Another Unforgettable Weekend!

What a weekend it was! Unforgettable certainly outdid themselves this time! Lots of classes, 4 different vendors, yummy food, a massuse and lots of laughter. Our crop room was huge, with extra classrooms and a nice reception/relaxation area. They had over 50 women each day, although most were there both days.

 

Way in the back of the room you can see Ricky, the massuse. He has the most awesome hands and such a sense of humor! I wonder sometimes what he thinks of all of us crazy women. But he takes it all in stride!
Vicky brought the cute little shopping cart that Unforgettable has at the store. If you fill the top basket, they will give you another that fits in the bottom. Most of us hadn't ever seen the cart, they just got it in. I stayed so busy that I didn't get to shop too much.

 

I had the first class both mornings, and the last class both nights. There were alot of terrific classes going on. In between I took two card making classes. AWESOME cards! I wanted to take two other classes but just couldn't fit them in between everything else going on. We (the teachers) begged Sandra and Vicky to have a "Teachers weekend" so we can play too! I didn't even get to take pictures until Saturday night before we left. It was an OMY I brought the camera and haven't taken a pic moment! I also stayed busy showing people the Bind it All, Fiskers Fingertip cutter, Fiskers scallop punch and my KNK Kit. I hope my south Florida friends get some orders on their sites!
Everyone in class was amazed at the Beach Book. They couldn't believe they made it themselves! I think alot of minds were expanded and alot of steps taken out of the box.
I can't say class went off without a hitch. Two minutes into class my lens popped out of my glasses and I couldn't see. My much older sister came to the rescue, and fixed my glasses while I taught. Of course it was during the biggest class, the hardest class and all that stuff. It couldn't have happened in the small easy class!
It was great to see alot of the ladies. Some of them are getting to be familiar faces and we had some great times. I can't wait to do it again!

:J

Happy Friday!

 

I'm off scrapping with my much older sister and some wonderful ladies from the Panhandle. I'll be back later with LOTS of stories I'm sure. Two of my classes SOLD OUT! The other two are half full. I'll be exhausted when this is over I'm sure.
Till then, enjoy this Passion Flower which was spared in the downing of the tree.

Rick & Pat's Excellent Adventure

In 2004 when our friend, Ivan, came to visit, among many things, he left us with a pine tree without a top. We don't know where the top ended up, the stump remained. We wanted to cut down the remaining part of the tree following Ivan's departure, but our elderly neighbor, Mickey begged us not to.
Even tho the remaining truck listed perilously toward her carport, she stated her case by saying that the tree remained a home to the birds she fed daily. Since Ivan completely removed our Mulberry tree the birds so loved, and my husband being the big hearted sucker he is, we left the tree alone, till yesterday.
Mickey's wonderful children (note sarcasm here please) who didn't have time to check on Mickey, put her in an assisted living home, we have no reason to keep the tree. No birds are nesting there this year. Yesterday morning as I was leaving for work, I noticed the tree looked like it was listing a bit more, probably from our recent storms.
I called Hubby at work, in a panic, and exclaimed, "That tree is listing closer to the neighbor's yard! Have you noticed that?" He didn't, but I did. That began the Dad & Pat adventure to bring down the tree. First they tied a rope, and Patrick contemplated the blisters he might get.

 

Then his Dad said "Suck it up" and they pulled, and pulled. Now you would think as rotten as the tree looks, and as many precuts Rick made with the chainsaw, that two strong men could just pull that tree over. But they couldn't.

 

As Patrick pulled, Rick went back to make another cut. I took pictures, prayed, and held the phone ready to call 911. I just knew that Bubba & Paddy were going to put that tree down on themselves or my pool. But Rick cut, and Patrick pulled and finally

 

they hooked the rope up to my truck and pulled with that. OVER came the tree.

 

One Month

Not that I am counting days or anything, but ONE MONTH from today I officially start my 10 days of vacation. 10 DAYS! 10 days of do nothing. No cell phones, no computers, no driving back and forth to work. NO NOTHING!
Lots of woods, lots of family, lots of peace & quiet time! 10 days in the woods! 10! It will be soo good to be back up north again. I need to start making my list of things I want to do. Who to visit, where to shop, when to go, I can hardly wait!
Manny's Pizza here I come! Kohl's, here I come! Archiver's, here I come! Look out woods, here I come!
ONE MONTH from today!

Sunday

It's not even noon yet and my to do list for today is almost done. Once I get keys made at Lowe's and run in WM for a few things, the day will be mine. I'm hoping that the rain will hold off long enough for me to get that all done!
It rained most of the night last night and we have some big puddles everywhere. A group of neighbor boys were skimboarding in one of the largest puddles down the street. How fun! I wanted to join them.
Yesterday, DH & I hit the farmer's market early for local veggies. Yummy sweet corn and blueberries! They also had several arts & crafts vendors, floral vendors and bakeries there too. I think we will make this a weekly trek. It's all local people and all the items must be locally grown or made. The corn and blueberries were DELISH!
Afterward we found a hole in the wall cafe for breakfast. A real mom & pop joint with mom, pop, son, daughter and granny running the place. I think the only unrelated person behind the counter was the dishwasher. He was clearly unrelated!
The food was yummy and the place was hopping. We go back there for sure!
During our breakfast, the rain began and lasted a few hours. WE so need it here.
After dinner, DH & I watched "No Country for Old Men" Wierd movie, but then most Joel Cohen flicks are. I didn't get the ending at all.
Today's movie choices will be "27 Dresses" or "The Great Debaters". That is if it rains before this evening. This evening's entertainment will be the Cubs/Chisox game.
So I'm off for more fun than I can handle, I'm sure. LOL!

Ending in Pictures

I think I finally figured out why the camera was wonky. Okay I didn't figure the problem out, but it finally worked. Here are some pictures from the week.
We had a vistor in the kitchen this week. Usually these friends stay outside and surprise us by peeking in the windows. But I guess this little buddy thought he needed an up close and personal look at us. Good thing we got him back outside before Dakota got up close and personal with him!

 

I love my Cajun Hibuscus'. This one is called City Slicker. It's a very delicate flower, so fragile. As it ages the petals curl back and almost look like lace around the edges. Rain got to this one before that happened, so I'm glad I got this picture first.

 

This is what 21 looks like. He's such a handsome guy don't you think? I don't know why he wears those colored contacts, he has the most beautiful chocolate drop eyes that his momma made for him. And that chin, you'd think his mama made a good enough chin for him, but he has to go sticking stuff in it. IF you know why he did that to his chin, please don't mention it to me. I know why they say guys do that, but not my baby! I think he just wanted to be rebelious for a bit. He's still just as beautiful as the day he was born, and always my baby!

 

Finally, my album class, the one that didn't get a single taker for class. I'd feel bad, but no one else's did either. This is going to the LSS for a sample on this line of paper. It's We R Memorykeepers Promenade.

Thursday Titterings

What a beautiful morning! It was sunny and 67 degrees this am! I can handle that any day. It does promise to climb to the 90s again, but dip back to the 60s again tonite.
Lots going on. Potluck at work went well yesterday. We dined on fried chicken, tater salad, crab salad, chicken salad, butter beans, fresh, untainted tomatos, corn salad, and kahlua ice cream cake for dessert! SOOOO YUMMY! It was my friend, Lori's last day at work for the summer. I'll miss seeing her every day, but will see her off and on all summer.
I forgot to mention our favorite hangout burned to the ground last week. Yep, the Oar House, home of the Jezebel, mysteriously burned down. The fire didn't start in the kitchen, but near the water on the deck. So we have to take a break from being "Oar Hoars", no more Jezebel's for us. At least not for awhile. What will Linda, Barbie, Debbie and I do?
Speaking of Linda, her surgery went well, and other than some itching from the anesthesia, she's doing great. I'll visit her again tonite, maybe she will feel like chasing interns or something fun like that tonite. Last night when she asked for a benadryl, the nurse's aide came back and said "Did you want something for pain?" Linda said no, but after the NA left I said, "you dummy! always get pain meds!" LOL!
One week until the big crop. I'm excited. I had a lady call me yesterday. Her husband, who used to work with me, told her she needed to call me and get together to scrap. So she is coming to the crop! That will be fun!
I'm off to find trouble, I usually don't have to look far!

:J

On My Soapbox

I'm going to climb up here and rant, because this is something near and dear to my heart. I'm climbing and I'm going to shout it loud because I think it is sooooo wrong. They are closing another school.
It's not even my school, one my children attended, or even one in my neighborhood. It's a small school in a small community in northern Escambia county. "They" claim it will save hundreds of thousands of dollars. I think it will destroy a community.
"They've" already closed the high school there. Now the middle/elementary school will close after this school year. When that happens they may as well board up a struggling small town.
Schools and churches build a community. If you have good schools and good churches, industry will come. I am a proponent of small schools and think that is what is wrong with our educational system today. We have built our schools too big.
Small schools build accountability. I think you are less likely to mouth off and misbehave if you know that your teacher KNOWS your momma, and has for many years, probably since they were classmates in elementary school. Your momma is likely to stand behind your teacher and not question her when she says little Janie is not behaving, working as hard as she should, and needs a little attention, if it's a small school.
But we've become of an age where it's the almighty dollar and not good morals and community that drives our educational system.
I hope the community of Century fights the closure of their school. Their school IS their community. It's where people gather, for good, for building a community. If we take away the little school in Century, we are taking away the community. Why bus children 45 minutes away? Why not close a small school in town, where another school is closer, easier for parents to get to? Why take away the only elementary school in the farthest northern city in our county? What are you thinking?????
Climbing off the soapbox now, sadly.

Mind Gatherings

It's been a busy few days. Days filled with mostly good happenings here. I just hope I can coherently tell you about them all.

21 My Baby turned 21 on Father's day. 21! He visited us on this momentous occasion. We grilled salmon on the grill and I made Strawberry Banana Split dessert. The birthday boy, DH & I sat around the pool and had interesting conversations. Conversations that really didn't scare me like some of our conversations have. The baby talked about wanting to get his pilots license. At $200 an hour for lessons, it's not going to happen tomorrow. But it's managable. It was an enjoyable evening.
Also enjoyable was our "date". Last night I met him after work at O' Charley's. We were going to have dinner and go shopping. But he decided he didn't want to shop. So we had dinner and more great conversation. Afterwards we walked over to Books a Million where I helped him find a cookbook magazine. It was such a nice night. I think if he weren't my son, I would have swooned!
I did take his 21st birthday picture, but the camera is not cooperating and uploading. I have got to figure out what is up with that.

The weekend crop was fun. I met some neat girls, Barbie from Biloxi and Audrey from Arkansas. Seriously. I just realized their names match where they are from! Audrey and I have the same taste in clothes. We found that out on Friday when we both showed up in the same shirt. Too funny! People kept asking if we realized that. We were sitting across from each other, do you think we noticed?
Classes didn't do so well. Of 10 classes only 4 had any students, and the most in any class was 4. I guess the girls here just aren't class takers.
I'm looking forward to the crop in ten days. My much older sister will join me for that one. I'm teaching 4 classes for that one. How fun! Come join us!

Today I'm off to meet Jackie for breakfast. She's going to fill me in on gossip she heard at a party she went to this past weekend. I'm going to fill her in on what she's missing.
So I'm off, everyday is an adventure!

Following Kip's Lead

Because I really haven't slowed down enough to collect my thoughts to post. I'm going to follow Kip's lead and post my senses.

I SEE Dakota laying on the floor in front of me. He's hoping I'll get up and give him a treat. The TV is behind me with the college World Series on, GO FSU! Even tho they aren't playing today.

I HEAR the dryer, with an occasional button hitting the metal tub. The announcer is talking baseball on the TV, and wishing all their male family members a Happy Father's Day. That's nice. Dakota is panting.

I TASTE the Banana Split Dessert I made for Father's day/Patrick's 21st birthday. The strawberries were extra good from Sam's. I ate enough of them while I was cutting them up, I would know.

I SMELL a bit of the dryer sheet that's in the tumbling dryer. I love the smell of clothes drying. I'm also smelling a little of Patrick as he hugged my neck not 10 minutes ago before he left. I wish I could hold that with me forever.

I'm TOUCHING my keyboard right now. But today I touched the scraproom as I also cleaned and sorted in there. It was such a mess. I also touched the fruit in the dessert, the homemade whipped cream (okay I tasted that too!) and lots of dishwater (I don't have a dishwasher).

So how bout you? Make sure to visit Kip too and let her know!

Funkiness Friday

It's a Funky Friday, that actually started last night. As things go wrong, as they often do with me, I'm wondering what someone is trying to tell me.
Both of my cameras are acting wierd. I can't get my little camera to come on. May be the battery, I'll have to search for the charger. My Olympus is acting wierd, not downloading the pictures I took of the album I'm teaching tonite. So I can't show you "Summer Stacation" But I assure you it's cute. Now if 12 people sign up, I'll be a happy woman.
Oh I just realized it's Friday the 13th. If you believe in that, which I don't. I'm superstitious, but not that way.
So my kits are all packed, my extra supplies ready, but I have nothing to work on for me. I'm sure I can come up with something, I'll put an undone class kit of the shelf and take it along. I'll probably be more social, than work. Or I'll shop around and see what I can find to play with.
I hope your day is good. I hope the Funkiness of this Friday is gone.

:J

Humping along

Okay so most of you will read this after the hump. But hey, if I'm awake and it's hump day, I'm humping!
Mojo is slowing returning. I think I am frustrated by lack of supply in my area. I can't just run out and get..whatever it is I dream up. Let's just talk transparencies. I can find them. In boxes of 100, for $35. NOT buying those, I only need twelve. I may scavange the supply closet tomorrow. Ya would think I could find some in there......
I did some stickles stuff a bit tonite. I was surprised how well that turned out. I'm not a glitter person, but I think I will like it. Let's see how it looks when it dries. And then of course, hope I can find two more bottles tomorrow. Or twelve people will share one bottle during class.
OHHH I fell in love today! Mint Mocha Chip Frappacino's from Starbucks. OMY! It hit the spot. I hope I got the name right. They are the special right now on the drive through sign.
I also fell in love with Creative Imaginations Tidepools paper by Christine Adolph. OHMY! I feel another beach book coming.. I think I will make this one for my niece, Sarah. I got some fantastic pictures of her & Ben(her son) this fall while we were all at the beach. She's my favorite niece. But I love the paper! So I bought all they had at the LSS.
That's my boring life in a nutshell. Life goes on. Keep my much older sister in your thoughts and prayers while she travels to visit our much younger brother. She's driving all the way by herself. I'm sure she has scoped out all the good bathrooms along the way.

:J

I'm Blocked!

Well, we all know I'm a procrastinator, but this time I wasn't. It could be that in the past monthish or maybe two months, I have put together 4 1/2 classes. I say 1/2 because I'm blocked. I can't think, I can't create. Usually I'm good under pressure, not so much this time.
I guess I didn't think the first LSS would want all 4 of my first projects. I really only wanted her to pick a couple. But they loved them all and asked for first dibs on all of them. At the time I thought no problem. I have a month to come up with something else for the other crop.
I forgot that month included end of school, graduation, Project Graduation, Grad Night, Football, and my son coming home for a weekend. Where did it all go? I forgot about the nice weather we would have, how I would want to be outside playing.
And let's not forget I started an Acrylic album, got it almost done and quit. But I'm not a guitter. I will have this ready. I just forgot how hard it is to create for more than one person. I wish I could have unlimited supplies, instead of thinking, "Do we have enough of this that I can use it?"
SO I have block. I know what I want to do. I just can't find the stuff to do it with. HELP!

:J

Happy Colors

I spent some of yesterday evening watching the Cubs play horribly against the Dodgers. I guess everyone is entitled to an off day. But while I did that, I sorted cardstock. I don't know what I was on the last time I sorted cardstock, but I didn't sort by color last time.
Now I am all sorted by color. Maybe a few rogue, off color sheets here and there, but the greens are all with the greens, blues with blues, well you get the picture. I filled 4 of those Isis boxes with cardstock. Plain cardstock.
It all started while I was working on the current scrap project. I was looking for some watermelon colored cardstock and had to search through all four containers. Decided enough is enough and pulled all the cardstock out of the boxes and sorted.
Now I have happy colors!
Of course this was all after 5 loads of laundry, mowing 1/4 of the backyard, and an hour in the pool. I made the easiest, most delicious casserole for supper too!
Here's the recipe!

2 cans cubed chicken, drained (I used Tyson's, you can use 2 cups of regular cooked chicken instead)
2 cans cream of chicken soup ( I used no fat)
2/3 c milk
2 1/2 cups mixed frozen veggies
18 slices of American cheese (I used Kraft Deli Deluxe)
9 lasagne noodles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking pan (I used a glass one).
Cook lasagne noodles according to directions on box. Drain, set aside. Unless unlike me you can cook more than one thing on your stove. then you can do this step simulataneously. I can't I only have two burners, thanks to Jenn-air grill, that we never use.
Anyway, heat the cream of chicken soup and the milk until well mixed. Add the mixed veggies and chicken, mix well.
In greased 9x13 dish, lay 3 lasagne noodles, over that spread 1/3 of the soup/veggie/chicken mix. Over that lay 6 slices of cheese. Repeat lasagne/veggie mix/cheese two more times, ending with Cheese slices on top.
Cover, Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, uncover, bake 10 minutes more or until top is golden, melted gooeyness.
Cook about 10 minutes, cut and serve. Of course there are no calories in this concoction, especially in the 3 slices of cheese per serving of this! Enjoy!
I see this being great, warming, comfort food this winter!

Have a wondermous day!

What a Week!

Really I have been pretty boring. Other than a few fun things thrown in here and there, I've been busy at the computer and tied to my desk. But I managed to throw in a few fun things.
Kevin & Erica were here last weekend for a friend's wedding. I thought they looked cute in their matching outfits. For God sakes boy, marry her! If your coordinating your clothes, you may has well be married! I've been married 22 years and I can't get the hubby to coordinate!

 

Erica & I did some retail therapy while she was here. It was fun having a girl to shop with! I found these cute everyday sandals at Beall's. Clarks, so they were a little pricey, but OMG! Like walking on air! I figured I can buy 10 pair of not so comfy $10 sandals or splurge and buy one pair I can wear forever.

 

This is the class display for Summer Scrapganza at our local LSS. These are the four classes I will be teaching that weekend. It's going to be a blast!

 

Teaching at Summer Scrapganza means I'll miss the Hilltop Memories Birthday Crop, which bums me out. I learn so much from those ladies and wouldn't be able to be where I am if it weren't for all of them. I can hardly wait for October, when I finally have time to go down to visit them.
We have a score of activities planned for today, lots of errands and yard work. I plan to scrap, so I guess those are hubby's plans! LOL!

It's True!

I am leading a boring life! I haven't adjusted to this morning schedule. I get up, that's not the problem. I just can't get all my stuff done in the morning before I leave. It's craziness!
It's summer registration week, and I'm feeling the pressure. While some people got long lunch breaks and gave themselves a pedicure (I'm not kidding!) I was decifering paperwork to enter in the computer. It was maddening!
So that has been my day the past two days and will continue to be my day on Friday. Then thank goodness it will be the weekend!
I'm off to find something relaxing to do.
:J

I'm here

Just busy! Boring busy.

:J

New Bat Time!

It looks like this week I will be on an early schedule. 7 (or whatever time I get there) til 3 (or 8 hours after I get there). Which makes me a happy camper! I love getting out early. Since we have no students this week, I get come and go early. Happy day!
Not to complain, but if we could have worked out that 4 day work week I would have been an estatic camper, but hey, it's all good in the long run. Two more days with the teachers and life will be good for a week. Then summer school starts.
So in adjustment, I'll probably blog in the evening. Since when I wake up, I want to get to work, so I can get home! or go shopping! or go to the beach! or whatever I want!
I'm ready to clean up my scrap desk/room. I have been a busy beaver in there. It's June! I have less than two weeks til the first crop. Less than 24 days till the big crop. That's the 4 classes in two days crop! Plus I have an itch to crop for me. Just me!
July brings vacation! Now that I have my plane tickets, bought them Friday, I'm sooo ready to go! I love having that carrot dangling in front of me. Something to look forward to.
Lori gave me a jump drive with pics of Savana's graduation & of the girls. It brightens my day to see her girls. They are so happy, so fun, so confident! I would show you, but out of respect for Lori, won't til I ask. She has some gorgeous girls. She said graduation day was a perfect day for them. Delaney's 5th grade graduation was in morning and then Savana's that night. She said just a perfect day!
Well, I'm off hoping to catch a FSU baseball winning score on the news. Go Noles!
:J

Good Morning!

The birds started singing about 5 a.m.. So I'm up, have been for a few hours now. Thanks to the birds. We have one that sits in the crepe myrtle outside our bedroom window and sings away. Beautiful song, but an hour too early for me!
Yesterday was a long day with lots put into it. We sat around for two hours just chatting. Finally decided to go to Denny's for breakfast.
At Denny's we ran into Kev's old HS GF, her son and husband. They were "the couple" for their class all through HS. Then when Kevin went to Tallahassee, they broke it off. They are still friends and had a nice chat.
From Denny's we headed to the Navy base for iPod shopping, or at least that was our ruse. We looked at iPods, Kevin wants a new one before they go to Japan. I think he should wait and get one there! So we came home iPodless, but with clothes, candles and pedicure stuff! At least Erica & I did! Kevin came home with Capt. Morgan, which was $4 cheaper than he can buy it for.
Erica & I did not have our fill of shopping so we headed to Hobby Lobby and Beall's. I found a gazing ball for the garden & a fern stand. Of course I can't go to HL without buying scrap stuff! Just a staz-on ink pad tho.
Beall's yielded a pair of Clark's on sale. Erica found a couple of beach cover ups. She's heading to Hawaii next week with her family to meet her sister from Japan. She's excited about that. In August, she & Kevin fly to Japan, where her sister lives. Kevin & Erica are both excited about that!
The evening was filled with dinner and more friends visiting. Kev's friend John & his wife stopped by to get Kev & Erica for a night of bowling. We are trying to convince John, who teaches English, to make the move to our HS. He teaches at his alma mater right now, but is frustrated. I think he'd be a good fit at our HS. We'll see in a few days when transfers go through. I'm hoping he will end up with us, he coaches football too.
I hear people stirring and I've promised biscuits & gravy for breakfast. Patrick will be over soon also. Then I think the kids are headed for the beach. Me? I'm going to relax in the pool and then take a nap!