My Weblog

Miracles abound...........

First, money......... Now, don't get the wrong idea. I don't make money like the big name designers. However, every little bit that comes in, I'm grateful for. December's sales were not looking very good. It merely added to my depression this month. So, for the last two days, I haven't even looked at sales. Today, I don't know why--maybe because this is the end of the month, I checked. In two days, my December sales have gone up about 250%. Yes, Virginia, there REALLY IS a God and He loves me!

Second, house.......... Again, most likely as a result of depression, I have achieved very little in this house in weeks. Today, I have scrubbed every inch of the master bath and every inch of the hall bath except the floor! What has gotten into me? I do not know, but I hope it gets into me tomorrow too!

Several weeks ago, there was a sale at El Cheapo on coffee creamer. Flavored coffee creamer. But not just any old coffee creamer. Coffee creamer made by Bailey's. Honestly, I had no clue Bailey's even made coffee creamer........ Guess what? One of the flavors they make is Irish Cream. Of course, you know they make the alcoholic Irish Cream we all know....... I finally got around to opening the Bailey's Irish Cream coffee creamer. I have to tell you, it tastes EXACTLY as though you'd spiked your coffee with the real alcoholic thing! So, if you get a chance to pick some up at your grocery store, and you like a little Irish Cream in your coffee, or maybe an Irish Coffee when you're out, I recommend it.

Well, I managed to drag one very heavy bag and one very full trashcan to the curb. Those guys had better show up tomorrow! I need places to put more trash!

Here are a couple of "adventures" I haven't told you about.......... First, water delivery. Vegas water just doesn't taste good. So I get these 3 gallon bottles of water delivered. You've read all about my struggles with this particular service. So, late last week, I carried one of those big bottles in. As far as I'm concerned, they weigh a ton. I got it into the kitchen and tried to open it. I know my hands are not particularly strong, but it was just ridiculous. Normally, there is this tear strip type thing you pull on and as you pull it around the top of the bottle, the lid releases, you upend the bottle in the cooler unit, and you're good to go. Try as I might, I could NOT open the silly bottle. The tear strip thingy just did NOT work! Finally I opened the "junk" drawer in the kitchen and pulled out a screwdriver. I poked a bunch of holes in the lid, but apparently not big enough holes. The flow of water was just slightly more than none. Then, finally, I gave up waiting on that to work and grabbed a paring knife and cut a cross cut across the whole lid. THAT worked. I'm tempted to think I should tell them I don't want to pay for that bottle!

If you remember, my last task that HAD to be completed by today was renewing my preparer ID. I told you that website was "unfriendly". Yes, indeedy. Last year, I was on the verge of tears before someone who works for IRS helped me jerryrig things so I could do what I needed. I was not looking forward to the same experience again this year. I tried to get it done on Friday. However, because we "jerryrigged" things last year, I could NOT remember my username and password. We had just made something up so that I could get registered.

So, I asked for my username to be supplied. Fortunately my e-mail address worked and I knew the answer to the "secret" question. However, that killed everything, right there. As soon as it sent me the username, it refused to let me sign in or request the password. It gave me some sort of error message that made me think it was a browser problem. Well I was using Mozilla so I closed Mozilla and started it up again. Didn't work. Tried the same thing again, didn't work. Tried AOL. Didn't work. Tried Internet Explorer, Didn't work. Shut everything down and rebooted the computer and neither Mozilla nor AOL nor IE worked. When I went after this mess this morning, I fully expected to be locked out and to have to call for help. However, somehow today it worked. What a circus!

I tried the sweater thing yesterday. The sweater I pulled out is going to be donated. I don't like how it fits--it seems too big in the armholes and too tight across the chest as well as being shorter than I'd like. It's in perfect condition, but.......... It was also a thin sweater and you know I already have problems with whether or not I'll be warm enough in sweaters. So, I quickly took that sweater off and found another that has worked well. Maybe I can work my way through my stash of sweaters and find a few more to donate. That would certainly help the organization problem in my closets!!!!!!!!!

I have had a secret desire for many years. I really don't think anyone in the whole world knows about this. At least not til now. I'd love to quilt. Even more, I'd love to quilt and sell the quilts (After I made one or two for me and for the DGC). Anyway, I have, during breaks, been watching quilting tutorials today. I really have the itch. Not that I have the time, but I sure have the itch. I do not love some of the color schemes I've seen today. I think I could do better, LOL. It's that designer's eye, I guess. Anyway, who knows if I'll ever get to use the knowledge I've acquired today, but boy have I had fun acquiring it!

Here's a bit of bad news........... I've told you that my carpet is full of holes. One of the biggest is as you walk from the livingroom into the office. For years I've had a big braided rug lying there, primarily so people wouldn't catch their feet in that big ugly hole. The hole is probaby at least 4 feet wide and at least 6 inches deep in places. Well, since I was washing rugs, I decided to wash that one. I'd vacuumed it the other day and realized it needed more than vacuuming. Well, somehow, either in the washer or the dryer, holes have been worn in the binding along the edge. I really do NOT want to pay for a new rug. However, I can't imagine how I would save the thing. It is incredibly thick which was one thing I really liked about it. I can tell you that I might as well have a finger removed as try to sew with a thimble. IF I can find a binding, I can't imagine how I'm going to stitch it in place. It's NOT going to fit under the presser foot of my sewing machine and if I had stitch it, it'll have to be 5 stitches a day and then quit because after 5 stitches, my fingers are going to hurt. Drat!

Oh, my.........it's only 7PM here and the fireworks have already started. This is going to be a LOOOOONG night.........

Productive morning.........

Well, again, this wasn't my intention. I guess I'll do just about anything to avoid dusting, LOL. Anyway, I've pretty much taken the master bathroom apart and put it back together again. I've cleaned pretty much everything cleanable except the walls and the tub. I'm not doing those walls until my steam cleaner surfaces and I had no intention of doing the tub until the bathroom rugs were dry. They should be okay now, finally.

I've also used the plunger on my kitchen sink which is just NOT functioning well since the garbage disposal quit working. I have tried pretty much every trick imaginable to get the garbage disposal going again, but so far all my efforts have been unsuccessful. I think I need a garbage disposal miracle!

I have decided I have a bit of a problem to solve. Tomorrow is supposed to be trash pick up day. So, what do you think will happen? Do you think they'll really come and pick up the trash on New Year's Day? I don't. But, either they have to come soon or I have to stop cleaning. And, I barely got started cleaning! Well, blow me down with a sigh! I just checked their website and it says they will pick up tomorrow! Guess I'd better start dragging trash to the curb!

Okay, onward. I have the rugs I did yesterday to put back down and the bathroom rugs to put down and the tub to clean and garbage to drag to the curb. Wish me luck!

 

It really IS Monday............

I stayed up REALLY late last night researching some stuff on the internet. At about 7:30 this morning, there was this huge onslaught of barking. Of course, it woke me. In my sleep-deprived state, I found myself thinking "It's Thursday. Nothing happens around here at 7:30AM on Thursday." I crawled out of bed and came to the entryway and looked out the peephole. The yard guy was here. Then it hit me: It really IS Monday. Bah Humbug!

Well, around here I did not do what I thought I would do. However, I found more books. Yes, I am still working on books. And I am still not sure I found them all........... But, most of what I found is in the shelves so, progress. I also washed rugs. That was on the list of things to do. And, I dragged in dog food. And, I emptied a bunch of the little trash cans around the house. And I finally got the roaster clean from Christmas. It's been soaked and scrubbed and soaked and scrubbed and soaked and scrubbed and if it's not clean now I don't care!

I did work on the stressed kit some. Made flowers, made another word art, made glitter.......... It still has a ways to go, but it's still moving right along.

And, I managed to get the Preparer ID thingie with the IRS completed. There goes another $63. Oh, well, I'm beginning to think the government needs my $63 more than I do. In 5 years, a quarter of my debt becomes uncollectable. In 6 years, another quarter of my debt becomes uncollectable. But the government is going to be in debt for decades. Maybe I shouldn't begrudge them $63. Of course, I think I spend my money much more carefully and sensibly than they do, but...........

Well, I am sorry to say, we have made it to the end of December with not even a smattering of snow. Some years we actually get some, you know. It doesn't stick, but it's beautiful and fun when it happens. Here we are at 8:45AM and it's only 37 degrees--in Vegas! Can you believe it?

Eye Candy, anyone? We haven't had eye candy in a while and I'm thinking it's time.

Here's a page by Deanna. I didn't expect a snow page, but it works! That's what happens when you turn a kit over to a good scrapper. I love how she's turned the black and gold striped paper into a scalloped border. And she sure has given you a good look at the gold alpha--I love that alpha! Love how she's used the "fireworks" element all around the page as well. Excellent!

Lori did this page in honor of her brother's birthday which is December 31, just like my husband's was. It is on days like this we get a little (or a lot) nostalgic. The composition on this page is really well done and I love that she used the "calendar page" for her journaling. Boy, everybody seems to like that "fireworks" element...........

Well, that's it for now. I actually am already dressed except I'm just wearing some moccasin style shoes and no socks. My feet are cold and I'm headed to my room to find socks! YOU be BLESSED today!

Chilly morning!

Well, for the next few days, we are looking at highs in the 40's and 50's! Wow, bundle up time. The sky is totally gray. California got snow and rain yesterday. Today we have the clouds with no precipitation forecast. However, the long awaited freezing temperature is supposed to be ours at night the next couple of days. Anything that will calm the allergens suits me just fine.

It was cold yesterday too. I was so chilled when I got dressed yesterday morning that I ended up wearing one of my long underwear type shirts under my sweatshirt. (I do have to admit that a) it was one of my lighter weight sweatshirts and b) I can be chilled to the bone when it's not that cold. But, the long john shirt helped and I was toasty all day, except when I went out to get a bucketful of dogfood. Windy and still pretty chilly outside even with my longies on!

I am so grateful to be easing out of December and into the New Year. I have come back to life, so to speak. I actually accomplished something yesterday! I folded a load of clothes. I emptied the dishwasher. I ran the vacuum cleaner through the whole public part of the house, even moving Max's chair and vacuuming under it. I dealt with all of yesterday's mail and paid some bills.

I made 4 alphas yesterday afternoon. My poor old computer had its tongue hanging out, panting for a re-boot, but I struggled through til I got those alphas made for the non-gloomy gloomy kit! I had a "bright" idea for some flowers in the stressed kit. I'm not sure if I think they're wonderful, but they are unique so I think they're keepers. Unique is important in this business. People don't want to keep seeing and using the same old stuff from designer to designer. Actually, after I typed that, an idea came to me which I tested and now I think I like them a lot!

So, today........ Well, church first! I need it! Then, since I vacuumed yesterday, it seems reasonable to dust today. I probably got that in the wrong order, should have dusted first and then vacuumed, but my floor was FULL of mud crumblets from doggy paws and I couldn't stand it anymore. And, I think I'll strip my bed and give the sheets a whirl in the washer, along with the bathroom rugs. Separate loads, of course, but both need washed.

Here is something I learned the other day: Did you know that just washing your stuff in soap and water does NOT kill a majority of germs that lurk in them. It takes HOT water to do that. I think bleach would help, but I don't want to be pouring Clorox in on top of my green sheets.........

Do you use sponges at your kitchen sink? Did you know they are like 100% germy? The recommended solution is to put the sponge in your dishwasher with your dishes and let the hot water and steam disinfect it. Or, wet it, squeeze it almost dry, and microwave it for about 2 minutes. Don't grab it out of the microwave too fast unless you're using tongs!!!!!!!!!! My sponges are frequently stained with coffee or chocolate. I've been known to soak them in bleach water to brighten them up and disinfect them.

Other ways to disinfect include a solution of vinegar and water (1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water) or plain old hydrogen peroxide in the cheap brown bottle. I'm told hospitals use hydrogen peroxide in their laundry as it's particularly effective on blood and other such biological stains.

DD just posted something on FB about DGD having stomach flu. I guess DGD decorated the bed not so nicely during the night as well as decorating Mama. This would be an instance of that HOT water washing being a good idea, I'd guess. Poor little thing.........

I still remember the first time DD ever threw up. She was in the 4-6 age range. She was in my bed and she got out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. All of a sudden, she stopped and got this amazingly panic stricken look in her eyes and I spent the next little while cleaning her, calming her, and cleaning the carpet. The look on her face--you couldn't mistake that something was very wrong. That little episode is etched in my memory.........

Here's a question for you: Do you wear sweaters? First, I'm not talking about cardigans. In general, I dislike cardigans. Not many of us can find a cardigan that doesn't add pounds to our appearance or make us look frumpy. I'm talking about pullover type sweaters. Honestly, I love them. But, I never wear them. I wore them a lot when I was working a job job. I'd layer them up with a turtleneck or shirt under them (usually a silk shirt), and off to work I'd go. However, I've more or less concluded that without the layering they're not worth much. It's all the holes......... Winter in NV is characterized by wind and when that wind blows, it cuts right through those holes!

Truth is, though, that I seldom leave the house. And, this house is rickety and in bad shape in some ways, but there is no wind whipping through here. I think I'm going to pull out some of my sweaters and start wearing them. Just a little notch up from my usual sweatshirts...........

What do you think? Sweaters, yes, or sweaters, no?

 

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A "little black dress" for scrapbooking--12/29/12 and blog train

New Year's Eve is coming. And if you're staying home to catch up on your sleep this year, have you scrapped all the "party hearty" photos in your stash? I'll bet not. Anyway, this New Year's Eve kit is beautiful, big, and very versatile. It is the "little black dress" of scrapbooking celebratory photos!

Yes, it has some New Year's types of elements--a bottle and a glass of bubbly, for example, but many of the elements are generic and can be used for most any party photo. The kit features a LOT of gold encrusted papers and designs such as stripes, dots, stars, damask, and more--all versatile to be used again and again. This kit is on sale for 30% off during the introductory period.

You can also buy the "separates"--just the elements, just the papers or just the alphas. They are on introductory special as well.

I just want to say that you probably couldn't find a more versatile alpha pack anywhere. What is more "neutral" than black, winter white, or gold?

I have a secret to share with you, my faithful blog readers. ALL of my Christmas kits are still at their introductory price. That will go away in just a few days. So, if you have photos still to scrap, take a look at my store: http://www.acherryontop.com/shop/digital/company/hotflashdesigns

IT'S BLOG TRAIN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a little something for ya!

You can find it at http://www.4shared.com/zip/vx63Lsx5/DSTJan13_HotFlashDesigns_2.html

You should have come here from http://jodymdesigns.com

Your next stop is at
http://www.katiecreatesdigi.com/

If you get lost along the way, you can find the complete list at http://www.digishoptalk.com/insider/dstblog-train-jan-2013/

I hope you enjoy my little gift to you. Have a wonderful 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uploads complete..........check

Got the uploads for the new New Year's kit done in good time. Praise be, the site didn't dump me even once! What a great start to my day. I slept late and got started late so I'm really grateful everything went well.

So, a weekend day, so to speak. I have nothing new or different planned. I will design and I will work on this house. Sound same-o same-o to you? Sure does to me, LOL.

I still need alphas for the not-gloomy gloomy kit. And I still need elements for the stressed kit. I will work on that stuff today.

And, we are still pretty much in the "anything would help" mode around here, so I'll keep plugging away on that. If I thought about all that needs done, I'd go back to bed. So, I will just pick away at whatever I see that I can improve.

That's it for now. Short and....... Well, short, anyway. I'm sure I'll think of more to say later. Meantime, YOU be BLESSED today.

General Gripe Session.........

You know, when you live alone and things don't go your way, you don't get a whole lot of satisfaction from griping to your dogs. And, truthfully, it would probably be more sensible to gripe to the Lord and ask Him to improve your attitude or change your circumstances. I've already done that, but........

I did my CT update today. It took me 3 tries and the last one, the one that worked, was not where/how I wanted it to be. Finally, we have a Team Forum and that's where I want the updates to live. However...... I wrote about 95% of this morning's update and then decided I had a headache and needed to lie down. I came back and finished the thing up and went to post it and it dumped me. The only thing it retained was the title........... Then I tried again. However, I was unable to post images on the second try. Well, that's a good bit of the whole CT update idea--let my team see what's in the pipeline and let them comment on what they see......... So, finally I resorted to doing it by e-mail. The whole e-mail thing is unhealthy for my e-mail account, but easier in many ways, not the least of which is that it works!

Nother subject: I have, for years, ordered meds by mail from a pharmacy just across the border in Mexico. They tell me, after much questioning, that US Customs has shut them down with regard to mail orders. Here's what pisses me off: They (Border Patrol and the like) seem powerless, and it seems our government likes it that way, to keep illegal aliens and illegal drugs from entering the United States. Yet, a law-abiding citizen has to produce a passport to return home to the US from 250 feet inside the Mexican border. And, a law-abiding citizen cannot get legal (not controlled, not narcotic) drugs from Mexico but an addict can get illegal stuff whenever he/she wants from Mexican sources. What sense does any of this make? This may be of some value to US drug manufacturers, but it certainly hurts US citizens. It particularly hurts the poor, the elderly, those most in need of an inexpensive source for the meds they need. True, if you're poor enough, you can get meds through Medicaid. But, make a few bucks more than the cut-off or respond honestly to the questions asked and you are in a world of hurt. And believe me, you may not be "poverty level", but the need is still there.........

Anyway, I am alive and well and not kidnapped by aliens nor have I fallen in my bathtub nor have I had a stroke while asleep. So this post will serve to reassure you of that fact, I hope.

Today, I MUST make a stab at renewing my preparer ID number. I find the IRS's website for this purpose to be incredibly difficult, but I've got to try.

Today, I am working on a "stress" related kit. Papers are done unless I decide to do extra for a freebie. But, a kit needs elements and the non-gloomy gloomy kit still needs alphas. I've got plenty to keep myself amused!

Finally, after I go after this IRS-related duty, I should have time to actually accomplish something in this house. Please, God.......... It's a shambles........

So, that's it for now. Keep the faith. And, YOU BE BLESSED today.

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Doin the happy dance.........

What is your preferred form of dance music? Whatever it is, get some going and do a little happy dance with me--I've finished that darn CPE.

They stacked the darn deck! Each section got longer than the one before! So you start off and it goes pretty fast. And by the time you get to the last one, you're at double the time involved in the first. Bah!

Anyway, it's done and my hours have been/are being reported to the IRS. I shall be blessed to do taxes another year. Is that a blessing? I'll have to think about that I guess.........

I went and picked up the prescription meds for the blood pressure. The pills I was getting from Mexico were costing me $.13 each. I ended up paying exactly double that for the pills I picked up today. And that doesn't include the $15 it cost me to join their medical plan! Oh, well, God promised to supply all my needs so I guess He'll just have to supply me an extra $15 and $.13 per pill....... I certainly did the best I could do to get the best deal.

That's it for now. It may be "it" for the night. I took the first of the new pills and I've had a headache ever since. As I recall, I did not do well the first day or two or three I was on US meds back in April. Hopefully, my body will acclimate quickly.........

It's time for my twice-daily..........

headache. I can think of so many better ways to finish that sentence. How about "twice-daily massage"? Or "twice daily white chocolate truffle"? Or.......... well, you get the idea. Anyway, I'm doing the low blood pressure headache. 111/66. It'll be headed up soon, but that will result in a high blood pressure headache, LOL. Geez..........

So, for now, I've backed off the study thing. Not a good moment for that. I made it through a few pages, but now I'm waiting for some ibuprofen to kick in.

I don't think I reported on the homemade laundry detergent's performance. I wanted to be sure it would work and wouldn't generate too many bubbles. I actually used twice the recommended measure in the load of dark clothes I did. No excess bubbles, even at double the recommended amount! Yay! I kept a close eye on it, but no problem whatsoever. In that respect, it actually performed better than the commercial stuff I've been buying. I'm kinda surprised my clothes don't smell like Irish Spring, not that I was necessarily looking forward to that. Just that the detergent itself definitely has that scent. Anyway, the clothes also came out clean, so all around, this was an easy DIY project, undertaken to save money, and I think it's very successful.

I gave a gallon to DD for Christmas. Not a very glamorous gift, but she's doing laundry for 3 kids, so it should save her some money. And, at the rate I do laundry, about 2 loads a week, I can definitely spare some! If she wants more, that can be arranged. I went to stash the bit of leftover Irish Spring soap with the stuff that isn't opened and realized I had a pack of 24 bars, not 12 as I originally thought. I can supply everyone I know with detergent, a gallon at a time, with that much of that soap to use up!

DD just remarked on FB that she received two gifts of coffee for Christmas. Gourmet coffee. That's a pretty neat gift. At least, this Gma would enjoy it! I've been making the occasional pot of coffee since it got cold outside, something I'd done only rarely since Joe's death. And I've been making it even a bit more often since I bought those candy canes--still loving that mocha/peppermint flavor in my coffee. Because I occasionally try to behave, I mix the coffee 1/3 caffeinated and 2/3 decaf. My caffeinated is just about gone and there's not an overload of decaf either. Oh my........something else to buy soon.

Last year, I got a bottle of REAL Irish Cream for Christmas. Every few weeks, I'll have some coffee with REAL Irish Cream for creamer, not the fake stuff. My bottle is almost empty and I didn't get any more this year. I was thinking of buying some and got excited when I saw it on sale for $11.99--til I read the fine print. You had to buy 6 bottles to get it at that price. Right, $72 for Irish Cream? I think not. I'd be at least 70 before I used up that many bottles!

Well, I'm going to go find something to eat. Maybe that will help this ibuprofen along.......

I'm so bright........

I'll make your eyes hurt. It's from all that Continuing Professional Education I'm working through. I now know more minor details, that are unimportant except in 1 out of 5000 cases, than you can ever imagine. What a waste of money, time, energy, and brain power. But, God be praised, I will finish it today. Then I have one more detail to deal with. I have to renew my Preparer Tax ID number. Of course, that will cost money. And it will involve dealing with the IRS's unfriendly website. But, that finishes it and, except for the purchase of software and printer ink, I should be set for tax season. Phew!

I honestly did hardly anything around here yesterday. I had my nose pressed to the screen, "learning". I did empty the dryer and get all that stuff folded. And I continuously worked on the kitchen whenever my butt couldn't take being in this chair any longer. I'm not sure how much I'll get done in the house today either.......... I still have to finish one section and then do two more of the CPE stuff. That's a good solid 6 hours right there....... If I can, I'd really like to vacuum. The dogs have been wandering in and out, bringing crumblets of mud with them...... But, this CPE thing has to come first.......

I've been doing pretty well on the tests, not that it matters. I decided going in that the objective was to pass and get it over with. I did not do as well on the last test I took. I thought at least 3 of 10 questions were badly worded and confusing. I had studied that material, but just could not figure out what they were actually asking.

I have the opportunity to lock in the price I paid for this CPE for next year and years to come. I have to tell you, snagging this at the price I got had to be a miracle from God. I saw many many advertisements for seminars at $495 plus travel, meals, and room. There was one I saw here in town which would have eliminated the travel, meal, and room costs, but there was still the seminar price of $495. In addition, I would have had to sacrifice up to 3 full days to get it done. Doing it the self study way isn't all that easy, but it's the way I've prepped for every tax season for 20 + years. I know how to read and break down the law so it's understandable. I've taught tax both at the college level and to IRS employees. I don't need a seminar or even a self-study "course". I'm actually paying $40 for what I would have done for free anyhow. But, $40 beats $495 plus expenses any day of the week!

The non-gloomy "gloomy" kit is so close to being done I can hardly stand it. You have no idea how much I want to dig in and finish it. But, doing that yesterday morning was my downfall last night. By the time I arrived about 1/3 done on the current "class" in the CPE, it was already past 9 and my brain was dead. I don't want to start that late again today and then find, somehow, I can't finish. So...... I am going to try to avoid working on the kit, if I can. One problem with that whole idea is that I just got a great idea and I'm so anxious to try it out and see if it looks as cute as I think it will. You know, it's just hard being me!

Got to sign off and get busy. YOU be BLESSED today.