Is it really 2009?!

It's winter in Montana

And the gentle breezes blow

Seventy miles an hour

At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Montana

When the snow's up to your butt

You take a breath of winter

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around

I could never leave Montana

'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

Author unknown.

I have been a little "away" from the computer lately. 2009 has me pretty busy, but also rested, if that makes sense. What I want to know is this... was that really me who was asking for snow? OK so thank you!!! We have it in abundance now... and it doesn't look to stop anytime soon. If you hear on the news reports about Washington State and the massive amounts of snow in Spokane? We are in the path of everything that comes their way. Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful... but I think Hubby is getting a little over it!

That is him in the photo above. he looks pretty small in all that snow. Truth be known, he is 6'6". He has had to run the snowblower everyday for what seems like forever. Powder is not too bad, but when we came home after Christmas, it hads rained some on top of all the snow, which packed it pretty hard. No fun! Th poor pups can't even think about jumping in it, which they so love. There is a layer of ice about a foot down, so they fall through. Poor babies, because they SOOO love to play in it.

I had to dash to Kalispell on Sunday, as the freezer was getting pretty depleted. It was the only day that we weren't supposed to get snow. Wow, was that an adventure! The "beltheads" (snowmobilers) are sure loving this. I saw all kinds of trailers parked up and down the highway. Man it was a little of a white knuckle experience, but I was proud of myself for being so brave. It was necessary. We don't have the luxury of a garbage man, we have to haul our own 25 miles... and it was time. I did get some great deals though, so the trip was well worth it. I LOVE Pier One Imports, and they have screaming good deals on the Christmas stuff (75% off). I do love a good sale.

My sister is a consultant for Creative memories. She sent me this lovely package in the mail with some papers and embellishment packs (summer, fall and birthday). She is the one that got me hooked on digi-scrapping, but it is also fun to incorporate the paper scrap with the digital. Now if I could just find the time! LOL! I started out making a book with Storybook Creator. I bought the software so I could save the pages. There is free software, but you have to order the books from them, and they are a little pricey. If you are curious, check out Creative Memories in a google search. It is a pretty user friendly program, and I still use it in addition to everything else, and it is a good place for the novice.

These two deer were preening each other out in the drive a few days ago, and I just thought it was pretty cool, so I took a photo. This is my "share" with you photo.

Wow, I really have been gone for awhile. I feel like there is so much to catch up on. I have been seeing references to the 365 Challenge. How cool. I was given a book Looking for Summer (by Jim Brandenburg) as a gift a few years ago. He took one photo a day for 94 days, and they are STUNNING! I always thought it would be cool to do the same thing... looks like I missed the boat somewhat for this year, but that is OK... I can do it starting any day I want to. I was checking out Anne off Alamo's blog. She started a blog with just her 365 challenges, and I have to say KUDOS to her. Here is the link to her photo site - go check it out! Love it!!! Check out her scrap site for that matter...SHE ROCKS, and is ALWAYS a good read. Here is that link.

I changed my layout. I got this layout from Allie Browns site (another of my fav talents). Thanks Allie! I had designed my Christmas site layout using Crop2Dawn's Christmas kit, and I loved it, but it was too big a file, and I can't figure out how to make it smaller like Allie does. I will get there some day. If anyone knows the secret, I am all eyes (LOL... I can't hear you, but I do know how to read). By the way, Crops created a pretty amazing Fairy Fantasy Kit, go snag it at her place - but you better leave some love, cuz it is just too rude not to.

Miss Susie2Shoes, if you are around, I want you to know you are missed and I hope the New Year finds you feeling better. You are on my mind, and I wish to send some Happy 2009 Blessings your way.

It is now time for me to hit the kitchen, dinner is not going to make itself - although I would pay for that if they invented a way to make that happen. Another thing I would be willing to spend my last dime on would be a machine that you turn on when you go to bed, and it makes ALL of the dust and dog hair magically disappear.

G'nite all

Hugs

eila