Happy Easter Blessings to all of you!

Just want to take a moment to wish Easter Blessings to all of you! May all of you know the joy of HIS rebirth and may HIS blessings shine upon you always!

I want to add my prayers and request blessed healing for all those affected by the tragedy in Brussels!

Can you believe April is knocking on the door next week? March came in like a lion this year and the wind has blown hard around here all month....will it go out like a lamb? We've had a bit of everything this month, we've already seen 90F and then had a 25 degree drop the next day, we have also seen lots of rain, wind, hail, lightning and even some funnel clouds. Today was simply gorgeous and I had all my windows open, cleaned like it was springtime, but tonight another front is moving in from the north bringing rain and cooler temps for tomorrow.  The church up the street had a huge egg hunt for the kids with lots of great music playing that I heard....went to lunch with friends and passed the park a couple of miles up the road where another egg hunt with lots of participants was going on.  Then we passed a few soccer fields that were all very active...lots of people out enjoying the lovely weather.  I am waiting until I finish at the tax office to plant flowers...actually I am so tired each week that I don't want to do anything other that what I just HAVE to on the weekends, but I only have 3 more weeks to go.  Then, I can actually get my spring cleaning and planting done (after a day or two of rest).  Surely has been a busy tax season this year.

I managed to sit here long enough tonight to plop some quickpages over photos of the great nieces and great nephews for Easter. I so want to thank all the lovely designers for the QPs, makes it so easy when I can use them. Here is what I got finished....

Annabeth and Eliza in a terrific page by Fecnikek called Brown Rabbit.

Jade

Ruby and

Jayson are all in Frames created by Neli at Lugar Encantado Da Neli

Calvin

Hayden and

Wayne are all in Frames by Neli too!  This one of me is one I created using a frame cluster and paper from Neli and creating the wordart myself.

 Okay, enough of this rambling on for tonight, I am tired and heading to bed...maybe, just maybe the fur kids will let me sleep in to at least 5:30 or 6:00 a.m.! ROFLMBO...Not, they will start on me about 4:30 to get up and feed them, then when I get good and awake, they will be sleeping again.....I may have to join them for another snooze! Y'all enjoy your day with your loved ones...have a blast making lots and lots of memories to share! Hugs to all of you, until next post....Mat

March, March, March!

Time is surely marching on....faster and faster each and every day. I can't believe how fast! I never seem to have enough hours in the day anymore...LOL! I know that working consumes about 9-10 hours each day (counting driving back and forth) and taking care of my fur babies and their needs, a little light housekeeping, some laundry, some grocery shopping and sleeping and grooming for work for me...but it seems that is all I get to do anymore...no more fun stuff...like scrapbooking!  I just finished mopping floors again (2 hours ago) so thought I would catch up on some of my photo Amy has sent, but I still have not checked e-mails or been on Facebook in a week. I am surely slowing down! I managed to scrap a few photos that I want to put on here for my printed book so here, take a look...!

This was the last page I posted to Facebook.  The Frame is from Fecnikek and the photo is Margaret and her sweet little Wayne, isn't he just adorable? I love him clutching that blanket and bottle...he is 4 months old here.

Amy's Michael is in school to become a peace officer and is only home on weekends, so she took a photo of him loving on his princesses before leaving again on Sunday evening. The kit I used is called Thank You Dad by Delicious Scraps.

I have been dying to scrap this one since I got it...Amy and Annabeth had just watched the Sound of Music and she caught Annabeth singing Do-Re-Mi in the mirror....see her looking at herself?  I used a Flower Card from Neli, lace frame from Miriam's Scraps and the sparkly frame is from Raspberry Road's It's A Girl Thing minikit.

This is sweet selfie of Amy...in a pretty QP by ABDesigns from her On The Farm kit.

And this is a free QP for March that I created and put on Miriam's Scraps if you would like.
Okay, this is all I have achieved in 2 hours, so...I am off here for now. Got too many things to do to sit here any longer.  Chat with all of you more next time. Hugs, Mat

Holy Cow!

I have really been busy at work and after 8 hours each day of constant telephone and computer, I just am too wiped out to turn my computer on at night....usually, I just feed my fur babies, clean the litter boxes, wash my face, brush my teeth, put on jammies and go to bed....LOL...the life of a retiree...ROFL!
Our weather has really been unusually warm for this time of year....up into the 80's already...all the plants, trees and grass are beginning to awaken.  I hope we do not have a late freeze and stunt all of them, but I do wish we would have one long enough to kill off pollen and bugs....NOT...anytime soon.  We desperately need rain again as we have had some really windy days that seems to have taken a lot of the moisture out.  I am sitting here now with all the windows open and the ceiling fans going...we awoke to the upper 60's, but supposedly, a cold front is coming in to drop us from the 80's to the 60's for highs! We will just have to see. I even washed my car in hopes it would rain...LMBO!
I did manage to get a few pages made, using free QPs, for Valentine's Day, but that is about all.  I have some really cute photos I need to work with, but they will have to wait a bit...hopefully, after the Daytona 500 I will have time to get on here and do some work.  I just did some blog visiting to friends yesterday!  I am happy all are well or on the mend! All my family seems to be doing well except for Kathy, she has had another bout of cellulitis that put her in the hospital for a couple of days! All my fur babies are about to get used to my routine again, not that they LIKE it, but getting adjusted.  They sure stick to me when I get home and on weekends.  Makes me feel guilty to have to go grocery shopping, but hey, it is for them anyway!
Ok, so that these are in my book, here are the pages I created...

 This was Penny and Weymond's 32 anniversary so created this using a frame by Neli and lace by Miriam. I desaturated their wedding photo.

This photo of me was made at Thanksgiving, can you see all the wrinkles?  I used a QP by Mirella at LTH Designs.

This is my "SIL" Inez and her hubby Larry that I used a frame by Neli on a background I created.

Amy's little darlings, Eliza & Annabeth, in a free QP by Fecnikek. Aren't they sweet?

Here's Maggie's sweeties...Hayden, Calvin and Wayne in a heart frame by Neli. They are growing too fast!

And of course, Kathy's 3 adorable grand kids, Jade, Ruby and Jayson in frames of hearts and flowers by Neli on the same background I created to match the colors...had to do something that was fast...I am lucky I got these done, I procrastinated a long time....ROFL!!
These I created before Valentine's Day, but never posted....It's been a long two weeks, y'all!

Sweet Sebrina in a page I created using a Pixel Scrappers Collaboration Kit

This is a kit I received a long time ago by Janniscrap called Embroidery that I pulled out to use with the free cluster from (?) to use on this cute photo Amy sent.

 Sweet, Sweet Wayne spending me time with Daddy, Lance, in a gorgeous freebie from Kimeric Kreations

Little Princess in her own world of  make believe magic in a page by Kyra. You can find links at the names of the designers if you so wish. I thank all of them for the fabulous time saving freebies!
Okay, enough for now...I must get up and get the floors mopped prior to the race starting!  Y'all have a fantastic Sunday and week ahead. Make lots and lots of memories to share. Chat more next time! Hugs Galore for all! Mat

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

Wow, Wow, Wow!

Christmas day was warm and sunny, a little breezy, but all in all a lovely day spent with great friends eating way too much fabulous food and yes, taking home bags full for later. Then my renter brought over food too! I'm still thawing and eating it (I put dinners in the freezer when I got home)! Saturday was more like Memorial Day as it hit 80F and the humidity was so thick you could cut it with a knife....you knew the weather was about to change....BUT....not with EF3(winds of 160+) & EF4 (winds of 200+ mph) tornadoes!!! So much damage and carnage with 11 deaths and still 18 unaccounted for! So many homes and apartment complexes totally destroyed, so many homeless with only the clothes on their back in shelters, the temps dropped by 30 degrees in less than 30 minutes and rain, rain, rain so hard you could not see (3.5 inches). Flash flooding (with people having to be rescued) in the low areas because of all the saturation of the soil already. Sunday was really cold and wet (poor responders and people checking for loved ones or pets or to see what could be salvaged) the rain just kept coming in wave after wave and then the hail starts...what? in December? Yes, several different storms had the hail stones and so heavy it covered the ground very quickly and took a while to melt, then overnight into Monday morning....SNOW! Yep, we only got the edge of it (dusting or flurries) but others only 2 miles away got 2 inches of the white coverage! The wind was atrocious all day yesterday and it never got to 40F, but felt like the mid 20's all day! Winter finally found us...so many changes in such a short time...awful 4 days from super happiness to total life changes in just hours!  8 of the deaths were caused by the tornado picking up cars off Interstate 30 and tossing them like toys onto the expressway beneath them...crushing them! They never had a chance. Now it is all headed east and north....praying for those in it's path!
This morning thankfully, it is dry...cold (upper 20's-32F) and the wind has decided to give us a break. Some good news, yesterday a couple that had been dug out of the wreckage of their home on Sunday returned after being checked at the hospital to dig out both their dogs (FAMILY) trapped in the wreckage (2 days)...vet says they have no broken bones, just a little traumatized and cold, wet and very hungry....but will be fine!
Before all this happened, I was busy scrapping, scrapping, scrapping and reorganizing all my files on my computer, backing it up and even doing some paper scrapping.  I took lots of photos of my fur babies happily opening all their presents on CHRISTmas morning and coloring in my adult coloring book (boy some of those are very intricate designs) and enjoying all the holiday music! I am having my blog put into book format at the end of this year...(only 2 more days)....so I am still going to post the pages I did so they will make the book.

This was the card made for Penny (at her request) to put on FB to wish all a Merry CHRISTmas from her family to all her friends...Weymond has all 5 grand babies on his lap and then the 5 are around the tree at Amy's house...the quick page is by Fecnikek! 

This one I created for her too using a QP by Miriam's Scraps, but she chose the first one to publish and then printed this one! LOL!

This is Margaret and Lance's card they posted...sweet babies! I created this page using Raspberry Road Designs Season of Joy kit and free clusters!

This was Amy's but she kept having problems with getting it to post...This postcard was a freebie from Fecnikek too!

This was for TBT the day before CHRISTmas of CHRISTmas day 2012 in Grapevine, TX with my friends Jannette and Mike and his mother Anne and his sister Julia...we had a wonderful day together...the card is also by Fecnikek and wordart is by Miss Boots (Random Thoughts at Linda's Place)
Well, back to the real world now...today is trash day and I need to get mine out for collection and now that daylight is finally here, I have a few wet boxes to gather for them too! My fur babies stayed nice and dry and warm (their electric blankets were plugged in) but some of the boxes they use in warm weather are soaked...no worries I have a stock of new dry ones to put out today...LOL!
Chat in a couple of days to start the new year off right! Y'all have a good week! Make lots and lots of memories to share! Love, Mat