Time to Spring Forward

Boy O Boy!! We have had a very weird winter and I for one, hope it is over! I am so ready for Spring to arrive! I am anxious to see how the trees, flowers and grass do this year.  They all started budding and blooming and then "Whammo" we got a quarter inch of sleet and freezing rain and 3-7 inches of snow (4 inches at my house) on top of that with really howling winds that made drifts last Wednesday night.  Now this may not seem so strange to my northern friends.....but, for us here in Texas....it brought us to another standstill. Broke records for most snow in March ever and most snow period in 5 years in this area.  Best thing, we all got to stay home on Thursday and watch the sun melt the most of it...that's the only good thing with the weather, it doesn't last forever down here! I know I can hear you laughing "sistas", but when you are not used to it, it is strange and unnerving as no one ( poor 18 wheelers) knows how to drive on it...especially all those 5 high overpasses and bridges cause we don't have enough sand trucks to accommodate all of them. Me, I don't know how to drive on ice and will not put myself or any other driver in jeopardy because of it. However, my outside fur babies just loved playing in it...look!

At least they have warm "condos" with heating blankets where they can warm up....LOL! I felt so sorry for them having to be out in the cold, but it looks like they were having fun. I had a hard time opening the back screen door as it was frozen shut (it faces the north) and was covered in ice.

Their food and water bowls were frozen to the ground (good thing they get clean ones each meal)! This is the 3 little ones out in my back yard, the two with the longer fur are boys, the little one is the only girl and they are sweet as can be. Well, enough about the snow...it is over and gone....now we have some slow soaking in kind of rain, but the ground is really saturated so I will probably have another river running in the back later today.  I have to get someone out to see where the back up is....I think it is behind my back fence at the businesses back of me...I have checked all along my fence line and it all seems to be clear!

OK, since I had Thursday off, as I was washing and drying laundry, (and waiting for the slush so I could sweep off my drive) I decided to create some scrap pages...I did a couple for my sisters-in-law, Jannette and Debbie, on the beach at Panama City, FL.

 I created this page with a freebie by Arlene at Baby Bear Digital Scrap, she really has some pretty gifts, you should visit her and her Etsy Shop too! I'm sorry I can't seem to find who the wordart is from, I got it a while back with no TOU with it.

This one of Debbie is by Vero called precious...it is also a free QP.  Vero is a designer at Digital Scrapbooking Studio where they give away stuff at least 3 times a week in the newsletter and if you get newsletters from the designers you get even more freebies. 

But this is my favorite scrap for awhile now....Margaret sent this adorable photo to me on Facebook of Hayden and Calvin being so sweet and I just had to make a memory page with it.  The kit is another freebie called Fading Hours by Kyra at With A Russian Dutch Heart.  This lady also gives freebies at least 3 times a week and some awesome gifts by her CTs Arlene and Florence.  The word art is by Miss Boots at Random Thoughts at Linda's Place that I picked up a while back also.  She has awesome QPs and some fantastic word art for you all free too! Stop by some of these very talented designers and snag a few (or a lot) of the fabulous freebies.  Visit all of them listed on the right of this blog...they are so GENEROUS!

I had my final post surgery check up last Wednesday afternoon, YIPPEE I have 20/20 in both eyes now. It is so strange to not put on glasses each morning or take them off each night.  I still try to out of habit especially getting into the shower...ROFL! I do use some reading glasses for working at the computer, to not have much eye strain until all the drops are stopped and all the healing is finished.  Afterwards I will have to make a trip to the DMV to have my drivers license changed with not restrictions for wearing eye glasses...LOL!  Yesterday after work, I came in and cleaned litter boxes, swept the whole house, then vacuumed  the area rugs, then mopped the whole house as I couldn't stand the tracks anymore...so nice to be able to do all that again...and Monday I can wear my makeup again! (No more post surgery restrictions)

Hope you didn't forget to set your clocks forward last evening...I did, but then I had to rewind my grandfather clocks this morning so I set them as I did that.  The only other clocks are the microwave and the stove, those are done too, the phone and computer and IPads change automatically.  I am all caught up with this springing forward and ready to go for the real Spring to get here!  My coffee is gone so need to make another cup and get my hiney out of this chair for a bit...have a FABULOUS week ahead and make lots and lots and lots of memories to share! Chat more next time.  Hugs, Mat

This is Sleet!

Winter has finally found Texas! This is not snow!

Out my front door this morning! We had much needed rain yesterday and then the freezing rain and sleet and thunder sleet (sleet showers) this morning. No going to work today! My driveway is a skating rink and this is the back yard.  I think some of my blog sisters up north left the door open again!! LOL!

Anyhow....the outside kitties all have containers to get into that have heating pads and blankets for them, and they are all full too. It was brutal when I fed them this morning, that sleet hurts when it hits your face! We are still luckier than most with the winter weather....ours will only last about 36-48 hours and then we will heat up again.  I really feel for those in the frozen tundra as they are way below zero, howling winds and lots of snow, especially my friends in the Boston area! Praying for all that it ends soon.  We do need the moisture here, just not in the form of ice and sleet!

Here's a photo I was sent of Miss Annabeth...she is certainly growing and cute as a button.  I think she looks terrific in this free QP by Fecnikek. And this one I did for my friend Teri of her brother, his son and new grandson.  I used a couple of kits by Raspberry Road Designs to create this one...the footprints are by Aunty M Designs recolored.

I haven't been on my computer much because of the focusing problems, but the second eye will be done this Friday and then watch out! If it does as well as the first one, I will have no problems at all with seeing and scrapping and visiting blogs again.
Well, since I have an unexpected day off, I think I will do some "catchup" chores around here.  Y'all stay warm and safe and make lots and lots and lots of memories to share! Have a terrific week and I will chat more with you later! Hugs, Mat

One done, one to go!

First eye done on Friday, all went extremely well! I can see, but still have to close one eye to read as one needs glasses and one doesn't....LOL! No problems, no pain, just have to give time to heal properly! Best way to heal is to sleep...so I did lots of that on Friday afternoon, night and most of Saturday afternoon and night.  Feel great, just restricted to no lifting, nothing strenuous...blah, blah, blah!  The fur babies are loving all this "sleeping" time! ROFL!
Anyhow, I have not been on the computer much, just long enough to post on Facebook, this page I did for Penny and Weymond to celebrate their anniversary yesterday. I used the free Valentine's Day gift from Arlene at Baby Bear Creations. Thanks so much Arlene for the lovely gift.

Well, not on too long so will chat more with you later, hope all had a lovely Valentine's Day and got to create lots of lovely memories to share. Hugs to all until next time. Mat

Another Week Gone

Another week has flown by! I am enjoying the little break of working now that I am in a routine again...LOL!  The fur babies are getting okay with me being gone for the day too!  I ran around this house like a mad woman yesterday getting things done that I normally accomplish during the week.  I am all caught up now, so thought I would post a little note to all!
I downloaded some really cute photos of Jade & Ruby that Jason took when he escorted them to the Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance...they are both at the same school now making it a little easier on him...LOL! More pages to follow later.  The one Margaret took of Hayden & Calvin is priceless, I just love her wind whipped hair and his cute little backwards cap.

I created this page using a frame from Neli and a background (recolored) by Miriam. I used "Pearple" since it is Ruby's favoritest color...ROFL! That is daddy Jason looking on!

This one is the same background recolored yet again (I love the burst of it), with the frame just 4 sizes and the lace and roses and teddy bear are all from different kits by Miriam. I am giving this one as a Valentine QP at Miriam's Scraps if you would like to use it.
Well time is finally here for the first cataract removal this Friday, then if all goes well on the last Friday of the month, they will remove the other one.  Will be glad when it is all finished and I can get back to my digiscrapping...LOL!
I hope your week has been a great one and that you will have a wonderful one next week as well making lots and lots of memories to share! Chat more next time...Hugs, Mat

Crazy Winter!

I know what you are thinking...really I do! ROFL! We have been on the worst roller coaster ride ever this winter! On Wednesday we had 84F, almost tied a long standing record for warmest January day (85F) then Thursday it was 60F, Friday it was 54F, today the winds and some very, very much needed soaking light rain and 48F.  By Monday morning we are to be in the 20's again. So many people are sick with the flu and colds.  I know we could be worse, like the storms that have hit the Northeast....but this is just so out of the realm of winter, even for Texas! Just WEIRD...WEIRD...WEIRD!!
Well, another week of working for my CPA...beginning to get a little busier now that most all have received their W2's, 1099's, 1095A's....etc! His office will be cracking the whip for this month!  I have an appointment with my Ophthalmologist on the 4th to do pre-op and give me all the low down  for my first cataract surgery on the 13th. Then if all goes well will do the second one on the 27th.  Will be glad when it is all over with, tired of closing one eye to focus...! I keep telling people I am not winking at you!! LOL!
Got all my grocery shopping done for the month, cat food and bird seed all stocked up...just need to pick up some litter and all my critters will be taken care of.  I've washed, dried and put away 4 loads of clothes, cleaned the bathrooms, and vacuumed, but not dusted yet....my "bunnies" are still playing until tomorrow!  I wanted to sit and do some scrapping using Miriam's awesome "Mini Kit" 18 that she shared this week. If you haven't seen it, go take a look...it is a huge, huge kit with overlays, elements, clusters, papers, frames and QPs as well as bookmarks, cards, envelopes and boxes.  I made a couple ploppers (clusters with frames to plop onto a background) some QPs too that I will be sharing on her site next week, but you get to view a couple now with some photos of mine. Meet my newest fur babies...Misty & Sideways.  I made a double page layout for my Fur Baby Scrapbook. Sideways is the only male in my house...LOL....he had really weak back legs when I brought him in and is so uncoordinated and walks/runs sideways, thus his name.  He has a sight problem too, but Misty helps him a lot, I can't separate them so it was hard to find a home for both of them...they are mine now.

  

Here's another QP I created with the kit....I used a photo from the internet of hunky Craig Wayne Boyd, the singer that won The Voice-Season 7 pushing Blake Shelton to win over Adam Levine again.  Can't wait for the new season.

Are you ready for the Super Bowl?  I am really looking forward to it since we are supposed to have rain all night and into tomorrow morning...I am hoping to sleep in a bit.  Then I think I will make a good meal so I will not do my normal snacking during the game...ROFLMBO! Well, Sideways is telling me he is hungry so I think I will stop for now, go feed my babies, put on my pjs and watch a couple of things I DVR'd during the week....y'all have a marvelous week ahead making lots and lots and lots of memories to share! Hugs, Mat

Hello All!

It has been awhile since I have been here to blog...can't believe it is already the 24th of January either!  Time is passing so fast!  I am hoping you haven't had a lot of really bad weather where you are.  We have had more than usual cold, cold, cold days with lots of high winds that cuts like a knife, but we have been rather dry too! We normally have a day or two of cold then a warm up, then cold a couple of days and back to a warm up all winter, but this year the cold, gray, windy days come and stayed about 6 days before a warm up of a day then another attack of cold.  This past Wednesday evening and all day Thursday brought us some very much needed soaking rain...it was very nice (except I had my car washed on Tuesday...LOL!).
I started a job on Monday the 19th....just a fill in receptionist answering phones and scheduling appointments...for my CPA's office for 3 months (minus the days I need off for my cataract surgeries) for some extra cash and to help them out. I am enjoying it for the most part, but sure was hard this week getting up and getting dressed and out the door on a schedule....LOL! Being retired and going at your own pace can make you lazy...ROFL!  My fur babies had a rough time adjusting to me being gone each day too!
I slept in a bit this morning and then decided to read and clear out e-mails and of course I had to make a few pages to share here.  I just sent my blog for 2014 to be printed...so got to make sure I have some posts to start on my 2014 book.  If you have never had your blog printed, you should try one...it is a terrific way to journal your memories to leave behind...I love looking back through mine and remembering the scrapped pages and events from 2008 until now. I also have had many nice comments from friends that have looked through them. Well, here's what I've been doing while washing clothes today!

Mr. Calvin was driving with his daddy in the John Deere so when I found this QP by AuntyM Designs I just HAD to put the photo in it....thanks Maggie for posting the photo. My sister Penny's grandchildren.

This is pretty Miss "Glamour Girl" Hayden in a page I created using several different designers...the frame is by Neli at Lugar Encatado da Neli the background paper (recolored) is by my friend Kyra at With A Russian Dutch Heart and the wordart is by sweet Miss Boots at Random Thoughts at Linda's Place  Check out some of these very generous designers as they give away lots of gorgeous freebies for scrapbooking!

My niece Amy's little "Star" Annabeth in her sun shades...the QP is one I had used before in it's original color and I decided to change the color and use again...this one is by Linda at Random Thoughts at Linda's Place too!

This is my brother's only child...My sweet niece Sebrina in a pretty frame created by my friend Neli at Lugar Encatado da Neli.  She has at least 2 and sometimes 3 frames each and every day that she gives us!

This page I created from a free Thank You kit by Arlene at Baby Bear Digital Scrap  This is Jason & Christina with their 3 kids, Jade, Ruby and Jayson (Bud), my sister Kathy's oldest son!

This is a free QP I made using some kits by Miriam that you can grab at Miriam's Scraps. She has a new AWESOME kit for free at her site if you want to visit her.
Well, guess I have rambled long enough...I think my dryer just stopped so must go fold or hang up some clothes and put another load in...chat more with you next time...OK! Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead making lots and lots of memories to share.  Hugs, Mat

Monday Again!!

Here it is, Monday again!  I surely had a very relaxed and lazy weekend...football games Saturday and Sunday and the Golden Globes...my o my...my body was nice and relaxed...until I got up this morning chasing dust bunnies with the broom and then the vacuum came out to run the cats off so I could mop the whole house without little paw prints...really got my blood flowing and warmed me up real quickly....LOL! You goof off a couple of days and you have to pay for it later!
The game Saturday with the Patriots was a fantastic game right to the last minute and then the Packers/Cowboy game on Sunday was a nail biter right to the end...my beloved Boys lost, but was happy the Pack won (they are my second favorite team so I didn't lose...LOL). We had a better team this year and can look forward to a good one next year. Sorry Peyton lost too, but I've had a feeling for awhile it would be Seattle vs New England in the Super Bowl. Next week will tell if I am right! Tonight we are hosting the College playoff between Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium.
We've had some really chilly weather along with the rest of the country...so unusual for us! I have been trying my best to stay inside, away from crowds and sick folks...but I still think I am trying to catch a cold. Been sneezing and blowing my nose all day! Don't have time for this!  BTW, I will be having these pesky cataracts removed next month...that will help a lot I hope.  It is hard to drive when you have to close one eye to be able to focus and that really screws up the depth perception.  If I sit too long in front of the computer screen or on my iPad or iPhone I really have trouble seeing....the TV is not as bad as it is further away I guess!
I did turn the computer on for a few minutes on Saturday before the games started and downloaded 2 really cute QPs that must have come from the same kit as they are similar, but by totally different designers. I just had to make a couple of pages, I think I will use them as a double page layout in my book. The first is of my sister Kathy and her grandkids in the page made by Miss Boots at Random Thoughts and the second one is by Fecnikek of Penny's grandkids (With them in December and the other with Papa last January...haven't they grown?)

Got a photo sent to me this morning by Amy of Annabeth after the sonogram....the photo says it all....! I used a QP by Neli at Lugar Encantado with Alpha by Granny Enchanted

Well, all my news is gone, the Ace Cannon album I had playing in the background is over and it's time for me to rest my eyes...so will stop for now...chat more with ya next time. Y'all have a good week and make lots and lots and lots of memories to share.  Hugs, Mat