AWOL

Wow...it's been a long time. Seeing my last few posts down there are bittersweet as we no longer have Buster. He was the best cat ever but decided it was time to cross the Rainbow Bridge a few months ago. We have new additions (two kittens) and I'll eventually post new pics. Today's post however is to announce a new blog I'm launching called Health Kick in the Pants. I know there are some changes I need to make and being the creature of habit that I am - well, this feels like a mountain I am about to climb. I'm hoping by keeping an online blog of my journey will help me be more accountable and successful as a result.

As far as how this is all related - I think there is a domino effect that takes place when you feel good and improve your health. The progress at Flying Pies Ranch has been slow and I think that is because we are allowing the chaos to win. It's hard to keep up on the day to day stuff (laundry, dishes, etc) let alone tackle the bigger projects (floor trim, 50's kitchen remodel, etc.). I think on the days we feel overwhelmed it's so much easier to say "screw it" and watch a movie, crack open a cold summer beer, or whatever. However, that's not getting us or our beloved ranch anywhere.

We can do better.
We can be better.
Let's do this!

Korey's take on things...

Too busy to update with pictures and progress - but I thought the following conversation with Korey was amusing enough to post:

Korey "Mama, I don't like Washoe Balley (valley)."
Me "You don't? What do you mean?"
Korey "I don't like it because it says "wash" in it"
Me "Oooh...so you like the place...Washoe Valley, just not what it's called?"
Korey "Uh huh."
Me "Well what do you think it should be called?"
Korey "Hmmm...I think it should be called Doh Doh Ha Ha"

So there it is. According to Korey Bear we live in Doh Doh Ha Ha Balley. Such a silly lil' feller...

He also insists that we are a pterodactle family as opposed to human. Who knew? :)

Indroducing Buster!

Kitty Condo :)

We decided to move the kitties over since Dono had some extra time off and could hang out with them while they adjusted. Unfortunately Smoky wasn't having it so Buster came all by himself. We did end up catching Smoky, despite her continued rebellion, but I didn't get pictures of her yet. It is so nice to have critters around the house (no offense to Lucy the dog of course).

~Welcome to the ranch kitties!!!~

Before & After - Guest Room

I figured since I just had my first guests a good place to start with "before & after" pics would be the guest room. When I moved in, the carpet was dark ugly 70's shag brown, the walls had a bunch of unfinished patch work done, and the closets had been drawn on. Somebody drew a mushroom and wrote Bob Marley quotes. If I were still in Chico, that closet door might have worked - but not here!

BEFORE:


AFTER:

What I love about this place...

The views are beautiful. There are two lakes nearby. Washoe Lake and Little Washoe Lake. There are also wetlands (pictured).










Lucy, the neighborhood dog, comes to visit often. I still have no idea what neighbor this doggie belongs to. The guy across the street told us her name and said she liked to roam and visit. I guess when school is in she meets the kids at the bus stop everyday. We love her :).

There are cool hiking trails all over the place. There are also parks. Korey is pictured walking the trail to the wetlands lookout.



Of course one of our favorite things is motorcycles! Wyatt likes to ride the "bazooki" all around the backyard. He's picked it up quickly. Korey likes to get rides from DC on "da big Honda".







The apple tree pictured is near and dear to my heart. When I was looking for houses, Wyatt's only request was that we find a place with an apple tree. I didn't realize until after I bought FPR that this particular tree was an apple tree...so it was a wonderful twist of fate. I knew we had truly found our home.

Once upon a time...

...There was a little acre in Washoe Valley that needed a bunch of TLC. There was something about this little place though - it had so much potential. Turns out the *right* people found the *right* place - and the Flying Pies Ranch was born.