A Hazy, Misty Moon

December 3, 2009

It's looking a bit wet outside my windows this morning. But that's okay so long as it does not downpour this afternoon. I still have a bit of shopping to do today. Daughter-in-law and I have plans to meander around in IKEA this afternoon. She will be looking for small accent tables, and I will be looking for mattress pads. Either way, it will be a treat to look around because it is such a fabulous store.

Yesterday we were looking at recliner chairs for her (Janet), and I saw a fantastic rocking chair that I wish I needed. It was the perfect color blue for my living room, and it was also a recliner. Ever see a recliner rocking chair? I mean one that really looks like a rocking chair? Let me tell you this was a beauty. Perhaps I might just have me a little chat with Santa.

I have to be careful though. I also have to chat with Santa about a new tripod, and I don't want him to think I'm being greedy. Maybe I can compromise. He can bring one item, and I can buy the other with my "mad money." I'll have to work on this.

Did you all like that big beautiful moon the other night? Well, last night the moon was just as beautiful. It was farther way, round, and covered with a veil of hazy mist. I did try to get a few photos of it, but this was a more difficult job than the night before. However, I did manage to get a couple of fairly decent shots, and when I looked at them on my computer, they seemed to have a blue aura around the moon. No kidding!! I cropped both photos in Photoshop, and made the black sky a bit darker so that it would show up better. Have a look.

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Original Shot

Cropped with background darkened

Original Shot

Cropped with background darkened

When you look at the pictures up close on the computer screen, you can even see purple all around the blue ring. Very interesting, if I must say so myself!! My friend Mary Ann told me later that I really need the tripod to make it easier to take these kind of photos. Thank you, my friend, and I've put the tripod at the top of my "must have" list.

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Next, I have to learn about shutter speeds and aperture. It seems that knowing a bit about these two things will help me a great deal with my photos. Mary Ann, I really did buy the books, and I promise to start reading them just as soon as I get all the gifty stuff wrapped and tagged. I have looked through both books, but now it's time to do some serious reading.

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This is when going to classes is very helpful. The learning time is structured, and there is "hands on" help right there in the classroom. I will have to see if our local college has added any more digital photo classes that I could sign up for. If not, then I will see if there are any local photography clubs. Sounds like a plan to me.

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Now it's time for me to put the laundry into the dryer and start the next load of wash. Tonight I will see about making a freebie for tomorrow. Y'all have a marvelous day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Oh You Great Big Beautiful Moon!!

December 2, 2009

Oh boy, the sun is shining already, so let's hope it will stay that way for a few more hours. This morning I have to go out and do some errands. My daughter-in-law, Janet, is coming over and we shall get into mischief together. It is so much more fun to shop when you have a partner in crime.

Plus, today some of my packages should start arriving. I hope so because I need to get them wrapped. Some even have to be put in a box and shipped somewhere else. Mostly, I'm anxious to see all the goodies that I bought on-line.

Yesterday afternoon, Miss Audrey called me to say thank you for her gift. It was a set of colorful crystal chickens. For some time now, she has wanted to build a coop and raise a few chickens, but has not had the opportunity to do so. So, instead, I find her a few beautiful collector chickens to enjoy. I hope they bring you much pleasure Audrey.

Now let me tell you about that big ole gorgeous moon that we had here last night. Moo came running in after supper to tell me to grab my camera and go out in the yard to photograph this beautiful full moon. I did just that, and oh my, the sky was clear as can be, and there it was! Just sitting there posing and winking at us.

Of course, I took a few photos, and promptly came right in to scrap one. Well, not quite scrap, but I did crop it and give it a name. What do you think? Is this not a gorgeous moon? I used my new Image Stabilized zoom lens to take the pictures.

Wow, now I am impressed with my new lens. I have been trying for quite some time to take pictures of the moon, but my hands are not quite so steady anymore, so my moon shots don't always come out good. This one though, is a beauty, I think.

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Before I go dashing out into the world of shoppers, I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments you have been leaving lately. They make my heart smile, and I really do appreciate them very much. Now I must get dressed and start my day. Y'all have a marvelous day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUDREY

December 1, 2009

Good morning, and Happy Birthday Audrey. You can open your box now!! This poor child of mine. During the year, I will see something and my brain will kick in and say "This is just the thing for Audrey's birthday!!" So I buy it, and I send it to her with a note telling her that she cannot open it till her birthday comes round. But, by December of course, I've most likely already forgotten what it is. When she calls me to say "thank you," I say "You're welcome honey, can you remind me what it is?"

I used to keep track of everything in a little notebook, but since my "sometimerz" has kicked in, I forget where I put my notebook. You know, I think I've even forgotten what the word "organized" means. Oh, mind you, I'm not complaining. Sooner or later, I come across whatever it is that I forgot or misplaced. It just means that some birthday cards get sent a bit later than planned.

Let me tell you about my weird night. Yesterday afternoon, Tootsie and I had ourselves a little nap. Then we went to bed a bit early last night so that we curl up and watch a couple of programs. But of course, we fell asleep. Around midnight, we woke up and Tootsie promptly went to do the potty thing. After that, we wrapped and tagged gifts for a while, shopped a bit more on E-bay, had a bowl of fruit, and then went back to bed. Needless to say, we got up quite late this morning.

Speaking of E-bay, I have had a delightful time with it lately. I managed to pick up at least six Christmas gifts on it, and a couple of other things that I have been looking for. I would be a bit more explicit, but you never know who is reading my blog, and I don't to spoil any one's fun. I even managed to buy one gift that will be put in the drawer for next Christmas. See? I already have a start on my next year's shopping.

Because I got up so late today, I really must get going here and try to get a few things done. Let me show you a preview of the baby QP that I made for Maitri. I've left it quite plain so that she can add whatever trims she wants.

Next, I will post your freebie for today. It's a QP that I made with some wonderful brushes that were a gift, and I call it "Fantasy." Hope you like it. Y'all have a wonderful day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

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"Fantasy QP"

And here is your download link for "Fantasy QP."

http://www.4shared.com/file/162070574/6ea9e0d8/EB_-_Fantasy_QP_10.html

Oh What A Beautiful Morning!!

November 30, 2009

Wow, this morning I went outside to get a couple of pictures of the sky at sunrise because it was just so awesome!! The weather forecast for today is cloudy, and then rain. Well, in the pictures, you can see the gray clouds coming in and pushing the bright stuff out. Have a lookee.

There is so much beauty all around us. We just have to open our eyes and have a look. And the great part is that it's all free!

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Miss Tootsie and I just got back from her appointment for more bloodwork. I tell you, I don't know if I would have the stamina that this little doggie has. I think I'd have wanted to throw in the towel quite a while ago if it were me. But it isn't me, and I can't really know.

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Last night, I worked some more on the January DD kit. I just have a little bit more to go, and it will be finished. Woo Hoo!! Sometimes it just takes me a while to get back into design mode. Would you like a peek at another QP that I made for that kit? It's going to be another "must have" kit.

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Also, have you noticed that I put up the preview slideshow for December? What an awesome kit this one is, and it starts tomorrow. Kyra thought up the title and created the logo for it. It's quite different from your ordinary Christmas kit, and quite beautiful. AND, as usual, there is an add-on just packed full of more goodies to go with this Daily Download kit, and it's on sale in the shop for only $1.50. You just cannot beat the price. Here's a preview of the add-on. There is so much in it that it couldn't all be shown in the preview.

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I also made a freebie for you, but I think I will save it for tomorrow. In the meantime, I will work on making some more for you. I have decided that I really like working on the freebies much better than working on kits to sell in the store. Something about self-gratification. Whatever!

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I stopped at a store this morning and picked up two more Christmas gifts. What a great feeling it is to be almost done. And the best part - it's all paid for too! Well, I'm off now to do a bit of wrapping and tagging. Y'all have a fantabulous day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Missing you, Mr. B.

November 29, 2009

It's been two years today, and I'm missing you Mr. B. Granted, it does get easier each day to go on by myself, but something is definitely missing. I guess mostly it's the companionship. I love Tootsie to bits, but she never argues with me, and she never ever tries to sweet talk me out of the remote control for the TV. The holidays aren't quite the same either. I tried showing Tootsie the different things I bought before I wrapped them, and she just rolled over and went to sleep. Good doggie!

Some of the dwarfs seem to think they see you now and then lurking in one of the hallways. It keeps them on their toes, because they think you are checking up on them. Did you know that another ghost has been seen here too? A little girl I think. I haven't seen her, but others have. I hope both your souls are at peace.

I dug out another fun memory picture of us to scrap. That's something else I miss, some of the fun places we went and the fun things we did together. These pictures that we had taken every year at the fair hold so many wonderful memories for me. If you set them all side by side, you can see us growing older. Every year, a few more wrinkles, a lot more gray hair, and even some with less hair. But always the same smiles.























Miss Tootsie must know that today I'm a bit melancholy, because she doesn't seem to leave my side for very long. She misses you too. Her favorite chair is still the big black leather recliner that you and her always sat in to watch television.
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I don't go by the softball field very often, but I do wonder how you like it there. Do you get many chances to help the younger pitchers out? Do they even realize that someone is there helping them? I suppose it doesn't matter though, as long as you are happy there. When the time comes, I think I would like for me and my doggies to be scattered in a field amongst a lot of wildflowers. I love flowers so I think that would be nice.
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Well, it's time for me to get Tootsie's meds and maybe make a cup of coffee. Be at rest, Sweetheart.
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Love, Mrs. B.

The Rain & Black Friday Have Both Gone

November 28, 2009

Well, we made it through Black Friday. Of course, we cheated a bit - we did it on-line. While I was at work yesterday, I put in a few bids on E-bay, and got me some nice gifts. On my way home, I stopped in at a local pharmacy, Walgreen's, and got me some handy dandy gift cards for things like tunes and games and such. Later after supper, I went back on E-bay and put in a few more bids. I won one, lost a couple, and left a "make an offer" bid. This morning, I found out my offer was accepted. Woo Hoo!!!

I think now I am down to maybe three or four gifts left to get and I can call it a day - after the wrapping of course! Oh oh, I forgot, I still have to get Miss Tootsie's gifts too. This weekend, I will try to finish up addressing all my cards, and then I can sit back and enjoy this marvelous time of year.

Today, the wind has been huffing and puffing up a storm outside my house. No rain, thank goodness, but very very windy. This is definitely a good day to stay inside and wrap presents.

Last night I tried out my new laptop bed table. If you have to stay in bed, this is the way to go. Even better if you have someone to bring you coffee and snacks whenever you ring your little cowbell. I know, I know, keep dreaming Edna. Well, you can't blame a girl for trying.

Throughout all this power shopping, Miss Tootsie has become quite weary. She is just not into shopping or computer puzzles. Hmmmmmmmm. Maybe Santa has a little doggie computer? We can always ask. Wouldn't that be something? You laugh, but I used to have a little toy poodle named Gizmo who would sit for hours in front of the PC and play with the virtual dog that lived in the computer. Somewhere I have a picture of her. I will go looking for it.

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Meanwhile, here's a picture of a very bored Tootsie. She can be so pathetic looking when she wants to. I have to admit though, it does work. It makes us feel guilty so she gets extra treats.

Now I must go and get started on a few things around here. Tonight is another work night. Y'all have a wonderful day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Black Friday

November 27, 2009

Good morning. So here it is, Black Friday, as the retail world calls it. On my way to work this morning, I was thinking about that $3 coffee pot that Moo wanted to go shopping for this morning. I believe the store opened at either 4 or 5 a.m. Of course, all the fantastic deals would have been scooped up within a half hour. Amazing how so many people will wait in a long line at an ungodly hour for so few things. (We all know that there is probably only a dozen coffee pots per store, if that many!)

Well, anyway! Back to that $3 coffee pot. Can you imagine standing in that wicked mob at 4 or 5 this morning in the POURING RAIN for a stupid coffee pot? You heard me correctly. It has been pouring rain for hours, and it is very raw outside. In the 40's. (that's Fahrenheit).

Somehow, that makes my cup of instant coffee sound really delicious!! Actually, I use the individual coffee bags (like tea bags). The coffee tastes good, and it's quick. Even if I had that $3 coffee pot, I couldn't drink a whole pot of coffee. And goodness knows, I can't drink the coffee that Moo makes because it is so strong it would put hair on my chest!!!

I just found out that "spell check" doesn't do a very good job. I misspelled a word -- I wrote "ling" instead of "line" and when I clicked on Spell Check, it said everything was correct. I guess maybe Microsoft needs to go back to elementary school and learn how to spell.

Did everyone have a big dinner yesterday? We had such a feast at our house, and most of the dwarfs were in attendance for dinner. And wow! What a dinner! Moo roasted a turkey, and cooked all sorts of veggies. One of my favorites is mashed potatoes and turnips. Ever tried it? It is just scrumptious!! Of course we had squash and carrots, stuffing and cranberry sauce, celery with cream cheese and olive stuffing, biscuits, pies, etc.

Miss Tootsie enjoyed her dinner tremendously. Roast turkey is one of her favorites, along with roast chicken, roast beef, and most other meats. (This is a very smart doggie! Why settle for dog food when you can have the good stuff?)

At Magickal Scraps forum, we had some marvelous news. One of our members, Maitri, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy a couple of days ago. Here is a picture of mom and Master Duncan Robert. Wow, isn't he gorgeous?

I made a Quick Page for Maitri to scrap one of Baby Duncan's new photos, but I will show that another day. I think Maitri should get first peek. I also started working on some holiday ornaments. When they are done, I shall post them here as freebies.
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Time for me to skedaddle now. The Mrs. will be waking soon, so I need to get her breakfast tray ready. Y'all have a fantabulous day now.
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Hugs, Edna B.