Password, password, who's got the password...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a gazillion passwords.

I have one for my network logon, one for email, one for the finance system, one for the human resource system, one for the student info system, and God knows how many for personal use - email, facebook, credit cards, etc.

One big question - Why oh why can't sites be standardized so that you can use the same passwords? I know it's safer to have a bunch but, honestly, it's so hard to keep track of them.

I used to use one word which has been with me since high school. I'd add a number to it if a number was required. I would add an "s" at the end if it was too short. Just recently I came up with a new one which I love.

Now when I log into different accounts, I have to guess which one it is so I go through all the little variations.

My other issue is, just when I get use to my password for the above mentioned (work related), they make me change it!!!

How do you keep track of passwords? Don't even tell me you keep them under your keyboard! LOL I can't believe people still do that. I'm thinking of starting a document and listing them but I'm not sure yet. At the moment they are hidden in a file.

Favorite Meme...

Got this from Stacy over at Exceedingly Mundane (not). Let me know if you're playing! ;-)

Sport: Snowmobiling?
Game: Backgammon
Color: Aqua
Movie: Big Fat Greek Wedding
Broadway play I have seen: never seen any
Broadway Musical I have seen: never seen any
Song: Samba Pa Ti (Santana instrumental)
American city I have visited: New York City
Foreign city I have visited: Aruba
Book: Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)
Children’s Book: The Giving Tree/Shel Silverstein
Classic television show: Mash
Recent television show: Grey's Anatomy
Actor: George Clooney
Actress: Charlize Theron
Perfume: Bath & Body Works Freshwater Cucumber
Food: Mexican
Dessert: cheesecake
Chain Restaurant: Chili’s
Local Restaurant: Scola's (Italian)
Car: Mazda 3 or 6 (this was edited. I orig. said Explorer b/c I drive one but I don't remember doing that!!)
Condiment: Dijonnaise
Kitchen Appliance: Dishwasher!
Home Appliance: Bose docking station (is that an appliance?)
Beauty Product: Cover Girl lipstick (discontinued)
Piece of clothing: Tim Holtz tshirt
HGTV Show: Design on a Dime? I love most of them!
Food Network show: None
Author: James Patterson
Male Songwriter: Eric Clapton
Female Songwriter: Sheryl Crow
Holiday: Christmas
Ballet I have seen: Nutcracker
Disney character: Mickey
Flower: blue hydrangeas
Alcoholic drink: margarita
Non-Alcoholic drink: water
Magazine: Paper Crafts
Animated movie: Bambi
Television network miniseries: none
Season: Summer
Male vocalist: Eric Clapton
Female vocalist: Sheryl Crow
Day of the week: Saturday
Household Chore: laundry
Ice Cream: Pistachio
Candy: Almond Joy
Artist: Tim Holtz (since I couldn't come up with a famous fav!)

Scallops....

I need opinions on this one. I want to know if you think there needs to be a sentiment on the outside. The inside says, "You Take the Cake." I just don't feel like I can fit it but I suppose I could do a little circle off to the side but I almost want to leave it as is. Tell me honestly!!

Lucky me....

Ok, I'm not normally one who wins anything. I never buy scratch tix because the most I've ever won is maybe $2. I have coworkers and family members who win $100 here and $2200 there!! It makes me so mad. I'm happy that they won but I wish I could too!

Anyway, there was a fundraiser this weekend for someone I know who has the big C. She's related to my aunt's husband. She's a great person and it's so sad she has to go through what she's going through. Nuf said. I gave my mom some money to buy chances at the event because I was in Maine. I didn't expect to win a thing, I just wanted to help out.

My mom called and said I won a $25 gc to a restaurant and I was psyched. She put all of our names on the tix so we all had a chance of winning. Then I got a phone call saying that my son's gf won a big margarita basket (dang - shouldn't that be mine? just kidding).

I told my lucky coworker and said I wondered where my third lucky thing was. Then I got a phone call last night that my dh won a $50 to a restaurant!!! I'm very excited but not foolish enough to think if I buy a scratch ticket I'll win.....

How lucky are you?

Bored yet?

You must be bored to death with my cards. I made three tonight. One is the flip version of the birdie card I did the other day. I inked the edges and put paper behind the pp. I think I like it better.

If I had only known it was Linda's (snoopmurph) birthday, I would have sent a card. This one is for you, Linda!! ;-)















The next is for my card group's pink, brown & orange challenge. I used a Splitcoaststampers sketch. I like to try new layouts even if I end up sticking with the same ol' ones most of the time!!











The last one is for new grandparents-to-be. Do you think Happy Waiting is appropriate for the grandparents? I stamped this image at a stamp camp a couple of years ago and thought I'd try to use up some of my stash.

Maine ah-yuh....

We took a quick trip yesterday to see our new semi finished driveway. Itt doesn't look too exciting but it was to us.

Here's a shot of the driveway looking in from the road. A couple more trees need to come out to make it a little easier to plow.















And here's one from the incline that the house will nest into.








We are now at a halt. We'll see what happens on the house. Well, better run. We have a showing at 12:30.

A little birdie told me...

After getting hooked on facebook games last night and chatting with a friend, I finally made myself go to my stamp table and make this card for my boss. She often has a hawk sitting on her window so I thought the birds were appropriate. The stamp is Inkadinkado and I colored in with Copics. The cs is SU cool caribbean and the pp is EK Success. The ribbon is Amuse.

Babies, babies.....

All of a sudden I know several people who have had or are expecting babies (did I say that right?!!). I must have deleted the photos off my camera because they weren't there. I made several boy cards for my two cousins and then I found out my other cousin is expecting. I also made the pink one for a guy at work whose wife is about to give birth any day now.

This is so light! You can barely read the "oh baby" sentiment! I used my new pp that I bought 14 sheets/$1. Gotta love those prices!











I used SU cs on this one and the image and ribbon are also SU. I used Regal Rose, Cool Caribbean & Certainly Celery. Love that color combo. I may have to do a birthday one with that. Can you tell I just love those little pins?!

A splash of color....

My blog has been looking too black and white so I thought I'd post a couple of cards.

I made this for my aunt's bday.













I made this one for a friend who has been sick.












I thought I had some baby cards here but I'll have to post those later.

Answers & clarifications...

Just thought I'd answer a few....

Greenheads are a type of horsefly that really sting when they bite. They come at a certain time of year and last for a couple of weeks. I know they frequent MA beaches but I'm not sure about others. I don't remember them being at Cape Cod all the years we went. Anyway, they are nasty and I'm still scratching like a cat at my bites/welts!!

My dh plays rhythm guitar with a coworker of mine and some other guys. They play classic rock. Some of their current songs: Lord of the Thighs/Aerosmith, Jenny, Jenny (can't remember who does that), Burning for You/Blue Oyster Cult, Wayward Son/Kansas, maybe?, a Steely Dan tune, China Grove/Doobies, Surrender/Cheap Trick. They're really good!

p.s. I did have my SPF 15 and 30 on and I still worry about the damage, but I just can't stay away!

p.p.s. Thanks so much for being such loyal readers! I appreciate the company!!

Weekend update...

No Friday Feast for me because....I was AT THE BEACH!!! I really miss the ocean. We used to go to a family cottage on Cape Cod and it's no longer owned in part by my dh. I really, really miss the beach. Dh doesn't like it any more. He's not supposed to be in the sun, etc. So we've taken a ride to the shore but haven't stopped.

I took a vacation day and went to meet my friend in Plum Island. We relaxed on the beach for several hours. It was so nice! It was supposed to be incredibly hot and muggy. There was a nice breeze at the beach but it was pretty hot when we got back to her house.

Anyhoo, I got sunburned and tanned against my dermatologist's wishes. I look so much better with color!!

Oh - question for anyone who frequents the ocean...the green heads were out and biting. I felt the stings as they were happening but I guess I didn't realize I'd be itching like crazy the rest of the weekend. The bites look like welts or huge mosquito bites. Is that normal?!!

Sat. we cleaned ALL day and rearranged things for our open house on Sun. TWO people came. Grrrrrr....at least it looks sparkly!

Sun. I went to band practice with dh. I got to shop while they practiced for a bit and then I sat and listened. They sounded great! My ears were ringing at the end.

Goosey, goosey gander...

Just had to share this plant too. My boys think it's so cool. It's called Gooseneck Loose Strife. My Maine friend gave me a bunch to plant and they spread like wildfire! It just kind of hangs there like a goose neck as the name implies.

My friend is so into gardening and has gorgeous flowers all around their house. She tries to educate me when we go up there but I'm just not a gardener. I don't enjoy getting my hands dirty with all the bugs and everything that's in the soil. I do love to see things come up and flower though! How about you? Green or black thumb?

Random SWOD...

Just for you, Stacy! Hace calor! This means, "It is hot out." I'm not sure why calor is hot but caliente is also hot for spicy or food hot. Just thought I'd throw one out there since I thought of it on the way in! LOL

Beauties...

Look at these beauties!! I'm loving my hydrangea bush this year as I mentioned before. They are a gorgeous periwinkle now. I cut a handful and put them in a vase.

My mom read that if you want the color I have, put nails in the ground. I guess the color depends on what is in the soil. Luckily I have iron or whatever it is because that's my favorite color of hydrangeas.

Did I mention that hydrangeas are my favorite flower? What is yours?

Fun little image....

I got this image as part of a challenge in my card group. It's pretty cute! I don't own anything like that. I really do like the cutesy images lately. I just bought a cute new Amuse penguin stamp for Christmas. I ran into lss to exchange two things and made myself run back out without looking!! I can't believe I behaved.

It's amazing what people come up with when you have a whole group using the same image. They are always so different.

This was made with old CM printed paper, SU cs in brilliant blue and I have no idea of the yellow name because I hardly ever use bright yellows. I don't know who makes the image either.

Friday's Feast One Hundred Ninety Six

Appetizer

When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed? Hehe, just last night!

Soup

Name one thing you miss about being a child. I miss spending time with my cousins at the beach or my grandparents pool.

Salad

Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil. Butter! Tough choice though.

Main Course

If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why? I would learn French since a few of my friends speak it. I already know Spanish.

Dessert

Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be… Relaxing in my vacation home in Maine. Here's a photo of the lake from the beach.

Apricot squares...

I bet you thought I was talking about food again. hehe

Well, I haven't been a good blogger lately. Yesterday I got a new workstation and was without a computer for at least half the day! I went nuts.

I made these two cards the other night that were lifted from Paper Crafts magazine. They did them in greens and I used SU Apricot Appeal. I added ribbon to one. What do you think? Ribbon or no ribbon? They didn't use any. Oooh, sorry it's so light. I must have over lightened when editing!

Jimmy crack corn....

Ok, I guess I better explain myself on the corn. A few of you thought I put sugar on it. Here in New England we have butter and sugar corn just like they have Silver Queen in MD. It has yellow and white kernels and it's very sweet! It's the only kind I really like. If you are ever in New England, do try it. You'll love it!

Relaxing day...

It's been so nice and quiet. We went food shopping today and then came home to play. No showings or looking at houses this weekend. Dh played guitar and I stamped. I made two cards - one for my aunt and an extra for when I need it. I used Stampin' Up designer papers and cs in Cool Caribbean, purely pomegranate ribbon and ink. It's an odd combination but I think it works.

We just finished filets on the grill and corn on the cob. It's not quite there yet but it was delish. It needs another week or two to be perfect butter and sugar corn. Yum! I made dark chocolate brownies and we have mint choc. chip to go on top. I will start my diet again on Monday. It's so hard to lose weight during the summer!!

A hidden message....

I'm so mad...forgot my camera at home. We have a hydrangea bush that we planted when we first moved in. We never got flowers for 11 years - only healthy green leaves.

Two years ago my dh moved it out front. We got nothing for a year and then last year we got two perfect periwinkle blue blossoms. Now we are ready to move out and we have about 18 flowers!!!

This is the photo of last year's flowers.














I'll have to post this year's flowers tomorrow. They are not in full color yet, just that limeish green edged flower with a little bit of blue. So pretty! Also, our dogwood tree is full of flowers.

Are they trying to tell us to stay?!! hehehe


Here you go:

Cards, cards, and more cards....

I've been on a roll trying to get all of my July cards finished. I made another baby boy last night for my second cousin in MD and a cocktail card for my neice who is 32.

I used Stampin' Up papers and inks on both. For the drink, I used Aileen's Paper Glaze to make it look wet. I am trying to use my stash so I put one of those star clips from MM on the baby one. The sailboat stamp is definitely SU. I borrowed it to make shower favors and still haven't returned it! I am not sure about the cocktail stamp but I wish I had it! It was in a pile of images that I made from stamp camp. The flowers on the cocktail card are by Hero Arts. Love the bright colors!