haphazard musings

More of the ranch.

We spent a beautiful day at the ranch. 

The weather was perfect.

We worked hard for a little bit.

Then we just enjoyed the day, the company, and later the food.

I got some amazing shots - well amazing for me. : )

 

 

 

 

A day in the

life of a pup.

A couple weekends ago we went to visit Ryan's parents out on the ranch.  I love going out there.  For some reason, something about hard work, dirt and grime make me love going there. 

Its such a different life from what I do here.  I often think I would enjoy the work more, because it is so much more labor-intensive. 

But then I tell myself, its still a novelty for me and that is why I think its so fun.

Then, there is Finley.  We are pretty sure that Finley loves life at the ranch.  I took a bunch of pictures because I am still getting used to my new camera and trying to work up to the fully manual settings.

So here you go.  Finley the Ranch Pup. (and good pal - Hank the Cow Dog).

 

See that really clean part on the door of the truck - that is Finley dripping saliva.  Happens almost constantly.

 

I know that one's a little blurry, but seriously I thought it was too cute to pass up.

If Finley could talk - I think he would say "Hi, I'm Finley, and this is my tongue.  I could lick you if you want."

 

"Thank goodness for water tanks.  I think Joe must fill them just for us."

 

Gotta get your rest when you can - its rough out there.

He would also say "Check out my stick - I just went and got it.  Could you throw it again please?"

"You lost my stick - now you pay."

 

"Jeez, Finley can really swim.  I am totally over swimming."

 

"Did you see that sunset pal?"

 

"Its been a long day...can I get a ride please?"

I can always

use another reason to encourage a good workout.

 

I got this today from someone from my workout group.

Whatever it takes right?

Which by the way I am three weeks into #8...work out four times a week for a month.

My Dream House

exists.

Well, honestly, there are lots of places that could be my "dream" house.

Requirements to be dream house (remember, this list is by no means exhaustive and as any good house hunter, concessions could be made for the right deal).

 - two stories

 - porch

 - red door (mine is red now)

 - big trees 

 - big kitchen

 - white (i love white houses)

 - old. with character.

I could go on, but I can see your eyes glazing over...yep...I'm loosing you.  SO.

But I found one that ranks right up there with the house in "Father of the Bride".

 

I have been loving that house since I was 10 years old and saw that movie with my mom at the Augusta Historic Theater.

I have also watched that movie at least 10 times since I was 10.  Man, one of the best movies of all time.

My dad was a little bit like George Banks when I got married too (not the unwilling to let me go part - but the unwilling to spend the money part). 

One time during the planning stages of our wedding, Mom and I went to the store to pick out our "custom" invitations.  They were about $7.50 a piece by the time we were done "designing."

After we recovered from the shock of how expensive paper was, we went home and told dad we got the invitations ordered and they were "only" $7.50 each. 

He flipped his lid.

Kind of like this: (this is the scene right after Frank - pronounced Frahnk - tells George they are moving out all the furniture and bringing in chairs, bringing in swans, rewiring the house, and rips his tux.

We didn't really buy them.  Just thought it would be a funny joke...but apparently, not so much.

Anyway, the point of this post is the house.

Love it.

Then found this.

Its only 15 minutes from Newton (read: not in Pasadena).

We are now best friends, me and this house. 

I can drive by it whenever I want - except that would be weird and creepy.

 

Now, if I could get that budget under control, perhaps it could be mine someday.

Well, maybe not that exact one...but I bet I could find the plans somewhere.

So frustrated today.

Its been one of those days. 

I don't feel very good about it.

I didn't get a lot done at work - not because there wasn't a lot to do (because there was).

More because I was in meetings all day.

I like meetings most of the time.  But today I wasn't into it.

I am upset though, mostly with myself.

Let me tell you why.

THE BUDGET. (wait - should that be red...)

I hate paying the bills and working out a budget.

I am not good at it. 

But it is my job, and I do it for work successfully, so one would think I could handle it here at home.  It should be less complicated.

I think I have everything all figured out and then - boom.

There is never any extra money at the end of the month.

I don't get it.

I'm not asking for a lot - just some extra to put in savings - its also one of my 101 things in 1001 days.

Where does it all go?

I will vow publicly, here and now:

I will buy nothing the rest of the month that I am not already committed to.

    That means like food - we're committed to eating meals (but no restaurants).

    That means like bills - we are committed to paying what we already owe.

Signed, Lindsay

I wonder how I will do.

Should be interesting.

So wish me luck.  Let's see how it goes.

Flag Day

So, because I don't have a flag at home or a place to hang it, I will be flying my flag on this little blog thanks to the lovely owner of this barn in Park City, UT.

 

It was right there - smack in the middle of the city.  This little farm.  Flying their HUGE flag proudly on the side of the gorgeous barn.

Happy Flag Day. 

It may just be a banner made out of red, white and blue cloth, but in my opinion, its not really about the flag itself, but our ability to fly it and be proud of why its there.

So a thoughtful thank you to and some whispered prayers for all the ladies and gentlemen that have fought for me (and the barn owner) to have all the rights and freedoms that Old Glory stands for.

As we head into

a new weekend.  I thought maybe I would recap quickly my last one. 

I spent a lot of time with some of my favorite ladies (and their kiddos)!

I went to about 20 garage sales on Saturday morning.  I got three great deals.

1. A California Duster (its for your car - no idea why its called California though) - $2  Original price - min. $25

2. A baby onesie (i don't know how to spell that...) - 25 cents.  Original price - ask someone with kids.

    ps. do not read anything into my purchase of baby clothes.  it was cute and 35 cents.  it will find another home.

3. 40 punch cups.  (to go with my gift card purchase of Crate & Barrel punch bowl and ladle) - $5 Original price - way more than $5. 

     

I am excited to use these items at some upcoming baby showers!  Gotta love almost free stuff!  Thanks Kels.

(On a side note:  We are having a garage sale today and I already made 3.50.  I have almost paid myself back  Wahoo!!!)

Then we headed to the water park near our houses.

It was this little guy's first time.   A little scared at first, then he embraced it with his whole heart!

Sunday we spent taking a nap and doing yard work.  It was perfect.

This weekend is bound to be a doozy.  Have a good one!

10 thoughts for today.

This will be RANDOM.  Get ready.

1.  I love the song September by Earth, Wind & Fire

Download 03 September

2.  I am a new fan of GLEE.  I thought it would be stupid.  But I am here to tell you it is ah-mazing!

3.  I am starving and I am excited about the pasta we are having for dinner.

4.  I am wearing a new necklace today.  It was made by a ridiculously cool lady who is adopting from Peru.  You should check them out - visit her blog and get your own.  Mine says "By Faith".  Yours can say whatever you want it to say.  That's how it works.  You ask...she makes.

5.  Jesus loves me so much I can't even imagine it.  And that is just about the coolest thought I have thought all day.  And the second coolest thought is that He loves you too.  Just as much as me. 

6.  I am an unashamed car singer.  In fact, I love to sing.

Favorite sing-a-long song of the moment.  Download 02 Nothing Without You

7.  Singing is something Ryan and I have in common.  One of us is singing all the time. 

But sometimes we dance - in the living room to 80's music - for like an hour.  You should try it.  Have your own dance party they are way better than dancing in public and its a good workout.

8.  Tomorrow is our Garage Sale!  We have some wicked cool stuff for sale.  Like furniture, a computer, a giant dog pen, and so so so much more.  You know its cool because it used to be mine.  Leave me a comment if you need the address!

9.  Ryan makes fun of me when I say "wicked."  Not sure why, something about Boston and me not being from there.  But pretty sure its one of my favorite words.

This "Wicked" is also cool.  Check it out here.

10.  Last night we had buy one, get one free milkshakes at Sonic with some of the fabulous young ladies from youth group.  They are super cool.  Love them.  Love the "older" ladies too!

And there you go.  My 10 consecutive random thoughts of the day.

Now you know what its like to spend 5 minutes in my head.  Scary, right?

Dodge City ...

...again.

Now I like to travel and I love to go to new places. 

Well, I maybe I should use stronger language.  I absolutely adore traveling and going new places.

The airport, the plane ride, the people watching, the food, and the destination.  Its really the whole thing for me.  Not just the destination.  I live for it.

Seriously.

Well, that and carbs, but that's another story for another time and place.

However...

(I have now put on my politeness voice.)

Dodge City is not a place that I enjoy traveling to.

Dodge City is not a new place that I haven't been.  

So it most certainly does not meet the criteria for being absolutely adored.

But I did go there last Friday.

It was a decent trip, but I must say that driving 3 hours and 20 minutes for a 4 hour meeting and then driving back 3 hours and 20 minutes makes for a VERY long day.

I did, however, come back with some new ideas and a new friend. :)

We also passed this house.  Love it!

 

 

I also tried something new. 

I bet you will never guess.

Not in a million years.

We went to the casino for lunch.  I couldn't take pictures - they were against the law - so that's all you get.

 

"Picture it - Dodge City, 2010..."  That's a little throw-back to some classic 1980's television.  I love to watch re-runs. 

A nice pat on the back to the person who tells me what show that's from.  I'll even give you the real line.  It went something like this:

"Picture it - Sicily 1924...a poor peasant girl..."

aaannyyway (my 80's re-run reminiscing is now over.)

I also got carded.  Apparently I still don't look 21. 

I also got asked not to take pictures by the guard...so you really will have to picture it for yourself - it looked like a casino.

But I ate this (tricky to take pics in the dark restaurant without the flash, but I managed to get it before the waitress came back with refills).

 

Do you know what it is?

I will give you a hint:

Ryan loves them and was proud of me for trying it.

They are also not oysters - but some people call them that.

Yep that's right. 

Rocky Mountain oysters, calf fries, or deep fried...well you get the picture.

Verdict - chewy, but kind of good especially dipped in ketchup.

Welp, that's it folks.  That was the peak of excitement in my Friday.

Maybe next time we'll go for a swim in the "concrete pond."

...sorry couldn't help it.  Old tv calls to me!  Thanks Nick at Night.

Tuesday Quote of the Day.

Perhaps this is something that will continue and perhaps not. 

One never knows.

Anyway...here it is.

"I call it the two-percent rule:  Two percent do the work; two percent cause the trouble; the rest eat the food."

    - Kenneth W. Gronbach, in The Age Curve

The Age Curve is an interesting read...if you have time, check it out.  Its a quick read too.  Very conversational.  It the summer book club book for the Newton Chamber of Commerce too.

Get it here or at Pages (literally here - you know - in Newton).