The Luxe Gals are in the house

and we did have fun. We got to the crop around 5 and set up all our things. I had to shop of course, and Lisa has the best place in town to do that. She was one of the first stores here in the Tampa area to get in the new BG and tons of other new products out of Summer CHA. The crop was held in the new crop room where I taught last Sat. Here is a pic of the two Luxe gals, Jennifer and Emily, Kip and I. And this is the cute card we made...I added the big J rub on and "ules" on the front and the circle behind the Jotters card on the inside.

Speaking of the Jotters, Kip has gone on and on about these things as only kip can. But this time, she is justified...I think I bought every one of these that Luxe makes. They are not only cute but so functional...paint 'em, ink 'em, or chalk them and they work with any project or layout.

The girls, Kip and Di, are heading back up to Ruban Rouge for a card class at ten but I'll be waiting until noon-ish to take the second class of the day. We had such fun last night and more to come. Will post my afternoon project when I can

It is down....

my blood pressure that is. We had to visit 3 drug stores before we found one with a machine and it is down from the dr. visit where it was something over 105 to 137/85. The chart says this is not great but I am no longer sitting around waiting to stroke out! And this was despite a broken toe...an whole other story!

I am packed for tonight's crop, taking far more than I'll ever finish as usual. The one layout I do want to work on is one of my mom when she was four. I've printed this out on linen paper and it looks so lovely. Hope I can do it justice.

Can't wait to see the Kipper and Di and I have a small surprise for each of them when we get back to the house...

Will report in when I can...off to Ruban Rouge for tons of fun!

Step away from the Google search

Ever since my visit to the dr. yesterday where my blood pressure was, "way too high", I've been aghast. Well, rather I've been aghast ever since I googled 'high blood pressure'. Now I knew that this was something serious since my mom took high blood pressure meds, my sister does and so does my honey but never thought this could be a problem for me.

All my life, I've had low blood pressure...the dr/nurse often has had to take the reading a couple of times to get an accurate one. I think, having read all the dire warnings on the Google searches, my blood pressure is even higher than ever! Those are some scary things that can happen to a person if the pressure remains high and is not treated.

The dr. seemed to think this is a quirk since my last reading about a month ago was perfectly fine. I have to keep a blood pressure diary for a week, checking it every couple of days at the same time. I'm also working on diet and, thanks to one suggestion, petting my cats even more which they are loving!

So, next Wed. a.m. I go back, diary in hand and with lower pressure I am hoping. That is the morning I get my female check up, and that afternoon, just to finish off a perfect day, I am scheduled for my mammo and a bone density test.

I am at great risk of sounding like my late great Aunt Elfie who was a chronic complainer about her health...but I just want to add that this getting older is a bitch!

Compelled

I have tons to do today...laundry, a couple of projects that need to be cleared off my work table, bills to write, on and on and on with the daily chaff that fills our lives.

But, I felt compelled, driven, to scrap this amazing picture of my friend, Barbara...and when the muse of compulsion calls, I have learned to heed her!

Barb, this on is for you!

love, Jules

10 Top Memories of the Summer

I was tagged by Kip who got this challenge from Creative Scrap Shack (www.creativescrapshack.com). Many of my favorite memories are the same as Kip's since we hang out together a bunch!

1. Teaching for Hang Ten at the Tampa Scrapbook Expo (the drive to down town Tampa not included in this event as a fave)!

2. My wonderful birthday party at the Columbia (thanks again gals...I loved it) in Ybor City.

3. Week 29 down at Ft. Myers Beach and getting to see friends we don't get to see all the time. (and having Kip come down for an over night visit)

4. The Fried Green Tomatoes crop at Sebring and hanging out with the smokers rocking on the front porch and cropping with everyone.

5. Girls' Weekend at my house (minus Terri's car getting smushed)

6. Meeting the kids at Miss Vicki's on the Anclote for snacks and beer on one Sat.
(we could not see them so often before we moved up here)

7. Teaching this past Sat. at Ruban Rouge (www.rubanrougepaperarts.com). I had such a great group of women in my class.

8. Having my niece, nephew-in-law and great niece here for a visit. I think Kaela has to be one of the funniest kids around and a pretty good little scrapper as well.

9. The Hilltop Memories Birthday Retreat (www.hilltopmemories.com). Linda Jenkins does amazing crops...fun, food and more fun!

10. (and this is just general memory not a specific one)E and my 'adventures' learning where everything is here in our wonderful new town and our endless search for the perfect dive!

I tag Linda J, Lauri (maybe she will update her blog!)and Twinks (Kath)!

What a great weekend!

My great niece, Kaela, and her parents, Jen and Tony, arrived around noon on Friday and, if Kaela was not in the pool, she was scrapping with either her mom or me or both on the card table E and I set up for her in my workroom. While I taught my class "Things that Touch my Heart" at Ruban Rouge to 14 very funny and wonderful students, our company went exploring in Tampa. By the time I got home, Rob had arrived followed a bit later by Kristen and Chris. Kaela entertained us all with her pool antics and, I don't know about her, but we were all ready for a nap! lol

We had all gone in on her 6th. birthday present (upcoming next week)and she really loved her scrap tote "just like Aunt Julie's". E fixed us great burgers and brats on the grill followed by the richest chocolate cheesecake! Talk about a sugar high.

This morning, after a great breakfast, again by our resident chef, E, we all went to Kristen and Chris' so Jenny and Tony could see their house. The Perez family proceeded on to Disney to celebrate Kaela's birthday and then, in a few days, they will return to Ft. Myers so Kaela can start school. Seems like just yesterday she was born and now she is in school...egads.

I got great news while I was teaching my class. I had been invited to a site on-line by my friend, Tam. Since my term as DT at Little Scrap Box is almost up (also can't believe it has been almost a year there), I gave a shot at the DT at Creative Scrap Shack. It is is great place to play with tons of talented women. Most importantly, the gals who hang out at the Shack have the very best sense of humor. And the great news you ask....I am now one of the DT members at the Shack (www.creativescrapshack.com). Thanks to Carman, the owner and all the DT members...this is going to be fun!

Scrap-a-thon at my house...

My niece, Jen, and her daughter, Kaela (almost 6) joined me in my work room yesterday afternoon for some serious scrap time. Kaela is working on a mini album with a beachy theme. She still has several pages to go but is making great progress with the help of her mom.

I scrapped a layout for the first time in several days and it felt wonderful. This is a picture of one of the 'mother's helpers' who helped with the visiting babies this summer at the beach.

It is off to teach my class today. I will be missing an all day crop at the Creative Scrap Shack (www.creativescrapshack.com) with a celeb chat. Be sure to stop by there for some great inspiration today.

We just finished up Summer School at LIttle Scrapbox (www.littlescrapbox.com) and the DT members came up with some great projects. Bravo girls!

Everyone will be by later today for swimming and a cook out in Kaela's honor. I think she will really like the little scrap tote as she keeps telling her mom as she scraps, "I really need one of these" in reference to the tools I have loaned her...lol

Enjoy your day!

Time Flies when you are having fun...

If the dr.'s office had not called yesterday, I would not have remembered that I was having blood work done today. I honestly thought it was next week. This week has just gotten aways from me some how.

I finally got my class kits loaded and all the supplies organized for the class I am teaching Sat. at Ruban Rouge. I have 13 in the class and 2 kits sold as of last Monday. I'll call tomorrow to see what the final numbers are but I've packed 21 kits just in case.

The Hang Ten Paper Arts August kits go out Monday. While several of these have sold, there are a few still available. You can order them through Hilltop Memories (www.hilltopmemories.com). Go to the bottom of the home page and click on the Hang Ten logo.

Company comes tomorrow at noon so E and I will be doing house chores in the morning. Hope to get in some scrap time with Jennifer, Kaela and Jaime. Can't wait gals...and you too Tony!

Have a good one!

Life in the (half)fast lane

I looked at the calendar this morning and was awe struck by how many activities are on the docket for this month and next. I am really looking forward to all of them and am really excited, now that I've booked my ticket, for Creative Escape in AZ.

This next weekend, my niece, her daughter and husband are coming to visit on their way to Orlando. My great niece, Kaela, tells her mom that she wants to be a scrap booker like her Aunt Julie when she grows up...too cute. Rob, Kristen,Chris, Gene and I got her something scrap related that I hope she will totally love for her upcoming 6th. birthday...we'll be giving it to her on Sat.

Our friend Kim's daughter, Jaime, will also be in town this weekend. She is signing up to be a Pampered Chef rep under Kristen but is coming here on Friday to get a foot up on her albums for her two cute little boys. Looks like there will be a whole lotta scrapping going on...me, Kaela, Jenny, and Jaime! and E will be so happy cooking up a storm.

I am teaching at Ruban Rouge on Sat. so everyone is on their own. and all leave on Sunday around noon.

Kip, Di and I are signed up for the Luxe Girls event at Ruban Rouge the following weekend. I am going in wide eyed and eager to learn!

September is filling fast with two action packed events: Creative Escape and then the MS crop organized by Jackie Dunning (see the side bar for a link and details). Not only is this a worth while charity raising event but should be tons of fun as well. Lots of the Hilltop Memories gals have signed up for the entire weekend and it looks like a pajama party in Tarpon Springs!

I have to find the layout that Gerry-anne did about me. She put it on display this weekend at the Hilltop Memories' Fried Green Tomato Crop and it is so funny. I took a pic and will try to download it this evening. Now you will have to come back for a looky loo! Til then...have a great one!

Sometimes procrastination pays...

For a bunch of my younger years, my motto was,"never do today what you can put off until tomorrow". I have worked assiduously on this character glitch for the past eons and have had some measure of success. And then something like this happens which proves I was right to begin with...lol

Everyone else in the Tampa group booked their flight to Creative Escape in Phoenix long ago and far away. Did I head the warning that everyone keep saying...ah, no. And then the flight the gals had booked was changed and they now have a looooooooong layover in Atlanta.

This past weekend at the Fried Green Tomatoes Crop in Sebring, my partner in crime (er, ah...that would be partner in Hang Ten Paper Arts)Di told me to check out USAir...thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you.

I am on a no layover flight out of Tampa arriving in Phoenix mid morning and my pal, Janet, is on the same return flight back to Tampa. I am sure if she and I stand in the aisle right after the 'unbuckle your seat belts' sign comes on and yell back and forth to each other, we'll end up seated next to each other.

My dear mother and my beloved husband....nah nah na nah nah...sometimes NOT doing what one should when one should has better results.

P.S. I do not plan on making this a new lifestyle...it drives me crazy not to have all my ducks lined up in a row days before the duck hunt but just for today...ah! lol

Welcome to the Fried Green Tomatos Retreat...

Linda Jenkins, owner of Hilltop Memories, sure knows how to put on a scrap retreat. Although I have been a "Hilltop Gal" for more than two years now, I never cease to be amazed at the fun locations, the great crop areas, the far too yummy food and Linda's southern hospitality. She added a new crop this year in addition to the cruise, Creep Over and Winter Retreat and this one has to join the others in becoming a regular event...

We are staying at the historic Kenniworth Lodge (circa 1916) in Sebring Florida. The front porch of the lodge looks across to Lake Jackson and I have tried to make sunset each night with my glass of wine,rocking in one of the wonderful chairs and watching the lights twinkle on across the lake. It is a quiet moment and I then feel like we should all stand and applaud like they do in Key West at sunset at Mallory Square. The sunset is not as dramatic but so beautiful in its own way.

The crop has been amazing. The facilities are so lovely and I taught my class in the lobby which was really fun. This group of gals is far too much fun to teach and I should probably be paying them instead of the other way around as they are such a delight. (hush, don't tell them I said this...lol).

Kip got us a cabana room which has a sweet screened in front porch. We are on the pool and several of us had a delightful dip before dinner last night. Of course, we had to show off our aquatic skills with our Ester Williams moves. We mush have struck the other guests in the pool as too good to compete as the pool emptied almost immediately.

While the picture here is not of our cabana abode, it is one we are considering asking for next year. There is an entire row of little houses like this one with screened in porches, lovely landscaping and all are nestled among the towering live oaks that drip with Spanish moss.

The crop has been fun and I actually got some things done. I played with microscope slides and alcohol inks and will post the results soon. I also finished all but 2 pages of the "What I Did on my Summer Vacation" kit and have about 5 sign ups already...yeah!

For the most part, I hung out on the front porch a lot getting caught up with the pals I don't get to see often, teaching my class, and eating and eating and eating....lol

Kip and I will head back west sometime later this afternoon. We want to stop in the historic downtown as it has a town circle with small shops and a great view so watch for these pics sometime tomorrow.

Time for that second cup of java...love to all from Sebring!

Heading to Sebring

for the Hilltop Memories' Fried Green Tomato Weekend Crop. Around 11 ish, E will drive me down to Kip's and we will head to Sebring. We have a cabana room pool side and I am really looking forward to this weekend.

It will be good to see Jayne, her sister, Gerry-anne, Lisa and Barb from Ft. Myers, Jill from the Carolinas and all the other Hilltop gals that I only get to see at the crops. My class is scheduled for ten am on Sat. and has filled up quite nicely.

I need to repack things as Kip's car, Florence darling, while quite cute, is not as roomy as our ugly old van. She and I have managed, in the past, to get quite a bunch of stuff into Florence but I'd hate to overload the car. E is really happy that Kip offered to drive so he can grocery shop to his heart's content this weekend while I am gone.

I have a few more things to do for my class next Sat. at Ruban Rouge in Palm Harbor, Fl. (www.rubanrougepaperarts.com) but can complete those early next week. Jill will be coming back to my house after the crop on Sunday and we have my niece and her family coming for a visit the following Friday through Sunday. August is a busy month for us but it will be slowing down after the 18th. when Kip and I take the Luxe Girls' classes at Ruban Rouge.

Will check in from Sebring if I can...I'm sure there will be many memorable pictures to post and scrap. I love hanging out with these rowdy girls!

Slow but sure

I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep last night so took the first of my new Ambien sleep pills. They work fast and gently (which means E took the remote out of my hand, turned off the t.v. and light and I slept through it all).

While I do feel rested, I feel slow and a bit like I am 'hung over'. I've never has this residual affect from the old and unimproved Ambien. I'll give it another shot next time I can't sleep and hope for better morning after effects.

I have errands to run to finish up the kits for this weekend's class. E and I are heading out to lunch at one of our favorite places in old town Palm Harbor, Peggy O'Neal's, and then return home to rain, rain, and more rain.

Hope this ends before tomorrow or Kip and I will be pool side with umbrellas!

Later, gators!

Sneak Peek of Hang Ten Paper Arts' August Kit

I had a blast designing this one. You get an assortment (7 full sheets)of Crate Papers and Creative Imaginations papers, several sheets of matching cardstock, ribbons, buttons, flowers, a 12x12 CI transparency and a sheet of coordinated stickers. The covers are the 8x8 Decor Boardz by Junkitz. The kit includes step by step directions and color photos.

If you are interested, you can place your order through www.hilltopmemories.com. Scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on the Hang Ten logo.


Thanks to Madeline at the Little Scrap Box, the mystery flower has been identified as a banana tree fruit and now, again thanks to Madeline, we know what to do to cultivate and care for the tree and its produce. Yeah!

I have some sorting, cleaning and packing to do today for the upcoming Hilltop Memories Crop at the Kenilworth Hotel in Sebring. Kip got us a pool-side Cabana Room and I simply can't wait. This event is the kick off for the busy month of August and I can't wait to see everyone again!

Have a scrap happy day all!

Strange flower

We came home from the beach to this strange flower growing behind the pool in one of the decorative greens. Our friend, Jerry, believes it is a banana stalk but we had been led to believe the three plants growing there were rubber tree plants. We have only lived in the tropics for about 7 years and are not acquainted with all the plants and we can't seem to find our Florida Plants book anywhere. Oh well, guess we shall just have to wait and see...

My work room is a mess right now. I am trying to get an important layout done, change out printers (we had to get a new one), pack for the Sebring Retreat for my class and for my personal scrap stuff, and sort things for the class I am teaching at Ruban Rouge.

Not to mention that the Hang Ten Paper Arts Kit for August is revealed tomorrow at www.hilltopmemories.com. I'll post a teaser here too so you can see how much fun this one (and all of our kits) are. September is the one year anniversary of Hang Ten Paper Arts and Di and I have a surprise planned that we really hope our loyal customers and new ones too will really enjoy. So, watch this spot!

It is a rainy and overcast day here in Paradise...and you know what that means! SCRAP 'TIL YOU DROP DAY for me!

Look out Sebring....here we come!

On Friday, E will drive me down to Kip's where we will unload the van, reload her darling car, Florence Darling, and head on down the road (or is that up or over...?)to Sebring Florida where we will be spending the weekend at one of the infamous Hilltop Crops. This one is aptly named "The Fried Green Tomatoes Crop" and I can hardly wait. Linda, the owner, has tons of goodies waiting for us including food, make n takes and just pure fun. (www.hilltopmemories.com) A few of us are teaching classes and these pics are the prototype of my class. "Friends" is spelled out on the front side and the back side of the accordion album is for the pictures. This could also be done as a fold out album rather than the display as viewed here.

For $40.00 the gals taking my class will get an entire boxed set of the 8x8 chipboard letters (enough to do many many more of these with different words), an entire pack of the Basic Grey Lilly Kate papers, ribbons, flowers, brads etc. for completing this project and, me!

If there are any kits left after this next weekend, I will make them available for purchase. If you are interested, please e-mail me for details at eeickmeier@hotmail.com.

Thanks for looking!

Good bye to the beach...

Friday afternoon we all headed over to the Fish House behind Santini Plaza for our traditional calamari lunch and girls photo. The food was not as good as we could remember in past years. Perhaps the restaurant had a new chef and the place was understaffed as well. We may take a pass on this next year. Jadee, her girls, Joanie, Stacey and Fran all headed to the airport for their late afternoon flight back to St. Louis. Andrea and her two cute ones left Sat. morning.

On our last night at the beach, Jerry, Kim, Kristen, E and I headed over to Channel Mark, a restaurant/bar located on the back bay. Al Holland, who use to sing with the Platters was performing. We met up with my sister and her boyfriend and enjoyed the evening. It poured when we first arrived but cleared enough for us to pose for this shot next to some of the pretty sail boats moored at the docks.

Sat. morning is always a bittersweet one. We are packing and storing things in the van and trying to clean up the unit. E and I walked over to Reese's at the small shopping center across the street for the early bird breakfast and I squeezed in a short walk on my beloved stretch of sand where it meets the Gulf.

Friday evening before we headed to Channel Mark, Kim and Jerry surprized us with a tiki carving for the back of the pool. I adore the grin on this guy's face. We did have a bit of a problem finding him a spot in the van but were successful in the end.

Upon returning home, we were joined by Chris and Kristen and had a late lunch at Rusty Bellies down at the end of the Sponge Docks here in Tarpon Springs...talk about great food and huge servings!

And finally, here are Kim and Jerry in front of the 'their' room! This sign thing is fast becoming a tradition.

Tons of fun upcoming but will chat more about those later. Have a good one all! And, as Dorothy said, "there's no place like home".

Thursday night cook out...

It is traditional during our Week 29 that on Thursdays we have a community cook out amongst our friends. This was started, in part, as a way to get rid of leftovers before we all depart on Sat. morning. After we clean up, we usually all take a nice long walk on the beach.

This year, our annual cook out coincided with the 40something birthday of one of our pals, Joanie. We feted her with a beach themed cake (found by E), a musical b'day card and some wonderful lotions from Jadee and Andrea.

We got talking with a woman whose unit was behind the pavilion and learned that this was her first summer in 25 years coming to the resort w/o her husband. He had died the preceding January and she was planning to move back north to be near her family. This is fairly common down here. She gave us all thought and more appreciation for our spouses and family. She and her husband were the first people to buy a time share when the resort went from motel to time share.

This has been a different type of week. We have lots of babies here at the resort both with us and with other owners. We have watched one set of twins grow from babies to pre-teens and some of the regulars' children have changed so much over this past year that we have not even recognized them.

One of the biggest problems this week for many of us has been the rude and inconsiderate behavior of a wandering band of bored junior high aged kids. Their parents are not supervising them and there have been numerous complaints registered with the office but little action taken to curtail their insolent behavior. This is such a sad situation. Since their parents are owners here, the office and the security guard is limited in the action that can be taken. There is an election here soon. E and I will be carefully considering the candidates for those in favor of better enforcement of the few rules we do have. Usually we just send in the proxy vote....not this time!

Today is our last full day here. We'll head to the Fish House for lunch and then 5 of our gang need to get to the airport to wing their way back to St Louis. We are toasting the working people daily, never fear!

Something for everyone...

We are a pretty diverse group here during Week 29 this year. Kristen and Chrsi have their own unit and she has been knee deep in the new Harry Potter novel...at my urging as my copy is back in Tarpon Springs. Hurry up and read that, Kristen!!!! and Chris has been sunning and funning with us. Kim and Jerry, for the first year since they bought their unit five years ago are all alone. They usually have his kids or her kids or a mix of the two or other assorted relatives visiting. The four of us have had more time to hang out and play than we usually do which has been great. Jadee brought her two young ones along with her friend, Andria, whose daughters are almost the same age at Jadee's . They also brought some adult help and the gals have been able to have some vacation time to spend together. Steve and DeeDee did not make it down this year as they took a tour of Hawaii for their 20th. Anniversary and they are some of the regulars here during this week.

Yesterday K & J, K & C, and E and I met up in the resort lobby, roamed down the street to Hooters and pigged out on crab legs and wings. We rolled ourselves home to float in the pool and refresh ourselves with some cold beer.

We've been having the most amazing sunsets here due to the storms which have been moving in an out of the area. In addition, the storms have brought in tons of great shells as K & J found out yesterday when they took a side trip to Lover's Key!

Off for my morning walk and then later I have a shelling date with my new young 4 year old friend, Paige.

Have a great day and know that someone here on the beach is toasting you to a colorful sunset every night! Wish you were here.

So you think you can dance..Ft. Myers Beach style!

After a tough day of floating in the pool, walking the beach hunting for shells, playing in the surf and working on 2nd degree sunburns, we all cleaned up, had a few snacks (E's infamous fresh guacamole and salsa) for energy, and headed over to the Bridge for Raeggae Night. We danced and drank and had more energy snacks like the olives Kip had in her martini's. Here are Janet and Jerry with their spell binding move on the dance floor!

We moved on to Parrot Key where one of the last of the Platters was singing MoTown Favorites and we danced and danced some more. In addition to Kim and Jerry, Kristen and Chris, E and I and Janet and Kip, we were joined by the 'young un's', Jadee and her friend, Andrea. We sat through the last set before heading home with the sounds of fondly remembered tunes playing in our heads. Janet had an early morning meeting with her contractor so she headed back to Anna Marie Island about an hour and a half north and Kip spent the night


We have had storms this morning but this is not a bad thing. After yesterday's going for the burn, we could all probably profit from a day out of the sun. Besides, these storms generate great shelling. Now, if Kristen would just finish her Harry Potter book, I could settle in for a day of getting lost in the fantasy!

I'll put up a slide show soon of some of the amazing sun sets and sun rises we have been having here in this slice of Paradise.