Orchestra and Pow-Wow

Yesterday I got to check something off of my BID list (before I die). I got to play in an orchestra in front of a live audience. If Firefly had an orchestra this would be it: a ragtag team of mixed instruments, races, ages, sizes and colors. We had keyboards, violins, guitars, basses, drums, a cello, saxes, a flute and two fifes. I don't know how we all managed to fit on that stage. I only got to play 2 chords but I had a blast. It was at the Victorville Spice of Life Fall Festival.

Today is the Lucerne Valley, CA Pow-wow. I was supposed to share a booth there but my partner canceled. So I'm going to take some crafts with me and a chair, and hang out under a shade tree and watch the folks do what they do. I'm going to make the best of it in whatever way I can. The weather is perfect.

Whatever you do today, have fun.

Kazoos and Doll Heads

Today was like a tornado of busyness for me.

I got to explore some of the Apple Valley thrift stores which are conveniently located across the street from my knitting meeting. I think I love thrift stores because they bring back so many memories of my departed family members. First off I found a whole bag of doll heads that look like grandpa. My grandmother used to re-purpose old dish detergent bottles and turn them into Granny and Grandpa dolls. I did buy one ugly set of doll parts that would make a cool creepy elf doll.

Then at another thrift store a man leaving passed me with a stack of vinyl records. I asked if he'd left any for anyone else and he said, "Sure, but I got the best ones." After I'd shopped there and paid cash for all my goodies, I saw a sign that said 'all records ten cents'. Well, I saw a project on Pinterest where you frame and hang old album covers on the wall. I've wanted to do that for a while, preferably with old belly dance album covers.  So I started flipping through all the old albums, only to find one for a singer named Kay Starr. My mom loved her music. One of the songs was, "I'm so lonely." That deeply reminded me of my mom. If I had a turntable I would have bought it.

Anyway, I ended up with a stack of 11 record covers, all with a dance theme. Couldn't find any belly dance ones though.

I was also looking for skirts at Walmart and Target and they didn't have a thing. One thrift store has just the kind of skirts I want, but they were too small. I'm tempted to go back there today and look again if only I can think of some way to alter them to fit that won't make me look too dorky. Maybe I could slit them up to the waist and wear them over pants or leggings or another skirt. The fabrics really are lovely.

Then it was off to the knit and crochet gathering at Fanciwerks. Even though some of the ladies stay from 10 to 5 on Mondays and/or Wednesdays, I don't have that kind of time to sit and knit (and my hands don't like it). But I happily stayed until about 4:30.  I was expecting company at 5 or later so I drove home to tidy up.

Our friends were a wee bit late. That's what happens when you are driving from state to state with a wee one. After visiting, we realized all the local restaurants would be closed, so we high tailed it over to Victorville. We ended up at the Roadhouse for some mighty tasty vittles. I even saw a sign in their decor that said "Hudson" that would look great in a certain little someone's bedroom. Maybe I can find one like it on Ebay or something.

I had no luck finding a metal kazoo at the thrift stores, so I just ordered one on Ebay this morning. I want to play kazoo and washboard like the guy in the Wiyos.

Whipping up an octopus at the knitting meeting.

It's Snowing!

I slept in the recliner last night because the winds were howling and it was too noisy to sleep in my bed next to the window. I tried drowning it out with the radio, but then the radio was too loud to sleep next to. So the cat and I shared the recliner. When I got up this morning it was snowing. We cancelled our plans to visit friends today and stayed home to enjoy a warm fire and a snowy morning. It doesn’t look like I’m going to make it to the library either. But I’m reading a good fantasy trilogy. Book two is ‘To Light a Candle.’ I already ordered book 3 from the interlibrary loan system. The library here is tiny so I have to order almost everything.

I’m going in circles trying to figure out how to change my address for my CSA Annuity.  When it didn’t arrive this month I realized it’s probably one of those types of things that the post office won’t forward. I needed that money to pay bills! It should be a simple thing but I’ve been going around in circles for 3 days trying to find out who will change it for me and waiting for call backs. So far this year I’ve had hassles with the City of LA, the State of CA (DMV) and the Federal Government. And it’s only Jan 10^th.

On a more cheerful note, we got to use a BOGO coupon at Hometown Buffet yesterday for my birthday. It’s the only one in this area and it was quite nice. If you get on their birthday list, you have a week from your birthday to use the coupon they Email you.  Which reminds me, I need to get my boyfriend’s name on that list because his birthday is Jan. 13. Go Capricorns! If you want to get on the coupon list it's here: Hometown Buffet.