A Swift Kick!

My last post was on November 17th. I haven't been blogging much this year because I've been depressed almost all of 2018 and only recently have I've actually become aware of it.

Basically, all of my life I've been a happy person and have had a wonderful life full of love and friends. Sure there were ups and downs and hills/mountains to climb or fall off of, but I always bounced back or better said, "Gotten right back in the saddle."But that was then and this is now.

I hesitate to write this post tonight, because I do not want it to be a downer or depressing to anyone, because that is not my style. I love life and I know that I am one of the lucky ones to have so much to be grateful for. And trust me—I am grateful everyday and I spend each and everyday counting my many blessings and saying prayers and thanking God for everything.

Around three weeks ago is when I finally realized that I have been depressed about several things. And that made me unhappy and that was scary, because I am not usually like that. I discovered that I've been deeply depressed about having to leave behind my old trailer that I loved so very much, because it never let me down in 24 years and it was the best home that I ever lived in. But I do admit that I am very thankful to be living in The Cabin.

I've also been depressed about not being able to rescue animals anymore and it haunts me daily. I've been depressed about dear, old friendships ending and being pushed aside. Dear friends passing away and leaving a void that can never be filled. I've been depressed about our sweet Belle going to the Rainbow Bridge and knowing that she is waiting there for me.

I've been saddened about this upside/down world that we are living in and how our country's politics has torn our nation apart. Where it seems or is said more common than not— "If you don't agree with my politics—you're stupid and you can go to he**! And we are no longer friends." Etc. This is sickening to me.

A few weeks ago, after discovering that I've been depressed I tried reaching out to a few close friends and after I admitted to them that I realized that I was fighting depression they casually blew me off and then changed the subject. Telling me not to worry and then they started talking about themselves. So I gave up—sort of.

I knew that I needed a swift kick-in-the-behind and that I needed to quit feeling sorry for myself. So I came to the conclusion that if I was going to quit being depressed I would have to be the one to do the kicking.

And kicking myself was not an easy task for someone my age. In fact, I almost threw my back out several weeks ago trying to kick the habit. But the good news is—I turned it around and laughed at myself for having this major poor-me-pity-party. And realizing that I was starting to get back on track and that made me feel happy and put a smile on my face.

Anyway, during the past month I had many conversations with several friends about feeling down, depressed, etc. and I soon discovered that they too had had a rough year and they were relieved to know they were not the only ones feeling "The blahs." And we all agreed that for the most part 2018 sucked and we were all looking forward to the new year.

Also, many of these friends admitted to me that for some reason they were "disconnecting." Meaning they no longer wanted to be so involved with their electronic devices such as computers, smart phones, the Internet, social media, etc. And that made me feel a whole lot better because I realized that I had unconsciously been doing the exact same thing they were doing.

With the exception of working outside on my soon-to-be-writing cabin/guest house, with Tony or spending quality time with friends and family or writing on my third novella—I no longer had the desire to waste any more of my time being on the Internet.

I mean I did feel guilty for not blogging and every evening when I would normally sit down and write something I found myself blowing it off, because I just wasn't feeling "up," because there just wasn't a whole lot of funny things going on in my life to write about. Poor me.

Part II

It's My (Pity) Party And I'll Cry If I Want to!

or

How I Stopped My Self-Imposed Pity-Party!

1. I re-read one of my favorite books Canyon of Remembering by Lesley Poling-Kempes.

2. I watched or re-watched some of my favorite movies or uplifting documentaries or television shows:

Movies

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!

It's A Wonderful Life

Chef

Documentaries

The Kindness Diaries: One Man's Quest to Ignite Goodwill and Transform Lives Around the World

Quincy

Walt: The Man Behind the Myth

Minimalism

Evan Carmichael's Believe Documentaries: 

Maya Angelou's Top 10 Rules For Success    

Oprah Winfrey's Top 10 Rules For Success, Volume 3

Steve Harvey Top 10 Rules For Success

Tyler Perry Top 10 Rules For Success

Television Series 

Cheers

Frasier

Heartland

Part III

The New Improved Happy Me!

Yes, I backed off the Internet and began disconnecting from the depressing news, etc. and I have spent many hours, as you can well see, being happy, laughing, learning new things and getting inspired. And I highly recommend this regimen for anyone feeling the blues, because it has worked miracles for me. 

As an example, after watching the awesome Minimalism documentary, I had Tony watch it with me and we have jumped on that bandwagon. We have now de-cluttered our cramped closet and have dropped off, 4 giant garbage sacks, at Good Will. And we've made several trips to the Kerrville dump to drop off useless, unneeded stuff, etc. And we plan to keep on doing it.

My sense of humor has finally returned, so I am once again inspired and writing the funniest novella that I have ever written and I am having a blast with it, even though it seems to be turning itself into a book instead of a novella. 

My New Year's resolution for 2019 is to do everything better, laugh more and to live my life to the fullest. And that includes blogging at least 3-4 times a week. (And this lengthy post proves it.) So life is once again good and thanks for being patient with my down-time. I have so much to be grateful for.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

I'll Be Packin'!

Today has been great and I am feeling great. No more sneezing, coughing or hacking, because of allergies. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed that the pollen counts stay low, so I can go to Katelyn's birthday party, at Ron & Nita's Ronderosa Ranch, this Saturday.

I am still laughing at myself, when last week I got the dates confused, for Katelyn's birthday party. Seriously, it would have been hilarious if Carol and I had packed and driven up there, last Saturday, to Ron & Nita's ranch and no one being there.

And the sad part about it is I know that everyone in my family, sweet Carol and my other close friends that know me well, would not have been shocked if I had done that, because all of my life I've been known to do that sort of thing. It is just another one of my quirks like me getting lost all of the time.

And another sad part about it is Carol can't go with me this weekend, so I'll be going solo which of course will give me the opportunity to get lost and never making it to Katelyn's birthday party. But because I'll be packin' (my new guitar/banjo, mandolin and favorite guitar) on this trip, I'll hopefully stay more focused, so I don't get lost. But I'll still say a little prayer before I go just in case.

And now that makes me wonder why Carol, last week, was so eager to say, "We'll go in my truck. I'll drive!...." After she had told me she could go to the party. Hmmm...

I am loving doing the new Weight Watchers so much. Seriously, Weight Watchers has made it so much fun. I am now looking forward to every evening when I can add up all of the food (that I've eaten) points and still have points leftover to rollover (So I can use them at Ronnie & Nita's covered dish BBQ dinner.)

This afternoon while I was on Weight Watcher's website I checked out several of their delicious-looking, healthy meals and then I decided to watch their Oprah videos. Omg, Oprah's words powered me up in so many ways that I did not want to shut down and go, to Kerrville, with Tone. But before I closed the lid of my lap top and adios-ed Oprah without her knowing it, I printed out Weight Watcher's Creamy Spaghetti Squash with Ricotta and Spinach recipe, so I could buy the ingredients and later on today, cook it for our dinner.

When we got back from Kerrville, Tony helped me fix our dinner, because he was nervous about me trying to cut the huge spaghetti squash in halves. So while he was sawing away on this gigantic gourd I diced onions, grape tomatoes, shredded fresh spinach, etc.

And about 40 minutes later, I served us Weight Watcher's Creamy Spaghetti Squash with Ricotta and Spinach and it was more than delicious. 

In fact, Tony ate two big servings and we had enough leftover for several more mouth-watering meals. So I filled several Baggies with individual servings and then froze them to eat at a later date. And the best news is this meal only counts 4 points.

Tomorrow our main meal is going to be zucchini frittatas and I am looking forward to eating it again, because a few days ago when I cooked it for us—there were so many free points (eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion that you don't have to count) that the total points for that meal was only 4 points!

Before I finish writing this tonight, I want you to know that I am fixin' to drink a glass of my fine, boxed, Chillable Red wine and read a little, because I still have 8 points leftover for today. And that is about it for tonight. Cheers!

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Even though today has been quiet it has been great. This morning a very nice woman and her mother came out to look at Ziggy because they think that he would be a great companion dog for the mother's husband and Zig-Zag really liked them and so did we and we are keeping our fingers crossed for Ziggy.

This afternoon while we were at Walmart buying flea and tick preventative for our rescue dogs we purchased a pretty pink soccer ball for Belle Starr-Simons and she absolutely loves it and has been constantly playing with it inside and outdoors. 

This evening while I was over at the Lodge waiting for Marcie and Will to arrive Kinky and I got into a funny argument when I told him that I had just realized early this afternoon that Memorial Day is this weekend. "No, it's not, Nance. Memorial Day is next weekend."

After several rounds of "Oh, yes it is," and "Oh, no it's not," Kinky got out of his rocking chair and went inside the Lodge to check his calendar to prove to me that he was right. I started laughing as I heard his returning footsteps. "See, I was right, Kink." Kinky smiled and nodded yes, but said nothing. : )

Around seven o'clock since Kinky's sister and Will had not yet arrived I came back home and played ball with B.S.-S. until she tired and finally took a nap. 

Tonight I am going to watch Oprah's last show which I recorded earlier today and now I must go and make some popcorn.

Y'all have a great evening!

Laugh Out Loud!

My vacation is temporarily on time-out! Today after walking six fast miles—I went to work. I returned eleven phone calls, twenty-seven e-mails, then Tony helped me take pictures of three of our adorable puppies. Since then, I have done paperwork all day long. I still need to take eight more pictures of our newly rescued dogs, and will take more pictures tomorrow to post.

This morning, during breakfast, Tony and I decided to go to Kerrville, tomorrow morning, to do the Harley Show live. We are going to take Ellen Degeneres with us, in hopes that she might get adopted! If she doesn't, Jan and Todd, two of our great volunteers, are going to take her, Bandit and Oprah to Pet Supplies Plus, on Saturday between 10 -2, to try to find them forever homes for us! We love you Jan and Todd! Here is a picture of Tony playing with the puppies, followed by Ellen Degeneres, Oprah, and Bandit!




Tomorrow, after doing Harley's show, we plan to drop Ellen off at Hoegemeyers, so we can go eat breakfast at Randy and Lisa's Save Inn restaurant—we love their 'Sinker Omelet!' Then we will pick Ellen up, and get back to the rescue ranch.

Kinky called me this afternoon. He is doing fine, and nearly ready to self-publish his book, "Heroes of a Texas Childhood!" I am still jealous that my book is not as far along as his, but someday soon mine will be. Laugh out loud—I need a vacation!

Y'all have a great evening!

I Have One Friend!

I believe in signs! I'm not talking about the red colored 'Stop' signs or the yellow 'Watch for Water' signs. I obey those. I believe in astrological signs, but what I am talking about tonight are cosmic signs. The kind of signs that are sent to us, pointing—us into another direction to take—or what I like to call, 'The Heavy Heavenly Hints' made to get our attention!

Two weeks ago, when Ben was down here working, he told us that he had signed up with Facebook, and was having fun with it! He told us that he was just learning all of the ropes, but he was really enjoying it.

Last week, when Ben was down here working, he told us that he loved Facebook! He went on to tell us about all of these old friends that he had reconnected with, etc. I thought it sounded pretty cool, but didn't have a clue as to what Facebook was about.

Then this morning, when I checked my e-mail. I had two new e-mails. The first e was from a friend, announcing that he had joined Facebook, and he invited me to checkout his Facebookt, join it, and be one of his friends.

Then my second e-mail was from my good friend, Fay, up in Canada, asking me to please post this note, because Dwight Yoakam had just joined Facebook, and wanted to let his fans know about it. I love Dwight and he has done so much to help our rescue ranch—I had no problem posting this note:

Dwight Yoakam, country music performer, actor and friend of Utopia is looking for friends! Facebook friends, that is! He’s looking to expand his internet presence during this time before his next album so everyone will know what he’s up to. Anyone remember that shampoo commercial…. If you tell 2 friends, and they tell 2 friends, and so on? That’s the kind of thing he’s looking for!

DYs management is committed to keeping his Facebook up-to-date with news about his music, movie and concerts, here’s what they’re saying: “We will be using the fan page as our primary Facebook spot for Dwight, but first, we have to get everyone over there!!!!”. For those of you who are active on Facebook, and have lots of Facebook Friends, you are cordially invited to join Dwight’s Facebook, here’s the direct link: http//www.facebook.com/pages/Dwight-Yoakam/7178551770?sid=1dda391e3ca80c8c17caecc1e98b1555&ref=s

If you are so inclined, please send a message to each one of your friends by going under "compose new message" and invite them to join DY's FAN page by giving them the link. You may be able to add all of your friends with the stroke of ONE key if you put them on one "friends” list.

There’s also his online Fan Club, which will remain "the" spot for perks you can't get on those public pages… exclusive photos, videos, info, contests, meet & greets with Dwight, etc. etc. Check it out on www.Route23Club.com and join today!

This afternoon, after spending thirty minutes over at the Lodge, trying to help Kinky build a fire, in his fireplace—using wet wood—we finally had a fire blazing, and it was burning full steam, too! After completing that project— Trigger returned me safely to the rescue ranch!

When I walked into the trailer, Oprah was on—talking to the founder of Facebook! What another Facebook deal? I sat down and watched her show. Near the end of her segment with this young man—Carol called. I confess, I let the machine take her call, so I could finish watching the deal about Facebook.

As Oprah talked—Carol talked. "Nancy, this is Carol. I was wondering if I could come over there—I have something really big for y'all!"

As soon as Oprah was done talking—I called Carol. "Carol, we're here, we would love for you to come over! Did you just see the deal on Oprah about Facebook?"

"Yes!" Carol said. "It sounds really cool!"

"I know! Tony watched it with me, and he is signing up on Facebook—right now! I'm going to sign up, too! Give me five minutes, so I can go down and open up our gate. Bye!"

Ten minutes later, Carol was inside our trailer, with her special delivery, and within minutes, we were all laughing! A few minutes later, Tony announced, "I'm now a member of Facebook!" Carol and I went over to his laptop and took a look.

"I want to be on Facebook, too!" Carol announced. "Let's check it out! Do you know anyone on Facebook?"

"Ben is," Tony and I answered. "Carol, you're welcome to get on Facebook using my laptop," I said. Carol pulled up a chair, sat down and went to Facebook!

Carol had to sign up on Facebook, and then she tried to find Ben! We didn't know how to find him, and Carol kept coming up blank, so I called Ben. "Hi Ben, it's Nancy..." Then I put Carol on the phone with Ben. A few minutes later, Carol passed Ben off to me. "Ben, I am putting you on speaker phone now, okay?"

Within minutes, Carol was a friend on Ben's Facebook! Then they started instant messaging each other, and it was totally hilarious! Then Carol starts laughing out loud and says, "Look! It says that I have one friend!" We burst out laughing! T. and C. were hooked!

I plan to sign up on Facebook tomorrow. Facebook was definitely a sign for me! It has been too much in my face! Y'all have a great evening! Here are a couple of pictures I took of them addicted to Facebook. The first one is of Tony and Carol and the second picture is Carol on the speaker phone with Ben:

We Salute Oprah!

Today has been a great day! This afternoon, after all of the work was done, Tony, Ben and I watched Oprah. Her show today was about puppy mills, and it was fantastic, extremely sad and depressing —but it told the truth! I cried through most of it, and I had to leave the room when a dog was going to be euthanized. I couldn’t bear it.

What Oprah did today for the thousands of unfortunate dogs in puppy mills—sold to pet stores, as a cash crop—is fixin’ to change for the better! No more puppy mills, and pet stores selling those dogs! Everyone needs to adopt dops from shelters and put the puppy mills out of business, once and for all! Thank you, Oprah Winfrey! Animal lovers —LOVE YOU, and so do we! We salute you! And, I am now off of my soapbox.

After Oprah, Ben and I went over to Kinky’s Lodge. The hummingbird feeder, that Kinky and I had fixed a while back—needed more fixin’. With the help of some duct tape—Ben and Kinky fixed the ancient hummingbird feeder, again! I just love duct tape!

While the three of us were outside, I told Kinky, that the Friedman Family Bone Orchard—was really turning into a beautiful, peaceful place—especially since he had added the ceramic cat, that I had suggested he place up there with his Buddha and duck, in honor of his late cat—Lady Argyle.

Kinky and Ben, both agreed with me, about the Friedman Family Bone Orchard having become a special place. It was peaceful and full of love.

P.S. Kinky is going to be on Geraldo on Sunday maybe, and on O’Reilley Monday night—for sure!