It wasn't my fault! Okay. I guess I can't use excuses.

Day 16 (and about 4 missed days of blogging)

Yes, I've dropped off the bandwagon of my personal blogging!

It wasn't my fault! Really it wasn't!
Okay. I guess I can't use reasons as excuses. It was my fault.
I guess I could have done it in Word and posted it later when my internet was down.

Let's see if I can do some overview since Saturday.

We traveled to Pilot Knob, Missouri, on Saturday for the civil war reenactment. This reenactment happens only every three years and so I have been waiting three years to attend! I was so excited.

This town is also special to me because I have a lot of heritage in this town. Sometimes I think everyone there must be related to me somehow.

I had intentions of spending the night somewhere, even if it were in a tent. The man who owns the land where my great-grandmother lived has given me permission to park there and even to pitch a tent there if I want. With it being across the street from Fort Davidson, the port-a-potties are right there for convenience.

I wanted to stay two days so that I could have the opportunity to work on genealogy. Everyone in town is out in their yards and about and it is a perfect time to meet total strangers to dig into genealogy.

However, it was requested of me that I record a two-part sermon series at church.

So, stupid me has to always try to please and do for other people if at all possible. Sure, I didn't really have to stay two days. I could be back to record the sermon. So I decided to give up my dream and put others above myself.

However, I spent all day Saturday with this bitterness in my heart. The thought of having dreamed of camping out and working on genealogy that I haven't been able to tap into for about ten years, having planned this in my mind for the last three years, and not being able to do it really ate at my heart. Each time I thought about driving home at the end of the day, I felt bitter.

Now, I KNOW I'm supposed to do things for others with joy. So, my left shoulder and my right shoulder argued with each other in my head all day long.

See, I want to share this for several reasons. First, I know others can relate. Second, there are those who won't go to church because they feel Christians are a bunch of hypocrites, always saying they are perfect and yet not acting perfect.

I want people to know that although I am a Christian, I am still a huge sinner. The devil still attacks me. It was the devil making my heart bitter and causing me to not give joyfully. It sure is hard to fight it off. I'm not perfect. Not by a long shot. Oh, I know what is right, but being able to just make myself joyful when I don't feel that way is not an easy thing to do! Your mind can tell your heart over and over what is right, but your heart just has a mind of its own!

That's why I need Jesus. He knows I struggled. He knows I tried. He knows I'm still a sinner and always will be. That's why Jesus died on the cross for me so that my sins can be forgiven and I can spend life after death in eternity with God.

Only God can change my heart. I certainly can't! I need God to work in my heart. In situations such as this, prayer is the best thing I can do.

Stupid me does things I know I shouldn't do. For instance, I knew I shouldn't share my feelings with someone at church about how bitter I felt, yet no matter how much I told myself to keep my mouth shut, I couldn't hold it in. Now I regret it. Yeah. So, I am a Christian. A horrible rotten one at that!

Anyway, Sunday we attended the chicken and dumpling dinner after church.

I don't remember what all exactly I did on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, but as always, I've been pushing the limit to get things done.

I know I did get one sermon video up on the website and on iTunes.

I've been processing Pilot Knob videos and uploading them to Youtube, both the ones from Saturday and ones from 1959, 1962, and 1965. I've been editing photos and uploading them to Flickr for a post about the Pilot Knob Reenactment.

I've recorded three (3) Photoshop Elements tutorial videos for Hummie's World. I've worked on catching up on commenting in the forum, even double checking days way back to June. I've spent time stressing over possible changes to the site.

I've spent two hours working to get my printer to communicate with Windows 7.

I've spent many hours with Charter Communications trying to get the internet back up and working. Saturday the internet and cable tv were out for the entire city and sister city. Sunday, I had intermittent service, yet was unable to put in a work order due to the problems area-wide. Monday my service was fine, but Tuesday the intermittent service, just as it was on Labor Day weekend, returned. The service tech came to the house and that's just another long story I could complain about. My guess is it is not fixed yet, but we will see. I have this love/hate relationship going on with Charter Communications. Of course, because I had to be home during work hours, then I had to work through lunch and stay a little late, which cut into my "work at home" time. It's so aggravating how I try so hard to get things done and problems always get in the way.

Last night I went to the gym with hubby. They finally got some swim fins in stock and I now am able to attend that class again next week. I've been feeling very stressed in the last week. I've been more stressed than ever before in my life. I figured some hot tub time and exercise time would be good for my stress level. In addition, finding a little time each day to give to my hubby is proving to be more and more difficult. He's so demanding for my attention. I figured gym time together was a win-win situation for me. I could spend time with hubby and have stress-reliever benefits at the same time.

I've been preparing to teach the night class tomorrow night.

My arm is still bruised from that stupid attempt to give blood over a week ago.

I'm sure there's much more I've done in the last four days, but have no more time to try to recall what I've done, much less type it all up anymore.

Too Blessed to be Stressed, Too Annointed to be Dissappointed

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.
I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:
I have a God who is almighty; who is sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me, and I am on his team.
He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His Name; though everything else is changeable, My God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated.
My eyes are on my GOD.
He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.
I am looking past my circumstances, to heaven's throne above.
My prayers have reached the heart of God.

I am resting in His love.
I give thanks to Him in everything.
My eyes are on His face.
The battle is His; the victory is mine; He will help me win the race.
I repeat, I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!" You have just taken a dose of encouragement. God's love to you.
Author Unknown

Climbing Pilot Knob Mountain

Every time I visit Pilot Knob, Missouri, I overhear people talking about climbing Pilot Knob Mountain. It was something my parents, grandparents, and family did every year and I SO want to climb the mountain!



Unfortunately, the mountain now has three owners. The federal government owns the top of the mountain and has closed it off due to two reasons: safety as some have been hurt and to protect the rare bats. The Missouri Conservation owns the bottom part of the mountain and somewhere in between is a private owner. It is my understanding that the the public entities are working together to get the mountain reopened, but that the private owner will not cooperate. They continue to work hard towards making this great, historic, place available to all.

Grandpa took videos as they walked up the mountain. I have converted them to digital format and uploaded them to Youtube to share with everyone as a tool to bring back those awesome memories.


This 1959 video includes Elephant Rock State Park. This video is special to me as it has my parents together before they were married. You will spot them sitting together on top of the mountain.


This video was taken in 1962.


This video was taken in 1965 and included Ford Davidson.

The Homeless Man

It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head,pulled down so you could not see his face.

He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church. We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in,including me.

A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit he took off his hat and coat.

My heart sank.

There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless man." No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand.

"Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today." Then he started singing the words to this song. "If I can help somebody as I pass along. If I can cheer somebody with a word or song.

If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong. Then my living shall not be in vain."

"IS YOUR LIVING IN VAIN?"

Author Unknown

How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop Elements

I don't think digital scrapbookers utilize this skill very often in their layouts. This skill is more for profesional photos or maybe those special layouts that you want to hang on the wall or print out large size as a gift. Nonetheless, it can come in handy! This video is done in Photoshop Elements, but it can be done in the full version of Photoshop also.

Chain Freebie

Download for a short bit on my blog. It can always be found with the hundreds of other downloads and video tutorials in the subscriber area (only $5.50 per month).

I want to occassionally share some of the comments and e-mail I get from everyone to let everyone know how much I appreciate them and how much I need the readers to keep going. Of course, I will never disclose a name or e-mail.

I'm always in awe at what God can do through me and this blog. I think no one is reading, but then I know from e-mails and comments that many are reading and many are touched.

You know, that's a scary thing for me. It's always kind of weird for me. It's been this way a long time and I never get used to people valueing my opinion and finding interest in the things I have to say. That's the weird part. The scary part is that I am a vessel carrying words that may help someone in a good way or a bad way and that I may never know how far this blog may reach. It's something words cannot describe.

I stayed up late once again trying hard to get that stupid ap to work on my phone. It reminds me of who I am. I'm one that just can't give up no matter what until I resolve an issue and come to a conclusion. A problem consumes me until it eats me up and then I eventually win. It's me vs. the problem, round 10, this week!

Oh, the battle scars are evident in the dark circles from lack of sleep under my eyes, but I'm still fighting the war and determined to win! Yep. That's about how I live most of my life. I don't know if it's right or wrong that way. Surely giving up and giving in and letting go would be healthier on my body and soul.

But this is in my genes. It's in my soul. My every bit knows that where there is a will, there is a way, and although my will gets dragged down through the bottom, it just won't give up. Mental break downs happen and then I pick myself up and start all over again, just one step at a time.

It's who I am. I cannot help it. I cannot fight who I am.

Obviously, many people are the same as I am. The theme has been around for a long time, just watch this video.



I know the lyrics from a Kenny Roger's song from my high school days in the 80's. The song was in this album called "Share Your Love" and called "Goin' Back to Alabama with Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson is young in 1981 and singing back-up in this song. The album "Shar your Love" was produced by Lionel Richie. These three would be involved in USA for Africa. Those were the good days of music!

I started my morning out a little late, having been up late with that battle with my problem. I managed to get out some e-mail guides which were overdue, but didn't get much else done.

I usually come home during lunch and get a little something done, but not on Fridays.

Hubby and I always have our weekly date. We went to O'Charleys for lunch and shared a meal. I had this wonderful made-from-scratch strawberry lemonade and it was a delightful surprise. I didn't anticipate it tasting so good.

Our waitress was quick an we were in and out of their very fast. I was so thankful! Our bill was reasonable having shared a meal. I think we will just have to go back there another time.

After work I was determined to catch up some more. I worked on two classes for three hours and was thankful to get them done!

Hubby was waiting patiently while I worked and he was ready to watch tv, so with our Tivo filling up with all the new shows, we had a lot to choose from.

Colors of the World

Once upon a time
the colors of the world started to quarrel.
All claimed that they were the best;
the most important,
the most useful,
the favorite

GREEN said:
"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was
chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

BLUE interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the
water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."

YELLOW chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."

ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."

RED could stand it no longer, he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I bring fire into
the blood. I am willing to fight for a cause. I am the color of danger and of
bravery. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."

PURPLE rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, cheifs, and bishops have always chosen me, for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."

Finally INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

So the colors went on boasting,each convinced of his or her own superiority.
Their quarreling became louder and louder.
Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening.
Thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly.
The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves,each trying to dominate the rest.
Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose,unique and different?
Join hands with one another and come to me."

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

The rain continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow."

And so, whenever a good rain washes the world,and a Rainbow appears in the sky,
let us remember to appreciate one another.

Author Unknown

Blogroll Code for Digital Scrapbookers

The blogroll has been migrated and there are now new codes!


This blogroll code was first published on July 20, 2007. It was hosted with blogrolling.com at that time and rose to a high count of 758 listings! On May 27, 2009, it was finally moved to be hosted with bloglines. Dead links and blogs without posts over 6 months were removed. The new list begins with 487 blogs. Since bloglines will alert me to feeds that are no longer working, in addition to sorting from newest to oldest posts, I can better keep the list current.

On September 23, 2010, the blogroll was moved to Google Reader as Bloglines (owned by Ask.com) was closing the first of October. The list contained 806 blogs.

This universal blogroll code can be put in your blog just by copying the below code. (I understand it does not work in the free Wordpress blogs as they do not accept javascript.)

Having it on your own blog would make it easy for you and your readers to quickly find someone else's blog. In addition, the posts are set to sort with the blog most recently to post at the top. What a great way to just waste some time visiting other blogs right from your own blog!

E-mail me if you are a digiscrapper and would like to be added to this blogroll. Please know that keeping up with this blogroll has become quite a task and often it takes me a long time to get to the e-mails. The name you assigned to your blog will automatically be the name on the list. I will attempt to edit some names, but please be aware that you may be listed accordingly. Please do a search of this list (Control F) to see if you are already on the list before requesting to be added. I often get duplicate or triplicate requests for the same blog.

You can edit the code to fit in your sidebar by changing the width and height. IF YOUR SIDEBAR IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH, change the width in the code to a smaller number until you see the scrollbar.

If you would like more of the blog names to be visible, change the height.

If you would like the whole blogroll to be visible as in the below example, delete the height code all together.


GREEN


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh5.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3yOo95rWI/AAAAAAAABWI/o9zly86nEDo/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsGreen.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

YELLOW


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh4.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xRY95rUI/AAAAAAAABVA/XU8A-tv6v6w/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsYellow.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

RED


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh4.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xRY95rTI/AAAAAAAABU4/QOkpWwo4yuQ/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsRed.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

PINK


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh5.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr357o95rXI/AAAAAAAABWs/VX7Mz8SzzVM/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsPink.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>


ORANGE


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh6.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQ495rRI/AAAAAAAABUo/p9XXLrwrbs4/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsOrange.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

WHITE


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh6.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQ495rQI/AAAAAAAABUg/FWQ7YBeBWpk/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsWhite.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

BLACK


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh5.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQo95rPI/AAAAAAAABUY/n5sIHdgEJM8/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsBlack.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

GREY


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh5.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQo95rOI/AAAAAAAABUQ/4ZU_TiOwOBM/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsGrey.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

BROWN


<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh4.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQY95rNI/AAAAAAAABUI/r3LPUwfpCEE/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsBrown.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

PURPLE



<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh4.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQY95rMI/AAAAAAAABUA/cA8kh_NecZw/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsPurple.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>


BLUE



<a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html"><img hspace="4" src="http://lh3.google.com/Hummdingertub/Rr3xQI95rLI/AAAAAAAABT4/ASWP_2iSnJ8/s144/Blogroll-ButtonsBlue.jpg" /> </a><ul><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.hummiesworld.com/2007/07/blogroll-code-for-digital-scrapbookers.html">Get this Blogroll Code</a></ul><ul><div style=" width:200px; height:500px; overflow:auto;"><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/publisher-en.js"></script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/reader/public/javascript-sub/user/10560328639866608181/label/Digital Scrapbooking?callback=GRC_p(%7Bc%3A%22-%22%2Ct%3A%22%22%2Cb%3A%22true%22%7D)%3Bnew%20GRC"></script><br /><br /></div></ul>

BLOGGER INSTRUCTIONS
1. Copy the code (highlight and press control C)
2. Go to the "template" tab in your blog settings.
3. Go to the "page elements" sub-tab.
4. Click on "Add a Page Element"
5. In the popup box, choose "HTML/JavaScript"
6. Paste the code (control V)
7. Save Changes
8. If desired, move the element down the sidebar to where you want it within your other items on your blog.
9. If needed change the height and width of the code. (Is the scroll bar showing?)

TYPEPAD INSTRUCTIONS
1. Go the TypeLists tab and open it.
2. Create a Typelist using the the Links kind of TypeList. If you haven't done it before see here: Creating a New Typepad List
3. Click on Add Item - Try reading Adding a New Item ; Cut and paste the code.
4. If you have 3 column setup which seems to be what most of us have, then each sidebar is 200 pixels If necessary, change the width so in the line that reads width:190px; height:200px, to 100 so it reads width:100px; height:200px
5. Click on Save and republish you blog. :-)


WORDPRESS INSTRUCTIONS
The PITA free version of Wordpress does not support javascript.
Thanks to Michelle for writing the Wordpress instructions!

Instructions:
1. copy the code from the box
2. log into WP admin
3. click arrow next to appearance
4. click widgets
5. add as a "Text" on the side (puts it at the top of the widgets)
6. click "add" next to text
7. click edit on the new blue "text" bubble to the right.
8. enter code into the large box
9. enter "title" into the small box
10. click done
11. click save changes

Picking up Speed and Marching Onward!

Day 14

I made this with my cell phone this morning. I was thinking about how I actually got some good sleep last night, so I really didn't need all that caffeine to get through my day like I did yesterday. So what good was the caffeine in my hot tea? It was to help me do dumb things with more energy!

I did have energy this morning and got up and started working right away prepping for a video for the Filter Challenge class. I managed to get it recorded, processed, uploaded, and mailed out to the class before work. I sent out some e-mail guides (spending time removing inactive people from classes first which always drives me nuts) too before work. I headed out into my day feeling good. I always feel good when I am productive. I'm still behind, but I was productive!

I was frustrated when my iPhone todo ap did not sync again today. I tried to brush it off and forget it for now. It's been causing me too much stress and I didn't need to deal with it today and waste time with it.

Then I was thrown my curve ball for the day. When I opened Bloglines I read a message that they would be closing on October 1st! What! Now, that's where the Universal Digital Scrapbooking Blogroll is hosted that many people have in their sidebar!

It's always something. Isn't it? I've always got something thrown at me that I have to deal with.

I worked for a while and transferred two Blogline accounts into Google Reader and reset all the coding. Now I have to wait for people to realize they need a new code and market that. Sigh. I still have some tweaking to do. In addition, I have marked posts in Bloglines that I need to copy into OneNote before Bloglines goes down. Sigh. I've got a few days to get that done.

After work, I had to rush home to finish prep work for my night class. I discovered my printer did not work. I guess it needs new drivers to work with my Windows 7 upgrade. Sigh. I had to put it on the jump drive and print at school. I rushed through the drive-thru to eat and then off to class.

Class went well, although I worry that I'm shoving too much information at them at one time. Will they remember it? There were two new students, so I stayed an extra hour and taught them what we learned last week. They picked up really fast, so I was thankful!

It was 9:30 before I got home and there was hubby, waiting to watch tv with me as always. So we watched two shows from Tivo and here I am, keeping my blogging commitment!

I'm still behind on things, but picking up speed and marching onward! I cannot believe I have actually blogged a personal post now for two weeks. Wow!

Dear God

Dear God:
"Why didn't you save the little girl in Michigan?"
Sincerely,
Concerned Student

AND THE REPLY........
Dear Concerned Student:
"I am no longer allowed in schools."
Sincerely,
God

Just keep marching on. . .

Watch video here.

Day 13

I don't feel like blogging much. I'm very tired.
I think sometimes a meltdown is good for the soul. It allows you to get out all of those stresses so you can pick yourself back up and start all over again.

Last night, even as weak as I was, I managed to work until I converted all the Digiscrap Map videos for the podcasts and get them uploaded. I just couldn't allow that task to continue into a third day.

I was up late, totally whipped, beaten and pureed, and had trouble falling asleep. I slept a few hours when Abbie Rae woke me up at 4:30 a.m. because she had to go outside. Sigh. The bad thing about my body is that once I wake up, that's it. I cannot go back to sleep no matter how hard I try.


And yes, I tried. I tossed and I turned and I tossed and I turned. I kept thinking about the YouTube video of the arch. I had been invited by YouTube to do revenue sharing because of the hits it had, only to be rejected because the video had music in the background which was put there by my Grandpa.

So, because that was all I could think about, I got up and started working on a new version of the video. I transcribed all Grandpa's narration on the video as I felt that it really helped to make the video. It took me a while to transcribe it. Next, I learned how to put those words as a caption on the video. I processed the video several times until I found a format that was high enough quality, but lower file size, and uploaded it to YouTube.

I deleted the older video (see photos and post here). Now, if I could only get the new video to have the same hits the older one had. That's all I could think about all day. Tonight it has 133 views. I should be happy about that, but I think it takes about 500 in a day for me to be invited into revenue sharing again. It's time I give it up to God now. If it happens, it happens. If not. Oh well.

I had to leave the house early this morning to go to the dentist before work. I didn't have much time to do anything else this morning. This seems to be the story of my life--always fighting for time.

This evening I spent a long time preparing for my night class tomorrow night.

Then I watched television to wind down. I'm SO tired!

I"m so behind too. A little bit of rest will hopefully begin to return my energy level, if it be in God's Will.

This weekend we have travel plans. The outlook is not good for a light at the end of the tunnel, but I just keep marching on.

I said..

"I said, "God I hurt." And God said, "I know."
I said, "God, I cry a lot." And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."

I said, "God, I am so depressed." And God said, "that is why I gave you sunshine."
I said, "God, life is so hard." And God said, "that is why I gave you loved ones."

I said, "God, my loved ones died." And "God said, "Mine did too."
I said, "God, it is such a loss." And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."
I said, "But God, your loved ones live." And God said, "So does yours."

I said, "God, where are they now?" And God said, Mine is on my right and yours is in the light."
I said, "God it still hurts." And God said, "I know."

I hate wasting my time for naught!

Day 12

This is how I feel today. A good scream might help to. Or a good bottle of wine, except I don't have one and don't want to spend the money on one and it's not a good idea anyway.

First off, I read e-mails that the iTunes podcasts did not upload correctly. Upon observation, I realized that they were the wrong format. This meant more processing of files and uploading which is time consuming. It also meant that all the time I spent on the project yesterday was wasted and for naught. I hate being stuck on a project and never ever being able to seem to get it off my to-do list.

I started out spending my morning trying to follow help instructions for Appigo to yet get my todo iPhone ap to work. It's been at least a week since it's worked and I've spent way too much time trying to get it to work. It was working fine until I updated their sync service program.

So, I had to uninstall Bonjour and Bonjour Print Services, restart my computer, install Bonjour Print Services, and check the ap. I got momentarily excited when the sync service finally recognized my desktop for the first time in a week. Then I realized that the sync now continually gave me an error message. I had spent my entire morning (before work time) on the process only for it to not work.

Here I go again--starting my day off with a positive attitude only to have things never work out right. I immediately became stressed and off to work I went. I started iTunes right away and went straight to K-Love radio. Christian music always seems to calm me down. With headphones in to keep me from distractions, I decided I would work hard to get as much done as possible. My desk has gotten behind again and I told myself that being productive would make me feel better.

My lunch hour was better as I was able to figure out how to get the iPhone ap to finally sync and I thought all of that stress was behind me. I worked hard to get out some of the guides. I made up my mind that two of the classes would just have to skip a week of lessons. I somehow gotten myself set up to creating three new pieces of content a week and I think I've set myself up for failure. The Windows 7 installation last weekend messed up my available time. So, to destress myself, I decided to just forget the overdue lessons and think forward to the next ones.


At work someone had brought in this cool cupcake container and I thought it was the next best thing to Tupperware! I think I need one, but I really don't.


I lied. The container wasn't the next best thing to Tupperware. The German chocolate cupcake inside was the next best thing to Tupperware!

I had set my mind to be positive once again and decided I would head home and get to work right away on writing my lesson for teaching the night class Thursday night and then get to work on new lessons for the site.


Shortly after 4 p.m. my phone went off and reminded me that I had an appointment to give blood after work. So much for going home and getting things done right away.


Things continued to go downhill. The story of my life. As almost always happens, they cannot find and tap into my blood. It was quiet painful. Finally, the flow began and the bag was so close to being full when apparently my blood coagulated 50 grams too soon. I was told my blood could not be used because the bag as not full enough, but it could still be sent off for testing purposes.

So once again, the theme of my day continues. I had spent all this time and pain for what? Nothing. My intention to give to help someone else had failed. I was left not only physical tainted, but emotionally as well.

Telling myself to think positive no longer was working and I began to cry as I headed to my car.

I cried. I laid on my bed and cried. Hubby contributed by texting me saying he was going to a job fair. Now, I know you may think that is a good thing, but it's not. I learned a long time ago that he is a job hopper and a car hopper. Yep. He would change jobs and exchange cars every month if I let him. And for our entire marriage, he constantly pushes me regarding his employment or buying a new car. Not a week goes by that he doesn't. I need stability and the only way I can get it is to put my foot down and constantly say 'no.' He's had his current job for a while now, as well as his truck, but it's been a constant battle. They are both good, so why change? I didn't need that stress of him pushing this again right now. It was a truck he had found only two days ago, and now this.

I cried. Why do people and things seem to always drag me down? Why can't things just be easy and why can't things just go smoothly at least 90% of the time? I know things won't always go right, but seriously, how much am I supposed to take?

Quickly gathering myself, I began to work on the video conversions again, only to discover the ones I had set to run earlier in the day did not work. The program began telling me I needed to install these three programs for codecs. So I did. I installed them. I figured that the codes were lost last weekend when I installed Windows 7.

I installed them only to find that they messed up another program I use for videos. I downloaded that program again and tried a repair. It errored out. I tried just a reinstall. It errored out.

I didn't know what else to do, but to do yet another system restore (I had done one just a few days ago). You know how long those take. I just bawled all the way through while watching it.

The system restore fixed my video program problems, but guess what? Now my iPhone ap no longer worked! Oh, by now I was really in tears as I uninstalled Bonjour and Bonjour Printing again, restarted my computer, installed Bonjour Printing again, restarted my computer YET again! Then the sync program was no longer there either, so I had to reinstall it and reset all the configurations to work with my phone.

Why me!

Now it is 9 at night and what do I have to show for my day? That makes me cry more. I can't win for trying. I seriously cannot win. The harder I try to do things for others, the harder life seems. Who really cares if I get these videos converted and uploaded to iTunes? Probably no one. Then why am I doing it?

Why am I doing all the things I do? I feel like making a lifestyle change and just being a lazy bum, making no goals for myself. Yep. I'll just get up, watch tv, do a little cooking and cleaning, go to work, come home, and that be it. Maybe bad won't have a reason to find me.

And it gets worse. Now my contacts are all messed up and I have to deal with that.

Will I be able to sleep it all off and wake up in the morning with a positive attitude again? I surprise myself sometimes at how I can bounce back daily just with some sleep, but it never takes long before people and situations bring it down. I don't look for bad. I promise I don't! It just comes at me. I do try to look for happy things and little blessings in life, but things not working right always seem to find me.

First Sign of PSE9 (Hey, that rhymes!)

We saw our first peek at PSE9 today. Here is the manual at Adobe.

So far, the only thing I can see new is a button to add a layer mask. There will be no more need for fake layer masks! (although the skill of fake layer masks is still worth the knowledge).

If you see more information, please give me a shout out. All eyes peeled!

It's like Christmas for digital scrapbookers! Each year we wonder what they will add to the newest version to get us all to upgrade. This sneak peak is like opening our gifts up to peak and then wrapping them back up until the big day! Oh, the anticipation!

I think us digital scrapbookers are so funny how giddy we get each year when PSE comes out. Only addicted digital scrapbookers can identify!

New! Professional Forum Area

There is a new professional area in the forum especially for site owners and designers.

Link to Forum
Sign up Here

This forum is private for discussions regarding topics such as designing, hosting, shopping cart, piracy, and quality control.

This is a place where you as designers and site owners can talk candidly about "the business" aspect of digital scrapbooking, to support each other, and help each other make this digital scrapbooking community as a whole the best it can be.

You Can Now Advertise at Hummie's World

Digital Scrapbookers and designers can now advertise at Hummie's World!

Forum Link

We all need advertising to keep our sites going and so a place has been created for you to do that.

There are some general rules.

1. Please do not create your own thread. Categories (i.e. freebies, commercial use, CT layouts, calls, etc...) have already been created for your use. Just find the applicable thread to post in.

2. It is asked that you NOT use the gallery at Hummie's World to host your ad images. If it is not directly related to Hummie's World, please provide your own image hosting.


The advertising area is a great place to let people know about upcoming challenges you have going on at your site. It is also great for special events, sales, and the like- so please take advantage of it!

Is it Friday yet? Monday's Theme Seems to be Bugs

Day 11



Yeah. That's how I feel today. Why am I so tired on a Monday morning? I thought I was supposed to be rested after the weekend?





There is this annoying bug that appears only in the bedroom late at night when the only light that is on is my laptop screen. The weird thing is that there seems to be only one bug! I can't seem to smack it either to kill it. It is very fast. It must sleep during the day. I have no idea how to get rid of it and it is driving me batty! Of course, when I turn off my laptop, it disappears. It's just like my dog or my children who only bother me when I'm busy. Come to think of it, my husband does the same thing.



And just like my dog and my children, the stupid bug does exactly what you tell it not to do. Come to think of it, so does my husband.

I cannot seem to get back into the proper routine today. All I felt motivated to do this morning was to make screen captions and write a blog post on Windows 7. My computer is running much smoother, but I do miss the quick launch, so I shared with others how to make one their own. I guess at least I did something.

I feel as if I'm spinning wheels and getting no where again today.

I think my lack of sleep has something to do with it.

I did work on converting both Digiscrap Map videos today for uploading to the iTunes podcast. I'm wondering how many people have found the podcast yet.

I am thankful for Dawn helping me with graphics today. Two posts that needed to be done now for weeks are finally up.



I dropped my "baby" off at the camera shop today for a cleaning. I never realized how attached I am to it. It felt like when I've been without my car or my computer. I was so thankful to be able to pick it up again after work.

This is the first time my camera has been cleaned since I got it two years ago. I had two dots of darker color on my photos and I was tired of cloning them out. I'm anxious to take some photos to see if this cleaning fixed the problem. Like my plants, I shoud take better care of my "baby."

Many of you recall that I participate in Big Brothers, Big Sisters. My first match (I have an active second match now) was closed when she went into foster care. She returned earlier this year and continues to contact me. So essentially it feels as if I have two Littles.

She called me and wanted to meet so I took her out to dinner tonight. We always have some good conversation.





When I got nearly to the bottom of my ice tea, I jumped when I saw something laying on a piece of the ice! She was certain that it was a fly, but I wondered if it were an ant. The theme today sure does seem to be bugs! How ironic that I wrote about bugs earlier today and then this happened. I did get my meal free, but I had to pay for that of my Little.

It brought back memories of long ago. My uncle planned and was to pay for the entire family to celebrate my Grandparent's wedding anniversary (he was paying for everyone, including all grandchildren). I drove all the way to St. Louis just for dinner.

When my uncle got to the bottom of his glass, there was a cockroach in it. I remember the moment as the whole family froze. No one could take a bite or drink. The restaurant did not charge him anything, for anyone.

I thought about how different a cockroach was from a fly or ant. Even a very clean restaurant could have a fly that wanders into an ice bin and dies after getting stuck there. However, only a restaurant with health probems would have cockroaches. We all know that where there is one cockroach, there has to be more. The thought of cockroaches crawling on a bunch of cleaned glasses (as in the ones we all drank out of) and then running out of sight was enough to make us all worry what germs we might have put into our mouths.

As we sat talking, my Little discusses many topics I would not normally talk about, like visiting a jail and fights and murder. The two ladies at the table behind her kept looking and giving odd expressions toward me the entire time. I'm certain that they overheard what the conversation. It sure is difficult for me to sit and be judged for something that is not me at all, but it's just something someone has to do in order to help bring a young one's life out of the lifestyle she is in. I often wonder if I am making a difference at all and whether my efforts will be successful or fail in the end. I can only keep believing in her and being a friend with a listening ear.

It was late by the time I got home and tonight is the night all the new shows begin on tv. I couldn't resist watching a few of them. I needed some time off from life.

I watched House and then The Event and then Chase which were caught on my Tivo. I'm not sure I'm going to like The Event. We think it is going to be much like Lost and we never could get into that show. Chase might be one we continue to watch. There were other shows recorded, but at almost 11 p.m., it is time to call it quits and try to get in bed an hour earlier than normal so that I can get up in the morning and refocus. I need to get things back on track, but the rails seems to be getting further and further away.

What Kind of Laptop Case Do You Have?

I saw this wooden laptop case and wondered what your thoughts were regarding the same.

I know there are so many options out there for laptop cases. Please leave a comment and share what you utilize.

The standard black option for a laptop case as seen in many stores is so boring, yet I do know that these are good options because of the sturdy edges for safe keeping of contents, with plenty of pockets. I have a few of these myself.

You can buy a nice laptop case (more feminine) at Etsy.com, but you often loose that harder case protection.
I have a gym bag I bought from Etsy and I have been known to stick my laptop in it for transportation.

I must admit that I often grab my laptop without any case and just go with it tucked under my arm. I don't like to spend time packing and unpacking things.

Shipwrecked

There were two men shipwrecked on an island. One started screaming and yelling, "we're going to die! We're going to die! There's no food, no water! We're going to die!"

The second man was propped up against a palm tree, so calm it drove the first man crazy. "Don't you understand? We're going to die!"

The second man replied, "You don't understand. I make $100,000 a week."

The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, "what difference does that make? We're on an island with no food and no water. We're going to DIE!!!"

The second answered, "You just don't get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe on that $100,000 a week. My pastor will find me!"

Quick Launch for Windows 7

The one thing I am really missing in Windows 7 is the quick launch popup list. So I made my own manually and wanted to share how with you. I just have too many favorite, most used programs to pin them all to the start menu.



Locate the .exe file for each of your most used programs. Look for them in the User/Program folders or click on the start button and choose them. Right click on an icon, choose "send to," and then click on "Desktop (create shortcut).



Create a new folder by right clicking on your desktop and choosing "new" and then clicking on "folder." Name your new folder "Programs." I moved my "Programs" folder into "My Documents" to get it off my desktop. However, you could leave it on your desktop for easy access there too.





Drag the new shortcut you created into the new "Programs" folder you created.





Right click on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, choose "Toolbars" and then "New toolbar." Navigate to where you put your new "Programs" folder and select that folder.





Now you have a new quick launch for this folder of shortcuts! You can actually do this for any folder on your harddrive, so if you have a folder of documents you use often, you can make even another toolbar.



This can also be done in XP and Vista.

The meeting

Day 10

I could not go to sleep last night at first because whatever it is that makes you go when you are over tired kept me awake. I think that must be adrenaline. Thereafter, I had some bad dreams about snakes that woke me up. I must be scared of snakes as it always seems that snakes bite my face whenever I have nightmares.


Once again, I want to express my sincere appreciation for all those who either comment on my blog or send me comments by e-mail. I do ready every one of them. I'm getting better at reading my gmail now that I have an iPhone to check into that account.

Sometimes I wonder about posting so much personal information on the internet, but somehow I justify it by your comments and how it always seems to reach someone else's heart. It always makes it worthwhile and it is your comments that keep me going.

After church, I worked in the forum sending out guides and whatnot for a while, but then decided that I needed to get out of the way our trip to downtown to the car show so that I could get back down to business.

I thought it was awesome that how hubby's favorite hobby, old cars, and my hobby of photography could come together. When I get time, I'll share with you some of the 173 photos of cars which I took. There were so many old cars that I eventually gave up trying to take photos.


We decided to eat downtown, just picking out a local restaurant impromptu. We ate at the Cup 'n Cork. We've eaten there before and have always enjoyed our food. Some of the prices are high, but overall, I enjoy the originality of the menu. I had this vegetarian panina and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had inside carrots, onion, green pepper bean sprouts, yellow squash, zuchini, black olives, spinach leaves, and tomatoes. It is sprinkled with dry seasonings and sweet Vidalia onion vinaigrette. The side was a Greet feta pasta.

It was like nothing I had ever tasted before and now I want another one! The photo truly does not do it justice.


Hubby had the baked potato with steak and provolone cheese and he kept remarking about how it was so huge it certainly filled him up.


I spotted this cool window with hap-harzardly brushed paint on the windows at a Somewhere in Times Anique shop. I was immediately drawn to it and could picture it on my dark brown wall in the house. I checked the price and just coudn't resist buying it! It was explained to me that people would paint windows to immulate stained glass windows. I will share what I did with it, but first, let's back-tracked.


For as much as a green thumb as I am, when I get too busy and forget my plants, it's amazing that they survive. I made a commitment last Monday when I took these photos to begin loving my plants again. I have two very special sentimental plants that need my love. This is the original plant that the boy scouts gave me when my grandparents died. I tried to save it and it looked like it would make it, but alas, mold got to it during the week and I discovered it had died.


Thankfully, this is a shoot off the same plant in another container. I babied it and today it looked rather well, unlike this photo from last Monday!


I actually found that although my window looked great on my dark brown wall, I had no room for it on that wall. It looked horrible on my light green wall. Eventually, after observing how the light came through the paint, the window found it's way to my plant table. Here is the same plant a week later, already responding to my plant love. I'm so thankful! The light through the window is so cool and I love how it takes the awkward corner in my living room and gives it new angle. I think I'm happy with it being here.


Here is the other plant which is special to me. This was given to me by one of my best friends, Pam, when my Dad died. It has also survived the lack of plant love by me. It started out very short, but eventually I had to move it to the floor as it grew so tall. Here it is recovering from when I chopped off the top of it some months back. Poor thing! It does look better than this today as this photo was taken a week ago. I do need and want to replant it in a nice pot as this set up is looking ragged. I just need to find time to shop for a pot!


Wes from iluvlocalplaces.com found me at the car show! Somehow I new he would find me someday. This meeting marks the second time I have met someone in person that I met online. I could not say enough how wonderful of a service Wes is providing to our community. Hopefully, he understands what a benefit he is offering and not only focusing on making it a profitable business. In time, things will come around for him. I can feel it already! I fixed the photo and still yet I hate the look of my face here. Ugggg! I want to know how to get a media pass like he had around his neck.

I worked a while this evening on the sermon video from July 22nd! Wow! Am I behind! I need to not feel stressed about being behind. It really does get on my stress level. It takes forever for these videos to process. Seriously! And again, I feel under-appreciated. I spend all this time for what? I don't even want to go there on a pubic venue.

I now have today's videos to do too, but will I have the time?

I did work on a new project for Course 2 lesson, but did not get it finished I cannot seem to get much done while videos are processing as everything is so slow. It was daring of me to even open Photoshop while the videos were processing. Very frustrating. I remain behind and frustrated as I start a new week. It's not where I want to be!

Prioritizing and taking one step at a time. Yes. That's the way of life for me.