#73-B! or ZZ Top Documentary Rules And Rocks!

Life here is good—knock-on-wood. Since my last post it has mainly been the same routine: editing, working and sleeping, but I do have a few things that I do want to mention here.

Last week our AACC (Ancient Alien Coffee Club) met at Randy's & Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant for coffee, tea, water or breakfast, again. And it was a blast.

During our meeting we presented one of our anonymous members #73-B (we are all anonymous and only use numbers) with his official alien-attracting helmet that Tony and I had custom made especially for him. It took us an hour—laugh out loud.

Once again we used another colander that we purchased @ Wal-Mart for the base of the helmet and after we  had quit decorating #73-B's helmet with pipe cleaners and stickers we stuck a small LED push button light, on the top of it for special effects.

#73-B seemed to really like his alien-attracting helmet and here is a picture of him wearing it and a picture of me wearing my helmet and my LED magnification glasses with my helmet.

And needless to say, the Save Inn's customers thought it was all very funny, too. Which is exactly the response that I had hoped for, because I believe that we all need to laugh more. 

Last week our good friend Gerry Olert came to visit us. (Gerry is the fabulous, talented video-grapher that made all of our rescue ranch videos for us and he also did the Longmire—Texas Style video spoof that I wrote, directed and produced, in 2016, to make Little Debbie more famous. 

The video spoof starred Little Debbie, our rescue ranch friends/volunteer dog walkers, Chet O'Keefe, Bob (the alien) and me. Tony took these pictures of Gerry filming us at Big Jim's & Lady Liz's Grey Goose Saloon.

During our fun visit with Gerry, we discussed my part and what I should wear in Jay Pennington's & Gerry Olert's upcoming Short Western movie Honey To Vinegar. And the best news is Tony is going to be involved with the movie, too!

Anyway last week I did a lot of research for my crazy old lady's costume to wear for my part in the movie and I purchased some material, etc., so I can make my outfit. Which I plan to hopefully sew later on this week. 

Lastly, last week I watched the new ZZ Top documentary, on Netflix and I just want to highly recommend it, because it was so much fun to watch. And the friends that I recommended it to also loved it. And that is about it for now.

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

Happy Birthday #66!

Today has been a total blast, but before I tell you about it I must tell you about Saturday and yesterday.

On Saturday knowing that our next AACC (Ancient Alien Coffee Club) was today, at Randy & Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant, I decided that I wanted to make Eileen an alien-attracting-helmet for her 66th surprise birthday party, which we celebrated today.

So Tony and I went to Kerrville to get shiny stuff and lightning bolts at the party store. Then we went to Home Town Crafts Store, located in the same strip center, so I could buy more stuff for her helmet. And our last stop for supplies was at Walmart to buy the basic helmet (colander). Then we went to the small H-E-B, so we could order a birthday cake for Eileen.

I ordered a chocolate cake with white icing and the trim and lettering was green. And this is what I wanted written on the top of it:

HBE!     

Ancient Alien #66

And please note HBE stands for Happy Birthday Eileen!

When we got back home I used my charm to recruit Tony to help me make Eileen's fancy alien-attracting helmet. Originally, I was going to use my hot way gun and do all of the work, but after I had moaned and groaned about getting hot wax on me and it burning—Tony offered to do the gluing. So under my careful instruction, as I looked over his shoulder, he did most of the work. And here is the end result.

Needless to say Tony and I were very pleased with our hard work and Tony wanted to take a picture of me wearing it. So we went outside and Tony took this picture, but I had to crop it down to this size, so I wouldn't look so fat.

Sunday morning after we worked next door, I decided that we needed to go back to Kerrville, so we could pick up the birthday cake and deliver it to Lisa's Save Inn. And also because I wanted Tony and I to make us alien-attracting-helmets to wear at the party.

After we had delivered the cute cake to the Save Inn, Tony and I made the same rounds again. And our last stop was at Walmart to buy me a helmet.

We only bought one helmet/colander, because Tony wanted to use one of his old straw cowboy hats for his alien-attracting-helmet.

Long story short—when we got back home Tony and I worked on our helmets. And while I decorated my helmet, Tony made antennas for his cowboy hat. And we did a lot of laughing, because we decided to just write #65 on the front of his helmet to tease Eileen. Because for years Tony and Eileen have had a running joke about Eileen being so much older than him. Even though she is only a few months older than him. This is what we came up with:

And yes, there is a green bunny on the top of my alien-attracting helmet, but you will have to read my third novella to understand the significance of the green bunny. (I still have much final editing to do before publishing it, but it is coming along.)

This morning Tony and I and Lisa arrived before anyone else in our AACC got there, so we decorated the table and placed Eileen's birthday cake in the middle of the table. And the waitresses and customers kept laughing as they watched us and stared at our goofy-looking alien-attracting-helmets. Then it was show time!

Eileen was the last to arrive, so when she walked inside the restaurant we all hollered "Happy Birthday Eileen!" And let's just say that Eileen was shocked when she saw her #66 alien-attracting-helmet. And then Tony and I put on our alien-attracting-helmets and everyone was laughing.

Bottom   Line: The food was delicious, we surprised Eileen and our Ancient Alien Coffee Club meeting was very interesting. And when it was time to end the party, this sweet older woman walked over to our table, and said, "I just want to thank y'all for a very enjoyable breakfast, because your laughter kept us laughing...."

Before we adios-ed everyone inside, the friendly waitress asked if they could take pictures of us wearing our alien-attracting-helmets and after posing for them and several other people, sitting at their tables taking pictures of us, we went out on the steps of The Save Inn, for another short photo session. 

And the reason that I am laughing so hard, in this picture, is because Eileen will never know that after making my helmet, I stole the pink straps from her helmet and put them on my alien-attracting-helmet.

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

Jelly Roll!

Yesterday morning Tony and I met Lisa and Kris at a secret location (Randy & Lisa's Save Inn restaurant) in Kerrville for our first AACC (Ancient Aliens Coffee Club).

Sweet Eileen was supposed to come, but could not make it, because she had "pastel painted herself into a corner" at her art class, in Boerne. The Mineral Man (Kris' husband) was a no-show too and Kris was a little vague about why he could not make it. But no worries they will both be at the next meeting.

Tony and I were the first to arrive at our secret destination and we got to have a fun visit with Lisa and catch up with her and Randy's news.

Lisa was second to show up and before she even sat down at our table, she and I were already talking about things we needed to discuss at our first AACC meeting.

By the time Kris arrived we gave Lisa, the owner, our orders and Tony and I ordered the exact same thing. Then our meeting commenced.

Right off the bat, we all agreed what our secret hand signal would be and what our secret code word would be. Then we talked non-stop about how much we love watching the History Channel's Ancient Alien show.

While we ate our delicious breakfast, Lisa and Kris talked about the British author and scientists, Arthur C. Clarke, the famous science fiction writer that wrote the book 2001: A Space Odyssey, and who worked closely with Stanley Kubrick on the 1968 movie with the same title. And besides Clarke writing many other award-winning science fiction books Clarke also wrote 2010: A Space Odyssey and  2061: A Space Odyssey.

I felt like a dummy, because I had never heard of Arthur C. Clarke and I could only remember that I had liked the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and that Hal, the computer, had really scared me.

I was thrilled that I had remembered at least that much about the movie, since it was made over 51 years ago. And before I rejoined the conversation I wondered to myself if Alexa is maybe the new Hal?

When Kris and Lisa were telling me about the face on Mars, Lisa grabbed her cellphone and showed me this picture.

After I got over the shock of seeing this Mars man or martian, I told them about me writing a blog about watching Nasa's Unexplained Files where they sent a land rover out on Mars surface and it came back with a half-eaten jellyroll. "And Nasa has never been able to explain it, because it is actually a half-eaten jellyroll left there by someone or some thing...."

Anyway, after everyone had quit laughing I realized that we had finished eating breakfast, so I announced, "I am so excited about our Ancient Aliens Coffee Club and all of this. When I get home I am going to Buy Clarke's books: 2010: A Space Odyssey and 2061: A Space Odyssey and....And as soon as I finish writing my 3rd Cowgirl Sisterhood novella I am going to retire the Cowgirl Sisterhood for a while and write another fiction book about our AACC going on a fact-finding mission/adventure in Terlingua! And we could meet/get abducted or something by some aliens."

"Then I think all of us should go out to Terlingua," Lisa suggested.

"Me too," Kris said. "A field trip."

"And while we are out there we could make a short movie, too!" I said. "Starring Little Debbie of course, and we could wear our alien-attracting helmets (upside down pot pie tines tied down on our heads) that I made for our Longmire—Texas Style video spoof....And Chet O'Keefe could star in it too and we could ask him to write the soundtrack for it...." The wheels were set in motion and already turning—so to speak.

Before Tony and I adios-ed our friends, Kris and Lisa promised me that they would watch the movie Paul and I promised them to read Clarke's books before our next meeting and that I would send them the link to my blog post about the jellyroll on Mars.

So, as I finish writing this I want to give you the link to my June 5, 2015: A Roll or Flat Tire! blog post about the jellyroll found on Mars.

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

Wrong Number!

Last night I stayed up late, because I could not quit reading Marie Bostwick's book From Here to Home. I love this book so much and I did not want it to end, but I kept reading it, because I had to know how it ended.

I absolutely loved the ending, but I was sad that I had finished the book, because I love all of the characters and felt like I knew them. So before going to bed I went and purchased a Kindle version of Marie Bostwick's book Between Heaven and Texas (Another Too Much Texas novel.) So I could start reading it tonight.

Too Much is the name of Marie Bostwick's imaginary, little town, in Texas and Between Heaven and Texas is a novel that first introduces the main characters Mary Dell and her son, Howard, that grew up and lived in, Too Much.

When I went to bed I could not quit thinking about this fabulous book and one thing led to another. And the last thing that I remember before falling asleep was wanting to make a quilt, because throughout this book Mary Dell is the expert quilter and she has a very popular, cable TV show about quilting.

Today has been great. This morning Tony did his chores early, so we could go early to the Wild Birds Unlimited store, in Kerrville, so we could meet Jim Carpenter, the founder of Wild Birds Unlimited. He is also the author of The Joy Of Bird Feeding: The Essential Guide To Attracting And Feeding Our Backyard Birds and we wanted to get him to sign our copy of his awesome book.

Omg! We arrived around 9:15 and the parking lot was full and the inside of Kevin & Linda Pillow's Wild Birds Unlimited store was packed with smiling customers, waiting in line, to get their books signed by Jim. So we got in the line.

It was so cool, because everyone there seemed to be so happy including us, because this store has some of the best vibes, in Kerrville. When it was Tony's and my turn to meet Jim Carpenter, I took this picture of him, before we shook hands with him.

When Jim asked us our names, I said, "Tony and Nancy." Then Kevin, wearing a big grin on his face, steps up to the table, and says, "Tell him your real name."

"Cousin Nancy," I said. Then Kevin tells Jim about us being the people who run the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch with Kinky. And then Jim starts visiting with us and talking about animal rescue and their rescued dog while signing our book for us.

After we thanked Mr. Carpenter for signing our book I see Tricia and Jason, by the checkout counter and she was pointing her camera directly at us. So I quickly aimed my trusty iPhone camera at her and "shot" her while she "shot" us. And then we all started laughing just about the same time that our good friends Kris & Jim arrived to buy his book and get it signed.

While Kris was standing in line to get Jim Carpenter's autograph Tony and I stood around visiting with her and with Marguerite, Kevin & Linda, Jason and Tricia and Kris' husband, "The Mineral Man." And before we adios-ed everyone Tricia asked me for my phone number so she could send me the picture that she took of us. 

Then Tony and I went to the Save Inn Restaurant, which was packed with happy customers too, so we could eat breakfast. And to no one's surprise we ordered the exact same thing: Lisa's Sinker Taco Omelet, hash browns, biscuits & gravy and iced tea. And needless to say, "Our breakfast was totally delicious as it always is."

Then we made a quick stop, at the big H-E-B, on Main Street and came back home.

When we got home, I told Tony, "Since the rescue ranch is officially closed today I am going to go to that quilt shop, in Medina, because after reading that great book I want to make a quilt. I might be in there for thirty or forty minutes or so. Do you want to go with me?"

Five minutes later, we were headed to Medina. And on our way there, Tony asked, "What kind of quilt are you going to make?"

"I'm want to make one for Little Debbie." 

After Tony had chuckled, he said, "So you need two squares." Then he really started laughing and so did I. 

"I want to make a little one first to see if I can do it, because it actually is very hard to do."

"What if Little Debbie doesn't like it?"

"Then I'll make another one and we'll use them for place mats."

"You ought to call Carol and  ask her to meet you there."

"That's what I'm fixin' to do right now." Then I called Carol and left her a message about meeting me at the quilt store and us checking out the tiny house. 

Then Tony slowed down. "You can let me out right here and I'll walk down to the Old Timer when I am finished shopping." Then I more or less fell out of Trigger, but I didn't completely fall down, on the pavement, because I was still hanging onto Trigger's door. "Lucky me. I'll see you in a little bit."

Then I walked across the highway and went inside the Little Cottage Quilt Shop and was immediately greeted by the friendly owner, Donette Backlund. And while she and I were looking at her huge assortment of beautiful fabrics Carol called. "Nancy, it sounds fun. I'm leaving Bandera right now and will be there in just a few minutes."

About twelve minutes later, while I was talking to Donette about what I needed to get started quilting and the times of their quilting classes Carol arrived. And after I introduced Carol to Donette, Carol and I walked around admiring the beautiful fabrics while Donette talked to us about the art of quilting.

We stayed in this charming quilt shop for about twenty minutes, before I purchased a few necessary quilting supplies: a rotary wheel cutter, a cutting board and a giant plastic ruler. And before we left Donette gave me her business card.

Then Carol and I walked down Main Street aka Highway 16 to go check out that awesome Tiny House that was for sale. 

Then Carol and I walked back to her car and then she drove me down, to the Old Timer, so I could ride home with Tony.

On our way home I checked my phone, and said, "Hmm, I wonder why I haven't gotten Tricia's picture, yet?"

"What number did you give her?" Tony asked.

"Our rescue ranch number."

"That's why. Because you gave Tricia the wrong number. You should have given her your cell phone number."

"You're right. I forgot about that." 

So as soon as we got back home I called Wild Birds Unlimited and luckily Trisha answered the phone. And after I explained to her what I had done she asked me for my cell phone number and then she sent this picture to me.

And that's about it for now, because I am fixin' to start reading Between Heaven And Texas.

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

Gus & Lori Darlin'!

Today has been great. Last night when we were fixin' to go to bed little Lori Darling was sleeping soundly, in her large crate. But ten seconds later after we had turned off the television and the lights in the big room—she started whimpering.

So I went back into the kitchen and turned on the light and the television and she was already sleeping soundly when I left the room to go back to bed.

Late this morning Tony and I took Lori Darlin' to Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic and we were totally impressed how good she is when going for a ride. Seriously, as soon as Tony had backed-out Trigger she curled up on the front seat and went to sleep. And the few times that she woke up she would just look around and then go back to sleep.

After dropping off this precious little girl we went down the street to Randy & Lisa's Save Inn restaurant to eat lunch and this time we both ordered the exact same thing—iced tea and their delicious Sinker Omelet.

Then we went to Wolfmueller's Books to visit with our good friends Sandy & Jon. When we arrived Jon greeted us from behind the counter and Sandy didn't because she was out running errands.

We had a fun visit with Jon, in between him helping customers find or recommend books. About twenty minutes later Sandy returned to their super cool bookstore. Then we sat down, near the counter and we laughed and caught up with each other's latest news. And after we adios-ed our friends Trigger took us home.

When we got home Susan had left a message for us, on Carlton, so I called her back. Susan told me that Dr. Janssen had thought Lori's age to be 8-9 weeks. She also told me that the small patch of missing hair on the tip of her ear was most likely caused by flies. Lori had ear mites, so they had flushed her ears and treated them and they also gave her a bath.

And because Lori is very anemic they were sending her back home with vitamins and antibiotics for us to give to her. "We will need for you to bring her back, in about ten days, when she is much stronger, then we will give her shots and spay her." So tomorrow we will go pick up Lori and bring her back home.

This afternoon, when I checked my e-mail the nice couple who had rescued Lori's brother, from the pound, sent me an update on Gus, along with the cutest picture of him. In her note she told me that Gus seemed to be already house broken and that Gus takes turns helping her husband work on his projects, in the barn and then Gus will go help her water their garden, etc. And her good news didn't surprise me at all, because seriously these two pups are super dogs. And that is about it for today.

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