Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Linkage to one of my favorites, Here is Christmas performed by Heart. Right-click lets you listen while you continue reading this post. What I would give to sing like Ann Wilson...or Nancy.
I thought it would be nice to feature the next generation so Randi Taylor invited everyone to her university rental for a get-together. Jett of course was being...Jett. He didn't bring a girl along since he couldn't decide which one to choose.
I don't know why but my shots do not look crisp and clear. Does Photoshop do that when you tweak images? Or Blogger? Speaking of which, a colleague loaned me a book, a classroom in a book actually, on CS3. I have CS2 but whatever. I am going to try and devote an hour a day to mastering Photoshop. Even if it kills me.
This will most likely be the last Road to Recovery update I post. It may even be the last post before the New Year. So let me take the time now to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I have been cleared to return to work full time although I will still be on modified duty. I have mixed feelings about that. I mean, who wouldn't want to work half days and get paid for full days? I should be thankful I have a job and I am. The time off, although it was due to surgery, was much needed for me mentally as well as physically so I am grateful for that.
I am allowed to bench press 4 whole pounds! I have never been much for upper body strength so that is rather amusing for many reasons. My kids make fun of me especially when they see me curling soup cans. They are lucky I can't quite throw anything yet. My max lifting weight has been raised to 10 pounds from 5. So now instead of lifting a half gallon of milk I guess I can lift a whole gallon! Still can't do the laundry since we all know how heavy a basket of wet clothes can be.
I saw the surgeon last Thursday who told me I am about 1 month ahead of schedule for recovery which is odd since I am historically a slow healer (I wear bruises for weeks) but I have been diligent about my at-home exercises so I am sure that has helped.
The holidays around my house have been...morose. Can't really think of a better word. I think I have redefined the phrase Bah Humbug. Not like me at all but...such is life.
Leaving you with some holiday blogthings. Link goes to the Christmas ones. I was going to do one for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas but...no. Bah Humbug!
Happy holidays to everyone! May all your dreams come true.
Your Holiday Wish is Being with Family and Friends |
 The holidays are near and dear to your heart. You don't need much to make you happy this time of year. As long as you're able to be near the people you love most, you are content. It's really that simple. You want nothing more than a full house of people celebrating the season. It doesn't matter if it's your house or not, just as long as everyone is there. And if someone doesn't happen to be around during the holidays, you think about him or her often. You get very sentimental this time of year. |
You Will Get Three French Berets |
 Twelve glam rockers drumming Eleven marshmallows a-puffing Ten midgets a-leaping Nine ladies yodeling Eight llamas a-milking Seven eggnogs a-intoxicating Six kittens a-meowing Five golden bowls of chicken noodle soup Four calling bill collectors Three French berets Two Jesus action figures And a crazy homeless person in an apple tree |
You Would Be an Idealistic Santa |
 You keep dreaming of your perfect Christmas, even if you'll never achieve it. You love the idea of a cozy home, perfect presents, a big happy family, and blankets of snow. You think that almost everything about the holidays is nice - especially opening your home, heart, and wallet to those in need. You think that anyone who is grouchy or stingy during the holidays is naughty. You resent those who make this time a bummer for others. |
You Are An Elf |
 You are highly creative and artistic. You are good at working hard. While you love to work, you also love to play. You have a naughty side to you! You love pulling pranks and teasing people. You always seem to be getting into some sort of trouble. People can rely on you to be industrious and responsible... but you're going to have fun while you're getting stuff done. |
It could be the way you're saving them. The more you add to a picture, the bigger it is and the more capable of loss. If you're saving as JPGs and using "Save for Web", you may want to check what quality you're saving in. Also note that over-sharpening can really bring out flaws--especially in Sims 2. I find this most obvious when people use photoskinned outfits, skins/etc.
ReplyDeleteI've never had much luck with those kinds of books. But, I'm more of a hands-on person and I have to do things "my way", simply because even if they seem confusing to everyone else, they make perfect sense to me. I've been using PS for almost years and years and those books still run me for loops, LOL. I spent a few months this year learning post-processing--you know, what they do to images in magazines, etc. I can now make anyone look like an airbrushed plastic clone. Woo. But the techniques carry over into other things, too.
I am with you on the bah humbug. Told the husband the other day that I just want it to be over so the after-Christmas sales start, LOL
Hmm, that's odd...I am not using the Save for Web option and all I did with this shot is duplicate it twice changed one layer to Overlay or Soft light and the other to Screen and adjusted the transparency. That was it. Then I saved as JPG on highest setting. This never used to happen and at first I thought it might be my monitor but now I am not so sure.
ReplyDeleteThe PS book has a bunch of interactive stuff. It will probably serve its purpose for me since I am only interested in certain things. We'll see I guess! If it helps to understand PS as a program, then it will have served its purpose for me.
Yeah, me too although I won't be able to take advantage of sales. I just want it over and forgotten.
You know I was blown away by that shot! I just love it. The interaction between all the couples is wonderful, wonderful, and takes me back such a long time.
ReplyDeleteI have totally nothing helpful to say about the shots. They look fine to me. Even if they didn't, I couldn't help.
I love your blogthings.
The first one: my holiday wish is a kiss under the mistletoe.
I get three french fries, which I consider about the same as three lumps of coal. Pooh.
I'm an unconventional Santa. Must be the reindeer hat.
And I'm a reindeer. Never had any doubt about that one. I'm not very creative but I can sure find my way on a foggy night.
Lending you my blinking red nose. Maybe it's good for more than fog.
I loved the shot too but when I "fixed" it, the quality just vanished. I think I spent...oh god I have no idea how long playing with the blogthings. I laughed at the 12 glam rockers drumming...the rest was pretty spot on for me although I don't pull pranks (very often).
ReplyDeleteI will happily borrow the blinking red nose...
thank you...
I was thinking the same thing Gayl. I have PSP though and I was just thinking that I really should learn what it's limitations are. I was also thinking about doing some recoloring and stuff like that with BS as well. *shrug*
ReplyDeleteI haven't been in a Christmas mood at all! I'm surprised since I usually LOVE Christmas but...yeah! Just another day coming 'round I guess!
Here's to your feeling better!:) Have a Merry Christmas Gayl!
I love that picture and I love to see the next generation together like that. It is a testiment to how far you've come with the story; it was amazing from the start and it still is. You and Beth are truly an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat I know about photoshop could fit in a thimble but I have CS3 and have never had the best luck with soft light, but that could just be my ineptitude.
Don't worry about the bah humbug, I think it's been that kind of year for a lot of people. But I hope you have a good holiday and a happy new year.
Have a good holiday Gayl and I wouldn't worry about the bah humbugs either, lots of people have good reason at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mao on the shots, I have noticed that the more you fiddle, the more the quality degrades because when I first open my screenshots, they look great. After resizing them and maybe doing a little editing like you said, they start to get the fuzzy pixel thing going on but I use PSP, so I don't have the save for web option to see if that makes a difference, I'm sure it does.
Merry Christmas to you, Gayl!
ReplyDeleteActually, I could go for those five golden bowls of chicken noodle soup. I've got a cold! Lol!
I love your holiday picture. It's really cool to see the younger generation gathered together like that in front of the Christmas tree. Wyatt and Cadence look really cute together. Thanks for sharing with us! : )
Darn, I am SO BAD with my comments...thank you Muzegoddess, Emily and Colliegirl for your support and thoughts. I really do appreciate them and hope you all had serene holidays.
ReplyDelete