A Simpler Life continued...

The enjoyment of living here in Independence could not be more fun. To illustrate the point, one of the first community events we attended last November was the "Annual Fruitcake Festival". Now I am sure you are wondering "What's up with that?", and rightly so. It is something that you just cannot believe until you see it. Fruitcakes from around the world show up decorated around the theme, (last year's theme was America's Got Fruitcake). People come in outlandish costumes, eggnog both spiked and plain are served, the locals share there singing and dancing talent and there is a Fruitcake King...really! And believe it or not, there are pictures to prove it. Terry and I were asked to sign-in the fruitcake entries. Later in the evening, after they have been judged, they cut the fruitcake entries and you get to sample the ones that interest you. This has been going on for 5 or 6 years now. There is a Costco fruitcake from the first year that is brought out to sample, then re-wrapped, doused with brandy and re-stored in an old Civil Defense Water Can. This can is a throwback from the 1950's, I am sure. One brave soul is goaded into sampling the resurrected 5+ year old fruitcake and gives his or her opinion on the flavor. So far, the cake has had excellent reviews. The whole evening is like a skit out of Saturday Night Live! We are soooo looking forward to this years event which has a theme of "Disco Fruitcake". I will keep you posted on this one of a kind event.

Now, getting to the part of how we decided on Independence as our new home. I was hired to become one of the Noon Duty Aides at Lo-Inyo Elementary School in Lone Pine. Just 2 hours a day, but with the promise of additional sub-work in either a classroom, the office or cafeteria. Since Victorville was not producing any job prospects, we looked at the opportunity as a "foot in the door" and went for it. Every month additional opportunities for extra hours showed up and even some one-on-one with a special ed student at the high school. I realize now that I should have gone beyond my 2 year AA degree and buckled down to get my BA and teaching credential. However, after looking into what was involved in moving towards that goal now, with online studies, it was not worth the $70 grand that it would take to achieve that goal. So, for now, I will be content to be the best Instructional Aide any teacher has had the pleasure to work with. 

Towards the end of the school year, I re-interviewed for the Instructional Aide position at the Juvenile Center, a position that I first went after last July, was hired and now work with a wonderful teacher in that facility. The kids are amazing, and I hope that I can make a difference in their lives. To date, our numbers in the classroom have remained low, between 1-5 students (yeah!). However, I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, as we can accomadate up to 17 students...yikes! I do miss the little ones at Lo-Inyo, but my new position is full time and that is working out better financially.

Terry and I were also coming up once a month to attend Kearsarge Chapter and enjoy Eastern Star activities with that group. We have now joined as members and are officers. Our connections with Victor Valley Chapter will soon cease, as it is difficult to attend their meeting on Thursday nights. We gave up our offices with that Chapter in July  as it is a 3 hour drive in each direction and we bring the dogs with us. They hang out in the truck while we are in Chapter, but that situation along with the time involved on a week night is no longer working out. We never seem to get home before 2 am after hitting up Winco, etc. So, our request for a demit will be forthcoming at their September 8th meeting.

Since winter came early this year and stayed late, we were able to have the most gorgeous view of the mountains from our front porch and window. The moon glistening off of the snow capped mountains brought a picture of eerie clam and peaceful quiet. It was awesome! In addition, it is a star gazers delight up here. One of these days we will purchase a telescope as everything is so beautiful and clear in the night sky. No city lights to ruin the view of the heavens.

I think that this is a good place to stop for now. Stay tooned for more happenings from Independence!