a lot of newness . . .

I'm trying to master CS4, Canon 50D, Intuos3, Firefox and Gmail all at the same time. ACK!

CS4, once I get switching screens down pat, should be the easiest of them all because of Jessica Sprague's tutorials and because many of the tools work the same way they did in Elements.

My 15MPM is up for grabs. I am still having issues with it's clarity but I am hooked and there is no going back to my dRebel. One more check with my guru to see if it needs to be returned or after all these years it turns out I really don't know how to take a decent picture.

Intuos3 is absolutely fascinating and once my friend, who shall remain nameless, remembers where she put her pen for safe keeping, we are going exploring together. (I get to say this because I am so happy to find out I am not the only one on the face of this planet who is always stashing something away to keep it safe and then forgetting where it is. If I was a squirrel I would starve to death!) So cool to use a pen rather than a mouse to navigate. I am stoked. The possibilities are endless.

AOL has stepped on my last nerve one too many times. I started using Firefox last year because AOL did not support my online digi classes. Then I discovered how much more stable it was than AOL. Finally the only thing holding me back was the familiarity of my old AOL screen and acquiring a new email address. I am ready. I am tired of AOL hiccups, crashes and crap. My Firefox screen now looks very similar to AOL's, so it is adios aggravation! An email with my new address should go out shortly. If you don't get it or didn't have it and want it, leave me a note.

Oh and last but not least, Tuesday I start yoga. Something I have wanted to do for ages and now I have great company in the form of Nancy and Joan and I cannot wait. My only fear is getting into some unknown position and not being able to get out. Hummmmm.

day 31 . . .

Not as clear as I would have liked but I love watching the waves come in.

Whew, the last of the 31 shots for the December PAD project at Spraground. And yes, I must confess, I cheated. There were days where I was having problems with the 15MPM and doubled up on photos. Sometimes you just gotta fudge things a little.

day 30 . . .

This was an accident. I was sitting on a bench chatting with Katie and checking out my camera and decided to see what it would focus on. Kind of cool.

day 29 . . .

Not quite the same as a Christmas tree but then again the weather topped out in the mid 80's

A little down and dirty . . .

Christmas album for 2008. Except for the cover, I did it all in one morning. Of course I cheated. I used the same format throughout so it was more a question of slapping in the photos and doing the journaling. But that said, at least it is done which is more than I can say for Christmas 2007 which is still not completed.

day 28 . . .

Katie and I got up early to catch the sunrise over the pier.

and so . . .

And so what does Katie want for Christmas . . . Converse sneakers . . . lots of them. And so what was under the tree? . . . six identical boxes, all wrapped in brown paper with white ribbon and bows.


And so what exactly was in those boxes . . . . ?

And so what exactly do you need with six pairs of different colored sneaks? Six different pairs of no-show socks! And what comes inside each pair of socks? . . . a chipboard foot print.


And so what does one do with five little chipboard foot prints? . . . one makes another album!!!! Hooray! Nothing like a little Christmas bonus for mom . . . !

What? You were waiting to see the actual album??? Wait on . . . it will come.

day 27 . . .

This lone leaf was sticking out of the boardwalk. I can't believe it survived.

day 26 . . .

I sat down in the morning while the 9TS was reading the paper and knocked out this year's Christmas album.

day 25 . . .

Just the three of us for dinner. Don't worry, I did serve a veggie. But I am a meat monger when it comes to Prime Rib.

day 24 . . .

The 9TS, getting the smelts ready for frying. I headed in the other direction. Fast!

day 23 . . .

The fridge was packed with goodies for Christmas Eve dinner with the family.

day 22 . . .

The tree went up a tad late this year and never did get fully decorated. Hummmm.

day 21 . . .

double dawg dork . . .

So I have been playing with my new camera for nigh on two weeks and should by now be blissfully ecstatic with the wonders of 15 mega pixels. I am not. Frustrated beyond belief, I head back, tail between my legs, to the store to talk to their wondrous guru. My shots are a mess, mostly out of focus, markedly less perfect then my poor but trusty 6 mega pixel dRebel. Even the 9TS has been relegated into the fray and asked to take the same shots, same settings, with his XT. Again, he is getting better shots.

Guru is not there. Mini guru plays with the camera . . . takes sample shots . . . says it is fine. Guru will be in at 3:30 . . . can I come back with samples. Note: I had just emptied my card thinking they would not enjoy a bunch of test shots of my toes . . . Home we go. I am out molesting my neighbors flowers, first with the 50D and then with my dRebel. Pull up the shots and once again, my dRebel's are consistently clear and precise, the other . . . not so much. But what brings joy into my misguided heart are the shots mini guru took in the store . . . they are a mess too.

Back to the store armed with the 15mpm (mega pixel monster) and my laptop to bare my soul to the guru. She plays with the camera . . . frowns and asks to see samples. I open lappy and display the goods. One look at mini guru's shots and she mutters, "camera shake". Good grief, am I so decrepit that I cannot hold a camera steady and mini guru looks to be 12, what is his excuse. I am in deep trouble. I pull up some beach scenes. Guru's eyes follow mine as she patiently points out what small corner of each shot is indeed in perfect focus. Huh?!?!?!

I must preface with a quick note. I can, painstakingly, shoot in manual. I am just lazy and quiver at the anticipation of instant gratification, so for the most part, I shoot in auto. While my dRebel has seven focal points, the '15mpm' has almost double that amount. Meaning, my dRebel's brain has less choices and therefore produces a higher ratio of stunning shots. The '15mpm' however considers 11 focal options and picks what it likes best. The problem is that it's choices and my choices are not always on the same wave length. The cure? Put the wretched beast on P and set the focal points myself. Duh! Why did I not think of that. It is excruciating painful how slow my brain is. Imagine if I had 11 focal points? On second thought, maybe I do. Maybe that is why my life is 'dazed and confused' . . . ya think?

been meaning to read . . .

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou for ages. Finally picked it up at the library this morning.


Credits: Grunge border: Paperbag Studios, Papers and elements: Vinnie Pearce, Font: My Old Remington.

day 20 . . .

yesterday's chuckle . . .

We get a Christmas card addressed to Jeanne and the 9TS. ROFL. Thanks Sue, I needed that.

so much for me and baking . . .

I much prefer when my neighbor Nancy comes knocking with marvelous trays overflowing and oozing with goodness of multiple varieties but since I couldn't very well ask her to make my Christmas cookies that needed to be distributed this morning, I was up at the crack of dawn rattling around in the kitchen much to the annoyance of the 9TS who doesn't even know those hours exist.

What I needed was two batches of cinnamon oatmeal cookies:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
1.5 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2.5 cups quick cooking oats
1 10 ounce bag Hershey's cinnamon chips.

Heat oven to 350. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla: beat well. Combine flour and baking soda: add to butter mixture, beat well. Stir in oats and chips. Batter will be stiff. Spread batter into lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and cut into bars. Gain 20 pounds.

All went reasonably well with the first batch. My oven is running a little cool and they needed an extra five minutes but otherwise, ah, the aroma . . .

Batch two was underway when I realized I did not have enough oats. ACK. Quick change of plans. Batch two will now be Mint Chocolate Toll House cookies. Another favorite. I start mixing the dry ingredients and wonder why the amount of flour in the bowl seems to have exponentially increased. I re-measure with the 9TS helping me keep count. I add the salt and baking soda and wonder why it still looks off kilter. Finally I check my measuring cup and realize I have used the wrong size. Grrrr. With the other ingredients already mixed in, I have no other choice but to dump . . . I am now out of flour. Run to the store. Start again. By now of course, I am running late and still have to package said goodies for delivery.

The thing that makes it all worth while are the smiles and thanks on the other end. The tradition so firmly entrenched that happy voices say in chorus, "Ohhhhh, I know what's in there." And think, in all these years, I have yet to poison one soul. Life is good.

day 19 . . .

The 9TS putting up the Christmas lights.

day 18 . . .

day 17 . . .

new releases at paperbag studios . .

so of course I had to play with them.


Credits: Paperbag Studios: Worn and Torn pale paper #4
Collaged swirls #2, Bands #9. Fonts: AMH Outlines

Credits: Joyful Snowflake #2, Paper: Red Door #6, Holiday Sentiment #4, Urban Gate Overlay, Alpha Charcoal, Fonts: CK_Ali's writing, You are loved.

day 16 . . .

giddy . . .

I mean totally G. I. D. D. Y! TOTALLY! Over at Spraground, we are working on a PAD project for the month of December . . . or why you've seen all these posted photos here . . day 1, day 2 etc!

Jessica . . . playground owner, operator, and swing set guru extraordinaire . . . announced that to sweeten the pot, she would randomly select one winner each week to be the recipient of a free Jessica Sprague course. I won! I mean . . .

I WON!

I am so excited. I may explode. OK, messy thought, retract explosion . . . insert hyperventilate and swoon. Yeah, I am that excited.

Check it out here. Thank you, Jessica! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

day 15 . . .

You know you need to clean when you cat has dust bunnies on his nose!!!

day 14 . . .

Bear was not a happy camper . . .

day 13 . . .

Barely caught this guy scooting along on his board.

Since I can't seem to wait to . . .

scrap Christmas and it's only the 13th, I went back to 2005 and stole a shot from there.

Credits: Julia Makotinsky's Christmas kit. Font: AMH Outlines

day 12 . . .

running behind here.

day 11 . . .

Another Christmas favorite . . .

the summer of '71 . . .

found me graduating from college and wondering what the heck I was supposed to do with the rest of my life. Trying to stave off the inevitable, my friend Cyndee and I decided to sign up for a six week summer exchange course at Oxford University. The only problem being . . . we didn't want to spend the remaining six weeks touring Europe with everyone else . . . seeing a country-a-day from a train window, waving hello and goodbye in the blink of an eye. We wanted to spend the three weeks before and after, on our own, exploring the British Isles. The idea was met with a resounding no by the powers that be. Ouch. Fortunately, it seemed that in the end, they required just two more warm bodies to make the trip a go and we were, reluctantly, granted our wish . . . we would fly over with the group, bid them a fond farewell, take off with our Brit Rail and U-Rail passes in hand and meet them three weeks later in Oxford . . . study English Lit from 1871 to 1971 . . . a passion of mine . . . and then take off again for the last three weeks before meeting them at Heathrow for the trip home. Perfect!

So there we were, bright eyed and eager, our first morning in London with suitcases, books, back packs and toilet paper wondering where to start. Loaded down as we were, it seemed most propitious to head to Oxford, dump our non-necessities and head out from there. We managed to navigate the Underground after only a few missteps . . . thinking a sign that said Subway was, um, a subway. Nope. A subway there was an underground walkway to the other side of the street. Makes sense to me . . sub . . way. Hopping off the train in Oxford, we asked for directions to St. Hilda's College. We were told to go to the round-about and turn left. When the light bulb clearly failed to go off, our would be guide started to twirl his fingers round and round in a circular motion . . . . you know, where the traffic goes round about. Light bulb on.

Our first night in Oxford was spent in the home of a Mrs. Paine . . . there never being a more aptly named matron and her amazing feather beds. It was the first of many bed and breakfasts we would inhabit. Asking for a recommendation for dinner, "If you don't mind Blacks", she said with utter disdain, "I have two other boarders who are just heading out for libation and repast." That was our introduction to the British/India class struggles of the early 70's. It was also our introduction to Scotch eggs, warm lager, low ceilings and learning to order two beers using one's thumb and index finger rather than one's index and middle fingers . . . the apparent equivalent to a solitary middle finger salute back home. We were also well advised: "Ladies don't drink pints, they order 'alf pints." Duly noted.

Looking back 37 years and six months later, those first three weeks were a blur. We stayed at B&B's enjoying the massive breakfasts that came with the night's lodging, grabbed the train to wherever caught our fancy, noshed on yogurt and bread on the fly and fish and chips for dinner . . . all for under $5 a day. I still have that mangled note pad that helped me keep track of my finances that summer. But all that is really left of that time are some brass rubbings, a handful of yellowed photographs and some fleeting remembrances of our grand time along the northern coast of Scotland . . .

. . . watching a crowded movie theatre go berserk cheering for "The Duke." As royalty goes, John Wayne was "king".

. . . sitting in a field of heather as far as one can see. Our night's hostess carefully wrapping some up for us to take back home . . . the feasibility not withstanding.

. . . looking down the length of Loch Ness. . . hoping, hoping, hoping.

. . . sticking our toes in the Black Sea because we could

. . . queuing up along the side of the road in Edinburgh because everyone else was and having Queen Elizabeth drive by not four feet from our faces and marveling over those perfect circles of rouge on her cheeks.

. . . sliding down the dung filled goat paths of the crag behind the castle: a student rite.

To be continued . . .

day 10 . . .

back to the beach . . . it was 84 today.

day 9 . .

Not sure who was more startled when he took off in front of me . . .

More playing . . .

Credits: Roben-Marie Smith @ www.paperbagstudios.com
Grunge Alpha
Worn Damask #4
Old Photo Frame #2
Vintage and White Overlay #2
Bennett's Hammock add on stitch

Credits: Roben-Marie Smith: Paperbagstudios:

JuJu Doodlebird,

JuJu Flower #2,

JuJu Paper #3,

Daisy Stickers Stem,

Daisy Stickers Staple,

Font: LB_typewriter

day 8 . . .

They were sunning themselves against the cold . . .

Exciting news . . .

if you're into digi!!!! Roben-Marie Smith of Paper Bag Studios has reopened her on-line store to include digital goodness. And what goodness it is! Click on her name above and go check it out for yourself, and if you look at some of the samples in the digi gallery, you just might see a familiar face or two. Yep, I've been designing for her. What could be better?!?!?!

And because we were waiting for the grand opening at noon today before showing any of her goodies, I can finally post the covers to my little Thanksgiving album which feature two of her papers.

Here are a couple the layouts I did using her papers and elements:

and because I can't help myself . . . Look how adorable she was at 4.

day 7 . . .

day 6 . . .

Gotta love him.

christmas came early . . .

I have been saving my pennies for almost a year for the Canon 40D and just when the end was in sight . . . they came out with the 50D!!!! Catch me before I faint. I'm coming Elizabeth! And so as of yesterday, I am the proud new owner of a sweet little 15 megapixel monster. Quite the jump from my old 6. Which boils down, she said with glee, to phenomenal magnification when cropping. Be still my heart. Giddy, I say . . . giddy to infinity and beyond!

Day 5 . . .

Day 4 . . .

The pickin's in the yard are getting slim . . .

Day 3 . . .

and we are surprised I am in a wine bin, why????