Got 'Nuttin' But Time

I haven't updated in awhile, just taking some time to figure it all out.  I've updated my resume.  Got all the research and details together so when I'm asked about my experience, I can just rattle it off.  It's amazing just how much you forget (especially at this age).  Just yesterday, I finally sat down to file for unemployment and applied for my first job!  Just after hitting "apply" and "search" two GOOD jobs in my neighborhood popped up...so I submitted my first application.  And, it's something I think I would really like.  Cross your fingers.  I might just have some marketable skills...

With all this time on my hands, I find that there are many, many things I've been wanting/meaning to do and just haven't had the time.  First sacrifice we made was to let our housekeeper go.  That was painful.  Seriously, I have not had to clean house for as long as I can remember.  Bill and I tackled the cleaning together.  We started at the top.  I was armed with a dust cloth & Lemon Pledge; Bill came behind me with the vaccum.  Can I just say, that we were awesome?  I'll bet our house has not been cleaned like this for quite some time.  Hmmm...I wonder if I'll think that after the have-to-do-it-myself newness wears off.  Oh, and the dirty clothes hamper is just about empty.

Besides the gory house upkeep, I decided I would like to catch up on many other "some-day" projects.

This first project was to finally get up on our walls a sampling of our Paris trip.  Just three of the 1,000+ gorgeous photos just sitting on my computer.  Three of the best.

These are all 12x12 full-page scrapbook prints that I made on Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus 3.0.  The photos were sized to a perfect 12x12 canvas, turned to black & white, and sharpened for dramatic contrast.  The titles were added with already-installed fonts from my computer. The Eiffel Tower print has a white vintage frame added for interest around the edges.  I saved each of these as a high-quality .jpg file and uploaded them for one-hour processing at Costco (for just $2.99 per print, since I now watch every penny).  The frames are also 12x12 that I had in my scrapbook stash (each bought with a 30% off coupon @ Archiver's, as I have always been frugal).  I am still blown away by today's technology and the great things that can be made with a simple photo.

See, I had pre-planned this project...but just never got a round 'tuit!

I'm so happy with them!  This wall has been unadorned for over 18 years.  Not anymore!