aging gracefully-ish

Apparently I win the "You Move Your Blog the Most Award"

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Because I've moved back to Blogger, in fact back to my original blog, TheDailyGs.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

In case you missed it...

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 09 May 2011 08:01:00 +0000

In case you wondered where I went... I moved to Wordpress. My new blog is called iPhoneographi because that's the camera I seem to use most of the time nowadays. :P

2011 - Chapter 071

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Warning: Sports talk ahead.

Y'all already know I watch very little TV. I love House and Bones. Oh, and Hot in Cleveland. Anything else is pretty much white noise for falling asleep.

I have a small 20" flat panel TV in my living room. You may recall that one Black Friday a couple of Thanksgivings back I braved the craziness and got it at Wally World at 5am for $128. Up until that day, I had never braved Black Friday nor did I have a TV in my living room. My living room was for visiting with people and having conversation. Actually, it still is but I DVD House and Bones and enjoy watching them in my recliner rather than in my bed. I fall asleep much more quickly in my bed so watching them from my recliner means I have a better shot at watching them at all!

All of that to say that the only time I ever wish I had a large flat screen is when I am watching sports. I only watch 3 kinds of sports: Red Sox baseball, The New England Patriots football and - only very occasionally anymore - NASCAR racing.

This is one weekend I shall watch racing because the venue is Bristol and that means short track racing - pure Nirvana for true racing fans!

Oh... and I'm also posting to a blog I registered some time ago. It's called iPhoneographi. I don't know yet if I'll stop using this blog. I suppose time will tell. I've always preferred using Wordpress, but many more people use blogger. I definitely prefer Wordpress for mobile blogging. SO much easier to post, easier to read and cleaner looking. And there's a really great app for that, too!

Since my Canon camera is acting wonky I'll be mostly using my iPhone for photos. I'm probably getting a new iPhone. Soon. Very soon. In fact, I was going to go yesterday but life happened and changed my plans. But soon.

And did y'all see that SuperMoon?

And OMG - we launched missiles against Libya. Why are we the World Police? Don't we have enough of our own problems to solve right here at home?

Put some YAY in your day! I know I'm gonna try! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 070

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Can you believe it has already been this long since we set sail? ::sigh::

This is another shot from San Juan. Wish I/we were there!

And now, from the sublime to the ridiculous. I posted this on Facebook yesterday, but just in case you missed it:

Boy howdy... it pays to check the competition periodically. Mediacom, one of the local cable companies, called me just before my cruise and offered me 2 business telephone lines with unlimited long distance and high speed broadband internet for $130 a month cheaper than I'm paying AT+T for same service, with the 2 differences being that the cable company is VoIP phone service and my internet with AT+T is high speed DSL.

As it just so happens, my next door neighbor John happens to be a commercial sales rep for Mediacom. About 5 years ago, based on my concerns regarding downtime, as in I don't want ANY, John recommended I stay with AT+T as Mediacom's technology was brand new and they hadn't gotten the kinks out of it. I recently had a chat with John about the current reliability and quality of Mediacom's VoIP phone service and he said, "Yes, ma'am! I've had it for a couple of years now and it's working great. I'd be happy to take your order."

Based on John's confidence that I would now be quite satisfied, and given the considerable savings, I decided that it certainly warranted giving it a shot. Yesterday I finally got around to this particular item on my To-Do list. I called AT+T to see when my 3-year commitment would be up. Once AT+T smelled 'cancellation' they quickly transferred me to an account specialist who promptly offered me a business plan for $103 less than I'm paying now, with only a 2-year commitment. The annual $aving$ will net out to the price of 2-3 cruises or plane trips! And I don't have to change a thing. Woohoo! That was one great phone call I made! Yes, indeedy.

I just love it when stuff like that happens, don't you?

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 069

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:38:00 +0000

Happy Friday, y'all!

This is a shot from San Juan. Gorgeous! I really loved San Juan and would one day like to spend a week or two to explore more of the island. There's even a rainforest! Our tour guide, who was brimming with lots of interesting history about old San Juan, told us that Puerto Rico is 60% mountains. I'd love to see them, too.

I'm just now feeling caught up and back into the swing of things, although my sleep pattern is still wonky after staying up much later than usual on the cruise. This too shall pass.

This weekend will have a bit more normal in it. I'll be heading over to friend's to see their new bathroom remodel and get a pedicure. Nothing too exciting!

I hope your day is perfectly lovely! Mine, too! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 068

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:04:00 +0000

The Actual Bloggers on the Bloggers Cruise 4

(L-R) Zane, Sandee, Sarge Charlie, Empress Bee, John Heald, me and Linda.

Sandy and Dick did not attend this particular BC4 function and therefore are conspicuous in their absence.

I was surprised when I heard that Bloggers Cruise 4 didn't mean the cruisers were actually bloggers... it meant that they read John Heald's blog. Doh! I must be an even bigger dufus than I thought.

I am assuming that the reason the photographer didn't bother with getting us all inside of the background he had set up is because this photo was a gift from Carnival/John. He didn't want to go to too much trouble for a free photo. Bless his heart.

I'm trying out a new comment system. I/you/anyone can reply to other people's comments if so compelled. The one caveat is that you must be viewing a particular post for the comment form to show up. If you happen to arrive on my blog directly via the blog address it will not appear as though comments are allowed. I'm hoping this is a spam deterrent. Let me know what you think; the good, the bad or the ugly.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 067

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 04:01:00 +0000

I've been up to me ears at the office. I haven't been slacking, just had no time to put together a post. However, my sister Lynda asked me to do a graphic of our "Awesome Hat" with the SisterDears with some shamrocks so you get these today?!

I'm enjoying all of the cruise photos everyone's putting up! I'm stealing a good many of them as mine are rather un-exciting and very low resolution. Bugger. Thank goodness y'all got some good ones!

We had Al and Barbara over last night for a traditional St. Paddy's Day dinner. Corned Beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and beets. Yum! I use to make it once a month or so when I lived alone as I absolutely love it. It kicks Pot Roast's butt as far as I'm concerned. I believe I may be the only one on the planet who isn't a huge fan of Pot Roast, although I do LOVE all of the vegetables cooked in the broth. It's a texture thing for me. Just don't care for it at all.

And finally, because an old hometown friend put up a St. Patrick's Day tiara on Facebook for me I decided to give all of the SisterDears some Irish Royalty bling today to go along with my Irish Blessing for all of you.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 066

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 04:01:00 +0000

Warm Chocolate Melting Cake

I was looking through my photos and came upon this one. Yum. Very rich, but also very warm, chocolate-y, gooey and yummy! I only ordered it once because there are so many desserts and so little time on a cruise!

I just googled it to see if there is a recipe for Warm Chocolate Melting Cake and there are several versions. I wonder if it tastes as good if you don't bake it in the ramekins? Or if your wait staff does not bring it to your table and you have schlep it over yourself? Or if you don't put the wedge of chocolate in the ice cream scoop? Don't be silly, of course I'd put the wedge of chocolate in there! :^)

I really miss Room Service and Bed Turn-down, don't you? Having my coffee brought to me was one of my favorite things about the cruise... the coffee wasn't all that great. Too bad they didn't have a mini-Kuerig in every stateroom, huh?

Miss Bee, to answer you question about my camera and why I'm mad about it... on the cruise many of my photos were shot at the smallest resolution despite me continuously changing it back to the highest resolution. It's 8 years old and it's probably time to replace it. The new ones are much smaller, take much higher resolution photos than mine and hold a much larger memory card. For cheap. When I bought my Canon PowerShot S2 IS about 8 years ago I got it on sale - and it was still about $600, about $100 more with the case and peripherals.

It's so nice to have daylight longer again, isn't it? Except everybody seems to give me a slightly harder time when I go to bed and it's still light outside. Doesn't bother me one little bit!

And everything is waking up here at the Swamp! THE rose bush (I had 4 but 3 of them died) is just about exploding with new buds that should be open in a day or two. Same thing goes for the Azaleas. The magnolias have already bloomed and the Dogwoods are blooming now. I'll have to get out for some pictures once everything has woken up!

Spring! I just love it!

So today is back to work. I've got to dash out to my CPA's first thing to pick up my corporate tax return. It was ready at least a week before I left for the cruise but I just didn't get a chance to go out and get it. It's got to be postmarked by March 15th so no more messing around with that! I'm hoping for some lovely orders and some fun conversations with my customers. That's one of my favorite things about my job.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 065

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:57:00 +0000

Do you remember before the cruise I had said that I was going to try to find this exact spot and sit and have a tropical beverage with an umbrella while listening to a steel drum band?

Well, the photo below was close as I could come. And there was no lush greens, no BLUE-blue skies, no steel drum band and no tropical drink with an umbrella. Just a ride in a truck-turned-into-a-bus around some bumpy, winding roads up the hills and all around St Thomas. It didn't come close to what I had envisioned. St. Thomas does have a beautiful harbor but the rest of the island? Not so much. At the very least, certainly not any where our bus driver took us over the course of a few hours.

I found this kitty wandering around a hotel parking lot... the hotel parking lot where the bus driver stopped to allow the 3 people from Argentina who were on that unfortunate bus ride to go dip their feet into the Caribbean ocean. Linda and I just had to sit there and wait for them. In a really hot, dry and ugly parking lot on the other side of the island. Linda eventually decided to walk up to photograph the beach. I waited with the kitty. Not my favorite part of the cruise.

There actually was a nice, cold locally-brewed beer to be had while we waited for the bus driver to come back to pick us up in the marketplace. I'm not clear on why he left us there and came back as neither Linda nor I wanted to shop. We had not picked up the Argentinians at that point. It's all just a bad dream right?

Did I mention St. Thomas was not my favorite port or excursion on this trip?

And that I'm mad about my camera?

I did? Oh. Sorry.

Anyway, it's Sunday and I'll probably be taking MotherDear to BWTB later this afternoon. I really don't want to go today. At. All. But I probably will since she loves it so much and I'll feel guilty if I don't.

And just in case you were wondering... I still have not done my laundry. :^)

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 064

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 11:44:00 +0000

They don't call Carnival the Fun Ship for nothing...

When I wasn't busy walking from one end of the ship to the other and back again... because I kept getting lost until I finally figured out there is a map at every elevator with a big YOU ARE HERE... this was my view for much of the cruise...

My feet overlooking Lido Deck.

Relaxing... It's a wonderful thing!

Did you ever notice that laundry is nothing if not patient? It will just keep forever and ever and ever until you can get to it, and never once will it complain.

The weekend is here and that means I can finally tackle the laundry and some other stuff that's been waiting patiently for me to get to them.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 063

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:01:00 +0000

So, when life gives you a couple of rotten apples you cut out the rotten part and throw it all together to make an apple pie, right? I took some of my Nassau photos and tried a new photoshop collage technique to make the collage. Voilà! And I just noticed a portion I didn't clean up very well but, C'est la vie! Plus, once again, I learned some more stuff. :D

It's been rainy and a bit colder here. Yuck. But we didn't get any of those tornados so I'm not complaining. Much.

I'm finally caught up and am now back into my regular routine. Now I just need some more orders. More orders = more vacations!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 062

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:17:00 +0000

It's time for a new camera. During the cruise I kept noticing that nearly every time I picked up my Canon camera I had to reset it back to its highest resolution (2592 x 1944). It was quite annoying and I have no idea why it was doing it. Well, in uploading my photos to Flickr and just glancing through them, I've just discovered that many of the photos I took were taken at the lowest resolution (640x480), despite my manually changing the setting to the highest resolution.

ARRRGGG!

I'm going to get one of those slim, tiny little numbers that I can just slip into my pocket. I'll use the $$ I won at Bingo on the cruise. That will make me feel better. Because right now? I'm just a tiny bit ticked off.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will... right after I quit being mad! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 061

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:25:00 +0000

It's official. I have ship lag. I've now had 3 nights in my own bed at my normal schedule and I feel completely washed out this morning. The week of late nights - especially that one really late night - have finally caught up with me. Ah, well. This too shall pass. And I'd do it again in a heart beat!

I am uploading my 800+ photos to Flickr as I type this so I still have exactly three photos edited. I'm using the Flickr Uploadr and have everything set to private at the moment so you won't be able to see them just yet. Just glancing at them I do believe my favorites - other than of my blogging friends - were taken in San Juan. I didn't have my Canon camera with me much aboard the ship - I mostly used my iPhone - so I'm hoping to steal lots of photos from Sandee and Zane, as Zane seemed to have his camera at the ready at every moment! :D

Oh, and those iPhone photos? I've tried twice to upload my iPhone photos but as usual iTunes and Windows are not playing nice. I'll try it again later on my laptop once I am completely caught up and feeling up to messing around with it. However that would not be now! I may also try the Flickr App on my iPhone. It will take longer but at least it will work!

I hope to catch up all my business backlog and to get a few errands run today. Almost there! Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 060

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Have I mentioned how much I love the piano? And the Piano Man? OK. Maybe just a few times?

I did many activities on the ship, including spending time listening to several piano players on the cruise... but Ron Pass totally ROCKS! He plays from 9:15 until. Which means once he sits down at the 88s he doesn't take a break. He entertains from his first to his last song. The one night I got to go to the Piano Bar to listen to him I was there for the entire thing... until just after 3am! And he made it seem like minutes. And if you know anything about me you know that I normally go to bed around 7pm. So that is saying a lot!

It was such a tremendous pleasure to sit piano side and be a part of it. I also did a few videos. I'll upload them to YouTube sometime this week. Or on the weekend. But for right now, this is the one and only photo out of about 800 that I've uploaded and edited.

If you ever see his name on a venue in your area... DO make reservations immediately!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 059

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:15:00 +0000

So let's see... what's today's port? Oh. Valdosta, GA. This morning there was no omelet made just for me by Frank. Tonight there will be no show or trivia or comedy club or piano bar. No movie on the ginormous screen on Lido. No blogging friends to share a few laughs and a bottle of wine. Bugger.

I totally stole this photo right off Sandy's blog as I haven't had time to download my photos yet.

(L-R) Zane, Duchess Sandy, Princess Sandee, Dick, Duchess Barb, Charlie, Queen Bee

Vacation is over and it's back to work. I've got lots of emails, voice mails and orders to keep me busy for a few days so pardon me if I don't make it around.

I may or may not get unpacked and laundry done before the weekend.

The cats? They're on me like white on rice. I do believe they missed their Momma!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Hola!

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:43:00 +0000

Just woke up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I slept in really late... 8am is uber late... Oh, wait... It's only 7am ship time. Actually, that's still late for me!

So today we explore the Bacardi Rum Factory and El Morro - aka
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan Antiguo, Puerto Rico - assuming we have time. We have to be back aboard by 3 as we set sail sat 3:30. The ship is very accommodating, but the will NOT wait for anybody, including me! :D

This is the last day/port that I will have AT+T 3G. Tomorrow is Grand Turk. Saturday is our last full day, a Fun Day at Sea, and Sunday we'll be back in port in Miami.

I leave you with a photograph of Warm Chocolate Melting Cake, one of many yummy desserts on Carnival!

Put some YAY in your day! I'm sure that I will!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad, iVana

Location:Cll Del Morro, San Juan,Puerto Rico

Greetings from St Thomas!

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:49:00 +0000

We just docked in St Thomas after a fun day at sea. Out first port of call was Nassau Bahamas... ::yawn::

This photo was from yesterday's Hairy Chest Contest on Lido Deck poolside. The guy calls himself Dr Phil! He won! And he was quite a hoot. He was also kind enough to share his plastic ship on a stick with me... At least long enough to take this photo. He also gave me a kiss!

In other exciting news, Linda suggested a game of Bingo yesterday. It was just one game, the letter F, for Fun Ship, paying $600. Thanks to the number 49 the $600 was won by yours truly! I have to go out into the middle of the ocean to win the jackpot! :D

Time to head ashore! I'll try to update again when we get to San Juan, our next port of call where AT+T 3G is free! WYWH!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad, iVana

Location:Rue De Chez Reuben,Charlotte Amalie,US Virgin Islands

2011 - Chapter 058

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:22:00 +0000

The day of the cruise is finally here!

The first port was supposed to be Nassau, Bahamas. Due to the fires in Nassau last week, Carnival has made a slight change in our itinerary. We shall now be going to Carnival's Private Island, Half Moon Cay!

I think a Private Island sounds far better than Nassau, don't you?

We should be in port sometime around Second Breakfast.

Linda is still sleeping. Once we're showered and dressed and have gone down to the lobby for coffee and continental breakfast, we'll be headed to the ship,

Thanks for all the Bon Voyages. I'm sure it will be very bon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad, iVana

Location:Claremore Dr,West Palm Beach,United States

2011 - Chapter 057

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Carnival Glory and 2 other Carnival Fun Ships in St. Thomas

It's vacation time! For 8 spectacular and glorious days I will be having fun on the Fun Ship! I'll be spending time with some really neat friends, laughing, going to shows, enjoying the piano bar, ordering room service, having my bed turned down, looking to see what towel animals have been made just for me, partaking in some mighty fine dining, some sipping of wine, going on an excursion or two and taking lots of photos. What I will NOT be doing during the cruise is blogging. I have no posts scheduled. I am not bringing my laptop. I am bringing my iPad so I will probably do some status updates on Facebook while in port in St. Thomas and San Juan as the internet there is FREE!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I certainly will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 056

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Y'all? I spelled y'all wrong in yesterday's post. I blame the cruise excitement. Many apologies. I usually ignore the red underline from spell-check on "y'all" because blogger doesn't know how to spell y'all, y'all.

Sorry. I felt like I had to write "I will not fill in the blank" a few times on the blogger blackboard for that. I feel better now. :D

A First!

It's been about 18 months since I moved Whitey from the office to the Yellow house to live with Gandalf and Grayson. As I've mentioned on numerous occasions, Grayson does enjoy whapping Whitey. A lot. And as is usually the case, Grayson often feels the need to pair the whapping with a snarl, a hiss and a growl, for good measure. Well, imagine my shock when I turned my chair around after hanging up the phone to rest my eyes on this scene! Whitey was grooming the snot out of Grayson's head and not only wasn't Grayson snarling, he was purring! I've been noticing them touching while they napped over the past few weeks and was thrilled with that tiny bit of progress... but grooming is HUGE!

Naturally, a few minutes after this sweet scene Grayson whapped Whitey. But still.

So. This is IT! One more sleep! Sandee and Zane are flying today and Linda is all aboard Amtrak today. Once I collect Linda at the train station we'll drive down to WPB to have lunch at John Gs with Bee and Charlie and Sandy and Dick! Then we'll all meet up on the ship for 8 glorious days of cruising! This is better than Christmas, y'all! Woohoo!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 055

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Gandalf and sunrise at the Swamp. Three of my favorite things!

The only thing crossed off of my To-Do List yesterday was a manicure and a pedicure. And taking a few orders. :D Not a single thing was ironed. I may be the wrinkled cruiser. But I'll be cruising, so... ummm... whatever! hahahaha!

I really do need get to the store for some wine... and to the ATM machine or nobody will be getting any gratuities from me. Just saying. The ironing? Well, today's another day!

Ya'll? In 48 hours I'll be driving to pick Linda up as we make our way towards WPB, Bee & Charlie, Sandy & Dick and JohnG's... and then the cruise! It really is just around the corner now!

Excited? Who? Me?

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 054

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Yesterday the ultrasoundographer declared the little bean in Danielle's baby bake oven a BOY! Aria will have a baby brother come sometime in late July-early August!

Let the Boy Shopping begin!

And that's all I have for ya right now. Yesterday was all web site work and no fun, other than da boyz being really good about sticking close to the house. In fact, they all came up to the patio door several times asking to be let in. I let them in and out 3 or 4 times. I don't have a cat door here at the Swamp. Something to think about if they continue to be good boys.

Just a few days until the cruise! I did get my laundry done yesterday so ironing today, packing tomorrow! And maybe my pedicure and manicure, depending on the work load and phones. Woohoo!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 053

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Whitey on the front porch

I've been continuing to let da boyz out for a while each day, observing how they do as far as staying in my yard. Each day I've allowed them a bit longer. We started at 5 minutes and we're up to about an hour. There are no fences anywhere around here and all of the adjoining homes each have a couple of acres. So far they've been staying on my 2 acres, wandering just a smidge into my next door neighbor's yard.

I'd be totally happy with that except for one weird thing. When Whitey and Gandalf walk off the porch they act as though they've never seen each other before, that they hadn't just finished grooming each other and that they hadn't just gotten up from a snuggle pile. I didn't expect anything like that. It has me scratching my head for sure.

Gandalf is still marking every shrub and tree until he literally runs out of ammo, but he continues with the behavior anyway. Weird. I'm hoping in time, things will return to how it use to be and they'll just lay on the porch and nap and occasionally chase Evil Squirrel. And quit marking in the house! Or I don't know what I'm going to do. srsly.

Whitey is still hissing and growly when he's outside. Sweet as sugar once he's back inside. But can't wait to be outside.

Grayson? Well, he's still my mellow fellow. His behavior is always the same, mellow and sweet. Except when he's whapping Whitey. Which seems to be happening less often. They've been napping together lately... and actually touching! I didn't have my camera handy just the day before yesterday. Whitey was using Grayson's back for a pillow.

Gracie? She likes the view from the screened patio, thank you very much! She's a perfect angel, when she isn't opening my cabinets.

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

2011 - Chapter 052

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:01:00 +0000

So. Yesterday was the Daytona 500! I went to Al and Barbara's to watch it. We had Tater Tots and Chicken Strips. And a couple of naps!

This young whipper snapper, Trevor Bayne, won the Daytona 500 in only his 2nd Cup race EVER! Winning the Daytona 500 on his first try! Seasoned professional drivers race their whole racing career dreaming of winning this race. This kid is going places. Did I mention he turned 20 years old the day before the race?

I use to love the Daytona 500, but it's boring now. I swear, they were running in packs of twos, one guy's bumper in the guy in front of him's rear bumper. They reminded me of Love Bugs.

Those of you who haven't been to the south in Love Bug season won't understand that reference. But still. Here's the Wiki article.

It was also 10 years since Dale Earnhardt was killed in this race. It's hard to believe it's already been 10 years. Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt were my favorite drivers to cheer on. After years of attending both Daytona races every year, that particular Daytona 500 race was the first Daytona 500 I didn't attend. I got offended by the outrageous prices they were charging and decided to just stay home and watch it with my niece Jennifer. I'm so glad I didn't attend. It was hard enough watching it on TV. And explaining to Jennifer, who was only about 12 at the time, that racing is a very dangerous sport and yes, drivers really DO get killed.

OMG! Is this a sports post? Sorry.

Here's a photo from my nephew Brian's 30 Birthday Party.

CAKE!!

Sorry. It does seem to be a racing cake, doesn't it?

OK. How about this? A flat Brian next to real Brian!

Sorry about that whole racing/sports thingy. Brian is much better than NASCAR. I feel better now.

So now I only have 5 days to get ready and packed for the cruise! Whoa! This is getting very exciting!

Put some YAY in your day! I know I will!

2011 - Chapter 051

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 06:28:00 +0000

I just saw the cutest thing ever! I wish I could show it to you but you have to be my sister Lynda's Facebook friend to see it. She uploaded a video of Aria singing her ABC's, with her Daddy (my nephew Mike) accompanying her on piano. Here's a screenshot -

Update: Lynda changed the privacy setting on the video so you can watch it! She's just the most precious baby girl in the world! Click HERE!

And I couldn't show you this before because it is the wine label I made for a nice bottle of Chianti for my nephew Brian's 30th Birthday Surprise Birthday Party. They had the party for him last night so it's OK to show it to you now. :D

Remember that Custom Shape I posted of the Wine Glass? It was for this! The photo I used was taken when they were in Italy last fall.

Here's the photo my sister Lynda sent me.

I did several edit versions

I liked this one best

But Lynda wanted him to look white.

Do you have an opinion? I know you DO!

And since I already had Brian separated out I decided to put him in a few different places, like in Egypt!

In front of The Sphinx

And in Rome, in front of the Colloseum

And just for fun, I put him into one of the archways of the Colloseum! Can you see him?

All together I think I spent about 5 hours playing around with it. Learning through trial and error, but having tons of fun. Especially when the light finally goes on! Photoshopping may truly be one of the greatest Time-Sucks ever, but I just love doing it!

Put some YAY in your day! I'll be watching the Daytona 500 over at Al and Barbara's so I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo