Layouts gallore...

Good morning,
early shifts done , now it will be late shift, but then nights for the rest of the week.... I slept until 10 am this morning, which is a good thing , because I intend on watching the Raiders game tonight.
Doing all these nights sucks,because I won't be able to see and talk to Reggie on Skype , but has to be done.
I've been busy with the rest of the pics from NC , but I still want to do more journaling pages to tell about what was going on in the photos. But one thing at the time.Here some more layouts.As I said before, I use elements sparingly, I want the photos to be the main focus and stand out from the layouts.

Last count was 67 pages for this album, with more coming.
I fired up my old desktop last night to work in Poser a little bit, but Vista was driving me crazy ! I'm used to the smooth running of Windows7 on my laptop and going back to Vista last night was driving me nuts,lol. But I only have that program on the old computer so I have to suffer through it for the time being if I want to use it.
I ended up with some tubes and backgrounds which I ended up putting together for a picture on my laptop again. This one is for Reggie, who loves dragons almost more than I do.

And now it's time to get some work done in here before my late shift. Hugs and till next post again.
Snowy

Freebie time before work starts again

Morning all,
thought I better give you the last part of the kit before my shifts start again and I have a lot less time.Yeahhhh...Pats won against the Saints last night....fantastic! I know it's only pre-season, but it's still great!
Next game to watch will be Monday night when Reggie's favourite team plays. I hope the Raiders will win against the Cowboys.lol, mother in Pats gear...I have to wash that a bit more often I think, that huge number is still stiff as a board.

 I just checked the comments and there was one which really made me laugh !
"Ty for sharing the natural menopause just be careful with the Agnus Castus..cos it can also be used to aid fertility....;-)lol" ...bahahahaha.... luckily I'm safe in that department. I had myself sterilised years ago , and otherwise it can't get much worse .... "grin" Reggie won't complain about nymphomaniac tendencies ;)
The cakes were a full success, I can only recommend the recipes. yummie....two thumbs up from my son, and he is a fussy eater ! 
In the evening we had grilled chicken. I also tried a new recipe for that and had the chicken halves soaking in a spicy marinade the whole day. Also a success! I like trying out new recipes and experimenting. Just a shame I don't find the time for it more often, that is always reserved for when I have my days off. During shifts I cook quick and easy stuff.
As always I made a few more layouts, slowly working my way through all the pics.

lol,regarding these last 3....the guys, Reggie and Wes wanted to go into this huge hunting shop. It was interesting, not only did they have great displays, but a huge aquarium as well....hence the reflection in the glass on the pictures.
I had one pic where my batteries ran out and the lens shutter didn't open fully. But hey- even those sort of pics can be used .... here is what I did. Original pic ....one for the trash,you would think....think again ! Cropped and edited it makes a lovely layout

Anyway-freebie time-the last part.
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?4rm2z49o4w3w61g
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?weq6g7voary3rq9
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?kcr5bc5317e8tbt
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?k09b1075pfscw2u
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?15n7pg9ytu58fhe

Enjoy, and I shall prepare something new for you.... hmmm....how about a  Summer BBQ? Could you use that,lol? Or rather a Ocean/Beach kit? Let me know what you think...anyway...poof....I'm off
Hugs Snowy

Football and baking day

Morning peeps,
I have some more layouts with my designs to show this morning. Otherwise I have not been up to much.... the usual catching up with the odd cleaning jobs I don't find time for while working, grocery shopping and laundry...all the highly exciting stuff...NOT,lol. I went to see a Natural Health Practitioner at the Health Food Store yesterday. I'll be 45 beginning of next year and it's that time where my body starts changing and the "oh so famous" Menopause starts to make itself known. Hormone changes can cause all sort of symptoms and I like to know what goes on in my body, so I can help it not to be too affected  by all this. For some reason the first thing Doctors come up with is HRT ....I am so not having this ever if I can help it. For Puberty we get taught in schools already what to expect , for menopause we have to educate ourselves. I found a fantastic book which I can only recommend.

It really tells you what the Doctors do not mention. So if you are wondering why you feel a certain way , this explains it all....and gives you natural solutions.
Did you know that for example Japanese woman barely suffer from menopause symptoms? That's because their daily diet is naturally containing vitamins and minerals which help to keep their hormones balanced.
So by adding certain foods more into your life and changing your diet a little bit you can avoid a whole lot of hassle. Plus it gives you a list of herbs and how they help. End result of my consultation yesterday; I went home with a new tub of Evening Primrose Oil and a new herb called Agnus Castus which helps balance hormones and also combats the famous "hot flushes" ...I will see how it goes...not all herbs work the same for everybody, but there are other options if this is not working for me.
Thought it was worth mentioning, because I see too many woman battle with mood swings and even depression. Most of the time they don't even know why they feel that way, or how or what they can do to stop it. Hell, some even have no idea that it's the hormones and the beginning of the menopause that is causing the problems in the first place. Just because you still have your period regularly does not mean you are not menopausal.It can take years of "Pre-menopause " before.
Enough of that... here the layouts,lol
And in regards to Edna's comment: Can you imagine living in the middle of a big city and not having all of nature's beauties around you?
No, I can't imagine it. I hate even staying a weekend in London.I just don't feel comfortable in between all that concrete. One reason why I love the USA so much. The amount of space and nature there just appeals to me, I feel most at home when I'm surrounded by trees and water.Luckily I have the beach here.
Here some more little critters.

Today is baking day. I will head into the kitchen now and bake up some goodies and snacks ....it's Football tonight ! Deb will be watching as well, Reggie at tournament , as he told me last night...his team plays on Monday, so of cause I will be watching that as well. The Saints won the opening game ...another team I like.
And these sinful creations are on my list

Blueberry muffins- Recipe at http://acooksquest.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/102-blueberry-muffins.html#more
and Peanut Butter Brownie cake

http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/2009/09/11/take-it-outside/
Plus I want to give these a try soon. They were so yummie at Texas Roadhouse !
Texas Road House Rolls
http://agodlyheritage.org/recipe-of-the-week-texas-roadhouse-rolls-cinnamon-butter 

 ...lol, I'll let you know how it all worked out.
Till next post.
Hugs Snowy

More layouts and continueing being creative

Good morning....well, for me it is ....I just got up after coming from night shift this morning. I made some more layouts and even came up with some new designs while doing that.....a new kit? Could well be ....we will see where the inspiration will take me. I'm off work on rota break a few days now so I will have some time to play in my graphic programs and hopefully do some other art and craft stuff. I should have plenty of time tonight as well, Reggie will be at tournament so I'll definitely have time.
These are the new layouts

Oh yes, and I did a traditional scrap page as well . I wanted something where I could attach the red roses which have dried nicely and maybe something else from my little collection.So this is the result....I plan to get a scrap page frame for it , a normal one won't fit as this has quite a dimension to it with the rose and the little sweet from the restaurant attached to it.

I have taken up belly dance again. Datura does on line classes, so I can fit that into my schedule whenever I want.I have lost the extra pounds I put on in the USA ,that was quite easy. Now the scales are stuck again, so I will have to work harder to shift some more. That work-out seat is doing some good.Even though I have not lost more,the aching muscles are worth seeing myself getting more toned up ...patience Snowy... it won't happen over night, specially not with an under active thyroid,PCOS and now having hormone changes due to starting menopause. But I will get there in the end! I leave you with a pice of music which has become one of my favourites, I love the lyrics and her performance was outstanding. This is the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest this year-Sweden's entry.
I can so see myself to use this song for a belly dance choreography...

That's all again for now.... I'll be back when I can get some more done. Thursday night is the first Pats game....and I'm off work, so I will definitely be watching ! Go Pats,lol.
Hugs Snowy

2 Awards ...Thank you :)

Hi all, just a quick post to say thank you for the two awards I got. One was passed on from Kyra and another from Edna.

Both come with questions to answer, guess we bloggers are a nosey lot,lol.

Favourite colour-I love black , but also other colours- it just depends on what mood I am in
Favourite animal- I can't really say I have a favourite one, but I have always been drawn to Ravens and Wolves
Favourite number-when it comes to those on bank notes , the higher the better,lol
Favourite drink- oh Goddess, yes-I admit I am a coffee addict ...and diet coke, plus I have a thing for a nice cool Guinnes from time to time
Facebook or Twitter- Facebook.....that''s where I have very close friends and family , plus I love getting messages there from Reggie when he has time to pop in from work on his phone
Good book or movie? both, only said yesterday to Reggie that we will have to go and watch the Hobbit in December, and the Lord of Rings books are great as well.
My passion- my creativity and hobbies,and of cause that amazing man I am so lucky to have in my life
Giving or getting gifts? both....I love giving gifts and surprising others , but I also love being surprised
Favourite day- Days off work,lol...and days I get to see and talk with Reggie
Favourite flower- there are so many  , but I'm a romantic and really love roses ....orchids are another ...

..okay , and Kyra wants to know these:
 Name 5 of your most fabulous moments, either in real life of in blogsphere.
1)the moment I held my son Shaun for the first time
2)doing the ECDL Computer license and passing it with fantastic results (better than some of the locals here, and English isn't even my first language,lol)
3)not wanting to be mean in any way, but the moment I held the Divorce papers in my hands was great.... you probably cannot imagine the relief and feeling of freedom after years of being unhappy
4)two recent dates /months....Aug 2011 and February 14th....when Reggie appeared in my life and Valentines Day, when he sent me the song he wrote and recorded himself, I'm one of the few he has shared that with and it means a lot to me, plus June 20th-meeting him in person the first time, the walks, June 26th at the Melting Pot, the moment we got out of the car at night and watched the stars .... I could go on,lol
 Name 5 things you love
-my laptop and Internet-keeps me in touch with those I love who are far away
-my cats
-Nature , there are so many beautiful spots on this world
-my really close friends and family, even if I don't see them often ...and of cause Reggie
-you know that feeling when you are really cosy and content ? That's it.... like just chilling on the bed while watching a movie, cuddled up with the person you love...unbeatable !
Name 5 things you hate (or dislike)
 -dishonesty
-intolerance
-seeing others suffer, including animals
-discrimination
-violence
I'm supposed to pass these on, but I'm not much of a blog reader anymore , I just don't have the time, so I leave that for others to do.
Here a few more layouts I have been busy with again.

 See ya -Hugs Snowy

Part 4 of the freebie series

Good morning,
Woke up to heavy rain again this morning ...what's new??? And last night I was dreaming I was by the river , but it was all white, I was walking in the snow and snowflakes were falling around me. It was nice-peaceful. I must have been working on this layouts and photos too much ,lol.....now I'm even dreaming of it. Yes, you got it ! I was working on more layouts last night before I went to bed and they are the pics from the 6 mile walk we did along the river.
It's another late shift for me today and I'm really looking forward to tonight after work ,Reggie said he would see me on Skype to chat. Highlight of my day !
And I was lucky last night....Mediafire was actually working for change and I managed to get all 4 files uploaded ,so I can post the new links today.
But first the new layouts.

 

 And I used a background and elements for this flower layout from the freebie kits.

OK, and here is the next part. At that stage I had stopped making cards, maybe I do some more when I find the time.
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?g0w5mvurmpbv8y8
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?s7ime3iidmt8c32
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?5gfxg9p3axsqkm4
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?d7u91ws2su2e444

That's all for now again, enjoy playing with the graphics.
Hugs Snowy