Friday, August 20, 2010

August 20.2010

I just got a DVD on how to operate Scott’s Nikon camera.  It was a blast to watch and to figure out all the features.  I’m sure I’ll need to watch it again because some of it is a blur.  I took a few pictures of my favorite subjects.  Duncan became very irritated with me till I figured out how to keep the flash off.  Bear came over and sat in front of me waiting for me to take his picture.  Chloe was a little irritated with me, but I did get a pretty good picture of her.  I was hoping on figuring out which lens I would want next.  The photographer used the 18 – 55 mm one which we have and he also used the 55 – 200 one which I will start looking for.  There was a longer one but I think I’ll be able to live without that one.

I haven’t gotten much accomplished this week because of my thyroid adjusting.  I am getting tired of being tired! 

Playing with a camera pictures below!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/August202010#

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

August 17.2010 - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

Scott and I went to Murrells Inlet, SC again this last weekend.  It was Scott’s birthday while we were there.  We were so grateful for the time away.  Scott didn’t have too much work to do so it was more relaxing this time.

There were thunderstorms on Saturday but we were still able to get to the beach.  I got some awesome pictures of the ocean and the dark skies.

I was also so excited when I noticed a flock of pelicans coming from the distance.  I was able to get quite a few good pictures of them. 

I took 200 pictures while we were gone, so I pared them down to 18 so I didn’t bore you too bad with the usual ocean wave and moon pictures.  We didn’t see any crabs at all this time.  We did see about five dolphins, but my camera wasn’t ready so I didn’t get any of them. 

It was cooler here this morning than in Florida.  It has been warmer here most of the summer.  It was still a very humid walk.  Bear had a little trouble with the heat.  Chloe was unaffected as usual.

Chloe caught and ate a baby rabbit yesterday morning.  I didn’t see that she had it fast enough.  When I noticed, the poor thing was already dead.  She still can’t figure out why I wasn’t happy with her prize.  I’m usually thrilled when she catches a mole, or a mouse.  Bear was afraid of it, so he didn’t make Chloe share.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, I had a blast taking them.  I’m thinking of borrowing Scott’s good camera and try my hand at the more expensive camera. Scott has two guitars that he is almost done with.  He’s been working on them for quite awhile but work has been stressful and that keeps him from doing the intricate work that is necessary for guitar building. 

I’ve been reading about couponing and how you can save money doing that.  I am finding some coupons I can use, but not many.  With all my food allergies, I don’t use processed food items so that is limiting me.  I also have to make my own body products or buy organic unscented products.  I have discovered getting my meats when it is on clearance.  I’ve been able to fill up the freezer with good meat at a good price.  I started getting the Sunday paper for the coupons and then watching for the grocery papers during the week to see what items are on sale.  I also have gotten my food inventory sheet more up to date so that I know what we have in the house.  It would be more helpful if I remembered to take that with me when I am shopping!

Well, I guess that is it for this posting.  I can’t remember anything else that is new or exciting.

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/August172010#

Monday, July 26, 2010

July 26 - Elaine - Picasa Web Albums

Scott and I just returned from a weekend away.  We had a great time.  I’ll call this the trip of the moon because I had so many pictures of the moon.  The last trip was the trip of the crabs.  We didn’t see many of them this time.  The moon was something else.  I had 92 pictures on my camera, but I only picked a couple to show you.

It is nice to be alone, just the two of us.  We have two adult children in the home, so we still enjoy our time away. 

We were greeted lavishly by Bear and Chloe. 

We got a new toy before we left, so now we can have internet away from the house.  It was great to be able to check e-mail and the weather as well.  The weather was HOT!  It was 80 degrees this morning at 5:30!  I think we will have a few days of the low 90’s instead of the 100 degree stuff we’ve had this last week.  It’s bad when your daughter says, it’ll only be 90!

Well, I’m running slow this morning, so I’d better get to my work!  Enjoy the pictures!

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/July26#

 

Monday, June 28, 2010

alright already! again!!!

It’s only the end of June and we are experiencing late August weather.  I just looked at my weather page.  Raleigh is at 97 and feels like 102!  Port Orange is next and she is at 88 and feels like 94,  Clackamas, Or is at 77 and feels like 77, Brookville, PA is at 76 and looking for a thunderstorm,  Binghamton, NY is at 75 with light rain!  I think I would rather be anywhere with my family than here in Raleigh!  I am saying alright already just like I was this winter.  Extreme seems to be the weather word for this year!

Joel and I went to get some groceries this morning.  I needed to go to another store, but it was way too hot for me to go anywhere else.  I’ll try to get the rest of the groceries early tomorrow morning.

I walked Bear and Chloe this morning when it was only 75.  A few mornings we left at 5:30 instead of 6:30 because it was already close to 80 at 5:30!  We come back with our tongues hanging out.

Tonight is homegroup night.  It has been a full day for me.  I realized I hadn’t written for awhile again, so I thought you might like a little update. 

I made three cards in the last few days.  Rachel’s birthday is Wednesday so I wanted to make a special card for her.  I had two others that came out of trying to get hers the right size. 

I got three baby quilts cut out and ready to sew.  The one I was making for a little fellow that was just born in our church (8 weeks old now), didn’t turn out well.  It collects fluff!  I picked it all off four times, washing it in between and it looked like I hadn’t done anything!  I brought it downstairs to use to wrap in while watching tv.  The cats seem to have adopted it.  When I sit down in the family room, I claim it as my own. The cats get ticked when I take it from them!   It is made of flannel which is my favorite fabric. 

Joel made his famous chili for supper, and I can smell its aroma calling my name so I will close for now.

 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

June 9, 2010

I realized today that I hadn’t written in my blog since May 26th, our 32nd anniversary.  A day after our anniversary we went down to Dad’s place that I call Winter Haven.  Winter Haven waits for our visits as she gets lonely at times.  Dad leaves his pets there, but it isn’t the same as having humans.  Dad likes the Mac so I spent a few minutes teaching the pets the PC which is much easier to use than the Mac (my opinion, not my Dad’s or my Mom’s)  They were intent on learning and they laughed with glee at their newfound learning!

Scott and I spent a bit of time at the beach.  We take our umbrella to sit in the shade during the day.  This time we saw a lot of crabs working on their holes.  I only posted two pictures to spare you the boredom of “they all look the same”!

The weather was mostly perfect.  We got sprinkled on for a few minutes, but the storms usually went around us. 

I love the ocean.  When I need “refreshed” this is where I long to go.  Scott usually takes a couple of guitar making magazines and he reads while I refresh.  I usually hear him say “I’m going to make that for much cheaper!”

Under our squirrel feeder, sunflowers pop up.  That’s the only way I can keep things alive in my back yard.  Bear and Chloe like to dig up anything we plant.  They looked so beautiful this morning that I couldn’t resist taking their picture.  The weather this last few mornings has been wonderful, so I’ve spent a lot of time out there, with Spot (my netbook).  I got my grocery list started yesterday morning while sitting on the deck.  I got several mosquito bites this morning, so I ended up coming in.  I’ve got enough itching problems without adding mosquitoes to them.

I made three nighties and a couple of baby quilts since I last posted.  I think I forgot to post the lavender rose one.  I’ll try to get a good picture of it for you soon.  It is for a friend of Rachel’s. 

I’ve cut out quite a few squares for more baby quilts this week.  I’ve take a few days off from that, but I need to get back to it. 

This week I’ll be getting groceries, which is always a hard job.  I try to buy for two weeks, so it is challenging to try to make sure everything is on the list for all the meals.  Most times I goof, but fortunately stores aren’t too far away for the major goofs. 

Well hopefully, that makes up for the lack of postings!  Enjoy the pictures!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/elmcneill/June92010#

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

May 26th

Today is a day of infamy for Scott and I.  It is our 32nd wedding anniversary!  We always joke about maybe we should go ahead and get married, but say “No, we are having too much fun”

Marriage has been a journey.  The first years are getting to know each other better.  Then, the kids started coming.  We had four altogether.  They added to our love.  We discovered even more about ourselves through taking care of the four souls that were loaned to us to raise.  Sometimes they taught us things as well as us trying to teach them things.

  We were moving around a lot during our first years and it was just Scott and I.  It was a good time.  We saw many different places and made many friends along the way.  After the kids started coming, we were glad for the time with just him and me.  Raising kids took a long time too, but now all our kids are adults and a new era has come to be.  We still have the younger two at home, but that won’t be for much longer and then we’ll be empty nesters.  I am not sad about that.  I’m ready for “just us” again.  I am lucky to say that Scott is my best friend and he is also my husband, the light of my life. I would be lost without him and I think he would be lost without me too.  I am so blessed to have married such a wonderful man!  Happy Anniversary to us!!!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

May 12th

I’m so glad that I didn’t have bronchitis,  I just had a flu fortunately.  I stayed in bed for about 24 hours and managed to get back to life in a couple of days.  I don’t have any pictures for you today.

At our homegroup on Monday night, we had a pizza party.  As usual, we had a blast.  I always laugh a lot when we get together.  I made pizza (for myself) from my Pamela’s wheat and gluten free mix.  It made “pizza” a lot closer to real pizza.  I am still dealing with hives.  The pharmacist said to take an anti-histimine for three months, so I’m going to try that out.  I am doing a little better.

Julia and Joel are officially done with school till the fall semester.  It will make their lives a little easier.  Rachel was done last week.

Chloe was sick all day yesterday.  I’m not sure if something she ate from the yard was poisoned or what.  She is much better today.

We have had a few days of cool weather.  I have enjoyed it immensely.  Unfortunately, the heat comes back tomorrow.

I brought my little netbook outside on the deck and it inspired me to write to let you all know how I’m doing.  The wind is gusting to 20 mph, so my umbrella is flopping around a little.  The jets are jiggling as they descend to the airport.  The birds all look unruffled and my dogs are grinning!