Another Chance Ranch

Crazy Love & A Pretty Picture

Another DC photo.  I really liked being in DC, I am ready to go back. 

Now, Crazy Love!

Crazy Love is a book.  It is a very good book.  Before I say anything about this book, or before I give you a link to go and check it out I feel like I need to say something. 

For years I have struggled with whether or not to start a new blog, not a photo a day kind of thing I already tried that and I was not very dedicated to it.  Which is a pity, but that is just the way it was.  No, I wanted to start a blog that is based on religion.  When I started Another Chance Ranch I said that I didn't want to talk about religion or politics, but I am changing my ways.  I won't be talking about politics, not for now anyways, but I will be talking more about religion. 

I've thought about this for almost a month now, and I really hope I don't lose some of you because of the new content coming your way.   Nothing is really going to change around here, I just might share something that I heard in church, or read in the Bible, or in a book that I am reading.  Kind of like Crazy Love.  This is where that comes in.

Crazy love is a book that really makes you think.  I say I am a Christian, but after reading this book I have decided that I need to be a better Christian.  I will be honest with you, I think everyone should read this book.  But, be ready it has quite an Ouch Factor.  You know what an Ouch Factor is?  It is when you read something that describes you, and not in a good way.  I can't even count how many times I said, "ouch." 

Have you read this book?  Or one like it?  I am in the middle of reading another book like this right now, I will share that one with you later.

Anyone opposed to the new content coming your way?  Any thoughts on it? 

Meet Lady T

Lady T and her Daddy. 

Our friend Lady T was our tour guide in Washington D.C.  We loved every minute of it. 

We were at Union Station here, and we just happened to see these glasses as we were waiting for Lady P, T's momma. 

Now, look at the first photo, and then look at this next photo.  Which glasses look better?

I had no idea these glasses had the rhinestones on them until I saw this photo.  He is gonna love this one. 

I have started going through all of our D.C. photos, hoping to have a disc for our lovely tour guide soon.  Here is one of the places she took us.  Do you recognize it?

 

All the Surprises Revealed

A few details to help you understand the events of this weekend.  You see, my birthday is on the 23rd and my dad's birthday is the 27th.  We like to celebrate our birthdays together.  This year we had a major birthday surprise for my dad.  Huge surprise! 

But first I will tell you what was in the box, the birthday present.

Here's the box again...

You think you know what was in the box?

This is what was in the box!

My very own Macro lens.  A little too late for Ree's Photography Assignment. 

Then my parents, who you will see a little later in this post, got me this...

It looks kind of like a day planner or something with the cover closed.  But...

A nook!!!!  I was so excited!!!

Now for Dad's surprise!  Are you ready?  Hang on to your hat!!

This is my Dad's new pick-up!!!

McD and I went and picked it out, after being instructed by my mom on what she wanted the monthly payments to be, etc.  I knew exactly what he needed, so we set off on our mission.  We found it weekend before last, had the dealer hold the pick-up and get with my mom to get the paperwork started.  I took off work on Friday to spend my birthday shopping with my mom, that was our excuse for meeting in Oklahoma City.  But little did dad know that mom was coming to our house so we could get the papers signed for his new ride.  Everything went off without a hitch, and he was surprised.

Dad in a semi-happy dance mode.  He really was surprised!

My nephew just had to have the balloons, he had waited long enough, so McD is doing what he does best which is spoil him.  :)  Dad was elated!  Can you tell? 

Here are my parents.  And for those of you that are wondering, I look just like my dad.  :) 

Love you Mom & Pop!!

Sunday Shout Out - Qtswede

There is Never A Dull Moment over at Qtswede's place. 

I absolutely love what she has done with the place.  I love her masthead!  (Did you take that photo Qtswede?) 

She has just about everything over there.  You have to check it out.  Check out the puppies, they are adorable!  The horses, cute little things and big ones too.  The kids - beautiful! Oh scratch that, handsome!  You know boys don't want to be called beautiful, they are handsome!  Very handsome!

I love her photos and I want to know how she made those cupcakes!  You have to check them out.  

Head on over and see Qtswede!  Tell her that Julie sent you!  

~~~~~~

I forgot about doing a Sunday Shout Out so the Surprise that happened this weekend will be tomorrow.  It was HUGE!!!

Surprise Surprise Surprise

What tv personality does that remind you of?  I cannot say that word three times in a row without thinking of him. :)

What am I doing up at 5:30 am on a Saturday?  Come back tomorrow to find out.  It is a HUGE surprise!  Gotta run! 

Have a great day!

Still A Wonderer - A Present

But now, I am wondering what is in this.

I guess I am not supposed to open it until tonight when McD gets home.  it has been sitting on our table since Wednesday night when he asked me if I wanted to open my birthday present.  I told him I would open it then only if I had something else to open ON my birthday. 

What do you think is in the box? 

Hang on, let me get the measurements for you.

Okay, still there? 

8.5"W X 11.5"L  X 10"H

Weight?  You say?

2 lbs 12 oz

Any ideas? 

Well, I am guessing that it is not a Kindle or a nook, so I might be safe in buying one when I go to the big city with my mom today.  We are going to do a little shopping after we finish getting my dad's birthday present.  I would love to tell you all about that one, but it will have to wait until Sunday.  It is a surprise, and just when I think he isn't reading lately he will read.  So, as much as I would like to tell you I just can't. 

(Sorry about the WaterMark on my photo, I am trying out a new MCP Action.  New to me anyway.  I just got it figured out, but didn't have it figured out when I did this one.)

Hope you all have a great day!  I know I will!!

I'm a Wonderer

Wondering.

I have been wondering about a lot of different things of late. 

Like...

• When listening to an audio book is that considered reading it?  So when I get on GoodReads.com do I say I read the book?  Or leave it on my to read shelf?

• What is the proper way to set one's camera down?  I had a bit of a scare tonight.  I wanted to take a photo of Abby chewing on Mia's head, so I grabbed my camera and it wouldn't work.  I almost started crying right there on the spot.  But after panicking I fixed it.  I have to admit, I did say a few bad words  - really, really bad words, but I took them all back.  So they don't count.  Right?  I just know it all had to do with the way I set my camera down, because it was the battery pack thing-a-ma-jig.

• Ya think cookie dough has less calories in it than the actual cookies?  Or more?  At first my argument was that the dough has less calories/fat than the baked cookies because the heat of the oven would cause the calories to multiply.  But then I wondered about it a bit longer and decided that the baked cookies might actually have less calories/fat due to the heat burning some of them up.   Buy it?

• When will this pup be house trained?  Or when will we be trained? 

• Will I end up getting a Kindle or a nook?  (I think I have decided on this one.  It will be a nook.)  I am very excited!  Stef are you ready to order one?  Let's order at the same time!  I did all my research and want one now for sure.

• Hmmm, will there be a tornado tonight?  Hoping there won't be, but I hope it rains cats and dogs.

• Why do we say it's raining cats and dogs?  Really, where in the world did that come from?

• What in the world does this photo have to do with this post?  I think I picked it because it is pretty.  I love the way you can see so many different colors, the trees, and the geese (you have to look really hard).  Did you find them?  Over on the left hand side. 

• If I were a super hero, would I be Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, or the Bionic Woman?  Yea, I think I am sticking with Wonder Woman. 

• When will I get time to edit all 1000 photos from our trip to Washington DC?  Lady T I haven't forgotten you!  I did get your email and I am a horrible friend for not responding.  Can you forgive me?  I miss you!!

• Why are those silly bugs called June Bugs?  They are out long before June.  It is April and they are all over our porch.  Abby got one stuck on her nose the other night and it was quite a sight. 

• Will I ever have another Diet Dr. Pepper?  I kind of miss the belching aspect of drinking pop.  Yea, it really feels good to just let it out.  TMI?  I am seriously warped, did you not know?

• Are you as tired of this as I am?  :)

Trying the Quick Compose today. I might be making progress on the dear sweet mac. Trying some sweet talking this morning. But I did lose the photos. Not a good night last night. (At least i have them on my memory card still!)

Have a great day everybody!

Sick, just sick

Oh I had photos edited and ready to post tonight. But for some unknown reason I decided I needed to reboot my computer. I did and all the migration took effect. I am sick! Just sick! It changed the whole screen!

Talk about triggering a bad mood, that did it! Now nothing is working right!

What was I thinking? Hopefully everything will work by tomorrow night.

Getting Thin, Gardening & Abby

Oh as I was squatting in the garden, weeding the thing, I realized that if I keep this gardening thing up it might help me get thin in 2010. 

Up and down, and up and down.  Over and over.  Gardening is physical.  Physical!  Remember that Olivia Newton John song?  I hope so because I will be singing it for days I am sure.  Getting on our new elliptical will help too, but I just know if I keep everything up it might just work out for me.  How are you doing with getting thin in 2010?

The thing I like about getting thin in 2010, is that it encompasses the whole year.  Not like a New Year's Resolution where people think you have to achieve your goal in a month or so.  Or so it seems.  

~~~~~

While I am in the garden I seem to relax.  The other day I caught myself singing church hymns.  Then I sat there and watched an earthworm push his way back into the ground.  I don't think it was a he, I think they are all its aren't they?  I will have to research that.  I wanted to run back to the house and get my camera, but I knew I would miss it if I left.

While gardening I get to play in the dirt, something I have always loved.  I get whistled at quite frequently, by the birds.  It was pretty funny.  I sat there listening to the little bird whistling at me, and then as if right on que an owl said, "who" "who" as if he was asking who the little guy was whistling at.  :)

~~~~~

And Abby.  I just had to share this photo.  The other day she wanted to sit with me, or so I thought.  She just wanted to lay on the couch.  She is so stinkin' spoiled.

She is silly!  She loves to lay with her head all cocked back.  She is a mess.  She is almost 20 pounds now, and is approximately 12 inches tall.  And she has huge paws.