The days only get better and better

Here is a pic of Jadee, me and Kim at Parrot Key with our traditional foo foo drinks (well, the 2 of them had foo foos). I have known these women forever it seems. E hired Jadee when she was fresh out of college and now she has his old job. Her two daughters are such fun! And I adore her mom, Denise, who is my coffee buddy in the morning. Kim was the mother of one of cheerleaders, Jamie, and we got to be such good friends. Now her daughter is a teacher, a cheer coach and a Pampered Chef consultant and my daughter is her up-line. Kim's mom, Alice, brought me a beautiful table cloth for my dinning room that she embroidered herself...will post a pic of it when I get home.

The other day the boys in our group, Kelly, Drew and Chris joined in the never ending volley ball game on the beach. We cheered them on to one victory and one loss.




and then there is Cameron, one of Jamie's cute little fellows. Talk asbout energy. I'd love to bottle that, sell it and make a fortune!

Whenever Jill and Kelly are down, I take a sunset on the beach pic of them but due to very cloudy skies the last night, the sun set sucked. I did get this one of them which I think they will like almost as well. Jill was my student teacher eons ago and is not an assistant principal.
























And then there is our Hanna. She is such a sweetie as is her older sister, Paige. Jadee has done an incredible job with her girls and I just love it when Hanna blows me kisses.

Not sure what is on the agenda for today. They guys went to the dog track yesterday and, as usual, had more losers than winners but did have fun. The girls shopped, hung out at the pool and read.

My back has been giving me grief so, after we shared supper with Kim and her family, E and I headed to the hot tub wine in hand. We chatted with some friends, were joined by more friends and headed back to our unit when the rain began.

I love this place!

Posted my CHA picks

on my altered art blog . Thanks for taking a look/see. Will try to update daily for a few to come.

A change of pace

The days here go differently than at home. I am not sure if it is the soothing sounds of the waves on the shore or the breezes off the Gulf but we live a day here so differently. I honestly don't think it has as much to do with being "on vacation" as it has to do with where we are.

The mornings on the beach come slowly to us. The twinkling lights of Sanibel Island and the causeway in the inky darkness evolve to a misty view of the pier here on Ft. Myers Beach with the sky lightening into shades of pink and baby blue. The beach combers, runners and walkers increase in number and the sea gulls begin their noisy search for food.

Our day spreads out before us with unlimited options: should we all float in the pool and catch up on each other, should we shop for a new swim suit, or walk down to Time's Square for breakfast or lunch or a cold beer? Read or walk the beach or just sit and watch the day unfold?

We often eat communally with the guys grilling and the women providing side dishes to share with the kids running underfoot. We have lots and lots of little kids now and they have provided our week with a new richness . They have been a joy from watching them learn the Temptations Two Step to the sheer delight they take in everything from finding a lizard to showing us their latest trick in the pool.

The composition of our group will be changing now. Kristen and Chris had to leave last night after supper as Chris had to go back to work. Jill and Kelly head out around noon today as Jill has a convention to attend and Jamie and her two cuties accompanied by Grandma will head out tomorrow. Our group, which peeked this week at 26 last Sunday when we had my sister, niece and nephew and my great niece, Kaela, join us will shrink.

And the evening here...the soft breezes blow, the sunsets take our breath away and we make new friends, catch up with those whom we see only here once a year and walk the beach again and again.

Til later...sunrise is tempting me away!

Live from Ft. Myers Beach...

After a late night on Friday, I headed out to the airport at 5:20 am on Sat. to catch my flight to our timeshare on Ft. Myers Beach. Due to fog and rain and who knows what else, we got off the ground an hour an a half later than scheduled. There are only so many games of free cell a gal can play on a laptop before the power goes (memo to self: check into a new battery pack for Minnie)

CHA was wonderful as always and I got to see a bunch of old friends both in and out of the industry plus make a few new ones! And the best part was that I got to meet Chris, Pam and Monica IRL! What a great group of women Gerri-anne has assembled for the DT for KnK!

Due to construction here at Estero Island Beach Club in our building, I am "forced" to use my laptop out here on the lanai which faces the Gulf. The waves crashing on the beach, the sea gulls crying out, the beach combers soft murmers and the view are so terribly distracting...lol.

I'll post some pictures later of CHA etc. but our friends who meet us here from St. Louis are all starting to rise and shine. We all no sooner arrived yesterday than we headed to Hooters for wings and then floated in the pool with a brew or two. E made us gumbo and all joined in.

Today, Chris and Kristen will be down and Mike and Jaime and kids will arrive early evening bringing our total to 22 this year. My niece, Jenny, her hubby, Tony and my great niece, Kaela will pick up my sister and join us this afternoon adding 4 or 5 more (depending on if my sister brings a friend) to the mix. Love big parties. Our evening plans include a cook out followed by a fun evening dancing to the oldies at Parrot Key.

More later when I have a chance!

So good to see the girls

After years, we finally meet Maria from the beloved Early Birds and were so glad that our dear sweet Anne, in town for the Pampered Chef convention, came to join us. I do miss you Anne and hugs were so wonderful!

We headed off to a restaurant called Maria's Mexican where we celebrated Barb's birthday...great hat Barb!

G-a, Sonia and I walked the five blocks to and from the restaurant and saw this cute little guy coming out of the woods...We warned him about traffic and cars and hope he listened to our sage advise.

I had the combo plate and it was so yummy. This was the cheapest place we have found to eat since we arrived! and had great food too!

And as we neared the hotel, the sun going down turned the towers the prettiest shades of pink and copper!

I have 3 classes tomorrow and am changing hotels to join my friend Pam and another DT member, Monica, at their hotel up the street. Will post updates when I can.

Jill, hope you are on your way! Love to all.

We made it!

Other than a small discussion about which hotel of the two Hyatt's was ours, we made it with no fuss and no bother! Our room has a balcony and a great view...lol. But, as the realtors like to say, "location, location, location"...we are right across the street from the CHA convention center.

Our deal pal Jill is having too many knee problems and won't be able to join us. We'll be thinking of you Jill....if that knee gets better, please come!

We had a good lunch at the hotel restaurant...good but a bit costly. Kip got a cobb salad and you can see my selections from the buffet. We celebrated Kip's first CHA with a glass of vino. Kip is napping right now (see pic of room...on the bed closest in the photo. Barb, G-a and Sonia (aka my bff Sophia) are due to land soon and then, when they get here, we'll see what g-a has planned for us for the the rest of our day.

Our friend from the Early Birds on the old ckmb, Maria, is due here at 6 and I am still trying to get ahold of Anne. Talked to my dd, Kristen, who is also up here in Chicago. She got on the right bus at the airport but it was heading in the wrong direction. She did make it to her hotel and was hunting for her pals for the Pampered Chef convention.

So, more updates to follow. I have 3 classes tomorrow 2 hours each and a staff dinner followed by the SEI party. Thinking Kip has the right idea catching a nap while she can...

Birthday Girls!

Not sure how much actual computer time I'll get in tomorrow so want to wish two grand gals a happy b'day while I can. Their collective Birthday is not until tomorrow but I didn't want to miss it for either one.

So, Happy day to the gracious and loving Miss Linda of the infamous Hilltop Memories Retreats and Traveling Store. May you have many many more! and may this one be the best yet!

And, to my pal, Barb who knows all my secrets and only tells a few and whom I am blessed to call friend, may your day tomorrow be filled with peace and laughter and I'll see you when you get to the hotel in Chicago!

Love you both,
Jules

Wait til you see the KNK kit for Aug.

It is so yummy! and so loaded with goodies. My two layouts went up on the home page today and my technique column goes live on Aug. 1st. The gals on the DT have out done themselves this month...just wait and see!


Goofy knows something is up...that I am leaving and he has planted himself on my packed suitcase since yesterday even spending then night there last night instead of cuddling with me like he usually does.
I guess
he thinks if
he doesn't move, I won't go! lol

Have to run to the bank and to the UPS store today and I am done and ready to leave for Chicago. My daughter will be there at the same time for her Pampered Chef convention but we probably won't be able to get together until we are both down in Ft. Myers at the resort. She just made director and has lots of celebrations and work shops to attend. I've got 4 classes in 2 days at CHA.

Kip and I will be meeting up with Jill at the airport and then heading on to the hotel. After G-a, Sonia and Barb get in, I think we will try to find a scrap store or two before we meet up with our old CKMB pals, Anne and Maria for supper.

I'll get to meet 3 of the DT gals from KnK for the first time live too, Chris, Pam and Monica! Can't wait for the adventure to begin...although my suit case may be slightly fuzzy from the Goof!

Watch this spot for updates from CHA! and have a good one!

We're heading home for Fall!

E and I had been talking about needing to visit his mom over her 91st. b'day in Oct. and had considered driving as we believed it to be cheaper than the ever increasing airfares.

Great minds must think alike because we got a call from our pals, Nick and Kay and Steve and Dee Dee. They were sitting on Nick and Kay's deck of the beautiful home they have built on Lake Sherwood outside of St. Louis. They said they were thinking of us and had decided we needed to get home for a visit. We agree!

So, after checking into prices and doing a bit of comparison, we booked our flight for the 1st. of Oct. We're heading home for the only season I miss since our move to Florida...Fall.

Look out Old Towne St. Charles...mama is coming to shop and look out wineries, we're on our way! Hoping to see Chuck and Linda, Jadee and lots more of our friends.

Guess it is a bit too soon to pack, huh? lol

July KNK project

The papers were gorgeous in this kit and all the embellishments helped add layer after layer of fun. I am searching for the perfect ribbons to tie this stadium book by Zsiage together when I have finished documenting a day in my life.

There are lots of birthdays coming up among my friends this next week. My friend, Barb's mom, turns 99...wow! Our dear friend, Linda (of Hilltop Memories fame) turns 31 once again and my pal from when I was 14 on, Jo Anne will be playing catch up with me this Wed.

Many happy birthday wishes to these women and any others who I may have missed.

Don't forget to check below to see if you were the lucky winner of the neat album from Memories in Uniform.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Wendy. Please e-mail me your full name and address by Tues. morning so I can get this into the mail to you before I leave for CHA. Many thanks to all who stopped by. And thanks to Memories in Uniform for the album for the give away!

eeickmeier@hotmail.com

Blog Give Away today and Sat.

If you would like to be entered into the Memories in Uniform {Life}Jacket album give away, please leave a comment here on my blog either today or tomorrow. I'll put all comments into a hat (or a basket or whatever I have around)and will have E draw a name. I'll post the winner on Sunday and give you a contact to leave me your name and address.

If you are interested in more of Amy Alfaro's great products, you can contact her at amy@memoriesinuniform.com or through her site www.memoriesinuniform. com. thanks!

In my spare time...

(lol) I have started a small album of my childhood memories. The side and back are covered with velveteen paper and the front cover has been inked, Glimmer Misted and embossed. I used Krylons and inks applied with a soft tipped Fantastix to a pressed Ginko leaf and then applied Golden Medium in matt to preserve the delicate leaf.

I've only done the cover and the introduction pages plus a stamped leaf page so far but have gathered items from my stash that reminded me of my childhood to use on other pages.

My baby book was lost in one of our moves so this will be more a journal of my summer memories growing up than it will be a picture album. I plan to devote a couple of pages each to things like my grandmother's garden, the alleyway that linked my grandmother's house to that of my cousins', my neighborhood summer friends, and looking back when my mother and visited the Iowa town for her 50th. high school reunion over ten years ago.

Don't forget to watch for tomorrows blurb here for the Memories in Uniform album give away. Post Friday or Sat and I'll have E do the drawing on Sunday morning and announce then. Thanks

FYI: Blog give away starts Friday

Amy Alfaro, the president of Memories in Uniform (www.memoriesinuniform.com), sent me this lovely and versatile album with a cloth cover. While it's name implies a military album, it is also perfect for Girl or Boy Scout album or a great heritage album as you can sew, attach, etc. memorbelia to the cover to customize it!

For those of you who don't know, in additon to being a designer for KnK (www.knkclub.com)and am fortunate enough to teach at Linda's retreats, (www.hilltopmemories), I am also a staff writer for Scrapbook News and Review. In that capacity, I do a column called, "Featured Manufacturer" which focuses on one small scrapbook or paper crafting company each issue of the magazine. Last month, I selected Bisous.biz for the amazing PDQ papers, this month it is Memories in Uniform, and next issue will be Black Market Paper Society.

So, here is how this will work. On Friday, I'll post a little blub and I'll enter all who post to my blog that day and Sat. into a drawing. The winner gets the album and I pay postage. Fair? I'll announce on Sunday so be sure to check back then. Stay tuned and thanks for playing.

Don't Miss Friday here

I've got a great blog give away compliments of Amy Alfaro, pres of Memories in Uniform!

I cooked!

I know this may come to a shock to many of you who know me well but, I can cook. I'd prefer not too and my kids tell horrible stories about my cooking adventures from their childhood. Like the time I caught the toaster on fire and it burned, unplugged in the snow for a half hour or the time I sorta set fire to chicken cooking on the grill...but, I can cook.
( and the rumors they spread about me having the fire dept. on speed dial are so unjust )!

The evidence is here before your very eyes! Last night, in momentary lapse, I told E, the resident chef and husband, that I would take charge of fixing something besides an evening cocktail. I sauteed some artichoke hearts, quartered, and some sliced mushrooms in some EVOO (just like Rachel Ray) and added some Greek seasoning to the simmering yummies. I had the pasta boiling and E sliced some olives and I added blue cheese to taste after the pasta was done, the sauteed goodies added and a dash or two of white wine with a tad bit of lemon....oh be still my heart. This is to die for and I did it all by myself...well, all but the slicing. Due to an unfortunate encounter a few years back with a serrated steak knife, an orange juice bottle cap and my thumb, I am no longer allowed to play with sharp objects.

And now my fear is that since I turned out a wonderful dish, E might expect me to do this more than once a year...I have managed to delegate all the Thanksgiving cooking to the kids...it is only fair after all the horribly exaggerated stories they tell about me, right?

I need a new banner

and Rob has offered to help me get one for both of my blogs. I am considering either of these two to start with but am having trouble making up my mind. I love them both and do realize that there will be some warping from resizing. So, that being said, help me pick! Cast your vote for A)sunset or B)palm trees. Thanks for the help!

Living with cats

We have been owned by cats for 12 of our 13 years of marriage. We got Just Jack and Goofy from the humane society in St. Louis. We had lost our wonder cat, Radar, when he roamed out during a party at our house. He had been gone over a year when we felt the void needed to be filled. I had intended to bring home only one cat but the litter was so big that someone had left, that I took two. Kristen bought us the second cat as a gift. Surprisingly, both cats are from the same littler...it was pretty well divided between the orange and the gray stripes so I took one of each.

Here are a couple of shots of Jack at his best...lol. We have to watch carefully when we take laundry out of the dryer as he is notorious for climbing in and cuddling into anything left. He loves towels straight from the dryer and Goofy loves to lie in the folded clothes when we sort them on the bed.

Both of The Boys have taken an unintended dip into the pool. Jack slipped off the side, did a quick mid air turn and propelled himself back onto the rim. Of course, it was all our fault since anyone owned by cats know they are never to blame. Indignant was an understatement...he barely acknowledged us the rest of the day. Guess we shouldn't have laughed, huh? Goofy made the error of jumping onto the pool cover last winter and broke all land speed records racing to the other side and out!

Scrapping The Boys is one of my joys! Have a great one

It was a great 4th. of July

We helped Kristen with her window seat in the morning and went by our book store to stock up for our couple of weeks at the beach. E knows me so well...he gave me one paper back for now and has the others all packed! lol

We lolled around the pool with Kristen and then she headed home to catch her ride to St. Pete where all 3 kids were meeting up after Chris got off work.

E and I headed up to our favorite fireworks watching place, Capt'n Jack's on the Anclote River. Last year, the top deck was so hot from the nearness of the restaurant's kitchen exhaust that we didn't stay for all the fireworks. We did watch at least five different displays while we were there through with a group who had been at our house for a cook out.

This year, it was just the two of us and the weather was better, the restaurant had been redesigned and we got to see at least 8 different displays...the best coming from Howard Park (an island accessible by a cause way here in Tarpon Springs). What a great show...it went on and on and we kept thinking it was the finale as the display was so incredible. We could also see the fireworks from Spring Bayou and Tarpon Turtle on Lake Tarpon plus many many more.

The restaurant has undergone an amazing transformation in the past year. The food has improved in variety and flavor and the expanded sections are wonderful. We enjoyed our visit so much more this year. We started with appetizers on the lower deck off the Tiki Bar and then moved to the upper deck for the displays. They even had trams to take us from the parking lot across the street to the restaurant and back...classy! And there was a nice two man band playing lots of Buffett and some great oldies but goodies (just like us!).

My favorite part of the evening though was the view of the docks across the river. While the fireworks were amazing as I have stated, the reflection of the lights on the Sponge Docks into the river was so beautiful.

I've managed to mess up the settings on my camera, so did not get any good fireworks shots. There is a tiny bit in the sky on one of the night shots of the Docks. Now where did I put that manual that my friend, Robin, from KnK is always telling me I should read? lol

Have a good one!

Happy Birthday USA

I think I have put this pic up before but it seemed so perfect with its red white and blue colors against the sky!

I was thinking earlier this morning over my first cup of coffee about 4th. of Julys from my past and kept coming back to those of my childhood. I had to have been just 5 or perhaps even younger as my grandfather was still alive.

We would go out to my Uncle Harlan and Aunt Marion's cottage on the Cedar River outside of Waterloo, Iowa for the day. The men would play horse shoes and the women would play badmitton, sit on the porch on gliders and play cards.

I wonder if the old cottage is still standing after the recent flooding there. Thank goodness I have pictures of it.

I remember clearly my older cousin, Marcie, taking my cousin Doug and I through the woods on a path to an amusement park where, for a dime, we could ride the bucket swings and for another dime, have a pop or an ice cream.

To pass the time before the fireworks, we would divide into teams and play croquet. I was always partners with GaGa, my grandfather but I have no recollection of winning or losing...just the joy of the play.

And the food...oh my! and being given watermelon and my Uncle Edward judging the seed spitting contest. Then the fireworks which we kids watched from blankets on the lawn and the adults from the screened porch.

I want sparklers!

Have a great and safe 4th. of July!

Our kids have the nicest friends

We so enjoy the company of both of my adult children and our son-in-law. Through Kristen and Chris, we met Lisa who house/cat sat for us last year and our realtor, Linda, her husband and other friends, Shiloe and Mike who all joined us for the 4th. of July last year.

Through Rob we have met so many of his friends we have lost count. These young people are so kind to us and seem to enjoy our company. We met up with Rob et al at the Mardi Gras celbration this past year in Dunedin and last Feb., we met Rob and several of his pals at the Seas and Blues concert down near the beach in Clearwater.

Poor Chris has to work on the 4th. of July so only Kristen and Rob will be joining us for bbq and swimming during the day. They all have plans for fireworks so E and I will head over to Capt'n Jacks on the Anclote and share some cold brews and appetizers. Last year we saw fireworks displays from at least 5 different communities. Can't wait.

Supplies: Sweet Spring papers by Jackie Eckles for Fancy Pants. (click on the image to enlarge).

Today, let's hear it for our Feline Friends!

I had these wonderful pictures of our friend, Jill, and our cat, Just Jack and just had to scrap them both. When Jill was my student teacher back in St. Louis, she use to cat and condo sit for uswhen we would travel. The Boys loved her and vice versa. She visited us last April and I am not so sure she didn't come more to see The Boys...lol.

On {Just}Jack and Jill, I used the Sweet Spring line by Jackie Eckles for Fancy Pants, Autumn Leaves Punctuation rub-on, lines (stems) and leaves by Luxe, Vicki Harvey's Big Honkin' Stickers for Mustard Moon and black vinyl stickers (source unknown...if you know, please let me know &thanks) and Bazzil Card stock and Matte Accents by Inkssentials to keep the flowers popped up.

On Cat Whisperer, I used Scenic Route papers, Zsiage letters, and Bazzil scalloped card stock. Source unknown for the blue rub on letters (again, if you know, please let me know...thanks).

FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

I met Deb through Hilltop Memories Crops and Traveling Store (www.hilltopmemories) some time ago but only got to know her better at a crop in Ruskin a month or so ago. Now, I am a big Deb fan! She has the most wonderful sense of humor and even more, one of the biggest and most caring hearts I have known. Deb is involved as a volunteer for the Boxer Rescue. There is a fund raising event coming up Oct. 25 with silent auctions, sales, vendors (and not just for Boxer dogs) etc.
Although my honey and I do not own a dog currently, we have owned them (or been owned by them...lol) and feel strongly about funding for deserted and abandoned pets of all types. Our daughter and her husband are the foster parents to a pup (Gumbo who now weighs 85 healthy pounds) who was abandoned during Katrina in La.
I made a little doggie album for the auction...a few pages are shown here as did others at the Birthday Crop this past weekend.

If you are interested in donating or wish more information on this, please contact Debi White at
ATLWhite@aol.com. I know all inquiries are welcome.