Getting Ready For The Holidays

This time of year my thoughts begin to think toward the direction of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Most times I dread all the work that it entails and try to put it out of my mind. This year has been different!



Following Cracker Crop (mid October) I found myself with a Scrapin' and Stampin' Studio that looked as if a bomb had gone off! I'll tell you it was enough to make a grown woman cry!



Since moving furniture, for carpet cleaning, was first on the list I quickly unloaded two china cabinets and two glass top tables. Knowing my men they would have tried to move the cabinets and tables contents and all! As every woman knows, one thing leads to another so began the dish washing baseboard cleaning and cob web dusting!



Happily, I report that the reorganized furniture is to my liking and I don't have to ask for something else to be moved.



My son (22 y/o) began to ask why I wanted to switch the two tables and two cabinets, why did I want to change the furniture, on and on. His father stopped him by saying, "We don't ask why, we just DO IT!" 17 years later my husband has at least learned one thing!



Looks like all the holidays will be coordinated and held at the home of my husband and myself! He is a great help in the kitchen both in the cooking and cleaning up departments!



Last summer I decided to design and make my Christmas cards way ahead of time! "Well, the best laid plans of mice and men...". I think that I can get an assembly line type "build a card" and get my cards done. My favorite is to mail them the day after Thanksgiving! It seems that the only cards some folks are sending out are to people who have sent them cards....



Off track here so back to my achievement! I have spent hours, literally organizing and hooking up electronics for my Scrap Studio! I'm so tired of being in my left brain it hurts! I'm going to jump in and create this afternoon!



Here are the pictures proving I've done a pretty swell job at getting my things organized!

This is the view of my closet. Yes, the doors will close!

Given to me by a friend who owns a retail shop, this K&Company display case is awesome for holding lots of little goodies and has 12 slated slots at the bottom to hold projects and/or matching collections.

I'm a freak about saving anything that I think might be cute altered. These items are stored on this shelf. I've got everything from wood cigar boxes to tin dishwasher detergent boxes!

Finally my work area complete with holders designed to hold baby food jars and a Pampered Chef organizer that I use of pens and tools! All of my Stampin' UP Inks are at finger tips.

When I want to go online all I have to do is twirl around in my chair and log onto my laptop print pictures or program my Cricut!

I'm ready to rock and roll!

Saturday, November 8

Finishing up my weekend blogs here on Sunday night! Saturday I went to the LSS to support a fundraiser for MS. I really didn't take anything to scrap but worked on their blog and other computer related details! By 1:00 PM, I had a headache that would not quit! I found a massage therepast I know, who happened to be booked solid, and she gave me five minutes of head meassage that helped some!

I came home and took Tylenol Migraine, although the h/a wasn't like those I've had in the past. I put ice on my head, took a nap and got ready for our picinic at . Todd picked up my favorite rye/onion bread. we had cheese, bread and wine before the concert.

Next to us was sitting a 4.5 y/o girl who recently took up ballet. Also a young boy who wanted to "show his moves! It was more interesting than the concert to see them dance!

There were no bugs out and the air was clear and cool. Following are some pictures:

Bok Tower Gardens\

A Fun Day With Tina

Friday, November 7, I picked up Tina at her hotel near the Orlando Convention Center and together we went to Downtown Disney to meet Cassie!

Tina and I don't get to get together often but this was a rare day, our day!

After leaving Cassie and Company we headed to Seasons 52 for a fabulous lunch!

First we had drinks, I got my "guilty pleasure" drink of Grey Goose Vodka along with stuffed blue cheese olives. We started with an appetizer of broiled crab & shrimp stuffed mushrooms with roasted garlic and caramelized parmesan. We also ordered a cup of mushroom and wild rice soup! Since the entree's arrived before the appetizers the chef deducted them from our tab. NICE! Tina ordered the grilled sea scallops

ending witI enjoyed Gulf Shrimp & Fusilloni Pasta sautéed with market vegetables in a light lemon-basil sauce.

We love they way they present their delicate portions of desert without the large portions. Tine enjoyed Mocha Macchiato while I chose the more traditional southern desert of Pecan Pie with Vanilla Bean Mousse. We also enjoyed a cup of espresso!

After dining we took off to the Mall at Millenia. While walking around Tina commented that the difference between the malls she usually frequents in this mall people were not carrying packages! Yes, it's a fun place to visit but totally out of our financial league!

We did wait until 4:00 PM when Blue Martini opened and sat outside enjoying the 77F weather and watching the palm trees blow in the breeze. The cheapest drinks were $12.00 each so we each only had two, only to find out it was "happy hour" and drinks were half price! I could have gotten my Grey Goose but enjoyed the fruity,Sex In The City
Van Gogh Blue Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry and Pineapple Juice and Mango Madness
Van Gogh Mango Vodka, Mango Schnapps, a splash of Pineapple Juice martinis. Tini chose the more creamy martini's starting with Caramel Swirl
Three Olives Vanilla Vodka, Butterscotch Schnapps, Irish Cream Liqueur, Caramel Syrup, in a Caramel Swirled Martini Glass and h Mochaccino
Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka, Starbuck’s Coffee Liquor, Dark Crème de Cocoa and a splash of Cream, garnished with a Rock Candy Stir Stick. We nursed these two drinks over two hours!

Being on a business meeting with her honey, I dropped Tina off at her hotel and drove home arriving about 8:00 PM! I was very tense in my neck from all the driving and getting lost looking for the resturant and hotel! All in all it was a wonderful day!

Meeting Cassie

I've known Cassie for three or more years online! First it was Scrappers Galore and that message board went belly up! Now Cassie and a friend, Alicia have put together Scrappy Arts. We chat on and off with Yahoo IM! Cassie is great at helping me with techno questions, walking me through things as I head toward my goal of technogrannie wannabe!

Now Zack was shy, or pretended to be so while Mally was just as I expected, cute as a button and full of fun!

Cassie is so down to earth, friendly and a beautiful woman! I'll be keeping up with her as she is a professional photographer who does awesome work! She is a scrapper so she has that scrapper's eye and takes those candid shots every scrapper hopes for! I didn't have long to spend with them as they had to head off to meet up with the rest of their family! It was so great putting a face with a name!

Colorblind!

Call me what you will, but I was so colorblind before the election that it really hit me off guard when watching Oprah yesterday afternoon I realized how the election of candidate Obama had turned into a "whole 'nother thing!"

Yes, I was alive, a little child, during the civil rights movement. My mother had to explain to me what "colored" toilet and "colored" drinking fountain was! For all I knew I'd prefer the "colored fountain" as it might just shoot out red Kool-Ade!

I was ashamed of how black people were treated, not by my family, as I was taught that each person has dignity and value because they are created in the image of God.

Yes, we had black people help us out around the house but they were the ones who wanted the work and we paid them cash money! My mom was good to them, she fed them, she took them home and picked them up. Whatever needed to be done.

I'm a WASP, when I dated a Puerto Rican guy in my teens my mom's housekeeper, Josie, went off on me! White girls can't date Puerto Rican's! Why?

I didn't and still don't think that president elect Obama has the experience to lead this country. Where did he come from anyway? Oh yeah, Chicago!

I'm glad that people of color can excel in this country! I'm glad that I don't have to feel ashamed of the way most white people treat blacks. I'm not even sure what the PC term for that skin tone is anymore!

I did what I could, I voted.

Once again I will say that I am happily sitting here in my own little world exercising free speech. I'm glad that my TV has an on/off switch too!

Cracker=The term used for a Florida native. Cracker is the sound of cracking whips of cowboys herding cattle. It's not derogatory!

Election Day Has Passed

I woke up at 6:00 and turned the TV on to see the results of the election. Then I turned it off.

Now, being the good Calvinist that I claim to be I must accept that it is all God's will and plan that our president elect was preordained (predestined) by the God of the Universe. This is not what I would have chosen and frankly, I'm quite unhappy and frightened! I'm even fearful of turning the TV back on as I do not wish to hear all the commentary on the election. For now I want to sit in the quiet of my home, maybe read another chapter in "The Shack".

God's timing is perfect, maybe that's why my friend Lisa's mention of this book came so close to the election. I fear for our country's future, I remind myself of the system of checks and balances with the Congress, Senate, and Court System, and yes, the president.

Psychologically this puts me in the denial phase re: the president elect. Yet, here I sit writing, exercising my free speech.

This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, so I'll put on my brave armor of God and trust Him as He is in control. I'm so glad that I voted as I would kick myself if I had not! Everyone in my immediate family voted, even my children. For that I am proud!

Monday Late Post!

Today, Dh took a "day off" to help complete the projects we started yesterday,changing furniture around. It's amazing what a new look you can achieve without spending money! We put the antique looking dining room table, chairs and hutch into the family room and put the, and put the smaller white hutch and dining room table in the living room to make way for the Christmas tree.

We're having the company Christmas party at our home, once again so I hope to "jump the gun" and be ready before the party! Next w/e I hope to put up the fake Christmas tree and fluff it before decorating it!

I like the new look of our home having clanged the semi-formal family room to a better look and make our living room a bit more formal! It's late so, like Alicia says,Lights out! More, with pictures, maybe, tomorrow!

It's November!

The time will change tonight and the sun will start going down earlier and coming up sooner. Why do they have "dayliight saving" time anyway? Fall isn't bad with the "falling back" part but "Springing Ahead" kills me every year!

The weather holds cool here. I'm thankful for the break in the heat but the q-tips are returning and our town is swelling!

Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here and gone before we know it! I feel more like a Maxine than a Martha this year!

Friday Fill In!

1. My1. My favorite food seasoning is vanilla.
2. You don't have to cook tonight is music to my ears.
3. Lucky is better than good.
4. My marriage is something I take very seriously.
5. Many people think marriage is disposable.
6. Coke was the last thing I bought at the store.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being home, tomorrow my plans include emptying the china cabinets and Sunday, I want to rearrange some furniture!Lucky

Cold in Florida?

It's true, it has been cold at night here in the Sunshine state! We have the sunshine that warms us up to about 70F in the daytime. Last night DH and I actually had two quilts on us. One cotton quilt and midnight he pulled up the comforter that covers our bed. Time to put the electric blanket? I think not! Monday is supposed to be back into the 80'sF! I enjoy the cool, dry weather and do not wish it away. My two little dachshunds are shivering and burrowing under the comforter!

I have been so tired following Cracker Crop, not allowing myself time to rest as I try to rush back into the groove of a SAHW! This morning with my aches and pains I had DH bring me an Aleve in bed. I stayed in the bed nestled with Rustie and Josie until almost 10 AM. Now up and at 'em time to tackle my studio and replace all the items I took to Cracker Crop in thier rightful homes. First I plan to actually clean the room even sweep the floor of all the chad, glitter, embossing powder and sand that gets tracked in. Once I do that I can set up my computer, printer and Cricut straighten my stash and go back to creating!

The cold weather has brought out the crock pot. Chili on Monday and chicken with noodles last night! Tonight may be left-over night! I still hate to cook and be in the kitchen. I must make myself unload the dishwasher and tidy up the house so that I can get on to cleaning the house another day this week.

Staying home, while I'd hate to go back to work, sometimes is lonely and boring! My girlfriend time is very important to me not to exceed my time with my husband! He's gone 10 to 12 hours a day, commuting about the state with his Civil Engineering Inspection job. He goes to Winter Haven, Bartow, and Tampa primarily, although of recent he has been going to Orlando and Kissimmee as well. Thank God he has a company truck and fuel!

Enough of my rambling and up and at 'em! I think I need some perky music to motivate me!

Thank You Amy

Thanks Amy for helping me pimp my blog! I spent days, literally composing the Cracker Crop entry and I apologize if it is difficult to read! I'll be using larger font and black lettering from here on out! I just can't go back today and change the blues to black!

It Was So Much Fun I had to do it again!

Word Mix

Click on the title Word Mix it will take you to a place that you can add your words and they will appear in random form! I think it would make a great scrapbook page~

Friday Fill In!

1. Right now, I'm feeling tired but fulfilled.
2. Right here is where I want to be.
3. How does one acquire more energy?
4. My medication keeps me on track.
5. Please don't tell me you're going to come to visit and not come.
6.Jesus fills me with joy.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing my husband after 12 days, tomorrow my plans include resting and enjoying the beach and Sunday, I want to go home and see my dogs!

Back to Bloggin'

It's been a long week for me! Friday is here and I didn't make the Reminisce DT! My style is my style and I'm not changing it for some fly by night one photo page trend! My scrapbooks tell my story. They each have a title, plenty of journaling and lots of pictures. I sure could have used that $500.00 prize to go to Scrapology in January! Maybe I'll be able to make, save up my cash, something as I need to get my air tickets and train ticket from STL to KC! I love going somewhere cold in the winter time! It's so refreshing to get away from this never ending Florida heat! I'd like to have a dozen wool sweaters and be able to wear turtle neck cotton t-shirts! I'd love to wear socks with my crocks!

My Cracker Crop is coming up quickly! I have lots of work to do, still! I don't think it's as bad as it seems but there's so much I want to do for the girls who are flying in from all over the country and driving 3 hours each way to the Atlantic coast of Florida to crop for 5 days! I'll love hugging their necks and laughing and giggling like girls into the late night!

I'm so excited and will be even more excited once I get all of my gadgets packed and ready to roll!

Friday Fill In!

1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Mama Mia.
2.DH made mojo criollo chicken, stir fry green peppers and onions, rice and black beans last night and I enjoyed it mostly because I didn't have to make it! Is a meal DH recently made (or meal I recently ordered) that was delicious!
3. It's time for a "cool change".
4. Sweet tea is quite refreshing.
5. If I never hear the words mama, I need money! again, it'll be too soon.
6. To one side of the curving road was a golf cart, and on the other was a kid on a bicycle.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chillin', tomorrow my plans include Scrappin' at the ABC House with friends and Sunday, I want to pack for Cracker Crop!

On Pins and Needles

Today the announcements for the Reminisce design team began! I for one am on pins and needles waiting for the announcements!

Today Reminisce announced the fourth runners up and honorable mentions. I was not among them. Is this a good thing! Think positive, Jan!

Tomorrow the third runner up, Wednesday the second runner up, Thursday the first runner up and Friday the winner!

Oh the suspense!

Live Out Loud with products from Reminisce

So, a post is incomplete without pictures? Here's a sneak peak of my designs I'm submitting for Reminisce!



I tore the kit apart and redesigned it as I was having difficulty obtaining Reminisce Products locally! Below are my own designs made with Reminisce Products (primarily):

The Little Things
12X12 Layout



Collage Page
12X12 companion page for The Little Things!








Star Card front and inside.






You Card front and inside.





Circle Card Front and Inside.

Friday Fill In!

1. Cracker Crop and my birthday are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October.
2. Sometimes I have a melt down.
3. I do things I thought I'd never do, and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"!
4. When I'm down, I "face the music".
5. Home is where you'll find me most often.
6. A rainy day is good for scrappin'.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to sleeping, tomorrow my plans include more house work and planning for Cracker Crop and Sunday, I want to resting!

Signature Series

This 8x8 double layout was created using the Signature Series Orlando and matching Florida Phrase Stickers, The flip flops are Toes in the Sand from the Coastal Passion collection all from Reminisce. I created a pocket using mounting tape to add tags showing more about Florida than this small layout would allow.

Welcome to Florida with tags showing, there's journaling on the back.



Welcome to Florida with tags tucked in.

Coastal Passion

This small Circle Journal double layout was created using Shell/Wave paper and stickers from Reminisce. The topic of this circle journal is "What Do You Do When You're Blue".

Enchanted Autumn

From Reminisce this 12X12 Layout was created using the Enchanted Autumn paper line.
Good Deal


I also created from the same paper line this 12X12 LO

My Ghoul's

My Jungle Safari by Reminisce!

Below are two items created with Reminisce product line My Jungle Safari.

First a single page 12X12 page.

Giraffe


Altered 12X12 album cover that's "kid friendly"!
"Its Your Day" Let's Go To the Zoo"

Monkey Business by Reminisce

Below is a 12X12 double layout designed with Reminisce product line Monkey Business!

Monkey See