So tell me what you think….

i can’t for the life of me come up with a ’skin’ or choose a theme or template for the blog. there’s about 40 to pick from, yet not one of them meets all my needs.
i’m SO hard to please! i’ll give you a few of my favorites, and they’re favorites for various reasons.
please, be honest and tell me what you think! i’m SO tired of this black background and white font…i’ve NEVER liked it on any website i got to, so i’ve no idea why i tried it?!  also, i like it when most of the page is used up.  i don’t like to have too large columns on each side, as i like to insert pictures and i don’t want them all inserted as small thumbnail sizes.

so, without further addo…please view all exhibits (A through F) and be sure to leave me a comment about your favorites!

EXHIBIT A

 

EXHIBIT B

EXHIBIT C

EXHIBIT D

 

EXHIBIT E

EXHIBIT F

Another Blog Browser?

I came across another blog browser website called condron.us, similar to alphainventions.  This one has a cleaner apperance, more organized and professional look to it.  Ultimately it’s the same concept, but somehow draws me to it easier.  Maybe it’s the blogs themselves that are of more interest to me, I’m not sure.

It started appearing on my stats list of sites that brought me traffic, so I checked it out and got all caught up in the blogs that where being rotated!    I still prefer to stick with blogs that i’m familiar with, or of people that I know, but the odd time while sitting and feeding the baby i’ll venture off to the unknown world of blogs and finger my way around.  I tend to only do this though when i’m all caught up with websites and blogs that i’m a regular at. 

What do you do in your spare time on the computer?  LOL.  I guess that’s kind of ironic.  Having spare time on teh computer means i haven’t been efficient with my time on the computer!  LOL.  It means that i’ve misused my time, and when i do have to sit and feed teh baby, i’ve nothing left to browse! 

With that said, i’m off to the kitchen!  Where should you be right now? 

Stay tuned for my next entry talking all about my late night donut adventures!  (hopefully later today, but no promises!)

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, January 12, 2009…

Outside My Window…morning dew on the new growth of life starting to form.  ok, i’m kidding.  it’s still all white and cold out there. 

I am thinking…it would be nice to exercise.  one of these days i’ll start.  should it be today?  maybe i’ll start today.  we’ll see!

I am thankful for…a loving husband, who loves me for me.

From the learning rooms…to be more gracious.  God is grace, and if i want to be more like Him, i need to extend grace more.

From the kitchen…today is menu planning day, but i REALLY want to make cauliflower soup again.  hmmm, it was SCRUMPTIOUS last week! 

I am wearing…my pj’s. 

I am creating…cleanliness.  my house is a disaster, and if i want to possibly do a girls coffee tonight, i’ll have to clean this joint up first! 

I am going…to drive the kindergarten girls TWO more days…then i’m done for another week!  oh the joy that fills my soul!  LOL.

I am reading…my John Grisham book.  getting further and further…one chapter at a time.  i also want to finish reading my book for bible study (that’s starting up again on thursday) by philip yancey called what’s so amazing about grace. 

I am hoping…and prayin’. 

I am hearing…the laptop cooling plate, doing it’s job.  this thing’s been working SO much better since i started using that thing.  who’de have thought? 

Around the house…lets not talk about it, ok?  maybe tomorrow i’ll be able to talk about it again.  we’ll see how much i actually get done today!

One of my favorite things…order.  next to order would have to be contentment.  i love feeling content with my surroundings, my faith, myself, my family, and most of all, my everyday.  i have a wonderful life. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  monday is girls coffee night (if i plan it i guess), tuesday is ladies meeting at church, wednesday is the girls clubs program at church, thursday is bible study, and friday is off to winnipeg for the weekend for two nights.  oh what a FUN and full week!    what are YOU doin’?

Here is picture thought I am sharing…

messy baby enjoying her first baby cracker

~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

just a lazy day

….in the neighbor hood.  we had a rather productive day yesterday, and the results are really convincing me to have a rather relaxed outlook to my day today!

We’ll be running to town to pick up the kindergarten girl, water, and a few groceries.  All that once the baby wakes up! 

I’ll take the time to update you on a review i had promised you.  As i mentioned in a previous post, I downloaded the web browser called google chrome.  Here’s my review:

• it was a simple download (didn’t take long on my light speed internet connection)
• it carried over my favorites and bookmarks remarkably well
• i loved it’s tab system of showing me different sites i frequented, and could click them directly from there.  (it’s own bookmarking system of sorts)
• it was quicker (tho i don’t know it was THAT much quicker, as they promised it to be)
• it slowed down our IE (which dh refuses to steer from…and this diagnosis was dh’s)

Over all, I loved it, and would use it in a heartbeat.  It’s just not worth a marriage.    Did anyone else give it a shot?  What are YOUR thoughts on the different web browsers?

All right, sounds like the baby’s awake, and the day must officially begin for the second time. 

Enjoy your tuesday!

2009

January 1, 2009.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WOW, isn’t it amazing how the years fly by as you get older?  I’m not old by any means, LOL, but they sure don’t drag like they did when I was just a wee little tike! 

I look in anticipation at the events scheduled in the new year,  (it looks kinda empty, but I know each week will fill up fast)

Family Birthday’s  (our oldest turning 6, and the youngest will turn 1.  Dh and I will both turn 33)

New Family pictures (here’s to dreaming!)

Weekend getaway to the City with friends

All the regular scheduled appt.’s (dentist, doctor, chiro, etc)

Kindergarten for the second daughter (wow, that didn’t take long…i’m kind of scared actually)

A day retreat with the Ladies of the Church

The Kids Clubs Program resuming it’s weekly event

Camping with the kids…and all of us enjoying it!

Dh’s work continuing, or the Lord providing a new alternative

More time with my parents and DH’s parents

Renewed relationships with sibblings. (and more effort and interest on everyone’s part)

And most of all, making memories in the everyday things.  Memories that will last a lifetime. 

I remember with fond memories some events from the last 365 days:

The first day of kindergarten.

Putting our first child on the school bus for the first time (as much as it scared me, I pray for her to grow and learn)

Birthday’s (dh and my 32!)

The birth of our third daughter

Camping with a new baby

The purchase of a van (still can’t really believe how I convinced dh…well, i shouldn’t really take the credit, it goes to his good friend Pete)    Thanks Pete

A quick recovery after our third child.

My health, and my families health.

Our annual trip to the Hills for a ‘hike’ and picnic with friends.

The valuable time my children have had with grandparents and aunts/uncles

Taking a road trip to my sisters and BIL’s for Easter with my family

Taking a weekend getaway to Grand Forks as a family.

And so much more!   Take some time to browse this year in review collage!  Ask me if you have any questions!

not in cronological order, just random shots of the year

Have you heard?

I’m not much of a software geek, but I do LOVE to learn new stuff.  I love to play around till I figure things out and am comfortable with it.  THEN I tend to head out and find tutorials to teach me the extras.  

Well, I’ve been looking for an upgrade for my photo editing software.  I’m using Microsoft Digital Image  (suite 2006).  Microsoft doesn’t make the software anymore.  I loved how easy it was to learn, and navigate through.  I have tried the free trial version of Photoshop, but ultimately didn’t use it enough during the month to really appreciate it.  In all honesty, it seems to be the only thing out there (the elements version) that would be able to replace and also be an upgrade from my Microsoft software.  

Photoshop elements 7 is on my wish list for Christmas, so we’ll see if I can figure it out after Christmas!  ;)

Now, onto my NEWS…

HAVE YOU HEARD about the Photoshop Express?   I was told about it yesterday as I was browsing at the local Staples store.  The kind sales man showed told me about it.  He explained it to be an on-line version that allowed you to edit your photo’s on-line…  honestly, I’m not sure what happens after that, but I’m going to find out!

I’ve uploaded a few pictures, pictures that need some major help due to bad lighting situations.  I’ll be back to give you MY review (sorry, i don’t have it all done and ready for you yet!)  But, don’t let that stop you from going over there and trying it yourself!  Or, had you ALREADY heard?  Be sure to come back here and let me know what you think!  Please?  LOL.  Thanks!

All right.  I’m off to PLAY!  :)

UPDATE:  ok, so I played a little.  here’s a picture before and after I did online.  I also found out once you’ve logged in, you can download the pictures back to any computer, which would be kind of a nice option.  I’m still figuring it out, but i’m sort of impressed with it’s capabilities.  It doesn’t have huge options, but for basics, it’s good!