Good Morning June!!

June 1, 2016

Good morning to you on this beautiful sunshiny day.  It's already 69F degrees, on it's way to a high of around 72 degrees.  Have you noticed that a new month has begun?  Yup, it's already June.  Can you believe it?  We are almost at the halfway mark of this year!   Here's the June page from my calendar.

Yesterday, I got busy paying bills and making sure I hadn't missed any, and by the time I got done it was already too warm to be outside running around.  The air was rather heavy, making it difficult to breathe so I stayed indoors. 

Today is much cooler, and I really do have to get to Town Hall and pay the taxes that are due today.  Once I get in my car, I'll decide what else Pogo and I can do today.  As long as we are back in time to cook supper, we are good to go.

Next month, I'll be making a new blog book.  That means that all QP links for May and June will expire.  Unless the new book only covers four months, then the June links will remain working. 

Today I have a new QP for you.  One of the new kits that I had purchased recently was "Ruby Sea" by Tiny Turtle Designs.  It's a fun kit, and I used it to make this new page.

Here's your download link:
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I also have a wonderful digital art page that my friend Mary Ann made using a recent photo of my handsome little guy Pogo.  I love it Mary Ann.  Thank you ever so much. 

I'm watching the news on TV, and they are showing a video of a moose on the loose that is running through a neighborhood.  I hope they don't spook the moose so that it gets hurt.  People forget that there's probably a whole development of houses built on this poor moose's home. 

Well, that's it for this morning's news.  Time is flying by and I need to get dressed and get a few errands done now.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Be Careful Of That "Home" Key



May 31, 2016,

My goodness, I just touched something (not sure what yet) and my whole post disappeared.  Poof!!  I really don't feel like re-typing the whole post, so here's a synopsis of what disappeared.

Current temp - 70F, sunny.   Later temp - Upper 80's.  Yesterday - light rain.  Blah, blah, blah.

Well, that wasn't so bad.  I think I've discovered the culprit.  There is a "home" key right next to the "backspace" and "delete" keys.  When you touch this key, you say "bye bye" to whatever you've been working so diligently on.  I think the computer keyboard manufacturers should really move this key to a different place on the keyboard.  Maybe to the opposite side? 

Did you know that there are two questions marks on the keyboard?  One puts a question mark at the end of your typed line, and the other one brings up a help page that goes out to the internet.  (This is on the HP keyboard.)

I have some photos that I took yesterday of raindrops on my flowers.  The last photo is a single raindrop with a reflection of my house in it.

While I was outside in the drizzling rain taking these photos of raindrops, my little Pogo was sitting inside (in the laundry room) watching me through the door.  This is his way of making sure I don't hop in the car and leave without him.  That door has lots of glass panes on it, hence the glare on the left side of the photo.

Sometime today or tomorrow, Pogo and I have to go to Town Hall and pay taxes.  They are due tomorrow.  Actually, it seems like there are always taxes due to be paid.  Ah well, such is life.  At least it's a good day to be out doing errands.

That's about all my news for this morning. I'm thinking that it's time to get dressed and head on out.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

What's A Study Worth?

May 30, 2016

Good morning.  Tis rather gray and cloudy this morning, but then we are expecting rain today.  It's 53F degrees right now, but temps will get up into the mid 70's later this morning.  Not a bad day after all.

Today I want to talk about a disturbing new report that I heard on the news yesterday.  The medical field has made a new study and says that it is okay to let your baby cry itself to sleep at night.  The length of time the baby cries does not matter, be it twenty minutes or a few hours.  They say this will not hurt the baby, and will somehow lessen everyone's stress level.  What??  Excuse me??

I did not get the name of the doctor being interviewed, but I am appalled at the outcome of this study.  First of all, why did we even need a study?  Second of all, what good could possibly come from letting your baby (or toddler) cry itself to sleep?  There is a difference between a child whining for attention, and a child crying for some sort of help or need.  This is something that every mother knows about her child. 

I don't understand the part of "lessening the stress level" that was mentioned.  Who in their right mind can have no stress when their child is crying?  There is no way in hell that I could be calm and happy while my child lay crying in another room (or any room for that matter!)!!

Some years ago, I knew someone who said that once her baby or toddler was tucked into bed for the night, she and her hubby would not go back into the baby's room until it was time to get up for breakfast the next morning.   Crying was good for the child, and eventually it would go to sleep.  One night as the parents lay sleeping peacefully in their bed in the very next room, their toddler (after crying for quite a while) choked to death. 

So much for letting your baby (or toddler) cry itself to sleep at night!  Everyone has the right to take what they want from this new study.  For me, I say pick up that crying baby or toddler and love them.  Chase away the monsters and kiss the boo boos and the sore tummies till they are better.  Your little one will be so much happier.  Babies grow up into adults so quickly.  Cuddle them while you can.  They are gifts.

By the way, the doctor being interviewed on TV said that she tried to leave her little one crying itself to sleep at night, but that she could not do it!!!!!    Nuff said!

Today I have an adorable scrap page to share that my friend Beth made.  She used one of my QP's and featured a photo of her little dog Cisco.  He loves to snuggle beneath the covers on Mommie's bed.  Isn't he just precious?

I'm watching the news and their is so much hurt everywhere.  First of all, a gorilla was shot to death at a zoo.  Authorities say they had no choice, but I think they should have at least tried a tranquilizer gun.  They said they did not have enough time to do this, but they never even tried.

There is severe flooding in Texas and North Carolina, and the lives of people and animals are being lost.  In other parts of the country there is a dire need for water.  So I'm wondering why our elected officials have not come up with plans for water pipelines.  With these pipelines, there would be no flooding on the level that we have been experiencing these past several years.  And needless to say, all this excess rainwater could have been quite useful in putting out wildfires.  If we can support the world, why can't we build these water pipelines and save some of our own families?  Ah well, that's another rant for another day.

Today I have a couple photos from my gardens.  This first photo shows a little azalea bush trying to make a comeback after the snows from two winters ago almost destroyed it. 

This next photo shows one of my hosta plants,  and another of the lily of the valley plants that tend to spread everywhere.

Well that's it for today's post.  Now I'm going to have me a hot cup of coffee while I do a bit of morning blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Were You Sporting A Red Nose?

May 29, 2016

Good morning.  Tis early, only 6:30, and Pogo and I have been up for about an hour.  We've had our breakfast, and now my little guy is snuggled up next to me on the sofa.  What a great way to start a new day. 

My goodness, yesterday was certainly a warm day.  Temperatures got up into the 90's here along with a bit of sticky humidity.  However, Pogo and I managed to stay comfortable indoors.  By mid afternoon, it was beginning to warm up indoors too, so I turned on a floor fan.  That helped quite a lot. 

It was a good day to put Pogo into the new sink for a bath.  Woo Hoo!!  He fit perfectly, and bath time became so much easier.  Gosh, I really should have had this new sink put in years ago.  What a difference it makes. 

Another thing that makes a difference is Red Nose Day.  So, were you sporting a red nose yesterday?  As you can see here, Deanne and Eddie wore theirs.  They would be celebrating a friend's birthday, and everyone wore a red nose.   

According to Google, the red noses raised 31 million dollars, which is to be used to help poor children in all fifty states and around the world.  I think it's a great way to raise funds, but I would like to see a dollar by dollar breakdown of how and where the funds are actually dispersed.  I would like to see actual dollar amounts given to each city and town in this country, and how it is used.  I'd also like to see what other countries received monies, how much they got and how it was used.  Oh, and let's not forget a list of administrative costs. 

I am all for sharing and giving, but I like to know that what I gave went where it was supposed to go.  This is a Walgreen's charitable fund raiser, and according to Google, the 2016 funds will go to:

* Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which provides access to safe, enriching after-school and summer programs.

* Water Charity, which provides clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

* Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance), which provides life saving vaccines to children in poor countries.

* National Council of La Raza National Council, which provides opportunities for Latino children and families.

According to this breakdown, I'm not seeing very many poor and homeless children in all our fifty states being helped.   This is why I like to see cost break downs.

On a super happy note, I found this absolutely adorable image on the web and had to share it here with you.  I don't know who the author is, but these little fellows are just so precious. 

I also have a question to ask.  Does anyone know the name of this plant?  I lost the name tag that came with it (a couple years ago) and I can't remember the name.  I've looked for it on Google, but so far have not had much luck finding it.

Today's temps are supposed to be in the seventies.  After yesterday, this will feel really good.  In a little while, I'm going to open Pogo's door and put the bottom window up so that he can enjoy a bit of a breeze.  Here's a photo of him (from a couple days ago) sitting by his door as he watches Joe watering the plants.

Now I think I'll make myself a cup of coffee, and play a bit in Photoshop.  I bought a few new scrap kits, and it will be fun to play with them.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Naughty Pussy Cat!!

May 27, 2016

Good morning.  Tis another gorgeous day here in New England.  Be still my heart.  I just love it!  The temperature now is 70F degrees, and is supposed to reach 87F degrees this afternoon.  I guess this is a sneak peak of what summer will be like. 

Well, yesterday the guys finished up my bathroom.  Oh my, it felt so good to be able to take a nice long shower.  (I've been having to wash up in the kitchen sink while the bathroom was discombobbled.  Now that's a word from the past!!

My bathroom is very tiny, but it has everything it needs.  Now it sports new floor tiles

and a new vanity and sink.

The old vanity and sink were too small for Pogo to fit in when he has a bath.  This new vanity is perfect, and such a pleasure to use.  Sorry about the angle of the photo, but there's not enough room in this bathroom to backup to get a good photo.   About all that's left to do in this room is to put in a new window, and buy some pretty new curtains.  But that's for another day.

The budded iris plants that I posted yesterday have opened up, and oh my they are gorgeous!  They grow really tall, and the flowers are huge.

Yesterday morning, while the guys were busy working here, Pogo and I went out to do a couple errands.  As you can see, Pogo doesn't miss a trick.  While I was trying to hook his safety belt, he was keeping a watchful eye on Eddie's friend who had come outside to get a tool that he needed.

The mailman brought the new plant tent that I had ordered for the tomatoes, and Joe helped me put it together and set it up.  Now our only problem with it is -- how will we mow the grass inside this area?  Ah well, we'll figure that out later.

 

 



Normally, the tomatoes would be planted on the other side of the house, but I wanted to be able to keep an eye on them, so we put them near the little lily garden by the shed.  That big tarp you see in the background is covering the lawn tractor, and those colorful flower heads are tulip windmills that daughter Deanne gave me.  Here's a close up of one of the little windmills.

 



After supper, I went out into the main part of the house and bent down to pet Blackie (one of the cats).  He meows and begs for us to pet him, and then he bites us.  Last evening it was my turn to get bitten.  Bad pussy cat!! 

There were two places that were bleeding and stinging.  I cleaned the wounds and put on an antibiotic ointment and bandaids.  After a while the stinging stopped.  I won't be petting the cat again any time soon. 

So as you can see, it was quite the busy day around here yesterday.  Today, Pogo and I will have a quiet morning, then a very busy afternoon.  We'll pick up granddaughter Jazzy from high school, then we'll come back to meet with the contractor (who is hired to build the porch) and then I'll take Joe grocery shopping. 

This weekend, folks are getting together to celebrate Memorial Day.  There will be lots of parades, games and barbeques.  Just keep in mind why we are celebrating.  Say a prayer for all the men and women (and animals) who fought and died so that we may be free. 

Now I'm going to get myself a cold bottle of water and enjoy some blog reading.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

Busy, Busy, Busy

May 26, 2016

Good morning.  Tis another glorious day here in my little part of New England.  Once the guys get here this morning to start working on the bathroom, Pogo and I will run out to do a couple of errands.

Yes, the bathroom work saga continues.  Yesterday, SIL Eddie and his friend showed up mid morning, and worked all day in the bathroom.  It turned out to be a much bigger job than they had first thought.  In order to put down floor tiles, you first have to shut off the water, take out the vanity and sink, and then take out the toilet.  There are water pipes and such that have to be tended to also. 

It was a long day, but some tiles were put down, the vanity and sink were replaced and the toilet was put back (working).  Today the water pipes to the sink need a bit of adjusting because they interfere with the draws in the vanity, and the rest of the tiles have to be put down.  (I think that's all.)

It has been brought to my attention that yellow is a new color for petunias.  I hadn't thought about it, but it's true.  I haven't seen yellow petunias before either.  I love the color and that's why I bought them.  Anyway, I took a couple of close-up photos to share here.  They are so pretty!

I had planned to take new photos of the plants on the other side of the house, but yesterday was such a busy day that I did not get the chance.  I promise to do it later today.  Joe says that one of  the huge irises has opened up.  Woo Hoo! 

Here are a few more shots of my plants that I took a few days ago.  These are some of the really tall irises,  The big light blue bud is the one that Joe says has opened, and the last photo is one of the peony plants.

Also yesterday, a Special Olympics was held a couple towns over, and daughter Deanne's class got a first place ribbon.  Actually, I think all the kids got one.  Deanne helps teach a class of autistic children.  Just one more reason why I'm so proud of my kids.

Well that's about all my news for this morning.  Got lots to do today.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Today Will Be Hot Hot Hot!!

May 25, 2016

Good morning.  The sun is shining, though the clouds hide it every now and then.  The temperature right now is 60F degrees, and will be close to 90F degrees by mid afternoon.  Wow, that's a big jump up!! 

The headache and the chills seem to be under control for now.  Hopefully, whatever caused them has gone by.  This is the time of year to be outside, not wrapped up in blankets.

Yesterday, SIL Eddie, Pogo and I went shopping at Lowes to check out the floor tiles.  I did not find what I want, but finally settled on a wood look tile.  While we were there, I found a new bathroom vanity and sink that I liked, so we bought that too.  

Eddie and his friend Cliff will be here in a while to start working.  Right now, the bathroom is scattered all over the place.  Hopefully, things will go smoothly, and Eddie can get the bathroom finished and all back together soon. 

Yesterday afternoon, the contractor came by and we discussed changes to be made to the porch design so that I can still have my porch and be able to pay for it.  We finally decided on a plan, and they will start building the porch in a few weeks.  It will even have a nice gate on it so that Pogo can run around on it safely.

Today, I have a new quick page for you.   This one is for your rainy day photos.  Enjoy.

Here is your download link:
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I've noticed lots of colorful buds on the plants in my gardens.  Some are beginning to open, and others will bloom soon.  Here are just a few of them. 

Soon, I will pick up some small plants for the flower towers.  I'm curious to see how they will look once the plants start to grow.  Maybe that can be a project for next week.

Today I need to do a couple loads of laundry.  One load for scatter rugs and one load for clothes.  Well maybe one more load for towels too.  That should keep me busy while Eddie works on the bathroom. 

Now I need to wash some dishes and get dressed.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.