I declared today casual day here. That means I don’t have to feel guilty about not getting dressed and wearing my mu-mu and robe all day long. I feel very lazy today and just want to get to work instead of doing all that dressing thing and combing the hair. Though, I did brush my teeth out of respect for the cats.

Hubby is out of town and DD and grandson left yesterday so we are all alone and loving the freedom.

We got some rain today–a bunch and boy we sure can use it. but now at mid day it seems to have stopped. The NOAH site says we should get some more. I hope so. It really is so dry and brown out there even with the rain we have had this week. The burn ban was lifted temporarily so the local farmers and ranchers could burn what they had piled up, but we still cannot have fires in the fire circle where we would love to cook hot dogs and sit around on the weekends.

MOVING ON

We finally got our taxes done. It took two trips and two returns to do it. I felt so stupid that I had not got all the stuff together but actually thought it was covered. See, I had this large brown envelope on my desk that I had been stuffing all tax stuff and it should have just be a matter of grabbing that envelope and going. But, it turned out that there were things that did not make it into that envelope. While at H & R Block questions arose that there were no papers to answer.

When we got home, I discovered several more 1099’s and so hubby had to go back the next day. Meanwhile, I spent the remainder of the day sorting, trashing and getting all the papers I could out of my office. Hubby then burned them all in a trash barrel when he got home. It took the better part of two hours to burn all those papers, that is how much there was. My filing cabinet drawer was stuffed, front to back when I started and now it is only half full. I found things from 30 years ago! But, it is all cleaned out now.

I remember going through my mother’s filing cabinet when she was moving one time and finding things like that. Now that she is in an assisted living home, my sister has had to go through all her papers and things and I just don’t want my daughters to have to weed through all my junk sometime in the future. So, now they won’t have to.

THE FREEBIE

Today’s freebie is a bow for you to recolor. The files include a ribbon too so you can match the bow up to a ribbon. Please note, there is only one bow, I just wanted to show it in different colors so you could see how well it takes the colors.

I’ve looked up April Fool’s day on Google and have come up with several different versions of why it came into existence. Snopes has several of them listed.

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/aprilfools/origins.asp

I did find that supposedly in Scotland, April Fool’s day is celebrated for two days and that the second day is devoted to tricks associated to the rear end. Hmmm….like sticking a sticky note on a chair that sticks to someone’s rear end and it says,”kick me”! Anyone from Scotland wanna comment on this?

Some quotes I thought appropriate for this day:

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” Ralhp Waldo Emerson

“If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.” Bob Basso

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” Dale Carnegie

“He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day needs to reorganize his life.” George Matthew Adams

To help you celebrate the day, I have made some balloons! (please not daughter, that I made the preview color co-ordinated!) There are three of them, but you can duplicate and recolor them to make a whole herd of balloons.

Blog Balloons

So, I am hoping we are gone right now. Hubby and I are contemplating a road trip to view the dogwood trees and will probably be gone for about three days. They should be gorgeous this time of year. So, I am writing this early and setting it to be posted later in the week! Like the title says, “Isn’t tech wonderful?”

I’ve looked and looked for a photo I have of the dogwoods. We had toured in Louisiana before when the dogwoods are blooming. But, I cannot find it. I did find lots of cds of photos that I cannot see since they are in the wrong format. Why do these companies insist on putting all that junk in there with our photos? One cd even froze up my computer! I can’t tell you how many Seattle Photoworks cds I have. But, you have to have their program to view the images on the disks. At least you do for the older disks I have, have not checked them out lately.

Some of these disks are floppy disks. Remember those? Then, I even had some photos on zip disks. But, thankfully I copied those photos to a cd before getting rid of my last zip drive. Whew, just luck there cause I really was not thinking too much about photos at that time.

Isn’t tech wonderful?

Anyway, here is a photo of some blooms that I found on the internet. These are a little more pink than the ones I remember seeing.

Dogwood blooms

Hopefully, I will be able to get some more photos while we are gone. I just love to see those little dogwood trees among all the tall pine and oaks in the forest along the way. They seem to just shine out among all the other trees that have not yet put on their spring and summer leaves. The wisteria should be blooming as well, and there are some places where it has grown wild among the trees. This year, I might be able to get hubby to stop so I can take some photos of them.

I got a freebie for you all while I am away. It is another overlay. It too is Commercial Use OK

Preview

I hate it, but they had to go. For years I have always had acrylic nails and found them to be most satisfactory. But, living out here in the boonies it started to become too much of a hassle. When the week began to be scheduled around the trip to town to get the nails done then I realized that I was being too vain. Plus there was the fact that hubby insisted on coming in with me and he had to wait around for the hour or more that it took to get them done.

But, gosh they look UGLY! I know part of it is because of the damage done to them from the acrylic overlays. But, I also know they don’t really look much better without all that damage. My nails are very thin and very flexible even when no damage has been done to them and they peel and break down to the quick. This was always my rationale for getting those fake things.

I have consoled myself that I will get manicures at least every two weeks for a while until the worst grows out. But, of course that is defeating the purpose of getting the acrylics off. Plus, just how much can one do to these poor things before they start complaining. They already are sore from being broken down to the quick.

Oh, well, I am sure this is all exciting to you-LOL

I’ve been the little miss Susie home maker lately and have really discovered the joy of cooking, or perhaps I should say baking. Yesterday I made some pumpernickel bread and really loved how easy it was to do with my Kitchen Aid mixer and dough hook. Since last Fall, I have been picking up pumpernickel bread at the grocery store when I can find it. It has such rich taste and is more than just bread. So, I decided that I must be able to make my own since it is not always available at the store. But, looking through the online stores and at the recipes for pumpernickel bread I realized that it would be an expensive project due to the special flours and ingredients in the stuff. Then, I realized that I could get the mixes instead. So I searched online and found a store that sold bread mixes that also can be used without a bread maker. And voila! I got my pumpernickel bread mix.

Here is all that is left this morning. I sent half of the loaf home with the brother in law so we really were not that piggy.

pumpernickel bread

It is smelling better today, the second day that it did yesterday when I took it out of the oven!

So today to make up for not posting for a while, I have a freebie for you. It is an overlay that I made out of some images I had in my vault. It’s Commercial Use OK.

So we can say winter is really here. When it got so cold early in December we just shook our heads and said WOW such a cold snap, and so early too! But, now it is no longer cold snaps, but winter itself. I truly believe this winter is colder and has less warm days than the past five winters. If only it would bring rain and the wet stuff as well. At least the prickly pear cactus is being pruned back by the freezes. That has not happened in several winters and they were beginning to take over the pastures.

It did not help that our water was out just before Christmas–that was a joy believe me. NO hot water until the end of Christmas day. Hubby spent all of Christmas day getting it back on line. Then, earlier this week we lost electricity. There had been ice on the trees and it was not melting off when the sun came up and it was more than the power lines could handle. Of course, a little rain is more than the power lines around here can handle. Just another joy of living out in the country.

Moving ON

DigiScrapStation is looking for CT members, here is an ad about it.

Moving ON

Challenge Gift–Get this challenge gift at Divine Digital–it is an add on to my Whispers of the Forest kit. Purchase the kit for $2, create a layout and get this add on for participating in my challenge. The challenge is at: http://www.divinedigital.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9083

And Finally!! THE FREEBIE

I made some frames while trying to figure out a new Photoshop Action. The action is not made yet, but I thought you all would like some of the samples I made in deciding how the frames should be made. So here they are. (Those two sweet ladies are my hubby’s sister and cousin. Two of the grandest ladies around!)

edited to fix download link—sorrry!

Another thrill about living in the country, when the hot water heater goes it is a 50 mile round trip to town to get parts. Hubby has made that trip now about 4 times if not more and we still don’t have hot water. It would not be so bad if the water that came out of the faucet were not soooo cold! Last night, I decided I just had to have a bath so got out the big pans and started heating water. This past summer when I did that it took just one batch of heated water to warm the bath water to acceptable levels. Well, last night it took THREE batches of warm water to do it. I expect ice crystals in the water it is sooo cold!

On the positive side, I am not expected to cook. On the negative side, I am not expected to cook. In weather like this a warm meal would really be nice. Of course this happened when we are experiencing the coldest weather we have had in two years.

Moving ON

Today my ornament is the give away for the DigiScrapStation Ornament Express. It is a hybrid ornament and real easy to make. You just need to print out the pdf given and then follow the directions on putting it together. Here is a photo of it–for mine I put a photo of Clio in the center, for yours of course, you put your own photo. The download link is below. If you missed any of the other ornaments from the DigiScrapStation Ornament Express check them out on our blog at: http://digiscrapstation.com/blog/ A new ornament has been given away each day of December.

Do you all countdown for Christmas? I can remember when I knew to the exact minute how long it would be before Christmas break started. The sad thing is I was a teacher then and not a kid, so I really had no excuse. There is less than a week til Christmas and I am beginning to get a little of the spirit. We are hoping to get enough rain and moisture that the county will lift the burn ban and we can have a bonfire in the fire circle–roast sausages and stuff. That would be a great Christmas Eve party.

The week started out with a bang but really fizzled into nothing.

Monday the youngest daughter called saying she had car trouble and would daddy please come help. Before he left (of course he would not refuse to help!) he told me to get her AAA membership for the future so she would not have to depend upon him. Well, when he got there he saw the tire in front of the car and the fender all bent out of shape and his heart just about quit working. But, she was OK and her car trouble turned out to be the fact that as she was driving down the road HER TIRE FELL OFF!

How shocking can that be to be driving along, hear some funny noised, brake and find out the brakes don’t work and then the tire just falls off? Thank goodness she was only going about 20 mph when it happened. Daddy had just changed out the tire the day before and figures he must not have put it back on right and blames himself big time. Its still in the shop and you can figure out who is paying for it. Of course if hubby is to blame than we SHOULD pay for it. She also got a AAA membership for her birthday out of it too.

Moving On

Crazy Diamond sent our DSS group an awesome link this week. It is about loved ones who are spending Christmas in Heaven. It really struck home to some of us who have loved ones in heaven and who miss them at Christmas time. It is at:
http://www.patara.com.au/stationery/christmas-2.html
It will take a few extra minutes to download but it is well worth the wait. Please go visit it.

Moving ON some more

Another link was sent today by Kathy’s Scraps. This is a Nativity Story and really was done great. Because it is a UTube I can embed it here!

If you want to see this full screen click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_ypUnnqr8Y&autoplay=0

I really have been having trouble with my IE–to the point I am using Firefox right now. Do you all use IE or Firefox? I have downloaded the same security update for the IE twice now and it really messes me up since you have to restart your computer. I generally have a lot of stuff open that I am working on and to have to close everything and then wait for the restart. It takes about 30 minutes for my computer to restart. (Gotta lot of stuff on it and a lot hooked to it.) So, when Kathy sent this link to the Nativity Story and it would not work, that was the final straw. Now it just need to figure out how to use this FireFox thingie!

Moving ON

I made some Christmas Quick Pages for you all. The papers are made by me and the elements are from my extensive CU stock. The tou will give all the details. These would be great for those last minute Christmas photos you want to share. Enjoy!

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Yep, finally got it done. Monday, I purchased some little ornaments so I could use the little tree and after seeing them sit on the table for two days, I finally stopped what I was doing and put up the tree. It’s just a little tree but enough for the two of us. I did not even clean house like I traditionally do before decorating for Christmas. Dayton was fascinated with the whole thing and crept closer and closer to see what was going to happen next. Clio just kept her distance. I told hubby it would not be more than 24 hours before Dayton had the tree down and in pieces, but hey it’s his Christmas too! Here is a photo of the tree. The photo is a little blurry, but I never could get good photos of Christmas trees for some reason.

Moving On

I’m having a sale of some of my products at DigScrapStation. Anything I have that remotely looks like a Christmas item is on half off. That means my penguin Photoshop Action, some alphas and I even brought back some kits that I had retired. Here are just a few. Each image is linked to their page in the store.

Moving ON

To pay you back for the way I use my blog for advertisments, here is a little freebie. It is five brushes in the theme of Christmas. I have included in the download zip the png images of the brusehs as well. The brushes look a whole lot better than they appear in the preivew.

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Have you got all your preparations done for Christmas? In our house it just does nt seem like it is going to happen. There is no tree, no decorations and nothing to tell anyone that it is that time of year. We used to do that big routine, tree, presents, lots and lots of decorations. But, lately it just doesn’t seem worth the effort. No one is expected to visit, there are no drop ins to be allowed for, and well, with just the two of us, it just doesn’t seem worth while to spend hours and hours decorating the house.

We have just about finished our present shopping. Just three more people to buy for and then that will be all. I was going to try and make a few things, but might not have the time.

But, please notice, I did decorate my blog and the store!

Missie Update

I sent an email to find out if there was any news about Missie and got a reply from her son just a few minutes ago. There is no change. Missie still has not woke up. He says her body is slowly breaking down and they just wait and try to keep her company, talking to her and spending time with her. He said to please let everyone know they appreciate eveything, the email, the prayers, the thoughts and the candles.

This has got to be one of the most difficult things a family has to do is wait by the bedside of one who is dying. I cannot concieve of the agony they are going through.

Moving On

I don’t have any new products in the stores, but wanna just tease about a new kit I am working on. It has trees, a cardinal, a fairy of a different sort, a unicorn and well, I just had to make you all a sneek peek of the kit. See what you can discover about the kit below. And you are going to just LOVE the price when it get reavealed!

Moving ON

Oops, hubby came in the door. He was out of town for overnight and now is back. That means I have to behave now. No more staying up til 5 in the morning for me.

CU Freebie for you all

I made a few overlays for you all. There are three patterns, two edges and one texture overlay in this set. I also included a sample paper I made. These are Christmas themed so enjoy. The edges are red and green, but you can change the color quite easily on them for other purposes.

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You know it is cold when the cats insist on sleeping with you even when your restless legs are acting up. Hubby had to go to Houston so I ended up in the bed with the two cats. Silly me, I went to bed with lots of clothes on and could not figure out why my feet would not warm up. Well, they were bare, but the rest of me wasn’t. So, I got up and took off what I had on and finally got a little warmer. Remebering the blanket in the guest room, I got up to get that too. But, then was they started to warm up, I could not keep them still. Then it hit me that I had not taken my medications for the night and the restless legs were going full time. It took two doses to finally get those under control. Through it all the cats just kept adjusting and moving around but not leaving the bed. Usually, it just takes one time of me getting up to have them leave. Poor kitties.

We are going to have several cold nights now in the lower 30’s. Yes, I can hear you Northerners now saying that is not that cold. But, our mobile home is six feet or more off the ground and is not insulated for such cold weather and we live on the top of a hill where that North wind just howls on through. I got my little booties on my feet and flannel pj bottoms with long john tops. That should keep me warm. And oh, I took my bath in the afternoon instead of trying to do it in the cold of the night.

I created some CU overlays for you all to celebrate that winter is here at last. They are at the end of this post.

Moving On

Here is a photo of Mason at one week. It was his first doctor’s visit. He passed his exam with flying colors, except for the blood work. Hubby and I had taken off to help taxi them (daughter and grandson) around that day as Mason’s daddy had to work. He really was such a well behaved little gentleman.  When they took his blood at the lab, he barely cried. And they had to get TWO samples. I thought they would neve finish drawing that blood.

Projectile POOP

 Have any of you ever heard of projectile poop? I have heard and seen projective vomit where big messes occur. But, Mason has mastered the art of projective poop. His mother was changing the diaper and he just let it fly–All over everywhere!! Could this be a boy thing? My little girls NEVER did anything like that.

 Moving on

 So here are the overlays I made for you all. The files include four pattern overlays, one texture, one edges and grunge overlay and a sample already to use.

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