Free program reviews

I reviewed google docs to start with. I have actually been using this program on and off for about a year now. I use it to access files at work from my home computer when I cannot find a accessible memory card to bring it to work. It is easy to use and is part of the google suite of programs so alot of the basic controls will be familiar if you use some of the others. My only caution is that the files may be "secure" on their server, but it is on someone else's server, not in your hands, and should not be treated as "secure" in terms of privacy. Also you have to work from that file if you plan on editing it from several locations and you do have to ensure that you have a compatible program or version. (I made that mistake when I tried to use a word 2010 PowerPoint presentation from a computer that only had 2003, no formatting was correct because I did not originally save it in compatible mode).

I then checked out sumo paint, and man did I have fun! This to me was easy to use, had many options and even a few super fun perks like the symmetry tool. They had alot of gradient options and could even hex code your colors without opening another window. I made an example below

I can definitely see this as being a great tool to customize some background images for a presentation or a web page. As a free image program I was surprised at the amount of things you could do with this program, and that you had options for saving it as different file types.

Photo of the cutest sea bug ever!

He was so adorable! He even said "clack clack" a few times and moved his claws. It was cold out and we thought he wouldn't be into it all that much, but he surprised us and fussed when we took him home after a few houses. So we tromped back out and stayed out for over an hour. His favorite treat was when someone had a bunch of capri sun in a cooler. We have to keep them stocked at the house now, every couple of days he demands "Ju!" (Juice).

Long Long Break

Ok I am back from a Long Long Break, this semester has been crazy, but finals were last week and I am free and clear untill Jan 11th. For those of you who haven't heard, greg and I are expecting again, a little boy, May 1st. Scheduling next semester was super crazy also, because the semester ends the last week of April, so I am hoping he doesnt come early, or it may lead to difficulties with finals, :).
The bees did great this year, and we wintered 10 hives that included a captured swarm, up from 6 that we went into winter with last year. All the hives made it through winter last year, this year it looks like we may have already had some losses. We think due to the long cool fall leading up to winter, they may have burned through the stores faster than expected. We will be adding sugar this week when the temp is ok for it.
Family is doing great, Emory was a lobster for halloween this year. He had so much fun taking candy from everyone, and he had no idea what it was, so we didn't have to worry about him eating it. He even gave some back to people at houses. He just started walking on his birthday, so he was still a bit unsteady on his feet, but he was a trooper and LOVED it.
We are very excited for Christmas this year, Emory helped wrap presents and decorate the tree. He learned what a candy cane was yesterday for the first time. Greg turned around and there he was with the crook in his mouth, chewing away. They grow up so fast!
For our 5th anniversary this year, I took greg to the Melting Pot for a Mystery Murder dineer thingy, it was fun. He upgraded my ring ( no more blue :( )as a surprise. I wanted to take him somewhere exotic like a cruise, but we couldn't afford it.
With a new baby on the way, we decided to upgrade my coupe pontiac to a vibe, two car seats would not fit in my sporty little car. The end of an era. :(

I have been a naughty little blogger

Hello all,

I apologize for such a long time away, I have been busy enjoying life with my little squiggly. :) He has grown so much in the last few months, he now runs circles around his little exer-saucer that Grammy Sears got him (and he even can touch the ground).

Here is em at 6 months:

and here he is at 9 months:see how much he has grown!

Ok to recap the time away; gregs mom had carotid artery surgery; we added 3 new hives for a total of 6; greg has nearly finished the downstairs bathroom (well 50%) and he was laid off indefinitely from GM, so now he is my little house husband. Ok just a quick update, I'll load more adorable photos later.

New York or Bust!

Well now I am getting ready for our trip to NY for Christmas. I just did the laundry so we can pack our clothes early and be actually "prepared", not something we are known for as a family. I have been known to forget undergarments and toothpaste but not toothbrushes. (go figure). With this being Emory's first Christmas I want everything to go right, and not have a packing mistake (oops...I forgot your favorite pacifier... etc.)
I just finished my final exam for this semster class, hydrogeology. I have no idea how I did, I'm not the type to be able to accurately guess.

Normality 2 : Just when you thought it was safe

Hello again!
Well the last four days Emory has decided to stay up very late and not take naps (he wasn't big on naps to begin with) so Greg and I have gotten almost no sleep. Plus now I am sick :)
Emory and I went to Grandma Bartz's for Halloween and handed out candy, he was such a good boy.
On his last doctors visit our pediatrician showed some mild concern over his weight/height ratio, he was gaining inches too fast, maybe at the expense of his weight or something like that. Well we have been measuring him at home and he has seemed to stabilize a bit so on his next appointment I am sure everything will be fine.
We took him up north to the farm for hunting season this year so he can meet all the family, and he was a big hit. He got so many cuddles and snuggles he was literally in attention heaven.
This week we have Thanksgiving at the bartzs' and next month Christmas in NY with the Sears side. :) I cant wait to introduce Emory to my brother and his girlfriend.......eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (excitement).

Normality... all its cracked up to be?

Well we are back into a schedule again. As you may know I fractured my ankle in three places June 1st and have been recovering ever since. Well that part of my life is finally "all better, just took a bit longer to heal with all the baby stuff going on.

I had surgery a week after the accident and they put in 6 screws and a metal plate, so at 8 months pregnant I was on bed rest because I could not put weight on my leg and it was too difficult to balance on crutches. The week before my due date I was fully on crutches again, which was a relief, a wheelchair is alot of work to mobilize.

The day before my due date (Aug 10Th) I was sitting in my kitchen when my water broke. So I called Greg in from the garage and told him then we finished packing and left for the hospital. I didn't have any contractions right away so we were in triage for awhile, until 530 or 600 pm. Then they moved me to a delivery room and got me comfortable, and after several consultations and many Tetris games later they decide to give me Pitosin at around 9. So my contractions start but are very mild. Our friends Stephanie and Matt came to visit around midnight to say hi. Once they left the contractions became increasingly stronger and around 130 I asked Greg to turn off the xbox and hold my hand. By 230 I was in what I considered alot of pain, and we started discussing pain relief. I am glad I made Greg promise to talk me out of an epidural because by then I was totally willing to do anything to relieve the pain. They game me something to knock the edge off" my contractions, and boy did it ever! In between each contraction I was so relaxed I was nearly asleep. I started to feel like pushing by 330 and they said to go ahead, but made me stop at 400 because my doctor wasn't there and I was ready to deliver! She ran in just in time to catch little Emory as he came out. Greg was so wonderful and supportive, and they stamped his arm with ink feet from Emory. So we were all happy and the rest of the day was a blur.

Then reality of being a mommy set in and no sleep took its toll. Emory cried alot and wouldn't nurse so we had some issues (they are resolved now thank goodness). He was so tiny they said he could have stayed in longer, but he is the prompt type.

We were released on Wednesday and by Friday decided to take Emory to where Greg and I first met, Gencon. So at 6 days old he was the youngest gamer there and everybody just loved him. Greg got to hold him the whole time since I was able to walk again but not without the crutches. It was nice to be out and about since I had been at home for quite awhile.

The first couple of months was a bit rough but now that he is going on four months we have settled into a happy balance. Plus he giggles now :)

I made him a homemade Halloween costume, we decided he should be a bat. Tell me what you think...

OK that is my new update, I will finish catching up this weekend cause I have so much more to say!