MAGIC Monday, Part 1

It's 11 p.m. at the end of the first day of the build, and I'm almost laughing too hard to even type.  Ernie is completely out of control - I am seriously just CRYING - she will never live this down...  AHEM.  So - the day.  I will try to pull myself together.

There are too many photos of the day, so I'll split today into two posts.

We had an AMAZING day.  I am so happy I don't even know how to being to explain the day to you.  I was completely overwhelmed for a good part of the morning - full of disbelief of what was happening:  Camp.  It was finally here.  MY house.  All of these people giving their time and O M G the trailer!!! 

There I am.  Sitting on my house foundation.  You GUYS!!! O M G!!!

My materials were delivered

And unloaded...

Orientation

The facility at the ACE Charter School here in Camarillo is so perfect - there's a great indoor classroom space with indoor restrooms (!!  you laugh, until you have worked somewhere where that isn't the case...) and a secure place for tools and materials overnight.  

We had so many people giving their time and talents - paid and unpaid - I was just so.. honored and  - I don't know, words escape me, and the photos don't do it justice - we have so many construction professionals it is mind blowing.  Women from the Construction Batallion (SeeBees - these women do not fool around - they can do anything) of the local naval base, local contractors, local Green Build instructors, the list just goes on and on. And more people are coming throughout the week. And a special shout out to Daniel Bell of Daniel Bell Construction.

And the workspace outside the building is a great set up --

Materials being sorted

So that's the first part of the morning...

Preparing for MAGIC, Day Two

Sunday in Camarillo.

Last night, sleep came easily after a full day.  I woke up at 6 a.m. this morning - okay, so on Dallas time that was actually sleeping in, but still - sorta dang early for a Sunday on vacation.    Laurie slept in a bit and then we lounged around (p.s. to my Dallas friends -- it was too COLD outside to have coffee on the patio... I know, I'm mean...) and then showered and got in the car  to Home Depot and Michael's for a last minute trip for Camp supplies.

I'm not sure that dear Laurie really understood the breadth of what she was taking on, offering her home to Ernie (f/k/a/ T-Homie) and I for the week.  Holy smokes.   We are completely out of control - it is WAY TOO FUN.  And after 4 trips to two different grocery stores inside of 24 hours, her kitchen is filled with all sorts of fabulous things...

Meanwhile, Ernie was texting us travel progress as she drove the 7 hours from her home to Camarillo.  A lot of good it did her - we weren't here when she arrived!  She pretended to be bitter, standing at the front door with her luggage, with nobody home.

And THEN the fun ensued.

We popped into a few other stores and then picked up Laurie's friend Jennifer and headed to Ojai.  We tried to go to Feast Bistro (owned by a carpenter journeyman friend of Laurie's - she is also coming to the Camp!) but it was unexpectedly closed.  Disappointed but undaunted, we skipped down two doors and found some comfortable chairs and some wine.  When we left, a fellow patron stopped us and asked us if we had grown up together. ??  Er, no.....?  She said that from our conversation it seemed like we all knew each other really well.  LOL  Ahhhh and so it begins.

Next we headed to The Farmer & the Cook - this amazing little organic cafe.  OMG.   We sat outside and solved world problems over spectacular food and really entertaining people watching.  My people.

Then we asked MAN IN PLAID SHIRT if he would take our photo on the way out.  But then... tragedy. 

ERNIE LOST HER HEAD IN OJAI

 But then she righted herself:

Honestly we were all laughing so hard in the car, that even with the windows rolled up we were turning heads.  I don't know how Laurie was able to drive home, laughing as hard as she was..

And on the ride home?  "Eric & Ernie" was born.  You'll just have to ask us about that.  But don't worry if you forget - you'll hear about us soon enough, I am certain....  We are going to be famous.

Tomorrow is the kick off of Camp.  We have to BE there at 7 a.m.  Eeek.  The wine bottle got corked a bit earlier tonight than last night.  Early to bed for all of us.  More tomorrow...!!!!

Trip for MAGIC Camp, Day One

I'm in California for my build!  

Day one recap...

I had a mildly frustrating morning at DFW Airport - but ultimately it worked out and I got out of town.  Flight number changed, AIRLINE changed (?!) but -- I got on a plane in Dallas and got off in L.A. with all of my extraordinary luggage, so I guess we will count it as a success.  I'm an optimist.

Laurie met me at baggage claim.  I had offered to put a red rose behind my ear, but she said after having two Skype phone calls with me and seeing photos of me on my blog, that she was pretty sure she could spot me... She's astute.  It was great to have a face and a (gracious) personality to go with the name!

We opted for the non-freeway route from LAX to Camarillo, and it was lovely.  And I got the local tour along the way -- bonus.  I could try to enumerate here all the sights that were pointed out to me but let's be honest - I would totally suck at that - but suffice it to say that I was certain that Charlie Sheen was going to pop out from any number of Malibu cliffs along the way.  (He did not.)  But it was a gorgeous drive, despite the disclaimers of haze.  I don't think I would ever tire of looking at the ocean.  (And that's why I am getting the "coastal coating" on my custom windows.  A girl can dream.)

We cruised up the PCH (look how trendy I am with the local acronyms) and dodged an inordinate number of posses of emergency vehicles.  It was apparently "calamity Saturday" (but maybe that's normal, what do I know?  Nothing.)

We did a drive by past the build site and I laid eyes on (from the service road, through a fence) my beloved trailer.  It had been moved into construction position and is patiently awaiting it's load. My eyes eagerly drank in the visual of the site that we would be working in.  I wanted to go lay on the trailer and roll around on it and bond with it, but honestly hunger got in the way.  (Oh, and the gate was locked - there's that.)  I haven't come up with a name for it yet, but you know that I am contemplating one, and I'm open to suggestions...

After a pit stop to feed koi at Laurie's mother's place (OMG SERIOUSLY, WHO HAS A YARD LIKE THAT?!)  and to give some attention to a beautiful siamese (separate activities for obvious reasons) we made our way to a pert little restaurant for some bruschetta, salads and some wine.  That's when I knew everything was going to be okay - I''m not going to lie, despite the walnuts we devoured from my carry on I was flirting with irrational hunger -- and anyone who knows me can tell you that's not a good place for me.

Our next stop was Trader Joe's.  Several of my friends go on and on about their love for TJ, and so I was anxious for the big reveal.  I liked it fine.  And the staff was super friendly and helpful.  When Laurie and I walked in, I said to her, "Okay here's the deal:  We will split up.  We will each, independently go find 4 items for the evening, and meet back at the register.  GO."  She was amazingly compliant to a directive from someone she had just met.  (Do not read into that.  It means nothing.  She is a strong, independent woman - she just happens to recognize the opportunity for adventure.)  We had previously agreed that the plan was once we got home was sweats, snacks, and ... (can I make wine start with an "S"?) SWILLING.  We had purposely just had one glass at the restaurant, and just eaten a salad so as to have room for snacking and swilling without regard for others.

I bumped into her several times in the store and she repeatedly advised me to avert my gaze from her cart - (this woman takes throw downs seriously - love that - note to self for later in the week... hmmm)

We arrived at her home - so comfortable - and got happy greetings from her malamute, Skye, who loves company.  She is a lover.  She will be great fur therapy for me this week, away from my baby girl Greta.

We unpacked the groceries, I changed into PJs (hey I'm on a different time zone!) and retired to the patio.  Have I mentioned that the high here is 78?  Holy cow.  

On the way to the patio, Laurie showed me the Camp t-shirts - check out this logo - it's the cutest - 

and she gave me a copy of the Camp booklet.  I was sort of taken aback that I had a bio page inside.  I guess it make sense, but ... none of this really seems real yet.  

So we had a lovely evening.  Laurie keeps saying she isn't a hostess, but I am going to have to beg to differ - she's the best!  So gracious and giving...

I don't know what all this week will hold.  I have some expectations, but who knows if they are right?  I am just open to what ever comes next; all the pieces are in place for it to be a spectacular week.  I cannot WAIT for T-Homie to arrive  ::::: love:::::

But I just have this feeling that this week is a life changing week.  I mean, I know it's life changing - we are here to BUILD MY HOUSE - but -- it feels like there is something more.  There is a connection here that I am meant to make, or a vision here that I am meant to see, or.... I don't know.  But I know that I will be a different person when I leave - I just don't know what will be different.  I am so excited to see how all of this unfolds.  I am heading into a life changing week with a whole slew of AMAZING people.  I am so grateful for this life. 

A special shout out to my dear friends who are taking care of my baby girl Greta while I am gone.  You can't know what peace of mind you are bringing me.