CONGRATULATIONS, AUDREY!

March 22, 2013

Good morning.  Well, at least it is now.  I was not such a happy camper early this morning when I had to go out and clean three new inches of snow off my car.  Old Man Winter needs a boot in the patootie to get him moving on out of here.  Enough is enough!

Yesterday one of the dwarfs went food shopping with me. When we got to the market parking lot, the sun was shining, and there was snow falling from the sky. I have to say that this was really beautiful. It stopped being beautiful when the sun when down and the snow did not stop. However, at the moment, it is not snowing and the sun is shining beautifully.

Today I want to share my daughter Audrey's good news.  She and her husband are into taxidermy, and this past weekend Audrey received an award for all  the work she has done for their association.

Her award reads:

Congratulations Audrey.  I think it is wonderful that all your work, time and effort is being recognized.  I'm so very proud of you.

I'm at work and the Mrs will be waking soon so I want to get my new photo art posted for Photo Art Friday.  This week we were asked to make a self portrait.   So, I photographed my eye, and then blended in a few photos of things that I think are a part of who I am.  I used the "Dropped Petals" texture from PDPA, along with a gradient and blending mode from Photoshop.

 I can hear the Mrs stirring so I really must get busy here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

What A Wonderful Surprise!

March 21, 2013

Good morning.  The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day.  Joe spent yesterday afternoon shovelling up a lot of the snow still in the driveway, and now it's looking pretty good.  Of course, there are huge mounds of snow all around the edges of the parking area.  It will be a while before this all disappears.

By the way, that's a mourning dove coming in for a landing.  My yard was full of these doves yesterday.  The food must be good!

This morning, I got the nicest surprise in my mail.  Kyra sent me this gorgeous layout that she made with her kit "Skyhigh".  Kyra, this is beautiful!  Thank you so much.  What a great way to start my day.

Give your selves a treat.  Grab a cup of coffee, and hop on over to Kyra's blog.  She posts several of her beautiful scrap kits every week, along with  matching clusters made by Arlene.  And, they are all free.  So do visit with her, and don't forget to say hello and thank you when you download.

Today, much to my chagrin, the oilman will be delivering more fuel oil to fill our tank again.  I was really hoping that the last delivery would be it for the season, but I was obviously wrong.  I wonder how many folks are running to the stores to buy up all those cute bathing suits and colorful short sets that are on the racks and shelves.  The snow and cold temps says that the stores should still be selling jackets, sweaters and warm pants.

Now I  must get busy here.  It's time to get dressed.  I have a lot to do today.  An appointment at the nail salon, a trip to the bank, a load of laundry, and a trip to the supermarket to stock up on groceries.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

HAPPY SPRING!!!

March 20, 2013

Good morning, and Happy Spring!  Well, at least the calendar says it is Spring.  It snowed all during the night.  Not tons of snow, but still snow.  I know that other places got buried with this last round of snow, and I really should not complain.  But I am growing weary of Winter.  My soul needs the sunshine and warmer temperatures of Springtime.

Last night after the Mrs was tucked in for the night, I was able to work on one of my photo lessons and a new piece of photo art.  At some point, I would like to put together a photo book of all my photo art projects.  I think this might be fun.

Slowly, I'm also catching up on a lot of my emails.  This past Monday was World Cancer Day, and I had been asked to post the candle along with a picture of all the different cancer ribbons.  I did not open that particular mail until yesterday, so I'm posting the candle and ribbons today.  It's never too late to pray for a cure. 

I also want to share one of my favorite photos that I took of Pogo while we were in Florida.  His fascination with the mirror gave us hours of fun and laughter.  At one point, I got this great shot of him just sitting and staring at the dog in the mirror. 

Today I have some errands to do.  Some of them may have to wait until tomorrow though.  I also want to plan a nice supper because Janet will be coming by this afternoon when she gets out of work.  It will be nice to sit back and enjoy her company.   While I was away, she came by often to water my plants. 

I can hear the Mrs stirring, so I need to get busy here.  Here's hoping that your first day of Spring is a beautiful one.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Groan, Groan, Groan. More Snow!

March 19, 2013

Well, I woke up this morning to several inches of snow covering everything outside.  The weather man says we can get 3 to 5 more inches by tonight.  Oh boy!  Just what I was hoping for!!!  lol.

 Here's a couple of photos that I took from my door shortly after I  got up this morning.

I have another photo to share.  This one is so funny.  While Joe was out in the yard shoveling snow last week, he decided to have some fun.  There was so much snow, and the snow banks were so high, that he dug a room into the snow.  It looked quite comfy, and as you can see, someone had used it and left his boots by the seat.  lol.  Joe took this photo with his phone.

As I sit here and type, Joe is back outside shoveling more snow.  I hope this is the last of the snow for this season.   I so need for Spring to bring it's warmth and new growth.  We all do.  It's been a long cold and white winter. 

I did not get caught up with any of my photo class lessons while I was on vacation.  Tonight, it's back to work for me, so once the Mrs is tucked into bed I think I'll try to do at least one or two of those lessons.  Once I get back in the groove, I'll be able to catch up with all the lessons. 

Well, that's about all the news for this morning.  It's time to put in a load of laundry and wash a few dishes.  I might even kick a few dust bunnies around!  lol.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's Good To Be Home

March 18, 2013

Good morning.  Oh it felt so good to be home in my own bed.  Needless to say, once I got into my bed, I did not get out of it until this morning.  Except of course, to feed Pogo.  We had a great flight home yesterday except for the little toddler two seats over. 

I'll never understand why my little dog has to be in a carrier tucked under the seat in front of me, while the bratty little kid two seats over is allowed to scream and carry on and make all us passengers miserable.  Maybe it was to protect Pogo from this sort of passenger?  (I'm trying to be positive)

I was so tempted to tell the kid's mother that she should trade him in for a shelter puppy as soon as she got home, but I did not think she would appreciate my good advice.  Each flight only allows four pets on board (in carriers, or course).  Yet in all my years of travelling, I have never heard a pet make a sound except for once when a cat meowed. 

One day while we at the Walmart (in Florida) I took this photo in the parking lot.  I watched as a car full of people sat and waited for a parking spot.  When the spot finally came available, these folks pulled their car into the spot, got out of the car, threw their garbage on the ground and went inside the store to shop.

It always makes me sad to see people do things like that.  We live on such a pretty earth, and I don't understand why folks won't keep it that way.  There was a trash can not far from the entrance to the store. 

On a more fun note, I have another freebie for you this morning.  It's the second in the "Deer Ones" set.  I hope you like it.

And here is your download link:
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I will post the last set next Monday.  I know that there are a lot of hunters out there, so I thought these quick page sets might come in handy for some of you.  All of the backgrounds were made from my own photographs.

Did you know that sun rises at a different time in Florida than it does here in Boston?  (I'm about 20 minutes south of Boston)  Today sunrise here was at 6:51 a.m..  In Kissimmee, Florida, sunrise was at 7:32 a.m.  Sunset here will be at 6:54 p.m., and in Kissimmee it will be at 7:36 p.m.   I don't remember ever being in Florida when daylight savings took place, so I was not aware of these facts.  It's good to learn something new.

That's all the news for today.  Dee Dee and Eddie will be coming over soon, so I think I should get dressed.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's St. Patty's Day And We Are Going Home

March 17, 2013

It's almost 4 a.m., and sleep has been evading me all night.  I did manage a nap for about an hour, but that's all the sleep I could get.  I know, it's just nerves and excitement about going home in  few more hours.  When I crawl into my own little bed later tonight, I will most likely sleep like a baby.

Yesterday morning, Pogo and I went to the UPS store in Celebration (FLA) and had a box of things shipped home.  I don't want anything but clothing and toiletries in my suitcase.   Here's a photo of Pogo watching me get the stuff ready to take to the UPS store.  He gets excited when he knows we are going for a ride in the car.

Early afternoon, Su's daughter and granddaughter arrived to take Su home.  I'll miss you my friend.  Thank you spending this past week with us, and for all your help with Photoshop.

After a while, Pogo and I walked over to the computer room and printed out my boarding pass.  Next, we took a little walk around to look at some of the flowers.  Then we went back to our unit to sit out on the porch and enjoy the gorgeous weather.

While we were out walking, we spotted a little squirrel looking for food in the grass.  Across the street, we saw a pretty gray cat, who also saw the squirrel.  Next thing you know, the cat came running across the street to the grass where the squirrel was sitting. 

Oh dear, I hope that little squirrel sees the cat and runs.  Yup!  He did, and up the palm tree he climbed until he reached a safe spot.   The cat gave up the chase and left, but the little squirrel stayed up on his safe perch for a while longer.  Here's an adorable photo of him looking down at us.  (Nani, it doesn't get any better than this. A squirrel AND a palm tree!) lol.

I've been watching the Weather Channel to see what the weather will be like in Boston when I get home, but the forecasters down here don't seem to go into very much detail about Boston's weather.  One minute they say that it will be clear with snow by Tuesday.  A little while later, they say that there will be snow and rain through Monday.  I give up!  What will be, will be.

Pogo can feel that something is in the air too.  His appetite was off last night, and he stayed extra close by me.  About an hour ago he finally got hungry so I gave him an early breakfast.  Now he is napping, so I think I'll make myself a cup of coffee, and maybe some toast. 

As soon as daylight gets here, we'll be packing up the rental car and taking it back to where I got it.  There will be a driver waiting to take Pogo and me to the airport.  I pay a little extra for this service of picking me up at the airport and taking me back to the airport, but I think it's worth it.  I feel much safer travelling alone this way. 

Well, that's all my news for this morning.  For all of you celebrating, I wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Our Last Wonderful Day In Florida

March 16, 2013

Good morning on this last day of our vacation.  It will be sunny and warm, and in the low 80's F.  I've decided to lighten the load for my suitcase, and mail some stuff home.  So this morning, I will take a bag of stuff to the nearby UPS store and ship it to myself back home. 

Su will be leaving probably by early afternoon, and Pogo and I will have one last afternoon and evening here before heading out tomorrow morning..  I will miss the beautiful weather, but it will be nice to be back home too.

I will have one unpleasant chore to tend to when I get back home, and that is to report (to the airline) the theft of personal belongings from my suitcase by airline personnel.  I usually pin my little keys to the tiny lock  on a long ribbon inside a top outside pocket on the suitcase.  This whole thing was stolen.  I had a brand new pair of flip flops inside the bottom larger pocket on the outside of the suitcase and these were also stolen. 

On my previous flight, it was again just small stuff missing.  I did not report it that time to the airline because it was so small, but having it happen again this last last time has just made me angry.  It is just so sad that you cannot trust the airline to protect your belongings.  You really have to make sure that anything of value will all fit into your carry-on bag.

This morning, as I sit here and type, Pogo is asleep all curled up in a blanket on the chair next to me.  (The chair is up against the mirror on the wall.)   He likes to burrow into the blanket where he can be cozy.  I couldn't resist taking a photo of him to share with you. 

Every day, I give thanks that this little doggie was sent to me.   He is a constant source of joy.  I am so amazed at how much progress he has made with his potty training.  I've only had him for about seven and a half months, and he is about 95% potty trained.  I think that is just fabulous!   Since we have been here in Florida, he has only had a couple of mishaps.  That's not bad for being in a completely different surrounding.

I also have a pretty photo that I took of a bird in the Walmart parking lot.  He was perched on a little tree, calling to his friends while he was preening himself.

I hear Su waking now so it's time to get dressed and get my day started.   Pogo and I are going to savor this last beautiful day here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.