Simply Me

I love Shutterfly books

I haven't played around with their new options in the Custom Photobook area.  This took some time but I think the results will be worth it.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

 

 

Could it be? I actually took a *real* photograph today? And then, played with it in Lightroom? I have no idea what I was doing in Lightroom but the end result is nice, I think.

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!

I just keep finding little time to sit down and put thoughts down on "paper".  Really shouldn't be sitting here now as the mountain of laundry that awaits me is not getting any smaller without some help from me. 

Still, I thought I should stop in and say Hey!  And share a couple of my latest Instagram pics with you :)

 

Sarah and I visited Elizabethtown College again yesterday for "Accepted Students Day".  Despite this being our third visit, it was the first time I took even a single photo.  

Today, it was about rediscovering some old treasures:

I've already listened to the Tears for Fears and have the Ice Castle soundtrack playing now. Good stuff!!!

Fellow Marylanders: The powers that be in Annapolis want more of what's in YOUR wallet

Today begins the new Maryland legislative sesssion for 2012. Without batting an eye lash, our "fearless leader" wants to raise taxes.  At a minimum, gas taxes and/or sales taxes. 

I don't know about you, but my wallet has gone dry.  This well is done. All done.  I cannot sit by another year and do nothing while the 'experts' in Annapolis tell me a pack of lies and half truths to spend more money than we, as a state, have available.

Why do we need a higher gas tax?  Because, the Transportation Trust Fund has been raided, REPEATEDLY FOR YEARS by the good folks down in Annapolis.  A trust fund that is supposed to be LEFT ALONE and used SOLEY for the purpose of fixing our roads and bridges.  Instead, we robbed Peter to pay Paul, and our friends down in the big "A" are standing at our door with their hands out. Again.

Apparently, the idea of a gas tax was getting some negative attention...so the Governor threw out an even bigger boogie man:  INCREASED SALES TAX!  Oooh....are you scared now?  Will you happily accept that 5 cents or 10 cents gas tax now?  Unfortunately, too many Maryland citizens will say, YES! PLEASE!

Please, if you are a citizen of Maryland, consider taking some time in the coming week and reach out to your representatives down in our state capital. Tell them that taxing us into oblivion is NOT what this state needs right now.  

http://wbal.com/article/85420/2/template-story/Opening-Day-Of-Session-OMalley-Floats-Sales-Tax-Hike

It's time for our state to behave in the responsible way that many families have had to behave: spending only what you have and no more.  In fact, spending less than what you have and putting a bit a way for a raining day.  It *can* be done.  It has to be done. 

My wallet thanks you.

My next home...seriously!

The standing joke that Tom and I now have is that I want to eventually move to a small farmette property with an even smaller house! I want something that can be kept clean with only minutes worth of work. That way, my free time can be spent doing things I want to be doing...like working with my horses and photography.

This would be perfect!

http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=240493

 

In fact, we decided we should just by  "his and hers" and visit each other when the mood strikes. 

 

One word

There is a big thing on the 'net these days. Has been for a couple of years now, maybe more. A different spin on the "what are your New Year's resolutions this year?"

The idea is that you take one word, and one word only, to be sort of your mantra or watch-word for the coming year.  I generally shy away from big pronouncements or resolutions each New Year. I really stink at keeping to anything like that. I avoid setting myself up for failure wherever and whenever possible. 

Yet, the idea of choosing one word and trying to come up with that one word has been on my mind all week.  In my head, I have a whole laundry list of things I want to change. I won't bore you with them, as many of you probably have the same ones in your own head.

As I cleaned up "my side" of the basement yesterday so I could find my washer and dryer again, I was again thinking about this idea. Like a bolt of lightening, the word came to me:  Training

What I like about this word is that it suits all kinds of goals and plans and changes I'd like to see this new year.  So many of the other words that came to mind were so narrowly focused that it left out too much of what I want to accomplish. 

Some obvious "training" that I'd like to do this year is with my horses.  Izzy will be 4 this year and I want to get her pulling a cart this summer.  The younger four will all be 3 and eligible for such training too, but that may be a bit much.  Missy and Ethel need work on their show behaviors. And someone is going to be jumping and doing obstacle this year at the shows. Lucy is a natural choice for the obstacle because she is naturally curious and much less fearful than the average horse. The idea of taking 3 horse to a show though is a bit daunting. All the horses need worked in general, if nothing else but on their ground manner work. All need the excercise and stimulation of such training. And my latest EQUUS magazine has an article about what is the equivalent of dog agility training for horses. Without leads! That would be awesome.

The dogs could use some work too.  In general, they behave pretty well. I think Casey and Sadie should work together. Sadie's Border Collie side is predominant in her mix of breeds and I think she could literally shine with some very basic work. Casey could use the distraction that doesn't involve some sort of screen!

What other things besides the actual training of our animals do I have in mind? Training my brain to look at my "world view" differently is one thing. I know that the way I view things on a day to day basis, and more importantly how I react to them, is a great cause of stress for me.  I'd bet that a good 75% of my stress is self-induced. It's time to see how I can "re-train my brain" to make changes for the better.

There is more but I think I'll hold off adding anything more.  Stay tuned! 

And Happy New Year!

I'm on a roll....

I'm going to HATE myself later today...but I finished my *third* layout in less than a week!

All papers and elements from The Daily Digi's September mega kit:  My Life at Play. The template is from the kit "365" by Aja Abney which was part of the November kit from The Daily Digi.

Christmas: Another layout

This was a "nail biter" year for me as far as whether I had figured out a gift that Casey would be over the moon about.  How does one top last year's Xbox 360 console?  While he had given me ideas for more minor gifts, I was not sure what his big gift should be.

Then the Kindle Fire was announced. As I read about its various features, I got more and more excited that this might be the answer to my dilemma. I received it in mid-November and couldn't help but try it out. I had to make sure it worked, right?  Added some apps I knew he'd like? Download some stuff like books and a movie or two? I quickly came enamored with it myself! Hmmm...would it be wrong of me to have a small bit of hope he wouldn't like it and darn the luck! I'd have to keep it for myself!?

It was with mixed emotions that I came to realize that he was really happy with a gift he didn't even know he wanted.   It's hardly been out of his hands. The bombardment of emails from Amazon regarding the purchase of zero dollar apps was another clue. 

And Sarah?  What nearly 18 year old wouldn't drool over having her own iPhone?  Not that Sarah drools. She's too cool, sophisticated and grownup to do something as droll as to drool.

No, Sarah, I'm not removing that little gem above. Genius shouldn't be stifled.

The papers and elements are from Dianne Rigdon's "Be Merry" kit that I received as part of The Daily Digi monthly package in November 2011. It can also be purchased at Two Peas. I also used a Christmas template designed by Janet Phillips (Oh Christmas Tree 1-1).  

Adele: If you haven't listened to her stuff...you are missing out big time!

I can't decide if it's the voice? the lyrics? the arrangements?  All I know is when combined, it's sheer perfection to my ears.

 

I would kill to here a song with Adele and Josh Groban together! Just saying....

2011 Xmas Card Photo - Layout

I love how this year's card photo came out. I was inspired by this snapshot I took on Christmas Eve last year: 

The biggest difference between this year and last?  About 6-7" that Casey grew in the 12 months between these two pictures!  He was the one leaning down this year.

And here's the layout I made today:

All paper and elements are from the kit is "Joy to the World" by Kristin Cronin-Barrow at Sweet Shoppe Designs.  This is one of my favorite kits ever.