QUARTZSITE 2002

January 19, 2002
Saturday

This morning, while showering, the electricity went off. Inconvenient, but not impossible. I was just done lathering up, and almost finished rinsing when the water went off. Mmmm, I put in another quarter and still nothing. It wasn't long before I realized the timer was electric, or the water pump or something...no electricity, no water. Bummer.

Ahh well, I just dried off and went back. I dried my hair at the trailer, which had electricity.

This whole park has been intermittant with the electric. Evidently too many electric heaters, too many RV's, not enough amps alloted for this many people. Thank goodness I run off of propane for my heat.

~~~

Today was a very good day, sales wise. Finally. Perhaps it will start happening. I was gracious for it today.

~~~

Mark came by. I so enjoy talking to him. He told me today that I am one of his favorite people to come by and visit. Cool. He is one of my favorite people here too.

~~~

I had a fun day today, it was so nice compared to yesterday. It really doesn't take much for me to bounce back.

It was cold though. Sometimes the sun would warm you up, but then it would hide behind a cloud and chill off, or the breeze would kick up and whip the coldness all around you. People coming in from LA, in shorts were freezing.

More people, more interaction, I love it.

~~~

After I closed down, I walked around a little. The hot air balloons were playing in the air, but sometimes landing a little hard. I think there was something kinda wrong. One we saw over by the selling spaces came down a bit rough, closer to the power lines than I would think safe.

I saw the clouds and knew it was going to be a pretty sunset, so I head out in my car. Out to the desert, and somehow got on a paved road, where I saw another balloon land in the middle of brush behind some trailers. I wonder...why would 2 of them have trouble?

That paved road led me to the main road which was cluttered up with tons of cars stopping and going. Well, if I miss the sunset, then I guess I just miss it.

But, I didn't. I got to Hwy 95 and head south to the road Don and I took that day, and I got out into the middle of the desert before the color really set in. Here are some photos I took.

looking Southeast		looking South
	and the fiery West

I just love it. The colors just energize my spirit. The mountains do alone, but with the colors over them, I am just in bliss.

~~~

On the way back I stopped at the Wild RV. They were...surprise...going through beads! I helped them highgrade some of them for a while. Alan asked if I wanted to go out to dinner. Yea, I did.

We went to a Mexican restaurant, they were slammed. We scooted in and sat at the bar. Who needs a booth when you are that hungry? :)

It was nice, sitting there talking to him, we talked a little about our lives, and the sequence of events in our lives, relationships, kids, jobs. I so love getting to know people.

After dinner, he wanted some ice cream. We drove to Baskin Robbins, but sat in the car talking for so long that the ice cream part of the truck stop was closed, so we began looking around for something sweet.

Ding Dongs and Twinkies. Yeah! Boy, that brought back childhood memories. I must have lived on Ding Dongs. heh, it was so much fun eating that dang ding dong, it has been years.

I adore Alan, he is just such a delightful person. Incredibly easy to be around, and just enlightened, you can feel it, almost as if it is a blanket, wrapping you up in his warm energy. I am truly blessed to have such good friends.

January 20, 2002
Sunday

I had full intentions of going out this morning and getting my email and such, then time slipped away and I decided to stay and open. Halfway into rolling up my sides to the booth, I was talking to my neighbor about needing to pick up the email when he said just go, he would make sure it was all ok.

So I did.

What a mess out there. The traffic, the people, it is congested on the roads and in the Subway. Crazy.

Everytime I go to Subway, I get people asking me questions on how I sign on, how they can sign on, what I am doing, what kind of computer I have, what I do out here, am I a truck driver, can THEY pick up their email on my computer, it is too funny.

I wear my hat everywhere now. It is my Quartzsite hat, and now people are beginning to recognize me by it. Although the other day, someone sent a customer to me and identified me by the lady with the Annie Oakley hat. I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or an insult. I was embarrassed to admit I had heard of Annie Oakley, but didn't really know much about her. I was thinking she was a hick type gal. But, when I heard she was a tough gal, shooting guns with mirrors behind her back, then I was cool with it. :) Don't wanna be known as no hick girl. Hey...I HAVE teeth, all of em.

~~~

I got back, and everyone was so confused. They were coming up to me asking what happened, why was I only 1/2 opened for a while. I had to tell everyone that I had to get my email. They just didn't understand. Hey...email is important!

~~~

This morning, the nice lady with the two rugrats behind me was wanting to know where she could get a birthday cake for her little girl, who turned 5. We were all brainstorming on where to get one for her. So when I was at Subway, actually Pilot Truck Stop where you find Subway and Dairy Queen too, I asked for some sprinkles for the little girl to decorate her cake with. I gave them to the Mom when I got back, and she was all smiles. I also gave her a stretchy necklace.

~~~

Alaia came by this afternoon. I was over talking to Ed. My neighbor guy was helping to look for me when she walked up asking, and when she saw me, she mentioned I was talking to some guy. He apparently made some remark about it being a guy I was talking to, and that it figured. Later, she mentioned it and I laughed. I told her it was my fault, that earlier in the morning, I was drinking coffee, offered him a cup, and commented on how my two worst vices were coffee and men. Of course, Ed is simply a friend, but then so are all the men around here. Even Don, who I feel incredibly close to, is a good friend, and simply that...just closer.

She brought a couple friends who went wild for the beads. They bought quite a bit from me. It was fun, we all laughed and had a great time. I adore Alaia, I am hoping we remain friends.

~~~

Tonight, I went over to Don's camper for a little visit, which turned into a long visit. I think I went over about 7:30, and didn't leave until 11 or so.

We have such a good time talking, and I never want to overstay my visit, but everytime I get ready to leave, we begin talking again. He is also someone I am hoping to remain in contact with.

January 21, 2002
Monday

Brrrrrr

I ran out of propane at some point during the night. It didn't last nearly as long this time around because I have left the heat on during the day so I could come inside to warm up during the day. It has been really chilly these last few days. I knew it would not last as long as the first tank, I have not been careful.

I am a wee wee, I need warmth at some points during the day.

This morning, after sticking a foot out near the heater to confirm what I figured, I braced myself to hop out of bed and wrap my comfy robe around my skimpy nighty and make some coffee. But, no such luck. The electricity had gone off too. Apparently, it goes on and off all night long, but I never notice it because I only use it for the lights and my coffee maker.

I just threw on some clothes, ruffled my hair, brushed my teeth, grabbed my shower stuff, took off the empty propane tank and head out. Propane, then shower.

I got back to camp around 9:30 or 10, not bad. I knew it was going to be a beautiful day, and I put on a skirt and tank top. I told Gloria next door that I had faith in the sun. As I was putting on my sandals, and the chilly breeze snuck up my skirt, I then said ok...maybe I have 1/2 faith, I think I will wear a sweater. We both laughed, as she was sitting out there bundled in a coat and gloves.

I was determined though, and it did turn out to be a beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful day. I think I may have even caught a little small sunburn from the rays, and isn't that nice. After the cold windy days we have had, it was heaven.

~~~

Gosh, I wish I remembered his name, but Gloria's good ol' boy husband (I really love him, he is just the sweetest guy...they are from Texas and he plays up the good ol' boy part) anyway, he taught me to do some flintnapping. I really don't know if that is right, or if you even spell it that way, but he was showing me how to make arrowheads. It was fun.

(his name is Jim...and this was added later once I regained my memory)

John was wanting to teach me to drill holes in rocks. Let's see, what else, I know someone else was wanting to teach me to do something. I love it.

~~~

It was slow here today until the very end, then 3 ladies came by and bought bought bought. They were great. Turns out, they grew up in the same desert as I did, so we had great fun telling stories of the desert. They live in Tehachapi, and I often drive through there, we have talked about me doing some private showings for them, there are about 30 women in their family that does beadwork, and they all get together in May or April. I think it would be great fun.

~~~

I surprised Don with some ice cream today. I had a hankerin' for some. (see, the good ol' boy is rubbing off on me) And, Don was very surprised, and way appreciative. I just love doing things for him, he is always so thankful, and I absolutely love it.

~~~

There is a man that comes around, and I don't remember his name either. I am so bad at names. But, he is very kind, and has the sweetest dog. This dog is so laid back, part heeler and Australian sheepdog? I cant remember, but Zoey is the dog's name. (isn't it awful that I remember his dog's name, but not his?) This dog is only 18 months old and has the most beautiful icy blue eyes, just like Richard's huskys. We will call the man...let's see...his name will be Bob.

Bob is very gentle, and kind. He stays on the road, traveling around following the warm weather. Apparently he got into an awful accident and now the cold weather just hurts him. He has been by here a good 4 or 5 times to chat, says he comes over here to this spot to see how I am doing. It is so sweet. He asked me out to dinner today. I had to tell him that I was leaving town for a few days, but to catch up with me on the weekend when I return, I will know better what I am doing for the next week then.

~~~

I did make more money, but not nearly enough. I hope I can make some on the road later in the week. I am heading over to the Wild RV to talk over what my strategies should be, where I should go. They are the masters at this game.

~~~

Alan asked if I wanted to share his booth over at the Pow Wow show. After talking it over with everyone, it was decided that I should do it. This show is going to really go dead when Pow Wow opens. He has extra room and with an extra body there it makes a busy show much easier.

My car is running a little rough, and it had me concerned taking it on a road trip before having it looked at.

It was at first a concern, me selling next to the Wild Bunch (they will be there too) since we have so many of the same beads, but we decided to give it a shot. When people go to a bead booth, there are so many beads that many get overlooked and it seems like there are different beads. Actually, there are many different beads. We don't have all the same beads, by any stretch of the imagination. They are the biggies, I am still small time. :)

However, that will change, someday here soon.

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