Do you ever think your weekend isn't long enough? I do, every Monday morning. But when I stop and look back on everything I did, I got alot done.
Of course, Saturday I spent sleeping, mostly. I did have a nice dinner out with my hubby. It was a Books a Million and dinner date. Actually he goes to BOM, I go to HL next door. Then I drift in to BOM when I'm done and he'll buy me a magazine or two. This weekend they didn't have one I wanted, so we went back in HL and I got a new card magazine.
Sunday was lazy, but really it wasn't. I did laundry, cleaned my bedroom and bath. Scrapped a bit. I went to the Summer HS theater play at the Community College. It was awesome! Lois Lane stole the show from Superman. She has such talent and what a voice! Loved her. There was a girl who played another secretary role and she was very talented also! Another great voice. Superman was awesome, as was the mad professor. This Superman show was a musical so there was alot of singing and dancing. I'm telling everyone I know to go see it this weekend as it's playing again. Superman and Lois are from our school. Superman is going to USF, so my Tampa friends may get a chance to see him too this year!
I just couldn't get motivated today. Achy all day, we have rain moving in. I wish it would just downpour and get it over with! Most of our administrators left for Jacksonville today for a CTE
(Career & Technical Education) conference. The rest of them are in a two day workshop here. WOOHOOO! LOL! Not really, we have so much to do before registration begins Monday. It's hard to believe another school year is starting.
But not before one more trip to a Hilltop crop. Boy I need this too! I look foward to such fun! Hopefully I can cut out and leave early on Thursday to get to my sister's. We have to time our bathroom breaks just right so the right bathrooms will be open on our way to Sebring! To bad I can't cut out really early and we could leave Thursday afternoon! HMMMMM! Maybe I should call her and say be packed, just in case!
On the road again!
:J
Monday, July 30, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
I Can't Believe I Survived the Night!
I have to preface this with, if you are a CM scrapper, you may not want to read any further. I may offend you. Second, Thank God I'm a Hilltopper!
As my regular blog readers know we're trying to bring scrapbooking to the local fair. One of the girls helping to do this, and a member of the fair "family" has been a CM consultant for the past few years. To make a long story short, she invited me to an all night crop at her home.
I understand the concept of CM cropping. All scrapbooking should be "about the memory" "about the pictures" What I don't understand is the trying to slam as many pictures as you can onto pages without any "decoration".
I like "decoration". While you will probably never see any of my pages in CK, MM, SS or any of those other mags, I do think I scrap pretty well, some simple, some medium, and some gaudy. I guess it depends on the "picture" "the story" and the mood I'm in when I'm scrapping.
I sat next to a woman, who kept asking "what would you do with this page" Those of you who know me, know the big hole that is in my tongue from biting it all night. Putting your pictures on a blank page after rounding their corners and adding another piece of plain cs and a few stickers and journaling, does not a scrapper make. My sister would be proud of me because not once did I scream at the woman, "Just step out of your box"! 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Every piece of Cardstock, every picture, every color, she asked. I was polite, I made suggestions. I bit such a hole in my tongue.
Oh and the corner rounders, can I just say how a room full of corner rounders gets really annoying at about 3 a.m.? I wanted to grab them all and pitch them out the door!
I suppose this sounds like I didn't have a good time. Really overall, I did. The food was good. The hostess was very nice, very attentive. I did get alot of cards made, which I surpassed my goal there. But I missed my table mates. I missed facing the crowd, watching everything that was going on. I missed the games, the craziness that goes on, and the awesome food we always have. But I did step out of MY box!
Thankful for what I do have,
:J
As my regular blog readers know we're trying to bring scrapbooking to the local fair. One of the girls helping to do this, and a member of the fair "family" has been a CM consultant for the past few years. To make a long story short, she invited me to an all night crop at her home.
I understand the concept of CM cropping. All scrapbooking should be "about the memory" "about the pictures" What I don't understand is the trying to slam as many pictures as you can onto pages without any "decoration".
I like "decoration". While you will probably never see any of my pages in CK, MM, SS or any of those other mags, I do think I scrap pretty well, some simple, some medium, and some gaudy. I guess it depends on the "picture" "the story" and the mood I'm in when I'm scrapping.
I sat next to a woman, who kept asking "what would you do with this page" Those of you who know me, know the big hole that is in my tongue from biting it all night. Putting your pictures on a blank page after rounding their corners and adding another piece of plain cs and a few stickers and journaling, does not a scrapper make. My sister would be proud of me because not once did I scream at the woman, "Just step out of your box"! 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Every piece of Cardstock, every picture, every color, she asked. I was polite, I made suggestions. I bit such a hole in my tongue.
Oh and the corner rounders, can I just say how a room full of corner rounders gets really annoying at about 3 a.m.? I wanted to grab them all and pitch them out the door!
I suppose this sounds like I didn't have a good time. Really overall, I did. The food was good. The hostess was very nice, very attentive. I did get alot of cards made, which I surpassed my goal there. But I missed my table mates. I missed facing the crowd, watching everything that was going on. I missed the games, the craziness that goes on, and the awesome food we always have. But I did step out of MY box!
Thankful for what I do have,
:J
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
What day is it?
Today has been many different days. I overslept. I only overslept by 12 minutes but it threw my delicately timed routine in an upheaval. So I was 3 minutes late to work. But most everyone else was later. It made me feel like I was there way early instead of late.
So went the day. I didn't want to wake up, couldn't get going once I got to work. So I drank coffee, didn't eat breakfast. So by 9:30 I was starving. Didn't help that one of my co workers had red beans and rice cooking in a crockpot down the hall.
Today was potluck day. We had decided on vegtables for lunch. Yummy! We had red beans and rice, collards, veggie casserole, field peas, potato salad, chocolate and watermelon. As always we stuffed ourselves. It's a good thing next week is the last potluck day. I think I have gained every once of my weight back that I had lost. Maybe we should do two potluck days next week. Just so I can savor the taste of real food before we go back to salads and Lean Cuisines. LOL!
Busy day work wise but lots accomplished, some stuff in limbo. I spent most of the afternoon counting numbers. Doing reports, I wonder does anyone really read reports? But I like the numbers part. Seeing how well we are doing our job.
Tonite was Scrapbooking at the Fair meeting. We finalized our judges, categories and "rules". 3 categories, Elementary, Middle/High, and Adult. Three places, $25, $15 and $10 in each category. Now to get the word out and hopefully people will enter! The Middle and High School students are also eligible for scholarships the fair gives out. So that's cool! I'm excited and feeling like we are opening up a whole new world. Does anyone else know of anyone who has Scrapbooking as a Fair category? I would love to hear how they do it!
Well that's it for me. TaTa.
:J
So went the day. I didn't want to wake up, couldn't get going once I got to work. So I drank coffee, didn't eat breakfast. So by 9:30 I was starving. Didn't help that one of my co workers had red beans and rice cooking in a crockpot down the hall.
Today was potluck day. We had decided on vegtables for lunch. Yummy! We had red beans and rice, collards, veggie casserole, field peas, potato salad, chocolate and watermelon. As always we stuffed ourselves. It's a good thing next week is the last potluck day. I think I have gained every once of my weight back that I had lost. Maybe we should do two potluck days next week. Just so I can savor the taste of real food before we go back to salads and Lean Cuisines. LOL!
Busy day work wise but lots accomplished, some stuff in limbo. I spent most of the afternoon counting numbers. Doing reports, I wonder does anyone really read reports? But I like the numbers part. Seeing how well we are doing our job.
Tonite was Scrapbooking at the Fair meeting. We finalized our judges, categories and "rules". 3 categories, Elementary, Middle/High, and Adult. Three places, $25, $15 and $10 in each category. Now to get the word out and hopefully people will enter! The Middle and High School students are also eligible for scholarships the fair gives out. So that's cool! I'm excited and feeling like we are opening up a whole new world. Does anyone else know of anyone who has Scrapbooking as a Fair category? I would love to hear how they do it!
Well that's it for me. TaTa.
:J
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Are you ready for a Quickie!
I have been a neglectful blogger! For that I apologize. I just don't lead an exciting life.
I have been scrapping. I did a page of one of Rick's nieces and am halfway through one of my mom and her sister. I was going to do a crop challenge from one of the scrapsites I visit, but last night I had a headache, and tonite I got busy cooking. Not good excuses, but what the heck. I scrap for me anyway. I should have tried to post a few finished LOs as some of the challenges were from friends of mine, but it just didn't get done.
Went to Big Lots today after my meeting and on my way back to work. They had a bunch of acrylic stamps on sale cheap, but since getting home, I found out they are tough to peel off the sheet. HMMM! I may take them back this weekend. I guess you get what you pay for.
Friday night I am going to a local all night crop. Should be interesting as I know none of these girls very well. I do look forward to next week when I get to crop with most of the HT girls.
So that's my life right now in a nutshell. Cept work, where I am looking forward to the next few months. Should be interesting. To me at least.
That's it, you're bored and I'm sleepy. Night!
:J
I have been scrapping. I did a page of one of Rick's nieces and am halfway through one of my mom and her sister. I was going to do a crop challenge from one of the scrapsites I visit, but last night I had a headache, and tonite I got busy cooking. Not good excuses, but what the heck. I scrap for me anyway. I should have tried to post a few finished LOs as some of the challenges were from friends of mine, but it just didn't get done.
Went to Big Lots today after my meeting and on my way back to work. They had a bunch of acrylic stamps on sale cheap, but since getting home, I found out they are tough to peel off the sheet. HMMM! I may take them back this weekend. I guess you get what you pay for.
Friday night I am going to a local all night crop. Should be interesting as I know none of these girls very well. I do look forward to next week when I get to crop with most of the HT girls.
So that's my life right now in a nutshell. Cept work, where I am looking forward to the next few months. Should be interesting. To me at least.
That's it, you're bored and I'm sleepy. Night!
:J
Saturday, July 21, 2007
News, Blues and Smooze
Yesterday was a great day for me. It was quiet at work, restful at home and a perfect start to the weekend. Old friends came by that I hadn't seen all summer, and there's a buzz at school that starts about now, anticipation of school starting.
First of all I have to mention the two summer custodian ladies who cleaned the windows on our side of the hallway. They also did the trophy cases. Those trophy cases haven't been cleaned in the four years I've been there! They dusted each glass shelf and every trophy! It just gleams! I didn't get their names, but I thanked them every time I walked by them. I may have to find some goodies for them!
Here are our world famous NAVY precision flying team, the Blue Angels! This is Blues on the Beach weekend. They did an airshow yesterday and will do one today, weather permitting. Only 4 of them got to fly yesterday as one of the pilots had sinus trouble. Seems to be going around here right now.We won't go to the beach, we will go to the homecoming airshow in November with all the cousins that will be here for the family reunion that week. They are awesome if you ever get a chance to see them.
You can tell that the teachers know that it's about time for the schedules to be done for classes. It was like old home week yesterday. I got to see a few of my favorite people, including the newlyweds, Cheyana & JW. They just got back from their 5 week honeymoon trip in Europe. They backpacked most of it, staying in hostels and camping.
They sure did alot! JW ran with the bulls in Spain (and got hurt, cracked two ribs and skinned up good, but okay now), they saw the Coliseum, Venice and Rome, and Spain. Chey said Spain was her favorite. They also said they must be getting old as the people in the hostels partied too late into the night for them! Ah yes kids that's the first sign!
They sure did alot! JW ran with the bulls in Spain (and got hurt, cracked two ribs and skinned up good, but okay now), they saw the Coliseum, Venice and Rome, and Spain. Chey said Spain was her favorite. They also said they must be getting old as the people in the hostels partied too late into the night for them! Ah yes kids that's the first sign!I'm just glad they took this trip now while they are young, in-love, etc. How many of us dream of doing something like this and never do? I really admire them for taking off like this!
I'm so glad too that they took the plunge and got married. I helped Chey plan the first prom at our HS. Oh and the poinsettia sale! How could I forget how we financed the prom. Chey's classroom was a mass of poinsettias. So beautiful and we sold every one. Well the kids helped tooo!
I had adopted JW when he was a lonely, first year teacher here from Nebraska. He was so skinny and stayed so busy coaching and teaching that I worried about him and brought him leftovers. This was after he told me he would make a huge bowl of spaghetti on Sunday and eat on it all week! Poor kid! Now they are so happy together and such a cute couple! But what do I do with the leftovers?
JW is a CUBS Fan like me, I told him if the Cubs start losing now that he is home, his butt is going back to Europe on the next plane! GO CUBS!
Have to show you these tooo! Aren't the the cutest little pencil sharpeners? I found them at CVS while I was waiting for my sinus medicine. 3/99 cents! I think I will throw one in my scrapbag, one in my desk at work and one here at the house in the desk.
Well, I guess house work is not going to quit calling me until I answer the call. I'm off to vacuum, do some laundry and UGH! Clean the bathroom. TaTA!
:J
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Let See What I Can Say Without Being Dooced!
It has been such a good week! Well as good a week as you can have after spending the previous week on the beach. That little trip is just a small spot on my memory now. Darn, need to do that more often!
Finally connected with the new boss. We've had info to share, things to do. Also had our pre-registration meeting to go over our registration process with everyone involved. Some one said they would have to "check my schedule" to see if they could do something they were asked to do for that week. THAT didn't go over well. It was obvious this person was trying to get out of having to WORK with the rest of the TEAM. It was a good moment for alot of us!
I see alot of changes on our horizon. Most of them I think for the good. I'm sure I won't like them all, after all this isn't my perfect world is it? But I think I can live with the changes I won't like, in order to have the changes we do NEED. I look foward to the next few years.
Enough on that.
I have come to the point I come to every summer where I am starting to hate air conditioning. Stale air, cold, sometimes too cold. I am ready to open my windows again for fresh air. I want to be in my yard all day and not sweat like a pig. I know I have the pool, but not the same. I think what I really want is a trip north. I always get this way when back to school time comes around. Back to school up north means cooler temps, falling leaves and football!
Enough on that.
But speaking of football, how bout Michael Vick. Well when you play with fire you are going to get burned. If you own property, have an idea of what your tenants are doing on said property. I think they have something on him or he wouldn't have been arrested.
Enough on that.
No, not, I have to say this. If you live your life in the limelight and get paid millions to do what most people do for fun and free, you are a role model. Whether you want to be or not, you are. So if you are playing with fire, at least be man enough to tell the truth. "Yes I was, I know I shouldn't have, but I did." That is what defines a real man. Which brings me to why I brought this back up. It is just one more reason Brett Favre is the MAN! He was addicted to Vicodin, admitted it, went to rehab saying he'd come back better, and he did.
And that is " 'Nuff Said!"
:J
Finally connected with the new boss. We've had info to share, things to do. Also had our pre-registration meeting to go over our registration process with everyone involved. Some one said they would have to "check my schedule" to see if they could do something they were asked to do for that week. THAT didn't go over well. It was obvious this person was trying to get out of having to WORK with the rest of the TEAM. It was a good moment for alot of us!
I see alot of changes on our horizon. Most of them I think for the good. I'm sure I won't like them all, after all this isn't my perfect world is it? But I think I can live with the changes I won't like, in order to have the changes we do NEED. I look foward to the next few years.
Enough on that.
I have come to the point I come to every summer where I am starting to hate air conditioning. Stale air, cold, sometimes too cold. I am ready to open my windows again for fresh air. I want to be in my yard all day and not sweat like a pig. I know I have the pool, but not the same. I think what I really want is a trip north. I always get this way when back to school time comes around. Back to school up north means cooler temps, falling leaves and football!
Enough on that.
But speaking of football, how bout Michael Vick. Well when you play with fire you are going to get burned. If you own property, have an idea of what your tenants are doing on said property. I think they have something on him or he wouldn't have been arrested.
Enough on that.
No, not, I have to say this. If you live your life in the limelight and get paid millions to do what most people do for fun and free, you are a role model. Whether you want to be or not, you are. So if you are playing with fire, at least be man enough to tell the truth. "Yes I was, I know I shouldn't have, but I did." That is what defines a real man. Which brings me to why I brought this back up. It is just one more reason Brett Favre is the MAN! He was addicted to Vicodin, admitted it, went to rehab saying he'd come back better, and he did.
And that is " 'Nuff Said!"
:J
Monday, July 16, 2007
A New Week in my Life
Yep, I was going along good, blogging most every day last week, then yesterday I stopped. Did anyone notice? No one noticed I said Dr. Pepper can in the post I did about Rick's new coffee mug. It was a Mountain Dew can.
So another day dawns and I have the whole day to do what I want. Well, I have to clean the bathroom and cook dinner, but the rest of the day is mine, mine, mine! Yesterday was mine too! I eyebatted my way into two mags at BAM from hubby. We got home just in time for a huge deluge of rain so I cuddled up on the loveseat with the new mags, read and napped. What else does one do on a rainy day?
Even Patrick stayed with us until bedtime. Which if you don't have older kids, means it's time to go out and Par-tay! He spent all day with us, chillin' and then at 9:30 p.m. went to a friend's to "play video games" Uh-huh, right kid. I'm not 50 yet, my mind is not totally gone. I KNOW what y'all were doin'! But he is almost 21 (can you beleive that!) so it's all good. He only has a few short weeks til school starts again, working two jobs and school will put an end to the PAR-TAY!
I feel like I have been on vacation for weeks, oh wait, if you don't count the 6 hours I worked on Friday, I have been on vacation! LOL! I love this rested feeling. I have almost forgotten what stress feels like! Ah! the simple pleasures!
:J
So another day dawns and I have the whole day to do what I want. Well, I have to clean the bathroom and cook dinner, but the rest of the day is mine, mine, mine! Yesterday was mine too! I eyebatted my way into two mags at BAM from hubby. We got home just in time for a huge deluge of rain so I cuddled up on the loveseat with the new mags, read and napped. What else does one do on a rainy day?
Even Patrick stayed with us until bedtime. Which if you don't have older kids, means it's time to go out and Par-tay! He spent all day with us, chillin' and then at 9:30 p.m. went to a friend's to "play video games" Uh-huh, right kid. I'm not 50 yet, my mind is not totally gone. I KNOW what y'all were doin'! But he is almost 21 (can you beleive that!) so it's all good. He only has a few short weeks til school starts again, working two jobs and school will put an end to the PAR-TAY!
I feel like I have been on vacation for weeks, oh wait, if you don't count the 6 hours I worked on Friday, I have been on vacation! LOL! I love this rested feeling. I have almost forgotten what stress feels like! Ah! the simple pleasures!
:J
Saturday, July 14, 2007
As Promised, Top 5 Vacations
One of my favorite scrapsites, has posted a blog challenge of listing your favorite 5 vacations. Wow! That's a toughie for me. Anytime I can be on a vacation has to be my favorite time. But I can name a few from that list here. It should be my favorite 1o vacations, that would hit the tip of my vacation iceburg.
1. Number one has to be family reunion time. Whether it's in Wisconsin with the in-laws, West Virginia with my mother's side of the family, Illinois with my immediate family, or when everyone comes here and we rent a beach house, reunions are my favorite vacation. I love being with family, just hanging, taking pictures and listening to stories.
2. When you think of reunions, second best reunion type get togethers are girls weekends! I think girls weekends were introduced to me by my sister. She and a friend of hers came down here and the 3 of us rented a beach condo for a weekend. It was so nice to get away from all the testostrone in my house and be with the girls. Since then, girls weekends are a necessity, whether it's with my sister, my best friend Karen in Jax, or the HT girls. Girls weekends Rock!
3. Saints/Packers game in New Orleans with Rob & Steph. My hubby has been a life long Packers fan. Rob is a lifelong Saints fan. Rob & DH were stationed together in HS-11 and then we all made a transfer to Pcola for shore duty. When the Packers played the Saints in New Orleans one year we went "home" with Rob & Steph to attend the game. No kids. We had a blast. Touring NO, the game and eating every two hours. Not just eating, but eating cajun food! The best part, more Packer fans in the Superdome than Saints fans and cheering the Packers to victory!
4. My first cruise. May 2007. Determined to "experience it all" I did. Well all but the parasailing. That wasn't my fault tho, Linda and I were signed up but the boat broke down. But I did everything else on this scrapbooking cruise, including getting my hair braided, getting hypnotized and kissing Senor Frog! Such fun!
5. Going to Colorado with DH no kids. Okay so the wedding was cancelled. But we went anyway. Spent a day in Estes Park, saw relatives, and had fun without having to worry about anyone but ourselves.
Vacations are the best of times. So many new experiences, I loved watching the kids discover new things when they were little. So much of this America yet to see. Now that I have my passport, I will travel!
:J
1. Number one has to be family reunion time. Whether it's in Wisconsin with the in-laws, West Virginia with my mother's side of the family, Illinois with my immediate family, or when everyone comes here and we rent a beach house, reunions are my favorite vacation. I love being with family, just hanging, taking pictures and listening to stories.
2. When you think of reunions, second best reunion type get togethers are girls weekends! I think girls weekends were introduced to me by my sister. She and a friend of hers came down here and the 3 of us rented a beach condo for a weekend. It was so nice to get away from all the testostrone in my house and be with the girls. Since then, girls weekends are a necessity, whether it's with my sister, my best friend Karen in Jax, or the HT girls. Girls weekends Rock!
3. Saints/Packers game in New Orleans with Rob & Steph. My hubby has been a life long Packers fan. Rob is a lifelong Saints fan. Rob & DH were stationed together in HS-11 and then we all made a transfer to Pcola for shore duty. When the Packers played the Saints in New Orleans one year we went "home" with Rob & Steph to attend the game. No kids. We had a blast. Touring NO, the game and eating every two hours. Not just eating, but eating cajun food! The best part, more Packer fans in the Superdome than Saints fans and cheering the Packers to victory!
4. My first cruise. May 2007. Determined to "experience it all" I did. Well all but the parasailing. That wasn't my fault tho, Linda and I were signed up but the boat broke down. But I did everything else on this scrapbooking cruise, including getting my hair braided, getting hypnotized and kissing Senor Frog! Such fun!
5. Going to Colorado with DH no kids. Okay so the wedding was cancelled. But we went anyway. Spent a day in Estes Park, saw relatives, and had fun without having to worry about anyone but ourselves.
Vacations are the best of times. So many new experiences, I loved watching the kids discover new things when they were little. So much of this America yet to see. Now that I have my passport, I will travel!
:J
Spending a Hot Summer Day
Patrick knows how to spend a hot summer afternoon. This is where I found him when I came home Friday afternoon. He cuddled up with his cat, Boots and a good book on the loveseat. He really is awake and reading. Isn't he just a handsome boy! I wish I could snuggle and cuddle him like I used to when he was little. Now I just get a hug and a "love ya mom".
We had a busy 24 hours while he passed the afternoon reading. Shortly after I took his picture, his Aunt Susie and Uncle Truman arrived. They were here to pick up their camper. Always generous to their nephews, they lent DS1, Daniel, their camper for the weekend while he was here.
Susie and I had to shop while we were together, it's just unAmerican if we don't. So we hit HL, JO's, Mike's and Target. Halfway through the HL visit, the hubbies called and said they were HUNGRY! So we met them at the Shrimp Basket for yummy dinner and went back to HL after. Of course I always spend more money than she does! I did find this cool container at Target. Actually, Susie, being the good sister she is, showed it to me. Great storage for my stamps! I can also buy another set and it will attach to the bottom of these and I can go on and on and build a tower! Great for crops! This one is about 6 x 10 and the bottom tier has two trays that divide it into six sections. But you don't have to use the trays. I'm hoping they will go on sale this week as they were in the "Back to College" section. But even at 6.99 they were a bargain!
When Felicia and Dan were here she left me a Thank You card for all the scrapsupplies I gave her. DH said she loved being in my room. She will have to come over another time when I can give her more stuff and tell her how to use it.
Today, we went over to my friend Jackie's. Jackie gave Susie a huge huge bookcase thingy that Susie is going to put in her scraproom. It will be really nice for her. I just didn't have room for it in my room, it was that big! I do need the storage tho! My scraproom is a MESS!
We also ran to Gigi's to see what scrapstuff she had. It was really busy in there, lots of beach vacationers in there. Gigi carries alot of local laser cuts and beachy stuff for that crowd. I didn't buy much tho!
All the shopping made me hungry so after Susie and Truman left, I scrounged in the cupboard for something to tie me over til dinner. I found plaintain chips I had forgotten I bought last comissary trip. YUMMY! Now I just can't eat the whole bag like I want to!
I'll post my answers to the blog challenge later. My 5 favorite vacations. What are yours?
:J
We had a busy 24 hours while he passed the afternoon reading. Shortly after I took his picture, his Aunt Susie and Uncle Truman arrived. They were here to pick up their camper. Always generous to their nephews, they lent DS1, Daniel, their camper for the weekend while he was here.
Susie and I had to shop while we were together, it's just unAmerican if we don't. So we hit HL, JO's, Mike's and Target. Halfway through the HL visit, the hubbies called and said they were HUNGRY! So we met them at the Shrimp Basket for yummy dinner and went back to HL after. Of course I always spend more money than she does! I did find this cool container at Target. Actually, Susie, being the good sister she is, showed it to me. Great storage for my stamps! I can also buy another set and it will attach to the bottom of these and I can go on and on and build a tower! Great for crops! This one is about 6 x 10 and the bottom tier has two trays that divide it into six sections. But you don't have to use the trays. I'm hoping they will go on sale this week as they were in the "Back to College" section. But even at 6.99 they were a bargain!
When Felicia and Dan were here she left me a Thank You card for all the scrapsupplies I gave her. DH said she loved being in my room. She will have to come over another time when I can give her more stuff and tell her how to use it.
Today, we went over to my friend Jackie's. Jackie gave Susie a huge huge bookcase thingy that Susie is going to put in her scraproom. It will be really nice for her. I just didn't have room for it in my room, it was that big! I do need the storage tho! My scraproom is a MESS!
We also ran to Gigi's to see what scrapstuff she had. It was really busy in there, lots of beach vacationers in there. Gigi carries alot of local laser cuts and beachy stuff for that crowd. I didn't buy much tho!
All the shopping made me hungry so after Susie and Truman left, I scrounged in the cupboard for something to tie me over til dinner. I found plaintain chips I had forgotten I bought last comissary trip. YUMMY! Now I just can't eat the whole bag like I want to!
I'll post my answers to the blog challenge later. My 5 favorite vacations. What are yours?
:J
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Cuppa Joe Anyone?
I certainly have enough to share! We can all drink out of the same mug! It's certainly big enough don't you think? DS1 brought this to Rick this week when they came to visit. Yes that's a regular size Dr. Pepper can next to it, along with a bottle of wine, just to give you an idea of how big it is.
Rick is known for his love of coffee, and that is probably about the right size cup for him. But with coffee in it, he would be hard pressed to drink out of it as it is HEAVY! I guess it was a display for advertising Harley coffee mugs and Daniel got a bargain on it. Wonder what I could get for it on Ebay? LOL! We are going to use it to collect change.

I thought the resort I stayed in had a cute way to mark their parking lot spaces. They really did go all out with the beachy tropical theme. I would stay there again if they "made" me!

Kip, Jules and I went to lunch at Caddy's on the beach. We were treated to a rather good singer while we ate lunch. Kinda reminds me of Kenny Chesney in 20 years. Sang as good also.

I told you my hotel thought of everything. This is the phone in my bathroom. I didn't have the chance to use it, thank goodness. That's a pet peeve of mine, talking to people while on the toilet. UGH! Just gross! And frogbreath does it to me all the time. We'll just be talking along and then I hear the toilet flush on her end of the phone. She knows it grosses me out too!
So, I'm home, glad to be here and I probably won't get to blog as much as I have this week. Normal life gets in the way ya know. But it was a blast while it lasted!
:J
Rick is known for his love of coffee, and that is probably about the right size cup for him. But with coffee in it, he would be hard pressed to drink out of it as it is HEAVY! I guess it was a display for advertising Harley coffee mugs and Daniel got a bargain on it. Wonder what I could get for it on Ebay? LOL! We are going to use it to collect change.
I thought the resort I stayed in had a cute way to mark their parking lot spaces. They really did go all out with the beachy tropical theme. I would stay there again if they "made" me!
Kip, Jules and I went to lunch at Caddy's on the beach. We were treated to a rather good singer while we ate lunch. Kinda reminds me of Kenny Chesney in 20 years. Sang as good also.
I told you my hotel thought of everything. This is the phone in my bathroom. I didn't have the chance to use it, thank goodness. That's a pet peeve of mine, talking to people while on the toilet. UGH! Just gross! And frogbreath does it to me all the time. We'll just be talking along and then I hear the toilet flush on her end of the phone. She knows it grosses me out too!
:J
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
More from the Beach
I thought that I loved my beaches where I live, but I am starting to really like the beaches here in St. Pete. Maybe because staying right here on the beach makes the beach life so convienent. I really don't get to the beach as much as I would like at home.
During one of my walks, I came across this castle someone built on the sand. Isn't it gorgeous!
Last night we drove to Ft. DeSoto to see 2005's Number One Beach. It was gorgeous! We walked til sunset and then turned around and walked back. Not a fast walk, just leisurely, picking up shells, letting the waves dance on our toes. Ahhh! the life! The closer it got to sunset, the more birds came around. I think this is a blue heron, or some kind of heron. He watched us and posed for several pictures before we both parted ways.
Last night's walk made me think about how I take my beach for granted. It's rare I take a break to just go walk the beach. A little sand between the toes can make all the world's stress disappear, and put everything back into perspective. Go be a tourist in your town. Appreciate your world. It will make a world of difference!
:J
During one of my walks, I came across this castle someone built on the sand. Isn't it gorgeous!
Last night we drove to Ft. DeSoto to see 2005's Number One Beach. It was gorgeous! We walked til sunset and then turned around and walked back. Not a fast walk, just leisurely, picking up shells, letting the waves dance on our toes. Ahhh! the life! The closer it got to sunset, the more birds came around. I think this is a blue heron, or some kind of heron. He watched us and posed for several pictures before we both parted ways.
Last night's walk made me think about how I take my beach for granted. It's rare I take a break to just go walk the beach. A little sand between the toes can make all the world's stress disappear, and put everything back into perspective. Go be a tourist in your town. Appreciate your world. It will make a world of difference!
:J
Monday, July 09, 2007
A few more pics and another side of the story
I'm sure most of you saw this pic of me claiming my room with my sign on Jules blog.
But what you didn't see was what someone did when I wasn't there. They threw my sign on the floor! I'm sure it was an immature act of jealous rage! It made me feel so bad that in respect for my elders, I let the same person win at volleyball in the pool later.
E's famous potato salad, which Teri and I fought over.
E's delicious salad from my private dinner he fixed only for me and Jules.
What a time it was! Loved it!
:J
But what you didn't see was what someone did when I wasn't there. They threw my sign on the floor! I'm sure it was an immature act of jealous rage! It made me feel so bad that in respect for my elders, I let the same person win at volleyball in the pool later.
E's famous potato salad, which Teri and I fought over.
E's delicious salad from my private dinner he fixed only for me and Jules.
What a time it was! Loved it!
:J
Fun in Paradise
Another blogger joins the web! The Ft. Lauderdale girls have a voice now in blogging! Here the other Hilltop girls check out Lauri's new blog! Welcome Lauri!
The courtyard at the winery! I could dally here with a good book and a glass of wine all afternoon. It brought back memories of my childhood and spending summers playing under the grapevines that grew over our patio at home. Yes, my dad made wine from them too!

Swans that swim around the hotel. This scene is just a few feet from someone's (not mine!) patio here in the hotel. Just how cool is that? There are ducks too, but can you imagine swans????
Love this place! I Highly recommend it for a vacation getaway! Oh and also for important business meetings ;)
:J
Swans that swim around the hotel. This scene is just a few feet from someone's (not mine!) patio here in the hotel. Just how cool is that? There are ducks too, but can you imagine swans????
:J
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Let's talk about E words
It was a day filled with E!
Of course E, Jules husband, a chef EXTORDNAIRE! I keep threating to kidnap him and take him home. But then I would weigh 400 lbs. He has cooked us the most fabulous meals.
EXCITEMENT My first trip to Ruban Rouge! What a store! I just love the way it is set up! Sooooo much neat stuff! I got away cheap really $108 and change. Of course I didn't know the Revolution was half price! I may have to go back for that tomorrow!
EXERCISE! Jules and I took on Kip and Linda in pool volleyball. Let's just say Linda & Kip were ahead when we finally gave up! We let them win.
EXCELLENT! Best Riesling wine I have ever tasted at the Castle Winery. Then the food from Mama's was delish! And the sunset cruise was EXTRORDINARY!
OH MY MY MY!
EXHAUSTED! It was an awesome day! So much laughter, good friends, sharing, growing, so much bonding! I don't want to leave! I'm so tired!
I'll post pictures later, my camera batteries went dead!
:J
Of course E, Jules husband, a chef EXTORDNAIRE! I keep threating to kidnap him and take him home. But then I would weigh 400 lbs. He has cooked us the most fabulous meals.
EXCITEMENT My first trip to Ruban Rouge! What a store! I just love the way it is set up! Sooooo much neat stuff! I got away cheap really $108 and change. Of course I didn't know the Revolution was half price! I may have to go back for that tomorrow!
EXERCISE! Jules and I took on Kip and Linda in pool volleyball. Let's just say Linda & Kip were ahead when we finally gave up! We let them win.
EXCELLENT! Best Riesling wine I have ever tasted at the Castle Winery. Then the food from Mama's was delish! And the sunset cruise was EXTRORDINARY!
OH MY MY MY!
EXHAUSTED! It was an awesome day! So much laughter, good friends, sharing, growing, so much bonding! I don't want to leave! I'm so tired!
I'll post pictures later, my camera batteries went dead!
:J
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Claiming It As My Own
Yep! The guest room at Jules' house is now mine! At least for the next few days anyway! I made this cute little sign so everyone would know, IT'S MY ROOM!
Ever since Jules & E have been searching, and now acquired, a new home, several of us have been asking which room is ours. I think Janet was the first to stay in "the room" but I'm making it official, at least for now, IT'S MY ROOM!
Looking forward to the next few days, seeing the girls, getting some girlfriend's bonding time in. Be careful if your ears are ringing, it may be you we're talking about! LOL!
:J
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Happy 4th of July!
I hope your day is filled with Celebration and fireworks. I'll clean and bake this morning, pack this afternoon and then later this evening we will join some friends for a cookout.
We are lucky to live in the greatest nation in the world, able to celebrate the day any way we wish. I wonder if our Founding Fathers knew how great we would become when they started their rebellion 230 years ago. See a little rebelliousness can be a good thing!
Happy 4th!
:J
Saturday, June 30, 2007
My Saturday Night with Big Joe
Yes, I think I have found love. Big Joe. He's on the Polka Show on the RFD channel. Yes it's Saturday night and Yes, I'm bored.
So Rick is sitting here flipping through the channels, he's bored too. He found Big Joe, and paused. Then flipped. "No!" I said "Turn it back!"
Do you know how long it's been since I've polka'd? I think I was 12. Before I found out it wasn't cool. Maybe Rick and I have polkaed once. Polka is big where he is from. They all polka there.
So here I sit, watching Big Joe and the old people in Minnesota polkaing? Am I even spelling that right? Old people in Minnesota aren't as good as polkaers as they once were.
They have a special TV offer from the "Polka Nuts" from Colorado. Two DVDs for $50! I wanted to order them. Rick said No with that look he gives me when he thinks I have absolutely lost my mind.
So then I'm sitting here listening and watching and surfing my blogs when I come across Kip's Blog and she has up this Lollapolooza head and it's dancing. The dancing is matching the music on the TV, the polka music, and I am dying laughing. So I show Rick. He's laughing. Then he gets serious and has second thoughts about my weeklong trip this week. HMMMMMM!
All this and no tequila. What a Saturday night!
:J
So Rick is sitting here flipping through the channels, he's bored too. He found Big Joe, and paused. Then flipped. "No!" I said "Turn it back!"
Do you know how long it's been since I've polka'd? I think I was 12. Before I found out it wasn't cool. Maybe Rick and I have polkaed once. Polka is big where he is from. They all polka there.
So here I sit, watching Big Joe and the old people in Minnesota polkaing? Am I even spelling that right? Old people in Minnesota aren't as good as polkaers as they once were.
They have a special TV offer from the "Polka Nuts" from Colorado. Two DVDs for $50! I wanted to order them. Rick said No with that look he gives me when he thinks I have absolutely lost my mind.
So then I'm sitting here listening and watching and surfing my blogs when I come across Kip's Blog and she has up this Lollapolooza head and it's dancing. The dancing is matching the music on the TV, the polka music, and I am dying laughing. So I show Rick. He's laughing. Then he gets serious and has second thoughts about my weeklong trip this week. HMMMMMM!
All this and no tequila. What a Saturday night!
:J
Friday, June 29, 2007
More Me
Just got back from a scrumptitous (sp) dinner with hubby. We hit our favorite local cheap seafood place, The Shrimp Basket. So yummy! I don't know why but we drove clear across town to go there. They have opened one closer to our house, but old habits are hard to break. We just went.
Worked out for me just fine tho, as it is next door to JoAnn's. I ran in there for a few sheets of patriotic paper for a project I'm working on. I thought I found some Jolee's embellies marked way down, but when I got home I saw that I paid $2.50 for them. I don't need them that bad, so I'm taking those back!
I have got to clean this house this weekend. It's picked up, but it needs cleaning! I think I just have toooo much stuff. I am way to attached to stuff. I'm sure I don't qualify as a pack rat, but a pack mouse, I may be. I'm ready to downsize. I started a bit in the scraproom today, cleaning out things that I don't use or have another machine that does the same thing. I'm going to give them to my son's fiancee, as she is a scrapper. They will be here from Louisiana next week, but I will be in St. Pete. Darn it! They hardly ever come home, and now I have to be gone!
No big plans for the weekend. I'm trying to win MontgomeryGentry tickets for Tuesday night. Not that I'm a huge fan, but it would be fun to go. They are giving them away every hour on the radio station. Cross your fingers!
Well I'm off!
Oh one last thing, CONGRATULATIONS TO WEST FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL for their 3RD CONSECUTIVE A in the School grade calculations. We got our grades today and another A! WFHS has only been in existence for 6 years. Not too shabby!
I think someone said we had the highest HS writing scores in the state! WOOHOO!
With that I'm done,
Happy day!
:J
Worked out for me just fine tho, as it is next door to JoAnn's. I ran in there for a few sheets of patriotic paper for a project I'm working on. I thought I found some Jolee's embellies marked way down, but when I got home I saw that I paid $2.50 for them. I don't need them that bad, so I'm taking those back!
I have got to clean this house this weekend. It's picked up, but it needs cleaning! I think I just have toooo much stuff. I am way to attached to stuff. I'm sure I don't qualify as a pack rat, but a pack mouse, I may be. I'm ready to downsize. I started a bit in the scraproom today, cleaning out things that I don't use or have another machine that does the same thing. I'm going to give them to my son's fiancee, as she is a scrapper. They will be here from Louisiana next week, but I will be in St. Pete. Darn it! They hardly ever come home, and now I have to be gone!
No big plans for the weekend. I'm trying to win MontgomeryGentry tickets for Tuesday night. Not that I'm a huge fan, but it would be fun to go. They are giving them away every hour on the radio station. Cross your fingers!
Well I'm off!
Oh one last thing, CONGRATULATIONS TO WEST FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL for their 3RD CONSECUTIVE A in the School grade calculations. We got our grades today and another A! WFHS has only been in existence for 6 years. Not too shabby!
I think someone said we had the highest HS writing scores in the state! WOOHOO!
With that I'm done,
Happy day!
:J
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Thoughts on the First Weekend of Summer!
Where do I start? Linda and her Hilltop Crew added another fantastic weekend to my memory! WOW! I just love them and wish we were soooo much closer in distance.
Linda never ceases to amaze me. She cooked us fabulous meals all weekend without a stove and sunday we got pancakes & sausage from her Tim Holtz kitchen! Just when I think she can't do anymore fantastic give aways, she piles the table. When I think I have seen all the best classes, Elle, Di and Jules come up with a few more! Michele & Dee are always the best customer service and friends a girl could have. And the table mates! OHHHH those BAD girls! I love them all!
It was so much fun having my sister, Susie with us. That would be "Jayne's Sister, Susie". All my life everyone has known me as Jayne, Susie's little sister. After this weekend she is now Susie, "Jayne's sister. Thanks Michele for the help on that!
But to me from this crop forward, Susie will be known to me as "frogbreath" LOL! She can explain that one!
One of my biggest thrills was having Michele's mom, Alice, tell me she reads my blog everyday! WOW! Really? I have such a boring life! Alice is a sweetie and I was glad to finally meet her. Michele is such a sweet person, now I know why!
It was such a great weekend all around. So much fun with such phenomenal women. They all continue to inspire me to be a better woman, each of them in their own way. I am so lucky to have such great people as friends!
I came home to more flowers blooming. Sorry no pictures as of yet, but maybe tomorrow. My pink hydrangea was blooming, as was the red hibiscus. The oleander is blooming for the first time in years. It's a beautiful red. Finally, my pink amarylis is also showing it's beautiful color.
I walked into work Tuesday morning to no air conditioning. Talk about hot! Even the fans didn't help. Thankfully, I was able to go to one of the other buildings to prepare for the retirement celebration and that building had air! Over the weekend a squirrel got caught in some wiring and burned out the chiller for our building. Poor Squirrel! But all is fixed now and the retirement celebration went off without a hitch. Our principal was surprised, and it was nice to see so many of his old friends show up to wish him well. I will sure miss him, and wish him many happy, safe roads to travel and hours of giggles as "Grandpy" becomes his main job.
So that should catch you up with little ole me. I need to get busy cleaning, unpacking and putting away all the "stuff" I brought home with me. Tons of cool scrap stuff, new stamps (I hit the sale bin at HL, got 6 new stamps!) and of course, more storage to put it in.
I'll try to be a better blogger this next week. That is until they send me to St. Pete for that conference that I really didn't want to go to, but they twisted my arm! The things I do for my job, seriously!
Have a wonderful summer day!
:J
Linda never ceases to amaze me. She cooked us fabulous meals all weekend without a stove and sunday we got pancakes & sausage from her Tim Holtz kitchen! Just when I think she can't do anymore fantastic give aways, she piles the table. When I think I have seen all the best classes, Elle, Di and Jules come up with a few more! Michele & Dee are always the best customer service and friends a girl could have. And the table mates! OHHHH those BAD girls! I love them all!
It was so much fun having my sister, Susie with us. That would be "Jayne's Sister, Susie". All my life everyone has known me as Jayne, Susie's little sister. After this weekend she is now Susie, "Jayne's sister. Thanks Michele for the help on that!
But to me from this crop forward, Susie will be known to me as "frogbreath" LOL! She can explain that one!
One of my biggest thrills was having Michele's mom, Alice, tell me she reads my blog everyday! WOW! Really? I have such a boring life! Alice is a sweetie and I was glad to finally meet her. Michele is such a sweet person, now I know why!
It was such a great weekend all around. So much fun with such phenomenal women. They all continue to inspire me to be a better woman, each of them in their own way. I am so lucky to have such great people as friends!
I came home to more flowers blooming. Sorry no pictures as of yet, but maybe tomorrow. My pink hydrangea was blooming, as was the red hibiscus. The oleander is blooming for the first time in years. It's a beautiful red. Finally, my pink amarylis is also showing it's beautiful color.
I walked into work Tuesday morning to no air conditioning. Talk about hot! Even the fans didn't help. Thankfully, I was able to go to one of the other buildings to prepare for the retirement celebration and that building had air! Over the weekend a squirrel got caught in some wiring and burned out the chiller for our building. Poor Squirrel! But all is fixed now and the retirement celebration went off without a hitch. Our principal was surprised, and it was nice to see so many of his old friends show up to wish him well. I will sure miss him, and wish him many happy, safe roads to travel and hours of giggles as "Grandpy" becomes his main job.
So that should catch you up with little ole me. I need to get busy cleaning, unpacking and putting away all the "stuff" I brought home with me. Tons of cool scrap stuff, new stamps (I hit the sale bin at HL, got 6 new stamps!) and of course, more storage to put it in.
I'll try to be a better blogger this next week. That is until they send me to St. Pete for that conference that I really didn't want to go to, but they twisted my arm! The things I do for my job, seriously!
Have a wonderful summer day!
:J
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Ah! The First Day of Summer!
The first day of summer! Who can believe how fast this year is flying by? The first day of summer signals fun, adventure and vacation. Which is exactly how I am going to celebrate it!
This morning I'm beginning an adventure with my sister. It's not our first, we've had many. But today we are packing up her camper and heading south. Our trip will include a few stops for bathroom breaks, and convienently the best bathrooms are located in scrapbooking stores! I'm so glad they keep such clean restrooms! LOL!
Our destination is Dover FL to meet up with the Hilltop girls at the birthday crop. It's my sister's first time meeting these wonderful ladies, and I hope she has as much fun as I do with them! Such a great group of women!
So I'm excited and nervous all at once. I'm driving and pulling the trailer. THAT should be fun. I just worry about parking it etc. and driving slow enough! I'm used to flying down the road.
Well it's time to get moving. I hope you find something special to do to celebrate your first day of summer today. Eat ice cream, drink lemonade, run through a sprinkler, pick flowers, have a picnic, go swimming, fishing or biking. Walk the beach, walk a trail or just walk your neighborhood and say hi to everyone! Celebrate your first day of summer!
:J
This morning I'm beginning an adventure with my sister. It's not our first, we've had many. But today we are packing up her camper and heading south. Our trip will include a few stops for bathroom breaks, and convienently the best bathrooms are located in scrapbooking stores! I'm so glad they keep such clean restrooms! LOL!
Our destination is Dover FL to meet up with the Hilltop girls at the birthday crop. It's my sister's first time meeting these wonderful ladies, and I hope she has as much fun as I do with them! Such a great group of women!
So I'm excited and nervous all at once. I'm driving and pulling the trailer. THAT should be fun. I just worry about parking it etc. and driving slow enough! I'm used to flying down the road.
Well it's time to get moving. I hope you find something special to do to celebrate your first day of summer today. Eat ice cream, drink lemonade, run through a sprinkler, pick flowers, have a picnic, go swimming, fishing or biking. Walk the beach, walk a trail or just walk your neighborhood and say hi to everyone! Celebrate your first day of summer!
:J
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