Butterfly Goddess

Butterfly Goddess

Alex Prihodko has done it again...another beautiful tube that I couldn't resist.  Another creation of mine utilizing blends and filters and a wonderful scrap kit by Amy Marie, where I found a lovely collection of butterflies to add to the background.  😎

Last day of February, heading into March like a lamb.  Its been warming up nicely here in the desert, which my arthritic joints appreciate. It has been much easier to move around these past few days. Hopefully, we don't get another artic blast anytime soon.

My husband's 5c iphone was giving him problems, so I visited the Verizon store to see what options were available on a new iphone.  I wound up changing to a better plan along with upgrading to an XR for myself, passing my old 7 iphone to him.  We are both very happy with our "new" phones!!  My new toy is easier to read now, so I won't be hitting inappropriate emojis in Facebook anymore...I can clearly see those little suckers.  😂

Credits:
Winter_Elf_2 by ©Alex Prihodko
Scrap Kit: Magic Garden by Amy Marie's
Mask: Mask-Vivienne_0052 by Dragonfly 

Faded Dream

Faded Dream

Spending this relatively warm Saturday just thawing out from our cold arctic blast, complete with snow!  The temperatures have been unbelievable for the desert of Arizona. I really miss our beautiful February 70 degree weather.  All this cold does is cause me pain...sometimes making it impossible to move until several Aleve kick in.  Actually, I spent most of the last few days hardly moving at all according to my step counter. Can't wait to get back to walking everyday. Spring....where are you?? 

On the positive side, the snow was pretty to look at while it lasted; just glad I did not have anywhere to go this week.😎



Credits:
Tube: "My Teddy" by ©Barbara Jensen
Scrap Kit: "Dare to Dream" by Mizteeques
Mask: Miz_Mask_152 by Mizteeques

Determination

Determination

“Will is character in action.” – William McDougall

Such a seriously determined cowboy...no matter what he is trying to tackle, he is doing it with steely perseverance.  I love this approach to life. Don't back up, don't back down...keep going until you get it right.  Good luck lil man! ❤

Winter Elf

Winter Elf

Such a beautiful elf tube by Zlata_m!! I worked on this picture for quite some time in order to get the colors blended just right.  So pleased with my efforts...I gave myself a pat on the back!  Positive reinforcement! 😊

We were forecasted to get snow...it sure was cold enough to freeze those raindrops! Of course, the storm went further south than the weatherman predicted.  However, today its windy and cold and not likely to warm up any day soon.  We are expecting rain/snow mix again on Thursday and Friday. Glad I don't have plans to go anywhere this week. 

I really miss our beautiful 70 degree days! Is this what we can expect from now on with all this climate change talk? 🤨 Suddenly worried about our summer months...

Credits:
Tube:  WinterElf by ©Zlata_M
Mask: Mask_Dfly_0017 by Dragonfly 

Vision

Vision

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others."

 Jonathan Swift

Angel Heart

Angel Heart

❤ Happy Valentine's Day!! ❤

I hope everyone has a wonderful day! I am enjoying the day with my hubby, as he has the day off. We are happily reminiscing about past valentine holidays. There are so many of them! 

Alright, I was pretty depressed yesterday about my follow up visit. I went to the doctors office feeling great and happy I had lost so much weight. I had already received my lab results and was pretty much prepared for the usual admonishments and possible treatments. The day did not go the way I had envisioned.  

After I got home last night I thought about the visit and realized overall, I was pretty lucky. My health could be worse. Today, I am sitting here toasting my health and obviously I will continue with dieting/exercise. 

But hey! I still feel like ranting, so I will begin with the few things that really deflated me yesterday.  

First off, with the weight loss, I figured I had brought my blood glucose level down...HA! It's still high.  Doubt it will ever be a normal level again.  This means I will start enjoying an occasional glass of wine once more!  😐  

At my last visit, my blood pressure was a little high. Well, this time...you guessed it...it was higher. I have never, ever had a high blood pressure reading in my life...so this is really upsetting to me!! However, she's not unduly concerned and will continue to monitor it. Well...alrighty then! 😒

The big surprise of the visit was...ta..da!! Another UTI! This is really weird as I have no symptoms! None whatsoever! Da Nada!! Nothing!!! She decided I needed to be referred to a new specialist (the other one was not particularly effective) and since I had no symptoms, she was not prescribing any antibiotics. It was suggested I call as soon as possible in order to get an appointment. *Sighs*  Sooooo...I called for an appointment immediately after leaving the doctor's office, explaining I had a referral due to a bacterial infection, with no symptoms and was not on antibiotics.  Can you guess what happened? Yup...they will get back to me as soon as they receive my chart. 😐  

This saga will continue...stay tuned for updates! 😎

Credits:

Tube: Burlesque by ©Barbara Jensen

Crispified Cluster Scrap Kit Used: Angeline by Tiny Turtle Designs

All I Need

All I Need

All I need is a miracle, all I need is you.... ~Mike & The Mechanics

This is going to be one of those weeks that I spend traveling to Tucson, back and forth.  I do so hate making the trip.  Monday was spent grocery shopping. Wednesday is my 6 month check up and some quiet time getting my hair colored (got to get that gray out). Friday is Hannah's turn to have her hair done. Saturday hubby and I plan on celebrating Valentine's Day with dinner at Sullivan's.  ❤

My lab results just arrived in my inbox and I am not thrilled with the findings. It's always something when you get older....😐

Credits:
Tube: Gaby by ©Alex Prihodko
Scrap Kit: Stormy by Chaos Priestess
Mask:  Mask_DFly_0018

My Favorite Vampire

Ian Somerhalder

"The sexiest curve on your body is your smile..."

At my age, I don't have dreams of meeting and falling in love with singers, television and movie stars.  I did that when I was 12 and totally "in love" with Paul McCartney.  When he started dating Jane Asher I was devastated.😢  By the time he married Linda, I had gotten over Paul and decided swooning over any other singer, movie or television star was a waste of time. Hmmmm... ok  I will admit to a Davy Jones phase squeezed in there... 😂

As I grew older, I thought several Hollywood actors were good looking and enjoyed watching their movies. However, once I saw "All the Right Moves" in 1983, no one else could hold a candle to Tom Cruise.  True, my family can attest to my silly "love affair" for Tom Cruise movies, no matter how bad they are.

Very few know, that I am also a fan of  the sexiest vampire around, Ian Somerhalder! I attribute this new "love affair" to my oldest, who introduced me to the vampire series, "The Vampire Diaries".  It was the actor's blue eyes and his smile I found downright sexy. I became an immediate fan and of course, heartbroken when the show ended. I have watched every movie and tv show he has appeared in, most often in supporting roles. All is not lost though...right now I am patiently waiting for a new Netflix vampire series release "V-Wars".  Starring in the lead vampire role will be Ian, the handsome actor pictured above.

Now hush! No one can take the place of my husband, who has all of my heart and has fulfilled all my dreams. ❤

Biding Time

Biding Time

Another tag for Valentine's Day.  Gorgeous tube by Barbara Jensen that I have had for ages.  She is very appropriate for this romantic time. She's biding her time, waiting until her lover arrives.  ❤

Working on an elf tag, hopefully will be finished soon.  I still have a few final touches to make on it.  It's been so cold my fingers are not cooperating and I put it aside until the weather warms up.  Cold weather plays havoc with my arthritis.  Luckily I did have some days last month to spend on creating this and several other tags for February.

If anyone is keeping track, I have not been able to do my daily walk since the cold weather settled in.  I walk in my house instead and I am thinking it may be time to splurge for a treadmill. It would certainly make things easier! Hannah thinks I have lost it when I walk down the hall and back several thousand times. LMAO! Luckily,  I have still been losing weight.  I keep track of everything I eat, have cut down on portions of food I love and its working. It's been a slow and steady weight loss.  I sure don't feel deprived.  I am down 35 lbs since I started all of this back in April 2018.  My goal is 10 lbs more! Almost there!! 👍

Off I go to warm my fingers again! 😎

Credits:
Tube: Love Biding Time by ©Barbara Jensen
Scrap Kit: Little Black Dress by Pink Paradox Productions

Champagne Toast

Champagne Toast

I haven't done a tag with a Keith Garvey tube in ages!  Just perfect for Valentine's Day, I snagged this tube as soon as I saw it at CDO.  Gorgeous lady toasting the holiday! 

Is everyone making plans for the sweetest holiday of the year?  Unfortunately, hubby is still working so we plan on going out to dinner on the weekend after.  I am still planning to create a little party time on the big day with champagne, cake, a sharing of cards and a quiet evening spent in reflection of the 45 years we have spent together.  I still can't believe how quickly time flies by!!!  ❤

Credits:

Tube: "Cheers" by ©Keith Garvey

Scrap Kit: Cute and Sexy by Bella Caribena

Mask: DD_NVM_3 by Dangerously Delicious Designz

The Rose

The Rose

~ "She who loves roses must be patient and not cry out when she is pierced by thorns." ~ 

 Olga Brouman

This has been one of my favorite quotes since I was a teen. The quote helped me get through many rough times over the years.  

Being patient had to be learned, it was an important part of growing older and hopefully, wiser. To this day, I still have problems controlling my anger at any lack of progress in a project I am working diligently on. Of course, keeping quiet is not easy for a woman, especially one who hates to admit they are wrong. I have swallowed a lot of tears, but learned from each thorn that pierced my soul. Eventually, the lessons became easier and often came without pain. So, I managed to survive a few thorns to savor the sweet smell of the rose.

The battle is not over yet, I am sure there will be more thorns to bear before I depart.  ❤