Oh, Deer! ARGGGGHHHHH!!

Well, well, well. What a day.

It all began calmly enough. I got myself and the dogs ready to go paint shopping, and we went out the door toward the truck. I walked around putting things in the various doors, then got in the driver’s seat and shut the door. Just before I turned the key, I looked to my left, and standing about 15 feet away was this handsome fellow . . . . .


A nice little two point buck. He didn't seem to be at all concerned about me. He was just grazing and watching us. I thought about taking a picture and realized that I'd left the camera in the house. Rats!

I decided to go get the camera. I knew it would scare him off, but I didn't want to be without it, because every time I am, I regret it. So I carefully opened the door and walked as softly as possible around the back of the truck and into the house. My friend didn't move! When I returned, I saw that he was gone, regrettably , but was still glad to have the camera. As I stepped back into the truck, I saw that he had moved only a few feet away, and I wondered if I could get a picture. Obligingly, he calmly walked back to the spot where he was earlier, just a few feet away.


I think he was as curious about me as I was about him! He watched me cautiously, but without fear.


He craned his neck a few times as if wondering what I was doing, and occasionally reached down and took a bite or two of grass.


And he just kept watching me watching him!


Once in a while, he would stretch his neck out and peer at me.


But in the end, he simply went back to grazing. I wasn't all that interesting. Even when I started the engine and backed away, he stayed put and continued to munch. I wondered later if I might have been able to get even closer, but that can come in time. Don't want to scare him off forever by being too aggressive.

I headed down the hill to Lowe's in Alamogordo. It was a gorgeous day, in the 60s and 70s, and the drive was very nice. I got the paint and paint supplies, looked a little at refrigerators, washers and dryers, lighting fixtures, and bought a Rubbermaid step stool ... so I can get into the bed of my truck!!! Yeah, I found out I ain't as young as I used to be! I tried to swing my leg over the side yesterday, and ... well, let's just say it wasn't pretty! Then I tried to jump up on the tailgate, landing on my butt like I used to do. Didn't make it. Dang!! There is a C/W song by Toby Keith that came into my head ... "I ain't as good as I once was But I'm as good once as I ever was." Weeeelllll, maybe not even once! But I'm durn cute! LOL!

I headed down the street to buy a pair of jeans. Found what I wanted right away, and as I was leaving the store, Allan called to let me know we have a glitch in the house finalization. Well, of course we do!!! Grrrrr. It is a long story but it boils down to the fact that New Mexico has been going through "deactivation" of titles to mobile homes. They used to be considered "motor vehicles," and once they are put on foundations, they can be considered "real property," and the Motor vehicle title is deactivated. They are then referred to as "manufactured homes."

Well, my home was deactivated. Good deal. Saves me a lot of trouble. However ... and there is always one of those, isn't there? ... it seems the seller has lost the deactivated title. Now replacement should be a cinch. Yeah, it should be. But Allan learned today that there are holdups in getting a replacement title so it can be stamped "deactivated" and free the property to be sold. There is more to it than that, but I tried to make it as short as possible. It comes down to everyone running around trying to get this accomplished, the seller, both realtors, the mortgage company, the title company, the Department of Motor Vehicles. And the bottom line is that we probably can't close on Wednesday as planned. ARGGGGHHHH!! And we don't know how long it will take to get the necessary paperwork done. ARGGGGHHHH!!

It actually shouldn't take long, and I expect we will close in a few days. It just puts a dent in so many plans. The realtors are trying to work out an arrangement so that I can pay "rent" for a few days, if necessary, and be able to go ahead and move my furniture. And paint. And have the carpet shampooed. OK, OK, I'll live. But what a damned nuisance. And I surely would have appreciated someone letting me know that this was afoot. The title company was trying to resolve it, and their intentions were good, but HELLLLLOOOO! I'm the anxious buyer here! Ah, well, tomorrow is a new day, and I should know more then. Allan has asked for an estimate of time to accomplish this so we can plan. I will be a homeowner again in March, not February. It could be worse!

After hearing all this news, talking with Allan and the mortgage company a couple times, I finished my errands then treated myself to a LotaBurger and the "kids" to a hamburger patty, followed by a walk in the park before starting home.

One day at a time, one day at a time!