It must be another Monday!

Good morning, Campers.  Hope you northerners are staying warm.  Given that the low Sunday morning down here was below freezing (26 degrees, but at least the wind is blowing), it must be cooler in the Great White North.  There is a bit of something I believe is called "Rain" in this week's forecast. Hope it's not Freezing Rain, NOBODY knows how to drive in that!

We shall see what will be!

I did get some good news this past week.  Rather than spit it out, I'll see if y'all can figure it out.

Yep, the Brain and Spine Neurologist gave me the go ahead to wean myself off the neck brace over the next 3 weeks.  Need to wear it to bed and if I am going to be physically active.  But...it is progress.

No, Beans, he was unable to find my brain during the exam.

Feels wonderful to take the brace off. I was getting a bit "cranky" so Mrs J is now happier also.

This past week we also had our first episode of "Why did you move to College Station?".

 

Mrs J and I had our first time alone with the Grand Kids.  MBD and "The Rev" had "Saving the World" requirements at work.  So, they asked.  We said Yes!  It was pretty fun, although we were glad when the 'Rents got home.

Yes, Beans, we slept well that night!

As regular readers know, we own two mare paint horses.  Just to refresh y'all, their names are "Cabernet" and "Merlot".  While Mrs J and I do love wine, their names were given them before we adopted them.  They moved to CStat a couple of weeks before us.  Our rental house is a bit small for them, so they are being boarded at a place called "Stall and Oats" 

No, Beans, I'm not kidding!

They seem to be doing ok.  The stabling agreement includes a requirement that we have to muck the stalls at least 3 days a week.  

Don't ask, Beans!

 

 That's them on the right side of the fence.  Merlot is on the left, Cabernet on the right. They seem to be somewhat enamored by the MALE Paint horse on the other side of the fence.  They didn't want to have anything to do with us while they were flirting, so mucking was a bit easier than usual.

Thank you, Lord!

We also had a bit of progress this week on the house we're  going to build.  We set up a meeting and met on the property with the Builder and his Wife.  She happens to be a Realtor, so she also had a lot of good suggestions.  

This is the back of the house which will be demolished.  That's how close the "jungle" is. The trees that are to the right of the house will be cut down. 

 The builder walked the perimeter of the property which is no easy task.  The intent was to check the integrity of the fence.  The fence will require repair/replacement.  Given my neck condition, I elected to not go with him, too easy to slip and fall.  A fall might not be a good thing medically and getting out of the brush might not be feasible either. Additionally, we found lots (lots and lots) of underbrush that will need to be taken out.  There were a few Live Oak trees that weren't in too good shape and were a bit closer to the house than we'd like, so they'll be taken down also.  But the majority of the Live Oaks will stay.  Shade in Texas is a sought after blessing. 

 Yes, Beans, another advantage of taking down some of the trees is....Firewood.

On the good news side, he said that adding a couple of acres of fenced in area was feasible and should be enough for horse grazing.  Additionally, a fenced in yard for the dogs and a "front yard" for the Grandkids to play in also were feasible. 

The driveway is gravel and might need a bit of work, but all in all, completely doable.  Additionally, the electrical hook up (whatever it's called) is in a very convenient location for all five buildings that will be built.  

Beans, those would be our house, my Brother's cabin, the horse barn, my workshop and Mrs J's "She Shed", (her sewing cabin) 

So, it's off to the bank this week for a construction loan.  We've already got verbal approval for that so, hopefully, no problema.

All told, a pretty darn good week!  Hope yours was also and continues to be in this week.

Peace out, y'all!