It is starting to look a lot like Christmas...

We are within a hair's breath of being done with our decorating for the holidays. This is one of our favorite times of the year and E and I like to get everything up early and bask in the glow, literally!

One of the pictures is of our tiny Christmas village. This started with 3 tiny Dickens' buildings that the kids' gave me for Christmas one year (I think it was 1986 or 87). These were originally intended as ornaments on a tree and each has a hole on the bottom of the building for a light. The kids added a few more as time went on and they started to look a bit like the village of paper houses and cast iron figures my Nana use to have under her tree. Obviously, the collection has grown and E created this multi tiered framework for the village. There are now over 60 structures on Christmas Island (yes, after the J Buffett song). These tiny houses measure about 1.5 at the smallest to about 3 inches at the most and we have two lighthouses,two churches and two taverns! lol

Our big tree is up but still lacks the ribbons...hopefully we will get those on today. We collect hand painted blown glass ornaments of vintage Santa and these have front and center positions on the big tree. We also follow the German custom of a tree for each family member. E has his stick tree (no ornaments just lights) on the lanai and I have Lucille, my retro four foot Christmas tree. Her ornaments are all kind of funky and fun. And then there is our big tree...you know, the one without ribbons! lol

Santa is in his designated spot on the waterfall rocks above the pool. He quit dancing and singing a couple of Christmases ago but we keep him for sentimental reasons.

A bunch of the presents are unwrapped on my closet floor so that is on my to do list as well.

The Stocking Pal gift exchange is here on Dec. 12 and I sure hope my Pal likes the gifts I have been collecting for her over the past year. We get our new pal names the night of our exchange. This is our second annual event.

Off to work on my projects. The DT at KnKclub.com is doing a 12 Days of HOliday Gift Giving...each day one of us will post the directions for a fairly quick and easy gift to make and give. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Have a great day and a great week as well!

Alive and Well post Thanksgiving day

We had a great time at the kids' on Thurs. The food was wonderful and the company even better. Hope everyone had a good one too.

Friday I rose early and met Kip and Mary Mary up at Ruban Rouge. At 50% off, I finished my Stocking Pal shopping and got a new cartridge and some papers for my Slice as well. I got the replacement blades for 5.00 instead of ten...probably should have grabbed more than one set of those! Kip and I waited with two very nice women, Julie and her sister and met another gal who on her way home from Ohio! Visiting made the time go so much faster.

After we had shopped, Mary Mary and Kip wanted to go to Jo's and we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee before we went our separate ways. I missed the turn and ended up parking in the AAA lot (after all, I am a card carrying member, right?)and cutting through another parking lot to get to DD. On my little morning stroll, I passed a small retention pond and LO and Behold! there was a rosette spoonbill. We use to drive all the way out to Ding Darling on Sanibel Island to see these beautiful birds and there was one right next to Dunkin Donuts in Palm, Harbor, Fl. We've also seen the amazing wood storks fly over our house and on our bike trips into town here in Tarpon Springs and we'd have to go to Naples to see them in Ft. Myers.

The tree is up, the lights are lit (and one strand already out on the lanai), most of the Christmas shopping is done. And I think there is a holiday bazaar here in Tarpon Springs today and tomorrow. May have to roam by and see if the spiced nuts guy is there...love those!

Until tomorrow when I'll get some pics up of our decos for the holidays, have a good one

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Count your blessings, eat lots and I'll see you tomorrow after I've shopped til I drop...

I did put my project with T. Holtz mini index album and his new Nature shapes up on my altered art blog so mosey on over and let me know what you think. Thanks! (http://jules-atoasttoalteredart.blogspot.com)

Almost Turkey Day!

We'll be over at Kristen and Chris' this year like last. Chris has to work until 5 so we'll be eating after he gets home and our dear friend, Barb, arrives from Ft. Myers. This is going to be such a great TG.

I am so thankful for so many things. We were talking to the kids the other day about how fortunate we all are as a family. My dad is doing well; his chemo is over. My sister and her boyfriend are back together after a few months separation and my niece and great niece are doing well in their new home. All our kids have decent jobs and our pension plan is working better than most in this economy.

E and I are blessed with good friends and family members whose company we enjoy! We have a wonderful home in a great town and our love.


So, HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO YOU ALL. Stay well, warm and eat everything on your plate! After all, Santa is watching you!

Santa Hat time

Ever since our friends, Kim and Jerry, gave us this tiki god (whom E has dubbed our Tikki god of Beer), I have been wanting a Santa hat for him for the holidays. Last year, I searched and searched but to no avail! I settled for the blooming Christmas cactus we've had for eons. Tiki looked like he had dreadlocks!

Yesterday, while picking up another stand of lights from K-mart, I saw the solution. It was a huge stocking and the neck was about 40 inches around, which is what we needed to fit over Tiki's head. And it was 25% off to boot...it was providence. Once we got it home,I turned it inside out, tucked in the toe and heel and hand stitched a point so it would look more like a Santa hat than a stocking. We used a staple gun to hold the hat into place...hope Tiki doesn't get a head ache!

Now, all I have to do is get some yarn and create the tassel for the tip.

Busy week coming up

Monday: finish putting up the ornaments on my little retro tree for my work room and maybe start the big tree. Add lights to the lanai.

Tuesday: crop with the Kipster up at RR

Wed. help Kristen organize her paperwork so she is less frustrated.

Thurs. TG and our dear friend Barb in town

Friday: Black Friday sales at Ruban Rouge! yeah!

Sat. Crop here with Barb

Sunday: put up the big tree;

I'm tired already just thinking about it! I no longer remember how E and I did it plus host a Friends Thanksgiving the Sat. after TG to generally 5 to 8 couples and work?

Supper yesterday

One of the smartest things I ever did was get E a subscription to Bon Appetit for Christmas one year. He has been renewing it ever since and, I think, has renewed it again for the next three years. He spent most of yesterday in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove. This is his hobby and every now and then he goes beyond the call of duty (he does all the cooking for those of you new to my blog).

Here is the menu from the Dec. 08 magazine and is called White Christmas

Starters: Christmas Caipirnhas (Brazil's national cocktail) scheduled for today
Chile-roasted almonds (they were so good)

Main and Sides: Standing rib roast, spinach-porcini stuffing, Irish whiskey gravy and horseradish cream; potato-mushroom gratin; sheery vinegar and molasses glazed carrots; broccolini with pecan brown butter

We skipped desert but had he made it, this is what it would have been: chocolate-coffee gingerbread with hazelnut poached pears. E says we will have this and very soon.

Are you hungry yet? I am!

The one picture of the pot with flames is suppose to be on fire...had it been me cooking, the smoke alarms would have been going off and everyone would have thought it was time to eat. lol

Hope you have a great Sunday!

I tried... I really really tried.

But just couldn't resist uploading some of my favorite holiday tunes. If you are not ready for the holidays, just mute me out for a bit...I am in the mood and it is my blog...so let the gaiety begin!

It was a Big Biscuit kind of day Friday

(that is what Kip calls a day where good things happen)

1. Kristen got word she passed her National Teacher Certification boards! This means she doesn't have to redo any parts and that she gets her bonus check in January for all the hard work, stress and long hours she put into this! Congrats daughter mine!

2. E's lab work from his latest blood lettings and EKGs are showing a little bit of improvement. The heart doctor wants to keep him on the current regime of meds for a few months. If these do not work, we will talk Plans B and C neither of which are attractive but he is holding his own and showing a bit of improvement for now.

3. My altered ornaments were on Scrap Scene yesterday and I have an article coming out in the upcoming Scrapbooking. com e-zine and also one in the Nov/Dec. Scrapbook News and Review.

4. We're making great progress with our holiday decos and will more than likely ready to turn everything on TG night. So, if your lights dim or go out you will know for sure that the Griswalds are alive and living in Tarpon Springs...lol

5. Tues Kip and I are planning on cropping at Ruban Rouge...come visit us!

That Holiday feeling...

I've had some requests for a pattern for my Christmas tree and, as of yet, I have not made one. I am thinking of offering this as a class either here in town or through KnKclub.com The whole things takes about 2 hours and collapses flat for storage. There are more holiday goodies on my altered art blog...http://jules-atoasttoalteredart.blogspot.com

I am still on a quest for a "head" for my dress form lady (chipboard image is from Sunday International) I have been searching for a photo block with the multi coiled metal pieces. I want to use those to form the lady's hair but have been unable to find one anywhere. The closest I've come is one at Mike's with a pumpkin and not sure that would be a good choice. I also want to add shoes to the lower part but am not the best artist in the world. Still working on some that I can glitter to match the glitter I put on her skirt and striped leggings! If I don't find the coiled wires soon, I'll try making my own or just settle for a tiny hat festooned with pearls and feathers. Ideas anyone?

We're sorting through all the holiday boxes today in an effort to get some of this chaos under control. The outside front is done and we found the suction cups for the lights that we use to line the pool cage on the lanai. Guess that is what we will be doing today!
Have a good one and Happy Friday!

The Firepit and our supper from Monday night

I found them! I found them! The lost pictures of E, our new fire pit and our lovely salad for supper that night which, thinking back, was probably Sunday not Monday after all. We have plans to spend the late afternoon around the pit with some crackers, cheese and one of the bottles of vignole we brought back from Mo. E is slow cooking some ribs in a dry mustard sauce on the charcoal grill and it is suppose to be nice and crisp outside.

The last image is the free download I painted with pearlescent watercolors and arranged within a floating frame. The finished product is on my A Toast to Altered Art blog and I will try to get a better picture up when it gets lighter and I've charged my cameras.

Hope you have a great day...stay warm!

December's Kit at KnKclub.com

If you are not a member, you should be. Take a look/see at all that is in the December kit! I have been having far too much fun with this one! There is so much stuff and pretty stuff at that that I keep on making more and more layouts and projects!

You can contact the owner, Gerri-anne Duke at admin@knkclub.com to find out more!

______________

Boy! is it a chilly one this morning here in Paradise. We actually turned on the heat and good thing too or I'd still be huddled under the covers with the cats! You know it is cold when they hear the food being filled in their bowl and they don't even move!

E has an EKG this morning to see if the new meds are doing their job and we have to pick up the van at the repair shop where they are replacing a side mirror that E knocked off when he was hanging the garage lights...don't ask!

Almost done with Christmas shopping...I know I keep saying that but there is always that one other thing we keep thinking of, you know? Today, when it warms up a bit, we'll finish in the front with the net lights over the hedge (the hedge I want to get ride of!) and the dancing snowmen who go up the walkway...yes, we are the Griswald's.

My solar twinkle lights for the gateway and arch to the lower lawn came in yesterday and those go up today too! Can't wait to look out the bedroom window and see them all aglow.

Off and running to stand over one of the heating vents...brrrrrrrrrr!

Belated posting

There were suppose to be 3 pictures here
1. E and our new fire pit
2. E and our new fire pit view 2
3. last night's dinner which was a spinach, walnut, fresh fruit, tuna salad thingy that was pretty and yummy beyond compare

But, dear reader, you will just have to take my word for it because I somehow managed to not only sent the 3 photos into cyber space but deleted them from my camera disc at the same time...crap happens, right?

We hit the ground running today and got the rest of the lights up over the garage, unpacked 5 boxes of holiday lovelies and have the front porch half done for the holidays. See why we start so early?

I am working on a few things right now...but my fave is the 'floating frame' I am making for a wall in the house...all vintagy and holiday=ish. I'll let you know when I post it on my altered blog.

Love to all

The Charge of the Light(ing) Brigade

Well, yesterday was the day and thank heavens for Rob and Chris! E has been permanently banned from tall ladders and high places. Not only does he have a history of falling off of ladders but his sense of balance is precarious at best. This year, the boys came to our rescue and saved us probably tons in hospital bills. What we did not know is that Rob has a fear of heights but neglected to tell us until he was dressing the top peak of the house. Poor fella, but he kept on working and between E's direction (see, didn't keep him off the ladder completely), the job was done. Kristen and Just Jack the Cat supervised as you can see.

Today we are assembling the new fire pit. It resembles a coffee table and we've already moved the table that goes with our outdoor set to make room for it. Tonight would be a great time to test it out as the temps have been a bit chilly here in Paradise.

We are also heading over to the kids house to help them with their lights. Chris is off work along with Rob. Kristen will be handling the little second graders at her school and I have promised her one day on her TG break to help her organize her closet office and try to lasso the papers that are threatening to overtake her life.

Kip and I are making plans to scrap one day at Ruban Rouge as Lisa is having open crops in the crop room the whole week before TG.

Hope your day is a good one!

I love Farmers' Markets

When we lived in St.Louis, we had the wonderful Soulard Market and would head on down on a Sat. morning, have breakfast at Obie's (has a new name now) and shop for fresh veggies and fruits to our hearts content in the historical market place.

When we moved to Ft. Myers, we found a lovely little market that was open on Thurs. mornings under the bridge. I would come home loaded with armfuls of flowers and E with lots of new veggies to try. We went often and the salted nuts were to die for.

And now we live in the land of abundance! Not only is the Dunedin market close by on Fridays but there is one within a few minutes in Safety Harbor as well. Be still my heart! This past Friday, we headed down to Dunedin and shopped and shopped and shopped our way through amazing fresh goods and brought home 4 sacks stuffed. We has the asparagas last night, lightly battered and grilled...oh yum!

Kip says the market in St. Pete is amazing too so we'll have to set aside a Sat. am and have her be our tour guide.

While I am not an enthusiastic (or even willing) cook, I love fresh veggies and fruits!

Kip passed this on to me!

Challenge going around...long one...

and a different kind of one for sure, lol!....

Where is the person you gave your heart to for the first time?
Living on the west coast working as an attorney

What were you doing at ten last night ?
dozing with the cat

What was the last thing you drank ?
glass of Gervertz

What' s going on between you and the last person you kissed?
Love and marriage!

What' s something you really want right now, be honest?
my bed

Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?

last week when I was having my root canal but the dr. was fantastic!

Anything annoying you right now?
People who want something for nothing!

Who was the last person to make you cry?
Can't remember

Anybody you' re looking forward to seeing soon?
The kids tomorrow...we're celebrating Kristen's 33rd.b'day

Are you going anywhere for the next summer?
The Beach in Ft. Myers

Who was the last person you hugged?
Kip when we said goodbye today

Who was the last person in your room?
E when he did my workroom floor this afternoon

Did you have a dream last night ?
Yes, very vivid one about teaching

How many piercings do you have?
ears only

Have any tattoos?
None but thought about getting a small mermaid when I turned 60!

Are you good at giving directions ?
so so

Last time you cried really, really hard?
When my step dad, Papa Joe, died.

What is your favorite thing to eat with peanut butter?
toast

Could you go out in public looking like you do now?
EGADS NO

Have you ever made someone so mad that they broke something?
My ex eons ago but he didn't have much patience!

What is your favorite color ?
yellow or sea foam

Do you think your last ex deserves to die?
No, but he does deserve to spend a bit of eternity in time out

When was the last time you saw your Grandpa?
1951

Do you know anyone with cancer?

Yes, my dad has cancer right now.

Who was the last person you talked to in person?
hubby playing free cell on the other computer

Do you think you can last in a relationship for 3 months?
Well, E and I have known each other for over 20 and have been together 15, so guess so and my pal, JoAnne and I have been friends since we were both 14.

What is the last text in your inbox ?

if you mean e-mail, Kip...I don't have texting on my cell

Have you lost friends in the past 3 years ?
Not to death but a couple of people I thought were my friends opted to rearrange our relationship.

Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?
I vent a lot...does that count?

Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
Yep!

Are you excited for anything to happen in the next 6 months?
Going to Savannah for St. Pat's with Steve and DeeDee

What should you be doing right now?
getting off the computer and reading more of my book, Franklin and Lucy (about FDR and the women in his life)

Do you believe in true love?
Yes

Do you miss your past? I pretty much live in the present but I do miss our family holidays...only my sister and I left now and our kids.

Do you think that your ex still likes you?
ah, I'm not sure he ever did...

Has a person of the opposite sex seen you in your underwear?
well, yes!

If you could go back 3 months from now would you change anything?
yes, not jump to conclusions

Where 's the last place you went?
To Ruban Rouge with the Kipster to visit with Lisa

what color are your eyes?
blue

At the moment, are you more warm or cold?
just right

What are you listening to?
Bocelli on my blog!

Do you prefer an ocean or pool?
pool

How long is your hair?
short and spikey

Last thing you ate?
steak

Are you a bad influence?
Yes, according to Pam who says I make her drink with me (and that is on-line)!

Would you share a drink with a stranger?
not sure

Can you easily tell if someone is fake?
Pretty much but I've been taken before and probably will be again.

Looking back did you ever waste too much time on a certain boy or girl?

Male, my ex...put up with him far too long!

What' s your favorite card game?
Phase Ten

Know anyone who' s been drunk recently?
not that I can think of

Do you enjoy drama ?only on tv

How many months until your birthday?
8 mo.

Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
Everyone but rapists, murderers, child molesters and most politicians (oh, and the corporate idiots who keep taking money they don't deserve).

Last three people you texted?
I don't text.

What are you doing tonight? heading for the couch to zone out on some tube or to bed to read my book


Is smoking one of your turn offs?
Quit 11 years ago and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I understand how others have trouble quitting. When I go into "the home", I'll smoke again. The smokers are the only ones who get to go outside!

What' s the last kind of soup you ate?
Tomato

What kind of dog do you want?
none we are owned by two cats

Do you currently have a sunburn?
nope

Could you eat nothing but grilled cheese for a week straight?
One of my faves so yes!

What color was the last drink you consumed?
clear

Would you rather shave your head or dye your hair bright orange?
shave it!

Could you last an hour without talking?
yes, but that fact would surprise a lot of people

Has anyone told you they missed you lately?
yes

Are you a Hollister/Abercrombie kind of person?
Nope, more of a Beall's gal

how many hours of sleep did you get last night ?
4 ...bad night

What makeup do you wear on a daily basis ?
base, eye mascara, blush and eyebrow stuff


What curse word do you use the most?
hmmmmmmmmm a toss up between sh*t and another one

Do you own an ipod?
nope

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
both

Has anyone ever called you lazy?
Yes, but I prefer the term 'relaxed'...I'm retired! I've earned it

Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?
yup certified Ambien girl here!

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
2% white

Can you whistle?
Yes. Of course!

How big is your local mall?
big, too big

Are you currently wearing glasses?
yes or I couldn't even find the laptop

Do you own any band t-shirts?
Do Jazz tees count?

How many aunts and uncle s do you have?
not as many as I use to have

Do you crack your knuckles?
never.

What is your favorite salad dressing?
basalmic

Do you read for fun?
A day without a book is a day withour sunshine

Can you speak any languages other than English?
a bit of Spanish and I can say, ciao bella with the best of them

Where is your cell phone ?
in its case in my purse

What color is your bedroom painted?
soft blue green

Are your parents divorced?
yes

What do you like to snack on at the movie theatres?
Jordon's almonds

Have you ever dated someone out of your race?
no

What was/is your favorite class in high school?
English

If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name have been?
Phillip, my mom told me that if I'd been a boy, that would have been my name...Phillip James

Were you a " planned" child

no...a came a trifle early to boot...lol

How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
62 glorious years old

Ever eaten an entire thing of frosting?
Oh yeah...I love the frosting.

Have you read To Kill A Mockingbird?
Taught it at least 4 times a year for about 22 years.

What instrument would you like to learn?
Uke

Were you ever a safety patrol in elementary school?
I was an alternate

Do you like dodge ball?
only if they play with nerf balls

Ever order anything from the tv?
yes

Can you write with both hands ?
not really

Do you get cold sores a lot?
lately, yes

Chapstick or lipgloss?
lipstick gal here

Last time you got poison ivy?
can't remember

So I am tagging Chris and W.O.T.E

Wishing for Winter Retreat

It has been so warm and humid here the past couple of days that we've had to turn on the a/c. This has got me dreaming of the wonderful Winter Retreat that Linda Jenkins puts on each year and I thought I'd share a few of my pics from last year's crop. The weather is always nippy but mostly at night and the cold is half the fun. The other half is the friendships, the food and the fun! This year's is in Oleano State Park (hope I got that right)and it is so beautiful. Although I love attending any crop Linda puts on, I believe this is my favorite! See you there!

KnK Nov. Kit projects

These are two of the layouts I did with this month's busting to the seams kit from KnK. I also did a small chipboard album for my dd's b'day and will post that soon. Love everything G-a and Sonia put into this kit. For more information, www.knkclub.com or admin@knkclub.com.

We are off to the Dunedin Farmers' Market today. It starts at 9am and we are starving for fresh produce. I also want a bag of the spiced nuts to reward myself in a day or two when I can chomp on these without a twinge. The jaw is feeling better and better.

My desk is covered with half done projects and I plan on clearing some of these into the done pile. I am also playing with the Dec. kit from KnK...and you do NOT want to miss this one!

Have a great day.

Premature Celebration

I found these really cool paper mache orbs at Rock Paper Scissors in Old Towne St. Charles, Mo when we were in St. Louis last and, while waiting for my pain meds to kick in yesterday, I started playing. As you see, I have not gotten a whole lot past picking out papers for them. Because of the shape, I couldn't design a template that worked for the "slices" of each one so I am practicing patience and doing one segment at a time, smoothing the craft glue onto the wedge, arranging the paper and smoothing it into place. When it has dried, I trim. I should have these ornaments done sometime in March of 09. lol

I am using some of the papers from the KnK Dec kit (now for you to figure out which ones they are) plus some specialty papers in non-traditional holiday colors. I'll post all 3 when I am finished. Feel free to carry on with your regularly scheduled programming as this may take a bit of time. Meanwhile, lovin' the pain meds for the tooth fix except they make me a bit sleepy. But, to paraphrase the Bard, to sleep perchance to dream of playing with paper!

Have a good one.

Rise and Shine!

For some ungodly reason, I have been awake since 4:15 am. I refuse to get out of bed that early so I snuggled down in the covers and read until just a bit ago. I have the appointment with the tooth specialist today. I am not sure if he is going to start the procedure to save the tooth today or just do the preliminary work. Either way, not much looking forward to it.

The up side of today is that the appointment is in Dunedin, a wonderful little Scottish community on the Gulf just down the way from my town. There are some of the most amazing little boutiques there and I plan on visiting a few if I feel ok after the tooth guy gets done with me. Remember Jill, the one store where the guy offered us martinis at 10:30 in the morning? May need one of those by the time I am out of the tooth guy's chair!

Today is my daughter's 33 birthday! We will be placing our traditional phone call to her in just a bit before she leaves for work. For eons, it has been our tradition to call and sing the birthday song as loudly and as off key (no effort there) as possible. Not sure how this got started but we all keep doing it year after year, family member after family member! It sure seems like just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital, so small and pretty. The pretty is still there but she is taller (and thinner) than me. I think I am shrinking! Where does time go?

Have a great day!

Things I have learned living 61 years

1. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

2. Associate with people who like you for who you are and not for what you can do for them.

3. If you put yourself out there for someone and get treated unjustly, give that person one more shot. If the same results occur, move on. After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results (and thanks Barb hon for reminding me of this).

And, in tandem, don't treat me like crap and expect me to thank you.

4. The best people to have with you on this journey have a gigantic sense of humor and a small sense of angst. Laughter enriches us and angst wears us out!

5. Sometimes a day in the life is just that and nothing deep or spiritual or anything that requires great thought. Sometimes just being is all it takes to "have a great day" (insert smiley face here)!

6. Surround yourself with smart and well informed people. It adds points to your IQ trying to keep up with them. Everyone has value but find those that support yours.

7. When someone asks you what you think about something, it is often best to decline to comment unless you know them well enough to know that person really does want honesty from you. I no longer fill out random evaluations or critiques for this very reason. Most times they really don't want to know.

And conversely, have three people in you life whom you trust to tell you the truth and listen to them!

8. Try something way out of your comfort zone if not daily at least weekly. If you do the same thing, stay in your comfort zone, you don't grow and we are capable of growth til the day we die.

9. Family is first then those you trust enough to call extended. Take good care of both.

10. Practicing "This is not my problem" does work.

11. Support your friends in what they are up to in their lives. What goes around does come around.

12. Pick your battles carefully. The only result of a pissing contest is wet shoes.


NOW, share a few of your 'rules' of living with me, please!

This is the best part of the weekend

hanging with my gal pals. One of these pictures shows Sonia (aka Sophia), Janet (owner of Scrapbooks Etc. of Bonita Springs, Fl.)and my dear friend, Barb putting up the grid work for Gerri-anne Duke's store at the crop. Once we got things pretty well set up, we turned the hanging of kits and product over to G-a and Sonia and headed with a gang of gals to Sunset Grill in Sebring. While the wait was far too long, we were compensated with complimentary drinks at Kelcey's birthday dinner the next night when Roz, Kelcey, Ginni and I ducked out of the crop supper. And didn't we have fun with Thomas you guys?

Being with people like Barb, G-a, Sophia et al (not to leave out anyone and you each know who you are) is one of the two reasons I love going to weekend retreats. And the reason I am so looking forward to Winter Retreat this next January put on by THE best retreat/crop director there is in this state, Miss Linda (www.hilltopmemories.com). This coming retreat will be held in Oleano State Park the weekend of SuperBowl and will run Thurs- Sunday am. and I can't wait! LInda has a way of making each person at her retreat feel the whole crop has been arranged just for her and the food...drop the diet and just dig in...yummy!

The second reason I love going to retreats is the opportunity to teach. I was an English teacher for about 30 years and it is such a part of me. I miss sharing what I know but not teaching 5 hours a day 5 days a week...and, believe me, adults are so much more fun than the reluctant English students I had...lol.

The rest of the pictures are Sonia (our resident Elf at KnK) chatting online with Kip. Not having Kip at the crop was like not having Lucy and only Ethel or Stan without Laurel. And my pal Jill being AWOL...the drive was ten x longer without you, Roomie! And not a single hug from Linda the whole weekend...deprivation.

The four gals pictured are the Ft. Myers/Cape Coral Cuties as I have dubbed them. These four had me in stitches for most of the crop. And my Scrappy Daughter, Val, who reminded me that "This is not my problem" and " This too shall pass"...thanks hon!

I brought home some wonderful new play things from G-a's store and will be creating some things with them over the next few days. G-a has asked that I not post them until she can get them up in her store so WATCH THIS SPOT!

And to my new friend, Pam. Can't wait to learn those great techniques I saw on your amazing work. Call me soon!

Oh Lucy, I'm hooooooooooooome!

and so glad. Had a blast hanging out with the KnK gals and the few Hilltoppers who attended. My class went well and everyone seemed to enjoy the class and the techniques. I'll post some pics tomorrow from the crop. I made it home in about 2.5 hrs. and got so busy talking to Kip (and yes, you were missed madly...especially when the prizes were called!)that I forgot to turn off at my street and had to detour through town. Wouldn't have been so bad but I'd consumed a huge iced tea on my drive home and the meter was reading expired! Did make it in time. More tomorrow.

Can't wait til Winter Retreat! I missed Linda and Kipper and the rest of the Hilltop Gals!

Don't hate me because I own a Slice!

I have; I've used it; I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and, thanks to my pal, Janet D owner of Scrapbooks Etc. in Bonita Springs, Fla., I can work it! She walked me through the couple of steps necessary to operate it. She showed me a couple of quick tricks and I've been a Slice-ing fool ever since.

The first part of my class went well! We Glimmer Misted, painted with three different techniques, used All Purpose ink, applied gold paint and pearls and tuelle and velvet! And we have another hour or so tomorrow to finish up.

I did demos with Tim Holtz newest grungeboard shapes (Nature) and Glimmer Mist yesterday and then today have been demo'ing with the Glimmer Mist shapes, layering inks and Glimmer Mist and a little bling and the Glimmer Mist stencils with some layering of the various images in other ways. Having a blast 'addicting' the gals here at the crop! Gerri-anne, owner of KnKclub.com is the vendor for whom I teach and we loaded both my kit for the class and hers and have been having far too much demo'ing with the new products she brought.

I did find a wee bit of time to alter this dress form from Sunday International. I'll be hunting for a wee straw hat to finish off "m'lady" adding some ribbons and flowers.

Miss me a little! More later.

And please wish my friend, Twinks (Kath) and my friend Kelcey both happy happy b'days!

My kits are loaded and

the directions and pictures are printed, collated and stapled and all my supplies for the class are gathered into one place. Now all I have to do is pack my scrap stuff and clothes...ah, yes! Clothes for me...can't forget those!

I leave tomorrow for Sebring and the historic Kennilworth Hotel where I'll be staying and scrapping and teaching and hanging out with the smokers (even though I quit over 11 years ago...)on the front porch rocking chairs. Wish you were coming too! I'll have internet there so watch this spot for updates and fun photos...and maybe I'll even get a project or two done.

I am getting my Dec. kit to work on for KnK when I get to the crop...and my Slice. Does life get any better?

We have a new President

(word image of Obama's acceptance speech credit to Cathy Gill)

I stayed up late last night watching the returns and, as soon as I heard the announcement that we had a new President, I fell sound asleep missing the acceptance speech and the McCain's gracious one as well. I've read them on line and will try to catch this mornings news for a replay.

We have a busy day ahead of us. We didn't get our errands done yesterday so that is on today's agenda. I am writing the dreaded instructions for this weekend's class. It looks like I may have a couple of kits left over and will know more on Sunday. If so, I'll post and let you know how to get one if you are interested. This is the Romanza kit I had pics of a while ago.

I can't wait to crop this weekend. I didn't get much done last weekend what with the lss sale and all and I am itching to play. Will be packed and ready to go by Thurs. afternoon (I hope)!

Have a good one!

Happy Election Day

While I am pretty firm on the candidate of my choice, I honestly don't care how you vote as long as you do! If you have not voted already, please take the time to do so!

This public service announcement has been brought to you by me and I approve this message)! See you tomorrow with goodies!

Another Work in Progress

At Linda's last crop, Creep Over, (www.hilltopmemories.com), Gerri-anne brought her box of Tim Holtz's new releases! I had to have the Grunge board Index album and the Nature Plain shapes and have been working on this album ever since. I have used Glimmer Mist, assorted inks and paints and Stickles and gems and ...well, you name it. I am thinking of using it to hold my favorite Emerson essay on success! If you want to get your hands on this stuff send G-a an email at admin@knkclub.com and tell her Jules sent you! And, this gets even better, Linda just got in a shipment of the new Tim Holtz Distress Stickles...use the addy I gave above for ordering from Linda...Linda and G-a always have the best goodies!

Have a great one and I'll post updates on this album when I make a bit more progress...