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?

Halloween 2008

Dorothy & Batman

Late Afternoon

With Lights on

Gargoyle

Front Door


At Dusk

Bloody Mary

Bush Peepers 1

Bush Peepers 2

Landings of Tribulation

By now you probably know that Pan took me to Vegas for my birthday. A good thing for both of us as the Star Trek Experience shut down on the last day of August. I enjoyed the trip there and tried to get some pictures of the lightning, but it was just to fast for my fingers, LOL.

Although this is not too terribly good, it is one that I got as we were preparing to come in for a landing. The daytime on the way home were much better and you will be seeing some of those in the days to come.

Reincarnation Tribulations

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Spy

65% Intrigue, 63% Civilization, 76% Humanity, 30% Urbanization.

Live well, ride fast, and die young, baby!

Well, you turned out to be something of a rogue. This may not be exactly the life you wanted... but it's difficult to place people who want to enjoy all the romance and intrigue of civilization, without actually having a demanding job. Besides, since you enjoy the benefits of humanity so much more than you enjoy the press of humanity itself... you shouldn't have much trouble with your role in life. As long as you aren't afraid of danger there's a place for you in society, even if it's a rather dark and wicked place. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to fulfill the role of a spy.

The good news: You're free and clever, and you can do whatever the heck you want. The bad news: everybody else is free and clever too, and they're not all on your side.

With the flick of a blade, you can change the course of history. Might be fun. Might be a little messy.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

As seen at One Happy Dog.

Summer's Tribulations

Well, I sure have been awol haven't I? It has been a busy summer and looks like the start of school is just as busy. I'll try to get back into the grove soon, really....

Of course you all know that Pan's boss died in a motorcycle accident at the end of June and we had that to deal with and the worry about whether Pan would even have a job. That has worked out quite well. Then we ended up with the kids more than I expected (not that I'm complaining, yet, LOL). And Pan ended up out of town more than a few times.

In August we took a trip to Las Vegas (my birthday present from Pan) to see the Star Trek Experience. Good thing too, since they closed it September 1. While we enjoyed ourselves it was disappointing to find all the shops but one on the promonade closed and that one didn't have much of anything.

In order to plan for that time off, I had to work more. Still more when we got back because it was the end of the month.

Pan's sister, who we haven't seen, came into town and we spend the weekend with her and Pan's parents. I also stopped by my sister's and picked up an old photo album to scan.

You know writing it down, doesn't sound like I did a lot, but it sure seemed busy and full while I was doing it :)

Laboring on Staying Safe

This is vw bug stepping in to post for Tink. She is fine. Just keeping out of trouble with Hurricane Gustav sending out Tornadoes and wind and rain her way.

I'm sure she'll be posting more soon!

It is Tink's Birthday...

This is vwbug, Tink's sister. Sneaking over and leaving a birthday post for my sister. She got another year older today.



Wasn't she a cute baby???

Happiest of Birthday's Sis!

Happy Birthday Bugaboo

In case you didn't know, today is the Bug's birthday. It's hard to believe I have actually put up with her for 44 years. You're getting old sis. And I'm old enough that sticking your tongue out and saying I'm older doesn't bother me one bit, LOL.

This is the same child that dumped out an entire bottle of my perfume (it was a gift from a 1st grade class) on her head. Who would peek out her bedroom window when I was coming home from a date and say "I see you." Who thought you used golf balls to take out the overpopulation of squirrels and tennis balls to keep the human population to a minimum.

So dear sister, HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me, Pan, Bombshell, The Princess, Indy, Scamp, Honey, Ballerina and Nuke.

Color Revolution "Boldly Brown" ©Connie Prince; template by Cindy Gilchrist; Fonts: Paperclip, AvantGarde Bk BT

Color My Tribulations

The Color My Pixel challenge had some very interest colors to work with this month, red, blue, cream, taupe, green and seafoam. And I chose a picture of my dad to showcase in it. Isn't he just the cutest?

Oh, did I mention that I bought a new scanner? I did. Now all I have to do is organize all the pictures around the house, LOL.

template by Di Hickman; many thanks to the various commercial use artists; Fonts: Stencil, Times New Roman

Challenging Desktop Tribulations

The desktop challenge at Gotta Pixel this month was to use a font or alpha you haven't used before. And being a day late and a dollar short this entire summer had not changed for this either. The desktop I did would have definitely been better for July and the red, white and blue. Still it is what is up now and probably will stay that way unless I get around to trying the desktop challenge at goDigital.

Just to update though, we are all doing fine. Pan is still working, but traveling a lot more these days and working weekends (as he is doing now. Thank goodness he has an office here at home or I would never be seeing him, LOL). We celebrated our 19th anniversary. The daughter has been working overtime as the girl she was training as manager came down with mono. This means we have had the kids a lot more than we expected.

Pan had already paid for first class tickets and hotel reservations prior to everything happening so we are still headed to Las Vegas at the end of the month.


Stars & Stripes ©Connie Prince and Lynne Simmons; Stitching ©She's Full of Scrap; Template by Misty Cato; font: Birth of a Hero

Tribulations of a Mind Lost

Yep, I have truly lost it. My mind left for LV without me and I won't be joining it for another several weeks. I had totally forgot that I had made a very special card for Pan for our anniversary. Totally.... Forgot....

Anyway, Pan if you are reading here is the card I made especially for you and forgot to print out.

Color Revolution 'Ravishing in Red' ©Connie Prince; sketch by Becky Fleck; Font: LoveLight

Happy Anniversary

I know I have been lax in posting and I need to be better about it. But it has truly been a strange summer. Too many ups and downs. Too many nights of bad dreams and lack of deep sleep. Too many worries about the future and too many thoughts of the past. I will try to do better. Really....

But I guess you are wondering about the title. Today marks 19 years of a glorious honeymoon that Pan and I have traveled together. It seems to be such a short time of space, but as I think back, I cannot with great clarity recall what it was like before. I think it is safe to say that I absolutely adore the man I married. More than Love (which I do love him), I count him as my best friend, my confidant, my shoulder to lean on and my sounding board. I happen to also LIKE him. Thank you, Pan, for this wonderful honeymoon of a marriage and I am looking forward to many more years together.

Lyrical Tribulations

It was time for another lyric challenge at the GP Corral. This month was to use the lyrics from Elton John's song "Blessed." As Tbog says "It is perfect for expectant parents!" Unfortunately I did not have one of me pregnant. Probably have tons of Bombshell, but I have done so many of her. I opted to use a picture of Bombshell with Nuke trying to hold her. Isn't he just the sweetest big brother ever?

May Gotta Pixel Mega kit ©Gotta Pixel Designers; Alpha by Sarah Meyer; template by Andrea Gold; Font: Honey Script Light

People, Places & Tribulations

This month in the Been There Done That challenge ScrappyStitcher said that she wanted to:

See pictures of interesting people you've snapped during your travels.

Flip Flop Summer ©Kathryn Estry; template by Michelle Swadling; Font: Times New Roman

A Tribulation of Weird

Fri 7/18 Blog Prompt: What's the strangest, scariest or weirdest thing you've ever seen in person?

I may have actually posted on this before, but then again I may not have. The strangest, scariest and weirdest thing I have ever seen in a person, was in Pan.

We had just gotten back from our honeymoon in Gulf Shores and were settling into new roles as husband and wife. Things were definitely on the up-side. I loved him, the kids loved him, my dad thought his was darn near perfect.

But then that night. If I try real hard, I might be able to conjure up the sounds of thunder in the background with flashes of lightning bolts piercing the nearly shut curtains. Okay that was a lot of rubble, in fact it was just a hot, muggy night.

We had full wave waterbed and I was awakened this particular night with waves showing their white tops. My eyes peel open to see Pan jumping up and down on the bed brandishing a machete. OH, MY, WORD. Who did I actually marry?

While still terrified myself, I was able to get the bottom of the story.... Seems Pan is afraid of cockroaches and one crawled across or near him and he was going to make it suffer.

I hid the machete the next day.

Summer Skies ©Sarah Meyers; Doodle ©acm designs; Font: Agnes

Road Food Frenzy & Tribulation

Thur 7/17 Blog Prompt: Do you have a favorite snack to eat on a road trip?

I usually pick up pretzel logs and potato chips. They are fairly easy to contain and not get everywhere, nor make a sticky mess if some do end up in the seats or the floor. Personally I like fruit or veggies with dressing, but that is just too much to worry about. So I guess the pretzels and chips will have to do for a while. :)

A big thank you to Pam of Digitreats for the tutorial on this.

A Mouse, an Engine & a Tribulation

Looks like today was a free day for blog prompts so here is one for you. But more specifically for Mrs. Who after her BUSY BEE post.

Way back in 1973-1974, I think it was probably '74, I was driving my sister and a friend of hers around the thrift shop on the base. I was so proud of myself, having a license and having parents who trusted me with the car.

There was the usual chitchat that teens seem to have in abundance, but I was still keeping my eye on the road (I really didn't want to betray that trust); when what to my wandering eyes should appear but a tiny grey field mouse in the wiper well. He put his tiny little paws on the window and he looked terrified to death. I guess if I was that small and I was on some huge machine going the speed of light (we were doing 35 mph, but he's small remember), I would look pretty terrified myself. As I said we were in the neighborhood of the thrift shop, so we pulled into the vacant lot and popped the lid.

As we were checking diligently for this grey furball of a pest, a young AP showed up to ask us what we were doing. I don't think he believed us when we said that we were looking for a mouse in the engine and probably was wondering what we had been smoking, when our little friend decided to make another appearance. There was one started AP that day, as well as 3 startled teens. We did manage to get him out of the car before we started up again.

I was holding my breath though. For all I knew he could have been a key component of the engine block.

Gotta Grab It mega kit ©Gotta Pixel designers; template by ejede designs

The Tribulations of Flying

Tue 7/15 Blog Prompt: Today in History: In 1954, the first Boeing 707 flew. How do you feel about flying?

Does "Where's the plane?" mean anything to you? I love to fly. Looking out the window or curling up and sleeping. Pan usually takes his laptop and we take along some movies or series that we can watch so we aren't dependent upon what they are showing (which is usually something we don't want to watch anyway). Or taking the time to read a good book.

The only time it is a real let down is when we are placed in an area full of children. Don't get me wrong, I think children have every right to be on the plane as the next person, but when they sell the tickets you would think they could figure out when people have children and which don't. I have the same beef with restaurants. In fact, just recently, Pan and I went out and they placed us at table in the middle of families with tons of children. If they had been well-behaved it would have been okay, but they weren't and the parents were to busy in their conversations to notice. I went up to the hostess and explained that Pan and I had come out to have a nice quiet dinner and to be away from children, could they please set up elsewhere.

And speaking of restaurants another pet peeve is when they let kids sit in the bar area. Seems to me, this should be reserved for adults, unless the restaurant is soooo busy they don't have anything else available. Most times though it is because the parents want to watch the game on the tv. If that is the case.... stay home or go to a sports bar where there are televisions all over the place. We would never consider asking for a table in the bar area if we have The Princess or Indy with us. Okay enough of my rant. I'll continue it at some other time. :)

Cute Stuff "Daisies" Kathryn Estry; template by Miss Tina; Fonts: Nemo, La Jolla ES

Daily sights, sounds & tribulations

Mon 7/14 Blog Prompt: Describe each day of the week using colors and/or sounds.

Sunday: Waking up and seeing the sun streaming through the skylight above me; maybe a dog or two barking in the background.
Monday: Closing my eyes to the sight of the paper strewn around the house by Indy and kfkap. The garbage trucks are moving through the neighbor with the whir of their arms extending and retrieving the trash cans.
Tuesday: Alarm clock at 6:30 a.m. reminding me I have to go to work. Water bottle, purse and several checks looking to make sure I have two sets of keys.
Wednesday: A bounce on my back and a lick on my eyelid is enough to get me into the kitchen to look at the cat food. Major purring going on.
Thursday: Repeat of Tuesday.
Friday: Repeat of Wednesday
Saturday: 7:30 alarm clock call and a quick look into the fridge before the kids get here to make sure I have something to feed them.

Swing on a Star ©Ziggle Designs & Pineapple Plantation; based on layout by photocrazy; Font: AvantGarde Bk BT

Happy Birthday Princess

Today our little Princess turns 9 years old. Hopefully the weather will hold out for us and we will be able to have her party at the pool as planned. We had bought her Indiana Jones Legos for the Wii but ended up giving it to her early because Indy didn't want to share it on the x-box. So we bought her some books to open tomorrow. One she specifically asked for.. "Little Women." It was one of my favorites growing up and I think it will be one of hers as well. Pan is giving her "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein. We also picked up some books to give her from our parents. Pan's parents are giving her "Journey to the Center of the Earth." We thought she might like it since a new "Journey" movie is coming out soon. And "Heidi" from my mom.

Happy Birthday, Honey.
Hope you enjoy your special day.
Love, Pan & Tink

Poppy ©Retrodiva; Font: AvantGarde Bk BT

Some Days Are Just Better Than Tribulations

I have received a very special BLOG AWARD from my dear friend and designer, Linda of Bon Scrapatit. Thank you SO very much Linda! In addition to being an honor, it also came at a time when I really needed a pick me up.


The rules of the award are:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you've nominated

vw bug: My real life sister and fellow blogger who got me started in this.

Mrs. Who: One of my southern comforts can write what I feel and is a teacher extraordinaire.

Glynis: My companion in prompting and special web-friend who hales from my place of birth.

Loonyhiker: My other companion in prompting and a very special retired teacher.

ArtcTrish: My other southern comfort who is talented in so many ways.

Tammy: Didn’t you know southern comforts come in 3? Tammy is a transplanted southerner; but you wouldn’t know it, she fits in so well.

Simply Yin: And some friends are half a world away. Yin is one of those very special friends who is an inspiration in her blogging and scrapping.

Summer Tribulations

Wed 7/9 Blog Prompt: Describe your perfect summer day.

Well, I think my perfect summer day is going to be this Sunday when we celebrate the Princess' 9th birthday. Did I just say 9? Whoa, where has time gone? Seems just yesterday she was telling me that she didn't want to be 5 years old.

Okay, that was off track. The perfect day is going to have the daughter, The Princess, Indy, Pan and myself with a group of The Princess' friends and their parents at the pool. We have the pavilion reserved so it will be set up with celebratory tablecloths, streamers and food all of the hungry yung'uns after their playtime in the pool. It has been so hot that even I will enjoy my forays into the delicious blue liquid.

Maybe I'll get a head start and go to the pool on Friday all by my lonesome, LOL

But then spending the day on the 4th at my sister's was pretty perfect for a summer day too.


Summer Daze ©Amy Sumrall & Ziggle Designs; Template by Michelle Swadling based on layout by MelindaH; Font: Turtles Normal; AvantGarde Bk BT

Unexpected Twists & Tribulations

Tue 7/8 Blog Prompt: What kind of stories do you like best? Tear-jerkers? Happy endings? Unexpected twists? Or all of the above?

I like most books, just about all, in fact. Although I prefer those with unexpected endings like "Colossus" trilogy which they ended up making a movie about. Okay they only made it based on the first one, but still it was the first one that had the unexpected. I prefer happy endings as long as it is in line with the book, but can deal with those that have less than happy endings, such as "Gone with the Wind." I guess it is just the raw power Scarlett exudes that makes you know everything is going to come out right, even if it isn't in the book. I like books that make me think but are still entertaining. And I love science fiction and fantasy for a quick get away from reality. I enjoy some horror books but I am not into the slasher type books or movies. Again it just boils down to being entertained. If I can read it without being bored, then it has may seal of approval. :)

Color Revolution Boldly Brown ©Connie Prince; Word Art ©Jennifer Maceyunas; template by by Hexichen Leia; Font: Andalus

One Word of Tribualtion

Mon 7/7 Blog Prompt: If someone asked for your advice on life, what ONE WORD would you choose to share with them and why?

LIVE. Take time to enjoy the present not dwell on past mistakes or what the future may bring. As the last couple of weeks have shown me, you just never know what is around the corner.

Now if I could just take my own advice. While we are all getting over the shock, the reality is starting to set in. Reality in the guise of employment. Hopefully this week will prepare us for what the future may hold in store.

Gotta Grab It mega kit ©Gotta Pixel designers; template by Monica McGill

Camera Hunt Tribulations

This month in Paula's Camera Hunt Challenge we were to find:

1. A Kiss (Indy gives The Princess a kiss after her recital)
2. Crazy Hair (sometimes I wonder what gets into my daughter to do this to her son, but it does look cute on him and reflects his personality.)
3. Ice Cream (okay, so the kids finished their bowls of ice cream before I could get the picture, but here is a bowl as proof there was some)
4. Water Fun (while at Bear & ddpup's, the kids had a grand time in the sprinkler)
5. Silliness (still at Bear & ddpup's, there is nothing like a good wrestle in the grass)
6. Shape: Cube (Indy swipes the cat's cube and crawls in it himself)
7. Color: Pink (more from ddpup's, one of her pink daisies that among all her other butterfly flowers. This one was taken over by bees)
8. Picture of your house or home (it was a real icky day when this one was taken but look... the grass is still green)

Color Revolution "Boldly Brown" ©Connie Prince; template by Paula Yagisawa; Font: AvantGarde Bk BT

A Day of Freedom

Fri 7/4 Blog Prompt: In America today we celebrate Independence Day. What does freedom mean to you?

Life:
The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence.

Liberty:
a. The condition of being free from restriction or control.
b. The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.
c. The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor.

And the pursuit of happiness.

To have the right to choose my destiny as long as it does not infringe on another.

June 2007 Mega kit ©Rakscraps designers; template by Becky Fleck; Font: Times New Roman

Tribulations of a Beautiful Woman

Thur 7/3 Blog Prompt: Today is 'Compliment Your Mirror Day'--look in your mirror and tell us about the beautiful woman you see!

As I think back to the 3rd of July (since this is being written on the 12th in actuality) and stare into the mirror, I see thin, almost none existent lips, cheek bones most women would die for, eyebrows trying merge back into the unibrow it wants to be, shiny lustrous hair and tired eyes from all that has occurred in this past month.

But behind the tired eyes is a woman who has a twinkle in those eyes, a ready smile and genial laughter just waiting to be released. Especially upon seeing the photo below.

All About Boys mega kit ©Gotta Pixel designers; template by Miss Tina; Fonts: all used up

War of the Tribulations

Wed 7/2 Blog Prompt: Today is World UFO Day. How do you feel about that?

I'm not sure how I feel about little green men flying around and watching us; but I can't imagine being the only planet with life on it either. To paraphrase Carl Sagan "It would be awfully lonely." Maybe one day we will find that life.

Commercial use products ©Gotta Pixel designers; sketch from Just Ad Inspiration; Font: Times New Roman

Spontaneous Tribulations

Tue 7/1 Blog Prompt: What's the most spontaneous or impulsive thing you've ever done?

I may have to think on that one for some time. I'm not a very spontaneous type of person. Ahh, I think I have one.

It was when I had my ears pierced. I never wanted them pierced and still don't wear earrings much these days. But I was in my late 20's/early 30's when my ex and I had been quarreling. I went to the mall just to calm my nerves when I saw they were giving away free earrings with a $10 piercing. I don't know what came over me, but I just walked up and had it done. I still can't believe I did it, what with my fear of needles and such (in my mind, posts and hooks still represent needles). But there you have it, I did it and it was very spur of the moment.

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