Thursday, October 30, 2008

~ Tuck me in and turn out the lights ~

I hope someone will tuck this journal in and turn out the lights...    I think I've been strung along by the powers that be at both AOL and Blogger and they have no intention of my journal moving.  Since the day after the migration link was published I expressed my issues and concerns.  Never was I given a straight answer, and to this day I've still not gotten one.  I guess they just want me to go away.  :::sigh:::  Tomorrow they have their wish.   This and that, and hockey! will be gone......


I do want to thank each of you that have followed my trials and tribulations.  All the good times, the laughs, the jokes, the fun..  Those of you that gave your shoulder for me to cry on.. or to lean on.  Those that spoke words of wisdom to help get me through the darkest days.  Most of all thank you for the love and support you gave me as I watched my sister move on to a better place.   That entry and the 160+ comments left more has been saved in word.  All 36 pages.  I will never ever forget you for the love you poured out.  It's to bad we are the only ones that see what this community brought.  The money hungry bastards just want to move on and toss us aside like yesterdays paper.  Not I... I will carry each of you with me.


I know some have followed me to blogger and I do appreciate it.  Ds Designs and Other Things will be my home for now.  Stop in and say hi.. let me know you're there, become part of my life.. and let me become part of yours. 


Love you all...... and sending hugs your way


hugs


~d 


PS don't forget to turn out the lights.....


 


Saturday, October 11, 2008

~ Lies ~

Remember throughout the years as folks lost journals .. either they just disappeared or were deleted in error?  Remember how they were told there was nothing AOL could do?  LIES!  Not that it matters now, but low and behold during this transfer to blogger they've now been able to restore deleted journals, restore lost comments.  How is that?  Because it was always available but the techs or powers that be could care less or were to damn lazy. 

 

I am thrilled that so many were able to move their journals without issues.  I'm even thrilled that those that had issues over and over could finally move them.  Mine and lots and lots of other large journals are being hung out to dry.  Literally I'm afraid.  In two weeks this community will gone and so many journals will go poof along with it.  I've been told for 3 days they are working on it.  AOL nor Blogger can seem to fix the issue.  How is that this issue wasn't tested in the past months as they decided to do this?  In my opinion.. no one cared.  They figured several would move and folks would be happy.  They'd have empathy for those that it didn't work for but in a few days it would all be forgotten.  AOL and blogger did wondrous things to try and make it work for all.  :::cough cough:::  I don't buy it.  I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but damn what did they use to test the system? 

 

Ya know, I was only going to use this as an archive anyway so I guess no one really cares.  My issue now is what size limit is there at blogger?  I've got roughly 1900 entries here, and lots of graphics.  In the transfer I can't get half way.  Believe me I tried.  I let it sit there doing nothing for over 5 hours.  Nothing changed, nothing happened, nothing went to blogger.  Does that mean at 800 entries in blogger I will be done?   We will be done?  Will I not be able to put in graphics, will you not be able to?  I'm not familiar enough with it, but seems to me if there is no limit both large and small journals should make the move easily.  Not happening and they know it.

 

Speaking out will not help my cause, I know.  But WTF!?!?!  They need to do something for those that have their lives on their journal.   The count down has begun...........  

Sunday, October 5, 2008

~ Waving ~

Hi folks.  As you can see I haven't posted here, but that doesn't mean I'm not posting.  :)  You can't keep a good group down.  I'm settling into my new home, as are so many others.  I have links on my sidebar there to find others.  Surely I don't have everyone yet, but I'm trying. 

 


 

I suppose this will be my last entry here...  but I hope you'll join us over at blogger.  Thanks for all the fun times JLand.

 

hugs

~d

 

PS  OMG this was so freaking slow.  Took forever for my journal to open then again to add an entry.  AOL staff is asleep......... oh wait they have been for years!!!


Tags:

Thursday, October 2, 2008

~ Mystery Blogger IX ~

Mystery Blogger has moved


http://dsdesignsandotherthings.blogspot.com/

~ Mystery Blogger Update ~

You all crack me up.  I was a bit disappointed so many thought the mystery blogger picture looked like bug.  Not because she isn't adorable but I thought I was unique...  damn!  So nope it is not me!  LOL  But I do see 'bug' there too.   Our Mystery Blogger this time is Winivere from the Glass Box...  she is a doll then and now!   I don't think I have a blogger link for her so please stop by her journal here and say hi. 

 

The rest of the Mystery Bloggers will be done over at my new home...  Ds Designs and other things

If you've sent me your picture please send me the URL to your new blog so I have it.  Sorry but I haven't gotten completely organized with them there yet.  If you don't want your picture going up there let me know. 

 

I did add a subscribe option there which should send you alerts.  Just fill in your email and then verify...   hopefully it will do what it says :)

 

Hugs

~d

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

~ Ohhhhhh One Thing ~

I still have several pictures for Mystery Blogger...  should I do them here or there?   Please advise I don't want to assume if you sent a picture you won't mind it being there.  If you'd rather pass now let me know.

d

~ I'm Out of Here ~

Hi folks...  I had a rant all planned and decided screw it.  AOL and the journal staff (if you can even call them that) acted in the most unprofessional manner.  To wake up to a few entries with the news and to see a freakin ad banner telling us they were closing shop.  Cowards!!  The ones we depended on most turned their backs and decided to let a select few in on the secret moments before it happened even though they knew for months.   Thanks AOL I'm so glad I haven't given you a penny in the past few years.  I'd rather wipe my a$$ with my hard earned cash then give it to a company that treats its supporters as you did. 

 

Did I say I wasn't going to rant?  LOL  Well I'm done here.  I probably won't post in this journal again.  I will fill the tag requests and leave my alerts on until AOL decides to shut them down.  If you decide to move please either leave your link in an entry or email me.  I hate the thought of losing such good friends.  I opened shop over at blogger, feel free to stop by.  I left followers up so if you add yourself I can find you there too.  Please take a second to do so.  Until I figure out entry alerts I will be using that as my key.  Good gawd... so much dust at the other place and I barely scratched the surface.  So much to learn!!  I'm going to be screaming for help in no time.  At least I figured out how to get animation to work.  That would totally suck if I hadn't!!

 

I want to say thank you to all those that have visited over the years I so appreciated your company and the support.  I only wish those that stopped and did not leave a comment would have done so.. there is still the chance tho ::grin::  Hugs to all of you and I do hope I continue to see you around.

 

love ya

~d

 

~ Update ~

I've gotten several emails and alerts stating that hometown shutting down will in fact include journals.  It's a shame those in charge of keeping us informed sent emails to a select few and left the rest of us to fend for ourselves wondering about it.  Wouldn't it have been great if we had a journal that could be used as a point of contact so this information could have been announced to the community?  Say a Magic Smoke or something?   Cripes... the WTH?!?!  Journals Editor.. what the hell is being edited?  Sorry Vish, but that is and was unacceptable.  The announcement for hometown shutdown was on Aug 4.  Read it here.  We as a community aren't even important enough to warrant an entry or announcement?  We get a freakin banner added to our journals stating hometown will shutdown and the link to show us how to save things goes to an empty page.  Impressive!  NOT!!!  Typical AOL.  If I'm not mistaken, that save process will only save the graphics, songs, etc on a page not the actual words.  I will look into more when I get home from work. 


For those of you going to another site please leave links in your journals so we can find you.  I do NOT want to lose the friends I've made.


~ LOOK UP ~

If you are still wondering if it is true... look up at the banner on the top of journals.  More later.


GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Monday, September 29, 2008

~ Tag Request - Colors of Autumn ~

      DsDesignsColorsofAutumnTaraLeigh.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan



I stopped at a local park/golf course on my way home and took a couple pictures.  Not sure anyone will want this as a tag, but I was playing around and ... well you know :)

 

Expires 10/1 at noon EST

any requests after that time will be ignored.

 





If you'd like your name on this please leave a comment letting me know.  Please make sure your email is open to receive mail from me and is a legitimate address if it is not AOL..AOL allows 1000+ pieces of mail to be in your mailbox.  Check yours.  I've gotten far to many requests that can't be sent because your mailbox is full. 

 


Do not alter tags  No resizing, stopping animation, cutting or ripping to add your name, signature, or any other text. 

 


Limit 1. 

 

Graphics are to be used for personal use only. They are not to be used for advertisements or for profit. Thank you for following these terms. 



 

hugs

~d

Sunday, September 28, 2008

~ Tag Request - My Pleasure - SAC ~

DsDesignsMyPleasurediama.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan



Expires 9/30 at noon EST

any requests after that time will be ignored.

 





If you'd like your name on this please leave a comment letting me know.  Please make sure your email is open to receive mail from me and is a legitimate address if it is not AOL..AOL allows 1000+ pieces of mail to be in your mailbox.  Check yours.  I've gotten far to many requests that can't be sent because your mailbox is full. 

 


Do not alter tags  No resizing, stopping animation, cutting or ripping to add your name, signature, or any other text. I pay for the right to use licensed material, if you need help finding information on such just ask. 

 

Using tags in AOL journals will need an outside storage such as Photobucket to keep animation.  Please see Animation Entry for help.

 

Limit 1. 

 

Graphics are to be used for personal use only. They are not to be used for advertisements or for profit.




Thank you for following these terms. 

 

hugs

~d

~ Hear the Roar ~

DsDesignsTig.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan


::grin:: and yes we did hear them loud and clear.  Not the ones that so nicely posed for us but the ones inside eating.  As I took the picture of the Tiger I was disappointed that he was tight up against the wall and behind the branches of the tree.  When I got it on the computer I actually loved the way the green eyes peered above the leaves.  The angle is right so you can't actually tell it's a building next to him. 

 

The Lions were gorgeous.  After playing and wrestling they jumped up on the stoop and posed for the crowd.   I wasn't lucky enough to get the building out of this shot, but I am still very pleased with it.  I thought about editing out the 'window' but then decided to leave it as is.  The colors, faces, and eyes draw you away from it.  Or at least for me :)

 

DsDesignsLion.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 

The Buffalo Bills did a little roaring today too.  After being down to the Rams 14-6 at half time, they came back and won 31-14.  For the first time in 16 years they've started the season 4-0.  Now I will continue to be cautious as they've not really played a winning squad, or one that had a roster not riddled with injuries.  No doubt I will take it.  The name of the game, but lets see what happens as the season shakes out.

 

Brett Favre did a little roaring of his own.  Six touchdown passes, first time in his career as the Jets beat Arizona 56-35.  What a high scoring game that was.  More like basketball!!!  Kansas City and Washington roared too.   Kansas City won their first game of the season upsetting Denver and Washington shocked the Cowboy fans by beating their team.   Aaahhh a good week in football :)

 

Last but not least I'm doing a little roaring.  Ok, not me, my stomach.  We spent the day at my sisters for the game.  Snacks galore, shrimp, taco dip, chicken wing dip.  Dinner was Bar-b-que pulled pork, pasta wish sauce, jambalaya,  bread butter, and who knows what else.  I can't remember.   What I do remember is I ate like a freaking slob and came home with the worst case of indigestion.   A mixture of baking soda and warm water relieved some of the pressure, but I feel as though I need to let out a few more roaring belches.   Ohhhhhhhh there's one... LOL  my monitor even moved.  A couple more should do it.  You'd think I'd know better. 

 

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  The weather here has been beautiful.  More and more leaves are changing and I am hoping to get some foliage shots this week.  We'll see how it goes.  

 

hugs

~d

Saturday, September 27, 2008

~ It's a Zoo Out There ~

DsDesignsBug.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan


:::giggle::: or in there...   however you want to say it... we took a trip to the zoo today.   A Rainforest Exhibit had recently opened and I wanted to check it out.  So this morning we packed up the kids and headed over.  My son and his girlfriend took Gage.  Bug drove with her mother, me and grandma.  They called for a chance of rain, but we didn't see any.  It actually got pretty nice out.

 

                                                     DsDesignsFalls-1.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 

The Rainforest exhibit was unreal.   The waterfall is part of it.  Hot and humid inside but not a great place for pictures.  To much netting and fencing to get clear shots.  There was a bird exhibit that you bought food for and they actually came right to you to eat.  Bug was hoot.  She talked to the birds to make sure they had enough.  Gage enjoyed that part to, until the bird ripped the cup from his hand.  LOL  Little piggies they were!!!

 

DsDesignsEllie.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 

As I took pictures of the Elephant, Ellie decided to show off.  She was doing a little dance of sorts.  It was hysterical.  For such a large animal the sense of balance was awesome.  Ahhhh and the Mountain Goat.  He came right over and gave me a smile.

 

                                      DsDesignsmtngoat.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 

 

I got a ton more pictures but I'll save them for later.  Don't want to bore you to death.  The day was good and we spent a good 4 hours walking around.  Bug then exclaimed, 'I can't walk anymore.'   Steve, my son, carried her a bit here and there but it was definitely time to call it a day. 

 

                                                      DsDesignsGiraffe.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 

 

All that fresh air and walking took a toll on me too.  I'm exhausted.  As I sit my eyes are watering and I'm yawning up a storm.  Hmmmmmmmm..........   I'll take my own hint.   Hope everyone had a great Saturday!

 

hugs

~d


Tags:

~ Mystery Blogger VIII ~

DsDesignsMysteryBlogger.gif picture by 55hockeyfan


 


Our next mystery blogger.  How precious our communion girl is.  Or is she the bride?  Do you know her?  I bet you do.   Take a guess.

 

             mysteryblogger8.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 


* I taught myself how to cook when I could barely read.
* I earned my first paycheck when I was six.
* As a child, people would ask me to come work for them.


* In my youth, I was able to lift over 200 lbs.

* I am a survivor of everything.

Friday, September 26, 2008

~ Time to Vote ~

uPo8yZ7o3Bx3tzUOOO4EoNWSkLd7mYqj024.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan


The Photo Challenge poll is up.  Click on the graphic and vote for your favorite, there are some great entries.  I hope you'll all consider joining in next time.   If you have already stopped by all the entries you can see all their links here


~ Mystery Blogger VII Update ~

Whuuu huuuuu  first comment got it right....   as did others.  Great guesses and I'm thrilled you played along.   Our mystery blogger was none other then Joyce over at My Extremely Simple Life.   I adore that picture as well as the lady!!   Stop by and give her some love

Thursday, September 25, 2008

~ Tag Request - Autumn Dayz ~

DsDesignsAutumnDayzcarolina.gif picture by 55hockeyfan



Expires 9/27 at noon EST

any requests after that time will be ignored.

 





If you'd like your name on this please leave a comment letting me know.  Please make sure your email is open to receive mail from me and is a legitimate address if it is not AOL..AOL allows 1000+ pieces of mail to be in your mailbox.  Check yours.  I've gotten far to many requests that can't be sent because your mailbox is full. 

 


Do not alter tags  No resizing, stopping animation, cutting or ripping to add your name, signature, or any other text. I pay for the right to use licensed material, if you need help finding information on such just ask. 

 

Using tags in AOL journals will need an outside storage such as Photobucket to keep animation.  Please see Animation Entry for help.

 

Limit 1. 

 

Graphics are to be used for personal use only. They are not to be used for advertisements or for profit.




Thank you for following these terms. 

 

hugs

~d

~ Thursday.... in my backyard ~

DsDesignsInmyYard.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan


:::holding smelling salts for anyone who needs them:::  Yeap, two actual entries two days in a row.  Imagine that.  LOL   Today was better.  The hole I left in the wall yesterday from getting out of bed on the wrong side softened the blow this morning :)~   Naaaaaahhh I'm being a smart ass.  I didn't smack into the wall either day.   Just that saying, ya know?  

 

Work was work... it was a long day.  With the few days off, a couple of travel days, and meetings, I've fallen a bit behind.  Not saying anything about the added duties the past couple of weeks.   I just need to get on roll.  In a routine.  Get caught up.

 

I had an interesting thing happen.  Pissed me right the #@%$ off.  My sister is changing from a dish service back to cable.  She let me know she will be getting cable for the TV, Internet, and phone service.  Her monthly charge?  Less then what I pay for basic cable and Internet.  How can that be?  A promotion right?   Wrong!  I thought she might have misunderstood.  Didn't make sense.  She has a better cable package and an additional service and it was less $$, just sounded so wrong.   So....... I call the cable company.   Low and behold since the new cable company took over completely they came up with 'packages'... they call it price locking.  A two year commitment gets you a better rate.  WTF!?!?!  They tell new customers on the ads, with lots of small print (that I assumed said it was for a certain period of time), but do not notify their existing customers of the change.  Let me tell you, I had smoke coming out of my ears when I heard the commitment would save me $40 a month.  I wanted a credit, but was not getting it because it is advertised....  for new customers.  Damn I guess I should freeze frame the TV commercials and get a magnifying glass so I could read the 10 lines of small print they flash across the TV.  :::heavy sigh:::  Needless to say I changed my package.  I upgraded the cable package.  So now I have freakin 4000 channels and still have nothing to watch.  LOL  But I did get the NHL Network ::big ass grin::  The sister that lives with me......... oh she is thrilled.  LMAO!!!  So, more cable channels, movie channels, sports channels, digital, and all for less then what I was paying before.  Damn straight I stopped on my way home, got the digital box and signed up.  Let me just say call your cable company and check.  With all the deregulations and allowing of phone services to get into the cable industry prices are changing.  You know these idiots are not going to call or send you a flyer to notify you that you could be paying less, but they are offering more and more for less (imagine that) to keep you as a customer. 

 

Ohhhhhhhhh the camera software was a bust today :(  My co-worker was in meetings all day.  I had hoped I could catch him before his lunch.  He lives only a couple blocks away and I know he'd have gone home to get it for me.  Needless to say I will take his camera back tomorrow as he has a photo shoot planned this weekend but he will bring all I need back next week so I can play around.  Whuuu huuu

 

The pictures in today's entry are with my own camera.  I took them this evening in my backyard.  The trees in the woods behind my house are slowly changing, but you'll also notice some of the trees are bare already or dead.  I loved that red right in the middle.  I used a photo aging filter on the picture and really like the way it faded out the edges.  Might be me, but I thought it added depth. 

 

DsDesignsBackyardSunset.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan

 

After dinner I was cleaning up the kitchen and caught the colors in the sky.  I had to go back out and just grab a shot.  I wish I had time to drive to the lake, or get something other then the woods in the foreground, but it would have been gone.   I loved the colors!!

 

Hope everyone is doing good.  I will let you know when I get to actually post pictures from the other camera.  LOL  like I wouldn't, eh?   Have a great evening all...

 

hugs

~d

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

~ Quickie ~

DsDesignsCotton.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan


Just wanted to drop in and say hi!  ::waving::  I hope everyone is doing well.   I'm doing good, tired but good.   Today was the day from hell from the minute I woke up.  I say I got out of bed on the wrong side and since the wall is on that side you can only imagine.  LOL   It went down hill.  I won't get into all my frustrations, but it wasn't pretty.  After work my sister and I went shopping to find something for my nieces wedding.  GRRRRRRRR  I found nothing!!! 

 

About mid day a co-worker made my day.  He is selling his SLR camera and let me bring it home today to play with to see what I thought.   It's a Canon Rebel.  He gave me lenses etc and all will go in the selling package.  We both thought I'd be able to take pictures and transfer them but low and behold tonight I tried.  No dice.  I will need to get the software from him tomorrow and load it before I can see the shots I took.  To say the least that was frustrating as well.  The pictures were of nothing but I wanted to see the difference on my PC.  I'm not that 'photographer' but I do see some pictures and can't help but wonder if mine would look as crisp with a better camera.  I'll have to wait..................

 

The picture in the entry is with my camera from the other day.  Just messing around near the woods.   I've also been spending time watching the boys.  They have not won either preseason game, but I'm ok with it.  The regulars barely play.  It's to see what the others have to offer.  It's exciting to see the young blood.  

 

Ok, I said quick and I kid you not when I say I'm tired...  my eye lids are closing and wanting to stay closed.   Be good everyone...

 

Hugs

~d

Monday, September 22, 2008

~ Tag Request - Gorjuss Runaway ~

DsDesignsGorjussRunawaylisajo.jpg picture by 55hockeyfan



Expires 9/24 at noon EST

any requests after that time will be ignored.

 





If you'd like your name on this please leave a comment letting me know.  Please make sure your email is open to receive mail from me and is a legitimate address if it is not AOL..AOL allows 1000+ pieces of mail to be in your mailbox.  Check yours.  I've gotten far to many requests that can't be sent because your mailbox is full. 

 


Do not alter tags  No resizing, stopping animation, cutting or ripping to add your name, signature, or any other text. I pay for the right to use licensed material, if you need help finding information on such just ask. 

 

Using tags in AOL journals will need an outside storage such as Photobucket to keep animation.  Please see Animation Entry for help.

 

Limit 1. 

 

Graphics are to be used for personal use only. They are not to be used for advertisements or for profit.




Thank you for following these terms. 

 

hugs

~d