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.

A wonderful Thanksgiving weekend...random thoughts.

I couldn't let the Thanksgiving weekend go without journaling a little something.  It has been sooo wonderful having all the kids around.  Well, except for the 3 am wake up this morning with all of the boys coming home from a party, but I'll even take that, lol!!!  We had a great Thanksgiving down at my sister's and got to spend some great time with her in-laws as well.

I have had a great time doing all sorts of research for the ranch and the house.  Make sure to read my post at my regular blog for today as it has some great new to me websites I have been using as research tools, way cool.  I'm also researching schools, but to be honest I like the whole idea of agricultural business because the words make sense to me, but then you think about the typical agri-business folks like Monsanto and Cargil and Tyson and it really makes me want to run the other way.  Maybe if I knew things from the inside I'd be better of to fight them.

Tom has been working on getting the rental all ready to go, which of course makes me feel like a schmuck for not being able to be up there helping him.  I am just not physically able to be painting and tiling, etc right now which in the back of my mind has me screaming to myself how in the hell are you going to be GC on a job???  But I always figure out something.  Right?

We figure it is time to start making drawings of our floor plans....  Very exciting indeed.

Have to say goodbye to the boys today; MAN do I HATE  to do that; at least it is only for 18 days.

Have some VERY important visitors coming this week.  DAMN am I getting nervous.

Repeat Mammogram and ultrasound on Thursday, Geez, will be glad when that crap is over.

Isn't this the way everyone's life is right now, a couple of great things, one or two not so good, a couple of good, one or two bad...hopefully in the long run it all balances out.

Have a great day,
JJ~