End of Year Tribulations

I have been doing accounting/bookkeeping for our hometown newspaper for nigh on 14 years. That's a long time by any standards, only to be told last Tuesday I had been doing it wrong this last year. (bou blink) What changed? Certainly not me. Things have been a little stressful at home and this just about put me over the edge. I was ready to chuck it all, stay at home, play Sid Meier's Civilization and nuke all the other countries when they annoyed me.

Fortunately for me, I did not take that course of action. The boss and I came to an understanding. And with a few suggestions from him and a couple from me, this next year the accounting is going to be a snap. I feel better. Much :)

Now if I can just find those dang felt pads for automatic numbering machines. If you know where to get them, let me know.... (and this is probably why the boss and I do get along)... he was considering just buying another one if we couldn't replace the pads. I told him it wasn't worth it, as a package of the pads only cost about 5 dollars when we bought the a couple of years ago; while the auto # machines run between $40 and $80. I'm cheap, LOL. That's why he keeps me on.... :)


Brenda Miller (template); DigiDiva (Homemade Memories); Font: Summertime

Movie Madness

Ever since Sunday when Pan set up the projector and we watched "Bridge to Terebithia" the kids have been dying to watch everything on it. The Princess wants to watch "Charmed"; Indy wants to watch anything with guns since his mother has said no more gun movies. I guess tonight is going to be a 'movie night.' Pan better make sure we have plenty of popcorn, LOL.

But speaking of 'gun' movies, I haven't noticed any that are completely devoid of guns, fighting, swords, etc. Apparently "Star Wars" and the like are still included in Indy's list of watchable movies even though they have guns and sabers and force powers. Maybe it is the force powers that tipped the edge in favor since he knows that there are no force powers (as in Star Wars).

And when did they take the "Upside Down Show" off noggin. It is one show we could get Indy to watch and actually sit and watch it (participating when required, off course). It was so fun to hear him laugh at the antics or smirk and say "I told you so" when the brothers did anything wrong. We were just watching it last week and now I can't find it. Noggin if you are listening, please, please, please bring it back.


Brenda Miller (template); DigiDiva (Homemade Memories); Font: Summertime

It's Monday Already?

Something happened this weekend to really put a damper on my days. Suffice it to say that I bought something online for my sister, password protected it and put it in a special folder in my 4shared account and I actually had someone write wanting the password. That just tells me I can't do anything online for family and get it to them immediately without others taking what they want.

Okay enough ranting, I guess. So how was your weekend? Otherwise, mine was good. We had company on Saturday and watch "Indiana Jone and the Crystal Skull." Last night we tacked a sheet up to the wall to try out the projector we got for the kids so that we could set up a drive/walk-in theater in the backyard for them (invitation only, lol). We watched "Bridge to Terebithia" and I can't remember a more depressing movie. I was under the impression that it was a fantasy. There was some, but not much.

Okay, dishonest people and a depressing movie... Guess my weekend wasn't all that great.

Brenda Miller (template); DigiDiva (Homemade Memories); Font: Summertime

Wake Up, It's Sunday

It has been a dreary day. Muggy, hazy and foggy all rolled into one. A good day to stay indoors and relax. But that was not to be as just as Indy and I got into a comfortable snuggle under the covers, Bug called. After that it just wasn't the same. His mom came in to give him a good-bye kiss, then I decided he needed some cold medicine as he is pretty stuffed up.

Pan, Indy and I did finally get out of the house and headed over to Home Depot for new doorknobs for the front and back doors. There's nothing wrong with the ones we have except we have lost the key to the deadbolt on the back door and can't get out.

While there he picked up some wire to redo the surround sound through the walls. Gosh is he handy or what? (I'll get some pictures of the mantle he built after we get it painted.) The we headed over to Target for a cheap dvd player (you would think we could get one of the dozens we have here working) and a sheet to hang on the wall. Santa brought the kids a dvd projector for Christmas to set up a "drive-in" theater in the backyard for them and their friends. But we want to check out first. Guess tonight will be a family movie night. Will have to think of a good movie to watch. Wonder if I can talk them into "Tin Man" or "The 10th Kingdom" again...

Well, it's getting onto suppertime down my way. I'm thinking a steak salad may be in order as I have leftover steak from last night. But before I leave you, the two pages below are part of Indy's mini "I am 4 years old" ABC album. That's my sil running neck-in-neck with Indy. Gotta Pixel's Wacky Wednesday is giving away two templates each week.

Brenda Miller (template); DigiDiva (Homemade Memories); Font: Summertime

It's award time again

And this time it comes from a very special person and teacher, Pat of Loonyhiker. She is the mainstay of the blog prompts. The boss, the top dog. Thanks Pat for thinking of me.

Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs ( if you haven't got 10 on your list, it really doesn't matter)which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Ten, huh? It is been such a while since I have blogged I am not sure who is still around (and I just gave an award out last week.)

But for a starters, how about:

1. Tammy of Personalized Creations. She has been a might be busy these days and I can't think of anyone who is better deserving. With a daring spirit and umpteen jobs, I wish I could be more like her.

2. I'm going out on a limb here, but I think I will nominate my sister, yet again. Bug over at One Happy Dog Speaks has been dealing with no sleep, every "bug" that has been making its rounds and a child with asthma problems.

3. Then there's Sticks of From Chaos to Serendipity. A woman of extraordinary strength and resolve. A much better person than I can ever hope to be.

4. Beachcomber of Lunar Tide, whose sense of humor and way of writing will leave a smile on your face.

And for now, that's just about all I can come up with, although there are more, very worthy bloggers out there.

Template by Brenda Miller; Homemade Memories kit (c)Connie Prince/DigiDiva Designs

The year in review: January - icicles; February - lunar eclipse; March - flowers in bloom; April - the squirrels come out in force; May - Pool opens; June - living at the pool; July - outdoor cooking; August - Quark's Bar in Vegas; September - on the beach with Pan's sister; October - Halloween; November - Thanksgiving and a Disney Extravaganza; December - Christmas

Yeah, it's Thursday

Oops, spoke to soon. I just remembered I have to go to work tomorrow. Spent today working on end of the year accounting and didn't get the tickets for yesterday entered as I usually do on Thursdays. If I still have this headache tomorrow though, I may wait and go in on Monday. It is soooo nice to be flexible.

Even I have that mean streak. The one that sticks their tongue out at fellow workers because they are stuck in the 8-5 grind. heheheh.

Snuggle Up sampler (c)Sarah Meyer

Applicants step right up

Poor Pan. Just after the holidays the employee manning the help-desk quit. He's now having to interview to fill the position. Those of you who live down south can understand the problems associated with this. First you are either going to get applicants who are not qualified at all or over-qualified. Then the economy down south is on the lower end of the financial statement, so to speak. On the up side the cost of living is lower too. But when people decide to move here for the lower cost of living, they still want what they were making prior. Ain't ever going to happen. Still he has high hopes that the position will be filled this week. Cross your fingers for him, will ya? Thanks

Season's Greetings (c)Rose Li Padoveze and Sweet Digi Scrap

Tuesday's Tribulations

To be honest there were no tribulations today; not even any "see me's" from the boss. Everyone hates to get one of those notes on your desk first thing because it usually means you messed something up. For me it usually means he is going to change the way I do things once again.

But none of those today. I got my work done by noon and went to lunch with a friend to hear about her trip to see her brand new granddaughter. She forgot to bring pictures in so I will have to rap her upside the head on Thursday to see them. (Or refuse to include her in payroll, lol).

Picked the Princess up from school and she is in the living room doing her homework now. I think I will go see if we can turn off the cartoons and put in Charmed. She wants to see the episode where Phoebe turns into a mermaid.

Tootles till later.

Scraplift of SouthAfrican's "Splash"; template by kaledain; Flights of Fancy kit by Cherie Shields

Once a Fool

always a fool, right? That's just about how I feel right now. I still want to make sure I get back into blogging on a regular basis, but really don't have anything to say right now.

November Blueprint template by Brenda Miller; All About Boys Mega Kit (c)Gotta Pixel Designers

How Much are the Ferrets in the Window...

Nuke has four ferrets. Ashi (evil), Fuzen (Mischief), Baito (Bite) and the only little boy, Kaze (wind). Cute little devils. But Pan & I have decided that Baito needs to be renamed to tama no kamu nin, which is the closest Scamp could come up with to Ballbiter.

Nuke has streaming video on his little darlings (and no I'm not going to share it with you until I get the okay to do so). There is about a 30 second delay between our talk on the phone and the video. We are talking and suddenly he is yelling in my ear that Baito has bitten him... 30 seconds later the video catches up and he is flinging himself backwards then forwards again grabbing his crotch and rocking back and forth. Now you really had to hear and see this for yourself to get the full effect, but since I did, I was rolling with laughter and trying very hard to explain to Nuke why it wasn't so funny.

Now I'm going to share my most recent desktops with you, :)

This one was up for ages since I put it up just before I had real problems with my computer. But I love it anyway.

This is my current one. I was so pleased to find out I had taken photos of Indy and the Princess so it looks like they are facing one another with the walkie talkies Indy got from ddpuppies and Bear for Christmas.

This is next month's. It was made for the Rock Your Desktop challenge at Gotta Pixel. The challenge was, you guessed it, another convert color to b&w. I used the channel mixer on this one instead of using just one of the channels. Isn't she a doll?

An Award

From Tee at Tee's Scrap's I received the following award. This was so unexpected and I just wish I had realized it earlier so I could have sent her a thank you much earlier. But better late than never and here is a very big THANK YOU Tee for such a wonderful award.



Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate 5 other blogs for this award
4. Add links to those blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs
6. Give a reason why you consider their blogs cool

Number 1 - Check
Number 2 - Check (and check out her blog too, gorgeous...)
Number 3 - Thinking (check)
Number 4, 5, 6 - Waiting on number 3 (check, check, check)

Let's start with Linda of Bon Scrapatit. Just stopping by will have me in peals of laughter and talk about beautiful kits. Yummy.

Then there's ArtcTrish. What's not to say... The work she does with the school plays, her photographs, her zest.

Yin of Simply Yin and Yin Designs has the most beautiful boys. It is always a pleasure to see what they are up to. Besides she is one of the few designers who makes multiple picture templates. You got to check them out.

Mrs. Who of the House of Zathras because she is a very good friend and because she, along with my sister, keeps tabs on my blog to see if I post, LOL.

Which leaves us with my sister who really does deserve a TLC award for all she does with so little sleep. So Bug with One Happy Dog Speaks here's your award.

I'm Back (I think)

Well I now have new computer. Brand spanking new. Okay not brand spanking new, it is about three weeks old now. I had a week before we got the cable to hook up the terabyte drive (which by the way is now half full since Pan put my pictures on it). And we are installing programs one at a time, at least a day or two apart; except graphics programs which we will install at least a week between them. But I have been working on it, making scrapbook pages, playing with photos and playing Sid Meier's Civilization (an older version). Caught up with the black and white photography challenge at Gotta Pixel, and will post them here now (hehehe):

July's challenge was to find something abandoned. I had managed to take a picture of this abandoned house while we were visiting Nuke in South Carolina that just seemed to fit the bill.

August was to photograph a flower. This is the one that made the cut and was posted at Gotta Pixel.

This was actually my favorite, but due to popular demand (and the fact that it really is a much better photograph the one above won out).

September was suppose to be a 'skyline' but where to you find one of those on the Gulf Coast, except possibly New Orleans and I wasn't going to drive there. Instead I chose a shot of a nearby town and marina.

Then October was to photograph a landscape. Beach, beach and more beach, lol. I did manage to get this one at dusk as we were leaving Pan's sister's beach house.

November was a month to bring forth those birthday pictures. I really love how this turned out. Doesn't look great with the girls faces smeared but I think I may actually have a larger copy of this one made for my daughter.

Since the challenges are more than just taking pictures, but about converting color pictures to black and white, I tried something a little different with these than I have in the past. Something I use to do when I was the graphic artist at the paper. I separated the photos into their red, green and blue channels and then picked the best one to make adjustments to. For those not in the know, separating photos into red, green and blue channels does not make them red, blue or green, but monotone with each having different contrast, saturation and brightness. Other than the second flower (which I used the red channel) and the beach at dusk (blue channel); I used the green channel.

I'm hoping to get back up to speed on posting soon. But it has been a while so bear with me okay?