THE BULL & THE GOAT; Quartzsite-AZ

Anticipating our trip through the Pass and over the hill to Bouse this afternoon, we were drinking our mugs of joy juice, and watching traffic … when a gust of wind sent Independence rocking & palm trees vigorously swaying 😳

An amber haze of sandy grit hovered in the atmosphere, too; we're pulling stakes here on Monday, and hope Kingman's air quality is friendlier.

Pretty gusty, this morning; The Pit Stop~Quartzsite-AZ

Immediate County Work still going on: this week, sewer lines are being dug out, and man-cover lids dug out & leveled with the new blacktop that was recently laid.

County Work continues …

Around 10:30 A.M., Holland told me that Gene Hackman has died 😞 I've watched most of his movies - my favorite, is "Zandy's Bride": I've watched that movie so much, for so long, that I know the script by heart 😉 I am trying to track the Novel down; it's a vintage writ, so it will take time to find a copy, and beaucoup bucks to buy it.

Gene Hackman

1974 'Zandy's Bride' Movie Poster & the 1942 Novel that the movie was based on; I liked the movie - the book will be much better.; which means it will be an excellent Read 😉

Gene was an excellent character actor, and supplied me with decades of hours of entertainment 👏 He lived a long life - ending at 95 yo. His presence is greatly missed.

Finally on our way to Bouse, Holland and I were discussing a loosely planned future … when he cracked off, saying I had a head like a goat - and that made me laugh. When he looked at me with a raised eyebrow, I said, "Well, that fits because I am a goat - I am a Capricorn." He swallowed a chuckle before saying, "Hmm; I never knew that. No wonder you're so wily - have you ever watched goat ropers; those goats see a rope in hand, and they are doing everything they can to escape the lasso." I couldn't help quipping, "Yeah, you're finding that I can be a little hard to rope, too." We both broke out in laughter.

I {AM} a 'goat'. Hahaha

It is good to be laughing in good spirits, again ❤️

Orleans - 'Still The One' Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5aMMRes2u4)

In Bouse, we got what we wanted at the fresh produce tent, and Holland treated me to a leisurely drive back to Independence.

Today was a good day for the bull and the goat 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

THIS WOMAN WANTS A REAL MAN

Amen … this chicka wanna real man; and that includes dealing with the macho side of my man's persona 😉

A strong woman should want a strong man.

"You Want A Man To Be A Man!": 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3-9ATEfbDI)

My man's macho attitude may drive me crazy some days - but a limp wristed sissy wearing a man bun and makeup doesn't appeal: a preening peacock can't do for me what my real man can do.

NO MATTER WHAT we may be going through, working through, or saying out of frustrated anger in attempts be be heard by the other … I KNOW that my husband will always be thinking of me 100%. In fact, 9 times out of 10, he is the first to forgive and make the first move towards reconciliation.

He safeguards our finances, and always makes sure I have significant "mad money" at my fingertips.

He sleeps closest to the threshold door, so he's the first to meet trouble if it forces itself into our home.

When he heard I was hiking by myself in the backcountry, he came home with Bear Spray and said, "I want you to carry this with you always."

He will nearly always come home with something for me that I mentioned in conversation (sometimes weeks or  months ago), handing it to me and saying, "I saw this today and remembered you said you like it." I am always surprised when love gifted … and thankful that I'm on his mind, all the time ;-)

When I had a bad asthma attack, but insisted I wanted to spend time with my girls at Bible Study - Holland drove me there, and sat in the pickup accepting inquisitive glances (and probably wrong assumptions), while graciously turning down invites to come inside for coffee and cake because he didn't want to intrude on my personal care day.

And a few weeks ago when I felt the need to go to ER, he drove me there … and sent me caring texts, "Don't worry - I'm here" because he knows I hate hospitals and was more than a little jittery.

Holland's macho man persona is tempered by his gentle, compassionate, and loving side 😘 

So, no matter what (((I))) say or do … I'm not going to let anyone badmouth, or disrespect my man. Holland has done me righteous - God's truth.

A macho man is not something I am familiar with; these type of men always annoyed me. But macho fits Holland - he wouldn't be him without that side of his personality. And I guess the reason it doesn't annoy me, is because he doesn't lord himself over me: in fact I found myself being more annoyed at the lenient freedom he seems content to give me. Go figure. But I understand him more now … and I've stopped yanking at the loosely held reins, and stomping the ground in mustang revolt. Where macho used to be annoying to me, I find it strangely appealing; even kinda respectful ;-)

Our {issues} have to do with bleed-over insecurities from past traumas; both of us carry emotional baggage.

And we are working through those - together.  Love forgives … and we love. Our life is complex, but I am glad Holland is in my Life. It certainly is never boring!

I am a woman that can (and has) taken care of myself all my life: before, during, and after Bob. Holland knows this about me because he was my best friend and cheered me on since 2021 - he has supported me through the darkest and hardest days of my Life; he is a special person, and he deserves (and gets) my love and respect.

A GAME OF NUMBERS; Woodland-WA

We had planned last night to go to Vancouver this morning - before the morning phone call. Holland received a call from a man in Seattle giving him a quote for the repairs to Independence … none of that sounded right (quote or location), so we drove straight to Vancouver to find out what was going on.

Holland worked in construction for decades; he would know pricing on materials.

The drive went smoothly and convo was enjoyable.

I waited in Betsy while Holland paid a visit to the Office.

Repair quote sounds pretty low, so to Vancouver we go …

$21,000.00 is the quote for full inspection and repairs …

Vancouver-WA from Woodland-WA; 19 min (17.5 mi) via I-5 S

RV Pro; #418 NE Repass Rd Ste A1, Vancouver, WA

Holland making sure all the boxes were checked & match the repair quote.

I watched clouds while I waited … fat, fluffy, heavy, & low floating clouds ;-)

When he came back to Betsy, he said they had done a thorough inspection, and the quotes were right - so, now all we are waiting for is the Insurance inspector to check Independence out and submit his quotes. Independence will be repaired, not totaled.

Holland says the repair quote was correct.

It's a numbers game of waiting until everyone involved in the {fix} has had a look & an opinion.

Both the RV Repair Shop & the Insurance Rep's are winners; we want to get a good deal, too.

On another note, Holland is working on marriage repairs also; it's been 14 days without alcohol or Vicodin - the withdrawals are strong, but so has he been. My Taurus swan man did not like reading the posts his feisty Capricorn posted about his behavior: he said, "I do not appreciate what you posted for everyone to read." I replied, "I do not like living through what I posted for people to read." 

Things started changing yesterday afternoon.

We will be here in Woodland, until the 21st, then possibly in Kalama for a few weeks. After that, we don't know where we will be … but we know we will be working things out together - the hardest hurdles are being cleared, and everything else looks promising :-)

MY BIRTHDAY~67 Years; Yuma-AZ

December 29th: This morning dawned beautifully … and colorfully 😁

And when the cobwebs have been chased away by several cups of joy juice, we'll be getting Betsy & Independence ready for road travel on the 1st 👏

My two eldest granddaughter's texted me Birthday greetings and love, while I sipped my hot coffee 🥰

I love it when beautiful things happen, and life rolls smoothly👍😉

Today is my Birthday; I bought this flamingo crown m.o.n.t.h.s. ago to be worn today 😉

Bleu enjoying personal time with Mom ;-)

I glanced out the window - and saw Yeshua's BD Kiss to me; a beautiful colorful sunrise; Yuma~AZ

All my days are numbered by Elohim; He alone decides how long I'll walk this Earth … He apparently has graced me with another sunrise. I am greatly loved, highly favored: and eternally thankful :-)

My tribe is carefully chosen. My inner circle is very small. My 'peopling' time is short-lived; otherwise I am a very good person to know, outgoing, and friendly … toward people who behave in my space 😉

Today - LAST YEAR - love had snuck up on me, and caught me up in a whirlwind of epic proportions.

LAST YEAR'S POST FOR TODAY: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/12/unquestionably-loved.html)

These 11 months of "wedded bliss" have been a wild bronc ride … but that's okay; I'm partial to cowboys 😍 and mustangs - and I'm a bit of a wild ride, myself 😉

My bull-headed Taurus; Highs or lows … and head butting's aside; this man 🥰 Elohim blessed me with is the best gift I have received this year. Things can only get better 🤞❤️ ;-)

In a few days we'll be celebrating our 1st Anniversary 🥰

I think we two headstrong and very independent hard-heads have {it} figured out, now 😘

Shania Twain - 'You're Still The One' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMmqh4Ut_Uo)

We had to go into town this afternoon to Harbor Freight, to grab some things needed for our upcoming road trip; I stayed in the truck with Bleu. When Holland came back out to the truck, he handed me 2 bags, and said, "This one's for me - the other one is for you; I was thinking of you, too." 🥰

Inside my bag were several goodies that are PERFECT for this Road Gypsy 😁👏😘

I have plans for the back bunkroom that Holland is aware of: when we set up long enough again, that back part of our 5th Wheel Home will be revamped into my {Babe Room}, where I'll be doing my ✂️, 🏋️‍♀️,💻,📺,📀- and generally giving Holland breathing room for a few hours 😉

I bought an extra-long TV Tray, step exerciser, and a few adhesive LED lights: and a few "she cave thingees" the other day while in town - and yarn is being squirreled away for my creative designs; so the revamp is already taking place 🤔 But the flip-switch LED lights Holland gifted me with today are super-duper, and so much brighter than the smaller one's I got! Now, every time I am back there doing "my thing", I'll be surrounded by Holland's love light 🥰💝

And the spot light LED's are perfect for Bleu's early morning forays 👍

Thank YOU Baby! You know me so well … and you do righteous by me 😍😘💓

YOU MATTER! You were purposefully designed, created, and placed on the Earth for a very specific reason. YOU matter 👍

My BD Gifts from Holland - it is the PERFECT gift combo for this Road Gypsy! **kiss-kiss**