I went out with friends last night for dinner and live music. My life is so totally different now than it was when Mr. Virgo was alive. We didn't go out much. We didn't socialize. We stuck together like glue, I think because I knew instinctively that I wouldn't have him forever. A friend of mine is a widow and she said she and her husband were the same way. She had to find a whole set of friends for support. Coming here was good for me because I had an instant set of friends from high school and I've met some really great people. I am blessed with wonderful friends.

I have spent a good portion of the last couple of days responding to some lovely comments here on The Ranch since my article was published. So many new readers have come to join us on this journey. One gentleman spoke of losing his lovely wife a few years ago. They had planned to sail up and down the eastern seaboard together in the boat of their dreams. When they found she was dying, they sold the boat. Then, a month before she passed, she picked out a new boat for him. One in which she knew he would be safe carrying out their life's dream. What really touched me was, when he has overwhelming feelings of grief, he sits in the back of the boat and watches the water go by, just as life does. I also find water comforting. I'm such a visual person. Water rushing by symbolizes cleansing, birth, hope, life. Water IS life. I can feel the strength pouring back into my soul now. In a little less than two weeks will be Mr. Virgo's second Angelversary. I'm trying it on, like last year's sweater, to see how it fits. I'll let you know.

SO much to write about today! First off, I was thrilled that my article has been picked up and published on The Tiny House Blog! Last week it was featured on Comet Camper. Thank you, Mariah and Kent! You can find the article HERE. I've gotta tell ya, I was dancing in my boots over here! I've receive amazing response from more beautiful people. I'm living a charmed life! ❤

One of my friends has been in the throes of renovating a bathroom for the last three weeks. She has a hired man who does work for her but because of other commitments and this abysmal weather we've been having, he hasn't been there to work. And the empty shell of her bathroom sits there staring at her. My friend is a strong, self reliant woman so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She knew how to do just about everything but use the circular saw. I did a great deal of construction when I renovated my mom's house so she texted me Monday and asked if I could help her. I went over yesterday morning and, first things first, we headed to Panera for coffee and breakfast. That's the only way to start a project! Then it was off to Home Depot and Lowe's to buy supplies. In just a few hours, we had all but a small section of the floor covered with new underlayment in preparation for new flooring. We'll finish Friday.

When I picked out my camper for use as my tiny home on wheels, I was towing with a Ford Expedition. I had to work within a weight limit and that subsequently limited my choices among the trailers I had to choose from at my local RV dealer. I was determined to buy local to support our economy. Ultimately, I purchased a 2015 Starcraft Launch Ultra Lite 24RLS (rear living space). I knew from the get go that storage space was minimal but I was also determined to downsize in order to fit.

One of my sweet friends sent me a text yesterday morning begging me to come in out of the cold. She was attempting a "wintervention". She was quite alarmed that the temperature had plummeted 20℉ since dawn two hours before. She knew that not only do I not have running water, but now my refrigerator doesn't work. How can any sane person live like this? Ummmmm. Good question.

I'll admit it. I'm a princess. I think my little foray to a local historic hotel for a weekend of indoor camping proves that. I have stayed in some pretty fine hotels around the country, most notably in Aspen. But I have to tell you, I have never been treated better than I was at the Blennerhassett Hotel this weekend. I walked in, literally dragging my suitcase and briefcase, getting stuck in the door on my way in. From the moment they set eyes on me to the moment they placed that same briefcase carefully in my truck at checkout, I was literally treated like royalty. The room I was given was perfectly lovely. A king bed with a hundred pillows and crisp white sheets was a welcome respite. The tub was the perfect size for soaking my so sad and weary bones after the deep freeze of the last couple of weeks. The only thing that was somewhat bothersome was a couple of dogs in a room down the hall. They did create quite a ruckus when their people went out, which seemed to be quite a lot. When I went down for my morning coffee Saturday, I mentioned this to the front desk clerk and she said she would see about it. I went back to my room to write and by 11:00, the barking had not let up. I called down to the front desk and asked if it was at all possible to be moved. There were no questions asked. They immediately moved me to a lovely room, a bit bigger, on the floor above. The bellman had no sooner left till I looked into the bathroom, and…..no tub! Noooooo! The whole purpose of this exercise was to soak in the tub…as long as possible. I called down and told the clerk I really didn't want to be THAT guest and pointed out the lack of a tub. She remembered me telling her how important that was at check in and immediately set to finding me the perfect room. And she did…wow! I have lived in apartments that were smaller than this room! On top of that, I was given a small box of Holl's chocolates "for my trouble". Are you kidding??? I felt like a member of the family. Thank you so much, Dorinda and the rest of the staff. Honestly, I couldn't have been happier with my stay and look forward to seeing you all again, even if it's just for coffee or lunch.

Mr. Virgo was born and raised in Philadelphia and spent a large portion of his life in Florida. However, the home of his heart was Colorado. He knew I wanted to come back to West Virginia and he would have done anything for me. So, a few years ago, he came here to this very hotel I'm staying in and interviewed for the Food and Beverage Director position. That's one of the reasons I chose this place to stay for my brief respite from the cold and snow. He had been here. So, a part of his energy remains and I wanted to find it.

Ok, I'm tough. I think you all know that about me by now. But, when I went in the fridge yesterday morning and all my frozen food was thawed out and I couldn't get my feet warm and I realized I haven't had a bubble bath or shaved my legs since Christmas and we're expecting 5-8" of heavy wet snow rain sleet vermin frogs…whatever…I gave up for the weekend. I talked the lovely front desk clerk at the hotel of choice into a reasonable rate, packed my little suitcase, gathered my reading and writing materials, and headed for town. I've already had the first of what I am predicting are several hot baths, I feel semi-human, and I'm going to nap and write to my hearts' content. Thank you, God…for MasterCard and lavender bubble bath. Take THAT, Winter…you're not the boss of me!