Gotta be honest, not the general location one would seek to really celebrate, but the dark parking lot made for excellent sleeping and the kids really dont care where the bus is parked when it comes to opening presents. We quite enjoyed ourselves, the kids shredding open the handful of wrapped parcels and me watching the commotion.
We decided to leave to get some fuel but obviously everything was closed, so we pulled into a rest area and got ourselves more stabilized for the drive to phoenix.
Galixy fell asleep and Atreyu enjoyed the views. We pulled into a neighborhood curbside park in surprise. All kinds of neighbors came out to view bugus. Some kicked down. After a little while filled with Galixy being displeased, I got a call from my friend in Phoenix saying I could come to his friends’ place for him looking at my bus.
There were a ton of people there, 6 kids, 5 residential, and 7 adults, 3 residing, 2 long term visitors and 2 over on visit. I’ve been having a time dealing with my getting us lost in the desert and then Galixy’s discomfort, which I assume is his molars pushing in, so I felt completely awkward and out of place. Everyone was nice and can be, though some of their phrasings or approaches cut me weird in my undisclosed vulnerable state.
The food, cooked by Joe was fantastic holiday feasting, and we even old rainbow style circled before eating. But quickly after I had to retire Galixy to the bus. Obviously, Atreyu wasnt ready at that point and I got a bit of a weird look asking if he could stay while I went with Galixy. I might’ve been overly sensitive and reading into everything at that point, but I still felt like crap getting Galixy set up to chill till he fell asleep and then coaxing Atreyu at his bed time, which I passed out at.
We woke up late for us, 7:30, apparently early for the kids in the house, but I can’t honestly say I know when anybody actually woke up. I occupied the kids, barely. Galixy and I had a rough morning with lots of crying. But I did ride my bike with kids in trailer to get some fuel injector treatment from Autozone, quite the work out 1.4 miles uphill back, and I painted the side of the bus that, now, has a mailbox installed.
Galixy only took a short nap, but that gave me the time to have a minor break down informing Sean, resident Dad, of my mental state. His daughter and him were very sweet and understanding toward me.
I ate some left overs from the night before, but Galixy was so fussy I took him back to the bus. After a little broth and a couple candies (*le sigh*) he magically recuperated some energy to come into the house and play a bit with the kids. Currently he has begun to whine about water from the bus to drink. I’ll gladly oblige. Except he just sat in the toy box saying “me stuck! Help me!”
I forgot mentioning running the motor with some seafoam treatment. Sounds a lot better. Maybe injectors will be fine now…? Gave me a chance to charge the interior battery. Joe is talking about all kinds of “small” great adjustments for Bugus. I’m just grateful for the “minor” contribution already made. Keeping Matilda running smooth is everything ā¤
Besides keeping kids happy, growing, and healthy.
Loving you.
Matilda the Bugus 