i said i'd be

back with a photo or two to share... and here I am.  My second print didn't arrive Saturday, as USPS predicted, but I did pick up the first one from Michaels.  So, if you'd like to support a cousin of mine, who on top of needing help with medical bills for a surgery was also diagnosed with cancer, you can come out to his benefit in Damon, TX and bid on one of the auction items, my print included.

Here's the first one

I really like how the brown mat turned out and the orange one looked really good too.  But... even though I didn't go to Texas A&M, I lived there while my parents attended and my son is there right now visiting his girlfriend who is also attending and let's face it, where I grew up, the orange wasn't acceptable, ESPECIALLY on a framed print of those particular animals.  So, I know this print will only go to a purchaser of 1) a certain decor or 2) a loyal supporter of my cousin but either way, it's way classier for not having the orange mat.

Speaking of animals, we installed an electric fence this weekend.  It's not totally finished.  I still need to bury the wire at the gates but it's attached to our wooden fence around the yard and the circuit is complete.  Training began yesterday.  It's tricky because we only have one collar since the one I picked up from Home Depot either isn't compatible or simply a POS.  Cosme took the dogs around the yard yesterday on their leashes, taking turns with the special collar while I held the other one and kept it entertained.  It took one zap and Archer won't go near the fence, even without the collar.  I would say there's a light at the end of the tunnel of progress but I'd hate to jinx everything.

in recent years

I've noticed that I get more and more intolerant of BS.  I place blame as such: 1/4 getting older, 1/4 social media, 1/2 people.

I've heard people complain about getting meaner with age but is it a proven fact?  I don't know.  I don't think I'm really getting to be a mean person but I think so many years of being a pushover and putting up with everybody else's BS is finally catching up and I'm skimming the surface of my breaking point.  Enter social media.  I'm reminded of the little things that some people do that really annoy me.  I'll stop here.  I typed more but deleted it and decided to not sound so bitter.  I mean let's face it, some people can't help being selfish or inconsiderate or whatever a good word is for being a waste of my time and energy.

Did you see that?  Am I turning over a new leaf?  Probably not but right now I'm letting it go.

Eric's going up to College Station this weekend and he's taking his dog with him.  Now that our yard has cinder blocked exit holes scattered along our fence, I bought an electric fence.  I had our yard guy fill in holes with dirt after I lined the bottom of sections with some kind of rolls of wire fencing.  Leave it to Archer to dig another hole.  I'm done.  I don't care difficult it might be, the electric fence is being delivered today and I will probably be installing on Saturday.  Next up on the list: a collar to stop his barking.  But, until that fence is up and working, Archer will go with Eric.  Did anyone ever think Maggie would be the dog getting into less trouble?  I'm going to place blame again.  This time it's parvo.  If Archer hadn't been parvo stricken, he wouldn't have spent all that time inside and in the front yard.  Guess where he wants to be?  Inside and in the front yard.

Wow.  Anybody need blame placed today?  I'm on a roll.

I still don't have any pictures to share.  I've been too busy but I will share a couple in a few days.  I have a cousin who has a lot of medical bills and there is a benefit coming up to help raise money.  Anyway, I'm donating a framed print or two.  I'll post the matted and framed finished product once I have them.  I would have them finished but... I was going to donate one but then Michaels had frames, buy one get one free.  I went ahead and bought two and now I'm having to wait on that second print to arrive.  I'll stick with the theme for today and place blame on Michaels for not being more like Hobby Lobby and just selling their frames for a percentage off.

Now I'm off to the grocery store and I'm blaming Mom.  I'm making cookies for her and I need more butter.

i don't really

know why I haven't posted anything lately.  Maybe it's because there's been so much going on, I haven't had time or know where to start.  Maybe it's because even though there's been a lot going on, it's just the regular old stuff that I haven't felt like stopping to type.  Maybe it's because I've been wanting to get out and explore with my camera but don't have anything.  Or, maybe it's because of all of the above... sprinkled with a little bit of the lazies.  Yes.  That's definitely it.

Let's see, to sum it all up:

- We were talking about a trip to Scotland but that's been postponed.
- We are now talking about a trip to Big Bend and are really just trying to pick a date.
- We have been talking about repairing our fence and adding a gate with a walkway.
- It is DEFINITELY allergy season.
- Cosme is working on his flying.
- Eric is working on his schooling.
- I am working on "whatever it is I do here", as Eric refers to it.
- I will be 42 on Saturday.
- Pets are exhausting.

On that note, I will try to be better with this blog.