Only a couple of weeks more of this hectic pace.  Be sure to visit my daughter’s site to see the fund raising totals.  Thank you , thank you to everyone helping with funds and advice.  I know Halie and Eden appreciate it. 

Photos … I am relying a lot on Halie’s and Eden’s photos as I missed three years of personal contact.  They do a good job of cataloging their lives in photos.  Here are some I look at as favorites.  The photos are theirs, the graphics are mine. 

Eden enjoys her camera and she does a lot of wild and crazy self portraits.  So do I.

She reminds me here of a Hobbit.  I love the Ring movies and I think she would have fit in well as a character actor.

New haircuts get big smiles and those same smiles show up well in photographs and in graphics.

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Fund raising for Eden’s trip to the student leadership conference:  See what has been happening or donate by following the link http://www.xanga.com/Halie . 

To Purchase items for your own fund raising for an IB student, follow the link for by Geeks For Geeks in the animation below.  All purchase at this site will also help Eden’s fund raising efforts.

Eden and Halie are going to attend “Displace Me” in Washington D.C. this April 28th.  They are inviting other Xangans to attend with them.  Read more on Halie’s site (Halie) and for more info, follow the Displace Me link as there are other cities included across the country that may be closer to your part of the world.

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Becca

 

This crazy world of ours makes it difficult to write an upbeat entry.  I complain about the smallest things and then we have a disaster that lets you know how fortunate you really are.  God be with everyone, everywhere in all disasters.  You are the only rock.

My monitor problem seems to be intermittent.  Right now, no complaints.  I did a restore by a day and it acted exactly the same.  Next I knew, it acts like no problem at all.  It’s like a wild animal waiting for the right moment to show itself.

A photo Halie took of Eden while still in Spain.

I altered it to black and white and to a paint technique.  Eden has grown up so much since leaving for and returning from their tour of duty.

Fund raising:  See what has been happening by following the link, http://www.xanga.com/Halie. 

To Purchase items for your own fund raising for an IB student, follow the link for by Geeks For Geeks in the animation below.  All purchase at this site will also help Eden’s fund raising efforts.

Eden and Halie are going to attend “Displace Me” in Washington D.C. this April 28th.  They are inviting other Xangans to attend with them.  Read more on Halie’s site (Halie) and for more info, follow the Displace Me link as there are other cities included across the country that may be closer to your part of the world.

 

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A VERY LARGE EDIT

My daughter asked me to explain why I am an Imus fan.  I guess we all find our humor or our education in different ways.  She finds humor in the situation weekly “Sex in the City” with it’s out of my norm life styles and I like “Boston Legal” also a bit on the adult side and Imus. 

Imus, with some of his less than perfect remarks, has an easy way about himself.  He is honest and concerned for the future of children and the world.  He promotes and sells ecological ideas.  I think that large companies feel he takes away from their profits and has a lot of thoughts concerning the environment that effects their pocketbooks.  I feel he was a scapegoat for larger things and that his remark, though thoughtless, was made in a lighter fashion, not a remark he meant deliberately to be hurtful.  I think there are much worse things going on in this world of ours being deliberately overlooked and I repeat, purposefully as money is being made by their trashy appeal to people, young and old, who haven’t gotten the larger picture that people no matter their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation are individuals who need to be looked at for their individuality and valued accordingly. I think these same people who enjoy the trash have been elevated to find it to be entertaining because of lifestyle changes instigated by our very own community governments who are now putting on that “mask of indignant” and have thrown up their arms over Imus remark.  These same “now indignant community governments”  continually chip away at the importance of family, the importance of proper disciplines and of good moral values promoting what they want to promote.  What and why? for the almighty dollar, that’s why.  Sunday used to be a day for family togetherness and hopefully of instruction type, monkey see, monkey do and by the reminder each week that moral living should be a part of our lives.  Instead they took away that day and added it to their roster of days to sell to add to their revenues.  Other days to sell now include days once considered Holy like Easter and Christmas and it doesn’t matter what your religion is or whether you claim no religion at all.  What matters is there was a more direct attempt at teaching our kids right from wrong and Sunday was a weekly reminder of values.  Taking away days that reflected on family values was and still is one of the worst things that ever happened in this country of ours.  A real consequence of  a confused mind manifested itself only two days ago in the terrible shootings on the campus of the Virginia Tech university.  All of our less than honest business establishments promote every single day “buy and replace and trash” things that are still useful because what is important to them is the dollar, not our lives or the worth of family.  Business has no respect for the value of the teachings in the Golden Rule, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer and what these few words can do to improve living conditions within a family when practiced.  All it takes is half a brain to realize you don’t have to be religious to see the truth in those few short guides to living a less than hurtful life.  Business doesn’t want us to be satisfied, they only pretend they do.  Satisfaction means less purchasing by the consumer. 

YES, Imus single remark forgot to take into account that through his shortsighted thinking of the moment, he was lumping a young group of women into a less than pleasing lifestyle they preferred not to be linked to.  I think that same group of young women would not have even heard of the remark as they are not Imus listeners, (tell me they were listening to Imus when he made the remark).  Imus was and is a target of someone who has been sitting in wait to hurt him because Imus has the guts to say things that need saying.  Someone other than that basketball team was listening to Imus, waiting to scream about something, anything because they don’t like the truths he points to. 

Have we forgotten there are some who live daily, feeding off, getting rich from, the exploitation of others.  Imus was not, is not one of them but some of those out there doing the screaming have an agenda that benefits themselves and I believe we will be seeing a lot more before we get the idea something is very wrong here. 

I say, 

Bring back Imus!

 

Becca

 

This is going to be our year, I can tell.  So far, two microwaves have bitten the dust.  My refrigerator went this week and cost almost $300. to repair.  Today, my monitor is telling me it has a real problem so I am doing this entry as fast as I am able.  To top it off, my sister bought the new Toyota Sienna in the color I would like to have purchased (the frosty green) while we drive my least favorite color, blue.  Bummer … I am now in a mood. 

Forgetting the mood,

Photos:  I enjoy taking photos from the car window.  I try to steady my hand and my gaze as I play, kind of a practice thing.  There is always lots of construction on the highways and it offers a different kind of shot with colorful vehicles and some rugged characters who offer up rugged photo opportunities.  A few photos from our Easter trip offered as composites.

I think the piles of skid like material is actually large cuts of concrete but I’m not sure.  This photo has a portion of a second one layered and worked into it to give me a long line of skids.  It actually had only two piles and the crane.  I wanted the crane and more skids so added them in.

This is two photos, taken seconds apart, of the same construction site.  I pulled from one to add to the other and felt it came out pretty decent.  I have a lot of construction shots as the colorful equipment kind of calls to me.

This composite shows a rural scene where grain is collected and railroaded across country.  The layer over it is taken at the Henhouse Restaurant where we stopped for a meal on the way back from Rockford.  It’s a cute place, clean and cozy with nice waitress and atmosphere.

Another composite but using 4 different photos including the Henhouse, rural scene, a blossoming tree we enjoyed seeing as we drove and John at his table seat in the Henhouse.

Fund raising:  Eden has a very determined personality I worked into this composite.  As you can see, nothing stops her direction and her direction at this time is raising funds for her trip to the Student Leadership Conference in New Your City.  See for yourself what has been happening by following the link http://www.xanga.com/Halie . 

To Purchase items for your own fund raising for an IB student, follow the link for by Geeks For Geeks in the animation below.  All purchase at this site will also help Eden’s fund raising efforts.

Eden and Halie are going to attend “Displace Me” in Washington D.C. this April 28th.  They are inviting other Xangans to attend with them.  Read more on Halie’s site (Halie) and for more info, follow the Displace Me link as there are other cities included across the country that may be closer to your part of the world.

Becca

 

The comment was made that Eden is growing into a beautiful young lady.  As a grandma I will have to agree with that comment as she truly is, inside and out.  That remark made NOW a good time to add a slide show.  Here is a slide of my favorite grand child, actually my only grand child, Eden.  A thank you to Xanga, once again, for the new possibilities for our page entries.

 

 

 

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Our Easter Basket is growing more full, one Easter Egg in the basket at a time.  Through the generosity of some wonderful Xangans and other people outside of the Xanga community, we are seeing funds grow for Eden’s trip to the student leadership conference.  If you would like to help by making a donation or see how things are going, follow the link http://xanga.com/Halie. 

To Purchase items for your own fund raising for an IB student, follow the link for by Geeks For Geeks in the animation below.  All purchase at this site will also help Eden’s fund raising efforts.

CLICK   HERE

“Displace Me“ Eden and Halie are going to attend “Displace Me” in Washington D.C. held April 28th, 2007.  You are invited to attend with them.  Read more on Halie’s site (Halie) and for more info about “Displace Me“, follow the link as there are other cities included across the country that may be closer to your part of the world.

Wishing everyone a good week,

Becca

Our Easter was spent with my sister in Rockford, Illinois.  As usual, a lot of good food and a traditional colored egg for each of us.  Our total visit was short, only 2 days but it was good.  The temps were cooler, not feeling at all like Spring.  We watched Jesus of Nazareth, a lot of programming on the History channel and I came home to watch Mel Gibson’s “The Passion”. 

Our drive to Rockford was on the Winter, dark side.  We left home with fat flakes of snow falling and drove North and West into the darker sky.  The western side of the highway was very shaded showing no blossoms of color but the Eastern side of the road showed signs of color and Spring.  It was a strange feeling as the atmosphere felt and appeared much more like Winter.

A few photos of our drive.

 

Snow clouds are all around us and snow falls lightly as we drive.

 

Later in the evening the day opens up.
I lightened this image to display the rural view.

 

A burst of light before the sun goes down
and I have a vision of Easter Bunnies.

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One Easter Egg in the basket at a time, we are seeing funds grow for Eden’s trip to the student leadership conference.  If you would like to donate or see how things are going, follow the link on the butterfly. 

To Purchase items for your own fund raising for an IB student, follow the link for by Geeks For Geeks in the animation below.  All purchase at this site will also help Eden’s fund raising efforts.

Eden and Halie are going to attend “Displace Me” in Washington D.C. this April 28th.  They are inviting other Xangans to attend with them.  Read more on Halie’s site (Halie) and for more info, follow the Displace Me link as there are other cities included across the country that may be closer to your part of the world.

Wishing everyone a good week,

Becca

Happy Easter Xanga

Wishing you His blessings for this season of Easter

God bless us everyone

Becca

 

 

“Fun and Easy Sudoku” is the name of the magazine I have been using.  My question is “Easy for who?”.  I have run into some doozies this week and either they are not easy or I am backsliding or maybe I just need a rest.  Whatever the answer is, the past few have stumped me.  I am taking a rest for a while at least from these “easy” ones.  I have discovered getting away from something helps it come in more clearly when I go back to it.  I am crossing my fingers the strategy works.

I was busy yesterday making snail mail cards.  The current challenge in my little graphics group is “take and use a new photo of what the season looks like in your part of the world.  Print it and send it to a friend.  The design can be geared for Easter / Spring.  Include text.” 

 
Updated size to improve loading time on my pages.
See larger sized in my albums

This is my Spring card. I’ll have Staples print it.  I’d like it to be as professional as possible and I don’t trust my printer.

I’ve been working on some thank you cards.  Family and good friends will get cards from Halie and Eden as well as John and myself.

Updated size to improve loading time on my pages.
See larger sized in my albums

This is the card I did for John’s workplace.  The photo was taken on their lot when I am entertaining myself while John is inside doing the extras he has to go in for.  Some of the nicest Cincinnati sunsets I have ever seen have been while sitting, in that lot.

Updated size to improve loading time on my pages.
See larger sized in my albums

 The flowers in this photo were on display on a desk promoting something in Sam’s.  They were so beautiful.  My “go with me everywhere” camera was whipped out.  I’m not shy.

All updates per fund raising for Eden, see it here:  Halie

Eden’s Cafe Express site is getting hits.  Lots of nice things there to help her funding and the funding of other IB students.  See her site, click on the animation. 

 

My graphics work is available to you.  I would love to play with your photos and any money exchange will benefit Eden’s IB fund raising.  See examples of things I do in my photos.

That’s it.

Thank you for reading,
Becca

 

I failed miserably with my Sudoku puzzle, today. 

It’s a do-over. 

There are cheat sheets in the back of the book but … I want … to do … the puzzle myself.  I got fussy, erased everything I had down and will play again.  I’ll do the darn thing, yet.  I don’t have a photographic memory so nothing I did will come back to me, it’s all another game, again.

Answers for the yesterday’s Sudoku, if anyone wants them:

Rows 1-9 left to right:

891-325-467
754-681-923
236-479-851
912-534-678
467-892-315
385-167-294
148-956-732
579-243-186
623-718-549

One thing I learned about Sudoku is, it is possible to have more than a single set of correct numbers.  If you did the puzzle, didn’t get what you see above but are positive nothing is duplicated then its right, just another set of answers.

John and I spent time out yesterday.  He talked me into it.  I like going but it’s hard on my back getting in and out of the car and puts me into a downward spin for a few days.  I went, had a good time taking photos though he took the best one of the bunch.  I’m alive and thanking God for hot baths and the real pleasure of photography and graphics.

This is a very small wildlife sanctuary in Clermont county with canoe put in access, steep canoe put in access like tie a rope to it and drop then jump.  We will go back with time to spend hoping for some canoe drop then jump photos.

A drop in from her Spanish Swim Meets,
I plopped her into the water at the canoe drop.
The gasping is typical of swim meets.

See more and larger, Click Here

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Fund Raising:  Lots of exciting things happening on Eden’s “geekgear” website.  If you have an IB student in the family or your extended family, outfit them, your dog and yourself with the wearables you will discover in Eden’s IB section.  You can also buy buttons in 100 packs to sell for your own proud IB fund raising projects.  Just click on the animation to hit her pages.

“geekgear”
click >< here 

See how the fund raising is going on Halie’s Site.  We are, a little at a time, gathering the funds needed to send Eden, my granddaughter, to the National Student Leadership conference, Fordham University, New York City, June 22 – July 1 of this year. 

If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, I do creative graphics and can do something for you.  Just guide us to the project and your money will have done two things, helped Eden raise the necessary monies plus attained an interesting graphic for yourself to use as you see fit as many times as you want to use it, made from your own photo.

Be sure to scroll down my page for earlier posts per Fund raising for Eden.

Thanks for reading and your tolerance,

Becca

 

I try to keep a routine. What I prefer is a hot morning bath with my coffee, and a Sudoku puzzle and a Reader’s Digest on a bath table.  I relax and wake up at the same time.  Here is the puzzle I worked today and guessing you quickies out there can finish it in no time flat.  I didn’t. 

GAME RULES:  include numbers 1-9 in each major block of squares, 1-9 in all rows and 1-9 in all columns.  No number can be duplicated in any row or column of 9 smaller squares.

MY RULES:  Of course I want to get faster at this game but there is some tricky thinking and it’s all logic, not math.  I am learning but my goal is to be able to do any of the puzzles, not beat time slots.  When I know the in’s and outs and can do the puzzles with not a lot of glitches, I know my time will have improved as well.  My next thought will be to push myself on time taken to complete a puzzle.   I feel good being able to do them at all.

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Lots of exciting things happening on Eden’s “geekgear” website.  If you have an IB student, outfit them, your dog and yourself with the wearables you will discover in her IB section.  You can also buy buttons in 100 packs to sell for your own proud IB fundraising projects.  Just click on the animation to hit her pages.

“geekgear”
click >< here 

See how the fundraising is going on Halie’s Site.  We are, a little at a time, gathering the funds needed to send Eden, my granddaughter, to the National Student Leadership conference, Fordham University, New York City, June 22 – July 1 of this year.

Be sure to scroll down my page for earlier posts per Fund raising for Eden.

Thanks for reading and your tolerance,

Becca

Crying this morning watching the movie “Fly Away Home”.  It’s a thrilling movie.  I manage to cry when I watch spirited / uplifting movies.  It’s a silly thing that happens, just call me EASILY-EMOTIONAL.  Some other movies I cry during, while being uplifted in spirit, are: Hidalgo, Iron Will, A Beautiful Mind, A Few Good Men, Air Force One, Bronco Billy, Calendar Girls, Cast Away, Dead Poet Society, G. I. Jane, Galaxy Quest, Gladiator, Guarding Tess, Kramer Versus Kramer and so many more.  I’m sure you get the larger picture.  These movies are different to the extreme (from childrens to adult violence) but the endings are feel good and triumphant.  I really like the good over evil type of thing, ending as I think they should. 

Emotional, yep, I get emotional over a vast array of things.  I am at my best, helping where I can feel my emotions running high, trying in my own way to make a difference. 

Fund raising, there’s that word again and regarding it:  No crying here, I’m smiling.  When it comes to fund raising for Eden, she is a child to believe in and I want to help make a difference for her.  I’m a grandma and I have to toot a little.  If I don’t let her know I believe in her then who will?  Her positive outcomes can be enhanced with the help of positive words and works.  The positive difference is made by my trying and trying again, the proof of my positive position in the caring. 

Graphics:  I am trying to think of ways graphics from my expertise, my photos, your photos, my computer can be used to make a difference.

A list: 

Graphics for children birthdays;

1- coloring books as party favors,

2- as a graphic guide for the bakery to use for decorating a cake,

3- use the graphic with an iron on for children’s t-shirts or sweat shirts for party favors

4- or use the iron on to create the personalized gift for the birthday child.

Graphics for the home;

1- Portraits to be framed or added to albums,

2- images to create a mixed collage inside a larger frame you might hang over a sofa or ?,

3- a set of graphics with a theme for building on in a bedroom or dining room,

4- decoupage the graphic over tiles to be used to border a wall instead of a chair rail,

 5- decoupage the graphic over the seats of kitchen chairs 

8- use the graphic inside a poured plastic table top or on the outside of an entrance door or ???

9- use the graphic for the design in custom wall coverings

Personals; 1- use the graphic in miniature inside the locket you plan on giving as a gift or 

2- use it for that tatoo you plan on getting 

No matter how you use a graphic I am willing to work for you and the money goes at this time to the fund raising efforts of my grand daughter, Eden. 

An example:  This is a photo I took hoping to catch these geese with the fire hydrant.  I have a thing for yellow accents. 

The photo didn’t do a lot for me but it had some endearing qualities.

A piece of the photo varied a little in each and useful for a lot of different ideas.  No crying, there is lots of great stuff hidden in poor photos and I have a pretty good eye.  I can help you find those qualities for your use.
 
See my daughters site for fund raising details to help Eden … ***  Halie ***

My Eden album. click here

Follow the Geekgear link for Eden’s creativity.  All purchase will help her on her way to New York and the Student Leadership Conference …

“geekgear”
click >< here 

Be sure to scroll down my page for earlier posts per Fund raising for Eden.

Thanks for reading and your tolerance,

Becca