Kinky Called!

This morning, I went out to the Space Ship and decided to build a bench seat, beneath the front window, in ‘the great room.’ After studying the angled wall at the bottom, for over twenty minutes, I figured out how to build the bench. Normally, you build a rectangle and shove it up against the straight wall, but this wall was angled out to the floor. I then went to cutting boards on the chop saw.

Twenty minutes later, I had all of the boards cut for the frame, and that was when Tony walked up. After explaining my design to Tony, he went to work—nailing and screwing the boards together. It took him about thirty minutes.

Once the bench frame was built—we pushed it up to the three walls and Tony nailed and screwed the frame to the two sidewalls of the Space Ship. Then I started cutting the boards for the seat, as fast as I cut boards, Tony nailed them down to the frame. Unfortunately, because I am not an expert carpenter, like my brother Ronnie—we were three and half boards shy of completing the project. So, we went to Kerrville to eat and to buy more lumber.

I made a fool out of myself at Luby’s cafeteria as I was leaving. Tony had gone to the restroom, so I went to the cashier and paid our bill, and was then going to go outside to wait for him. As I started to push on the door, that would not open, I heard Tony laugh and say, “Nance, I’m taking you to the eye doctor on Tuesday. That’s a window that you are pushing on, the door is right here—right next to it.” Then Tony opened the door for me and we walked outside.

In my own self defense, the windows looked exactly like the doors—just no handles! I will never make that mistake again! Then we drove over to Home Depot and bought the extra boards, to complete the project.

When we returned to the rescue ranch—Kinky had called. Before going outside to work on the Space Ship, I returned his call.

“Nance,” Kinky said. “Last night was great with Levon Helm and a lot of fun. Is everything okay at the ranch and how are the Friedmans doing?”

“Kink, knock on wood—everyone and everything is fine.” I said. “That’s great about playing with Levon—I love him and his music and The Band. Where are you calling me from?”

“Ratso, Jewford and I are headed to Philadelphia, and we should be there in about an hour or so. I can’t wait for you to read this magazine article—I promise, that you will love it. And, you do know that Nancy Doyle., isn’t going to be able to visit us in September—don’t you?”

“I know,” I said. “She called me, the other day, and I am sick about it. She is such a great person. I was really looking forward to seeing her.” Kinky and I talked for a little bit longer, thank goodness, because I found out that I posted Kinky’s Tuesday’s shows wrong.

Kinky, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso will be doing Imus first, around 7:00 or 7:30, Tuesday morning, and then right after that, they will be doing Fox and Friends. Sorry about that.

Here is a picture of the bench and the matching quilt—doggie bed on the floor. I will make cushions for the bench seat—later this week. I miss Kinky!

It's Raining! It's Pouring!

Tony and I had a blast last night, watching the movie, “Palo Pinto Gold!” It was a really good Western and Kinky did a great job playing his role as the Governor of Texas—it was like he wasn’t even acting! Tony and I both give it a two thumbs up! Since Kinky gave Jon and Sandy the movie, I don’t know if it is available now or what. I bet if you go to: palopintogold.com you can find out.

This morning, I made my new tomato juice recipe for breakfast! I loved it, as did Tony, Aaron, and Maribeth! They gave it a six thumbs up—even though it was greenish colored, due to the spinach and lettuce, that I added. That Vita-Mix machine is really something else!

After breakfast, I reupholstered cushions for the Space Ship, and repainted my logo for the new look to match the quilt. Here are the latest pictures of Outer Space: And, please note that the countertop is now tiled and grouted!

We had a few visitors out today, but because of the numerous thunderstorms—things were pretty quiet around here. Sorry, not much happening today. I need to go now, because it is starting to thunder again and I need to unplug everything!

P.S. I took this picture at 5:00, and the Four O’Clocks, that Kinky gave to me, from The Friedman Family Bone Orchard, have just opened up! They must be on East Coast time—like Kinky is.

Dirty Water!

I have just gotten back from Kerrville. Tony treated me to lunch at Lafours, a great seafood restaurant, in Kerrville, that makes the best gumbo on the planet, next to my gumbo recipe, of course, which I stole, awhile back, from Mary S.—John’s mom! After lunch, we went over to Wal Mart for a few needed items.

Tony needed more fishing lures and I needed to buy organic vegetables, so I can make my new recipe called, “Cousin Nancy’s Snappy Tomato Cocktail” without vodka—and it is totally organic! And, as usual, I stole that recipe, from my Vita-Mix recipe book—page 33!

The organic ingredients for my newest recipe are: Tony’s hand-picked heirloom organic tomatoes and jalapenos, from his garden, spinach, carrots, onion, parsley, bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Alessi salt and a cup of ice cubes from the freezer.

It is trying to rain outside and it is sorta feeling like an early Fall. Today has been another great day for me! My quilt, from J.C. Penneys, arrived three days early! I plan to cut it up, so I can reupholster the cushion in the ‘big room,’ in the Space Ship, and for a cushion for the bench that Tony is building for me—for the Space Ship. I will use the leftover remnants to make throw pillows, etc.! I love the colors in that quilt, and cannot wait to get started tomorrow!

To set the mood for my blogging, I do what I always do, before writing. I have just turned on my salt lamp and my iPod. “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith, just started playing and it caused me to laugh! I laughed because, everytime that I hear that song, I think of Ben Stiller’s movie with Owen Wilson— “Starsky & Hutch!” Which is one of my favorite movies, because it is one of the funniest movies that I have ever seen—next to “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!” Jonathan Winters was so funny in it! And, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell’s roles in ‘Starsky & Hutch were as funny as Jonathan Winters was when he single handedly destroyed a filling station, while wildly throwing tires! I love those two movies.

Kinky called a few minutes ago, from Atlantic City, just as “Dirty Water” by The Standells started playing—perfect timing. He called to check on the Friedmans and Tony and me. As we were talking he said, “I’m in Atlantic City, Nance.”

“I know, Kinky,” I said. “I can hear the sound of the slot machines in the background.”

“Nice detective work,” Kinky said. “I’ve got this magazine article, that I cannot wait for you to read. It’s about this woman, in Florida, who rescues chimpanzees and monkeys. You are going to love it...” Near the end of our conversation, Kinky said, “The tour is going great! We are having a lot of fun, too. I really miss you and Tony and the Friedmans. Please tell Tony, I send him my best. I will be back on Wednesday.”

“We miss you, too. And, please tell Little Jewford and Ratso—I said hi and send them my best.” End of conversation.

I have to go now. “Oh Happy Day!” by Ramsey Lewis, just started playing. I love it!

P.S. Tony and I are fixin’ to watch the movie “Palo Pinto Gold,” the movie, that Kinky plays a role in—as the Governor of Texas, set back in the 1880’s! Little Jewford, Robert Earl Keen, Jay Novacek, Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, and Kevin Fowler also have roles in it. Thank you, Jon and Sandy Wolfmueller—for loaning it to us!

Happy 64th Birthday Maribeth!

Maribeth is one of the sweetest people that I know, and she is a great friend of mine and Tony's! I wanted to tease her and post something like Happy 70th Birthday, on my blog, but I didn't. Here's to you Maribeth! Happy, Happy Birthday! And please remember that you are only 9 in dog years, and you don't look a day over 10! (LOL—I'm teasin'! I couldn't help it!) We love you!

Tres Amigos!

This morning I overslept! My dogs woke me up at 7:45! Knowing that Drew and Renee, Cindy and Maribeth were coming out for a picnic, in Outer Space, to celebrate Tony’s August 6th birthday, Drew’s birthday today, and Maribeth’s birthday tomorrow—I quickly fed the dogs and cat, vacuumed the trailer, dusted a little, and then I returned phone calls, e-mails and caught up on some paperwork! By ten-thirty the trailer looked clean enough, the paperwork was caught up and all correspondence done—I was ready for the birthdays party!

Maribeth showed up first. Cindy second, and then Renee and Drew! Everyone loved the Space Ship and thought it looked beautiful! And, they loved the little boxes of fine wine, that Jon and Sandy had given to us, for a Space Ship warming gift!

After showing everyone around the Space Ship we went into Outer Space! Drew and Renee brought everyone’s lunch, packed inside in their picnic basket, a birthday cake for Tony, along with a giant talking Tweetie Bird balloon for Maribeth—that sang Happy Birthday to You!

The ‘tres amigos birthday’ party had commenced! Renee’s sandwiches were absolutely delicious. After lunch it was time to ignite the birthday cake. I went inside the trailer, found some matches, and then reentered Outer Space. No one wanted to light the candles on the cake, so I reluctantly volunteered for the job.

I pulled out a match, struck it—one, two, three matches later—I struck out—no lit candles! The crowd grew quiet, and I went back to the bench. Tony then stepped up to the plate, which was sitting on top of the green bar stool, in the middle of Outer Space. Strike one! Strike two! Cindy then jumped out of her chair, and she quickly cupped her hands around the two wannabe burning candles—numbers 5 and 4. She gave Tony a positive nod. Tony then leaned into the plate, struck a match and it was a home run! The number 5 and the number 4 candles were burning!

“Quick Tony,” Renee suggested. “Make a wish and blow them out before they go out!” But it was too late. By the time Tony had made his wish, the number 5 candle was out, so he jumped up to the plate and blew the number 4 candle out, and then we all sang, “Happy Birthday to Drew, Happy Birthday to Tony, Happy Birthday, dear Maribeth. Happy Birthday to y’all!” Then we all clapped our hands.

“Tony, I sure hope your wish was big,” I said. “Because, you know, only half of it is going to come true.”

Then it was time to cut the cake, but there was no knife. I went back into the trailer, grabbed my big bread cutting knife and a spatula because I do not own a cake serving knife—I never bake cakes.

When I returned to Outer Space, no one offered to cut the cake, so I reluctantly volunteered again, because I am not good with knives or cutting cakes.

That knife was so big, it reminded me of the swords used in the “Star Wars” movies, but it didn’t light up. When I walked up to the plate, everyone held their breaths as I made a clean cut. Then I sliced the cake again. Renee came up with her plate, and I awkwardly dropped her slice onto her plate. Everyone laughed. Fortunately, everyone was served, without one piece of cake—kissing the floor! Renee’s cake was delicious!

It was a really fun birthdays party, filled with non-stop laughter. I wish that Kinky could have been here for it. I love my friends so much!

Happy Birthday Drew W.!

We love you and Renee! Happy Birthday, dear Drew! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Drew—We love you!

Retro-Chic! I Love It!

Today Aaron helped tile the kitchen counter, and I can’t wait to grout it and then put in the sink!

Around 3:45, Sandy Wolfmueller called to ask if she and Jon could come out! She said, they were in San Antonio, and she wanted Jon to see my Space Ship, go into Outer Space with us—and they also had a Space Ship warming gift for us! I told her to come on out! I love those two!

Thirty minutes later—my Spirit mattress arrived, along with the quilt, pillow shams and matching doggie bed! I love the pink mattress with white clouds, and the quilt so much, I came inside and immediately ordered another quilt, so I can use the fabric to make a cushion in the ‘big room’ of the Space Ship! I love the fabric! It’s called Retro-Chic and the color is neutral!


When Sandy and Jon arrived, we went immediately to the Space Ship! So much more had been done to it since Sandy’s last visit with her brother. Sandy and Jon loved it! They were very impressed with it! I can’t wait for Kinky to see it next week, when he returns from the East Coast Tour.

Before taking Sandy and Jon into Outer Space, Jon went to their truck and they followed us into Outer Space carrying a shopping bag. After entering Outer Space, they gave us their Space Ship warming gift—two small boxes of fine wine—from Target, and they are stackable, and each box is the equivalent of two bottles of fine wine! They are called Wine Cubes, and the fine wines they gave to us are ‘2007 Pinot Grigio’ and ‘2006 Merlot’—both good years—from California! Definitely a perfect gift! Thank you Sandy and Jon!

We had a blast in Outer Space! We talked about everything and laughed a lot. Jon was real interested in our solar lights, and I am pretty sure that their beautiful outdoor patio will soon be lit up with solar lights, with their iPods playing their music—from a new Bose iDock.

This has been one great day and I hope that yours has been as great or better!