Monday, April 30, 2012

Say Goodbye To Miss April

April 30, 2012

It's a gorgeous morning here in my little part of New England.  The sun is shining, the wind is gone, and it's not too cool.  The temp is at 48 degrees F and headed for 68 degrees.  Mind you, the weather forecaster has just announced that there is currently a freeze warning for my area.  I'm wondering at what point between 48 and 68 degrees the freeze will begin.  (Whatever this forecaster is drinking, I want some too!)

The news this morning is so sad.  A van with four adults and three small children went off the roadway in New York and plunged about 60 feet.  There were no survivors.  So far, no one is sure how this happened.  I guess this is one of the reasons that I don't watch the news very often.  There is so much sadness and grief.

Well folks, say goodbye to April.  She was cool and pretty, and brought beautiful colors and green leaves to all our trees.  Here's a photo that I took this morning on my way home from work.  I figured I had better get at least one photo before all the pink turns to green.


These gorgeous flowering trees are everywhere here.  All shades of pink, rose and white.  Mix all that in with the gorgeous spring green on the other trees, and we have some pretty awesome scenery.  Plus, the lilacs are in bloom and oh my, they smell so good!!!

Last night, I worked a bit on our May collab kit.  Can't tell you much about it yet, it's too soon.  Another week, and we'll start posting it.  Now I think I'll refresh my coffee cup, and try to figure out how to move a photo in my text messages (on my smart phone) to my photo gallery. 

This phone and I are having some serious issues.  It has absolutely no thought of making life easy for me.  To make matters worse, it does not get service everywhere so I can't always use it for making calls.  I think it's time to shop around for a "not so smart" phone and then get busy planning that "smash the phone" party.

That's all my news for this morning.  Now it's time to do a few things around here.  Groan, groan.  Housework and my smart phone are sharing the top spot on my "Worst things" list.  I don't like either of them, and they don't like me.  On that note, I shall take my leave.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Another Freebie For You

April 29, 2012

Good morning.  I'm at work, and it's beginning to look like the beginning of another beautiful day here in New England.  Outside the window, a little bird is chirping.  I absolutely love that sound.

Last night, I worked on the April QP challenge for the Coolscrapsdigital forum.  Butterfly Design donated the kit, "Sun Sun Sun".  Here is my layout and QP.  I will be posting this at the forum after I finish my post here.




And here is your download link:

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I just finished a cup of Raisin Spice Oatmeal.  Mmmm, mmmm.  Yummy!  I always carry a couple of packets of cereal in my work bag.  When I get home, I'll have me a chunk of Hershey's Dark Chocolate.  According to experts, eating dark chocolate for breakfast helps you to lose weight, plus it's healthy for you.  If they say so, who am I to argue?

Last night, Deanne sent me a text to my smart phone along with the photo of me and the big white bear.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out to put the photo into my gallery so that I can get it to my laptop.  Deanne tells me to click on "menu" but all I see on my phone is the photo with no menu any where in sight.  I can make the photo bigger, but that's all.  What else is new?

Now I think I'll catch up on a couple of blogs before it's time to go home.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.


Saturday, April 28, 2012

Oh My! I've Been Hugged By A Bear!

April 28, 2012

Good afternoon everyone.  According to the TV, it's only 49 degrees outside, but I just came in and I think it's a perfectly lovely day.  The sun is shining, and the temperature is just right for doing things in the yard. 

This morning I went to Stop & Shop with Deanne.  All the Marie Callenders and the Healthy Choice meals were on sale so I decided to stock up my freezer.   I got a lot of extra gas points plus the regular points, and gave these to Deanne.  Between us, we saved her $1.20 off per gallon on her next fillup.  I call that a bargain!

Just as we were nearing the register to check out, we spotted a very large, smiling and waving white bear.  You know me, I'm nosy and I love these characters.  When we got closer, we found it was a "Bimbo Soft White Bread" bear.  Of course I had to shake hands with the bear.  Even better I got a hug and Deanne took our picture.  We each got a free loaf of bread, and activity bags for the great grandchildren.  I'll post the photo when Deanne has a chance to send it to me.

Have you seen the latest Lowes' ad?  They show a pair of cardinals putting additions on to their birdhouse.  It's such an adorable and enjoyable ad.  I find it refreshing considering that at least half of the ads on TV are aimed at brainless mannequins. 

Today's photo was taken one evening while I was at work.  I spotted a couple of deer way in the back of the field across the street and tried to get some photos. 


I need to get out and find new places to take photos.  Maybe Janet or Eddie will come with me one of these days.  It's no fun going out alone.  I'll have to Google the area to see what new places we could try. 

Now I want to put in a load of wash, and maybe catch a little nap afterewards.  Tonight's a work night and I like to be bright eyed and bushy tailed when I go to work.  (Now that's a very old saying!)
Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Friday, April 27, 2012

April Is Just Flying By!

April 27, 2012

Good morning.  The sun keeps going in and out.  Just can't make up it's mind.  It doesn't matter though because today I'm at work and can't go out and play.  I did not watch the weather channel this morning because no matter what they say, Mother Nature does her own thing.

Tootsie was very clingy last night, so I'm thinking that she wasn't feeling so good.  Hopefully, she'll be much perkier when I get home this afternoon.  Of course, she gets like this sometimes when she knows I have to go to work.   We'll see.

I have a pretty photo of a cloudy sky to share this morning.  I took the photo a couple of weeks ago, early in the morning.  It was just so interesting, and I thought that it might be good to use as a texture. 


Yesterday I had planned to do a bit of shredding, but I got sidetracked.  While Eddie was cleaning my windows, I washed and dried all the curtains and we got them all back up.  Eddie even helped me hang new curtains in my living room.  It looks so much nicer now.

Later, my grandson Bobby came by and picked up my PC.  (The one with Vista)  He brought me back Moo's computer so now I will be looking for a home for that PC.  We like to recycle things as long as they are still good.

Have you noticed how quickly April has been flying by?  It seems as though it just started about a week ago.  In a few days, it will be May Day, a time for celebrating Spring and flower baskets.  This was a fun day when I was a child, but somewhere along the way it seems to have lost favor with people. 

I can hear the Mrs starting to wake, so it's time for me to get busy here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

A Freebie For You

April 26, 2012

Good morning.  It's another beautiful sunny day but I'm not sure whether there is rain lurking somewhere.  We keep planning our days and projects according to the weather forecast, but there must be a better way.  The weather man keeps telling us to expect the rain, so we don't set up any outdoor projects, and then the rain does not come.  Today was supposed to be rainy, so Eddie is coming over to help me clean the windows and put up new curtains.

The driveway needs patching, but we need a few dry days in a row to work on it.  It's been pretty dry for a couple of days now.  Go figure!  But you know what?  We could be buried in a lot of snow like some other folks, so I'm not really complaining. 

Today, I have a mountain of shredding to do.  So perhaps later on I will get comfy on the living room floor and shred away.  That will eliminate some of my clutter piles.  I'm very good at  clutter, but this year I want to make an effort to have a lot less clutter. 

There is still no new grass where I planted all that seed.  I'll give it the rest of the week  and if it hasn't started growing by then, oh well.  Sometimes the best intentions just don't work out.  Next week is the beginning of May and I want to get planting in my garden.  This year Eddie is going to put a gate on the fence around the veggie part of the garden.  This will eliminate climbing over the fence to pick the veggies when they are ripe. 

Enough of my babble.  Today I have a QP freebie for you.  I used a photo of mine, a frame by Gimei, and the "Painterly" texture by Pixel Dust Photo Art.  I hope you can use it.


Here is your download link:

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Now I think I'd better get hustling here.  I want to finish getting dressed before Eddie gets here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Are We Ever Really Alone?

April 25, 2012

Good morning, and thank you for your help with this new Blogger setup.  Yesterday morning was a bit frustrating, but with a bit of help from my friends, it's not quite so scary anymore. 

The sun is shining here in my little part of New England.  The rain has decided to drizzle in spurts here every now and then.  Works for me!  The temps are only up to about 60 during the day, so I had to turn the heat back on.  My part of the house gets cold when it is damp outside. 

Let me share a strange story with you.  In late 2007, my hubby passed away.  Dealing with loss is never easy, and on one particular day on my way home from shopping I stopped at an intersection with a red light, and got quite a jolt.  Directly across the street, on the front of a building was a huge white sign.


I never saw this sign before and was a bit stunned by it.  Later, when I went back with my camera to take a photo of it, the sign was no longer there.  By now, I figured my mind was slipping away.  Early in 2005, my daughter Kerri Anne was killed in a car crash.  I finally decided that maybe this had been a sign that she was there to help me through a difficult time.

A few days ago, I was coming home from visiting with my daughter Deanne, and I passed a huge red sign on the front of a different building.  I immediately turned my car around and stopped to take a phtoograph. 


The first sign had been on the front of a store, and this one was on the front of an apartment building.  Sometime this week, I am going back to see if the sign is still there.  So now I'm wondering if my mind is playing tricks on me or if it is just keeping me alert and on my toes.  I do believe that our loved ones' spirits never really leave us as long as we need them.

This week it's my turn to post the Photography Theme at Hummies World forum, and I've chosen to share photos of our collections.  I have a beautiful doll collection, and one of my favorites is "First Step" from Ashton Drake Gallery.  It brings back memories of teaching my first born to walk.  Anyone can participate in the photo theme, so do have a look and join in.  Here's a photo of my doll.  Isn't she just precious? 


Now I think I should stuff this adorable little body into some clothes and get started on this new day.  It would be a waste not to get out and enjoy some of this sunshine.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Yoo Hoo! Where Is Everything?

April 24, 2012

Good morning.  The rain is not falling and the sun is shining.  The wind, however, is a bit brisk.  The weatherman says that the rain will fall on and off over the next few days with a bit of sunshine sprinkled in here and there.  The temps will stay around 60 throughout all of this unsettled weather.

I cannot complain because some folks got a foot and a half of snow while we got rain.  I'm so glad that we were not included in the snow area.  The weather channel has just adjusted the temps for this week, and they are lower than previously thought.  It is 49 degrees F right now, and most of the week will be ranging between 51 degrees and 63 degrees, mostly in the 50's .

I got quite a surprise this morning when I logged in to Blogger.  Everything is laid out differently, and I can't find anything.  All previous posts are gone, actually everything I'm familiar with is gone.  In it's place is a large empty block for typing and a small space for a title.  Everything for my page set up is gone. 

If any of you is having this same problem and knows where things have been hidden, could you please leave me a comment and let me know how to find things?  I surely would appreciate it.  There is nothing here to allow me to change any of my settings, etc.  There is a little "send feedback" button on the bottom right corner of my screen, but I don't dare click on it because I'm not sure who it is for.

I won't be posting a photo this morning because I'm at a loss here as to what is going on and I'm not sure what I'm doing.  Hopefully sometime today I can figure this all out and get things back to normal here.   So till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Monday, April 23, 2012

It's Raining, It's Pouring, The Old Man Is Snoring!

April 23, 2012

And the heavens opened up and oh boy, did we ever get a good soaking!  All night long, the winds were blowing and the rain kept falling.  At work, the Mrs has skylight windows in her roof.  Ever try to snooze and listen to a monitor while Mother Nature was having a rather boisterous party on your roof? 

The rain splats on the skylights sound like kids banging on large pots with hammers.  I even had to shut off the TV because it was getting difficult to hear it, and the Mrs slept peacefully through it all.  This morning, the winds are still blowing, although not so hard, and the rain is still coming down.  The heaviest parts come in spurts with a lighter steady rain in between. 

Sad to say, when I got home I looked out my window and there is no grass yet.  The seeds are quite soggy, but still right where I put them.  I wonder how many days it takes for them to turn into grass.  Two?  Four?  Lots more?  I would not be a good farmer.  I'm too anxious for things to start growing as soon as they are planted.  Even though I know that it takes a while, I'm like a kid waiting for Santa.

Today I have a photo show for you.  When I was at the store a few days ago, there were so many blackbirds flying around the parking lot and landing in the trees.  I just had to take some photos.  I'm not sure if my pictures show a turf battle or a macho "Me Tarzan, You Jane" type of thing.  I'll let the photos tell their own story.  Enjoy.







Now I'll post the last  two parts of "April Showers" (how appropriate for today's weather!), and the download links.


Your links are:

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When you've finished downloading, hop on over to Su's new blog and pick up her two parts.  Don't forget to stop a moment to leave a thank you.  Here is Su's preview.


Now it's time to get Tootsie her morning meds and rustle up some breakfast.  Then I shall do as the Old Man in the nursery rhyme and hop into bed and think about snoring for a while.  Till tomorrow, Y'all stay dry and have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Some Days I Am Just So Bad!

April 22, 2012

It's 5:50 a.m. and day is breaking.  There's no rain yet, but it's on the way.  The weather forecaster says that a flood watch is in effect in our area.  So far, we have no rain so I expect to get home this morning and find five thousand hungry birds gobbling up all my grass seed that the rain never watered.  Do I care?  No.

Yesterday was not one of my finer days.  For some reason, I thought that Eddie was coming by in the morning to put down the grass seed.  But when he did not show up, I called and he said he would be by sometime, just not in the morning.  Okay.  Next I left to keep my appointment at the nail salon.   When I got home, I started my laundry, and still no Eddie. 

I was getting a bit anxious now because I really wanted the seed to be all planted by now.  As I was carrying the second load of clothes to the washing machine, I fell in the laundry room.  If I was anxious before, I was now in a downright snit.  As soon as the clothes were in the machine, I grabbed the huge bag of bird seed and and a little plastic bowl and headed for the other side of the house.  (falling down tends to make me very angry with myself)

When I am running around with smoke coming out of my nose, it doesn't take me very long to finish a task.  In minutes, I had scattered that whole bag of seed all over the side yard.  Then I proceeded to trim a lot of the plants.  I got about halfway done with that and I ran out of steam, not to mention that my leg was very sore.

As soon as I got back into the house, I called Eddie to let him know he did not have to come and spread the grass seed only to find that he was on his way and about five minutes from the house.  Oh well.  What can I say?  He was not exactly happy with me but so be it.  I told him next time to give me an estimated time of arrival so that I could plan around his schedule.  I still had to fit in a little nap before it was time to get ready for work.

All in all, yesterday I was definitely not very nice.  Today, I'm okay.  My leg doesn't hurt, I just have a huge purple spot where a blood vessel broke.  Looks like I won't be going anywhere dressed in shorts anytime soon. 

Enough!  Remember yesterday I mentioned that I had one more photo of the little  goslings that I still needed to crop to share with you?  It's my favorite photo of the lot, and I will definitely be having it printed and framed.  I hope you like it.


This shot was taken when the whole goose family was crossing the road.  Just something about the way the babies stuck together in a little bunch put a smile in my eyes, and I had to photograph it.  In case you're wondering, the little white specks on the babies are water droplets.  Isn't this the cutest shot?

There were several planes in the skies above us that evening, and of course I just had to take a picture.  Sometimes I wonder, am I the only nut who takes photos of planes flying overhead?   Not that it matters.  Little things really please me a lot.


Well, it's almost time to gather up my things and head home.  I've already checked on the Mrs, and she is sleeping quietly.  I have a feeling that today is going to be a much better day for this little dragon.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Did Someone Say Snow?

April 21, 2012

Good morning.  Are you expecting snow?  If you're on the Eastern side of the country somewhere between Virginia and Maine, you just might be in for a lot of the white stuff.  The April Fool is getting his calendar a bit mixed up here.  Some places might get up to a foot of snow, not to mention the ice that comes with the cold and rain.  It looks as though it will miss us, but we are expecting rain for just about the whole week ahead starting tonight.

Today, Eddie is coming over to plant some grass seed.  I hope, with all the rain that's coming, that the seed has a chance to grab hold of the dirt and doesn't just wash away.  I'm just glad that I did not pick up any new plants to put in the garden yet.  Maybe the weather will look better by the end of next week.

Late yesterday afternoon, Tootsie and I went to the park in hopes of getting some pretty photos of the sunset.  Well, the sunset photos did not happen, but Mr. and Mrs. Goose were there with their children.  Dee Dee and Eddie joined us there, and we all had a really nice time watching the geese and taking photos. 

Here is a nice photo of the whole family crossing the road.  Don't they look nice?


Here are a few photos that are different, but interesting.  (At least I  think so)  My "portrait" type shots didn't come out so good, but these are at least comical.




I did get another shot that I really liked, but I'll save that for tomorrow.  It still needs to be cropped to fit here. 

We also found a Fisher Cat who lives under my shed.  Actually, Eddie found it and by the time I grabbed my camera and got outside, it had already run back to it's home beneath the shed.  I will have to look this animal up on Google as I am not very familiar with it.

Now it's time for me to get dressed and greet this new day.  Tonight is a work night, and I have laundry to do plus an appointment at the nail salon.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Yesterday, I Fell In Love

April 20, 2012

Good morning.  Today is one of the last two beautiful days before the rain and cooler temps take over for a while.  And yes, Tootsie and I are going to spend part of the day outside.  Because I worked last Monday, I have today off.  Woo Hoo!  First, we have to wait for the fuel oil delivery, then the rest of the day is ours.

Yesterday, Tootsie and I went to the car wash.  She had a wonderful time barking at the attendants for touching her car,   Even better, she got to bark at all those "tentacles" flapping at the car while it was being sprayed with water.  She did a wonderful job of protecting us.

Next, we went looking for the new Hyundai dealership not far from us, and got our 6000 mile maintenance check done.  While we were waiting for the car to be tended to, we walked around and ooohed and ahhhhed over all the beautiful new cars.  Oh my!!!  I fell in love with the lime green one!!!  There it sat, in all it's splendor!!  Now if the Hyundai gods could just put that beautiful color on a Tucson, and add in a sky roof, I would have a very difficult time walking away from it.  drool, drool, drool.

They even have an "orange" color, though it's too bronzy for me.  I did mention to the salesperson that it would be so much prettier if the orange had more tangerine in it.  Now that could also tempt me.  Don't get me wrong, I do love my little red car, but these new colors are just so tempting.

Today, I have a photo of one of the beautiful orange tulips that is blooming in my little garden. 


Next, we have another of Mary Ann's bird photos.  This one is a Ladder-Backed Woodpecker. 


The new photography theme at the Hummies World forum is about making small things big, or macro.  I will post this next shot there.  It's the center of an orange poppy.


I also did a bit of food shopping yesterday afternoon, and picked up a roasted chicken for Miss Tootsie.  I gave her a nice big bowl full of that delicious chicken, and she was like a child with a bowl of Christmas candy!!!  Lick, lick, chomp, chomp.  All gone.  Mmmmmm, she was still licking her chops while she was resting her fat little belly on her new bed.

Last night, I finally installed my puzzle game into the new PC, and then spent a couple of hours relaxing while doing a couple of jig saw puzzles.  A wonderful way to end an enjoyable day.  Now I think I'll rustle up some breakfast.  I bought some raisin spice oatmeal that sounds pretty good.  Tootsie can't have raisins so she can have some Cheerios.

Well, that's about all the news for this morning.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

We're On A Cooler Weather Streak

April 19, 2012

Good morning.  The sun is shining, but it's a bit on the cool side with a promise of warming up to about 69 degrees.  I did not make it out yesterday, but today I really must make the effort.  My car needs to visit the car wash badly, and I think it's way overdo for a maintenance check. 

I don't know about other folks, but I find that living alone gives me no incentive to get out and do things.  It's so much easier to just stay in and keep occupied.  It also makes me very lazy.  However, it also has it's good side.  I can stay in my jammies or house dress all day if I want and nap whenever I feel like it.  I know, I'm bad!

I do want to get back to the park and see about taking more, and better, photos of all the babies.  The one's I took the other day are just not all that great.  I will share a couple of those photos though.  This first one shows the babies as they got back into the water with Mom.  And the second photo is a beautiful resident swan who tends to look after all the new little families.



Today, I need to call and arrange for a fuel delivery.  With this cooler weather hanging around, we will have to put the heat back on for a while.  This is not a good time of year to start catching colds.  The dollars saved will only be paid back out on medical care.  The weather map is showing four days of  rain and even cooler temps from Saturday through Tuesday.  Oh joy!

Wayne came by last night and got my new PC set up and running.  However, I have to call him today to find out where my Norton and Email are hidden.  I don't want to install any of my programs in this new PC until I'm sure the Norton is doing it's job. 

Now I'm going to have a look into the fridge to see what we can have for brunch.  I'm thinking scrambled eggs sounds good.  Hmmm, we'll see.  I will probably have to pick up a roasted chicken later today for Tootsie.  She hasn't been eating well lately, and roasted chicken usually perks up her appetite.  On that note, I'll leave you.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

My Camera Had A Bad Hair Day

April 18, 2012

It's a lovely morning here in New England even if it is a bit cooler.  20 degrees cooler!  Mother Nature must be going through menopause.  The weather has been so strange.  Makes me think that maybe we will have a comfortable summer for a change.  Usually it gets so hot and humid that we stay inside with the AC on.

Yesterday, Tootsie and I spent a few hours at the park basking in the warmth and  taking some photos of course.  There was a goose family there with their five little goslings.  I took a lot of photos, but I have to go through them to see if any are good enough to share.  I'm not sure what I was doing wrong, but most of yesterday's photos did not come out so good. 

I do have a couple of a robin to share.  There were quite a few robins at the park hunting for worms. 



I also have a wonderful photo that Mary Ann took in Nevada.  (I think that's where she is.)  This is one that I have never seen before.  It's a black cardinal (Phainopepla).  Thanks, Mary Ann.  Keep those photos coming!


I'm watching the weather channel on TV, and it looks like we have a lot of rain heading our way.  At least three days in a row.  Hopefully, this rain will give our wooded areas a good soaking and put a stop to the fires.

Now it's time to give Tootsie her morning meds, and then do a bit of blog reading.  I think today maybe I will take  the car to a car wash and give it a bath.  It certainly needs one!  So, till  tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Pride In My Family Puts A Smile On My Face

April 17, 2012

Ah, what a beautiful day here in my little part of the world.  I'm getting a late start enjoying it because we slept late this morning.  Oh boy, did that ever feel good!  God bless Tootsie.  We had gotten up a few hours earlier to do her eye drop, and then we crawled back into bed.  She let me sleep until 9:45. 

There are so many things I would like to do today, but I will have to pick one or two because tonight is a work night and we have to be back home by 4 p.m.  Maybe I'll just make us some lunch and then Tootsie and I will head to the park.  I keep going by there in hopes of seeing new babies.  Bird babies.

I got good news last night.  My grandson Koolaid brought in the winning run for his Jr. Varsity baseball team yesterday.  Way to go, Kevin!  Cheerleading is about finished till next season so Jasmine has joined the Drama Club, and got herself a part in the upcoming production.  Can you hear "Proud" in my voice?

I have a cute photo of a White Throated Sparrow that I took yesterday at work.  I had to look this little fellow up in my bird book because the Mrs wanted to know what type of sparrow he was.  Isn't he just the cutest little bird?


After supper, Tootsie and I went outside to get some excercise and check on our flowers.   She looks good in orange, doesn't she?  Actually, I think she looks great in everything.


Once we came back in the house, I noticed the shadows on the house changing (through my window) so I grabbed the camera and went back outside.  The sun was setting and this was the view from my front yard of the sky across the street.  Rather pretty, I think.


Now it's time to get dressed, make some lunch, and get outdoors.  Till tomorrow, I hope the weather is nice for you, and Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Oh, What A Gorgeous New Day!

April 16, 2010

It's such a beautiful morning, and it's going to get quite warm in a few hours.  The temps are supposed to hit the mid to high 80's by early afternoon.  Tomorrow is supposed to be quite nice too.  But, then we are getting a 20 degree drop in temperature for the next few days.  Well, I'll take whatever nice days we have coming and enjoy them.

Today I'm at work filling in for a friend so this might not be a very long post.  I do want to mention that my friend Su has a brand new blog.  She will be posting her parts to our new collab kit on the new blog.  In case you forget the new blog address, you can find it on her old blog which she will leave open so that you can still download all freebies that have already been posted.

Today, we are posting Parts 3 & 4 of "April Showers".   I hope you're able to use this kit for your Spring holiday photos because we had such fun putting it together.  Here's my preview.


And here are your download links:

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And here is Su's preview.  You can download these parts at her new blog.


I have a another photo to share that Mary Ann sent to me.  There are a lot of beautiful birds where she is that I've never seen before.  This one is a curved bill thrasher.  Mary Ann, your bird photos are fabulous.  I may have to ask Santa for another new lens!


There's not much news today.  Wayne is supposed to be coming by tonight to hook up my PC.  After that, I will install my new puzzle game in the new PC.  My jig saw puzzles are very relaxing for me, so I miss them when they are not in my computer. 

Now it's time for me to get busy here.  The Mrs will be waking soon and wanting her breakfast.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

I'm Back On My Soapbox!

April 15, 2012

It's a gorgeous sunny morning, and because it's Sunday, you get an extra day to file your taxes.  I'm so glad that mine are done.  I can breathe now for another year!

Daybreak this morning was quite pretty.  However, the sky changes so quickly!  By the time I put the memory card into my laptop to look at the pictures, the sky had already changed.  Here's what it looked like a little after 6 this morning.


A few evenings ago on my way to work, the cloudy sky was looking a bit weird so I stopped to take a couple of photos.  (Have you noticed that I am fascinated with the sky?)



Don't these clouds look a bit menacing?  I wonder if this  is what they look like when a nasty storm is brewing.  Yesterday, more than 120 tornadoes went through the mid central part of the country.  What in the world is happening?  I don't ever remember this type of tornado activity.  With all the modern technology, one would think that scientists could figure out a way to break up a tornado before it heads for land.

Have you heard the latest "stamp out hunger in our country" ads?  They say "No child should go hungry."  I definitely agree with that statement.  What annoys me is their next sentence.  "We can do it.  We can stamp out hunger in our country by 2015."  People, that's THREE YEARS!  What's wrong with doing it THIS YEAR?  Why do our children have to wait three years?  Can't congress dump the pork in bills and feed our kids instead?  You know, we always have the money to feed the rest of the world but there is never enough money left over to feed ourselves.  Something's wrong with this picture!

Okay, that's enough of my soapbox rants.  Now it's time to get Tootsie her morning meds and do another load of wash.  I ran out of time yesterday and did not finish washing all the scatter rugs.  This kid keeps me pretty busy!  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Today Is Simply Gorgeous!

April 14, 2012

Good morning.  The sun is shining and the temps are working their way up to 70.  The washer and dryer are both going, and now it's my time to sit and enjoy my coffee while I type my post.  I took a look at some of my plants, and I'm pretty sure my hibiscus did not make it through the winter.  Much as I love them, I don't think I will re-plant them this year.  I don't have room in the house to bring them inside for the winter. 

 A lot of my hedges will need to be replaced.  They are old and thinning.  Plus, a lot of storms over the years have broken more than half of them.  (These are very tall hedges.)  I also want to plant some sort of hedge type plant on the other side of my yard between me and the neighbor.  I just have to decide what type of hedge I want to plant.

Today I have photos of our Easter plants.  Deanne brought me an adorable Bunny Mum, and I got me an Easter Lily.  One of the dwarfs brought home a pink Hyacinth which is simply beautiful.




I'm slowly getting caught up with my computer projects.  It's hard to get inspired when my resources are scattered.  Once I get the more important things finished, I want to get my resources all on one drive.  In order not to lose them during the computer problem days, I put them where ever they would fit.  Yeah, I know.  Some days I'm not too bright.  I should have just picked up one external drive in the beginning and put everything there. 

Now I have to get back to finishing the laundry.  There's quite a bit of it today.  Tootsie wasn't feeling so good yesterday and got sick in her little bed.  So that's the next item going into the washer.  Then, of course, there's always a couple of scatter rugs needing a bath.  But, you know what?  They are only things, so who cares.  As long as Tootsie is comfortable, that's all that matters.

It's almost lunch time and Tootsie has her eye on the refrigerator so I'm assuming she's hungry.  I'm thinking that's a good sign that she is feeling better.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if our furry kids could actually talk to us?  On that note, I'm off to tend to the laundry.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Beware! Today Is Friday The 13th.

April 13, 2012

I truly hope this is a good morning for you.  Even though the sun is shining here, and the temps are supposed to start picking up a bit, today is Friday the 13th so anything can happen.  Now mind you, I'm not usually superstitious, but the way my luck has been running I need to be extra careful. 

Last night, Wayne brought my new PC by, but he was exhausted so I told him he could set it up tonight or the beginning of next week.  I've been without it for a while now so what's a few more days.  Besides, I'm very lucky to have Wayne to take care of my computers. 

Ever heard of random acts of kindness?  RAK?  Ever do them?  I try to do them whenever the occasion arises.  And the nice part is that they come back to you.  I stopped at McDonald's for coffee this morning.  It came to $1.07.  I handed the girl two one dollar bills, and she gave me back one of them and said "I've got the seven cents ma'am."   Well that was a nice surprise.

I'm at work, and the Mrs is beginning to stir so I won't be able to chat for very long.  This morning's photos are ones that I took in Florida of a pair of Ibis in flight. 



And here's another photo of the "window reflection" shots that Audrey and I were playing around with while we were in Old Town.  I just think they are very interesting shots.  And they make me look so young!  I love it!


I had a nice phone chat with Mary Ann last night.  She had more fabulous tips to share with me on how to take better photos.  So now I have more stuff to try out as well as catching up on the last two Photography class assignments. 

Also, it was my turn to put up the weekly photography theme at Hummies Place so I chose "Vintage Things."   I have had this little nick nack forever it seems, at least since I was a teenager.  It's a lady out walking her dogs. 


Now  it's time for me to get busy here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

A Budding New Photographer In The Family

April 12, 2012

Gosh, I hope you all slept better than Tootsie and I did all during the night.  For some reason, sleep just was not in the cards for us.  And to make matters worse, I'm watching the weather channel and the lady forecaster is wearing another of her very tight dresses.  It's so tight that all you notice are the creases because the material is stretched so tightly around her body.  Have you no fashion sense girl?

Janet came by yesterday afternoon, and brought me two pans of home made cookies.  Oatmeal Raisin cookies for me, and a huge assortment to share with everyone else.  Yum Yum!  She also brought me a beautiful white bunny that sings and dances, and a rope toy for Tootsie.  She's so good to us.  Everyone should be blessed with a daughter in law like Janet. 

Dee Dee and Eddie came by with my "fixed" smart phone.  So now we shall see just how badly this phone wants to live.  One more mess up and it's Party Time!  Speaking of Dee Dee, Eddie took a photo of us when we got home from the baseball game last weekend.


Eddie also gave me a photo that he took of a Falcon that likes to hunt for food in his backyard.  This is a great shot, Eddie.  I looked this bird up on Google, and I think it's a Peregrine Falcon.


Last week, I got a nice shot of the moon.  If you look at the markings on the bottom of the moon, it almost looks like a melon.  Also, on the left side a little more than halfway down, there is a bright spot.  It's in almost all of my moon shots, so I'm wondering if it's a star that is very close to the moon.  (If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see all of these markings better.)


I have finished my coffee, and now I think I'm going to try going back to bed and maybe get a little sleep.  There's really not much news today.  Wayne will be by tonight with my new PC.  It will be nice to have that all set up.  It has a 23" monitor, so it's great for designing with Photoshop.  Now I'm off to meet my pillow.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.