Catching up, December at a glance the GOOD, the bad, and the ugly.

Yeah, so it has been a long time since I wrote in this journal and I think it is sort of because I was taught if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.  And you know, my back has been REALLY crappy, and our finances are in the crapper (what's new, eh, America?), my marriage has taken it's toll from all of the above and the deal that I was so hopeful would go through fell apart...

It was a secret out of respect for the party's privacy more or less, but three weeks since their visit have come and gone as of today, and I have not heard a word; so I am thinking that their privacy is no longer necessary.  The deal was, a family member of the original homesteader of our ranch, Charlie Royal, had always mentioned buying back the ranch.  When we started talking about our dreams of Double J, I contacted her and she flew out in hopes of making a deal on both The Royal Ranch and The Royal Roost.

While she was here she learned she could not afford The Royal Roost, bummer but we could move on because it was the easier of the 2 properties to sell.  Well, as I said , it has been 3 weeks and still no word so I think she is backing out of buying the ranch as well.  So, at least I no longer have to keep big secrets, and we were not in a hurry to sell the ranch until we build our new home anyway...

The good news is that The Royal Roost will be listed with Cabela's Trophy Properties by the end of the year, which should bring great people to see it.  And that is where the money is to get started with The Double J, so we really weren't depending on this one buyer, I just really wanted the ranch and it's subsidiaries to stay within the family; even though we aren't family I just considered us caretakers in between I guess.

So, no, this is not going to be a woe is me entry; although I truly deserve one.  I have 2, count that 2, wonderful sons home from college!  This Christmas will sort of be like having a young child I think with our Austin.  He has never experienced a Christmas like we do in our family.  And even my Grandpa remembered him when he did all of his Christmas envelopes; a tradition our kids have known since birth and I was quite worried he'd forget our new son, but of course not.

I also have my daughter and son that still live at home with me; my sidekick and my chauffeur.  I could not do it without them, literally.  My daughter helps me cook and clean and take care of the animals.  And, as for my driver, well who doesn't need a driver???  He smiles at me with his red headed grin and although he doesn't love to be touched too much he knows when I'm down and gives me these funny little love pats...

And as for that oldest redhead, he keeps me on my toes.  Yesterday we found an old letter to Santa in the Christmas notebook.  It said to make sure and not get his brother and sister a thing (not even coal) as they had been quite bad that year and that he would leave lima beans for the reindeer so that they could fart their way across America!!!!  (He knew that I was the one reading these letters by this time-stinker!)

Merry Christmas All.

Damn, listen to THIS!!!

I'm not much of a Grammy watcher, but when I read on Facebook that Sugarland and Lady Gaga had performed together I had to check it out; and boy did it move me!  So I wanted to make sure and have a copy of it here in my journal.  I love both of these gals; Gaga for her rebel behavior and business sense and I have always loved Sugarland's music, so crank up the speaker's and have a listen:

Sugarland and Lady Gaga at the Grammy's 2011!