Juggling and Face Painting

I met a new juggler at the company picnic. Fantastic and only 15.

Me at my face painting booth.

My ex painting someone at the picnic.

'J' juggling clubs.

Vacation Highlights

I'm about to end the first phase of my working vacation. The gig went great. Four face painters, of which I was one. That was a fun day as I both entertained and was entertained by the wandering juggler, the balloon artist and the magic show.

I got to see 2 out of 3 grandkids. We all got to go to the local Renaissance Faire and drool over fine jewelry, meat pies, jousting and the best people watching on Earth. People outdid themselves with Steampunk attire, fairy wings, metal wire woven into elf ears, fancy masks and strange weaponry.
I did a little juggling and worked with the juggling sticks. I bumped into one of my belly dancing students Jenna, who now runs her own dance studio. I met her friend Gina, who also teaches belly dancing, and met her daughter who is growing like a weed. I saw another face painter named Theresa. She had the face painting booth at the faire, where I've worked before but that was years ago.

Face Painter Fayme Harper

Fancy dancing at the San Luis Obispo Renaissance Faire

The Greenman makes an appearance.

At the Renaissance Faire

My grandson in the pirate tunic I made for him.

Purple dreads.

My granddaughter's first Renaissance Faire

Double Crown Dancers do a sword dance.

I'm hoping to move back here some day.

Yesterday I saw a real deer walking past a fake deer. My daughter's house is nestled under oak trees.
I got to make a pirate outfit for my grandson to wear to the fair. My granddaughter also got a hat I made a few weeks ago. I started another monster hat for my grandson.  He enjoyed trying to play my mandolin. And my granddaughter is a sweet little thing who is teething and still happy most of the time.  I hate leaving them, but I need to get on with the rest of my vacation in Southern CA. I'm catching a train in an hour or two.

Oh and I almost forgot, my daughter signed up for ariel silks class. I got to watch her open workout class. It was full of advanced students hanging from long streams of lycra from the ceiling of a industrial workspace. It was like being in fairy tale land.

Time to get the two year old ready for the ride to the train station.  I wish he could go too. He loves trains.

When my daughter's were little I made them hats like this.

Swirly skirt

Maggie in the hat I knitted.

Sounds Like a Party

I had so much fun at the gig yesterday. The children were just spellbound with the face painting part. They all clustered around me hanging on my every word. The only time they ran off was when the birthday girl got a real live puppy for her birthday present. I can’t compete with puppies! Balloons were popular too and for a minute I thought I might run out! I thought I’d taken plenty. I need to get a new bag before the next party. My costume worked great except when it came to juggling! The long hair yarns kept getting hung up on my hands when I was trying to juggle. Maybe next time I’ll tie them behind my back first, or stuff them into my hat or something. The hostess turned on her music as I was about to juggle and it was so much more fun with the music. As a personal change I've decided not to hand out any candy. Too many kids seem to have allergies these days or weight issues. Instead I gave out toys. I got party headband crowns and dinosaurs and kazoos. The kids had no idea how to use a kazoo, so I'm not getting those again. But the crowns went great with the face painting. The hostess was so nice. She even gave me an enchilada plate to take for my lunch. And a tip. Awesome!

Gig Tomorrow

I'm so excited that I'm going to be doing a birthday party in Victorville tomorrow. I'll be doing face painting, balloon creations, and juggling. I cleaned out my face painting kit and filled it with new supplies. I have half of my costume together. I hope I get home before it's dark so I can juggle a bit. It's my first party in the High Desert so I'm crossing my fingers that it leads to bigger and better things.