Funky!

Today has been great for so many reasons. First off, I am thrilled to say that I am finally winning my personal battle with the allergies/mold or whatever it was that was creating havoc on my sinuses. So I am very thankful that my nose has quit dripping like a faucet, the sneezing has ceased and my bouts with coughing are a thing of the past.

This morning when I first woke up I realized that I could actually breathe through my nose, again, so when I did my habit (Say, "Today is going to be a great day!" Then loudly clapped my hands together and then launched myself out of bed.) I honestly believed that it was going to be a great day. And so did our dogs, because they were so happy to see me back to normal.

Tony and I got to work a few hours next door, at Escondida Resort, this morning and that was a lot of fun, because the staff, who we now consider to be dear friends, were all happy and they seemed glad to see us as much as were glad to see them. And during a brief coffee break, with sweet Sarah, she had me laughing so hard, coffee almost came out of my nose. But I would have been perfectly okay with that, because at least it would have been slow drip coffee.

When Tone and I got back home I decided to make us something different for our lunch. So, I mixed up some artichoke hearts with spinach, added some sour cream and cream cheese, threw in some diced onions and garlic and added a little salt & pepper and Parmesan cheese to the mixture, before I wrapped it up in a pie dough and cooked it for about 20 minutes. Bottom   Line: Tony loved it and so did I.

This afternoon, I went out to my she-shed aka writing cabin/guest hut (I used the word "hut" to describe it, because it is only a 10'X12" Tuff Shed that we put windows in, etc.

Anyway, I spent about an hour out there scrubbing the new floor with a soap and vinegar solution. Because after this Arctic front arrives tomorrow night and it finally blows through, it will be warm enough for me to a apply a thin coat of sealant to protect the wood.

Yes, I know that a while back I told y'all that I would take pictures of the new, re-purposed floor, which can be described as rustic, or better said—funky, but I've decided to wait until I can show you the finished product.

I am already in love with my tiny writing cabin and even though it is smallish, to say the least, it already is filled with such good vibes that I keep wanting to go back out there, because it just makes me feel so good.

And the best part of turning a Tuff Shed into my official writing cabin is yet to come, because I cannot wait to decorate it.

Next week after I'm done with the floor, I am planning to reupholster the big comfy chair and hang up some of my favorite pictures and signs. And since I am going to reupholster the chair I've decided to also sew new curtains, again. Because I want the colors of the curtains and the chair to compliment one of my Pendleton Camp blankets. And I already have the fabrics to do it!

And just thinking about all that I've planned to do with the writing cabin has made me tired, so that is about it for tonight, because I plan to take my laptop, go sit by the cozy wood burning stove, and work on my third novella some more.

Because Henry Standing Bear is already sound asleep in my chair and I can't move him.

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

The Pendletons!

Today has been great. This morning Jim, June, Ellen and Kris, our friends/volunteers came out and walked our dogs and we loved it and our dogs loved it even more.

While they walked our happy dogs Tony's friends Melanie and Terry, who he had met during his Texas Master Naturalists Hill Country Chapter course, came out to see our rescue ranch and we had a fun time visiting with them. And they especially loved meeting Roy Rogers, my ninety-five pound four-legged soul mate.

After Terry and Melanie left, we went up to Koyote Ranch, to visit with our friends, while they ate lunch. Tony and I didn't eat there, because we were meeting our dear friends Cheryl and Walt for a fun lunch at El Sol de Mexico at 1:30. (Cheryl and Walter are characters in my upcoming novella, The Cowgirl Sisterhood: The Membership Drive Part I.)

When Tony and I walked into our new favorite Mexican food restaurant, for the fourth time this week, Peto, their super waiter, chuckled when he saw us walk in before greeting us. As usual, Tony and I sat at our table, the same table that we have sat at with Sandy and Jon on Monday, Carol on Tuesday, Carol on Thursday and today with Cheryl and Walt.

Our lunch with Walter and Cheryl was so much fun and it was filled with non-stop laughter and interesting stories. As we ate our delicious lunch, our dear friends told us that their Christmas present for us was being delivered to us today by UPS, so we thanked them in advance even though we had no idea what it was, because they wouldn't tell us.

When Tony and I got home Carlton was flashing on the breakfast bar, so I pushed his button and heard Dusty Pendleton, tell us that he and Martha wanted to come out and adopt Jackie Kennedy Onassis, so Tony called them back to let them know that we had the gate opened for them.

Then the dogs outside started barking. "UPS is here," Tony said and then he went outside to meet with the friendly UPS driver.

When he came back inside he was carrying a big, five inch thick box. "I wonder what it is?" I said, as Tony used his box cutter to open up the box. Inside was a beautiful gift wrapped box with a card from Cheryl and Walt. After we read their sweet note to us Tony unwrapped the box and then our jaws dropped to the floor. "Oh my god, it's a Pendleton Journey blanket! Tony, I have wanted to buy a Pendleton blanket for the longest time, but never have because they are so expensive. It's so beautiful and the colors are perfect."

After Tony and I had admired our beautiful gift, I sat down at the computer to send an e-mail to Cheryl and Walt to let them know that their gift had arrived and that we absolutely loved it and while I was typing them a note the dogs started barking outside, again. "The Pendletons are here," Tony said. So, I had to stop in the middle of my note to my friends, to go outside to greet Dusty and Martha and get them to sign off on Jackie-O's adoption papers.

We visited with Martha and Dusty, while she filled out Jackie's adoption papers and then they hopped into their truck and followed us down to Jackie's pen. When Jackie saw it was the Pendletons she knew they had come back to adopt her and talk about one thrilled little dog. While Tony put their new blue collar on Jackie, I said, "We hope Emmylou Harris and her will get along, but remember if it doesn't we'll gladly take her back."

"We're pretty sure they will get along, because Emmylou loves meeting other dogs," Dusty told us. After Tony put Jackie's leash on, she ran out of her pen and could not wait to kiss Martha on the cheek and knew that she could not wait to leave our rescue ranch.

When it was time for them to leave with their precious cargo, Tony and I told them that we had our fingers crossed for Jackie and hoped that she and Emmylou would become fast friends. Then we adios-ed each other and they drove away.

As Kermit took us back to The Cabin I laughed and Tony asked me why. "Because today has been a really great day, because of the Pendletons. And that is about it for tonight. "Thank you, Cheryl, Walt, Martha and Dusty. We love y'all."

Y'all have a great evening!