We are Back in our City Home!

 Louis Dean and I took our time getting things in order before we left the ranch yesterday afternoon.
We even moved some things around so it would make it easier when we go back later this month.
As in, we will be bringing a new upright freezer - on the small size - but we decided where we would put it and have it ready. Then we moved the small fridge out of the camper to where the old freezer was.The new microwave - which we will also be bringing with us - will sit on top of that.
Moving things around can get complicated!
First we had to move the compressor so we could put the freezer there.
That meant we had to move the rollaway bed so the compressor could go in that space,
which meant the bed is now back where it once was!

Whew! By the time we were ready to leave, everything was clean and tidy and the car was packed tighter than Dick's hat band! The reason for that is I wanted to bring my art supplies back home and Louis Dean wanted to bring the small compressor home - not the large one that we had to relocate!
When we were ready to leave - the car wouldn't start!
We had left the phone charger plugged in all the time we were there and that was just enough to drain the battery. I never know what to do when things like that happen but I assumed Louis Dean would go down and get Sherry to jump start our car using battery cables. Nope! He pulled out a battery charger thingy and plugged it into a long extension cord. We went back in the front room and waited less than 10 minutes when he said to try and start the car again. It cranked right up!!
Turns out, he has a battery charger at the ranch and one here at home.
As a matter of fact, he used it to start Summer's van this morning.
It's been sitting in the driveway since November 9th so no surprise the battery was dead.

It was a little after 3:00 when we were at the gate.
That little dog belongs to Mr. Jackson who lives next door.
We usually carry dog treats to give her, but this time we were in the car!
She didn't seem to understand.

Since we were in the car and I was driving, we had to be home before dark.
My Waze directions said we would arrived right at 5:00 - smack in the middle of traffic!
I took care of that by stopping at Collin Street Bakery in Waco searching for apricot pie. No luck! They didn't have anything 'apricot! So I bought a cranberry scone for me and a peach turnover for Louis Dean to save for our breakfast and coffee this morning.

No problem.....I drove on to West, Texas and stopped at......

This is such a great place!
I could have spent an hour in there easily, but I restrained myself.
Candles, classy clothes, goumet foods and so much more....plus they still had a huge tent addition of Christmas decorations - all 40-50% off!
I walked around a little bit and then went to the bakery counter and bought a dozen apricot Kolaches!
My nest stop was in Hillsoboro at .....

the Bath and Body Outlet!

I bought lots of good things - all 50-75% off!
I would have stopped at the lingerie outlet there but I think it may have closed - or it could be in the second section of the outlet buildings. Sadly, most of the stores are all vacant now.
I'll double check on that one next trip.

My additional stops made perfect timing! We arrived home right at 6:00!

We unloaded, unpacked, had the washing machine humming and coffee ready to turn on the next morning.

Time to pour a nice glass of Chardonnay.

It was good to be home and I returned in much better shape - emotionally, mentally and physically - than when we left. Thank you, Louis Dean, for taking me to the beach and letting me hear the ocean and watch the waves and walk on the sand. Thank you, Dean and Sherry, for your hospitality and the good conversations and delicious meals. I am ready to live Life again!

Today I finished up the laundry, paid bills and did some arrands before going over to the Bells this afternoon. The kids made their Valentine boxes as well as Valentines for their classmates.

That's 4 boxes and 84 Valentines!

Photo courtesy of Amber

Logan had a box to decorate and the other three bought Valentine box kits.

I think it took nearly two hours to do these even with our help!

I was so happy I was there! Holiday things are more fun when you have children involved.

Photo courtesy of Amber

Their finished boxes!

Harrison did the whale, Trystan the unicorn and Kailey the one on the right with Logan's box in front.

They all chose fun Valentines and some fun things to put with them.

The time went by so fast that I looked up and it was dark!

Time to gather up my kitties and head home!

Good thing I can drive this route even at night.

We had to hunt down Samantha!

She was in the Princess bed.....

that's what they call it. It's really a cute little reading tent that Amber hung up for Kailey.

But Samantha thinks they did that for HER!

Tabitha was easy to find downstairs on the big cushy dog pillow......which she claimed for herself since she's been there.

They didn't make a peep on the way home.

Louis Dean came out to help me carry them in.

They are HEAVY!! No kittens anymore!

These are big cats!

Samantha went straight to her little box while Tabitha went over in the corner and curled up by the door.

They have been quiet this evening.

I was in the kitchen and they heard me clink the dishes and came running in and sat in front of the fridge. They remembered I give cream cheese treats!

I know they had such a good time at the Bells.

These are such blessed kitties.

They have three homes to explore......here and at the ranch and at the Bells!

I had a phone call this afternoon from the countertop people!

They will be here Monday afternoon to install them!!

I have a lot of work to do!

I have wished for and prayed to get these new countertops!

Now I will gladly do the work I need to do in order to have them!

......plus Louis Dean said he would help me!!