A few new Serene CU products

I've really enjoyed the colors and theme of my (Wonderland Scraps) recent Serenity kit. there were other ideas I had for the kit but finally had to tell myself, Stop & load the kit already. That done and a set of stacked papers loaded too, I went back to play with the items in my 4 Serenity folder once I got the PC fixed. the result is a set of borders, a set of frames, and a set of clusters. Previews and links below.

http://digistyledesigns.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_207&products_id=14031

http://digistyledesigns.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_207&products_id=14030

http://digistyledesigns.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_207&products_id=14029 Working on ideas for 2 other collections but we've got vacation and our 18th anniversary coming up so it won't be right away.

PC Woes, Unwanted Guests, & a Free Paper

Ever since Microsoft discontinued support for XP under Microsoft Security, I've had increasing problems with my PC> I bought one program that is supposed to clean the registry but it wasn't taking care of the biggest problems I was having. I investigated several other free options to no avail. Most will certainly scan for you but then to fix the problems that are found, you have to buy the program. I was fighting with this again today and looking into buying a windows 7 upgrade. No, that wouldn't cure the problem but would give me Microsoft Security that might find it. My husband saw me struggling and asked what the problem was. Then he proceeded to suggest the things I'd already tried. Next he suggested I call our BIL who usually does our computer work. I didn't want to because I knew he was involved in a project in his off time. Besides, I knew if he did have time to come over he'd probably tell me 2 things: 1) You have too much on here! & 2) The best bet is to wipe it clean and start over. Well, you know that means losing a lot of stuff. But hubby called and BIL suggested I download Bit Defender - the free version. He has 3 daughters at home all still running XP with Bit defender wiping out problems. I did download and it fixed a few more things. But a couple things kept coming back so I did more research. Turns out one adware program that was causing pop-ups often isn't detected as malware because it has a valid signature. It shows up in your add/remove programs list as fst_us_118. When you try to remove it you get weird pop-ups about uninstalling and other program names (;ike something that supposedly converts Utube files). Do all you can and when it says it has removed it, it also says some items must be removed manually. And my add/remove screen hung up. In my research I learned that you need to go into c\users\%username%\appdata\local\fst_us_118\ and remove that folder. I did and it removed the ads! I was also able to remove that annoying installer of malware that pretends to be a windows installer. Hurrah!

All happy that things were back to normal with PC, I went into the kitchen and discovered the stovetop (one of those flat cooking surfaces) crawling with sugar ants. They had already gotten into a package of cupcakes and were having a feast. My Terminex guy had said last visit that we were lucky as everyone else was battling these unwanted guests. Sugar ants are especially hard to get rid of. We used to get them in the sunmmer but some years back had a super Terminex guy who went the extra mile and tracked down the origin. Haven't had them for years until now. So I had to spray, set out traps, and remove the damage. Yuck! Hate bugs of any kind.

On the plus side. We don't need the cupcakes anyway, and the PC is fixed, laundry done today too. Got to work on some designs again. And I made a CU paper for you. Hope you like it.

Pick it up here: http://www.4shared.com/zip/v_G1FnWoba/ss4cu_waterlilly_paper-free.html? Hugs! and thanks to cheyOkota for the lovely dividers

A little freebie for you

Still fighting PC woes. Bought a cheapie ($20) program called Registry Clean Pro as a stopgap while deciding what all to do. It says it's cleaning errors but what it isn't getting rid of are these darn ads that are popping up over everything. I've tried finding out what program that is so I can search it out and (hopefully) destroy it but no luck so far. Also put on free version of Spybot Search & Destroy. And I used the Windows app to see if my system is compatible for Windows 8, even though I don't want and can't afford it. It says it mostly is but a couple of my key programs won't work with it. Grrr. Anyway, I do have a small freebie for you today that coordinates with my new kit, Serenity. It's a tag and a teacup.

I hope you can find use for it. Here is the link: http://www.4shared.com/zip/NrUumcpAce/ws-Serenity_freetagteacup.html Back to surgeon tomorrow for follow-up then a quick Costco run (nothing heavy)and a stop at my Dad's house. I just finished balancing his checkbook for him (something he never learned to do 'cause Mom always did it) and I'm picking up some items for him at Costco. I'll visit with his companion, Miss June, who has had a terrible year so far: pneumonia, followed by a bad fall in which she broke 3 bones in her foot, plus a number of cancerous skin lesions. With one thing after another, she's exhausted and depressed so I'm trying to think of a little something to take along to cheer her. Hope you all are doing well and happily scrapping and, dare I hope? journaling. Hugs! PS _ Thanks Stacey, for letting me know link wasn't showing up. Been having trouble with blogger not showing links even though I'm doing it the same as always. Have to keep checking the published post to be sure link is there and I got distracted and thought I'd checked this one before. Seems to be working now but please continue to let me know when you have trouble.

Freebie

Here are the elements to We R Family: http://www.4shared.com/zip/QcKk08sece/ws_we_r-Family_el.html? Working on registry errors on PC

I want to scream & a freebie

Okay, so I have Windows XP which Microsoft Security no longer supports and I can't afford to update to Windows 8 (which I understand has problems anyway and is about to be replaced by newer version). I have been having problems for days now with things my PC is picking up like Wajam and FreeSoft. I search them out, remove them and as soon as I open a tab in google they pop up again with really weird options for downloading. No matter which you choose, it starts to install! Going crazy over this. Anyone else having this problem? Thought about calling my BIL who usually does my computer work but he's hard to get lately, tied up with other stuff and when all else fails, his answer is to delete everything and start over. The thought of all I'd lose is giving me a headache. On the other hand, maybe this is the universe's way of telling me I spend too much time on PC (I do) and that I could be making better use of my time. [Sigh]

I don't think I've given out this little mini before - hope not. Here are papers: http://www.4shared.com/zip/ooUfVVbZba/ws_we_r_family_papers.html? And now to get to the email I've missed. Elements tomorrow

More Pocket Journaling & A Site You Will Want To Check

It's late, we've been having bad thunderstorms with high winds and hail and I've got a bit of a headache. I'm going to try to cram lots of information in for you quickly. First, more Pocket Journaling. I have another zip for you tonight but forgot to make a preview. You can download here: http://www.4shared.com/zip/Kmrc39bvba/DAA_pocketjournal_wk3.html? Today I'm going to ask you to be brave, We all have fears; they are things we try to put out of our minds usually. Facing up to them is a big step towards defeating those fears. So, today, choose a card and write down one of your fears. That's it. Right now we're not going to do anything but acknowledge the fear. When we start doing journal jumps, this would be a good card to pull and explore, but for right now just own it and put it aside.

I've been feeling stir crazy the last couple days. It's not that I'm usually out and about so much as being told I shouldn't be. (Yeah, follow that logic lol). I'm not supposed to be driving yet so I'm looking at the same walls. I've slept plenty and I'm not supposed to be lifting anything over 10 lbs which lets out doing laundry because my husband's uniforms are so heavy. Sure, I don't like housework anyway but gee, I've been bored. So I've been doing some internet surfing, Initially, I was looking for some free meditation downloads, which I found. But I happened upon a lot of interesting stuff. One find relates to our summer challenge and I want to share this with you. Most of you are scrappers so I'll bet you know Ro Paxman of Scrap Girls? A very interesting and talented lady to be sure. I was visiting her site called Life Muses by Ro here: http://ropaxman.com/ and discovered that she is offering a freebie I think you'd find useful. It's a free printable Life Planner. Just sign up for her mailing list and she will send you the links. With so many of us trying to make improvements in our lives, this is a great find. While reading other posts I'd missed, I learned she also has some wonderful Inspiration Cards (also free). These cards feature affirmations that will help you change self sabotoging thoughts and move you in the direction you want your life to go. Change your thoughts; change your life. Seriously, this isn't wishful thinking. In addition to being a source of inspiration and positive affirmations, I can also see how we could use those cards as prompts to journal. For instance, say you randomly draw the card that says, I am brave. Maybe you don't think you are, but I'll bet if you try you can think of instances that prove you can be. What about the day a big dog menaced your child? Bet you didn't think twice before stepping in between the dog and child. Don't discount that. We need to learn to give ourselves credit. Doing so reinforces behaviors we want to increase. If you sign up for Ro's mailing list, she will also share her personal story with you and you will understand why she is interested in passing along wisdom she's gained. Hope I haven't muddled that too much as I hurry to finish up before the storm takes over again.

Pocket Journaling Week 3

I'd like to hear from you. Does starting a journal by using small cards to jot down ideas, thoughts, issues, etc making it any easier for you to start the process of keeping a journal and reaping the benefits? Why? Why not? I'm eager to start talking to you about things like goal setting, determining your priorities, and balancing your life - all topics that are often found in journals. But if you haven't begun the writing habit, is it going to do any good? I'd like to think so but I may be wrong.

As you know, last Thursday I had gallbladder surgery. I'm doing okay but still have to be careful with bending and lifting etc. Have done an awful lot of sleeping over last few days with a lot of vivid dreaming. There are numerous views on dreaming from it being a series of random nerve firings triggering bits and pieces of memories and stored information that our brain tries to make some sense out of to the notion that dreams are messages from our subconscious. Where am I going with this? Just thought a fun journal prompt might be to jot down whatever you remember of a dream this week and consider whether or not you think it's trying to tell you something. You might also choose to write about 3 things you are grateful for this week. Or something you are looking forward to.

I have a Care Card for you today:

You might want to journal about any ways in which you sometimes feel you Aren't enough.