Hello there!
Today has been a quiet day. Just kidding!
First thing this morning we made pancakes together, then we went to play at the playground. I designed a shirt on Bonfire you can purchase and help us fundraise for our bus maintnance projects.
bonfire.com/bugus-life
Then we went for a walk. Chikkie followed us for a minute but got distracted by the dogs on the fence.
And so we wandered at a bit of a faster pace so we would be able to find chikkie again. I could’ve made less stress for the boys on that level too. Chikkie was a good boy and wandered back to the good shade of the playground. We saw some cool trees and some racoon prints.
When we got back to the bus, I boiled some eggs while the boys played on the sandy hill. When they were done, boiling we ate a few and some grape tomatoes. I informed myself about the spay and neuter clinic coupons Daniel had texted me about. They only help people with a New Mexican mailing address. So Atreyu looked at the map together and decided to head east. Deliberation has been painful for me the last few days, so letting Atreyu look at what we’ve done and what we may do helped me out.
The drive was nice. Galixy fell asleep and Atreyu and I read signs.
On a side note, I have to remark that we were in a region where I know and love some very awesome people. I didn’t call any of them. I would’ve loved to see them, don’t get me wrong here. I just had no energy to do that. And I am sorry for it because it would’ve been some chances to have adult time as well as kid time. I hope they don’t feel snubbed. I wouldn’t blame them if they did.
We drove to Moriarty. They have a pilot truck stop with a spot off property to sit and spange. I found the off property spot last year, after having Peaches jugged it two years ago. I sat there for about a half hour. The police pulled up in two cars. The heavier set one was very harsh at first. I started getting jitters that they were about to take my things or something. It turned out they are used to people coming from Albuquerque to usurp from their poor community. I told them I was surely not heading back there and just trying to get further East towards my Aunt and Uncle in Tennessee. It’s best protocol to mention a family destination when talking to Johnny Law. The officers ended up noticing the kids bikes on my bike rack. I was all “this trip’s over forever!” I was definitely worried about saying too much, but wanted to keep my conversation with them light and honest. One patroller endedup going to the station and getting some food to kick down along with some stickers. In the end they even kicked down a little cash. They took a picture of us, so dispatch could believe the bug ontop. At first the one cop had said it was a “waste of a beetle.” I clarified that it would’ve gone to the salvage yard. He then told me that he wasn’t against the poor, he was against the people trying to take advantage of others. I told him that I didn’t blame him on that, I also didn’t appreciate tom foolery in a dishonest way. They made sure we got on the east bound ramp. Now we’re at a rest area about 15 miles down the road. The find is going about 14 mph which is still below my cut off level, but I definitely didn’t fill my tank like I had hoped. I feel like my spange game is changing. I’ve had better luck at rest areas than truck stops. Walmart hasn’t been as good of a spot to make money anymore either.
Here we’ve already had a couple cool guys stop and chat. One had a super car on a trailer. a 1972 Honda with a motorcycle engine in it.
Still not sure what we’re doing. But the further we go, the more sure I will be of our path. The important part is that we’re breathing and exploring. And learning and staying warm.
Right. Last entry I alluded that there was a subject I had been thinking about needing to talk about. Our toilet situation. I think I’ve mentioned it a bit since I would really like a camping toilet, but must free up some space for such a luxury. I haven’t had a flushing toilet readily available to me for 3 and a half years now. I do have a kid training potty for the boys. Atreyu generally uses a “pee-jug” one of our old juice bottles. Sometimes I can talk Galixy into using it, too. When they poop into the potty, I try to get them to poop into a doggy poop bag, but on the general I’m picking the poop out with they doggy bag. And then I get to wipe it clean, too. A lovely endeavor. Better than poopy diapers, let me assure you! I have a pee jug as well, but not a bottle, cause those openings are too small and can cause quite the mess. I pee into an old pickle jar. If I don’t clean that out on occasion my yoni will break out. Yay! the joys of having to keep up highly on certain hygiene. Go ahead and wrinkle your nose and say “eeeew”. My yoni and butt are probably the cleanest part of my body. My hands may not always look clean but they are definitely disinfected. Hygiene is super important when trying to keep healthy and happy. Washcloth baths rock. I generally don’t like squatting onto the boys potty, it’s a hell of a leg tangle. But I have had some emergencies especially in the middle of the night. I’ve also had the unfortunate event of farting into that little plastic bowl while peeing. The spray was quite a shock. If I’ve got to poop, I’m usually adult enough to make it to a toilet in time, or to dig a hole out in the wilderness (at least a foot of depth to allow good decomposition!) However, I’ve also had the intense urge and managed to finagel my poop into a doggy bag. If you haven’t heard the song “van life” I encourage you to look it up, though I’ve been told that my home doesn’t smell like pee and poop but uncomfortably of hippie. I.e. a mix of essential oils, incense, and maybe a little sweat. Better than cheesy feet and piss bucket by far in my opinion.
The boys are wanting to take a walk, so we’re gonna brave the wind for a few minutes and give Rhea a chance to potty. I’m very hopeful that the donations will flow in at this Rest Area. Good thing we’re stocked up on food and water. Wonder what Atreyu and I will come up with for dinner tonight.
Loving you!!
*If you’ve just joined us, I appreciate your reading! I hope you’re enjoying our adventures.
Matilda the Bugus 