Carol's random babble

I recently started using My Memories digital scrapbooking software. It's nice to be able to make multiple layouts without running out of supplies or messing things up if I cut something wrong. You can do many things with My Memories - create scrapbooking layouts (of course), calendars, cards, and I've even seen someone who is using it to create layouts of her favorite recipes, with photos of the actual food. When you use digital scrapbooking software, you can recreate your layout as many times as you like. You can share with as many people as you like, without using up your precious hoard of scrapbooking materials. (Yes, I hoard mine.) And if you think it's not personal enough this way, start the layout on your computer, print it out and add physical embellishments for the final touch. But you don't have to add physical embellishments, because embellishments are included. And what's nice here is that they are sizeable, so you can have the same embellishment in...

I recently held a giveaway that failed. I didn't get even one valid entrant. There were two requirements, both of which related to the sponsor, and I didn't want to change them. So I didn't give the item away. But here I am again. I'm going to use Rafflecopter again, because I like entering Rafflecopter giveaways, and they're not that hard, honest. I've got some background stuff to do, because I'll be highlighting the product again and want to create new stuff for this giveaway. Maybe I'm just overthinking it ...

Supposedly people are more likely to shop online today. Here's a glimpse at what happens to online shoppers when the computer crashes: Here's a modern version of a visit to Santa Claus: And finally, word to the wise: (I'd like to point out that I don't actually drink alcoholic beverages; however, I have been known to sit at the computer for hours, fueled by diet Dr Pepper.) These are some items I've seen on Facebook, which I call Facebook funnies. I'll post them here from time to time.

For anyone who hasn't used StumbleUpon, for each 5 people who sign up through my link , I can get $10 Amazon.com credit. I've got plans for something to buy there and I need more credit. So, anyone? Except maybe Mom, who has enough to do on the computer already. :-) (Mom, I like the Mahjongg game you've been playing lately.)

It seemed like a good idea at the time. I had a $30 gift card I couldn't use, but I could trade it in for some credit for an account I could use. Sure, I would lose some of the value (I would get about $24 in credit), but it seemed better than losing the value of the gift card completely or having to a) drive 90 miles to the closest store of that type or b) spend it online and have to spend more money, too (although this might have been the better option, in retrospect). So, I signed up for PlasticJungle.com. You tell them about your gift card and they tell you how much you can get for it in various formats, including PayPal and Amazon credit. They generate label information, you print out the sheet, cut the mailing label from the sheet and tape it to an envelope and tape the card(s) to the invoice sheet. Then, apparently, you wait. And you wait some more. And after you've waited for awhile, you contact their customer service. And they tell you to wait. And they mark ...

So I held my first giveaway on this blog. The giveaway ended at 12:01 a.m. today. I had one entry. The problem is that two entries were mandatory and one person did one of them, and another left a comment which didn't fulfill the requirements. I'm waiting to hear from the sponsor to see what to do next. I guess I didn't advertise enough. I also barred my relatives from entering, which would probably have gotten me a couple of entries, if only to keep them from hearing me whine about it. More to come when I know what's going on.

Today's layout is Grumpy Cat. It's actually an embellishment, but it's easy to add photos - you just add a photo box, size it and send it to the back. I also added Word Art and two text boxes. It only took a few minutes. The giveaway of a copy of My Memories Suite v2 digital scrapbooking software ends at 11:01 p.m. tonight (12:01 a.m. Eastern time Nov. 2).

That's how long the gash in Cayla's leg is, according to the E.R. nurse. She slipped at the haunted house and cut her leg on a sharp corner on an outlet cover attached to a pole. She called me at work to let me know that someone from the haunted house was taking her to the E.R. I left work and met them there. It's not that bad, only took two stitches and some steri-strips to hold it closed. But we spent 3 1/2 hours in the E.R. (mostly in the waiting room) and I expect Cayla will be in a little bit of pain tomorrow (her leg is starting to bruise), so I have already called the school to say she won't be there. And now I'm off to bed, to charge my phone (which was down to one battery bar by the time I left), to turn off my alarm, and to sleep until I wake up on my own in the morning. Please let there be no phone calls. Also, my motto is Always Bring a Book. And Always Bring a Camera. Having neither of those items made the lengthy wait seem even longer. And no s...