Christian Photographers Community

 What's PSP?

Scotty PSP is Paint Shop Pro by Corel, It used to be by Jasc. It is the software that someof us used to edit our photos. I also have Photoshop CS2 that I haven't leaned to use yet. i should take a class in Photoshop.

Wow, Jane, hope your birthday has been just superb. Wish I could be there to bake the cake and put the candles on for you. Maybe some day soon...

It's a rainy, chilly day here. But, of course, I must remind myself that "April flowers bring May flowers!!" 

Saw the doctor and got a cortisone shot in the right knee. Seems it's bone on bone according to the x-rays. So, we're not sure what's next.

Marilyn and Jane, y'all be especially careful - we don't want anything happening to either of you!

Well, must go - it's time to watch the news and rest a bit.

G'evening, friends!

Oooooooohhhhhhhhh. I cant believe I didn't know that! Duh!

  I've downloaded the Gnu Image Manipulation Program. But I can't use it, because I don't have the latest version of Mac yet. unfortunately, my dad says it's about a $300
program! That's outrageous!!!!

  I need Mac X11.
I'll just use a different one for now. I don't have $300. Here's what I think of that price. 





                       

Thank you -- each one of you -- for the special greetings for my birthday.  My neighbor called and took me out for lunch today, Nita, so don't feel bad.     I had a couple phone calls this morning -- one from a longtime friend in Hermiston, OR and the other from my daughter Joy.  Also got a couple cards in the mail from my two sisters.

I love all the ecards, tho!!  As well as that special one from you, Marilyn.

PAT~I'd like an angel like that at my house, too!  Thank you for the lovely card --- Ruth Ann, I'll share the cake with you!

Thank you, Scotty.  Your greeting is extra special cuz I don't think there are too many young men like yourself who would be so kind to an oldern like me!     My grandsons used to be like that, but they are busy with their own lives and family so grandma takes a back seat.  That's how it should be ... you know: the circle of life??

I plan to take it easy(er) the rest of the evening.  Just kick back and watch some TV and play on the computer a bit then go to bed.   

This has been a beautiful day.  I wanted to mow so bad but couldn't get the mower started.  My son came over, started it, and volunteered to mow if I want to wait.  He's busy this week, but it's going to rain anyway.  He did set the wheels up for me, so IF I can get some done tomorrow, I'll feel pretty good.

Jane, I still want us to go to lunch.  Pay day today, ya know.   I'm easing off the fast.  I feel so clean, I feel obligated to put only good things in me now.   (wonder how long that will last)  I'm on day 7.  Not a spiritual fast, just a cleansing type.  I guess anything can be spiritual, as we are spirit.

Pat, I forgot to respond to your question about Faye.  She could use prayer.  She has a bad infection from the place she had the surgery.  It still isn't healed and she has to have it treated daily.  It's getting her down, and her daughter said she's going through depression.  She's back at work part time, but comes home and spends the rest of the evening in her room.  She did get a little dog at the shelter.  Kodi.  I'm sure he's comforting for her.  About the cancer....I don't know.  She doesn't know either.  The doctor was hopeful the radiation would get the rest, but I haven't heard.  Our other sister, Sue, is going over this weekend again, and she said no one is talking Cancer much.  It just hangs there.  I heard someone say that they don't want to be defined by the word cancer.  I think that's Faye.  When she needs to know something, she'll know.  She does believe that God is in total control of it all, but not healing is getting to her.

I'm babysitting, so gotta go check on Maycie.  I've been taking pictures of her all evening.    Nita

  Oh, good; I hope you post some of the pictures on CP.

  Ruth Ann:
Deciding when to retire should be easy but it is not I will be setting a date as well and find it so difficult.  Sleeping in and being lazy does look better and better every day though.

Janet:  Thanks for the devotional

Hello to the rest of the folk.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE!!  AND MANY MORE!  I love your little ditty!

I've had a busy day, ate with my youth friends, then worked until 7 PM.  Not a hard day, but I was happy to come home.

Scotty, good to have you with us!  I love teens!

Ruth and Ruth Ann--both making plans for retirement.  I hope you both find the best time and work out all the details to your satisfaction.

I want to read a little before going to sleep.  See you tomorrow, I hope.

Hi everyone.  Jane, a belated birthday wish.  I was reading the postings last evening and got to the last page of reading and the page wouldn't load so didn't get my greeting in in a timely manner. 

Scotty, nice to see your postings once again. 

I had a very busy morning as had a shortened coffee period with my friends and then came home and got Pat and we headed to my cardiologist's office, which is about an hours drive from here.  I had an echo cardiogram done and then saw the doctor.  Unfortunately, my heart function has continued to deteriorate as the ejection factor has been reduced from 25-30% down to 20-25%.  He said he had hoped to see improvement due to the medications and probably the pacemaker but it wasn't there.  However, on a positive note he did say I was doing good for the shape I am in (and no remarks about my shape now .  I am just going to enjoy each day that God allows me to have and feel fortunate to feel good most of the time.  I have been taking Vytorin for several months and he did agree to put me back on Zocar.  I was happy about that as it is a generic drug and much less expensive.

I see that Pat mentioned the visit she and Paul are making to our house on their way further South.  We were very excited to find out that we were going to get to see Pat again after quite a few years and to get to meet Paul and become acquainted with him.  We are really looking forward to it. 

Since I did the reading of most of the postings last night I can't remember what, if anything, I wanted to say.  Just glad to see all the postings.  I have a number of different projects to work on today as well as continue to get my new laptop setup.  I really like it.  It is suppose to rain some this afternoon and then the chance of storms this evening.  We plan to met friends for dinner tonight and then go to one of the couple's homes to play a game of Mexican Train. 

I don't know if I told you that I am not going to Oregon until  the 11th. I have Forest's birthday party on this Saturday. We are having it at Round Table Pizza in Arcata. I have to shop for him today.  Better fix my breakfast. Keith will be paging me before we both leave for work.

Some of you may not have heard that Photoshop has made on online version available free.  This was announced within the last few days.  Here is the link if you are interested:  https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html  I have not used it myself but from what I read it has a number of good features and the price is certainly right.

Hello all!

Happy Birthday Jane!  I have no idea what day it actually was, so just go back in time and put it on the applicable day. 

Yes, Marilyn, you told us.   

Larry, I'm sure sorry to hear about your decline in heart function.  But I greatly admire your attitude and your spunk!  You are a great example to others, and a blessing to everyone who knows you.  It's great that Pat and Paul will visit you, I know you will all enjoy that!  I wish I could meet you in person, but am a better person for having met you online and gotten to know you this way.  Prayers for you continue....

Darrel is planning a trip to south Texas to visit his brother.  He called last evening, and isn't doing too well, he said.  He told us 10 minutes of very moderate activity leaves him exhausted.  Doctors can't find anything wrong with him.  I told him maybe he needs to do the ten minutes, then add a little bit, even one more minute, until he builds up his strength again.  Looks as if we will head that way about the end of this month.  I have to schedule time off work--we aren't used to having to do that! 

I want to go exercise, so must get off here and go!

TGIF Everyone!

I love Fridays!  I go to lunch with my mom and then spend the afternoon with her.  My girls stay overnight with her and then they go with her to the nearby retirement homes and visit their ladies they've adopted because they have no visitors.  Sometimes they perform for them, but mostly just chat and cheer them up.  My hubby and I have Friday date night, our now 19yr. weekly tradition (which we've missed some lately, now that we do more things together since our oldest daughter is courting).  Saturday morning we sleep in or he takes me to shoot sunrise, depending on what we'd rather do.

Larry-I'm also sorry to hear about your heart.  I will sure keep you in my prayers.
I have the expensive version of PhotoshopCS2 but I got mine for less than half price right before the CS3 version came out.  I like it a lot, but from everything I've read Lightroom is much more tailored to photographers than PS is and I'm looking forward to getting it soon.  But, you are right about the price being right for those who want to try PS.  I haven't checked into it, yet, to see what all is available with the free version, but if I do, I can let you all know how it compares to the full version.  I do know that since I like my photos to look as natural as possible without a lot of filters and stuff, that I haven't even tapped into the capabilities of PS2.  The guy, David, who's courting my daughter uses it with his artwork.  He sometimes draws manga people and uses PS2 to color them in.  I guess it's awesome for graphics and stuff, but i've never tried any of that, really.

Carol-Thank you for your prayers!  I so appreciate it!

ScottyBoy-Hello, I don't think we've met.  I'm in Idaho.  I'm a home schooling mom with two teenage daughters, and a wonderful hubby!  Good to see you posting here, so WELCOME.

Well, I guess I better get going.  You all have a great day and an even better weekend, if I don't get back here.

Blessings, Kathleen

Must have been a glitch in my desktop.  I clicked 'Reply' and it wouldn't load.  Stop the loading a couple of times and finally it loaded....weird.  Cyber spooks! 

Larry ~ So sorry about your heart functioning.  Reading your posts you would never know you have any heart problems...you are so upbeat and positive in your attitude.  I am happy you are going to get to see Pat and Paul, too! 

Jane ~ Sorry I forgot to say Happy Birthday yesterday!  So today I will say for yesterday.

Speaking about birthdays...I love to make my own cards for different occasions.  I got an email from my DIL saying her brother's FIL is having his 64th birthday the 14th.  And since he is terminally ill, they want to shower him with cards.  So I wracked my brain to think of what to make for someone who is terminally ill and not expected to live but maybe a couple of more months.  So I came up with this:  On the front I put with big letters 'ONE MORE CARD'.  On the inside I put 'Hope you enjoy one more card for your birthday,'  Then told him Happy Birthday.  I don't know this man very well so I signed it with (Tony's Mom) under my signature.  I sure hope he enjoys his card.

I only said the above because we all have times when we just don't have the appropriate card to send to someone.

I realized this morning that I haven't been to the gallery for awhile.  I did go daily but something happened that I stopped.  Couldn't be Old Timers!!

Larry:  I wish that we could meet in person as well.  Do remember that you mentioned not visiting Colorado again because of the altitude problems. 

Kathleen:  Many of us don't always mention each person in particular but if they are like me, they say a prayer for each while reading.  Blessings to you!

Janet:  Just a question - are you caring for yourself?  You have such an active schedule.  And, watch out for those tornadoes while you are so involved in everything. 

Etta Sue:  I love it when you write about the little things in life on your acreage and living so close to your sister - it is like reading one of Jan Karon's books on their little village and everyone knows each other so well. 

Weekend - it is different even for those retired.  We try to never shop on weekends and don't even go near the gym we belong to - all of those buff young people - and they all try to park as close as possible so they drive and drive in the parking area & sit and wait for you to pull out - very strange!

Have a blessed and refreshing weekend.  Carol

Thank you, Janet, Larry, Karma and Etta Sue.     I had a good day yesterday.  My neighbor took me to a Mexican restaurant that I have been to before, but she never has.  We then walked through the Coos Art Museum and over to the new "mini-mall" where we have things on consignment.  I must have gotten myself pretty tired because I never even heard the phone ring when my daughter called last night!    (I saw the light on my answering machine blinking this morning).  She said she'd call today.

Larry, I will add my thoughts to the others who are concerned about your deteriorating heart condition.  I know you have dealt with heart problems for several years, but always with a smile and kind word for others.  Take it easy and continue to do as you are: live each day to the fullest.   

I don't usually put in whole articles but I know that the organization where I read this won't mind and I think as families on here, this is very important...






All it takes is the smell of those fries, the taste of a Happy Meal, or the sight of the Golden Arches to know that you've arrived at McDonald's. But the founder of the American Family Association says the restaurant chain has turned its attention away from inexpensive food and toward a potentially costly political agenda

With 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, you can get your chicken McNuggets fix just about anywhere. Rev. Don Wildmon, founder and chairman of the American Family Association, says McDonald's' success can be attributed to their choice to market to one American institution.

"McDonald's caters to the family," Wildmon says. "They put emphasis on the children."

But the pro-family leader says the world's largest fast-food restaurant chain is branching out into a new business -- promoting the homosexual agenda.

"McDonald's ... has given a significant amount of money, I might mention, to become a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce," Wildmon explains. "Among the many other things that the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce promotes is hate crimes [legislation], the ENDA [Employment Non-Discrimination Act]. [T]hey're dedicated to pushing the homosexual agenda."

In exchange for the donation, a McDonald's senior executive has been placed on the board of the pro-homosexual group. Wildmon says the chain's decision is baffling. "And this is so strange, because it's the family that McDonald's appeals to -- children's playland, you know, all the little toys, all of that," Wildmon shares. "And they are promoting a lifestyle that would utterly destroy the traditional family."

The American Family Association wants to talk with McDonald's, but the company is not returning Wildmon's calls. In the meantime, he says the group is not calling for a boycott. But he is encouraging McDonald's' customers to take action (see AFA's Action Alert).

"If a person really wants to make an impact," Wildmon encourages, "call your local McDonald's and say, 'As long as you are members of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, I'm going to have to seriously consider whether or not I'm going to continue to come to your restaurant and bring my family to your restaurant.'"

Wildmon says that, since three-fourths of McDonald's restaurants are owned by franchisees, if local customers contact the restaurant owners, those owners could be persuaded to call the corporate headquarters and discourage involvement with homosexual activist organizations like the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

"That person locally probably, may be sympathetic with us," Wildmon concludes. "And, if enough of those local managers get the word and they call McDonald's national, then there's a possibility McDonald's will change their stance in all of this."

The AFA founder notes that two years ago, Wal-Mart joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. But after AFA representatives discussed the matter with Wal-Mart officials, the company allowed their position on the Chamber's board to expire -- and according to Wildmon, Wal-Mart is no longer a member of the NGLCC.

 That STINKS!

Time to upload more photos in the gallery.

  I would like to ask all of you to please rate my pictures that I uploaded in the gallery.
If you have any ideas on how to make them better, please add that too. Be critical.
I respect all of your opinions.

Thank you,


                                            Scotty.

I had already read that article on MacDonald's in AFA.  I almost wish I was one of their customers so I could boycott them, but I never have been.  If I knew where to write, I'd write them a letter - if enough people did that, it'd be effective.

I agree with Scotty!  Also, I get the AFA newsletters, so I read about this the other day.  That does it for me!   

I told Terry about the McDonald's deal, and he said, "Well, we don't have to go there anymore!"   

Well this has been a long week.  Tuesday in the middle of a spring snowstorm I headed south to Markham for two days training. (Bear in mind this is a 4 1/2 hour drive one way.)

What a machine the Husqvarna Designer SE LE is!  There is not much it won't do. 

On Wednesday night I had a great time with Ruthie as we exchanged ideas and laughed together.  Then immediately thursday after class I headed north had a short visit with our brother and then headed home,  Friday back to work, and what a busy day that was.  This is Saturday, and I am at work again as The boss is at the home show demonstrating machines.  I hope she sells many!  Thankfully I am off tomorrow, and then cack again on Monday.  My schedule will eventually change to Mondays off and half day on Thursday.  I enjoy the half day thursday as it gives me time to accomplish the odds and ends that I haven't had time for during the week.

Well I must go and get something done here.

Love to all JudyB

Hi everyone.  We have had many hours of wonderful soaking rain and more is predicted for today.  My friend said he had 4 inches in his gauge from the last couple of days. 

We had a very nice time last night with our church friends.  We ate at Texas Roadhouse and then went to one of the couple's homes and played Mexican Train and did a lot of visiting.  These are never long evenings as we start early and we were home around 9 pm.

Today should be pretty restful.  We have a meeting to attend this morning and then plan a quiet rest of the day.  I will watch the NCAA Final Four games tonight.

I sure don't want you all to worry about me.  I am doing well and am just enjoying each day that I have and hope to have many more.  The ejection factor of the heart has to do with how much of the blood in the holding chamber of the heart is pumped out with each beat of the heart.  The normal is around 60%.  Apparently the reduction of this percentage is part of the congestive heart failure process.  Believe me I am not going to sit around and worry about it as things will be as they are and will be dealt with when and if they ever become a factor. 

Time to leave.  I will try to get back a little later today.

I quit going to McDonalds in Greenfield because of roaches and the manager said there was nothing he could do.  Now I will think twice about the other McDonalds.  They (homosexuals) can live their lives but don't shove it in my face. 

This must be the week of controversies.  Has everyone seen the YouTube on Oprah?  Here is the URL.  Scary!  And she promotes this at the end of her shows.  And did you see the episode of the male that is pregnant!!  Yes!  They live in Bend, Oregon.  You can read about that
here.  I am beginning to lose respect for Oprah.  Can her 'Big Give' show override these other controversies. 

Aaron and I are going out to lunch today.  Not sure where.  Aaron usually has an idea but I am going to encourage him to go to Anderson instead of Noblesville. 

I got a call from Kaye Don this morning.  They are leaving Florida the 14th  Should be home the 16th.  Hope it is warm or Kaye Don will be wearing his leather jacket in April!!