On the road again.

Heading back to Oatmeal ranch for some wide open spaces while I do my pre-reading for grad school. Here is the checklist for the trip:

Get puppies vaccinated for rattlesnake bites. Check.
Plot out reading assignment on calendar, leaving enough time to do some fun shopping in the hill country. Check.
Print out map of nearest vet and hospital to Oatmeal. Check.
Pack up latest additions to ranch decor. Check.
Load Mom's Kindle with plenty of juicy mysteries. Check.
Purchase rattlesnake repellent, rubber boots, and Great Stuff to fill in any holes where mice (aka snake snacks)might get into ranch house. Check.
Secure puppy car seats. Check.
Ask neighbor to get mail, newspaper and feed cat. Check.

Still to do:

Pack for myself, and the dogs. Mom still needs to pack,too.
Bake a blackberry pie to take with.
Finish up the mixed media longhorn collage to take with.
Bathe dogs.
Give Freddie his doggie Dramamine 30 minutes before we leave.


Yes, we did see a rattlesnake about a mile from the ranch house last week, and yes, I am intent on keeping them away from my mom, my dogs and myself. We don't have the wagon master to wake us at 5:00 a.m. Tomorrow, but I'm confident we can wake up in plenty of time to be at the ranch by noon. Cell service is sketchy, so posts may be infrequent, but I will make every effort to keep up with the snake report.