We just thought Fulshear was in the country.  Now, we are trying to get used to howling critters.  Letting Starr out at night is a real adventure.  Boots and rifle in tow, ready to take on the elements.  Casey has been painting the casa.  It is starting to get the “warm” feeling.  That special AHH that you get when you walk in a loving home.  It is amazing what a little contrast in colors can do.  Now, I need to get used to a bunch of small walk-in closets instead of large ones.  I’m not used to when putting my bra on and getting pieces of Bill’s clothing caught in the clasps.  If I turn around the other way I get a hand full of my clothes.  My mother would cringe at the thought of “bra putting on” interference.

Bill has been enjoying the football playoffs.  I have been busy getting aquainted with my new church.  I have volunteered to help with the weekly bulletin.  Max told me to be creative.  Does that mean I have to keep it clean too?  (Dr. Max Brand is the church pastor and if you remember also our real-estate dude).  I am also taking the study course to become a member of New Hope Church.  Baptized as Presbyterian I was  hoping to pass the dunking part… but no sprinkles for this church.  I will let you know when I get submerged….oh, the term is immersion.  And what does one wear to a immersion?  Wet suit and snorkle? 

We miss all of our Fulshear friends.  We stop by on occasion to check in on the horses which our son Dusty is nice enough to feed daily.  Usually we get to visit with a couple of the neighbors while there.  The couple that bought our house invited us in the other day and I am so excited for the love that they have put into the home.  It looks beautiful.  Their two young children are just what that property needed.  It brings joy to the heart.  Please send a prayer out to our neighbors Marvin and Sandi who’s daughter is hospitalized.  Speedy recovery to her.

Several things coming up.  Bill and I are trying to get all the annual doctor appts. out of the way.  Meetings with our financial advisor, church bulletin day with pastor’s wife Shelia, CT scan, and lunch with good friend Ron, President of Big Brother Big Sister in Houston area.  Next week eye doctor and Bill’s prostate guy.  Still need to fit in our cardio cutie..Dr. Odhav.  And we are still going through boxes and trying to empty the last storage unit.  I told Bill we should call that show that just buys the whole damn thing for an amount and get rid of the crap.  Sad part is, I haven’t missed anything.  Who knows what’s in them.

Leaving you with a quote I saw somewhere…might be Facebook.  “Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly about you no one would believe them”.  

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani 

Well, time to get back to work.  The holidays were so enjoyable.  Lani came in for ten days during Thanksgiving and everyone made it over during the Christmas get-to-gethers.  Bill and I brought in the New Year in bed with a tasty bottle of champagne and watched the ball drop and listened to 50’s and 60’s music until about 2…then couldn’t last any longer.  Hell to get old.  I remember knocking out a couple bottles of champagne and whooping it up until all hours.  We also missed the annual MD Anderson “Santa’s Elves Party” at the beautiful River Oaks home of Paige and Tilman Fertitta,  They always make everyone feel at home while raising money for the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.  But that was just one of the many things that was put on a back burner during the move and the holiday hustle and bustle.

I have started going to a new church.  New Hope Community Church in Navasota.  I would love to continue to go to the church that I was raised in, was baptized in, and confirmed in.  Memorial Dr. Presbyterian.  But I am very excited about going to classes  and meeting new friends.  The church is unique.  It is like being in a cozy barn atmosphere.  Like a cowboy church.  Dr. Max Brand is the pastor and I enjoy the way he presents his sermons.  The first time I walked in he looked up to the ceiling like it was going to fall in.  I told him it wouldn’t fall in with me but watch out when Bill hits the door!  Of course that won’t happen until Sunday football games are over for the season.  I know God understands…He loves the pigskin too.  I have offered to help with the church bulletin.  I think Max is worried.  It will be a challenge to keep it , should I say, “churchlike”.  Probably not a good idea to talk about the who-who.

Bill has been behaving himself.  I think his hearing is getting worse…if that’s possible.  The TV is getting louder and he can’t hear phone call conversations.  I guess I’ll have to buy a hearing impaired phone.  He puts it on speaker to hear better and it drives me crazy.  He and Casey have been out in the wild the last couple days to cut up firewood and look for dead trees.  He says he doesn’t have any trouble hearing the chain saw.  Go figure.  If he couldn’t hear that I would really worry. 

Still waiting on the printers for the new book.  The holidays put a dent in that production also.  But “They’re Pistols and They’re Loaded”  should be hitting the scene soon.  Very excited about that.  I have dabbled with different thoughts about book #3.  Something totally different.  The serenity of this area really inspires me.  I have come up with several titles and stay torn on which one to choose.  I’m sure God will guide me in the right direction.  I have also thought of putting a book together on the letters that my mom and dad wrote back and forth to each other during WWll.  They are incredible and I never get tired of reading them.  Lots of things to think about.

I have my blood work done on Monday and Dr. Bevers appt. on Tuesday.  Please send your prayers my way.  I always get nervous right before the appts.  I was cancer free in 2013…I just hope it continues to stay away for a long time.  But the longer it stays away the more sleep I lose thinking way too much.  Take care and have a wonderful and blessed 2014.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Hugs!!!!!
Leilani

Getting settled in a new place comes with it’s “things” that drive one nuts.  Something as simple as going to the grocery store becomes frustrating.  I shopped in basically three places while living in Fulshear.  Kroger, Walmart, and HEB.  Each store, over the years, you learn the locations of everything you like.  No GPS needed after 14 loyal years.  I now shop at the HEB in College Station.  The first four times were a challenge to learn the format of the store.  And things that the store in Katy carried that this one in Aggie country does not.  It used to take me no time at all to get in and out.  Now I’m wandering around from one side of the store to the other.  They didn’t carry blue shoe polish for my LL Bean leather shoes, no sit down area to rest and enjoy a snack and cold drink, and the produce dept. does not carry the frozen box with all the different types of fresh frozen peas and beans in it.  There are just certain things that have to be addressed.

Lowe’s is across the street.  We have spent a small fortune in there.  Thank goodness all Lowe’s are set up the same.  Purchasing everything from solar lights, propane outdoor heaters, electrical wire to Christmas gift cards.  Casey bought all the material to build an awesome dog house, camo colored with shingle roof and porch.  It should be in the next edition of Dog House Magazine.  It takes about 20 minutes to get there…which is nothing compared to the 40 minutes it was taking us to get from Fulshear to the one in Katy, thanks to all the traffic and road construction now building up around the Fulshear area.

Bill and I are getting ready for family and friends and a beautiful first Christmas in our new home.  All the Christmas decorations are out…well, at least the ones I have stumbled across in getting things out of storage.  Still looking for our amazing Nativity Scene.  I’m sure it’s in the storage in Fulshear.  Headed that way soon to retrieve it.  The back porch is ready for company.  Complete with heat lamps, coffee table, fridge, bar and TV. 

So, Bill and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.  Hope your dreams come true and God grants you good health.  We will be waiting to hear from you all.

Blessings,
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani 

So sorry that it has been a while for me to check in.  Lots of things going on.  Bill and I got settled in Navasota and love it.  So peaceful and quiet.  No traffic and Mother Nature all around you.  The train whistles put us to sleep and wake us up to a new day.  Bill and I both had Grandfathers that worked for the railroad.  I’ve mentioned it before but Bill’s worked for B&O and mine for Southern Pacific.  We both remember spending time at the train stations as our working grandpa’s did their thing.  I always loved sleeping on the train.  Now, the sound of the whistle and the sound of the engines bring back the thoughts of the “good old days”. 

We do have a bit of sad news.  Dusty had to put down his little Boston Terrier, Rufus.  Rufus was 14 and had a wonderful life.  But he became very uncomfortable and was in pain.  His brother Chico and sister Starr miss him.  Bill and I enjoyed having his little “pug nosed” face around.  But Rufus had always wondered what had happened to Michele and missed her so much.  Michele got him as a puppy and upon her death, Rufus was lost.  So now he’s with his mom and enjoying heaven.  Interesting, almost a year since we lost Michele. 

The move has been a challenge to say the least.  Old people should never have to move.  But it was, as many say, worth it just to clean out 14 years of crap.  Our pastor here in Navasota, Dr. Max Brand says that “everyone should move every 4 years, then you wouldn’t have much to move”.  I think he has the right idea.  Max came by while Lani was in from South Carolina and we had a nice visit. 

Thanksgiving was wonderful and we are looking forward to our first Christmas in Navasota.  Our tree is up and we are in the process of putting the reefs up.  Our solar gate is finally operational…thank goodness.  I’m still spoiled as far as getting out of the Jeep to open the gate.  So now we are back to the remote.  It’s just one of those things a city girl needs.  Kinda like an occasional trip to Macy’s, you know, just to air out the wallet.  Which, Lani and I made sure to do while she was in town.  We made all of her doctor appts., teeth cleaning, OB Gyn, etc.  Of course it is never a bother to see our good looking dentist, Dr. Kaestner, and OB guy, Dr. Cook.  Then we went to my friend Velma’s house to view her Christmas clothing show.  So $300.00 later we head for Macy’s to finish off the damage.  Got some really cute things and some great deals on gifts.  Then we headed to the Alley theater for our annual mom/daughter outing to see “A Christmas Carol”.  We dined at Birraporetti’s before the show and then headed home right after the performance to get home by 1 AM.  A full day.  And one that meant so much to me.  I really miss Lani.

I wish I had a dime for everytime I have to repeat something for Bill.  Now I’m battling the ear muffs.  It has been really cold here.  We even got sleet and a little snow one day.  Hard to believe that an hour and a half away from Houston could make that much of a difference.  But I’m sure the hills have lots to do with it.  It’s really cool though to hear the wind blow through the piney woods.  We have a beautiful sounding wind chime that we bought at Hallmark store that makes the most incredible sound.  Some days, just the way the sun filters through the trees, is a beautiful sight. 

I have had Casey and Bill going through the sheds.  Disposing of everything that takes up any space.  I just leave casey a “to do” list and it gets done.  I am constently looking for Bill, who seems to get side tracked quite often.  I guess when I start something…I have to finish.  He starts something and it stays that way for days.  Oh well, be nice Leilani, ’tis the season.  Ho ho ho!

Have a great rest of the week and weekend.  “They’re Pistols and They’re Loaded” is at printers.  I had to delay things because of the move.  So I’ll be in touch with dates.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani  

We are finally here.  Our beautiful property is ready for us permanently.  We are getting used to the different facets of Mother Nature surrounding the casa.  Learning what goes bump in the night…usually a critter of some kind and praying that we are not on top of an old indian burial ground.  Seems there were several different tribes around this area back when.  We are tote and boxed out.  Everytime I see one I pray that it is empty.  Needless to say, wine consumption is at an all time high.  With the rain and cold weather upon us, it pushed us to get things done.  Hurry, so we don’t have to do that tomorrow.  Plenty of time to go through and throw out because you couldn’t go outside.  Anyway,  progress is being made.  Must have everything ready for Lani’s arrival on Friday.  We will have our Thanksgiving late.  But that’s OK.  I figure God doesn’t care what day we give thanks.  And shouldn’t we be doing that everyday anyway?

Casey has been over to help run electrical wires.  We have added flood lights and other additions to the property.  It’s looking great.  My little electrician is amazing. So, we are giving the hacinda a facelift and enjoying every minute of it.  Especially the sounds of the trains.

Of course we have the family shoot out down at the pond. It is so much fun.  I hope someone shot that 6 foot water snake that our friend saw a couple of weeks ago.  It would have thrilled me to death to see body parts floating…like tail, head, etc.  Otherwise, the air smells fresher and the sandy soil is so nice.  Hardly any mud.  I just looked out the window and it is sleeting/snowing here.  It is beautiful.  I’ll put a pic on Facebook.

Bill has managed not to drive me “totally” berserk.  After his “driving us all nuts” performance during the move, Braden, Jennifer, Dusty, the dogs, and me have decided that the next move, God forbid, he will be left behind.  I figure, put him in a hanging clothes bag and drop him off at Goodwill. 

I will get back to the regular blog soon.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Peace and love to you and your families.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

It has been passed down for centuries that when you feel like you might get lost or you are lost, you leave a trail for someone to find you.  Not that Bill stays lost but he leaves a trail of Cheerio’s where ever he goes.  From 6 AM to about 8 PM if I need to find Bill I look for Cheerio droppings.  His morning cup of cereal, his mid morning snack, his afternoon hand dip in the jar, or his bedtime mouth stuffing….I know where he has been, where he was going, and his return route.  And the funny thing about it is Starr (our black lab) doesn’t like them.  So Bill is busted every time.  This morning I smelt something burning.  I went to the kitchen and Bill was making a slice of toast.  The toast popped up burnt.  With a Cheerio stuck to it’s side partically on fire.  The man even managed to drop a Cheerio in the toaster while making toast and at the same time turned the “how dark” knob to scorch.  By the way …the smoke alarms work!

I was so excited to meet up with a old friend of mine who brought her daughter in from Tennessee for a visit.  Jane used to swim with me at Lakeside Country Club and at the Dad’s Club where she married our coach Bob Walker.  We got to visit for about an hour and her daughter Susan and step daughter Connie took pictures and did some wonderful reminiscing about the good ole days.  So to all the Texas swimmers who read the blog, Janie Walker sends her love.

Not much to add on the moving update.  We just go back and forth.  In and out.  Up and down.  Backwards and forwards.  And I am ready for it all to end and get settled.  I’m so shocked that Bill and I haven’t killed each other yet.  I guess… just been too busy to mess with a disagreement.  And of course wine does help.  So, moving sale Saturday.  Texan game on Sunday.  And movers on Monday.  I can’t wait!!!!!

“They’re Pistols and They’re Loaded” was printer delayed due to adding extra pictures.  But we are getting there.  It won’t be long now.  I am looking forward to writing book three in Navasota.  It will be a different type of book and a real challenge for me.   My sidekick, Lani, will be in on the 29TH.  And I have made some secret plans for her.  I can’t believe she has been gone since April.  I have missed her more than she will ever know.  You mom’s out there know how that goes. 

Have a wonderful week.  Prayers and hugs sent out to those who need them.
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani      

There are many advantages and disadvantages about moving.  The plus column has, among others, the great joy of throwing out stuff you don’t need.  And really, how it fell in your possession in the first place.  Down-sizing is  a good thing..UNTIL…you get to the place where no man dares to travel.  The place where the boogeyman dwells.  The place where  things that go bump in the night hide.  The tunnel that leads to the next dimension in the twilight zone.  UNDER THE BED!!!!  OMG!  Don’t even attempt if you have an allergy to dust.  If you are scared of crawly critters or if you can’t stand the sight of where the dog decided to throw up 4 months ago.  The under the bed world in this house was the home to 3 pair of shoes that I had forgotten about.  They were so far up the bed’s ass that they were the last thing I found.  A wood burning kit that I got for my birthday in 1957.  A photo album dating back to the time of the caveman, the Christmas sock that I thought the washing machine had swallowed about 3 Christmas’ ago and that I threw the other one away thinking it had gone to sock heaven.  All in all, a productive morning.  The next challenge was under the bathroom sinks.  Also a place of no return.  Let’s put it this way…I found a box of tampons hidden in the back.  I haven’t had the pleasure of using those since 1993.  Oh well,  on to the next adventure.

Over in dad’s old place I ran across his WWII combat boots.  The ones he tried so hard to give away when he was still with us.  I remember as a kid, following him when he had those boots on.  Stepping in the footprint that he made in the dirt.  Thinking I’ll never fill those footprints.  It just feels so funny looking at those empty boots but thinking that I still have a long way to go to fill them.  Love is..remembering the good times.

Going back and forth just about everyday to Navasota with a load of totes.  We are getting there.  Dusty is still trying to get his car fixed or trying to talk his dad into buying him a new one.  So we have not had his help for a week.  We are having french doors put in where the sliding glass door is.  I coud not see where the movers could get the big tables in with the small opening of the sliding door.  But the movers come on Nov. 18th and that will be it.  Really looking forward to the 19th!

Getting my port cleaned on Friday and will be ready to tackle the world again on Saturday.  We will be having a big moving sale on Nov. 16th.  If you are in the area  come by and don’t leave without buying something.  Blessings my friends.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

I had the pleasure of meeting a new pastor yesterday at our church.  His sermon was very much appreciated by this tired soul. I actually went to hear the names called at the “All Saints” service.  All of those members who went to be in the next spiritual level with our Lord.  When they called daddy’s name, I wasn’t sad.  I was happy that he is now with Jesus.  It reminded me of a Bible story my dad used to tell me when I was little.  The story of Joseph.  And how Joseph must have felt when his brothers sold him into slavery to the Egyptians.  How lonely and deserted his heart had to be.  The story left me with a new energy to deal with all the things happenning in our lives right now.  My life has not been without trials and disappointment but I have never been up there with poor Joseph at that point in his life.  So, uplifted in love and prayer I drove home ready to start a new week and deal with moving again.  Knowing that God’s love endures, I was even ready to tackle Bill’s hearing, Dusty’s moods, selling the house headaches, and traveling back and forth to Navasota.  Thank you Lord for giving us wine! Amen.

Bill and I are getting quotes to move.  I can’t believe it has become so expensive.  Gad…we need to start a moving business.  So we figure we will move out with what we can and leave the big stuff to them.  Then there is the issue of having a moving sale.  Can probably get rid of a bunch of crap!  Oh, I mean, really nice stuff that someone else would cherish.  Well, as they say, one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.  I remember one sale my mom and I had together.  We put some stuff out with the trash for the garbage men to pick up and someone stopped by and took several things.  We laughed about that for years.

Enjoying the cooler weather and some needed rain.  Now if I could just find the tote in storage that has my winter clothes in it.  I need my sweat pants.  Bill was looking for his work boots.  I think I gave them to Good Will.  So I have to run to Academy and buy some new ones.  I told him they were around here somewhere.  Kinda like several other things he is looking for.  I figure, out of sight …out of mind.  I just change the subject everytime it comes up.  Whether he hears me or not is debatable.  Wonder what I could get for the golf clubs he never uses.  No, that would be pushing it.  Hmmmmm.

New book at printers.  So excited.  Have a great week.  Hugs!
Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani

So much to talk about today.  As you know, we have been going crazy with all the “to-do’s” around here.  I’ll begin by saying it has been made even harder with Bill’s lack of hearing.  So this morning he is visiting the ENT to have his ears checked, wax removed and anything else the doctor decides to do with his “listeners”.  I love going out on errands because I get to talk to someone without looking like a lost circus mime.  We were in Navasota yesterday morning to meet the electrician and Bill had the TV so loud for the Dallas Cowboy game.  Every time he would go outside to talk to the workers Dusty and I would turn the volume down to give our ears a rest.

Last week I forfilled a promise to Lani.  In South Carolina they do not have Dell Dixie pickles.  Heaven forbid.  So Lani is going berserk for Dell Dixie pickles.  So being the good mom that I am.  I bought the huge jar of dill pickles and mailed them to Lani.  Unfortunatly Bill went to the post office with me and almost didn’t make it out due to the heart attack he almost had when finding out that mailing a $4.00 jar of pickles cost $27.35.  I thought the mail lady and I were going to have to administer CPR.  It was hysterical. 

Next stop was Kroger to get our flu shots from pharmacist Steve.  Steve H. gives the best flu shot ever.  But on our way I got pulled over by a state trooper.  Speeding.  Too fast in a 35 zone.  He never did tell me how fast I was going.  Like a good citizen I pulled over right away.  Turned off the Jeep. And had my ID ready.  Then I remembered I had to also show him the concealed handgun license.  He asked me all kinds of questions about my gun…some of which I had no clue.  He asked me where it was.  I said under my seat.  I asked him if he wanted to see it.  He immediately said no.  Ran my license and returned to the car with a warning ticket.  I guess he thought don’t mess with the ole lady… with a husband that can’t hear and her gun.   Then he said where are you headed?  Almost like he’d be going in the opposite direction of where we were.  I said to get our flu shots.  He said… well go get them at 35 mph.  Yes sir!

The house has been inspected by the buyers.  Everything seems to be in order except looking for some kind of permit for the septic.  Of which we could care less.  It has worked just fine all the years and stirring up septic poo-poo is not what we want to get into.  So we hired our own inspector.  Oh well, we’ll see.  The Navasota house is really coming along.  I can’t wait till we can focus our full attention to it.  I have enjoyed spending some mother/son time with Dusty.  Even if it’s him on Facebook and me trying to talk to him.  Sons are so different than daughters.  Their idea of unconditional love is so out in left field.  Lani and I would sneak out and go shopping or go get chinese food.  Boys are happy with hi mom, love you.  Bye.  but at least it is time that I know that he is sitting in the room with me and I can see, hear, and talk to him.  Casey, is much the same as Dusty.  Hi, bye, and see you soon…love you.  Such is life.   

Enjoying the cooler weather and all that comes with it.  Getting out fall and winter clothes and giving half of them away.  Since we will be taking almost nothing but basics to Navasota.  No point in moving them and then throwing them out.  I also wanted to thank BBBS for the great lunch at Minute Maid Park and to MD Anderson for the great reception for cancer donaters at the River Oaks Country Club.  Our community is so blessed to have such wonderful caring people to give of their time and money.  God bless you all.

Ride,Baby,Ride!
Leilani