I am victorious.

Yesterday there were literally stacks and stacks of boxes in the kitchen. Enough to intimidate even the most seasoned mover, I didn’t want to put anything away until I had all the drawers and shelves cleaned and lined and last night I set a pretty lofty goal to getting all of the boxes unpacked today. Started out at about 9 this morning, and put the finishing touches with the stainless steel cleaner on at 5:30. I could not be more tired but I am finished.  There is no décor at all, but at least the kitchen is functional now.

The fruits of my labor today resulted in a stack of boxes and a pile of paper and bubble wrap that started out as a little pile, but quickly grew from a pile, to a mound, to a hill. One look in the window and the neighbors would think we’re hoarders. (“Honey look, we can save this paper and bubble wrap for something crafty, or I could use it to wrap my cake plates!”). Actually, it’s driving me batty and I want it gone, but I just don’t have the energy to anything that requires moving off the couch. There’s always tomorrow. I know many of you Californians are probably thinking that all this paper an cardboard should go straight into the recycling can, right? WRONG! We don’t have a recycle can – it all goes into the trash. Another thing to get accustomed to.

One last note on going Texas. This new time zone means that the shows the come on a 8:00pm in CA, are actually on at 7:00pm here. I don’t thin I like this. I’m not mentally prepared to wind down at 7:00! I may not have even had dinner by then. Does this mean I’ll learn to go to bed at 10:00 instead of 11:00?

Today we visited SIL and BIL at the Rocking L Ranch. I remember the very first time I went there…

It was, quite honestly my very first visit to the “country” as well as the first time I would be meeting JD’s sister and brother in law. Little did I know that one day we’d all be family! Anyway, I remember leaving the airport and getting on the freeway – and being on the freeway for a long time. Then we got off the freeway and on to a road – for a long time. Then on to a country road – you got it! For a long time!. Then on to a gravel road. And then we were there! A beautiful place with land as far as you can see and sitting on top, a really cute ranch house, porch, cattle, ranch dogs, the whole nine yards. Out came my future SIL and her husband to greet us. He walked up, took off his hat, shook my hand, and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am”. I was in awe! I’d never met anyone like this before. I’ve heard about guys like this – he’s the real deal! Welcome to Texas! That was 12 years ago, and he’s still just as polite every time I see him. There’s allot to be said about the way kids in Texas are raised 😉

Today we decided to go out and walk the perimeter of our yard. Jeans and boots were definitely in order. Who knows what’s out there, right? Coming from a tract home with sidewalks and manicured lawns, going for a walk down the street required only flip flops and a cold drink in hand. But here – well there could be wild animals, snakes, and who knows what. For the most part, we followed the deer trail (trace, as I’ve learned it’s called), but in some areas we did have to make our own path. This is pure wilderness for me! As we walked, we took notice of all the trees, tall grass (no wonder the deer hang out here), and lots of oddities that we wouldn’t normally see on a CA neighborhood stroll. For instance, pup found a bone. It was actually several. And they were connected. It was a spine. Maybe a pig? Looked too big to be a deer. Eeew, keep walking. At some point I imagine I will get used to walking with my head up rather than watching my feet to make sure I don’t step on fire ants, or trip over tree limbs. Now don’t get me wrong. The backyard is nice, but beyond the “enclosed” part of the yard lies “pure wilderness”!

It finally happened. Today our pup had her first encounter with the locals (deer, that is). Now let me just start by telling you that as Labrador Retrievers go, she’s the finest! A real beauty! However, a hunting dog she is not. She is really more of what one might call a “doggie day spa dog”. She’s a bit spoiled, and some have even used the “D” word (diva) to describe her.

The deer are frequent visitors, and like clockwork they come around every morning and every evening to graze. They are really quite fun to watch – they’re so family oriented. And boy are they fast! In fact, they are so fast, I really worry about the front end of my car because I’m sure they can’t hear me when I am saying, “stay…you stay right there at the side of the road. No, I said STAY!”

So anyway – this morning our brave little lab went out as usual for her morning routine. She went out and sniffed around. Wait. Stop. What’s that smell? What are those? This is my yard! By this time she is perfectly still, tail straight out, the ridge and hair on her back standing straight up. WOOF!  One look at her and the deer took off running. Our brave little lab took off running after them as if she was on the hunt. SCREEEECH! That’s the sound of her hitting the brakes – you see she will bark and look mean, but she’s not about to actually get close to them!

Funny side note: The contractor that has been working on the house was here and met our brave little pup. “I need to take her hunting with me”, he says (you need to know that this guy is super nice, but he’s a born and raised, true blue, dyed in the wool, good ol’ Texas boy). Um yeah.  About that. Even though she’s a lab, she’s really not into actually retrieving anything. Gosh, I sure hope he didn’t see her Tempurpedic bed, and her blanket and pillow in the family room!