Yikes!

Apparently AOL is going to be giving us another upgrade, an improvement they call it. I can't imagine why they bother.  Tonight was the absolute pits!  I couldn't surf at all, and forget getting to journals.  Not even my own.  Maybe one out of every five or six alerts I got actually allowed me to view something.  The rest of the time I sat there freaking waiting until I wanted to pull my hair out.  So if I missed you, my apologies, my patience was gone this evening.   Mail was an adventure.  For a few minutes I thought maybe they were going to rid us of the lovely 2 inch ads at the bottom as mine had disappeared.  I joked with my sister that we'd probably see 4 inch ones tomorrow.  Bigger and better.... 'welcome, you got ads!' But no, they are back and my issues surfing ended, for now anyway.  I won't get excited though as I was lucky on and off tonight.   I had done several graphics to share, but I've had so many issues getting here I decided I would just bitch and go to bed.  LOL   Yeah yeah, I know you'd have rather me post the graphics then go to bed.  :::evil grin:: Not tonight you get the bitching.  It's just getting to the point were AOL is 'down' more than it's 'up'!! 

 

Got home from work today and had a ton of mail.  I started to read it, I skipped most alerts thinking I'd go back after AOL fixed the glitch.  I couldn't keep my eyes open and jumped in bed for a nap instead.  The pay back for taking a few days off.  Your body can't adjust and it takes a few days.  I know I fell asleep for a bit but then forced myself to get up.  I think I could have slept right thru to the am.  Now I have my second wind and AOL messes up.  ARGH!

 

Oh, I will share one graphic tonight.  I got this and it reminded me of my sisters.  All 4 of them!  I love them dearly and couldn't resist doing something with this picture.   The more I played the more it evolved.  I had a tough time with the font color, but wanted the saying on here.  So I added, lightened, darkened, and added a drop shadow.  I love the way it came out!   For all my 'sisters' here in JLand this is for you too!  Love ya!

 

 

 

Now, I'm off to bed, 'gnight

 

UPDATE:  thanks for the great catch by Maria.  LOL  I made a typo or AOL helped me out.  Either way if you snagged you'll want to update with this one.  It's not exact, but close :)

Hump Day!

My alarm went off this morning at its usual time.  I rolled over, hit snooze, and pulled the covers up around my chin.  It was a chilly morning and I dreaded having to go back to work after the extra long weekend.  It felt like I barely closed my eyes and off went the alarm again.  I think I smacked the snooze a bit harder and I know a groan escaped me.  The next time it went off I rolled out of bed, shivered, grabbed my robe and sluggishly made my way out of my room.  My eyes were barely open and felt sticky and my lids felt like sand paper.  Why didn't I take another day off?  Argh!  I went to the bathroom and threw some cold water on my face which only sent shivers right through me.  The hair on my neck stood up on end, but I felt like I was slowly gaining consciousness.  I put the coffee on and ironed the clothes I'd be wearing.  The scent of coffee perked me up a bit and I savored the first cup as I read through email.  I moved slowly hoping I'd realize it really wasn't time to go back to work, no such luck!

 

Work went by rather quickly today which was a good thing.  No time to get sleepy or bored.  Before I knew it, it was 4 o'clock and I was anxiously awaiting my internal buzzer to go off so I could get out there!  I stopped at my sisters to help her with her pictures.  She got a new digital camera and couldn't find the pictures to email them out.  Why do these programs put stuff like in hidden folders?  Mine was the same way so it was rather easy to get her folder out in the open.  She has some great pictures and wanted to email me some of my son at the party on Monday.  What a hoot!  He was definitely having a great time :::giggle:::  I will need his permission before I post them, and I will tell you now he will say NO.  Well, there will probably be some explicit words used as well, but a definite no. 

 

When I finally got home I took some pictures off my camera.  I had some shots of the moon from last night.  Without realizing it, I took the first picture with the settings still set for fireworks.  Let me  tell you the effect was so weird.  I thought for one second about deleting it, but instead decided to hang on to it and possibly use it.  Well, it didn't take long.   I made the following with a normal shot of the moon, and then the 'odd' one.   I actually like both.  Let me know what you think :) 

 

                  

 

                     

 

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday as well as recovered nicely today.  I'm off to bed.

Request.......

I've had a few comments/requests for me to post some snaggable scenic animations, I didn't realize it had been that long.  I was too lazy to go back through my archives to see so instead I just did a few more. 

 

       

 

               

 

 

Fireworks

Last night was a blast, literally.  Tons of good people, good food, good music.  Eating, talking, and dancing.  The kids had a blast playing on the nearby hill and our bug was busy running around the adults dancing to the music and avoiding my camera at all costs.  The first set of fireworks were professionally done and amazing.  Tons of color in the sky at one time and right over head.  They were so close it wad difficult for me to get a ton of good shots, but my new camera was able to capture a few.  Not sure I am 100% pleased, but not bad for my first attempt at getting fireworks.  I added a few different pictures from last night over one of my shots.  The 'bug' is so tough to clean up.  Her hair is so wild and curly it makes it difficult to get a good clear 'tube' of her to put over any picture but all in all it gets the idea of a good time across. 

 

I won't get into the second set of fireworks.  Lets just say so many people in a fairly small space, too much alcohol, and drinking in the heat for hours doesn't add up to anything but trouble.  No one was arrested, no one hurt badly, and it's over and done with.  Relationships will have to be mended and I hope they can.  Some very harsh words were spoken and we all know bruises heal, but words cut and sting for a very long time. 

 

Today we are staying put.  Steak on the grill and a small quiet celebration.  I hope everyone has a great day today!

I'm Proud To Be An American

I'm Proud To Be An American

                 Written By Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea. From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A. There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

 

HAPPY 4th!

 

 

July 3rd

This morning when I got up it was hot, humid, and hazy.  Very hazy.  It looked like it might rain at any moment and thought it was definitely not a beach day.  I lounged with my coffee reading journal entries and playing a bit with some graphics.  As you see by the earlier post, and a few from the past, I am having some fun with the digital scrap kits.  It amazes me what nice ones are out there.  When I first started getting them I wasn't sure I'd ever use them, but more and more I am.  I like them so much as is I am not even animating.  No worries, I won't give the animation up, but I'm sure there will be more non animated.  Most will probably be of my own photo's but one never knows. This graphic is a combination of a tube, scrap pieces and pictures.  I really thought it came out cute.

 

Well, just a follow up on an earlier rant regarding AOL.  I updated my billing information since my credits are done.  I have decided to stick around a bit longer.  I've been on AOL for so long I can't imagine not having it.  The thought of starting a journal on AIM just made me cringe.  I would never take the time to move this entire thing to AIM and I didn't want to start from scratch.   I got a fairly good package since I am bringing my own connection.  I thought about dropping to see if they'd give me more credits LOL that seems to be their MO but I didn't feel like putting up with the aggravation or the guilt after the fact.

 

The sun has since come out and it has turned into a beautiful day.  I thought about going to my sisters to lounge at the pool and I may do that later.  My 'ole body can't take sitting in the sun for long and I really want to go to my brother in laws Bar B Que later.  I will hang out in the cool house and take a spin to my sisters for a swim later if it gets unbearable.  Right now the breeze is refreshing and keeping me comfy.  I'm looking forward to this evening.  They have putt putt golf and basketball hoops coming.  Chicken, roast beast, and the fixings.  Lots of cocktails and fireworks to end the night.  I do hope the weather holds off and the display can go on.  I will be attempting to get some pictures with my new camera.  I've never done it before and not sure how well they will come out.  Time will tell.... 

 

Aaahhh can I just say having today off is wonderful!  :)

THE YEAR 1906

I got this in mail a short time ago and thought I'd share it. 
What a difference a century makes! Wow!!
Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the Year  1906 :

The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
A three-minute call from Denver to New York City
cost eleven dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles
of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more
heavily populated than California.
With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st
most populous state in the Union.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."
Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.
Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and
Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least
one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.