A LITTLE HEALTH, A LITTLE HOBBY, AND A LITTLE SHOWER CRAFTING!

MONDAY:

I had mentioned not being up to par on Sunday.  The truth is, I was prepping for a Colonoscopy exam.  The last one was done in 2006, and Dr. Sue says, "do it, call Bernie!"  (I have gone to Dr. Sue for over 45 years, we are like sisters!)  So as yet another part of my physical, I called Bernie.  The prep stuff to drink is horrible.  I tried using a straw to keep it all to one side of my mouth so I didn't have all the taste of it.  
Dr. Bernie had said to me, " this is the last time you can have this procedure, when you get near 80 we don't feel the need to provide it."  80 WHO'S 80?  I was dumb struck. I couldn't think of a one liner to come back at him with but I have my thoughts now. And how old are you with the bald head, would have been good?  

I checked in to UMMC at 9:00am and was sitting at Wendy's for something to eat at noon!  The solid food was so good!  Then came home and took a three hour nap.  Kinda sluggish all the rest of day.

TUESDAY:

I'm getting around, kinda lazy I would say.   I have the washing done and I want to make chicken soup if I get up the gumption.  

Bob went to dentist this morning and turned in his bottom plate.  Dr. Joe to send them out for a "soft" lining.  Hope it helps, nothing like sore gums.  Bob also went for a haircut. Man, his hair was starting to curl around his neck.

I played around with another card that I wanted to copy.   I had to improvise as I didn't have the original stamps.  My stamping ink pads are getting to dry so I went on computer and placed an order for the refill ink.  (it's all water soluble ink)  

THIS IS THE CARD THAT I WANT TO COPY.

THIS IS THE CARD I MADE.   I DO NOT LIKE TO COLOR IT IN.  
 I think the script is more elegant than the boxed word.

WEDNESDAY:
Good morning world!  Wonder what I can contribute today. Bob says, the sun is shining and it's 11o out.
The cold water is running so the pipes didn't freeze during the night.  Pictures on FB from NC show a little snow delivered-the schools are closed...ha!  Better them than us.

Busy day!  Bob picked up his teeth and added $$$$ to the economy.  Then we went to Lockport as I had a hair appointment and added $$$ to the economy. Plus stops at Dunkin and the Dollar Store.  

At Deb's we had coffee and visited.  Christianna came in with her cute puppy. (Mario) She had just returned from working a store in Toronto.  Debbie offered her some of my Chicken Soup.  Rocky came in from work and he looked so "debonair" all dressed up with a long over coat and scarf.  He's a hunk!
Rocky helped us load the truck up with things that we will be working on Saturday when the girls come over to work on shower decos.  He showed us his snazzy new vehicle that he is buying-Mercedes-SUV.  It was too cold to look much less take a picture.  

THURSDAY:
I was up and down during the night and once again I noticed the neighbor's out door light on; yep, three deer were eating away at the bird feeder and off the ground.  I took a photo but it's lousy!  Bob says, next time put the screen up.  Ya, and the deer would have been long gone.

OUT MY BEDROOM WINDOW

Today I made chocolate chip cookies.  In my Christmas stocking, I received a new spoon that was to be the exact measurement needed per cookie. 

EACH SPOONFUL SHOULD BE ONE COOKIE

Well, dumb Dora had four spatulas out trying to use this spoon.  Then when I washed up the dishes, I saw that the bottom of the spoon has a pop out base. Dah! Now why didn't I see that earlier?  I'll have to try that again.

THE SIZE LOOKS UNIFORM.

We did a quick trip to the grocery store.  Baby it's cold outside.  How are those men working outside building that new ice arena in downtown Buffalo?  And, more bad weather on the way for tomorrow and Saturday.

I spent the evening in my craft room as Bob and Betsy had both computers in use printing the shower invitation envelopes.    
FRIDAY:
I had to bake and clean to get ready for Saturday when the girls come over.   I wanted to make cupcakes as my niece told me a new idea!  You put Solo baking filling mix into the batter (after following box directions) and it enhances the flavor of the cake/cupcakes.  

SOLO ALMOND FILLING 

I used almond filling in the white cupcakes and raspberry filling in the chocolate ones.  

ALMOND ICING/FEW ALMONDS ON TOP

It was a guess as to how long to bake in my oven, (dang thing has a mind of it's own) so I just watched and checked  to make sure they were done.  

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY/CHOCOLATE ICING

Oh boy, did I have a ton of cupcakes so during our work event, I packed some up for the girls to take home.  We liked the almond flavor the best.  Thanks Linda!!!

Finally, we watched the Captain Phillips movie.  It was good!  I hope it wins an Oscar.  The rescue was slow happening, I can't imagine the fear that he lived through.  His breakdown showed it.  But at the end of show, it was stated that he went back to work the same place again.  

SATURDAY:
The weather was horrible for the kids to drive here, much better around Batavia.  We were in full swing by ten thirty; we worked on center pieces, invitations and favors.  

David, Aunt Cindy, Donna, Me and Aunt Debbie.
Aunt Betsy was making coffee.

We stopped for a pizza and sub lunch.  Then after lunch everyone started making the gift baskets. Paper, ribbon, and tape was a flying; these girls work fast!!!!  David offered to help shrink wrap a basket and it blew up like a balloon!  Donna went running to the rescue.  We had so much fun, laughing and making decisions, my only wish was that Erin was here to enjoy it with us.  

Bob and David had a project too!  Donna had seen a wooden board that she wanted made to hold the place cards at the wedding.  So the guys went to Home Depot. At home, after getting the slats cut, they calculated the distance for the slots so each name would show. They ended up with 10 boards with 18 card slots each. Hay, guys the venue will not hold that many people!!! Always better to have extra in case the board cracks or has a knot in it. Then they routed the edges.  Sanding and painting still to be done on that.

THE GUYS PROJECT.  

About four o'clock it started to look nasty outside so Debbie packed up and left.  Shortly after the rest left, I sat down and read some catalogs that had come in the mail, waiting for the kids to say if they were home safe.  After a little more pick up around the kitchen, we were headed to bed at 8:30pm.  A fun day!  But long day!

SUNDAY:
What a night!  My stomach was at war!  Guess I ate to many goodies.  Once I got to sleep, I slept till 10:30am.   

I went downstairs to put on the TV to watch a new You Tube that had been posted from Stacey of Scrapbooking Made Simple.  That helped to wake me up some.  

I worked on the container for the gift cards.  Then it was time to Blog...lots of days to catch up.  Bob helped me  make an album (on the Mac) of all the pictures of ideas that I have been taking from the Internet.  

Waiting for evening to watch the next episode of Downton Abbey.  


Have a good week, making memories!  Thanks for checking in.

GOLDEN GRAM 

INSPIRE, CREATE AND SHARE! RESEARCH ON SCRAPIN'!

MONDAY:
So let's start our week with the weather...sun for a couple hours, 40o, then the dull, cloudy skies.  It looks like all the water has drained off the field out back.  Then we can wait for another bout of snow which is a coming.

I called to activate our new Visa cards.   I don't know how far across America the "hacking at Target" went but we had shopped there.  Our bank automatically sent us new cards.  We are still expecting a couple credits from returns and the bank assured us it would be put on the new number.  We also paid our Visa today and the new number was on the statement.  It appears they are on top of things.

Printouts are coming in to be used for the Income Tax purposes too, so here we go, getting things in order. Make a folder!    Then it's usually a couple months of grueling paper work.  Bob will ask me -print this, print that-  this isn't allocated right-change it and print again, which usually effects our budget not the taxes. 

I made stuffed peppers for supper.  Betsy bought the fixings and the peppers were huge..like acorn squash. And once again, the rice did not get soft.  Where is this lousy rice coming from?  Oh if I don't find Uncle Ben's pretty soon, well, I'll just have to quit cooking!    
Now day is done, gone the sun..old Girl Scout song.  I'm going to bed.  

TUESDAY:
Another dull, grey day, even with the temp at 50o.

Bob worked on his Mac all day, trying to set up some new things.
I made a Thinking of You card for Bob's Aunt.  She was hospitalized, oh I want to say last November. I kept thinking about her, but didn't get a card out. 

I started my Christmas album.  I was surprised when I saw each photo has printed on the back; "made on a Mac!"   I'm trying to work in some of the Stamping Up and the Sizzix stuff to make this year's album different.  

A SMALL AMOUNT OF SIZZIX, CRICUT AND STAMPIN UP USED.

SIZZIX AND STAMPIN UP.

Other than that, I watched several video's from the Scrap booking Made Simple gal.  She is at a Craft & Hobby Convention (CHA) and she is making a video at each booth that she visits.  
One video was putting resin on stickers to make them shine and  be thicker.  I really don't like thick stuff in my albums because it pulls the protector sheet and it wrinkles.  I don't see myself doing that craft.  Lots of new stuff.
WEDNESDAY:
I had a doctor's appointment to attend this morning.  After we drove into Eastern Hills Shopping area to return a few things at Hobby Lobby that didn't work out.  Also had a coupon for Jo Ann's Fabric, so I buzzed thru there. I finally found the 2 1/2 inch Zyron tape X box-at both places, but neither place had a refill available so I backed off on that one.  

Coming home we stopped at Paula's donuts for a 1/2 dozen, then picked up our 4 o'clock coffee at Dunkin Donuts to enjoy with our treat.  So good!

Since supper, I've been researching on line for a couple items.  I need to get the new Sizzix stuff organized instead of flopping it in a drawer.  

THURSDAY:
Flakes!  The back patio is covered in white stuff again.
I'm up early, back on computer researching.   I found the storage boxes for the dies on Stampin Up and Sizzix web sites.  I have an order and I can't get the machine to move!!! I can't check out.  Guess I'll wait for Bob to get up.  I'm going back to bed.   


An idea from another video: I'm going to try and put my flexible, clear, cling stamps in a DVD box as seen on the video.  They listed a place to buy the boxes from also: try www.tapeonline.com.  (maybe Wal*Mart) First we try them.  I tore apart a Michael Bolton DVD box just to see.  

IT WORKS NICELY.  HOW EXCITING!

Have you realized that I get as big a kick out of organizing as scrapin.   Woot, Woot.  

This morning I saw a real pretty Valentine card to make on line, now I want to go back to it and can't find it.  Have you ever done that?  Well, it won't happen again...I hope..when I saw something this after noon, I whipped out my phone and took a pic.  Ta Da!  

PICTURE RIGHT ON SITE.

I have found so many Scrapin sites to look at; I'll be spending alot of time on the computer.  One site was called: Better Than Therapy!  I did take time to take down my Ugly Trees, I didn't care for the Snowmen on them.  Bob helped me pack them up till next year.

Bob is having pain with his bottom teeth so he went into town to the dentist again.  I've been making soft foods for him.   He picked up a few groceries while out.  

After supper, Bob checked out some movies to watch. We want to see Captain Phillips but it's not released yet.  He then watched his stories and I went in my craft room to work on a few more album pages.  

FRIDAY:  


We blew off the day!  We drove out to Corfu to stop at the bakery that makes the delicious cupcakes.  A sign on the door stated that the place was closed until Feb. 3rd.  Rats!  

No other plans; we headed to Boulevard Mall area.  We shopped and had a late lunch and ended up in Barnes & Noble to browse.

SATURDAY:
The ground is covered this morning, just a scattering.  Snow blower won't be necessary.

Donna sent a text, their family was coming over to "bond". The girls have been working out ideas for decorations for Erin's Bridal Shower which is coming up in March.  

Betsy made a pasta/sausage dinner dish that we could zap later and I made a salad and jello.  

Bob and David had a wood project to make too, in between watching basketball.  Syracuse came out ahead but it was a nail biter so they say.

After everyone left for the evening, back on the computers for us.  Bob finished up a nice memo to our camping group about going out for our Polar Bear dinner in Feb. at the Red Mill Inn.   I think I heard it was closed for several years, hope the food is good.

SUNDAY:
The weather is not very nice, blowing snow again.  Cold!
I'm a little under the weather today too so I'm going to post early, maybe watch some football.  

Hope everyone has a good week.  Thanks for clicking in.  

GOLDEN GRAM  

AFTER THE BLIZZARD, OR BECAUSE OF THE BLIZZARD; SNOW MUCH FUN! Sinnamon Swirl Bread, Scraping, Stamping Up, A Deer Surprise!

MONDAY:
Well, we watched Downton Abbey last night.  It was a little slow going until Mary came out of her depression.  They have moved up to the Roaring Twenties and the ladies clothes have changed to the long waist Flapper dresses.  Not to impressive!  There sure are lots of stories going on within the one.    

It's a ripping outside!  Wind is making the house hum a melody and my knees are cold sitting by my computer!   The TV cable went down and I can't get FB up and running right.  Ho-ya, Ho-ya!  Just deal like we have before.

OUR BACK YARD

I want to share with all my readers a little surprise from this morning:  look what appears in the bed. 

BOB'S STASH 

1) Bob needs all this stuff-the shooter to turn on the TV.

2) The cell phone to check and see if he remembers how to turn the TV on with it. He may need to send a text too. 
3) The little shooter for Apple TV.
4) The book to read.
5) He has to know the temperature at all times!!!

This didn't come out so funny, but I had a laugh!  An example of the Information Age.  More like Old Age!  It's so horrible outside, we just have to laugh about something.

TUESDAY: BLIZZARD 2014
Much to my surprise when I got up, I saw that Betsy was home.  She was baking bread and brownies.  She had tried to go to work but couldn't get out of driveway and decided it was to cold to snow blow the driveway.   She also mentioned that she doesn't have the big truck (Yukon) anymore and she wasn't trusting that little Prius.  At last, she gets smart!

The TV and Internet was down.  I was still awake at 1:30am when the TV went off.  Betsy called Time Warner and they came in no time.  The house checked out okay so the utilities man said he would call for a bucket truck to check outside.  I think it was about 1:30 pm when it all came back up.
I checked all the newspapers for the Blizzard up dates and posted to Face Book.  Then Bob figured it out and posted from his phone-the same thing.  Okay Bob.  

I spent the day in my craft room.  I enjoyed using the new craft equipment: SIZZIX BIG SHOT MACHINE.   I die cut and embossed four snowman cards and it took me all day.  Man!  That makes the four cards cost about $40.00 each.  Ha.  There was lots of detail stuff to do.  The little details use up lots of the scrap paper.

SNOW MUCH FUN!

I pulled out my Stamping Up stuff and tried to refresh my memory on using the "silver glitter" that is made by using rubber stamps and a heat gun.   I was so pleased with myself when it worked.  Woot! Woot!  Within the silver, it says SNOW MUCH FUN!

I finished the James Patterson book called "GONE" last night.  Even thou I didn't enjoy the horrendous murders by the Mexican cartel that detective, Michael Bennett was pursuing, the story kept one guessing.  Now to find another good book.

WEDNESDAY:
Nice clear beautiful, sunny day, never know yesterday was a blizzard.  One can actually see across the street.  After Bob cleaned half of the driveway, we had soup for lunch.  No bread, No Milk left.  So we headed out to the grocery store.  Tops extended the 6% off day due to yesterdays storm.  

In the middle of downtown, we came upon a traffic back up; the red lights were not working.  

NO ONE MOVING

ROADS WERE ROUGH AND SNOW PILES EVERY WHERE.

POLICE WERE DIRECTING AT EACH INTER SECTION.

 Bob turned on the car radio and we heard that a circuit breaker had exploded and 7800 people were without electric in Batavia.  They hoped to have it repaired by 3:30pm.   

Now we walk into the grocery store and it has a few lights on; most likely by generator.  It was spooky!  I flew around getting the most needed items so we could get out fast; I'd hate to be in that big building if all the lights went out.  All refrigerated units were covered with drapes. 

As we prepared to leave the parking lot, they announced an accident at one of the downtown intersections so we decided to use the back streets to drive home.  Woa, were they rutty and bumpy.
 
We both had a nap before fixing supper.  After I checked my phone and there was a new scrap booking You Tube posted so I watched it.

THURSDAY:
My computer is acting up...Bob wanted to call the fix it guy again.  
I wanted to use a recipe on the back of a dried yeast packet but it was hard to read as the print was so small.  I thought if I typed it, I could enlarge it.   Bob said I had to use his Mac..oh man.  I could have had the recipe mixed  by the time it took to type it.  That machine is greek to me!

Anyway, the recipe was for Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread.  I love the taste and smell of yeast.   I made it up and let it rise.  When ready, I punch er down and rolled it into the rectangle as directed.  I buttered it and put the cinnamon-sugar on it.  I rolled it up only to realize that I forgot the raisins.  Old Age!  So undo and start over.  I made the second loaf just fine.  It turned out very good and Bob said it was a keeper.  

NEEDS TO RISE

YUMMY!

My Christmas photos came in the mail today so now I can start planning that scraping job.  Some photos are not to good; they look a little out of focus, yet I don't remember seeing that on the computer.  I was worried that some were to dark.  I'll have to check it out..
FRIDAY:  
I'm up before day light (potty trip) and the neighbors back light is on.  So I peeked out between the blinds and low and behold there is a deer eating spilled bird food under the feeders.  I called Bob.  Then 2 more deer came up from the field and joined in the meal.  I was so excited that I didn't even think of a photo and I had my phone in the pocket of my robe.  They were so close, no horns!
Bob stayed up as he had a fishing day planned with his buddies.  They were going up to Oak Orchard area again; I mentioned to him to be careful incase the ice starts moving in the creek.


I started to organize my photos for scraping.  I cleared the dinning room table and spread out my blank pages and went to work.  Boy, there are so many different subjects, hope it doesn't create lots of pages.  I'll just have to squeeze them in. 
Bob returned home about 2:30pm, no fish.  He worked on the computer during the evening, after a long nappie.
SATURDAY:
We went into Eastern Hills shopping center as we had a return @ Macy's and Bob wanted to see if he should exchange a few things at Orvis.  (fishing store) 
The weather was crappy, fog and rain.  We were gone all day.  I visited Hobby Lobby for the first time.  That's a big store. 
We stopped at the Protocol Restaurant to inquire about a place for our camping group to meet in Feb., for our Polar Bear Dinner.  The group suggested a lunch, probably so they wouldn't have to drive after dark. The Protocol does not serve lunch on Saturday, so the hunt goes on. 
We went to Bob Evans for our lunch.  Bob played around with his phone trying to copy/scan their (what ever it's called) little black printed box to pick up their app.  We finally filled out a paper copy that the restaurant supplied. 
Back at home, we flopped on the couch  exhausted and watched the funny old movie called Bucket List.
SUNDAY:
Cold, snowy morning.  The back field is full of water.  When our children were at home, they would ice skate out there once it was frozen.
I had an invite to a Pampered Chef party on my phone this morning.  The hostess lives in N. Carolina.  The hostess, catalog and all ordering was on the web site...pick and pay!  Pretty clever.  I'm still amazed with this IPhone.  I have to admit, I went to my computer to do the shopping..  

I watched ice skating until I feel asleep this afternoon. Fast way to use up the day.

That's about it for this week.  I'll probably pay for sloughing off this week but it's been fun.  Betsy is calling us to supper.  

Thanks for clicking in.  Have a good week! 

GOLDEN GRAM

LOTS OF WEATHER CHANGES, LOTS OF WORK! TRYING MY HAND AT CARD MAKING.

MONDAY:
Clear, cool day.  Sarah has left for the airport, heading to Florida.  It's quite.
Back to the hum drum life style! 
Betsy came home from work about 3ish, not feeling well.  I was reading a IMac book that was gifted to Bob.  I was interested in the recipe section...looks cute...but Greek to me.  One section is called Paprika!  I'd have to have help and it looks like the print out would be bigger than 4X6 card, I wouldn't want to change that file.
Bob talked to his sister Jane, sharing photos of this past summer/fall.
I went in my craft room and messed around creating cards using my new Big Shot machine. 

MY FIRST ATTEMPT, NOT GLUED YET.
GOOD EXAMPLE OF EMBOSSING AND DIE CUTS.
THE MUSIC AND DOTS AND WORDS ARE RAISED UP FROM PAPER.

THE EMBOSSED HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIDN'T COME OUT STRONG ENOUGH.

Then decided I needed more info; so I pulled up a video on the computer and sat here until I was cross eyed! 
So tired, I went to bed at 9:00pm and woke up at 11:00pm.  What?  It's not morning? 

TUESDAY:
I had been rolling around in bed until I'm sore.  Get up!  Betsy's alarm went off.  After coffee, I started taking down the Disney Looney Toon houses that are on the stair banister.  For some reason, I miss being able to pile stuff on there to bring downstairs.  Just had to get it put away which is good to have done.  One thing a day, maybe.  That finished and packed; I went back to bed!

Now that it's day light, I can see snow coming down.  Lake effect warnings again.  30, 60, 90 days till April!

I made a list of things to finish or match up...returns, bills, calls, appointments.  It's staggering!  I wasn't to consistent with receipts but I'm finding them all. 

WEDNESDAY:
I first animal that I saw this morning was a small, red fox.  It was hunting around in the back field.  Is that a sign that we will all be hunting something in 2014?  Aren't we always hunting

• FOR BETTER ORGANIZATION
• FOR BETTER HEALTH
• FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION
• FOR BETTER SECURITY
• AND ON AND ON!

The day just passed in anticipation of the evening celebrations.  We did edit and pic out pictures for my 2013 Christmas album.  That's an accomplishment! 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
THURSDAY:
Time to hang up new calendars. 
I took me all day but I finished taking my glass ornament tree down.  Boy, I have so much stuff on that tree; bead garlands, shiny star garlands, extra string of lights, ornaments, glitter sticks and icicles.  Phew!   I was multi-tasking too..a load of wash, the meals, etc.

Snow plows have gone down our road twice, Bob has cleared the driveway twice, and it's still coming down.  4 degrees tonight. Schools cancelled all afternoon & evening activities, now starting to close in the morning too. 

Everyone has gone to bed and I still have to move furniture back in place.  Maybe tomorrow.  I have a new James Patterson book that's calling my name.  Bob is reading THE KILLING OF LINCOLN by Bill O"Reilly, (a Christmas gift) must be good as he is sticking to it.
FRIDAY:
More of the same, picking up Christmas items to finish up with the packing.  Boy, the house looks bare.  So, I unpacked all my Snowman collection and my ice wreath and have that all strewn about for the cold months.

OH, SICK LOOKING!
LOOKS LIKE THIS NEEDS REFURBISHED.




SNOWMAN TO STOP DRAFT,
SHOULD BE UP AGAINST THE DOOR.



I HAVE ABOUT 20 OF THESE WOODEN SNOWMEN THAT I HUNG ALL OVER MY UGLY TREES.  MADE DURING OUR CRAFTING DAYS.



THIS ONE GOES UP AND DOWN AND GIGGLES!

ENOUGH ALREADY!




And finally washed the kitchen floor.  It was disgusting with all the drips and food all about. 
After supper, Betsy wanted to start taking her tree down and put it away. 
I wrapped ornaments as she took them off tree.  Mights well move furniture and do a good job sweeping.  I watched Under Cover Boss while doing it. 

SATURDAY: (An indent, where did that come from?)
Now with the house sparkling clean, I can't sleep.  What a rotten night!  The bones are aching, guess I do need to exercise because when I actually do something, it nearly kills me.  I went threw all the Christmas cards received for address changes; then went back to bed. 
 
The time had come to sort out all the bills against the receipts.  That's because I had them in several places; like Christmas presents receipts (in a different envelope) available if the kids needed to return an item.
I worked for hours.  Bob was sitting near by so I delegated a few jobs.  Hay, why not?
 
SUNDAY:
We went out for lunch, posted some snail mail, and went to a couple stores.  I hadn't been out of house for a week and some.  Now colder weather is coming, and 2' of snow expected starting tomorrow at 11:00am.  The people with snowmobiles will be happy.  I think I'll try to bake some bread while it snows.  That ought to be a trip! 
I sure wish we had a generator for the house, with 2' of snow, many things can happen to cut the electric off. 
 
Tonight Downton Abbey comes on at 9 o'clock so I will post early so I can watch that.  Love the old fashioned clothes!   

Have a good week everyone and thanks for clicking in. 

GOLDEN GRAM