So we are leaving on Sunday morning for a week-long vacation. Today is the last day of school. The kids start back up with their summer session (swimming twice a day) on June 1st. So now before Memorial Day, we'll take a little jaunt. Last year we went east (the Mark Twain/Abe Lincoln tour). This year we're heading west. Colorado Springs, Royal Gorge, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and assorted oddities from southwestern Kansas and two panhandles. We don't have firm plans. We're mostly winging it. Which is the way I like to travel with two under six.
Between now and Sunday morning there is a ton of laundry to be done, some house tidying, some gardening, some crafting so that I have things to work on in the car. Oh, and some painting.
The picture on the left is our truck before, the picture on the right (with the photo interloper) is our truck this morning with a coat of Kilz. In the next 24 hours it will be transformed into a cactus.
Yes.
You heard me right.
A cactus.
Tim is helping out with the Wild West Film Fest, a festival which gives you 48 hours to produce a film. Sign ups are on June 8th. The showings are June 17th at Liberty Hall. So to promote the film festival, they wanted to have an entry in this weekend's Art Tougeau parade (which in our opinion is the most fun parade we have all year).
Enter our truck, which was a hand-me-down from my brother. Old farm truck. The license plate on the front says "eat beef". Not kidding. So it is a big white, partly rusty, slightly dented Ford F150. Perfect canvas for art. And we brainstormed about what could really say "wild west".
A cactus.
So tonight (with the help of a few of our neighbors who were completely intrigued by the process last night) we will be taking the truck from white to green, mixing up leftover paints from Aidin's room mural to achieve cactus green. And then we'll be attaching the needles. About 400 pieces of green pipe cleaner will be attached with masking tape, which will then also be painted green. Hot glue a few flowers on and we'll be in business.
So if you're looking for something to do Saturday at noon, head out to Mass Street in Lawrence. Wave at us as we pass by. The kids and I will be walking (in cowboy hats and boots, naturally) along side the cactus-mobile, passing out film fest fliers and candy.
If I get a chance before we leave, I'll post some pictures. Or maybe Michelle or her husband will post a picture. Otherwise, I'll see you after Memorial Day!
Cheers! ~ Lori
