My Smart Phone Is Still Outsmarting Me!

February 7, 2012

It's 6:10 a.m. and it's still quite dark outside.  I'm at work, and as I passed by a window, I noticed a flashing red light inside my car on top of the dash near the windshield.  Now what is that all about?  I would go out and check but it's dark and cold out there.   The mystery will have to wait for daylight.

I've been busy these past two days trying to figure out how to make a phone call on my new smart phone.  When I try to make a call, a man comes on and says that I don't have enough funds to make the call.   My daughter Dee Dee spent a couple of hours trying to get my minutes activated but had no luck.  I spent a few hours on it too with the same results. 

I finally had to call where I bought the phone to see if they could help me.  After a day of trying to contact Cricket, they were finally able to get my minutes all set up.  Phew!   However, the saga gets better.  I tried to do a couple of things on the phone but it keeps saying that it does not support WiFi.  Huh?  It has WiFi built right into it!   It has 3G!  So what's the problem now?  I will have to go find me a  dealer and see if they can show me how to use this contraption.

Last night the Mrs let me photograph her hands for a photo challenge.  The challenge required that we take a photo that showed love, using only the hands.   Seventy years after saying "I Do", the Mrs still loves her sweetheart.   Here's my photo.  I think it says it all.

I also have a photo from the park to share.  I was shooting into the sun (I think) which makes a blue outline, but still I like this photo.

I 'm not really sure why some of my bird photos have an outline so I'm assuming it's because of the sun.   Last night, I ordered a filter set for this newer lens.  Possibly the polarizing filter will eliminate this problem.  I don't know but I'll soon find out.  If any of you know why this happens, please do leave me a comment.  I will certainly appreciate it.

It's almost time now to start packing up to go home.   It's been a long night and my little bed is sure going to look good.   Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Parts 1 & 2, "I Love..."

February 6, 2012

Good morning.  I'm watching the weather channel and it's looking to be a really nice week here.  After losing the football championship last night, the warm temps will help to soothe our blues.  I don't usually watch football, but I have to admit that last night's game was interesting because the teams were so well matched.  As for the win, maybe next year.

I slept in this morning, so I won't chatter your ear off.  Eddie is on his way over here, and I have several phone calls to make.  Tonight is a work night.  Not my usual, but I swapped with another person so I could have last night off.  My babysitter (for Tootsie) was off with his family to a super bowl party.

Let's get right to the new collab kit, "I Love...".  This month we have Valentines Day and Mardi Gras.   One very romantic and one very fun holiday will make for a lot of new photos to scrap.  Su chose the theme and color pallette, and we're hoping that you enjoy our new kit.  Here's my preview.

And here is your download link:

EXPIRED

When you're finished downloading,  stop by Su's blog and pick up her  first two parts.  Here is a preview of her QP's.  While you're there, do stop in and say hello.  She hasn't been feeling well, and it will cheer her up a bit.

Eddie is here now, so I think I'd best get dressed and start my day.  I hope your day is a nice as ours.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a great day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Time For Some New Toys!

February 5, 2012

Good morning.  It's a bit cold, only 26 degrees.  We should have  high of about 37 today.  Still, it is Winter, so this is not so bad at all.   Tomorrow will be the warmest day this week, about 50 degrees.  Oh yes, I could definitely get used to this sort of Winter!

Well, yesterday was a magnificent shopping day for little ole me.  I've been looking into e-readers for quite a while now.  I love to read and usually have one or two books and a magazine or two in my work bag.  The e-reader would mean I could have all the reading material I want while only carrying one small item.  I finally narrowed it down to the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet.  The Nook won out, mainly because I can go into any Barnes and Noble store whenever I need help with it.

Another item I decided on is a wireless printer.  I have a nice printer in my little computer room, and it is hooked up to my desktop.  However, I mostly use my laptop in the living room.  In order to print things, especially from my email, I would have to take the laptop into the other room and hook the printer up to it.  Then I would have to unhook and re-hook the printer to the desktop. 

With the wireless printer, I can print anything from my laptop, tablet or phone with one click.  Easy peasy.  And, it was very inexpensive!  Am I spoiled?  Well yes, sort of.   At my age, I've learned to realize that there is no guarantee on tomorrow.  If something can make life easier and more enjoyable for me, then I try to go for it if I can.    My new toys should arrive in about a week.

Folks, have any of you noticed lately just how big and bright the stars are at night?   Some nights you feel like you can just reach out and grab one.  I always try to photograph the brightest star, but all I usually get is a lot of bright squiggles.  (because my photos are hand held)  Last night I tried again when I got to work.  This is not the greatest shot, but it's my best one so far.  The stars seem to twinkle, so they are never quite still.  You can even see other much smaller stars.

I'll keep trying, and hopefully one of these nights I'll get a decent shot.   I wonder if maybe these big stars are planets?  I'll have do some researching on the net.   If anyone knows, do leave me a comment.

My next photo is just a peaceful scene from the park.   It shows a lot of the ice on the pond, with a large flock of gulls in flight.  It's just a pretty picture.

Now I think I will rustle up some breakfast for Tootsie and me.  I'm thinking that scrambled eggs and bacon might taste pretty good.  Mmmmmm!   On that note, I'll leave you.  Don't forget, tomorrow I will have Parts 1 & 2 of our new collab kit "I Love.....".   Till then, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Good Morning From The Land Of Happy Ducks

February 4, 2012

The sun is shining this morning, and the temperature should be reaching  40.  It looks like it will be sunny and between 35 and 45 degrees for the next seven days.  To me, this is ideal Winter weather. 

Yesterday at work was quite a good day.  The Mrs has recently had one of her cataracts removed, and she is in a much better mood because she can see more now.  Hopefully, it will be even better when the other cataract is removed.  I have so many photos to share with her.   She used to love to sit at the computer with me and see all the things that technology can do now.   Maybe we can do that again too.

This morning, I need to go out and do a couple of errands.  Banking and post office things need to be done before noon.  Plus the exercise and fresh air will do me a lot of good.  I would love to start taking short walks again soon.  I used to walk a lot until the legs started fighting back.  However, walking should make it easier to lose a few pounds, so it's time to start again.

Monday, Su and I will begin posting our new February collab kit.  It's sort of a mixture of fun and romance, and should be great for scrapping all your wonderful Valentine and Mardi Gras photos.  I remember, about 25 years ago, a girl friend and I went to New Orleans just before Mardi Gras time.  We had such a fabulous time! 

Today, I have more happy duck photos to share.  For some reason, a lot of the ducks and geese were so playful this particular day.  Or maybe they just love to perform for the camera.  Who knows?  Here's a few more of our happy little ducks.  In the first photo, these two little ducks were chasing each other all over the pond.  And just look at the big smile on the little duck in the second photo!

It's almost 9:30 now, so I'd better dress and get busy with my errands.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Ground Hog Predicts An Early Spring

February 3, 2012

The sun is shining, and it's lovely this morning even if it is a bit chilly.  When I left for work this morning, it was still dark outside.  On the way, I stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get coffee.  The sky was still very dark when I got back on the road to work.  However, before I could make it to the next traffic light, it was daylight.  Just like that!  In a moment, the sky went from dark to very light.  I guess unless you are outside when this happens, you don't ever realize just how fast it happens.

I checked to see what the ground hog had to say about Spring.  When he (the ground hog, Chuck from Long Island, NY) came out of his little cabin, he saw no shadow.  Therefore, Spring will be coming early this year.  This is excellent news!

Well, yesterday was quite a busy day.  Eddie stopped by for a little while.  We forgot the ceiling paint, so that can wait till next week.  No big deal.  Instead, we had a cup of green tea and a nice visit.  I spent three hours on line and on the phone making our travel arrangements.  Wow!  Air travel is soooooo expensive!  Even Tootsie's round trip ticket was $200!

Folks, Blogger is behaving badly this morning.  I just finished typing this whole post, and it shut down.  When I brought it back up, almost the whole post had been erased.  I'm at work and don't have time to re-do the whole post so I'll just move on to the photos.  Sorry.

This morning, I have some photos of one very happy little duck.  He even looks as if he is smiling! 

Now I think I should start preparing some breakfast for the Mrs.  She should be waking soon.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Gearing Up For The Super Bowl Game

February 2, 2012

Good morning.  It's cloudy here in New England, and a bit cooler than yesterday.  The sun peeks out every now and then, so it's still quite nice.  The rain that was supposed to fall yesterday never did quite make it here, so it was a really gorgeous (59 degrees) day.  

Is everybody ready for Super Bowl Sunday?  The dwarfs are already planning on settling in Sunday night with some great snacks.  Of course, we are all routing for the New England Patriots.  I'm not really a football fan, but my whole family is so I try to keep up with the scores.  My sport is baseball.  In particular, Red Sox baseball.

Eddie did not get to finish the pantry ceiling yesterday because a few things came up.  Isn't that always the way when you make plans?  Not to fear though.  Today is another day, and he will be here soon.  I think the ceiling just needs a coat of paint to be done. 

You know, the new front door that Eddie put in for me last year was one of the best purchases that I have made.  For so many years, I've been used to very little outside light here because we only had a couple of old windows and they were both covered with plastic most of the time.  With the new windows, and the new door, I get so much light and I can see outside while I'm sitting on the sofa.  It's just wonderful.

We should have made these changes years ago, but hubby would rather spend the money on the main part of the house for the tenants.  Now that it's just me and Tootsie, I try to put us first once in a while.  It's good for the soul, and I can see better!  This Spring I have one more window here to replace, and I just might put a window in the bedroom.  Hmmm, I'll have to give that one more thought.

Today, I have some cute photos of the gulls at the park.  Two thirds of the pond has been frozen over, but the birds don't seem to mind the ice.  I imagine that after yesterday's  warm temps that there is a bit less ice there today.

I don't ever get tired of photographing the gulls.   Granted, they can be pesky but they are so graceful and beautiful, and willing to be photographed.   Just give them some food, and they will come right to you for some fabulous close ups.

That's about it for today.  I really should get busy here and get dressed.  Tomorrow is a work day, so I want to make the best of today.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Just Two Weeks Till Valentines Day

February 1, 2912

It's 6:25 a.m, and I'll be getting ready to go home soon.  It's still quite dark outside but the temperature is around 34 degrees.  Today is supposed to be in the 50's, which is good for me because I have a couple of errands to do. 

It's almost time to send out your valentines to your special friends and loved ones.   Have you bought or made all your valentines?   I got a fuzzy pink bear for Tootsie.  It's not that she plays much with her toys anymore, but she loves moving them around from one spot to another.  Then every now and then she will walk around to make sure that each one is still right where she put it. 

The sky is beginning to lighten up a bit, but there are lots of gray clouds.  Go figure!  The temps get up into the 50's and the rain moves in.   I suppose we can't complain though.  We haven't had any snow to speak of and we have to keep the reservoirs full somehow. 

We're counting the days now till vacation.  Only 25 more, and hello Florida!  And, only 45 days till Spring!  It's time to drag out the suitcase and decide which clothes to pack.  Plus, I always pack a box of goodies and mail them to myself in Florida a week ahead of time.  It's so much easier than trying to carry two suitcases.

***I'm home now, and my Tootsie is a happy little camper to have her mommy back.  She is such a joy to come home to.  She can't walk too good anymore, but she comes slipping and sliding across the floor to give me a big lick.  What a great way to start my day!!

I have a few photos to share that I took at the park the other day.  This first photo is a pair of geese who must be married.  I mean, look at Mr. Macho dishing out orders to the little woman! lol.

In these next photos, one duck finally got tired of being chased and had to get away.   It seems like the gull wasn't bothered by any of this activity.  He just kept right on meditating, or whatever.

I've decided to put Tootsie in her new carrier every other day for a few minutes to help her get used to being in it.  If she snoozes all during the plane ride, she will be just fine.  Gosh, I'm actually starting to look forward to going to Florida.  I always loved it when my hubby was here, but going there alone just isn't same.  This year though, we'll have some company for a while, and hopefully my friend Su will be able to make it too.

There's not much news today. Eddie will be here this morning to finish off the pantry ceiling. It would have been done days ago, but my cold got in the way. Once the pantry is finished, we'll have to sit down and make a list of what else needs work around here. Houses are like people, they are never finished. But I count my blessings that I have a house to work on.   So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.