Say Goodbye to 2012

December 31, 2012

Well, the year is just about over.  Only a few more hours till we start a brand new year.  Do you have plans to go out and make merry, or will you be staying in and enjoying a nice quiet evening with snacks, good company and maybe a good movie? 

Pogo and I are staying at home, curled up on the sofa with a fleecy blanket and a snack,  We'll probably watch the Law & Order marathon on TV, and if we're awake at midnight, we'll get to watch the ball drop in Times Square.  (on TV, of course)

I was never one for going out and partying on New Year's Eve.  There are always too many drunks out on the roads, and I like to wake up on New Years Day healthy and in one piece.  So a quiet evening in works really good for me.  Most years I work on New Year's Eve, but this year I can stay at home with Pogo.

This morning, just as day was breaking, I  went outside (at work) and took a photo of the snow to share with you.  It was such a pretty, serene picturesque landscape, don't you think? 

Did I mention that it was a wee bit on the chilly side this morning?  Actually it was more like "froze my fingers off trying to take the photo".  We don't often get polar bears around these parts, so finding this many of them was quite a surprise. 

Okay, you got me!  Actually, when I took this photo of the snow outside, it was a close up and looked like huge snow hills - rather mountainous.  So of course I needed to find me a few polar bears (thanks to Google)  to make the picture complete.  Well anyway, I had a lot of fun doing this. 

I read a bit more in one of my photography books, so today I have some new things to try on my cameras.  One of my resolutions for the new year is to get better at photography, and get more familiar with all the buttons and settings on my cameras.  There is so much to learn, and I'm looking forward to it.

I should probably make a resolution to lose weight, but it never works so this year I will be more realistic.  My resolution will be to maybe exercise more.  That right there will be good for me, and might even shed a few pounds.

Okay, enough chit chat.  I have a new texture freebie for you.  I made it from one of my snowfall photos.    I hope you can use it.  Here's my preview and the download link.

http://www.mediafire.com/?p1e8r8tocwi7ybt

Pogo and I had scrambled eggs with green peppers and bacon for breakfast.  Mmmm, what a nice way to start the day!  I'll have to give some thought to something special for supper tonight.   Hmmm, maybe Chinese take out? 

I hope all of you has an enjoyable New Year's Eve, and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Waking Up To A Winter Wonderland

December 30. 2012

Good morning on this rather snowy morning.  Unless we have more snow coming our way, we did not do so badly.  The snow started coming down yesterday, and stopped sometime during the night.  We ended up with several inches, which Joe has been busy shoveling away.

Yesterday, I took pictures of Pogo's and my new toys so that I could make a little video to share with you here.  However, the first video was too difficult to upload so I erased it.  I'll just show you the adorable toys.  First is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  This is Pogo's and it plays Jingle Bells.  Well, it will again when I replace the batteries.  (we played a bit with it already)

Next we have the Christmas Story Bear.  This one is mine, and recites "Twas The Night Before Christmas".  We played a lot with this one too and had to replace the batteries. 

While the snow was falling yesteray, I took some photos to share, but when I looked at them, I decided they would make great textures.  So that's what I did with them.  I'll get them wrapped up and post them for you tomorrow and Tuesday.

I also want to show you the adorable framed photo that my friend Mary Ann made for me.   I love the doggy bone mat.   Note, the shadows across the picture did not come with it. Those are my fault.

My little tree is going to have to come down and be put away during this upcoming week.  I need the table to work on my taxes.  Janet will come by to help with them, and hopefully everything will be done before the end of January.   Well, actually it has to be because my appointment with the accountant is the first week in February.  I made an early appointment in order to get the taxes done and over with early.

My little mini vacation is all over today, and tonight it's back to work.  I did enjoy my days off though.  I'll have to do this every once in a while.  It helps to get me energized.  Not enough to be like the big pink bunny, but just enough to keep me perky. lol.  On that note, I'll leave you and make myself another cup of coffee.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Here Come The Snow!

December 29, 2012

Good morning on this rather gray day here in New England.  We had a tiny sprinkling of snow overnight, but the big stuff is due here soon.  We're supposed to be getting maybe an inch of snow during the day, and then up to another eight inches overnight (although the weather map shows 6-12 inches) with flurries tomorrow.  We'll just have to wait and see what actually comes our way, but we are ready for it.

Another Christmas box arrived with new photography books and a beautifully framed photo of Pogo.  Thank you so much Mary Ann.  I'll be hanging Pogo's picture on the wall next to Tootsie's picture.  I've already started reading my new books.  I read a bit, grab the camera and check what I've just read about, then back to the book.  This is definitely my kind of fun.

I also have another special gift to share.  My daughter Deanne always give me lottery tickets for Christmas.  This year tickets included one for a new game "High Dollar".  It says "Win $10,000.  Match 3 like amounts - win that amount!"  My ticket had three $10,000 amounts on it so I started right away scratching - and scratching - and scratching.  Finally a bell went off in my head and I stopped scratching because I was just making a mess of the ticket..

On the back of the ticket, under "Official Game Rules" it says.....  "Winning tickets of $100 or more must be sent by mail or in person to the Money Fairy, 123 NoWhere Drive, in Make Believe Land.  Valid only in your dreams.  Any resemblance to a real or implied lottery ticket is what makes it fun.  Odds of winning 0 in 10,000."   How about that?  Anyway, I had fun trying to win the $10,000.

Now it's time for me to make some lunch here.  Pogo is getting restless, prancing back and forth between me and the refrigerator.  lol.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Imagine Paying $8 For A Gallon Of Milk?

December 28, 2012

The sun is shining this morning, and there is a light coating of snow on everything.  We had a little snow late yesterday, and the weatherman is forecasting more for tomorrow.  It's a toss up though, as to how much we'll get.  Depending on which forecast you watch, we should be getting somewhere between 1 and 6 inches.  We'll just have to wait and see.

I'm watching the chatter about the economic problems that will soon be here.  For one, the farm bill.  If a new one isn't passed before the new year, milk and dairy products will be priced out of a lot of folks' income range. 

All one hears is how the Republicans are the bad guys by not giving in to the Democrats.  To be perfectly honest, it wouldn't hurt if the president and the democrats gave in a bit too.  For the good of all of America, I think it's time to get rid of the party system.  They fight so much between themselves that it hurts the whole country.  If there were no parties, Congress would have to just focus on the policies of the country, and not what will fatten up their pockets the best. 

And I say "shame on the president" for not setting a better example of a good American.  Does he not understand anything about brotherhood and sharing?  Everything takes give and take in order to work well.  You can't have everything your way and expect everyone else to get along fine.  I for one, will give up milk if it goes to $5, $6, $7 and $8 a gallon.  I will miss my favorite cheeses and the dishes that need them.  This in turn will hurt the farmers seriously.  Oops, there goes another big hit on our economy!

That's it.  I promise not to start up a new band box over our seriously selfish politics!  Nuff said!

I have some interesting photos to share with you this morning.  These were taken on Monday (Christmas Eve day) around 3:30 p.m. while I was on my way to Deanne's house.   In the first photo, I was slowly approaching a red traffic light when I noticed the sun doing it's best to shine from behind a very thick cloud layer. 

However, just a little ways over, there was the line that separated the cloud layer from the rest of the blue sky.  A few minutes later, just before I turned on to Deanne's street, I saw this great big gorgeous moon in the blue part of the same sky.  Of course I had to stop for a photo.

 
I don't remember ever seeing both the sun and the moon so close together at the same time.  And yes, this is a different tree.  We have a lot of these beautiful green giants.  My house is almost surrounded by them.  Anyway, I just thought this was very interesting and wanted to share it.

Yesterday, I did a lot of laundry, (scatter rugs, blankets and some clothes) so today I think I'll take it easy and enjoy some of my new books.  I have enough new learning stuff now to keep me busy for a very long time.  lol.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Christmas Continues At My House

December 27, 2012

Good morning.  Well the white stuff is all gone.  It's been pouring rain since last evening.  Today is supposed to windy, rainy and 45 degrees F.  It's looking like we might be getting a bunch of snow over the weekend.  If it doesn't get here, I won't complain.  lol.

Janet was here last night and brought me two big boxes of different kinds of bird food for the new bird feeder she gave me.  This year, my yard should be birdie heaven.  I'm thinking of moving one of the hummingbird feeders to the other side of the house closer to the flower garden.  We get a lot of butterflies out there, so maybe this will attract more hummingbirds too.

Let me share a couple of photos of some of the goodies we've been munching on.  This first photo is the Christmas tree cake that Dee Dee made for all my dwarfs.  (and me too!)  Needless to say, once I set it out on the kitchen table, it got eaten up in no time at all. 

This next photo is what was left of Nani's Davinities when Santa got here.  Of course, by the time he was ready to leave, there were no cookies left at all.  lol.  Nani, Santa said they were the best cookies he had all night!

Did I mention earlier that Janet also brought a huge pan filled with home made cookies with her last night?  Oh my goodness.  She brings so many because she knows I like to share them with the dwarfs and Dee Dee and Eddie.  First though, I pick out my favorites, the oatmeal raisin cookies, and then I share all the other cookies.

Janet also brought a couple of the cutest musical Christmas toys for Pogo and me.  I will take photos of them later today so that I can share them with you.  I have to say though, that she had already played so much with my toy that we had to put new batteries in it before I could play with it.  LOL!

This time next week, I'll be ordering another blog book.  This one will be the last six months of my blog, July through December 2012.   If I keep on blogging till I'm really really old, Audrey will need a truck to carry all the books home with her. 

I've ordered a printed book manual for my new camera and a couple of extra batteries.  These are must have accessories.  Manufacturers just don't seem to understand that when you are out shooting photos, a digital manual does you absolutely no good.  Now I'm going to make another cup of coffee and get some laundry started. So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's The Day After Christmas, And All Is Well

December 26, 2012

Good morning.  It's 5 a.m. and in a couple of hours I'll be going home to spend some fun time with Pogo.  Thank goodness the snow did not build up anything much.  Just enough to cover everything with a light blanket of white.  Tonight we will be on a high wind watch through Thursday.  Then I guess we'll be getting more snow by Sunday.   Of course!  That's when I come back to work next!

The Mrs had a very nice Christmas, and was quite mellow and tired by the time I got here last evening.  Once she was all tucked in bed for the night, I was able to have a nice chat with Su via Skype messaging. 

For whatever reasons, we were all forced to change from Windows Live to Skype for messaging.  I suppose at some time this will feel easier.  But for now, it is a pain in the neck.  It took me 45 minutes to figure out how I might get into Skype in order to chat.  They just would not accept my email, name or password.  Grrrr.

However, I did finally get in, and had a wonderful learning lesson.  Su is so smart!  Every time we chat, she teaches me something new about Photoshop.  She is beginning to feel much better.  We talked it over and I think we've decided that she will post her parts to the kit during January, and I will post some new freebies. We are aiming to be back on track with the kits by February.  If it changes, we'll let you know.

I took a few photos of the gifts under my tree to share.  There wasn't enough room under the tree so some stuff spilled over to the floor nearby. 

See the jar in the front?  Well, it has a butterfly in it that flutters about, and is quite fun to watch.

My little tree now has six new ornaments, that have been given to me (and Pogo) since I started blogging.  It really is a tree of fond memories.

The one thing that I had asked Santa for was a point and shoot camera that I might carry about sometimes instead of my DSLR.  As usual, he was v-e-r-r-y good to me!  This is what he brought for me to play with.

So now, I have lots of learning to do all over again.  It is much lighter, and I've taken a few pretty good photos with it so far.  However, there is a lot to learn about how to use the settings, close-ups, etc.  I see another very busy year coming up for me!

Now I think I'll catch up a bit with my emails and do a bit of blog reading.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

December 25, 2012

Good morning and a very Merry Christmas to all of you.  Guess what?  We are having a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!  When I looked out at 3.m. there was a light dusting of the white stuff everywhere.  It's been coming down steadily, and now everything is covered with snow.  It's quite pretty, but I hope it stops soon.  I have to drive in it tonight to go to work.

Wow, what can I say?  My family and friends, and blog friends and Pogo have made this one very joyous Christmas.  During the night, I woke up just as Santa was tip toeing out to his sleigh.  But I called him back for a hot cup of tea or cocoa.  He said he was just going to let me sleep, but it's not Christmas if I don't get to see Santa. 

We had a small visit, he still had many many miles to go before his journey was done.  And of course, he brought me something wonderful that I had asked for.  I'll save that for tomorrow though, because this morning is for Pogo.  I promised a photo of Pogo in his Santa suit, and here he is in all his handsome glory.

My little guy had himself a fabulous time this morning, opening and checking out all his wonderful new goodies.  Wow, he certainly hit the jackpot!  He got a new jacket, three new sweaters, doggie premium fillets, several doggie toys, an absolutely gorgeous photo ornament featuring him and his friend Izzy, and a soft and fleecy blanket which he immediately rumpled up into a ball and curled up on it.

I want to thank everyone for making this such a wonderful day.  Kyra, as you can see from the photos, your box arrived yesterday.  Can you tell how happy Pogo is?  lol.  Andrea, we'll be hanging that beautiful ornament on our tree every year alongside our other special ornaments.  Thank you so much.  Nani, Santa and I finished up the rest of the Davinities. Mmmm, mmm, mmm.  We both want to thank you so much.  Absolutely delicious!

I will take photos of some of my other presents to share with you later.  Deanne baked some of the most delicious cranberry bread and a very pretty Christmas cake.  The cake is already half gone and as soon as the rest of the dwarfs come home, the cake will be finished.  I don't know if I'm going to share the bread yet.  lol.

I still have a couple of things to open, but I wanted to get these photos of Pogo posted, and of course your Christmas freebie.  I've made for you a couple of textures.  Have fun with them.

Here is your download link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ai119vhry83odkm

Now I'm going back to Pogo and Christmas.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful joyous day.

Hugs, Edna B.