!#@**##@! Computers!

Can't live with them and don't even want to try to live without them!

I am getting there. Thank you so much for all the offers of fonts and brushes and I apologize for not responding to everyone but I do appreciate all of you! Gee, if I took you all up on your offers (and believe me, I really want to) I would be out of space again and be in the same sinking boat I was in! I have your messages flagged and I will be responding to you but I had to take a break from sitting in front of this monitor. With the neck problems, and the position I have to look at the screen because of the progressive lenses, I gave myself one heck of a neck pain and headache! I was so intent on getting things straightened out that I forgot to stretch and move! Talk about a one track mind!

Finally got my nails done today and they feel so good! I was due to have them done the week Jess broke her leg and the tips were about to fall off and they were getting so long that typing was becoming a real problem! Beside the typos the clicking on the keys was driving my husband crazy! I am not a vain person (if you could see how I dress sometimes, you would know that was true!) but I do have a compulsion about my nails! Yep, that's me! Baggy flannel pajama pants, over sized thermal shirt, fuzzy slippers but, heh, check out her nails!!!

Jess is so wiped out after a day at work and is getting REAL bored with this cast thing. We go back to the doctor tomorrow and hopefully he will let her start walking on it and give her arms a break. She turned down the job offer since, financially, it just didn't make sense but she has another in the offering that she has to go see about tomorrow.

I had no intention of working on another kit. Thought I would just tweak some that I already have that just need a little finishing but...! I saw a comforter that was just blue and white and I thought how nice and clean and crisp that looks! And it came in pink/white and green/white so I sat down and took a designing break! I love the cleanliness and simplicity. Lots of possibilities with this and I thought maybe you were all ready for a little "Spring Freshness" to get you out of the winter dooldrums (yes, I know you Aussies are having summer...don't rub it in! LOL!)

So, here is "Clean and Crisp-Blue"

Download no longer available...sorry!

This 8x8 (300ppi) kit includes 5 papers, 2 folded corners, border, 3 tags, oval floral overlay, 2 ribbon and braid borders, button, laced-up edging, and more!

Enjoy! And, again, thank you!

Thank-you, thank-you...

to all of you who have offered to help me in my dilemma! It is still a mess but I am making progress! I would love to know where that super organized woman went that I used to be. My last boss, who was extreme OCD, loved it because, even if I wasn't in the office he could log onto my computer and find any file he wanted because it was so organized!! He would be wringing his hands and stuttering if he got a look at this one!

Some chattin'...ninajo..thank you so very, very much! kristine..now you can just sit back and enjoy your coffee! great minds must be thinking alike! fearless diva..oh, come on, at my age, I don't move that fast that you can't keep up! beth..bows or no bows, you knock me out of the water with your creations! diana...glad you came out of the closet! why would your son read a scrapblog anyway! LMAO! linda..thank you and I will be in touch!

As a little token of my appreciation for all the help and support on my "buggy computer" I thought I would give you this little mini kit! It is called, appropriately enough, "Bugly Bugly"! Just a fun little kit to scrap kiddos!

Thanks again and I will chat again when I feel like I need a break from this organizing! After I am done, I am definitely asking Officer Goodbody for a nice massage! Then I will lend him out to all of you that have been so helpful! (note: I said LEND!)

Huggers!!

Download no longer available...sorry!

When I screw up...

I really screw up! I have been going through all my files trying to delete, remove dupes, well, generally trying to release some memory for this poor over loaded computer. Somehow in my housecleaning, I deleted ALL of my brushes! Okay, I had a lot that I never used but some that I used all the time and some that I made (of course, not a backup to be had). Then, I realized that I had deleted ALL of my fonts as well! OMG! I am trying to think of this in a positive light...my files were such a mess since I started being a downloading fool long before I knew what I was doing. Now, I think I will be a little more organized when I download something. I have a file named "Download and Check" which I would download everything to and then sort it from there. I was doing it daily but it kind of got away from me and it ended up being bigger than all the rest of my PSP folders combined! Live and Learn!

So, I will be taking a break from designing for a few days until I can finish cleaning up my mess. I also switched to PSP10 and have to reinstall all my plugins which is another good thing since I had a ton that I never used and will not put back on. But if you can help me out on the font thing, I would appreciate it. I had over 3000 fonts and I feel naked without them!

Thank-you, thank you for all the wonderful comments on "I Take Thee". I really appreciate all the nice words and it just makes me want to give you more! Some kits you just really hate to see the end come to and this was one of them but I ran out of ideas but you never can tell, I may get hit with an inspiration for an add-on. Usually happens when I go to do a page and need something!

I do have a little goodie for you though to tie you over until the next kit. I was working up a new banner for the blog and came up with something that I thought would be a good wallpaper for February! A candy dish full of Sweethearts for all you Sweethearts!

So enjoy and wish me luck so I don't delete anything else vital!

This download has been removed. Sorry!

Brrrrr.....

well, as they have been saying on the weather channel, winter has finally hit New England! Been 3 days now of cold...long enough! Although today is a balmy 24 degrees compared to yesterday's 11!

Cindy...tried to email you but could not find an addy...yes, as long as credit and link is given. Thank-you for checking first. Very considerate and I am flattered that you want to use them!

Pugsli! Welcome back to the world of downloading!! That had to be like kicking a habit! And, "you've got mail!" so check you in box for something from me!

Jess came home about 2 PM yesterday totally wiped out. According to workman's comp for the type of break she had, 2 weeks is what they allow as long as the company can provide her with a position that follows the doctor's orders for limited duty. It is cheaper for the company to have an employee sitting doing nothing than paying them through comp. For the next couple weeks, as long as she is sitting with her leg elevated, she can work. After that she will have limited mobility since she will be able to put some weight on it. She is really on the fence about this new position. Sounds like an awful lot of responsibility and work for what they are offering in pay. That, on top of some other un-certainties, she is wavering quite a bit.

Well, not much to chat about today. I am still trying to organize and clean off my computer. I have deleted so much and burned off tons but it still does not seem to free up much memory. PSP'ing becoming a very slow process...very infuriating! Need more memory, need an external , and dvd burner! Remember when we thought cds were the best thing since sliced bread because they held so much!!! Heck, remember when we though 3" disk were? Anyone elso out there remember the 5" floppy???

So, here is the final part of the kit. There is a drop shadow on the flower element because in order to make it look like it was coming off the paper, I had to shadow before merging it since each flower had different shadow settings. The rest of the elements do not have a shadow.

You can download them HERE

Enjoy! Leave some love....would be nice to put a name to some of the other 500 or more downloaders! Go forth and scrap and share!

Have a great weekend all!!!

Empty house...

Jess just left for her first day back at work. Let's see how long she lasts! She poops out pretty fast when she is up and moving around so I am sure she will be tired when she gets home. She is not, and never has been since birth, a pleasant person to be around when she gets tired, hence her nickname of "Dragon"! I think her Jack Russell, Bonnie, will have the biggest adjustment though...no more constant cuddle and play companion!

DH and I went over a friends house last night for dinner...so nice to get out of the house since for the past 2 weeks my gallivanting has been pretty limited. But, boy, was it cold! 9 degrees! Shouldn't really complain since we needed a good cold snap but...well, thank goodness for heated seats! Why does food always taste better when someone else does the cooking. All we had was ham and fixin's, nothing fancy, but it tasted so good! Good food, good friends...good time.

I just tried to log into my bank account and they have changed their format to a "New and Improved for your banking convenience" format...um....NO! Would not let me sign on so I had to call customer service and wait 15 minutes for a rep, all the while listening to some recording tell me how important my call was and how busy they were! I really hate all this non-personal phone stuff! (I am not doing well with my New Year's resolution about the phone!) Finally, got someone who tells me that both my username and password were changed when they switched format! Now does that make sense to anyone? Thousands of customers now each have to call and get their account info instead of a few programmers working some programming magic to transfer the information when they write the program for the new format? I wanted to be upset with the rep but the poor girl sounded so frustrated...she must get yelled at all day about this and she probably thinks it is as stupid as I do! The worst is the voice activation menus though...they never can recognize what you have said, so please stay on the line and a service rep will help you! Thank you, wanted a live person anyway!!! Arghhhhhh! I am definitely one of those people that press ##### or 000000 repeatedly just to confuse the computer and get me a live person on the phone!

So, I have an empty house today and I should be happy since that could mean that I can PSP all day if I want but I am looking around at those hateful dust bunnies again and it seems like weeks (well, 2 weeks to be exact) since I vacuumed so maybe if I really put a hustle on, I can get it all done then play!

Ready for today's freebie? Today's is the Ribbon and Lace pack. I have broken them up (such as bow from the ribbon) so you can add drop shadows better. One of the pieces I have already added the shadow to but I noted it on the file. Only one more part and you will have the whole kit! I would really love to see some LO's with this since so many of you have talked about doing family wedding photos...love wedding pics!

Sorry...this download has been removed

Remember, leave a little love if you download!

Have a great day everyone!

Part #4...a little early

Tomorrow might be a tad busy so I am going to post the freebie for tomorrow, tonight! Don't want you gals going through withdrawals!!

Some of you crack me up with your comments...ummmm...anon...oh, no, I am sure he won't know it's you because "doey" is what we ALL call IT! My husband is beginning to think I am nuts because I am chuckling at the computer when I read some of the comments. Okay, he is not beginning to think it, he already knows I am nuts but he is really thinking that I am losing it!

Jess starts back to work on Friday. This should be fun since she cannot drive so it means Mom is back to playing taxi! I thought those days were over once they got their licenses! They have been trying to convince her to join their management team for quite some time and since she has not heard anything from the state, I think she is considering it. They called her today to ask her if she would be interested in managing a new operations department that the corporate office wants in every store. She would have 10 people working under her that she would have to hire. But she will talk to them more about it on Friday. She loves the operations part of retail, she is so organized and analytical that she is very good at it and the Operations Manager has taken quite a shine to her. I keep telling " a foot in the door"! After all Macy's has been around for a long time, they must be doing something right! Now, if I could get my other kid back in success mode, I would be thrilled. He has gone through so much, most not his doing, and it has really hurt his confidence. He amazes me with his intelligence and his whole personality. But, I think we all have been through periods that we doubt our abilities and somehow "Mom" telling you how great you are sometimes just comes across as something Moms are supposed to do!

Jenny, thank you for all the goodies you have sent Jess....she loves them and spent quite a long time on that site. And those tags were wonderful!

So many things I wanted to comment on but then when I am posting I forget...note to self, write them down! I promise I will start because sometimes I know you have asked a question and I don't want you to think I am not paying attention!

I do remember one though, I think it was from Cindell...my kids thought for the longest time that the ghost was either me or my husband standing in their doorways. They were much older when we finally talked about the ghost and, I think, because we were okay with it, they decided that "she" could stay! Jess used to say that my grandmother used to come and tuck her into bed every night for about a month after she died and talk to her. She was 4 at the time and she said that my grandmother (her great-grandmother) was fine and she was happy. And, she said that she would come until she (Jess) didn't feel sad anymore. They were very close and saw each other almost everyday since my grandmother was on the floor I supervised in the extended care facility and I would bring Jess to work with me at 3 PM and my husband would pick her up there when he got out of work. She would go around and say hi to all her "ol wadies" and then sit with my grandmother. So when she died it was a huge adjustment for her. I was just upset because she didn't come see me!

Okay, enough rambling...

More! More! We want more!

Please give us Part 4!

Here it is....You got tags! The words are included but not on the tag so you can put whatever you want on the tag!

Sorry...this download has been removed

Just a couple of more days and you will have the whole kit! Then, what? Oh, dear, more decisions!

Bye for now....happy downloading!

Woo-hoo...

now, we get to the good parts, eh? I just love elements! Maybe that explains why there are usually so many in my kits! I love the octagon shape of this matting! The mask I used, I believe is by Ms Kris, but I didn't use it as a mask but more as a stencil. It is the same frame as on the quickpage and has a crackled look to the "enameled inlay".

Sorry...this download has been removed

The papers from yesterday are only curled in the preview so you could see more of the pattern of the paper below. I hesitate to give out curled papers since the size and amount of the curl would depend on your LO. But, I will tell you how I did it... I use Filters Unlimited 2 but there are many others out there. Here is the results page of a search I did for "page curl filter" (here). With the one I use, I set the shadow to "0" and that eliminates the harsh shadow that they apply, then I do my own drop shadow at a much softer setting.

There are sometimes that I will just load a file and go through all my filters and see what they can do and sometimes that leads to a whole new kit. My fav filters that I use most of the time are Alien Skin Eye Candy and Zenoflex and Filters Unlimited 2. If I was only allowed 2 filters, these would be the ones I pick. What filters are your favorites?

I don't know what happened yesterday with the double post. I noticed it late last night and was going to fix it this morning and the double post is gone!! I really must have a talk with the ghost about tampering with the computer!!

Not much going on lately. It has been uncharacteristically quiet for this house...I am afraid that it is the calm before the storm...waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, I have got a lot of "creating" done so I guess it is, as Martha, would say, "a good thing"! Started a kit to scrap some of my son's pics last night...just can't seem to get the boy thing! Never could! I always found him so difficult to buy for both with toys and clothes. He thought I dressed him a little too "nice". He would have been happier, I think, if there was a store that sold already ripped and dirty clothes!

Speaking of my son, he was reading my blog and reminded me of another phrase that we still use today in our house that was the result of "kid talk". He loved Kentucky Fried Chicken but, unfortunately, couldn't say it very well and it came out f-cky fied. As the two kids got older they would play around with these phrases and give them meanings and try to use them in sentences. Consequently, f-cky fied eventually became "the state of being f---ed over", well, I'll be f-ckyfied! Okay, so some of our conversations ride right along the gutter! But, how did your kids say truck???? mm-hmm...thought so!

Need to go clean up some files as I am running out of room yet again on my hard drive.

Hugs to you all!

We interrupt this kit to...

bring you another fun little goodie! Well, actually I am still going to give you the next part of "I Take Thee" but I just finished this little kit last night. Remember a while back I asked if there was anything special anyone was looking for? Someone mentioned a kit for scrapping internet friends and I thought it was a cute idea but couldn't get a "starting point". Being a little bored last night, I started to try to "draw" a computer and after playing around , I finally came up with one I was happy with. This is a fun kit, in primary colors because internet friends are fun and, I believe, primary to your life if you spend as much time on the computer as we all do!

So here it is...just a fun little goodie to play with. Some of the elements would be great for kids' LO's also! It is called "You've Got Mail!" I have divided it in 2 files so it is not too big for those on dial-up. The round label says "My internet friends make my world go 'round" and there is a lot more than what is shown in the preview!

Sorry...this download has been removed

Now, to the next part of "I Take Thee". Today is the papers. These are all in grays but are easily recolored to pinks (or any other color). I was going to include them in pink but it is so easy to do that I thought, to keep the file smaller, I wouldn't include them. If you need help to recolor, please ask.

Sorry...this download has been removed

So glad that so many of you have said that you could use this kit! Remember, if you do a LO or a quickpage, please let me know.

If you download, please leave a comment...it is what keeps me going. And knowing what you like or want helps with designing new kits! Hugs to all of you that always leave comments and a little chatter...you ladies REALLY keep me going and bring a smile to my face! Always looking for suggestions, input, critiques, guidance...

We interrupt this kit to...

bring you another fun little goodie! Well, actually I am still going to give you the next part of "I Take Thee" but I just finished this little kit last night. Remember a while back I asked if there was anything special anyone was looking for? Someone mentioned a kit for scrapping internet friends and I thought it was a cute idea but couldn't get a "starting point". Being a little bored last night, I started to try to "draw" a computer and after playing around , I finally came up with one I was happy with. This is a fun kit, in primary colors because internet friends are fun and, I believe, primary to your life if you spend as much time on the computer as we all do!

So here it is...just a fun little goodie to play with. Some of the elements would be great for kids' LO's also! It is called "You've Got Mail!" I have divided it in 2 files so it is not too big for those on dial-up. The round label says "My internet friends make my world go 'round" and there is a lot more than what is shown in the preview!

Download no longer available...sorry!

Now, to the next part of "I Take Thee". Today is the papers. These are all in grays but are easily recolored to pinks (or any other color). I was going to include them in pink but it is so easy to do that I thought, to keep the file smaller, I wouldn't include them. If you need help to recolor, please ask.

Download no longer available...sorry!

So glad that so many of you have said that you could use this kit! Remember, if you do a LO or a quickpage, please let me know.

If you download, please leave a comment...it is what keeps me going. And knowing what you like or want helps with designing new kits! Hugs to all of you that always leave comments and a little chatter...you ladies REALLY keep me going and bring a smile to my face! Always looking for suggestions, input, critiques, guidance...

Ready for the new kit?

Well, so far your comments have been encouraging! Sometimes you wonder if something you really like is going to be something others like also. My bridesmaids were in soft pink and mauve and the groomsmen were in gray tuxes so that is where I got the color pallette from for this.

Not much going on today so I will get right to the freebie. Today is 6 background pages that are ready for you pics and some embellishments...oops, you don't have them yet, do you? Guess you will just have to keep coming back until you do! LOL!

Sorry...this download has been removed

Still teasing ya!

Keep warm and snug...it's a chilly one here but at least we didn't get the ice storm they were predicting! Huggers!!

Turning in early tonight...

only because I have to be up early tomorrow to go to a funeral for family friend. My sister-in-law's aunt passed away on Thursday from cancer. She was a wonderful, sweet person and I am thankful that her suffering is over.


On a happier note...I just finished a kit that I am so excited about! It is called "I Take Thee..." and I created it to scrap my wedding photos. It contains my first lace that I created and I think it came out pretty well. I did use a mask that was not my creation, I believe it is one of Ms. Kris's and a shape that I don't know if it was included with psp or by someone else. (I used it to make the leaves for a flower embellishment...so if you know who's it is, let me know so I can give the the proper credit)

I am starting you off with a quick page just to tease you a little...

Sorry...this download has been removed

It is gray and soft pinks and although I made it for my wedding photos, it is not just for weddings! So many pretty things coming your way starting tomorrow! Papers, background pages, flowers, charms, tags, oh, my! I think, or I hope, you are going to like it! Wanted to give you something "grown-up" and elegant!

Not much else...kinda quiet this weekend. No more laundry and the dust bunnies are gone and I got lots created. So many goodies for you coming down the road...I just LOVE giving presents!!!

So...going to go turn in... Sweet Dreams All!

Auto Shut Down...

THAT is what I decided I need so I will have to drag my butt to bed! I lose all track of time when I am PSPing! So, here it is 2:29 am, my eyes are bugging out and I am freezing but do I know enough to go to bed? Nah!

Spent the afternoon at the orthopaedist with Jess again...leg was still hurting after Wednesday's stumble so we decided to call, get his opinion and he wanted to see her. At first, he thought he might have to cut the cast off and re-set it but the x-rays showed it was still okay. Didn't get home until 6:30 so I was glad that I had made a big pot of chicken soup so supper was all ready!

I forget who was going to use "Grandpa and Me" for a brag book...I am terrible at names! But, I would love to see that! I was thinking about doing a brag book for my Mom for Mother's Day.

Isn't it fun thinking about the words your kids used to say? That age was so great! They were learning so much everyday and their actions were so amusing! Now, they spend their time correcting me and finding me amusing...my, how the tables have turned!

I am going to keep this short as now I am starting to fade....

I actually have 2, count them TWO, goodies for you. One is a little mini kit called "Jessica's Starry Dreams". I wanted to scrap this pic of her and I remembered a frame that a crafter friend of mine made years ago out of wooden dowels and it had stars on it. So I had to see if I could duplicate it. I love how her hand seems to be grabbing for the star! Wish she still had those star sunglasses, although I am positive that she is glad she doesn't! (Of course, you don't get her picture in the frame! Well, if you want it, I'll give it to you but you have to promise to put up with her until her leg heals!!)

Sorry...this download has been removed

The second goodie is a pack of thumbtacks. Needed them for the kit so I decided to make up a whole pack. I left one thumbtack head in gray tone so you can colorize it if you need a special color! See? I am always thinking of you !

Sorry...this download has been removed

Well, it is now 3:12 and so I am so out of here!!! Have a great weekend all!

Last part of "Grandpa and Me"

Well, after you download this part, you will have the whole kit! Any LO's to share? You were all on a roll and it seems to have come to a halt...real life getting in your way again?



They predicted a "real Nor'Easter" and if I had microscope I might be able to see the snow we got! Barely a dusting but it did get down to the 20's so hopefully it will help the flower bulbs. Don't know what spring will bring as far as the flowers since we have had daffodils and irises blooming here! It has just been too warm and am afraid that my gardens are ruined. Some of my flowering bushes had budded and now those little buds froze, little plants came up and they froze too. Bulbs need the frost but they need it before they bloom! Crazy weather! Those poor farmers in California...but we will all pay the price with fruit going through the ceiling!! Well, let's keep abusing our planet and see what else will happen! Before long you ladies that have been inviting me South will be visiting me for some tropical weather!! I am not a big fan of AL Gore but I do feel his work he is doing now about "living green" will be his legacy!



Jess stayed pretty low yesterday and really rested her leg after her little "incident". It doesn't seem like they will let her back to work while she is on crutches and she will stay on them for another 2 weeks at least. She is worried about finances since her student loan payments have started. She has been on a crusade to get her savings account bulging so when she is ready for an apartment of her own she will be financially ready and now she is getting a little down about everything. Hopefully, her workman comp checks will start coming and take some of the edge off! I am supposed to get my foot operated on so they can, basically, rebuild it. It would mean "no weight bearing for 2 months and then limited weight bearing for another 2! After watching her...I think I will put this off as long as pain permits!



Since this is the last part, I find myself in the position of wondering what to give you next again! Lately, I have been trying to scrap my kids photos and seem to have an abundance of kid kits. The one I am putting together , I am in love with but it is not finished! I think the next one will be a mini kit...one download...but then that means I would have to decide in a day what to give you next! Oh, the dilemma! LOL!



Okay, so here is another "interactive: thingy to get you all chatting again! "words that Kids say that become "family language". You know what I mean, words that your kids make up since they can't say the real word and you find yourself using them in your everyday speech. Going through my kids pics got me thinking about it, and some of the words are still in our vocabulary 23 years later! Some of mine are:

• Munga: a drink of something


• kingercomers: cucumbers


• gagada: gingerale


• let me tell you a thing or tube: obvious!

Of course there were a lot of others but these we still find ourselves saying from time to time! I thought my son would be 21 and asking his buddies if the wanted to go out for a couple of mungas at the local bar!!

Well, best get moving...have contained the laundry invasion and now the dust bunnies are rearing their ugly advances so...it is true, A WOMAN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE!

Download no longer available...sorry!

Enjoy and Happy Scrapping!

Where did yesterday go?

...it was over before I was ready for it to begin! Jess had a check up for her leg and the x-rays say everything is in place and then on the way back in the house her crutch got caught on the step and she stumbled putting full weight on her broken leg and she was a hurting unit all day.


My laundry had taken over the laundry room and was threatening to start a revolt on the rest of the house so I was fighting that battle for a good part of the day. I think I fought a pretty good battle but it is an on-going war. I am baffled at just how much laundry I have!


AND, the phone calls! I am registered with the place that is supposed to stop telemarketers and it did work for quite awhile so where did all these people that called yesterday, get our number? And, most were calling for my husband so I would ask if they wanted to leave a message. NO, there really isn't a message, thank you! WELL...obviously, if you called, you must have had a reason that was important enough to make your little fingers push the buttons. So, if you had something to say then, why is there no message? Obviously, not doing too well on my resolution to get over my dislikeof the phone!


I am sure you didn't come here to listen to my moaning so onto the reason... part 5! Here ya go... Download no longer available...sorry!


Lise, I would l love to give you the banner for a wallpaper but I only have it as a jpeg as it appears... don't know why, I usually have something in just about every phase of creation. Can you tell I get bored easy the way I keep changing things! With the way my house is, I can't really change my furniture around so I need an outlet...so you guys have to pay the price! LOL!

Have a great day everyone!

Almost forgot!

I got into trying to clear up emails that I almost forgot to upload today's freebie and do a post! I hate when I get so backed up with emails yet I can't seem to delete any of them until I look at them! Too afraid I might miss something!

About our ghost...we have all seen it, even the dogs. There are times when they will not come down the hallway and then, we will see her shadow move and then, they'll come. At first, they were scared and growling but now they just kinda look up as if they are looking at someone and wait, the little one actually wags her tail but then her tail wags almost constantly so...

Years ago when we first moved into the house, a neighbor that took walks with her daughters would always stop in front of our house for a few minutes and be pointing and talking. One day, I was outside when she stopped and I asked her about it. She said her 3 year old would always say that ours was the house she used to live in when she dressed and talked funny. She said her dresses were longer and she talked like she does now but it sounded funny. (maybe like an accent?) Funny, because the house next door to us is REALLY haunted (wouldn't live there!) and one of the spirits is a little girl in Victorian type dress! That house is usually filled with people that rent and none of them stay long and they all complain about things moving, breaking, lights going out and "people" showing up! It used to belong to a doctor that had his office in the house. Our ghost is more a shadowy figure and like I said, with the kids older and gone most of the time, we rarely see her anymore. If our kids were sick, she was around a LOT and if we saw her repeatedly at their doors we would go check on them and some of the time, their fevers would be spiking or they were restless...that is what made us believe she was a mother. Someday I will research this house, I keep meaning to but just never got to it!

Speaking of ghosts, is anyone else a fan of Sylvia Brown? Boy, I would love to have a reading with her but $700 for a half hour is a little steep for me and from what I understand, she is booked up for years! Do have a lot of her books though and she is fascinating.

Jess (DH) is doing better. Getting around a little easier and needing less pain meds. Her biggest problem is she is bored out of her mind and very restless since she is always either working, working out, dancing...very rarely still! Thank you for all the concern and well wishes for her. She thinks it is sweet how you all mentioned her! (and, Jenny, she absolutely loves you! Wants to know when I am going to go visit you and take her with me, hoping to get a glance at Keith!)

Download no longer available...sorry!Now, go get it, download it and start doing a LO and share it! That's an order!! Just a note about something that has been asked, if you do a LO and post it in a gallery, please let me know so I can go peak and, yes, please give me a credit in your listing!

Okay, go now...go forth and scrap! Hugs to you! Bye, bye...see ya later...

you still here?...saying goodbye for now...okay, I'm going....................

Things that go bump in the night...

we have a mystery! Last night, we were woken up by this loud "th-thump"! We jumped out of bed to go investigate. (well, DH and I jumped out of bed...Miss Gimp just layed in bed and keep asking "what was that?" LOL!) Of course, our first thought was that Miss Gimp had fallen but her mouth assured us she had not so, our next thought was that Mrs. 911 had fallen upstairs!. So, again, for the second time in a week, with our hearts racing, we ran upstairs to find my Mom sound asleep and still in bed so we tiptoed out to investigate further. All the animals were accounted for and in various stages of waking up...oh, yeah, real watchful, alert animals! We checked in the basement, nothing...checked everywhere! Nothing! Now, this was loud enough to wake all of us (well, except for our still yawning animals!). Have no idea...we decided to blame our ghost although she has never made any noise before in the 23 years that we have lived here with her so I doubt it. Hmmmm....

Yes, we have a ghost. We live in her house. She has been her since the day we moved in and even before that. We have talked to other people who have lived in this house and even before we said anything to them, they asked us if anything "strange" had happened. Apparently, she must like us since we just see her but from what others have said, she doesn't like everybody that has lived here! We have all seen her and she appears to just check on the kids. So, we kind of consider her like a "guardian" of sorts. We see less of her now since the kids were away to college but when they come home, she appears again! I keep thinking that I should "send her into the light" but I kinda like having her around. Even when the kids were toddlers, they would ask why I was in their rooms when I was somewhere else in the house. They were sure they had seen someone in their doorway. A friend of mine had dated a guy that worked with the Warrens (a couple that pretty famous for their ghost-busting) and when he came in our house without any knowledge of our little lady, he commented that he felt a strong presence but that it was non-malicious. Most of the houses on our street are circa 1880's and several seemed to have non-rent paying guests! Sorta fun!

So our noise must have been something outside but what it was shall remain...a mystery!

Okay...so my butt is sore since I spent so much time on the computer this weekend! Finished up a couple of kits, did 2 new ones, worked on a couple of LO's (boy, I hate my LO's!) and tried, unsuccessfully to come up with a new banner for the blog to post as my linking banner. The one that I have now was one that I did in a couple of minutes because when I signed up on the ranking sites, they asked for a banner and I didn't have one. Just hit a wall trying to think of a design. Never have been good at tags, LO's and obviously, banners! I look at some peoples LO's and think, my gosh, how creative! Now, why can't I think of anything like that? I would love to be on a Creative Team for some of theses designers on some of the sites but, that would mean, I would have to be creative! Not happening! I can come up with ideas for kits but once they are made can't put them together for beans! Go figure!

Anywho...enough of my banter...and enough of making you suffer to get to today's FREEBIE...part 3! (Now, why didn't I think about just numbering them before...well, I guess I did once and then I stopped, don't have a clue why though! But, it does make it so much easier for you, doesn't it?)

Remember to let me know if you do any LO's and if you do one that you are particularly proud of and turn it into a QP, let me know!

Download no longer available...sorry! and remember to leave a little love or, even, a kick in the pants if you download! I so enjoy reading your comments. Some of you have become real "coffee-clutch" pals!

Have a great day and thank you all for the wonderful comments and, more importantly, your friendship!

Big super-sized HUGS!

A dreary, rainy Sunday...

...not that I mind since I don't have to go out but I don't like rain. Actually, I love rain! The sound it makes is so soothing, well, unless it is a raging storm. But, my joints aren't real crazy about it!

Not much going on in my little world so I will try to answer some questions that have been posted.

Jo Ann...

I hope you read this. Try this link. http://get-winrar.com/en/ I have used WinRar for years and wouldn't change since this one program handles both .rar and .zip files and I find it so much easier than WinZip. It is only a pay program if you want all the bells and whistles but I have never paid anything nor do I think anyone else has. Most of the blogs and scrapping sites I go to use it so it would be well worth your time to add it to your computer. Let me know if you still have problems and don't worry, for right now I am keeping the freebies active since I am too lazy, or uninspired, to delete and then have to go update each post!

Thank you, thank you to NinaJo! I was trying to think of a name for my new dream man. His badge just said R. and his last name...but he is now to be known as Officer Goodbody! (and, oh, gee, did I mention that he was...never mind, I digress, yet again!)

Pins that look like they are going through the paper? I use several methods depending what kind of mood I am in, I guess, and what they are going through. Let me try to explain briefly, and maybe I will get ambitious (but don't count on it) and write up a little Janni-tut about it. I use PSP and do not have a clue about PS so for you PS users, I am sorry!

• Pin, just sticking in...decide where you want it, erase what you don't need of the pin part and I always add a little dot of black where the pin is going in on a new layer then Gaussian blur it. I add the drop shadow as a separate layer so I can manipulate it separately from the pin. Use this same method for staples, stitches, anything that pierces material...adds more realism.


• Pin sliding through a material...method 1...place where you want it, erase a middle section. On a new layer select an area with your lasso selecting tool just where the material would be humped up a little and bevel it. It will be a clear bevel with a little bit of a shadow. If it looks too harsh, you can use your softening brush and blend it a little. And, again add a little spot of black where the pin pierces the material.


• Pin sliding through material...method 2...follow above for pin placement and erasure but on the material layer use your burn brush to darken either side of the hump and then use your dodge brush to highlight a line down the center.


• Going through a transparent material, like vellum...I duplicate the pin layer before doing anything to it. Move this layer down below the vellum layer then go back to top pin layer and follow one of the methods above.

Once you use your dodge and burn brushes, you can find a million uses for them, to add shadows where you want, highlights... And, little short cut tip...if you are using your burn brush and you left click, it becomes the dodge brush and vice versa...saves time.

Now, is that clear as mud? I duplicate layers a lot when I am going for a layering look then you don't have to be so precise with you erasing. Just be careful about your drop shadow though since it can throw it off if you get too careless! Anyway, there is always the undo button! (Thank, God!)

Download no longer available...sorry!

Have a good day and remember to leave a little love where ever you go!

New Kit!

I have decided! THIS is the new kit! It is called "Grandpa and Me". I know, kinda strange for a kit that is pinks and purples but they are my daughter's favorite colors and I designed it to do this LO of her and her Grandpa. The pic was taken for her HS Senior Prom...she looked so sophisticated and elegant and my Dad was so proud of his "Princess"! The quote applies to both of them because they had such a special bond that carried them both through some rough times. They could both make each other laugh when no one else could. Sure wish I had a digital camera back then so the pic would be less grainy!

Download no longer available...sorry!

(See I do read your comments and I will start numbering them for you!)

Well, ladies, I hate to inform you but Lars has been claimed and has moved on. Stormy was the first to post to yesterday's post and she snagged him up in a New York minute! And, as I talked to her last night, she was already starting to re-train him! Seems he kept asking for me and that was not setting well with her! Now, don't be upset with her...she is going through a tough time right now and she really needed those strong shoulders to cry on! I am SURE that when she is feeling better, she will share...never mind...no, she won't! LOL! But, really, ladies, dreaming up your own "pool boy" is easy...just look at your significant other and think the opposite! Now, I love my DH to bits but he is on the short side, thin, balding and dark hair so-o-o-o-o Lars was tall, built and muscular, a full head of blonde hair...see...easy! But, like I told Stormy, not real intelligent but then I wasn't looking for a lot of conversation and arguments! Geez, I can get that without fantasizing!

Okay, so today, one of my son's friends has gotten into selling vacuum cleaners (rolls eyes!) and is coming to practice his schtick on me. I really hate to see him get into this as I know it is not going to work out but, heh, what do I know! I know this...if I had a spare $3000, there is no way I am spending it on a vacuum unless it comes with a body to push it around! But, if he wants to practice and, in the meantime, vacuum some of my house, who am I to argue?

Well, going to make some brownies, a request from the gimp! She is still sleeping so, hopefully, she is a little more comfortable today.

Okay, guess it was the calm before the storm...

DD has had a couple of bad days so I haven't had much time to myself. She pulled a lot of muscles when she fell and between that and her leg she has been very uncomfortable and, dare I say, cranky! She is sore from the crutches, can't sleep because she can't get comfortable...I feel so bad for her but all the bending and such is starting to take a toll on me and my back so we might be sharing the heating pad soon! My son is coming home this weekend so at least she will have a new face to talk to and he is real good at cheering people up since he is such a ham!

My day got off to a real GREAT (sic) start! My husband came in the back door accompanied by a police officer, asking me if I had talked to my mother yet today! (she lives upstairs) Apparently, 911 was dialed and he responded. Now, picture this, I have just gotten up, in my ratty robe (of course, not my new one), hair is disheveled (to put it mildly) and now, I feel like I am going to have a heart attack! WE race through my house to go upstairs and there in the hallway is my mother going out to get her newspaper...fit as a fiddle, wondering what the h-ll all the commotion is about! The only thing we can figure out is that her phone has 911 on speed dial as #1 and she had been trying to call her sister, who is a toll call, and having trouble getting it to go through, so, I guess, just dialing the 1 went through as 911! We are going to reprogram her phone so that 911 is not #1! Of course, she is adamant that she didn't call and can't seem to understand what happened. Now, add to this scenario, this cop was drop dead gorgeous! I mean, he knocked my fantasy pool boy right into the water! I mean, Calendar Gorgeous! I would want him for all 12 months! Needless to say, I now have a new fantasy man so anybody that wants Lars...can have him! Just, please treat him nice, he serves a mean pina colada and gives a great massage! LOL!

The last piece of this kit! An overlay to set off your pics and a tag.

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WOW! 912 downloads on the papers for this kit! I am so glad that you all liked it! Now, I have to decide which kit to start next...hmmmm............I have got a several finished and several in the works. I love creating them but resizing, naming, compressing...yuck! Not my favorite part!

To answer a couple of questions....all the freebies, including the tuts, are listed in the left margin. Just click on the one you want, it will bring to the page it is on and then you just have to go to the download link. AND, as far as some of the links not working, please try them again. I tried the ones that were in question and they were okay so maybe 4shared was having a hiccup!

Well, tha-tha-that's all folks!

Have a great weekend but, hopefully, I will chat with you before Monday!

Starting to calm down now...

We had to go back later on that day to have a new splint put on since we couldn't get in to see the orthopaedist until Wednesday. The original splint had dried with a dent in it that was pressing into the break and the drier it got the more it hurt so off to the ER again. Got the bright pink cast on the next morning and although still in a lot of pain it is getting a little better. Thank you all for the well wishes and Jenny, she absolutely loved the Keith Urban! Thank you so much!

LOL! She is already bored and looking for things to do with her new decreased mobility. Like her mother, she doesn't understand moderation! Guess it is payback of some kind for me!

So, today, I am giving you another 2 parts, the heart tags and another group of elements. Gotta get to the grocery store so I will just post and go! Hugs to all of you and many, many thanks!

Sorry, this download has been removed

My daughter...

...can dance like an angel but walking gives her trouble! My daughter has been dancing since she was 5 and when she does ballet, she just floats and is so beautiful to watch. But, she takes "not being able to walk and chew gum at the same time" to an all time high!

I was just about to put the clean sheets on my bed and turn in for the night when we got a phone call from her at work, crying. She had caught her foot on a phone cord while getting up from her desk, lost her balance, fell and "I think I broke my ankle"! She said a lady that was 10 feet from her heard the pop and she couldn't put any weight on it and "Mom, there is this hard lump above my ankle bone. That's not good, is it?" Um, no! So, DH and I drive down and pick her and her car up and off to the Emergency Room we go. X-rays confirmed a fractured fibula and she is heartbroken because they still have one more day of inventory and she is the only one that really knows the program to download all the info and she feels like she is letting them down! So after spending 5 hours in the Emergency Room, they put a hard splint on it and we have to go to the orthopaedist tomorrow for the cast. She is actually thinking that after that, she is going into work! Um, no, again! She is in a lot of pain although the pain meds are starting to kick in and she is getting a little loopy and silly. Poor kid, she is so responsible to her job and I know she will be on the phone constantly tomorrow talking people through the computer part of it. At least it is workman's comp and she will still get something while she is out.

So, it is now 4:41am and I am trying to wind down, still have no sheets on my bed and am thinking maybe I could get my imaginary pool boy to do that for me! (oh, and by the way, he is my pool boy, I don't share so you will all have to get your imaginations going and dream up your own! Mine is 6'3", blonde hair, muscular, tanned and his name is Lars...very Scandinavian!) So, I thought I would post the Freebie since tomorrow (or, actually, later on today) might be hectic. Today is the "everyday" tags that go with the kit. They are not Valentine-y so you can use them with other LO's.

Sorry this download has been removed

Just had to edit and add this! Just checking my email and Jenny did another page of her beautiful grand nieces! So cute, Jenny! I am so glad you are enjoying this kit and thank you for sharing your LO's!

Monday, Monday

You scrappin' chickies are on a roll! Here is Jenny's Quickpage from the current kit. The three girls are her grandnieces. Beautiful little girls! Thanks for sharing, Jenny!

Well, we had 2 beautiful days of 60 degree weather and today is cold and rainy! So, I am back to walking like Granny Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies! Did I tell you guys that I bought an Inversion Table? One of those contraptions that hangs you upside down and lets gravity work its magic? So far, I only invert about 60 degrees, too chicken to try the full 90 yet but it does seem to help with the back pain, takes some of the pressure off the nerves that my crumbly discs are putting on them! I have until the end of the month to decide whether or not to keep it so still in the testing phase! Someone posted that their daughter had gotten one of those whole body vibration things for fibro...any up date on that?

My aunt is feeling so much better, thank you for those that sent good wishes her way. We took her to Walmart to do a little shopping for essentials and then had her over for dinner. When I took her home I set up her scent diffuser and, WOW, I've got to buy me one of those! It smelled so good in her little apartment not very long after I set it up! My niece had given her one of those battery operated scented candles which is very pretty but it does not give off much scent so she is going to put that in her bathroom and maybe since it is a smaller room, she will get some aroma from it. Both very cool little goodies! Curious to see how long the oil in the diffuser lasts, anybody know?


Thank you all for the comments on this kit! And, some little birdie asked if the hearts were going to be given as a separate element??? Why, yes, since they were the inspiration! Was going to make them the last thing but since you asked....here they are!

You can download them here and keep up with leaving the love....you make my day!

Sorry, this download has been removed

Have a Sparkling day! As for me, I think I am going to go soak in a hot bath and pretend that I am in a sunny, tropical place with a gorgeous pool boy waiting on me!

Big Hugs!

Happy Weekend!

Well, I didn't get as much accomplished as I hoped but everything in moderation, right? My son left to go back to school and that kind of messed me up because I had to get his "Care Package" ready to go back with him. I feel bad because I usually have so much more for him to take back. When I cook supper, I still cook for 5 even though there is just 4 of us eating. The leftovers are frozen in those divided plates and then when he comes home I usually have a stack of them to send back. Saves on his grocery bill and at least I know he is eating balanced meals. But, with the holidays and being away, not too many were made so I had to compensate somehow and cleaned out the pantry and freezer to the point where now I have to go grocery shopping today!

I can't believe the weather we are having today...it must be at least 60 degrees outside and gorgeous! Got all my windows open and airing out the house from the closed up for winter stagnancy? (Is that a word...sure that spell check will tell me and if it isn't, it should be!) I think that is what I hate the most about winter is not having the fresh air in the house. I am the same way in the heat of summer with the air conditioners...after a while, I don't care how hot it is, I have to have "real" air! I just may even wash my sheets and hang them out on the line and let them dry the old fashioned way!

I am so glad you are all liking this kit. I, too, love the colors! Not only are they good for Valentines, but for girly pages, Easter, Moms, Spring... that is why you will see not only "heart" stuff but "everyday stuff" with the elements. Very versatile! Today I am giving you 2 more pieces so in case I don't get to it tomorrow, you will have more of the kit! I need to go check up on my aunt who is living in an assisted care place that is just now opening back up after being quarantined by the flu. It is a beautiful place and cost her a pretty penny to stay there but lately it has been going through some changes that are really ticking me off. They have started charging to serve meals in the patients rooms which I can understand on a long term basis but, you know old people, always trying to save a penny. So consequently, even if they are sick, they go to the dining room and that is what happened...one lady had the flu and it just spread like wild fire! Idiots! One lady died from complications who just happened to be an old neighbour of ours from years ago. We didn't even know she was a patient there since she was on the skilled side. Too bad because my Mom would have loved to have seen her. So, if my aunt is up to it we will take her out for a little while and get her some fresh air. Plus, I got her one of those scent diffusers for Christmas and she can't see well enough to set it up. She loves candles but can't have them there so I thought a diffuser would be great.

So, onto the previews for the freebies. Today is 4 pretty side borders and some fibers! I love these side borders!

You can download them here and remember, leave a little love and if you do a LO, please let me see!

Sorry, this download has been removed

Have a great weekend all and

Happy Birthday to Pugsli!

HiHo, HiHo, I am moving much too slow!

Before we get to today's chatting and freebie, Ilona sent me a link to a LO that she did with the embroidery hoop. In her words " a little funky" but I love it! Too cute! Thanks for sharing with us, Ilona!

For the credits for the other elements used see here.

Okay, so who still has their Christmas tree still up? Here's my dilemma...should I clean the house and enjoy the tree for a few more days and then mess up the house again taking it down? Or, take it down amidst all the mess and have a huge mess to clean up that will take me days to clean up? I don't know! Think I need to sit and ponder this over a nice cup of coffee, while I watch Dr. Phil, then enjoy the tree a little longer and maybe make my decision tomorrow! What do you think? Russian Christmas hasn't passed yet and even though I am not Russian, I don't think I should slight anyone! Any excuse not to do it!

The new year is here so I guess I have to make those appointments for all the homework my doctor gave me. The bloodwork is no problem, its those "other" tests that I am not looking forward to. The joys of being female and old! Maybe I will make that decision when I decide about the tree! Are you sensing a pattern here? Yes, I am the Queen of Procrastination! It is one of my resolutions for this year...along with getting over hating to talk on the telephone. Yes, contrary to public opinion, I do not like to talk on the phone, or more specifically, hate calling to make appointments, get information, telemarketers, that kind of stuff. I never was like this, it is since I am no longer working that it started. Before that, I was super organized and part of my job was making calls to organize and get things straightened out. So, I am blaming the company I used to work for because they moved to Florida! Sounds good to me...no sense in trying to change! LOL! Actually, the mind is willing but the body takes over and poops out way before I am done. As my DH says, if I didn't have slow motion, I would have no motion! My response is, slow motions is at least better than no motion which, unfortunately, happens all too frequently!

Speaking of DH...what a mood he is in! I don't know if it is post-vacation syndrome or starting back to his own business, but crabby does not even begin to cover it! It started about 15 miles from our house when we were driving home yesterday and it better end soon! I'll give him a couple of days and then we might have to have a little "discussion"! Between him and my daughter, who is in the middle of overseeing the inventory of the store and working 14-16 hours a day it is like being in the middle of a bear who was woken up mid-hibernation and and a mountain lion trapped in a corner! This is their first year of doing the inventory the Macy's way and they are trying to make the store proud so there is a lot of pressure and I am sure that if they do a good job, it will shine a nice light on her so am trying to cut her some slack, too. But, all this being patient and understanding is exhausting!

So, I guess today will be spent trying to straighten up the house and getting caught up on things. I am going to set myself a limit and "no computer time" until I get something accomplished! (We'll see how long THAT lasts!) Before I go and try to actually accomplish this, I had better give you all today's freebie, right? Because if I can't have any more computer time until I accomplish something, it might be months before you hear from me again!

Today's freebie is the bows and ribbons for "UR My Sweetie Heart"

Sorry, this download has been removed

Oops, almost forgot!

Pooh, had to go back and try to find your email....it will take me days to catch up on them! But, I promised that if anyone did a LO with one of my kits, I would post it and you are the first! Very pretty and you all look like you enjoyed Christmas! Thanks!

Finally Home!!

Well, on Wednesday morning DH says, how about we have the chicken for supper tonight? I'll do them on the grill. "I thought we were going home today?" He replies, "Oh, maybe tomorrow, thought I would get some fishing in today." I think if he didn't have therapy today, we would still be up at the cabin!



We did have a great time and I can't say that it is so great to be home. The cabin was nice and clean and my house is suffering from not being tended to for almost a week. The kids tried to keep it clean but they just don't see everything that I see!



Lola, the cat, really missed the dogs and when we got home she was all over them which is very unlike her. Normally, she just tolerates them but today she is loving them up in a big way! Guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder! My poor kids claimed they were starving while we were gone. Claimed no food in the house! Guess all that frozen stuff in the freezer doesn't count unless Mom is home to cook it! Of course, Joe and I were mean and told them everything we had to eat while we were up there...rib eye steak, chicken parm, veal florentine, burgers, grilled chicken and all those goodies from New Year's Eve! Heh, we invited them to come up and join us!



Didn't take too many pics...the weather was not the greatest and things would have been so much prettier with some snow! And, of, course, can't take pics in the museum so my camera did not get much of a work out! Did get one of an old beaten barn that had a wreath on it that I thought was pretty cool. There are not too many old barns left up there since people buy them, dismantle them and move them. We actually saw them do it once. They number all the boards and draw all kinds of diagrams before they take them apart. Pretty interesting and I suppose they are still being preserved somewhere instead of just letting them fall down. And, unfortunately, the area is starting to grow and a lot of people are building on the mountain and it is getting a little crowded. I guess it is good for the economy for the town but kind of takes away from the remote feeling. Some big, BIG money moving in to the area and the homes they are building are huge and they are just summer homes! Most have caretaker's quarters with them...must be nice to have that kind of money!



Anyway, I missed you guys and scrapping. Did you miss me? I appreciate those of you who told me to enjoy, take my time...hugs! But, to make up for my absence, in addition to starting the kit today, I am also going to give you a quickpage! So......are you ready?

Here are the papers:

And the Quickpage: (png format so you can just slip your pic behind)

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And, HAPPY 2007 TO ALL OF YOU!

Greetings from up North!

Well, I finally got signed in on the computer at the cabin...not an easy task! It is moving slower than a snail in January in an ice storm going up hill...get the picture? Even with the rain today, I am moving faster than this computer! But I am going through withdrawal and just had to get some puter time in.

So, did everyone have a great New Year? DH and I spent a very quiet night together. We had gone to Stockbridge to the Norman Rockwell Museum. It was so interesting and I just love his work. I am a traditionalist when it comes to art...like what I see to look like what it is... and his paintings are so detailed that it is just amazing. I can remember when I was little waiting for the Saturday Evening Post to come so I could see what the cover would be and my brother's used to get Boy's Life when they were in scouts and he did a lot of the covers for that also. I sure do wish now that we had saved all of them! I wonder how much they would be worth? But, when you see the actual paintings, you can really see the detail and all the brush work. Just amazing and so glad that we went. Then, on the way home we stopped for an early dinner at our fav little restaurant up here and ate like oinkers! A couple that we are friends with up here were to come over at night but she had come down with some nasty cold/flu and just was not up to it so we just threw on our comfy clothes, fixed some goodies (clams on the half shell, shrimp and bacon wrapped artichoke hearts) , had the wood stove going and "snuggled up" (yes, he actually snuggled) and watched some movies, and fought to stay awake until midnight! We are such party animals!

Today is rainy...sure wish it was snow! It is so pretty up here in the snow and there is something so cozy about looking out and seeing the snow coming down and smelling a wood fire! But, it has only flurried a little here and there. We ventured out today in the rain and fog to, hold on to your hats....K-Mart! Yep, we went all out and hit the big time! Got some sweatshirts, jeans for him and my son on clearance and I treated myself to some new "sexy" undies! Well, they will be sexy until I put them on then I am afraid their appeal will be lost! He is talking about heading home on Wednesday so we have a couple more days of peace and quiet. But, I am missing my kids so am getting a little anxious. My son has to head back to school by the end of the week and I really hate missing time with him. Gee, what will I do when my kids get married and really move away? I will be a basket case for sure!

We are really having a great time although not really doing too much but sometimes you just need to slow down and relax and regroup. (um...having a hard time doing that though!) I miss my puter and will never again complain about it being slow, I miss my PSP and you guys. I did bring my sketch pad and have trying to work on some doodles and sketching some ideas but it is not the same. I never thought I was a type A personality but I think maybe I am since I am having trouble really kicking back and relaxing. Usually, when we are here our friends are here and there is more activity. Geez, I am actually cleaning and looking for more things to clean! I went grocery shopping and spent 2 hours in the New Super Stop and Shop they just opened here. At home, cleaning and grocery shopping are my 2 least favorite things to do! Ah, well, I am sure when I get home I will miss this peace and quiet so I am going to stop complaining and just enjoy it!

Well, I will talk to you all when we get home. I was going to check some of my email again...only took me 25 minutes to go through 7 emails before so I think I will go fix some hot chocolate instead!

Oh, Pooh, did see your email with your LO but I could really see the pic very well and didn't dare try to download it on this computer. When I get home I will though and post it on here to show off for you! Anyone else do any LO's?

Talk to you all soon...........