Bookcases

One of my most favorite parts of our new house is the room I’m calling the Library. 

It’s been a life long dream to have a set of built in bookcases.

I’m over the moon in love with these beauties.

I can’t wait to start filling them up with my book collection. 

I have a feeling I might spend quite a bit of time in here just swooning over them. 

Appliances

The appliances are being installed. Everything is in except the refrigerator.

Sold

Well after three years and three months we have sold our beautiful Euless home. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed living here, and although we are leaving two years earlier than expected, I have no regrets. 

This home was my bells and whistles home. It has beautiful hardwood floors, crown molding throughout, and beautiful appliances. I had such a fun time decorating it with the help of my talented sister Carol. 

I loved the location of the mid-cities. Everything was so convenient, and we were at least thirty minutes closer to Brittany. 

Living here gave me the opportunity to meet many new people, and to attend a wonderful church. 

Since we will continue to be living in an apartment in this area for the next two years, in addition to our beautiful new Rocking H ranch home, I’m excited to stay connected with the people I’ve met. 

God has blessed us in so many ways, and we give him all the glory. 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...”

James 1:17

Faucets, Baseboard and Septic

Chuck took the day off and we headed down to our property to pick up the boys for the weekend. 

We checked on the house, and were happy to see faucets and baseboards in the house. 

 

We also spoke with the man who was digging the septic system, and it was touch and go as to whether we would need an aerobic system or not. 

We said a little prayer, and he was finally able to find a no rocky spot to dig the leach field. 

We’ll be returning later to talk with the people who did our gates, about fencing.

 

Doppelgänger

I was eating lunch in Southlake with my high school friend Carol when I looked up and saw my Dad eating lunch right across the way. 

Now you may ask how can that be since he passed away four years ago?

Well apparently what they say about everyone having a twin is true. This gentleman looked so much from the side like my Dad I couldn’t believe it. His mannerisms as he ate even resembled my father’s. 

Now since I’m not one to think that everything is just a coincidence in life I got up to speak to him and his daughter. I showed them a picture of Dad, and they agreed that the resemblance was uncanny. 

I couldn’t help but ask if there was a possibility of being a distant relative. We got back as far as Ireland, but if I didn’t know better I bet an Ancestry.com search might find a relationship. 

Needless to say, I savored every moment as a special God wink allowing me to spend time seeing my Dad one more time. 

Doppelgänger-a biologically unrelated look alike 

Shower Tile

The tile work in the bathrooms are done, and they looks great!

Floors

We were excited to see the flooring this past weekend when we went up to check on the house.

 

We had to choose a different product from what we had originally chosen because it was out of stock. As it turned out we ended up with a better quality floor, and a better color. 

The slate-like tile we chose for the wood stove looked great as well, and went perfectly with the floor we chose. 

We decided on luxury vinyl plank over hardwoods because of its ease of care and it’s durability.

This week they will be attaching the baseboards, and installing the closet shelves. In addition, the plumber will be installing toilets, and faucets. 

We are keeping our fingers crossed about the septic system. I’m hoping this house is completed by the end of next week. 

Mutton Busting

If you would have asked me fifteen years ago if I knew anything about Mutton Busting, I wouldn’t have been able to give you an answer. 

My knowledge of mutton was that it was a tough, old sheep that people from England seemed ton enjoy.

However, since that time I have been introduced to all things rodeo, and my eyes have been opened to the joy of Mutton Busting. Ever since my daughter married a cowboy I’ve been learning a thing or two about country life. 

Now for those of you who don’t know anything about Mutton Busting, it is an event for children at the rodeo. Rather than riding a bull, the younger kids take turns holding on for dear life while riding a sheep. 

My five year old grandson expressed an interest in Mutton Busting this year at his home town rodeo. We were all excited to see him compete, and his insistence that he would win. 

Prior to leaving for the rodeo we took a few minutes to have him practice his technique while riding on his Papa. Brittany coached him to use his three points of contact while riding the sheep. 

She told him he could use his hands, arms and legs to his advantage to be able to hold on as long as possible before hitting the ground. 

Part of the rodeo experience is also how you dress. My oldest sure looked spiffy decked out in his wranglers, cowboy shirt, boots, and cowboy hat. He even wore a belt buckle that his Dad had earned whole competing in team roping. 

Now since this was his first time to compete we really had NO idea how he would do. Many riders fall off as soon as the sheep is let out of the shoot. 

When it was his turn he did an amazing job. He got a score of sixty-seven, and rode upright until the last second. Now he didn’t win, but the winning score was seventy so he came darn close. 

He had really done a great job, and you could tell that he felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment. 

The grin on his face said it all. 

He handled not winning with such grace, and pride that his Mimi couldn’t stop bragging on him all night. 

Next year his younger brother says he wants to join in the fun too!

I can’t wait. 

Decisions, Decisions

Today Chuck and I ran by our old apartments to check out the location of a one bedroom unit. 

We’ve decided to try out the fourth floor this time in hopes of not having a loud upstairs neighbor. We are praying our side neighbors are quiet. 

It looks like we will be moving into the apartment at the beginning of August. Chuck will only be ten minutes to work with a very pleasant drive. 

When I’m visiting I’ll have my beloved lake again. Since Chuck is hoping to work a couple more years before retiring this just made sense. 

Our country home will be our weekend place, and our retirement home. 

We are planning on embracing the simplicity of apartment living, and will be living a very minimalistic life there. 

It looks like Happy Hour Wednesdays might be back on the calendar. 

We are looking forward to enjoying both our country and city lives for the next two years. 

Guess Who’s Hiding?

                                                                               

Vocabulary

My three year old grandson amazes me with his advanced vocabulary. 

He’s like a sponge when it comes to learning and retaining new words. 

Earlier this spring I had taught him that a roly-poly was actually a crustacean, and not an insect when he was on the hunt for insects for a school assignment. 

Today as I was sitting in the backyard I heard him say, “Mimi, do you want to come see some crustaceans?”

He had overturned a log that had been home to a herd of the little fellows. 

A minute later I found him chasing after a huge toad telling him he was going to find him a burrow to live in. 

He likes to refer to killer whales as orcas, knows all about sea pigs and the ring of fire thanks to a favorite tv show called The Octonauts. 

I’m convinced this boy is an auditory learner, and his vocabulary prowess never ceases to amaze me. 

Details

Today was a day of taking care of details. It’s not really my favorite thing to do, but some days are like that. 

I had a few errands to run-car wash, bank, Target and my favorite resale store (looking for books for the boys) 

I had my calendar open most of the morning coordinating things that need to be done regarding the move. 

The only thing that didn’t work out was a grooming appointment for Cooper. I was hoping to get him in before the end of June, because he’ll be staying at Brittany’s for a few days come July. 

I’m on the cancellation list so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. 

I also did a little bit of packing.

I’ll be out of pocket for the next two days, but I’ll continue packing on Friday. 

Traffic

Chuck and I have been on the road quite a bit the last few days. He’s probably done most of the driving, but I’ve done my fair share. 

I can honestly say that I don’t know what has happened to traffic in 2021. Each time you venture out you are literally putting your life on the line. 

I’ve been cut off repeatedly by idiots traveling the speed of sound insistent that come hook or come crook they are going to pass me. 

One slipped between us and a trailer being pulled by a pick-up truck leaving only inches to spare. Since Chuck was going seventy I can only imagine what his speedometer read. 

On the way home from Comanche a guy on 820 found it appropriate to shoot Chuck the bird since Chuck was trying to get over to allow him the lane. Apparently he had the same idea at the same time, and with the pedal to the medal he raced past us all the while honking his horn, and gracing us with his obscene hand gesture. 

Yesterday as I made my way home from the grocery store, the guy behind me decided to pass me on the right using the shoulder. As I watched his maneuvering I was aware that several feet ahead of me was a car broken down on the shoulder. 

If I hadn’t been paying attention I probably wouldn’t have been able to slow down enough to let him get by. Between hitting the car head on or side swiping me it was probably a no brainer for him which choice to make. 

What has happened to our world that EVERYONE seems to be in such a hurry that a seventy mile an hour speed limit is not sufficient? I hate to admit that my love for humanity goes out the window when I get behind the wheel. 

It’s a real three ring circus out there. 

(Photo Credit: Jean Singletary

Taken on 1-20 June 2021)

Sisters

I got to spend the night at my sister Carol’s beautiful lake house last night. 

My sisters Joan and Jean were there as well, and we had a fun time catching up and reminiscing.

Jean fixed us a delicious quinoa bowl for breakfast that was “Bobby approved.”

Sadly, we barely saw each other last year due to Covid. 

I’m looking forward to getting together again.

Tile

Well we have tile now! Our builder Mike sent me a picture of the subway tile in the kitchen minus the grout. 

He also sent another photo of the shower tile. 

He’s hoping the flooring material gets here soon. 

Adventure

As I think back on my childhood the word adventure comes to mind. 

I lived during that time in history when it was safe for children to “roam the streets.”

Neighborhood kids would run in packs enjoying one adventure after another. Stopping in for lunch and then returning for dinner our parents really had little idea what we were doing. 

Between creeks and wooded areas I had one adventure after another allowing my imagination to run wild. 

I was watching my grandsons yesterday creating their own adventure in the big puddle that had accumulated in their gravel driveway. 

As the youngest “dug for treasure” the oldest tried to figure out a way to dig a trench to help alleviate the “ water gap” as he called it. 

With tractors, and shovels, hoes and orange safety cones they played contentedly all the while  trudging through the puddles in their rubber rain boots. 

At one point the youngest announced that he was soaking wet, and needed to take a shower. After closer inspection, it was only his arms that were elbow deep in water. 

As I thought about the “magical” childhood these two were living I couldn’t help but thank God for this blessing of country living. 

Photoshoot

This past weekend I attended Brittany’s baby shower at her friend’s mother’s home. It was a photographer’s delight there, and I could have spent a lot longer photographing her beautiful home. 

I snapped a few photos with my i phone, but I’m thinking once we move to our new home I’ll dust off my old camera, and challenge myself to learn a thing or two more about photography. 

I’m sharing some of the photos I took this weekend. 

Sold

Praise be to God! Our house sold this weekend!

We will be closing at the end of June. Our builder is confident that the house will be ready by the end of June as well. 

We have a lease back on our Euless home into July, so it looks like everything will work out. 

Remarkably it also looks like we will be able to pay cash using the proceeds from our home and property in Wolfe City sale. What a blessing for sure. 

God really has guided our path in this move as well, and we give Him all the glory.