Goodbye January

It's February already!! I began working at the tax office 2 weeks ago, man is it ever hard to get into a routine again....LOL!  I so enjoy my retirement and rising when I want, doing as I want, napping as I want....etc...but I do enjoy this little 10-12 week gig (and the money will pay taxes and insurance on my home)...it just takes some getting used to! I was so tired the first week I never even turned my computer on and barely touched my iPad.  The second week was a little better, but not much. I am used to getting up when I wake at 3:30 or 4:00 and doing housework, so by 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon I'm ready for a nap...NOT....I work from 9-5. I was going to bed shortly after getting home and all my fur babies fed. Now, I think I am getting a routine down, still up at 5:30 and getting house straightened up and the babies all fed and watered and clean litter boxes before I get dressed to leave. They are getting used to it too...they sleep all day now. I have a throw cover that is heated....I use it sometimes on low on my bed (instead of the heat being on)...they love lying on it....Oreo gets under it...LOL...I took a couple of photos of them so I decided to put them on this cute QP I found on My Memories by Stina...aren't they adorable? The lovely wordart is by TLC Creations.

I did manage to get on Facebook for a bit yesterday, I had so many messages I had to answer and found this new photo of my niece, Sebrina.  I created a page for the photo...the frame and lace is by Terry Maruca. Sebrina is a teacher...she has beautiful, expressive green eyes,  I used wordart by Ginger. The paper (recolored) is by Studio Blagovesta.

I haven't been scrapping, but I did manage to make a page for February to post on Miriam's site...I had created a layout for a special January birthday (based on birthstone) and in the comments (from the downloads) it was mentioned  I should do one for each month...so I am going to try...here's the page for this month, if you want it..pick it up at Miriam's Scraps

Well, I need to get off here, take my shower and get my grocery shopping done.  Got another load of clothes to wash and dry too...everything else got cleaned or done yesterday (including catching up on some TV programs I had DVR'd)...ROFLMAO!  Tomorrow will come soon enough! Y'all have a GREAT week and make lots and lots of memories to share! I'll chat more with you next time! Hugs, Mat

Happy Birthday Inez

Happy Birthday Inez! Can't believe another year has passed already!! I know I have used this photo before (don't have a big supply to choose from) but I have been learning some new techniques for GIMP on photo enhancements, correction of color, and learning to "heal" a photo. My lovely red-headed sister-in-law's photo needed some work.  I took this photo back in the early 80's and the color is fading badly...the scanned version is at least stopping the erosion of the color and I am trying to correct that...not perfect yet, but working on it..it is better than the original.  I created this cluster overlay using some of Miriam's elements and recolored them to resemble the color of garnet (the January birthstone) just for this occasion. (It is offered for free on Miriam's Scraps if interested), then I just played with fills and overlays to create the background. Anyhow, the Happiest of Birthdays is wished for you and that you will be blessed with many more to come my dear friend, Inez!

R.I.P. condolences for my cousin Amy's grandmother, Alma Jean Lawson, who passed away yesterday. This photo was on Amy's FB and was so sweet that it struck something in me to create a RAK page for Amy. I used a QP freebie by Arlene, CT for With A Russian Dutch Heart, using the kit From Past to Present by Kyra. the wordart circle is by Marisa L at Pixel Scrappers

While reorganizing folders for backup on my computer, I ran across this photo of Jannette & Mike that I wanted to scrap for Throw Back Thursday on FB (actually I just wanted to scrap this lovely shot)! I found this terrific free QP by Mirella at LTH Designs that I used to frame it. I like the soft romance of the look!

My niece, Amy Jo, was folding clothes on the couch when she snapped this photo of 8 month old Eliza Jane as she pulled herself up to standing position to watch, so...I just had to frame her in this lovely free frame by Neli at Lugar Encantado Da Neli. She looks so sweet with all the lovely flowers doesn't she?

Maggie sent this photo of Calvin helping his daddy, Lance, work the cows...they were vaccinating them, it was just a cute shot and I decided to create a page..for this one I chose an older kit, called Country Home by Susan at Raspberry Road Designs....the cluster is by her CT Ellen.

This snapshot, Maggie sent of Wayne staring at his bottle, was so sweet, I just had to make a page using it too, he has such a concentrated look on his face that I labeled it Gimme! That Bottle....Now!! I used a QP from Raspberry Road's Shabby Baby.

Got this from Maggie (Hayden wanted Aunt Neenie to see it)!  I did not make a page for it as I did not have a current photo of Hayden to use with it...oh, well, I am so proud of her anyway that she made Honor Roll!

And finally, this is another cluster I created for Miriam's Scraps that I chose to put these cute photos of Wayne in...he has the most infectious smile....you cannot look at these photos and not smile, right? I just adore his dimples...he is the youngest grandson of my sister Penny! (3 months old) Sure wish I could go for a visit to meet him and Eliza! They were both born since I was last there in April! They grow up too fast!
I have a few more photos I got that I haven't been able to get to scrap yet, so look for more next time. I didn't realize I got to do this many pages this past week....I've really been busy trying to organize things and get them all backed up, plus trying to keep up with the organizing of my home....since I will be going back to work at the tax office for about 8 weeks...I won't be doing a lot of my daily stuff....so just trying to get a jump on it!
Well, I think I have chatted long enough...the games are about to start, so off here to go watch them. the ones yesterday were fabulous! The Patriots and the Cardinals both won nail biters.  I love my Packers, but I am glad the Cardinals are getting a "chance" (new team). Today...will narrow out 2 more!  Going to pop some popcorn and get ready, so until next time...keep making those memories to share! Hugs, Mat

OMG! 2016 is here!

Happy 2016 to all of you from all of us! I cannot believe it is already 9 days into 2016 and I am just posting for the New Year, but I have had a spell with my right hand that required me resting it some....and I have been busy organizing my files, backing them up and getting things together for tax season, plus readying the outside for ?winter?....if we get one that lasts more than a day or two! Yesterday we saw 68F and today MIGHT make it up to 48F and tomorrow we will start off in the 20's!! By middle of next week we will be back into the 50's!  Guess Mother Nature can't make up her mind!! Anyhow, I wish all of you a very happy, healthy, prosperous and blessed 2016! BTW, this card was by Neli at Lugar Encantado Da Neli!
I did manage to do a few pages this week, but even with using QPs it seemed to take me forever....guess I am slowing down a bit (or just lazy, or can't make up my mind, or lazy, lazy, lazy)!  I did a page for Miss Ruby as her birthday was on the 31st...she turned 7! I can't believe how fast the years are slipping by, seems she was just born a couple of years ago. Anyhow here's her birthday page....A freebie frame by Neli!

Then, I created a card for Jason & Christina and their kids for greeting 2016...my sister Kathy loved it, of course with her grand babies all on it! LMBO!! I created this page using the MSXmas kit by Miriam at Miriam's Scraps, and wordart by TLC!

I also got a photo of Amy's girls, Annabeth and Eliza with their Starling cousins, Blair and Brinson all together for the holiday so I just had to put them on a lovely page by Manu.

Of course I had to scrap this photo of Christina with the kids visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus (I am surprised she got Jayson to let them take the photo, he is afraid of Santa)! But...he did and I loved the shot so....put it in a QP by Sekada from The Digital Scrapbooking Studio called the Gift (Album)!

Amy sent me this photo of Eliza sleeping that was so stinking cute, she just had to be put on a page, doesn't she look absolutely precious, just wanna kiss those sweet cheeks...I so would love to see her (I'd love to see all of them, they are growing way too fast)! I created this page using an older kit by Raspberry Road Designs called Shabby Baby.

And Maggie sent me a photo of Hayden in the outfit she got for her birthday (with the money I sent her) that she wanted me to see...she is just the sweetest little model.  She is 7 now and loving school, just got her report card, all A's and on the honor roll...very proud of her! She just looked so good in this QP by Miss Edna, don't ya think?

Maggie also sent me this shot of Calvin of his new riding shotgun position when they go shopping! Since she has Wayne up top, Calvin has chosen to ride on the bottom rack of the cart....really....he has more control when he wants her to stop....LMBO.....anyhow, the shot was just too cute to not put on this QP by Neli that he wanted to play too!

I, again, want to thank all these wonderfully gifted and generous designers that offer so many gorgeous freebies for us so we can make the lovely memories to share! Now, I have a good start on my blog book for 2016! I need to get the 2015 one ready and get it printed to add to my collection, they are a lot of fun to go back and reminisce! Thanks to all of you that leave such sweet comments too, I have them printed as well and love re-reading all of them.
Got to get off now for a spell, need to get dressed and get to the Sprint store to be first in line....my phone decided to die yesterday and won't come on at all...this made me feel way too vulnerable last evening....so got to get it fixed...so I can keep in touch! (Really dependent aren't we? but only phone service I have and my family is not always on social media)! Y'all have a fantastic weekend and make lots and lots and lots of memories to share! Be Safe! Hugs, Mat