This is just a quick post. I've been reading about a lot of digital programs out there, scrapbooking and die cutting. I just have to put in a quick plug for My Digitial Studio by Stampin' Up! is fun.
I initially had a problem with it as we upgraded our computer and MDS wasn't compatible with the upgrade. But SU! tech support sent me an email and I did what she said, and VOILA! It works like a dream!
I haven't had much experience with digital card and scrapbooking programs. In fact, I purchased this back in November when SU! ran a great deal on it. I didn't have time to play to learn how to use it and didn't take much time to explore youtube (imagine that?) to find help. But in May, we were taking a road trip so I watched the vids that are at mydigitalstudio.net and played for a couple of hours while on the road with the program. I have to say I was very pleased with the scrapbook pages I created. Granted they are very simple (and yes, once I get my act more together I'll post some) but they look good. Since then, I've made quite a few cards and I am VERY happy with the results.
Unless you're very much into making your own elements and very graphics savvy, I would say this program is a good buy. I LOVE IT!!! And the people on the mydigitialstudio.net are very helpful to find more sophisticated ways to use the program. I really can't say enough good things about this program and I've really just touched the tip of the iceberg.
Hoping to post some pics soon.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Friday, September 24, 2010
Six items or less concept
In June of this year, a number of people across the globe entered into an experiment entitled "Six items or less" (http://www.sixitemsorless.com/). I found out about the experiment AFTER the launch, but it is fascinating and they are going for another round in a couple of days (I think).
The concept is to pick six clothing items (excluding underwear, outerwear, work out gear and accessories) and wear them exclusively for a month. According to the founders, there is NO one philosophy involved - though their original philosophy seemed to be to fulfill a challenge - could they wear only six clothing items throughout the month? Others that entered into the challenge did it for their own reasons - anti-consumerism, masochism (really?), creativity (that would be mine), and mental freedom.
One of the arguments I found interesting was that a person couldn't wear the same six items at another time of the year. I counter with each month you get six NEW items each month, right? So that would mean 72 items by the end of the year, right? (Not including accessories and outerwear, right?)
So what would you pick? I probably will give this 2nd go around a miss as I'm entering a new phase of life and have to figure out what my parameters are. I'm not sure I could do it with six but perhaps around nine, which is recommended by Saf-T-Pockets (http://www.saf-t-pockets.com/) for packing.
Let me know if you are interested in such a challenge.
The concept is to pick six clothing items (excluding underwear, outerwear, work out gear and accessories) and wear them exclusively for a month. According to the founders, there is NO one philosophy involved - though their original philosophy seemed to be to fulfill a challenge - could they wear only six clothing items throughout the month? Others that entered into the challenge did it for their own reasons - anti-consumerism, masochism (really?), creativity (that would be mine), and mental freedom.
One of the arguments I found interesting was that a person couldn't wear the same six items at another time of the year. I counter with each month you get six NEW items each month, right? So that would mean 72 items by the end of the year, right? (Not including accessories and outerwear, right?)
So what would you pick? I probably will give this 2nd go around a miss as I'm entering a new phase of life and have to figure out what my parameters are. I'm not sure I could do it with six but perhaps around nine, which is recommended by Saf-T-Pockets (http://www.saf-t-pockets.com/) for packing.
Let me know if you are interested in such a challenge.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Losing weight with THRIVE!
Two weeks ago I signed up with a weight loss program called THRIVE! I have had two friends and their husbands lose a lot of weight doing this program and I have been interested. Well through May 9th, THRIVE is running a special for their 7 week course and I took advantage of it. (You can do this in house or online.)
In two weeks I have lost 10 lbs. (according to my scale and it is pretty close to the scale I use at that Cartersville center). It is by far the easiest program I have ever used.
The reason I'm willing to shout this from my blog is because this morning I woke up after walking the Georgia Renaissance Faire yesterday and my knees don't hurt. My knees have been hurting for a number of years and I'm not interested in knee replacement surgery. Also, my hips had started to hurt because of the weight I've been carrying and that pain is starting to lessen also.
Anyone that knows me, knows how much I HATE to exercise. As far as I'm concerned, it is a DIRTY word. I have not added exercise to my daily schedule to lose the 10 lbs. One of the miracles of this program is that for the first time in my life, I am interested in maybe adding a few push ups or crunches to my daily routine. (We'll see...)
I have not been hungry on this program other than the first day and the day that I fasted. I have not felt like cheating other than the day I fasted. Well, last night, I was actually looking for some "legal" chocolate and didn't have any in the house and I survived. (Chocolate is not a big problem for me, usually.) My biggest vise is potato chips and I have not missed them at all. In fact, most of the time, I'm thinking "Do I really have to eat more food now?" I haven't MADE my family (like any of them need to lose weight, right?) change over to this, though it is not a whole lot different than how we have been eating all their lives.
So what is this program? It is basically how a person eats a combination of foods, timing, journaling, eliminating refined foods, and drinking water. It is more than that of course, but not too complicated. So far, I haven't been bored or really missed anything. If you like puzzles and/or games, you'll LOVE this program. They "allow" 100 "blow it" days a year which means you didn't follow their recommendations to the letter - ah, so the "bad" foods can still be eaten, just not as often. I figure that covers the holidays and most weekends. I haven't tried to have an on purpose "blow it" day yet, but I've heard that the "bad" foods aren't as appealing when the opportunity presents itself. (Yes, I'm planning a major cheeseburger and fries "blow it" day:o)!) I have had some "blow it days" all ready though not intentional and I've still lost the weight.
Lack of energy hasn't been a problem for me in years. But as I've gotten older, it has felt good to take a quick power nap in the afternoon. This week that has been a thing of the pass. I'm not tired nor do I feel weak. I have heard others "complain" that they feel tired or weak at the beginning of this program, but I THINK it's because their bodies are adjusting to the sugar and some caffeine withdrawals.
Mood swings haven't been an issue either. The first week I was doing this, we had an incident that normally would have shot me over the edge and for the most part I was able to handle it calmly and even fairly politely. I think I'm better able to handle issues/problems (read STRESS! and I didn't need desserts to handle 'em) since I started this than I ever have. (That doesn't mean I don't still have my moments, it's just I'm able to identify the problem easier/quicker.)
Others that have been on this program have had phenomenal health improvement stories. I have ignored my health related issues, so I can't really testify to that other than my knees and hips. If you have cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetic issues, you do need to check the testimonies out.
There are NO special foods to buy on this program. Of course, there are foods they recommend and others that I wouldn't live without, i.e. Double Fiber Wheat Bread by Nature's Own. That is the only food that is a little out of the ordinary that I have really added to our grocery list. Of course, I'm purchasing more fibrous vegetables (AND eating them) and leaner cuts of meat (though my sister, Ann, helped me figure out how to cook hamburger leaner). Most of their food recommendations can be found at your local grocery store. If you LOVE catsup, you will want to change your catsup. That is the only food item, I would ABSOLUTELY have to change if my children decided to do this. And Gordon would have to give up his ice cream, though he could have it on his "blow it" days.
To check it out, here's the url: www.thriveweightloss.com. Let me know if you do it and what you're results are.
In two weeks I have lost 10 lbs. (according to my scale and it is pretty close to the scale I use at that Cartersville center). It is by far the easiest program I have ever used.
The reason I'm willing to shout this from my blog is because this morning I woke up after walking the Georgia Renaissance Faire yesterday and my knees don't hurt. My knees have been hurting for a number of years and I'm not interested in knee replacement surgery. Also, my hips had started to hurt because of the weight I've been carrying and that pain is starting to lessen also.
Anyone that knows me, knows how much I HATE to exercise. As far as I'm concerned, it is a DIRTY word. I have not added exercise to my daily schedule to lose the 10 lbs. One of the miracles of this program is that for the first time in my life, I am interested in maybe adding a few push ups or crunches to my daily routine. (We'll see...)
I have not been hungry on this program other than the first day and the day that I fasted. I have not felt like cheating other than the day I fasted. Well, last night, I was actually looking for some "legal" chocolate and didn't have any in the house and I survived. (Chocolate is not a big problem for me, usually.) My biggest vise is potato chips and I have not missed them at all. In fact, most of the time, I'm thinking "Do I really have to eat more food now?" I haven't MADE my family (like any of them need to lose weight, right?) change over to this, though it is not a whole lot different than how we have been eating all their lives.
So what is this program? It is basically how a person eats a combination of foods, timing, journaling, eliminating refined foods, and drinking water. It is more than that of course, but not too complicated. So far, I haven't been bored or really missed anything. If you like puzzles and/or games, you'll LOVE this program. They "allow" 100 "blow it" days a year which means you didn't follow their recommendations to the letter - ah, so the "bad" foods can still be eaten, just not as often. I figure that covers the holidays and most weekends. I haven't tried to have an on purpose "blow it" day yet, but I've heard that the "bad" foods aren't as appealing when the opportunity presents itself. (Yes, I'm planning a major cheeseburger and fries "blow it" day:o)!) I have had some "blow it days" all ready though not intentional and I've still lost the weight.
Lack of energy hasn't been a problem for me in years. But as I've gotten older, it has felt good to take a quick power nap in the afternoon. This week that has been a thing of the pass. I'm not tired nor do I feel weak. I have heard others "complain" that they feel tired or weak at the beginning of this program, but I THINK it's because their bodies are adjusting to the sugar and some caffeine withdrawals.
Mood swings haven't been an issue either. The first week I was doing this, we had an incident that normally would have shot me over the edge and for the most part I was able to handle it calmly and even fairly politely. I think I'm better able to handle issues/problems (read STRESS! and I didn't need desserts to handle 'em) since I started this than I ever have. (That doesn't mean I don't still have my moments, it's just I'm able to identify the problem easier/quicker.)
Others that have been on this program have had phenomenal health improvement stories. I have ignored my health related issues, so I can't really testify to that other than my knees and hips. If you have cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetic issues, you do need to check the testimonies out.
There are NO special foods to buy on this program. Of course, there are foods they recommend and others that I wouldn't live without, i.e. Double Fiber Wheat Bread by Nature's Own. That is the only food that is a little out of the ordinary that I have really added to our grocery list. Of course, I'm purchasing more fibrous vegetables (AND eating them) and leaner cuts of meat (though my sister, Ann, helped me figure out how to cook hamburger leaner). Most of their food recommendations can be found at your local grocery store. If you LOVE catsup, you will want to change your catsup. That is the only food item, I would ABSOLUTELY have to change if my children decided to do this. And Gordon would have to give up his ice cream, though he could have it on his "blow it" days.
To check it out, here's the url: www.thriveweightloss.com. Let me know if you do it and what you're results are.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Blackberry Decision - I finally let Gordon buy me a Blackberry Bold. The reason: I discovered it is marketed to very busy executives. I don't know many executives busier than a mother, especially a home schooling mother. So, this little tech tool has 30 days to impress me. RIM should be grateful my husband and son are on their side.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Health Care
I'm praying that the Senate Health Care bill does not pass. I do realize that something must be done about health care. I don't have a clue what. I just know that both bills are not the answer. How can they be? Mind, I'm no scholar on either bill. But how can a 1200+ page House of Representative bill truly help the uninsured, the underinsured, and the insured? It's not simple enough to help. And how do the compromises on the Senate bill help us? I truly want to know how we, the American people, are going to pay for it?
Once again, I'm not a scholar on this subject. But I can see that it won't help anyone well. Please pray also that this won't pass and that a better solution will be sought.
Once again, I'm not a scholar on this subject. But I can see that it won't help anyone well. Please pray also that this won't pass and that a better solution will be sought.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Traditions
One of my favorite traditions of Christmas is receiving the letters, cards, and pictures from family and friends. I remember when I was young pouring over the letters and pictures my parents received from family and friends. Over the years, I got to know these people - what a treasure!
Now, as we have been a few places we have collected a few friends as well as family that we exchange letters and cards with each Christmas. I do so appreciate finding out how they are - their ups and downs over the year. As I prepared our picture this year, I looked at my children and asked when did they grow to be so tall? (Sounds of Fiddler on the Roof?) It seems only yesterday they were little. I marvel how we all age (and just get better looking, right?!).
I hope all of you send a card or letter to those you have had contact with over the years. And send one to me.:o)
Now, as we have been a few places we have collected a few friends as well as family that we exchange letters and cards with each Christmas. I do so appreciate finding out how they are - their ups and downs over the year. As I prepared our picture this year, I looked at my children and asked when did they grow to be so tall? (Sounds of Fiddler on the Roof?) It seems only yesterday they were little. I marvel how we all age (and just get better looking, right?!).
I hope all of you send a card or letter to those you have had contact with over the years. And send one to me.:o)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Popcorn Popping
I love popcorn! I share that love with one of my children. It's always frustrating to go to the cupboard and not find a bag to throw in the microwave. (Yes, it brings out the "grrrssss".)
A number of years ago, I learned the trick of microwave popcorn in a paper bag. If you don't know it - here it is: 1 brown paper bag, 1/4 c of unpopped popcorn, and microwave. I program the microwave for the "Regular Popcorn" setting and let it pop. Make sure you fold the open end of the bag closed at least twice before starting the microwave.
Lately, I haven't felt quite right about pre packaged microwave popcorn. Perhaps, all the media stories are finally infilitrating my psyche, I don't know. I've been making excuses for not buying microwaveable popcorn, much to the chagrin of my popcorn loving child.
Many of you know, I'm also very attached to Tupperware. Did you know that some of the Tupperware is made from bullet proof material? Well, I've been meaning to test that, not with bullets, but with popcorn. (I figure the popcorn popping is like bullets being shot off, wouldn't you agree?) I DID IT!!! And I'm happy to report that neither the popcorn nor the Tupperware let me down. (You should have seen my happy dance, then again perhaps not...)
I used a larger Vent N Serve, the large round one first, with butter and programmed the "Regular Popcorn" setting. Apparently, the microwave cannot sense the popcorn popping or not popping. So I burned my first batch (which I'm sure the birds are grateful for). Sometime in my past my brain had stored the fact that popcorn takes about 3 minutes to pop. I then programmed the microwave for 3 minutes and listened for the popping (you know 5 seconds between pops...). It worked. (Oh, and make sure you pop the vent or it will do it for you - talk about bullets.) Later in the week, I tried popping in my stack cooker (largest configuration) without any fat. That worked also.
Once again, I know there are those of you that are not partial to microwaves. Please just enjoy my joy in finding another way to enjoy popcorn.
A number of years ago, I learned the trick of microwave popcorn in a paper bag. If you don't know it - here it is: 1 brown paper bag, 1/4 c of unpopped popcorn, and microwave. I program the microwave for the "Regular Popcorn" setting and let it pop. Make sure you fold the open end of the bag closed at least twice before starting the microwave.
Lately, I haven't felt quite right about pre packaged microwave popcorn. Perhaps, all the media stories are finally infilitrating my psyche, I don't know. I've been making excuses for not buying microwaveable popcorn, much to the chagrin of my popcorn loving child.
Many of you know, I'm also very attached to Tupperware. Did you know that some of the Tupperware is made from bullet proof material? Well, I've been meaning to test that, not with bullets, but with popcorn. (I figure the popcorn popping is like bullets being shot off, wouldn't you agree?) I DID IT!!! And I'm happy to report that neither the popcorn nor the Tupperware let me down. (You should have seen my happy dance, then again perhaps not...)
I used a larger Vent N Serve, the large round one first, with butter and programmed the "Regular Popcorn" setting. Apparently, the microwave cannot sense the popcorn popping or not popping. So I burned my first batch (which I'm sure the birds are grateful for). Sometime in my past my brain had stored the fact that popcorn takes about 3 minutes to pop. I then programmed the microwave for 3 minutes and listened for the popping (you know 5 seconds between pops...). It worked. (Oh, and make sure you pop the vent or it will do it for you - talk about bullets.) Later in the week, I tried popping in my stack cooker (largest configuration) without any fat. That worked also.
Once again, I know there are those of you that are not partial to microwaves. Please just enjoy my joy in finding another way to enjoy popcorn.
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