Togetherness

While we in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving, April got out a puzzle so that she and I could have some special time together.  She is very thoughtful and I suppose was the reason I took the time to do a puzzle this week.  Thank you, April.  You are so sweet.

I seem to have a few people who read my trivial posts.  Once in a while someone will tell me he/ she has been reading. Occasionally (rarely) someone  comments on a post, generally speaking, it is my youngest daughter, Chelle.  I have actually had a friend tell me she would like to comment, but doesn't know how. I just want to know, Is it that hard?  I do have a system in place that allows me to read comments before they are published, only because at one time I got spammed.  But I really think it doesn't make it any more difficult.

All this to say. It is encouraging to see that someone cares to check out my ramblings and/ or my layouts.
Otherwise I'm just holding myself to this just because...  I don't believe in giving up on a project.
Oh, I like to make the layouts which I publish in my books. And boy do I like to express my opinion!

January Tradition

During the years I was a stay at home mother of kids in school (at least 20 of them)  I worked a jigsaw puzzle every January. It was a good time.  All the hoopla of the Christmas season was over, the tree put away, the kids back in school.  The house was quiet, there was no yard work to do and it was my chance to relax.  I always liked the puzzles with 1,000 pieces.  I would dump the box out on either the pool table or the dining room table and go into a world of my own...until the kids came home to help.  I would work after they went to bed or while they watched TV.

But in 1998, my youngest went away to college, my mother got very ill and I opted to spend my free time with her. I'm so very glad I did.  Although her memory was getting poor, she still knew how to play Scrabble and occasionally would beat me.  Every day when I went to visit, she would perk up and dad would quickly leave to catch his breath.  He was her caretaker and it had become a hard job.  He never complained, but he did relish that break each day.  When she was buried  late that same year, my mother-in-law  was diagnosed with a quick spreading cancer and died within six weeks.  Things were never the same for some reason. I never did puzzles even though I would buy them occasionally.  

This year, with a closet stuffed with unopened puzzles, I brought one out, since I wasn't feeling well.  But I wasn't up to a challenge. I grabbed a 500 piece one that seemed fairly easy with it's large print and bigger pieces.  However, it did tease my brain a little.  The pieces were not the conventional cut, but very different. One couldn't search for a familiar shape. It would turn out to require two  pieces for what seemed like one space.  But all in all, it was relaxing. I did it fairly quickly.   And so with the snow outside, it was warm and spring like with these flowers in the dining room.

I am trying a new configuration for my layouts...in order to conform better with the pages in MyPublisher books.  It should make it easier to submit my books for publication.

Something needs to be easier, so I can spend even more time concerned about the future of our fine country.

 It is my opinion that I must end this blog on an upturn, yet we cannot drop our guard.  Don't know at present what can be done by us.  But I do know God loves his people and will hear their  united voice. Please pray for our safety and protection.

Tired of Change

I  told you I'm crazy with a camera. I even take pictures of myself in the mirror at times.

This is me in a scarf my friend Teresa picked up while we were at the Pine Tree Barn and told me I should buy it.  Well I did, and I'm glad. I like the way it looks...and it's nice and warm.

Today I made an unanticipated trip to the hospital and snapped a couple of pictures to prove I was there...not that I would have to or anything.  They are still in my camera though. I've been busy trying to get a book ready for publication... again. Hopefully this time, all systems will be go and it will actually turn out well like all 19 of the others that came before it.

Why do systems have to change, especially when it is for worse instead of better?  Guess there is a lot of that going on now and all of it much more important that making picture books.

By the way, just so you can sleep well tonight, our president is giving our defense technology to Russia. Isn't he nice?  He sure knows how to make other countries like us.

While we are playing around in an attempt to find a candidate to run against him, he is dedicated to finishing off our country before we can even have that election.  He's working around Congress again... making appointments that would never get past them....and SHOULDN'T.

PRAY!

Panda Bikes

Here in Ohio, we generally put away our bicycles before winter hits, but it some areas, die hard cyclers ride all year long.  Colorado is one of those places...at least around Ft. Collins where Panda makes their  terrific bamboo bicycles.  They are made of bamboo,  are very strong and resilient, and really put a zing in biking. I've noticed a lot of pride in their owners. Many of them delight in having people stop them to take a better look at their  rides.  Check them out Panda Bicycles. And while you are there, take a look at  some of the biking gear, shirts, etc that are available.

Season's First Snow

It wasn't much, but yesterday, we got our first snow of the season. We've been waiting what seems like a long time for it here at the lakes.  Many of our friends just 15 miles north have had several ground coverings this winter.  We are thankful to get a new white layer today to keep it clean.  Still not much, but, in my opinion,  beautiful just the same.

The Perfect Gift

From the smile on his face one would think this was the perfect gift. And I like to think he will enjoy it immensely.  In this world of computer gaming, it is a joy to have a grandson who likes to play Monopoly as well as his digi games.  I just wish I could run down there any time I wanted and play a game with him.  Of course, he would beat me...but togetherness is big with grandmothers.

A perfect gift for me right now would be the perfect candidate to win in Iowa.  But Iowa  doesn't really matter as much as one would think.  After all, Ronald Reagan didn't win the Iowa Primary.

May God guide your steps in 2012.

365 Project

There are many people who have accepted the challenge of taking a picture every day. I don't need that challenge because I take pictures all the time. I can't help it. The camera is just too handy now that I can carry one with me every where I go.

My challenge is to post a new digital layout every day of the year.  Last year my plan was to do the same. I didn't tell anyone, I just tried.  However, I fell short. I only managed  to make it on 353 of the days...some days I had more than one, but I still fell short.

This year I am challenging myself to put a layout on this blog every day...365 layouts by the end of the year.

I am enjoying the books I've published the last few years using layouts I've made for the blog.  In my opinion, I can do it.  But now, with 20 minutes left in the day, I've found that my computer will not bring up my work.  You know, I have patience with people. I can make excuses for them, but I really get aggravated with computers. In my book, there is no excuse for their little bugs. It is amazing I still fool with them. But I take blood pressure meds and go right back to my desk.

Hallelujah, I'm married to a geek.  I'm using that in a good way. He's a sociable geek. When he awakes in the morning, I'll drag him in here to fix my problem.

So check back tomorrow for today's layout and then tomorrow night for a new one.

Guess I'm becoming a bit of a geek myself. I figured a way around the problem and have added the layout...and before the clock struck 12:00. Hurray!