getting the cats used to the bus and invite some of them to sleep with us at night. We have taken Percy on the bus to sleep every night except once when it was really really hot. That night we left the kitties in the house with AC. We are concerned about how the cats squabble and how it would be to take them on the bus together in the significantly smaller space. We even thought about writing Jackson Galaxy for advice and ideas on how to get them to be calm with each other and on the bus in general.

The AC was broken in the house for a few days and sometimes Jack was able to push the blade of the fan to get it going but mostly it was hot hot hot in here at 85 degrees at one point. We kept the fans going with windows open. The AC was fixed today, thank goodness! 

We still have a very talkative Percy that needs a forever home. If you are interested in giving Percy a loving, affectionate forever home, call us for a visit. 502-718-5929. If you like him, he is adoptable through Shamrock Foundation. He is a sweet 3-legger who gets along well with other cats. He may hiss from time to time but doesn't fight. He and Dexter love on each other and play hard. Percy is just about the best behaved cat I have ever met.




Thursday, July 16, 2015

yard sale ready!

Today we readied ourselves for a yard sale to get rid of more stuff we can't take on the Forever Tour. Our bedroom is empty and polished clean except for this computer. We slept on the bus last night and from here out.. it was wonderful and comfortable. We have dinner on the bus every night as well and discuss travel. Tomorrow Ember turns a year older (still hot!) heeh... so we plan to eat sushi with friends and dance like crazy! WEEZE GON GIT DOWN!!! .. on a sad note Italy got an injury so i think maybe the doc tomorrow too..ugh Next step is to get the electric ready on the bus, probably with an extra battery hooked up to the alternator and plugs strung along the top interior of the bus with a plug out the back..guess we'll see. It's a learning experience. Jacek signing off!
                                                       B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y    G-I-R-L

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Progress!

Hello folks! We are anxious to become "bus people". Progress is being made everyday as we try to recycle certain things that we already own to help build the bus. The painting inside is done. The sink is installed. The bed frame is ready. The cooking area is built. We added the dresser and a giant cat carrier. Whew! We still have so much more to do.. shelving, electrical plugs, toilet, mini fridge, a/c etc. Just finished caulking the windows for leaks.... just in time cause here comes the rain! Can't wait to finish and hit the road.. Jacek signing off for now! Stay tuned as we try to finish this small home within two months..
                                                Building the cooking area with a little air guitar
                                            Folding badass dining table.. re-used from old art stuff
                                                          

Monday, July 13, 2015

Bus Progress and Memorial for Angela

Despite the sadness, anger and guilt felt today over the loss of Angela, we kept pushing through the day. We worked on the bus and got quite a bit done. I teared up during bootcamp workout and sweat through the hour. Jacek sold some more of our things to help pay for the bed frame we wanted for the bus, recaulked the stairs and made time for himself. I worked on our dining room table, extra small table and some shelves and finished spray painting the stairs.

Our dining room table is a repurposed piece that has turned into several pieces. We took the long metal frame of an old buffet style cafeteria table, sliced it into two pieces and cut up a painting of mine to make two folding tables that will attach to the bus. A few shelving or cat walk pieces came out of the art piece as well.

July 17 is my birthday and I keep forgetting to make plans for it. I have been so wrapped up in the bus project, promoting the tour and grieving. Tonight I shall make some plans :)

Here is a memorial for Angela Wood if you knew her:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1605966246308182/

~Ember

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Forever and More

So much has happened since we last updated.
Jacek won 2nd Place and Master of Comedy at Burlypicks.
Percy, the wonderful 3 legger kitty we are fostering through Shamrock Foundation has been cleared of any fear of FIP so, he can be around our other kitties and explore the house.

"'LORD HAVE MERCY LOOK AT LITTLE PERCY"
!!Three Legged Cat Beats Unbelievable odds! (2 Years)
PERCY IS READY FOR HIS FOREVER HOME!! This little boy's story is nothing short of amazing. When Percy was found, shattered, half broken bones were literally sticking out of his leg. The septic infection was raging and honestly the prognosis was beyond poor. But Dr. Gailor and staff recognized the same spirit
his fosters have come to love. Determined, unwavering and brilliant!!This was more than amputation. Percy remained under the care of Gailor Animal Hospital for a good 6 weeks. Just when it seemed he was out of the woods Percy seemed to go back a few steps. When his body filled with fluid we thought after all that Percy is not going to make it :(But Percy made it!!! He's Alive!! He's Thriving!! He wants to Play with the other kitties. We know awesome Laurel and Jack were temporary Angels but now Percy is ready to leave his nest. This is a just add good food, water, love and newspaper ..No....not for what you think...Percy likes to read!! :
3 Legs just makes Percy lighter on his feet and ready to waltz into your life -Please leave a message @ 244-4715 to Adopt Percy!! "

We bought a bus and on the same day sold Jacek's car for the same price!
We have been renovating our '95 Bluebird bus into an RV. We got the seats out, scrapped em (metal scrapping prices are super low now and we got $46 for 16 or 17 seats), painted the floor, made a dining area, installed a utility sink that we found for $50 on craigslist, threw away a whole bunch of stuff we didn't need and announced our…

FOREVER TOUR!
We are hitting the road with our kitties and soon one snake on our new "mobile home" starting in September. We have a few short stops between now and September that we will take in my car while we renovate the bus and get our appropriate licensure. Check out our tour dates here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1005375846147768/

At some point, we will have a bus painting party for the exterior of the bus with select artists and bands. Stay tuned!









Unfortunately, a troupe member, Angela Marie Wood, took her life this weekend. It brought all of us together for hugs and support as we had dinner with D'arcy and Adam before they headed off to Colorado. It was a very emotional weekend with tears, anger and laughter. We miss her greatly.

Fun memory with Angela aka Bad Alice backstage