It's C-c-c-c-c-old!!!

January 31, 2010

Seems like the East Coast here is stuck in a cold freeze. Let's hope that February brings us some warmer temperatures. They are forecasting us to be in the 20's all next week. I would like to see the other side of freezing for a while. Even with the sun shining, it is cold.

Have you noticed the new banner at the top of my blog for AFX? He has lots of great scrapping stuff there, and the price for a membership is unbeatable right now. $20.00 for a whole year. So what are you waiting for? Just click on his banner, and see all the goodies he has for you.

Also new is the preview for the February Daily Downloads at Magickal Scraps. This month is called "Frosty Mornings." Our Kyra came up with the theme and color scheme for this kit. Let me tell you, it is absolutely beautiful! I also have a preview of the store add-on kit that matches it, and you can buy it for only $1.50. Can't beat that!!!

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Shortly here, I have to go back out to do errands. I don't really want to go out in the cold, but this morning is a must. One of my shopping club renewals ends today, and I have to get it renewed. If I do it today, I save $10.00, and we can all use an extra $10. Of course, while I am there, I will have a look around to see if there is anything I need to buy. What else is new? lol.

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Before I leave the house this morning, I shall set my computer up to do a back up. This should take a while, so if you need to email me today, please use my yahoo e-address. missednascraps@yahoo.com.

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Remember all that snow they were getting yesterday in Virginia? Other than the fact that it played havoc with the commuters, some residents really enjoyed it. My son-in-law, Mac, sent me this photo of Charley, his nine year old German Shepherd, outside romping in the new snow. What do you think? Does she like it? Or does she like it!!
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She ran around all over the yard till she was too pooped to run anymore! So it seems there really is some therapeutic value in snow. It helps to keep kids like Charlee young and vital.
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Now I shall enjoy a cup of coffee, and get ready to head out to do my errands. Y'all have a fantastic day now.
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Hugs, Edna B.

Snizzle In The South!!

January 30, 2010

Yesterday, my son had to put his little Mama dog, "Chrisey" down. She is getting on in years, and her health has been deteriorating. I am so sorry for you GaryJr. Find peace in all the wonderful memories you have of her, and know that her soul is now at Rainbow Ridge.

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Today is very cold outside. The weather station says it is around 18 (Fahrenheit), but it feels closer to zero. It was only about 2 degrees above zero during the night I think. By Monday, we should get a heat wave - about 24 degrees (Fahrenheit). Woo Hoo.

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I'm watching (on TV) the snow in Virginia and North Carolina. Both states have been declared storm emergencies. Right now they are showing the snow in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are calling what they have "snizzle." Not much snow, but it is getting slushy and freezing. Their news journalist is showing them how to shovel the stuff up properly so they don't have a heart attack.

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In all fairness, I should say that is the southern part of the state. Further north, they have a bit more snow. I just talked with Audrey, (she is in the southern most part of Virginia) and she says they have about six inches of snow, which means that the northern part of North Carolina also got a few inches. It looks as though Norfolk, Virginia is getting quite a bit of snow, with terrible visibility.

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Sad to say, these southern states just don't know how to drive in this type of weather, nor do they know how to clean it up. According to the new journalist on TV, they mostly just figure that the temperature will warm up and melt all the snow and ice. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it is going to warm up any time soon.

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Meanwhile, a bit to the west, some states are having wicked problems with ice storms. Maybe I am lucky to be living where I do. It doesn't make the bad weather any better, but at least we are better equipped to deal with it.

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Enough for the weather. I have some birdie photos to share that I took yesterday. This is the first time I have seen a starling at the feeders this winter. I believe this is the European Starling wearing his winter coat.

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Now I shall take my leave. I have a few things to do here, and I want to check on Moo again. He is not feeling so good today. Y'all have a good day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Trying Out My New Toy

January 29, 2010

Br-r-r-r!! It's cold outside. The wind howled all through the night, and this morning has quieted down. Today's high temperature is only supposed to be about 20 (Fahrenheit). It must be a senior thingy, but I am just not crazy for the cold weather.

I brought my teleconverter with me this morning to see what differences it can make in some of my photos. Unfortunately, it's early, so there aren't many critters feeding in the backyard yet. I did capture one hungry little squirrel, and photographed him with and without the teleconverter. Keep in mind, I don't have my tripod here with me, so the photos aren't as clear as they could be, but you can still see the difference.

Without teleconverter:

With the teleconverter:

I think when I am able to use my tripod, I will be in for a delightful surprise. I was going to go to the park this week for a photo shoot, but an eye infection has kept me close to home. Hopefully, it will be cleared up by the beginning of the week, or I shall have to call my doctor.

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Last night, I finally had a chance to chat with Snowy on MSN for a while. Seems lately by the time dinner is finished, I'm usually tired and turn in early. So last night's chat was a nice treat.

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Yesterday, I went online looking for a quote, and stumbled across a fantastic blog. It was filled with stories and poetry written by Shelley Powers. One story she wrote was for her cat. By the time I got to the second and third paragraph, I was quite weepy. I know, I'm a sap when it comes to animals. Oh well. The story was written with so much feeling, it was incredible. Then I read a few more of her items. What a treat! You really should have a look. And if you have kitties, please read "Just A Cat." http://shelleypowers.burningbird.net.

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Now I must start setting up the Mrs' breakfast tray. Today is a working day. Y'all have a marvelous day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Time To Start My Valentines

January 28, 2010

Gosh, don't look now, but have you noticed that there are only three more days left in this month of January? Where does it go? I'm still putting away the last bits from Christmas!!

So far this morning, sh-h-h-h-h-h! No rain. Although yesterday I heard someone say we had snow coming sometime today. Gee, I sure hope they were wrong, but we shall soon find out. Snow is pretty, but after a couple of months, it gets a bit weary.

Last night, I was playing with some new background papers that I made from my photos, and ended up with my first Valentine of the year. Of course, this one is for me.

Special credits for the frame, the letter bubble and the bow go to: Wilma's Creations, Kirsty and Baz. The background is a photo of one of the roads I take to go home from work.

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Now I can't wait to make more background papers with other photos. They come out so pretty. Especially when I get creative and play with some of the filters and other goodies in Photoshop. I really wish they would introduce some new digital design classes at our community college. I learn much quicker with hands on teaching. I would also like to see more digital photography classes. You would find me at the front of the "sign up" line.

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Today I have a new freebie for you. I used one of my photos for this background too. And now I'm off to do some blog hopping, and maybe a few things around the house too. Y'all have a marvelous day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

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"QP - 007"

And here is your download link for "QP - 007"

Expired

Childhood Dreams

January 27, 2010

It's a beautiful sunny morning today. Yesterday, about two hours after I posted my blog, the rain cleared up. We still had a lot of very dark clouds, but at least the rain held off. I really shouldn't complain though. Come summertime, we'll be complaining about the lack of rain, and the lower water table!

Little by little, I'm starting to get back into my designing groove here. Yesterday, I actually got half of my April DD's done. Today I hope to finish it up and get it all into folders. I also have to start scrapping more pages. I've been very lax in that area lately.

Also, it's time to order my newest blog book, July through December 2009. These books are a wonderful way to journal your day to day life. When you think about it, they are sort of like scrapbooks in their own way. Funny, I always wanted to write a book, and now I have. Granted, it's not quite what I originally had in mind, but still it's my own book.

As I look back over my life, I see that a lot of the dreams that I had for myself really did come to be. Maybe not always the way I had planned, but a lot of them were realized. Like other little girls, I wanted to be a fashion designer, a model, a teacher, and everything else glamorous. Well, I did make a lot of mine and my children's' clothes for years, I did get to model for a camera club, and I did teach crafts and ceramics at local schools and in my own store.

Oh yes, I also wanted to own my own craft store and my own house, and I wanted to go to college. Thank you Lord, I got to do all of that too. Most of all, like everyone else, I wanted to be important. Well, when my children tell me they love me, and my Tootsie gives me a lick, I know I accomplished that too. I am a very lucky lady.

Now on to some beautiful bird photos. I know, I know, is that all there is to photo? Don't fret, pretty soon there will be lovely flowers everywhere just waiting for me and my camera. For today, I have photos of Cardinals. This is one really beautifully colored bird.

This next photo was a "fluke" shot as the Cardinal was quickly flying away. I would like to be able to take this type of photo better, but that will take a while.

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And finally, here is Mrs. Cardinal, very busy shopping for food.

It's time for me to start my day now. Miss Tootsie wants (not really, but they are necessary!) her meds, and I could use a fresh cup of coffee. Y'all have a fantabulous day now.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Great Weather For Ducks!

January 26, 2010

Wow, what nasty weather we had yesterday!! Not only was it pouring rain, but the wind was howling away and blowing all sorts of things into the streets. On the way to the hospital, we saw a large tree down, a power line down and lying across the road, trash barrels rolling all over the place, and lots of branches on the roads. I'm looking out my window now, and it is still raining. Oh joy!!

At least my Tootsie stayed dry. She doesn't get to wear her rain slicker often, but when she does, it's a blessing. When we walked into the hospital, I looked a bit like a drowned rat, but Tootsie looked charming as ever. She even wore a pretty new shirt under the slicker. What we do for our kids!!

We have to go back out in this nasty weather again today. Tootsie has her 3rd and 4th chemo treatments today, and then she gets a break for another four weeks. I was hoping that the rain would be done, but no such luck.

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When I was a little kid, I remember grown-ups always had a saying for rainy days. "It's great weather for ducks!" Now that I'm a grown-up, I am a bit perplexed. Why is rain great weather for ducks? Do they really like to waddle around in the rain? Or is it because the rain fills the ponds that the ducks like to swim in? Hm-m-m. Food for thought!

Today, I have a few photos to share. They are of a female Downy Woodpecker. She is just a little thing, but very beautiful.

That's all for today folks. Now it's time for me to have my coffee and get dressed. The furnace repair man is supposed to be here in about an hour to try to find out why we are using so much fuel. Then shortly thereafter, Tootsie and I have to leave for her appointment. Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

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Hugs, Edna B.

Only 54 Days Till Spring

January 25, 2010

Ah, what a lovely wet, but warmer, morning today. It's been raining and drizzling all morning, and the weather forecast is for rain all day. We are expecting some heavy downpours with heavy winds sometime during the day. Oh goodie!! On my way home from work this morning, the sky was full of soft gray clouds. Here's a photo of them. I imagine they will be big black clouds before the day is out. And just so you don't worry, I take a lot of these photos when I am sitting at a red light.

My Tootsie was prepared for rain, though. This morning she wore her rain slicker when we went to the hospital for her chemo. Everybody there just loves her wardrobe. Here's my adorable little girl sitting in her car seat all dressed up in her rain gear.

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I also thought I should share a photo I took on Friday of the ground cover showing through the snow. Some things keep growing no matter how cold it gets or how much snow we get. Once the snow melts down enough, you can see the green ground cover. This photo shows brown pine needles, green ground cover and snow all getting along side by side. I just thought it was a bit interesting.

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How about a bit of good news? This morning when Tootsie and I were leaving to go to her appointment, Moo was bringing in the trash barrels. Tootsie watched him, and followed him with her eyes all the way up the driveway. Now that's good news!!! She has some sight back. We're not sure how much, or if a lot of it is shadows, but it's great news either way. She still cannot see a lot of things, but some sight is better than none.

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Speaking of Uncle Moo, this morning he seems to feeling a bit better. That's quite a relief. It's good to see him back to his normal self again. Still no word yet on Howie, but I supposed no news is good news.

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Time for me to go now and put out the mail. Some days, the postman comes early and I don't want my mail to go late. Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

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Hugs, Edna B.