Happy Cyber Monday!

Although I really detest shopping at the malls and super stores during the holidays, shopping online is something I love to do.  There is something about getting packages delivered to my door . . . feels like a gift.  


One of the bargains was delivered to my email box from Corel . . . the latest version of video software with lots of extras was 50% off.  The Captain and I were like kids who found a treasure!  I love to buy stuff that we will both use . . . and we both love making videos, so it was a treasure!  


Now I have triple the software to learn since I recently earned the new ultimate version of Corel Paint Shop Pro with extra software as a bonus from Klout Perks.  Then there is the Bamboo Pen/Touch Tablet my wonderful husband bought me . . . it came with more software.  Love love love creative software!  I'll be busy for a while learning how to use all of my new goodies.


Then there was the package I received from Klout Perks today . . . two free quarts of Benjamin Moore paint.  I didn't get to pick the colors and haven't checked it out yet . . . I may be pleasantly surprised!  Creativity of a different kind . . . I love to paint.


My blogs and websites are going through some changes . . . I decided to monitize my webspaces with advertising.  At the same time, I'm making some design changes here and there and creating new pages.  I'll also be selling advertising spots soon since I've been receiving inquiries.  Busy times!


How was everyone's Thanksgiving?  Did you do anything special?


Our Thanksgiving was a bit different this year . . . our first as a married couple.  What was to be a celebration turned into a sad gathering of family and friends.  My sister-in-law's 40-something brother overdosed and died in his sleep as his mom was in the other room preparing the Thanksgiving feast.  It wasn't until the afternoon that it was determined that Thanksgiving dinner would go on as planned, only later . . . until then we weren't sure what we were going to do.  Very odd and sad day . . . his poor mom and dad were so freaked out they could not have dinner after all that cooking.  What a nightmare for them . . .


It concerns me how doctors tend to over medicate and don't have time to educate us about what we are taking.  It has become a personal responsibility world.  Check out your medications online and do research on what has been prescribed to you by the trusted doctor!  Be very careful about drinking alcohol while taking these medications.  I heard on the news that a simple Tylenol can be so dangerous if not taken properly.


All in all, The Captain and I had a wonderful four-day holiday together . . . perhaps a little more grateful for having each other than usual after experiencing another death of a young person.  Parents aren't supposed to grieve the death of a child . . . I have experienced so much young death in my life.  


Celebrate life . . .

Giving Thanks

I'm extra grateful this year

 for so many reasons!

How about you?

What are you giving

 thanks for this year?

Awesome weekend!

It has been one of those awesome weekends that has been pleasant and relaxing, yet we went out with friends and had a great time . . . and I got a new toy!


Computer geeks are so easy to please :)  The Captain got me a really cool touch and pen tablet . . . so now I can begin making my own graphic creations on the computer.  It has been a blast learning how to use this amazing little toy.  A feature that I really like . . . no more mouse!  I can use the pen or my fingers.  Gotta love technology :)  Lots of creative software came with it and I can't wait to dive in and learn everything . . .


Hope you all had an awesome weekend as well :)

One of my first creations . . . don't laugh . . . we all have to begin somewhere :)

The internet obsession

The internet has quickly evolved due to great minds dreaming up new ways for us to socially interact, ushering in numerous websites to keep us obsessed with our computers.  It is truly amazing and wonderful how many new concepts have been born in the course of a very few years.


My favorite is the blogging concept which I first discovered on Yahoo 360.  The internet obsession initially caught me with MSN Communities, where I started a gardening community that grew to over 1000 members.  We swapped plants and seeds through the mail and local members got together for the plant swaps.   


Both websites are long gone and it is equally amazing to me how fast they come and go.  Of course they go as soon as you get all comfy in the obsession . . . then you have to start all over again somewhere else, finding those friends you made.  Many scatter to different websites and we lose track.  When an "old friend" is found again, it is like bumping into someone you haven't seen in a while at the grocery store.


When I first heard of Twitter, I really didn't get it, but I dove in anyway . . . same with Facebook.  You almost have to participate in both since they have been interwoven into new concepts where they interact together.


My newest discovery is Pinterest . . . and I will admit that within a few days of joining, I'm obsessed.


If you haven't heard about it yet . . . I'll use most of the words from their website . . . Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard which lets you organize and share all those inspirational things that you find on the internet. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. You can browse and follow the pinboards of other members with similar interests for inspiration and an awesome way to discover new websites and blogs.


Pinterest also interacts with your Twitter and Facebook account . . . check it out if you haven't already!





Through the years I've been obsessed with different aspects of the internet and it has been interesting to think about all the different stages I've gone through.  When I first started blogging, I remember making the observation that I make a living online, pay my bills, play games, chat and communicate with friends, order pizza delivery . . . I even found my husband online!


What are some of your online obsessions and thoughts on your internet experience?

To Halloween or not Halloween . . .

Happy Halloween weekend!


I'm still very preoccupied with different projects going on around here . . . my blogs have been a bit neglected!


The Captain and I took off for one of our adventures on Friday to MacDill AFB.  Although we took the camera, it is was gloomy and rainy day, so we didn't take any pictures.  It was an awesome day out!  


Unless it is a very rainy day tomorrow, we plan to visit Busch Gardens to take photos of the new Cheetah exhibits.  Got the camera charged up and ready to go!


I have lots of photos that I haven't had time to go through of our past adventures through Tampa for My Florida Paradise blog posts.  There aren't enough hours in the day!


Is everyone ready for Halloween?  Any special plans?  


Would you believe that we don't have plans . . . I'm not fond of participating in the trick or treating thing at home anymore.  We've had some dubious looking characters show up around here in the past that made me a bit nervous . . . too easy for home invasions to happen.  It is a shame . . . it was one of my favorite times of the year . . . not anymore!  Times sure have changed through the years.


Hope everyone is having an awesome weekend!

Fall in the air

The air is cooler and the humidity is way down :)  It is an awesome time of year in Central Florida.


We are still in the midst of what I am calling fall cleaning.  Furniture has been rearranged here, there and everywhere . . . and needs to be moved again!  So we will continue until it feels right.


My computer time continues to be a fraction of what it usually is . . . it feels good to get out of my routine.  There is such a thing as "too much of a good thing" . . . my computer is a good escape from those things that are not my favorite thing.  I'm finally getting a grip on my procrastination habit!


Halloween is here, which means the holiday season has already begun.  It seems to come earlier every year.  Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky about the commercialism of it all.  The true meaning of the holidays gets more convoluted as the years go by.  


What's up in your world?

NEW BLOG POSTS . . .


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LaBelladiva


Kitchen Inspiration


Red In The Kitchen


Satin Flower Comb


Open Shelves In The Kitchen


Gathered Fabric Flower


Six Pack Carrier




Gina's Music Memories


Happy Birthday Daryl Hall




Subtropical Gardening


Fall Gardening Checklist

Are you into photography or graphics design?

I've been using @CorelSoftware PSP X4 Pro I got through @Klout perks and I LOVE IT :) Great for graphics creation and editing as well as photo-editing!

Click on the link for a free 30-day trial version download.

I was given a free product because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the product or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

PaintShop Pro X4 - PaintShop Pro X4

www.corel.com

Discover the photo-editing software that gives passionate photographers more to love! This release extends the legendary photo-editing power of PaintShop Pro with 75 new and enhanced features based on the needs of real photographers like you.