Kip's Blog!

Ida-less

Not a drop of rain....it's all off shore they say....ummm, wonder if we'll ever get any??

Happy Tuesday!  I'm kind of half awake again as I stayed up til 2am again...puttering around.  I've got errands to run today and some cleaning to do as Clare comes tomorrow!  She's been up with Jules for a week or so and I get her next before she continues her travel through the US meeting all her scrapping pals.  She's on about a 2 month tour and has been to Victoria, Montreal, Moncton,NB, Vermont, Massachuetts, Nashville,Anna Maria Island, Orlando and Tarpon Springs so far!  She might hit New Orleans and then Nashville again and Chicago before heading home.  Some trip!!  We all met many years ago through a scrapbooking message board and now we finally get to meet face to face after all these years.  Clare is the one who sent me that wonderful sheepskin covering for my bed many years ago.  She wants to go to the Salvadore Dali museum while she's here so we will.  I've also arranged a "ghost tour" through part of the downtown, Thursday evening with my teacher pal, Lynn.  I'll play the rest by ear and take her to wherever she wants as she's anxious to see as much as possible.  She'll be here tomorrow afternoon and I'm anxious to meet her though we've talked on the message board and phone!

Well tree guy never showed up so now my yard guy comes tomorrow and he's going to cut the dead fronds off for me.  I was looking at my fence the other night and it's about 14 years old.  Part of it is leaning back badly so before long, it'll be a new fence time.  Always something when you own a home, isn't it?

Okay, I'm off...things to do...leave you with a cute pic of Max.  The other nite I was wondering where he was and I found him in my bedroom....quite comfortable, lol...

It's a New Week!!

Gotta say it again, I LOVE Mondays, now that I'm retired, lol!!  Gives a whole new spin to Sunday nights which I use to dread.  Now it's like, "what fun am I going to have this week?"!!

We have IDA out in the Gulf as many of you know.  Thank goodness, she has downsized a bit but poor Jayne in Pensacola, is feeling her wrath.  On the up side, Jayne got off work for 3 days!  I'm just hoping we get some rain as we need it so badly.  Today is overcast and very windy but no rain yet.  Wednesday, Clare will be here visiting from New Zealand, and I plan on taking her out to the Gulf so she can see the wave action, lol and catch a bite to eat at Caddy's.

This morning, on Scrapscene, they spotlighted my Maya Road Christmas tree which was nice!!  I love that little album.

Last weekend, we had KNK's online crop and my challenge to everyone was to make a name holder for the dinner table at Thanksgiving.  I used KNK's November kit to make mine because it had that cool pumpkin in it...here it is...
I used Tim Holtz's crackle paint on it which I love.  Behind it is a "gratitude" card that pulls out where you can write down what you're thankful for...

We had so much fun at the crop and there were so many neat challenges and games!

Okay, gotta run...errands to do.  Have a wonderful Monday!
 

Kiss the weekend goodbye...

but it's been a good one again!  I had a wonderful time down in Fort Myers again, with Gerri Anne, Sonja, Barb and Pennie.  We sure did laugh a lot while we did the online challenges at the crop yesterday!  It was a fun day at KNK.  We also got several things done for a school crop which was good.  I had the fun task of putting together prize packages of all kinds of neat products from KNK's store!

Barbara is always such a good host and cooked us all lasagne last night with a delish salad and garlic bread.  She had plenty of snacks for during the day too so we were well fed.  I love her house and her community down there. Here's Barb and her grandson, Robert, who also came and joined us yesterday.

The evening was georgous last night- very low humidity and a nice breeze so we sat out by the lake and had some coffee and Robert had his picnic supper!  Barb caught me earlier sitting out there looking for the alligator! 

I got home this afternoon after a pretty quick drive back.  Only took me an hour and 45 minutes today.  There was a huge wind blowing today and going over the Skyway had little Flo swaying, lol!  The wind surfers were out in mass though I only was able to catch a couple of them to take a pic since I was driving 75mph! You have to squint

in this picture to see the sails!  There were actually about 25 of them out there today in the surf, along with some white caps due to the wind.  So dear ole Ida is out in the Gulf! Hurricane season is over the 30th and I guess she just wanted to make an appearance.  They're saying now it could hit the panhandle but it could change directions 5 times so who knows.  Maybe it'll bring us some rain which we need.

Hope you had a nice weekend too- they sure fly by fast but not as fast as when I was still working, lol!
 
  

Happy Friday!

  I got up very early this morning, around 6, as I had to take Mudgy into the groomers and they want them there early.  It was nice for a change, to get up at that time though I did sneak back for a little nap later, lol!

Yesterday, Teri was in town so she dropped by and got me and we headed off to Whimsodoodle to do some damage as always...lots of new product in and all so yummy.  I picked up a couple of things for my stocking pal and myself!  I told her about that Cantina restaurant so we hit that afterwards and had that delicious crab and shrimp quesidilla again plus thier chips and salsa which is unique too.  I was stuffed!  It was fun seeing Teri and getting to spend some time with her.  She has a new 'do and it's so cute on her!

Today, after I pick up Mudge and do a few errands, I'm taking off for Ft Myers again to stay at Barb's for the weekend. KNK has an online crop tomorrow and Bingo tonight so we'll be working on that and getting ready for GA's big crop next weekend down there.  I think I'm "on" at 2pm tomorrow so check by the web site and join in the fun.  Lots of neat prizes I hear!!

I did open the house for a couple of hours this morning as it was nice but it's closed back up now as it's headed back to the high 70's again.  It will be warmer down where I'm going to so no Uggs will be worn, lol!

I'll check in from down there.  Have a good day!

Oh, I wanted to show you Barb's rug from Turkey as it came in too... So beautiful!!

Happy Thursday...

Another hot and sunny day here in Florida, still no Fall!  I think we'll just go from summer to winter at some point.

Started out this morning with those religious folks at my front door and the pool guys at my back door and the dogs barking in between!  I didn't realize until I retired, how often those church people come around...I think I need a sign for my door-"It's too late for this woman, walk away"...

I had a nice lunch with Patricia yesterday and we talked about our upcoming trip in December which I can't wait for...I haven't been in that part of NC, the mountains, since my parents moved away from there so really looking forward to it. 

I also got some errands done which is always good.  Today I'm going to head up to Teresa's later this afternoon to check out some things and I need to think about packing as I leave tomorrow afternoon for Ft. Myers.  First thing tomorrow, Mudgy is going in for a grooming which he really needs.

I'll leave you today with a really special treat, thanks to Di who sent it on...watch and listen to this and I dare you to not be clapping or swaying to the beat by the end of it!  It's wonderful!! 

Hello Hump Day!

I didn't blog yesterday as most of the day, had one of those sinus headaches where you feel blah so didn't do much of anything.  Feel much better today as I closed the windows again and AC is back on darn it.  It's another warm and sunny day out there...again.

I was suppose to go see Teresa yesterday but didn't go but hope to go tomorrow.  Today I'm meeting Patricia for lunch and to hear about her last NC trip.  She sent me a picture this morning of the area near her house and it was so beautiful... Too bad fall doesn't last longer, and too bad we don't have it, lol!

Okay, gotta run...things to do, places to go....
 

Happy Monday!

Well the day started out nicely, with my cleaning lady coming which always puts me in a good mood!  I had to ask her about dogsitting too when I go to NC and one of the Ft Myers weekends and no problem there so that's great too.

THEN I got the mail...good mail/bad mail.  I got a letter from my house insurance company that I've only had two years, telling me basically that they were pulling out of Florida like so many others due to Hurricane coverage.  So they're through with me come February when my contract is up.  I did put a call in to my agent and was told not to worry, they had plenty of other companies to go to and they would rewrite my contract.  You do have to worry though that the price will go up.  It sure did last time.  Insurance companies are a huge rip off in Florida, the way they're pulling out...makes me so mad.  Never had a claim with Nationwide for 20 years and they pulled out.  The State needs to do something about this...Woody's idea was that they shouldn't be able to do car insurance if they can't do home insurance and I like that idea!

The good mail was my kit from Carol Wingert which is always a pleaser. 
This is her Christmas album and I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Speaking of, here's the mini album I made using Maya Road's chipboard Xmas tree which is in layers.  I used Graphic 45 with it and just love it...

We're suppose to get cooler temps tonight so looking forward to that...hope it really happens!!
 

The beginning of November

Wow, hard to believe that November is here today.  Still have the AC on and it's still in the low 80's all week, well 78 today but still.....our lows are suppose to be down in the 60's so we'll see but no Fall or Winter here for sure.  I've decided I'm going to spend next Fall somewhere up north, at least for a couple of weeks, so I can really experience it.  I just need an invitation to go somewhere, lol

Last night I ended up staying home after all.  I got some early T or T'ers and of course, Max was going nuts.  He doesn't do well with loud noises or people he doesn't know, at least at first.  I put him in the bedroom and put the TV on for noise cover up.  I ended up only having about 20 kids so have tons of candy left as I bought more to take to Barb's.  I guess I'll either give it to Linda for the crops or take some down to school for the teachers.

Michele gave me two passes to rent blockbuster movies at Publix so I used them yesterday.  Not great choices out of that big blue box so I ended up with two new releases, American Violet and Life is Hot in Cracktown!!  Both pretty depressing movies and so I don't recommend them.  Thanks Michele anyway, lol!

Got my monthly check from retirement again....think I love it, love getting paid when I don't work!  Good thing I also get a monthly check from investments or I'd be in trouble.  As it is, I need to start watching my spending as I sure can't do as I've always done.  But I'm not complaining at all as I know I'm very lucky to be able to do what I'm doing.

Speaking of spending money...got an email today as I am on the sub list for Teresa Collin's weekend retreat for next year.  There is only a limited number that can go and I'm not even sure my name will come up but I hope it does.  I loved what they did this year.  It's in September in Henderson, Nevada.  I've never been there.

I really love it too as TC has kept the price reasonable and manageable, not like others.  So that's a nice possibility for next year.  Any of my friends from here that might like to go, let me know so we can get you on the list too!

Okay, I'm off to finish up a project for my reveal tomorrow at KNK, so need to get busy!

Trick or Treat, Smell my feet...

well they should smell good since I just had one of Peggy's famous pedicures!!  She always does such a nice job and gives the best leg massages. 

Tonight is Barb's house for Halloween as always.  Her neighborhood, Woodlawn, always has the best time.  All the houses participate and people bring their kids there from all over as they know it's fun.  One neighborhood grills hot dogs for everyone, there on the sidewalk!  Barb always has a lot of people come over and great food too so looking forward to it, not to mention Josh's Sangria!  Last year I had Jayne here and she went with me but she couldn't make it this year due to travel restrictions in her county.  She was here for a meeting last year so it worked out nicely.  We'll miss you Jayne!  But I'll see you in January up in the Panhandle for the Beach Crop!

I was talking to Linda the other day about the Utah trip and she is going to Portland, Oregon, first, to see her daughter and then head to Utah.  We decided I'd go too and I can't wait as I LOVE Portland!  Been there twice, once for a convention and once on a trip with Woody.  So we'll have a little mini trip first!  That's happening in June.

January is the Beach Crop in the Panhandle, February is Winter Retreat up at Oleno State Park and May is Donna Downey's Inspired Event in North Carolina.  I have March and April open for trips, lol! 

 

It's beginning to look a lot like....

No, not Christmas yet!!  But for some unknown reason, the Christmas spirit awoke in me this morning.  I do not have the tunes on yet, nor really bought any presents, however, I did purchase two things this morning to put me in the mood...  a beautiful Victorian wreath and a balsam centerpiece from Maine.  I always used to order a wreath from Maine every year when I lived at the beach for 5 years and loved the smell of it.  I haven't even thought about it for the longest time until this morning and I went looking and found what I wanted online.

Oh, I can smell my house now!!  I can't wait for them to be delivered this year so I guess I better clean off my dining room table! 

And guess what came in the mail yesterday?  My Pioneer Woman's cookbook!  Wow, what a cool book the way it's laid out.  Tons of pictures of not only food but her family and home.  She has the best recipes!

Today I am off to see pool girl Caroline's new home!!  I can't wait to see it and to see her and the boys.  Caroline is having a little girl also in the New Year so I imagine she's quite big right now so pictures I will take!
 

Good Thursday Morning!

 I got up late again today.  Well actually, I get up early, let the dogs out and then go, ho-hum, time to go back to bed and off I go, lol!  I can't help it, I'm enjoying the heck out of sleeping in after getting up at 5:30 am all those years.  I am better in the latter part of the day anyway, energy wise and now I stay up late so it works out great.

I made a decision this morning- I'm going to Utah baby!!  Regrettably, Hilltop had planned their fabulous Utah trip at the same time as my Alaskan cruise.  We had a problem with dates and it just wasn't the right time to go to Alaska so I'll go there later and be able to go with all the Hilltop girls afterall.  It should be a blast as Dawn and Linda have secured a FABULOUS place for us to stay in for a week..look at it HERE!  Now when we're there, there won't be snow...I don't think...I'll have to ask my friend Margie about the weather...but we're going to see the birthplace of scrapbooking.  Dawn has all kinds of trips planned for us and we have a bus for just us, and a driver, for the whole time too.  I think something like 20 people are going.

So don't cry for me Argentina- I will go to Alaska, just not this coming June!

Tonight I'm headed to a Southern Living party at Lynn's house, with Barb, so looking forward to that.

Saw this the other day and loved it and wanted to share....the new kind of bathtub!!
Ms. Elle, I think this would look nice in your house!! 

Fun Evening!

I had the best time last night at Whimsodoodle, taking a Debby Schuh class.  You can check out Debby's blog
 with a link on the right side of my blog.  Anyway, always enjoy her classes as I learn something new and last night was no exception.  She had some cute folding ideas that I will definitely use in future projects plus I love what we made.  We made an ATC holder with adorable cards.  Her idea is to have this by your door and when people visit, they take one of the cards and write out a message to you as a memory of their visit.  I love that idea!  Do you think the UPS guy would do it? lol!!  Anyway, here's some pictures from the class which was a full one...

Dianne wasn't really mad in this photo, I just caught her in an off moment, lol!

Jen and her sister.  Jen flew down from Pennsylvania for the weekend.

Some of our ATC cards we made..


I always like to show my messy work station but WAIT!  I found out someone who is MUCH messier than me and it's Stacy!!  She said that wouldn't surprise anyone, lol.  She had stuff all over the floor going everywhere, too funny!  I felt positively neat!

Yes, we had some Hilltop people too!  I wish more of my Hilltop friends could have come join me but since it was a week night, not a great time for people who work.

There were quite a few ladies there from over the Skyway. I bet there were 5 or 6 that had driven up from Sarasota.  Nice group of ladies and fun, fun class.  It was nice to catch up with Debby too and I was so happy she had heard from her son who was in basic training and away for a month.  Debby is from Syracuse but travels all over and her parents winter down here by Anna Maria Island.  She loved Whimsodoodle!

Yesterday, on top of my rug arriving, my Anna Griffin Christmas kit arrived too which is sooooooooooo pretty...can't wait to play with it.

 Okay, I need to get off here and do something today....my house is a mess!

My Turkish rug is finally here!

It just arrived...took me 20 minutes to cut off the packaging around it!  I love it!  They put two little rings on the back of it also so I can hang it....

If you go HERE, and scroll half way down, you can see my pictures from the place where it was made and some of the processes that were so cool.

Rug and Debby kind of day!

Two big things happening today, my rug is arriving from Turkey!!  Can't wait to see it.  Barb is coming over to housesit and wait for the UPS guy if it hasn't arrived by the time of my Dr's appointment.

The other thing is I have Debby Schuh's class tonight at Whimsodoodle which I've been looking forward to for awhile!  Here's the project we'll be working on..an ATC (artistic trading cards) holder of sorts... Isn't it cute?

Can't wait to make it tonight as the class is from 6:30-9:30.  Debby is the one who we originally were suppose to travel with on the med cruise until Scrapmap screwed it up.  Speaking of, I see scrapmap is offering a Tim Holtz cruise to New England and Canada next year which I'm sure would be great if you didn't have to go with Scrapmap!  I refuse to ever give them my money after what they did.  But it all turned out good as we found an even better cruise!

Okay, need to get some more coffee here and do some things before my app't this afternoon.
 

Monday-AC's back on-evening

Sorry to report that humidity level is not low like it was yesterday, even though the stupid weather people said it would be...such big, fat, liars...so AC is still on...it won't be the first, nor the last I'm sure, that we celebrate Halloween sweating!

On a happier note, Barb and I went to lunch today at a new place for us, that just happens to be next to Whimsodoodle which was a plus!  It's called Cantina- Red Mesa and I highly recommend it.  We both ordered quesidillas, me steak and hers was crab and shrimp.  Mine was good but hers was FABULOUS!!  So tasty with this thin, crustly crust that was delicious.. We each split ours so we both could have a taste of both of them and I'm so glad.  Real cute inside too.. What you can't see here is a large open bookshelf they had with all these interesting vases, etc. on it and they had booths which we sat in.  The table next to us had what looked like tasty marguerita's which I might have next time I go back!  The waiter told us that Mon-Fri, from 3-7pm, they offer these Marg's for 2/1 and at the bar, real cheap appetizers so if you're looking for a place for happy hour, I'd try it out.

 Yesterday eve, down at the pier, Josh and Dina, Barb's son and DIL, were part of the vampire group that did the Thriller dance for charity that they were doing all over the world at the same time.  John took Barb down so she got to see them dance..Dina loves to dance anyway and does it with a professional group in her spare time from being a lawyer, lol.  Anyway, here they are, so cool looking...

 Here's a video someone did of the event down at our pier..it's kind of long but you get to see what all they did and it was cool.  You can see Dina up front in her wedding dress...VIDEO

These two, both lawyers, are always on the go....this past weekend they even worked at Habitat for Humanity building a house. 

Barb is going to come over tomorrow when I'm at the Dr's so I don't miss getting my rug if it's not delivered when I'm here in the morning.  So excited about that!

Hello Monday!

 I woke up to a nice and cooled off morning today so opened the windows for awhile but then it got very muggy so shut they go again.  AC is back on now.  With the mugginess, it makes my asthma and sinuses worse, so no choice in the matter or the windows would have stayed open.

I'm off to lunch with Barb today to the Red Mesa and since it's next to Whimsodoodle, I'll need to check into it as well.  I'll be back there tomorrow night for a class with
Debby Schuh too which I can't wait for!

I started another Christmas project last night and it's looking pretty cute! 

Guess what?  My rug from Turkey is going to arrive tomorrow!!!  I'm so excited!  But I also have a Dr's app't tomorrow and I sure hope UPS doesn't come when I'm away as it requires a signature.  Of course, UPS tells you, "we'll be there anytime from 7am-7pm!!"

Clare, from New Zealand, will be coming pretty soon so that's exciting.  She wants to meet Barb as she had read all her posts when she was going through the cancer treatments and feels like she knows her.  I've arranged for a walking 'ghost tour" of downtown when she's here too which a teacher friend of mine does, so that should be fun. 

 Not much happening other than that, so I'll close for now. 

Time Flies....

One minute, she's 8 years old and in 3rd grade and the next, she's 21 and having a baby in December!!  My former student, Brittany!
She was a good student and I also got to know her mom that year who was also so nice.  Her mom is now a teacher too.  It was sweet of her to invite me to today but she's always been one of those students who keeps in touch which is so nice.  One of the BIG perks of teaching- having kids like her and then seeing them grow up to be such wonderful adults.

The shower was at Panera Bakery in a back room that was decorated so darling.  She had the BEST cakes...check them out!  Made at Publix by special order...
Aren't they wonderful?!!  She had a nice buffet of food including Panera sandwiches which were yummy..
I think she had 40-45 people there for sure so big shower and tons of neat gifts.. 
She was registered at Target and Babies R Us and I got her this...
It's an Eddie Bauer travel bed, pretty cool.  On her bag I tied the cutest pair of sandals that I found for baby Kaylin too..
We played a game I had never played before and it was so darn cute.  Each person got a little envelope and in it was a paper clip, a Q tip and a piece of bubble gum.  We had like 5 minutes to take the paper off the gum and NOT chew it but make a little baby with it, lol!  It was so much fun.  Some people were ingenious.  Oh yeah, all the envelopes had numbers on them too.  Then we all put down our babies with our numbers which we had to remember and Brittany chose the one she liked the most without knowing who made it, and that person won a prize.  It was really a hoot to do.  One lady just said screw it I guess and made her gum into a sperm, lol!!

Here's what they looked like...
and here's the 3 she ended up deciding between...Note how some people used the gum wrapper for diapers, etc.... I think the baby on the right ended up winning! Even had a rattle in it's hand (q tip)!  Fun game and something different.  She also had a "candy buffet" and little baggies with ties and everyone took a baggie home of the various candies that were in different buckets.  Another cute idea!  So fun, fun shower for Britt.

Okay, I'm hungry and it's time for dinner so I'll end for this eve....
 

Warm Saturday...

No coolness here, that's for sure.  But it is bright and sunny so not bad.  I'm off this morning to attend a baby shower for a former student who I taught in 3rd grade!!  She's in her 20's now and this is her first child so she's very excited. It's nice to be able to keep up with former students and see how they turn out.

I ended up not going to Ella's last night as the headache was still around and I didn't feel socialable.  I wish I could find something that worked for my sinuses...I know I keep saying that but I mean it and I'm so over them.

I was looking at the calendar and I have a busy week next week but also lots of fun stuff coming....stay tuned...have a great weekend!

I would give anything..

to find a med that will make my nose quit running, which leads to stuffiness, which leads to headaches....the woes of winter I guess.  I used to think I had a perpetual cold back before I knew I had sinus issues, but now I know better.  I'm taking zrytec now and it doesn't work well and I've tried all the others...the only thing that really works good is the sudafed that they make you sign your life away for, to get, because it has that ingredient that druggies want...I might end up getting it again as I can't stand this...

I'm suppose to go to a get together of HS friends tonight and really want to go but unless I feel better, I'm not going...maybe I'll go sit out in the sun again since it's so DAMN HOT out there again....oh yes, Happy Friday!!

Here's what I wearing for Halloween this year...

Thursday eve....love it!

You know why too- Grey's is on!!  Love that show! 

 I recently rejoined blockbuster online for their movies.  I was spending way too much at the video store so I might as well go BB again and not be tied down to a return date.  Last time at the video store, I had to pay $22.00 in late fees!!  I'm doing the 3 a month one which should be just fine.

I was battling the whole sinus headache again today.  Puts a damper on things as you just don't want to do anything.  I finally got dressed and headed out to Target as I needed to get the registry for a baby shower I'm going to....picked out a real cute gift (s) and am planning on making her a cute card to go with it.  I also got a guest towel and facecloth, lol!  I never use face cloths so don't buy them but other people do so I thought when Jill was here last weekend, I really need to get one!  I got a nice big fluffy towel and cloth so now I'm all set. 

When we stayed at the Holiday Inn express the other weekend, they had the nicest pillows on the beds and I was thinking that I need new ones too.  I already have 4 on my bed but I wanted six!!  I like to sleep propped up.  So anyway, Target had a sale on pillows and I got two more nice ones and real pretty pink polka dotted pillowcases.  Now between the pillows, my newish bed and my comforter, I'll never get out of bed, lol!  What else did I get...oh odds and ends, cleaners, etc....you can spend so easily at that store, can't you?  $100 gone in a flash..

The AC is back on....it's back up in the 80's during the day so forget that....going to be like this for at least a week more so no more Fall weather for awhile...I'll be back in the pool!

Okay, gotta go...did you read Linda's blog?  You should, if you know her, big news!

It's Wednesday...

and October is flying by!  The AC is back on :(.....the TV weatherwoman just said, "It's not bad out there, 82"!!  Not sure where she is from, maybe the equator so this is cooler...it is going back down to high 60's  while we're sleeping so I'll open the house again for a few hours when I get up.  It's better than it was so not complaining too much.  Patricia has promised me fires in the outside firepit every nite we're in NC in December so I'm counting on that!

I was looking at my calendar and I'm going to a lot of different places in the next few months.  Should be fun! North Carolina, Washington, Pensacola, Oleno Park for some.

I've been battling the ole sinus headache this afternoon which is never much fun.  Hope to feel better tomorrow as I'd like to meet up with Paula, Kath's sister in law, who is staying at the Vinoy for a few days.  Paula owns her own LSS in Arkansas and I know she'd like to see what we have here.

Friday night is another get together of HS friends out at Sunset Beach at Ella's beautiful home.  Looking forward to that too.

The tree guy came today though he won't have time to actually do my trees for a couple of weeks but I got a good price and it will be nice to have it done as I have a lot of dead palm fronds, birds of paradise leaves and a big plant that needs to be cut wayyyyyyyy back and he'll do all that.

Jill's little pup, Tink, has been sick and I hope he's doing okay now.  Thinking about you Jill!

Okay, I'm outta here...leave you with a pic of my reveal for KNK's November kit...it's a mini album made up of envelopes in the kit.  In each one is a card for pictures or journaling..

You'll love this too...my high school friend, Tommy Thompson, is a big salt water fisherman who's written several books on the subject and speaks all over the US on the topic.  He put up this pic the other day on facebook when he was out fishing.  He caught a gator and it was pulling him!!  True story!

I'm here!!

Diana wrote me an email and asked if I was okay as I hadn't blogged in two days and I thought, "Wow"!!  I hadn't realized it had been that long! Thanks Di anyway!

I was recuping from the fun weekend and really not doing much of anything but reading the past two days.  I think it's so cool not to have a schedule and I'm playing it to the hilt I guess.  Don't forget, I lived by bells or the minute hands of a clock for almost 40 years in my job, literally, so it's soooooooooooo nice not having to do it anymore!

I got some WONDERFUL news last night about someone else I know, who might be joining me in this wonderful world of r-e-t-i-r-e-m-e-n-t pretty soon too!  I can't say who right now but I'm very happy for her.  I want to get all my friends to join me, lol!

Our weather has been so darn nice the past two days.  No AC and windows open and I'm lovin' it.  The only downside to it is that Max barks at everything he hears right now.  I did wake up at 4am wheezing from the asthma which always happens in the winter when I sleep with the window open which is right outside the oak trees.  But at least I could go back to bed after shutting the window and taking my inhaler so no problem.  I've been having the ole sinus headaches too but that's also part of winter so I'm just going along, trying to ignore it.

I have a long time email/blog pal, Maria, who lives in California.  Well they sold their home and she's moving to south Tampa and I'm so excited for her.  She has a daughter who lives in St Pete and who is having a baby.  I'll have to introduce her to the Hilltop and KNK gals when she gets here!

I'm staying home this weekend for a change as I have a baby shower to go to for one of my former 3rd grade students!!  Can't wait to see her!

Okay, enough rambling....I'll be back tomorrow..promise!

Sunday eveish...

Another FUN weekend!!  I got home about 2pm today.  Just wanted a shower and nap as we had a very few hours of sleep last night.  Jill went with GA and Barb to go to the Seminole Hard Rock casino where I just heard Barb and Jill won!  They're headed back here now to pick me up and we're off to dinner.  Can't wait to hear about what they won!!

Linda and the Hilltop gang, Michele and Cathy, did a wonderful job as always.  Everyone had such a good time at this new place.  The hall
 is nice and big so I'm pretty sure we'll be back there plus it's not that far away- 50 minutes from my house.  The only down side was the lighting was pretty poor but everyone has their own lamps anyway so it didn't really matter.  The hotel we stayed at, an exit away, was really nice too.  Beds were very comfortable and they served a hot breakfast if you wanted it, and the price wasn't bad at all- $79.00.  Several of us stayed there and Linda, Mimi, Cath and Michele slept on blow ups in the hall which you also could do.  Diana, Melanie and Mary Mary even stopped by yesterday as they had other things happening but it was close enough so they could step in.  Jayne even left for awhile last nite and ran over to Spring Hill to Teri's to see her two daughters' prom dresses!  We did have to be out earlier than normal, 1pm today as LInda had to be out by 3 with all her stuff. 

I got a lot done.  Finished one project of Carol Wingert's which I love and almost finished my Maya road chipboard Christmas tree album which I'll show you soon!  Lots of the girls were working on the recipe swap that is going on or making holiday cards.

Here's some pics from the weekend, courtesy of Linda's camera as I thought I had left mine at home.  Turns out, I had it afterall!

GA and Barb in costume last night! 

Jill went way out this year on her costume, LOL!  She said she was saving her money for our next cruise so didn't have much to spend on it, lol!

Yummy peach cobbler!

A little snack yesterday, cheese stiks!  Don't you love the tray? Here's Jill and Lori early on Friday eve.

And Me!  You can tell this was early as my work space is so clean!

So another successful scrapping weekend with girls I love, spent playing with paper and glue and laughing and telling stories and playing games.  Love it!  

By the way, our weather is finally WONDERFUL!!
 
 
  

Happy Saturday

I'm blogging from a Knights of Columbus hall somewhere in the rural hills of San Antonio.  It's very pretty up here and we're actually less than an hour from Tampa.  The hall is nice and big and has a kitchen which is great for LInda.  You wouldn't believe what Linda has done in places without kitchens and still served us hot food!  Last night was meatball subs plus she made this delicious artichoke and tomato pasta.  This morning she made blueberry pancakes and for lunch we had ham and cheese sandwhiches and I believe tonight is chili and something. Anyway, we're never hungry around her!

They had the hall all decked out in Halloween decorations and so cute plus a goody bag on every table.  The hall is so big we all have our own table which I love of course.  When I first came in, they had one table up on the stage with the sign on it saying "KIP"!!  Too funny.

Jill and I stayed in the hall until about midnight and then headed to the hotel which is once exit south of this hall on I75, so not far.  Our room is very nice with very comfy beds-Holiday Inn Express.  Plus there is a hot breakfast in the morning if you want it.

Some of the girls went and hit Michael's this morning plus there is a Rattlesnack Fair going on right close to the hall with arts and crafts so some girls headed over to see it.  We're still waiting on poor Gerri Anne and Barb as they couldn't even leave Ft Myers before 2pm so they won't have a whole lotta time to crop this weekend.

I started in on a Carol Wingert project last night and just finished it.  A really cute mini album which I think I'll use for my Isle of Capri photos.  Jill has started scrapping some of our cruise pictures and has done some wonderful layouts already. 

Had a talk with Jayne today and she told me about Donna Downey's "Inspire Me' workshop that is happening next May in North Carolina so I just signed up for that!  Jill's going also along with Jayne, her friend Julie and Diana Becker so we'll have a blast.

Okay, Diana just showed up with her wonderful glove mini album which I need to look at so I'll close.  You should see the georgous albums Susie made for her nephews!!  I'll try and get pictures of them. 

Later!

TGIF

yes, it's a semi rainy day here...actually, we haven't gotten much rain yet but suppose to get more and I believe it's raining harder east of us.  That's okay as it's bringing in cooler temps..notice I said 'cooler', not cold!  We're talking lows of 60's which will be very nice.  My asthma is really kicking in today with the humidity and heat so I'm ready for a respite.

I'll be taking off in a bit to pick up Jill at the airport as she's flying in from NC.  I'm so glad she could come down for Creepover as I haven't seen her since the cruise.  Barb and Gerri Anne will come to it tomorrow and Jayne and Susie are coming down from the panhandle and Alabama so you know we're going to have fun.  Linda always outdoes herself with food on these weekends too.  I have a couple of projects I want to work on and it's so nice to have all your tools out in your workspace and work non stop all weekend.  We're all staying at a hotel this year, nearby, since the place is new and has no showers (the crop place).  Looking forward to seeing it and it's only about an hour away.  Jill will spend the nite here back at my house Sunday and they fly home on Monday so we won't be rushed to get out on Sunday.

First, we're going to Whimsodoodle to do some shopping and then if she's hungry, I thought we might go to the Columbia at the pier, to eat, before we take off for the crop.

Stole this pic from Michele's blog as I thought it was so funny.  That's the kind of thing Mudgy would do if max was sleeping on his bed, lol! 

Not sure if we'll have computer access but I'll be bringing my netbook to check in if they do.  Have a good one!
 

Miserable and muggy Thursday eve...

Miserable only because it's so damn hot here still!  Brutally hot with high humidity.  We're suppose to get a reprieve finally tomorrow when rain comes and then cooler temps for the next few days.  It will still be hot during the day, but not as bad and down in the 60's late at night/mornings which will be welcoming finally.  We're all sick and tired of this heat and ready for a change.  My electricity bill is going to still be so high from running the AC so much!

On another note, go BULLS!!  Yes, USF is undefeated and playing tonight a big game.  The fans are going nuts which is nice to see.  Hope they win.

I went to lunch today with my friend, Anne, from high school.  She took me to his Indian restaurant.  I'm not quite sure what all I ate but it was pretty good.  I'm not sure I'd go back though.  Lots of spice and curry and sauces and chicken.  It was dark in there and I couldn't read the menu signs on the buffet so I just randomly took some things, lol.  It was fun catching up with Anne though as we hadn't talked for years so had a lot to catch up with!  We're making plans to do it again too.  It's so nice to be able to go to lunch during the weekdays.  I love it!

Today, other than lunch, I was semi packing up for tomorrow.  Jill flies in mid morning and I'll pick her up and then we'll come back over here, hit Whimsodoodle and have some lunch and then head off to the crop up in San Antonio.  Really looking forward to the weekend!

On another note, I got an email today from Kirsten, my email pal from 20 years ago that I've never met as she has been living in Japan all that time, teaching.  She has retired to Niceville, Florida and I might get to see her in a week or so.  I'm hoping so!

Okay, off to do some more things and get ready for good tv watching tonight- my fave nite!  Leave you with a pic of the "boys" who were snoozing together last nite..so cute..

Happy Hump day!

Another wonderful, relaxing retirement day.  Life is good and I'm wallowing in it for now!  It's still 90 degrees out there, at least until Friday, so I'll be out in the pool again today, floating and reading.  Annie and Dylan
 came over the other day to do just that too and it was great to see my nephew  as it was his first trip home from college.  He's really liking it at New College and finding one of the courses, at least, challenging, so that's good. He's a math major so taking some tough courses.

I was off for an hour 1/2 with my financial advisor again yesterday and came home with a leather bound portfolio.  She is so thorough and explains everything so well.  Next I need to meet with a man to do my Will and Power of Attorney papers and will be glad to have that done.  I told her I might sub starting in 2010 as it's appealing to make some fun money for my trips and I can pick the days and teachers I want to sub for...so will be looking into that but not until January at least.

Tomorrow I'm going to lunch at an Indian restaurant with a friend from high school who I met up with again at our reunion.  We used to be really good friends back then and she was at FSU with me also.  She's picking me up to take me to this place and it should be interesting as I've never eaten Indian food before.

Friday, Jill flies in, yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!  Then we'll be off to Hilltop's Creepover crop for the weekend, up near Dade City.  Really looking forward to just working on some random projects that I have and seeing all the girls.  A bunch of us have hotel rooms together too which will be fun.

Please keep my friend, Wendy, in your thoughts as she recently suffered a set back and needs the prayers.  She's my friend who has the place in Michigan.

Okay, off to play!  Have a good one!

It's so nice in Nice....France that is...

The French riviera is a place we've all heard of through books and movies and everyone knows that is a place where the wealthy go....like Cannes and Monacco...we got to see a bit of it and it is truly a paradise.  Like most mediterrean cities, it's built on mountains and once again, we have very narrow roads that wind around and around.  We had to tender into it also but the tender boats were very nice and comfortable.  Before leaving, here was Jill and Barb, hanging out at the elevators which just happened to be a few steps from our stateroom so very handy.. When you're on a ship for 12 days, it begins to feel like your second home and very comfortable.  Very easy to get around too.  Here is the stairways in the middle of the ship that hit most of the floors..
See the floor with the book shelves?  That was our floor and that was the library and where I did all my blogging from...we were just down the left hallway there about 6 staterooms, so very handy.

Our ship from the tender boat....

These were apartments on the waterfront of Nice..very picturesque..

In the top of this picture, middle, is Monacco's palace...quite a huge place!

I love this shot of the harbor...
More waterfront...
Just a beautiful day on the French Riviera!  

  

Travelogue...Santorini...finally!

Yes, I'm finally doing another travelogue and it's a long one, so settle in and enjoy the georgous island of Santorini!  It is located high on the top of the island and you get to it by walking 600+ steps I heard, mules or cable cars.  At some point of the island is a road also for cars that come over on ferries.  But most everything is up on the top. When we got off our tender boat, we walked over to the cable cars which was about a 1/4 mile away.  There was a restaurant down there too..
and a place to exchange your money..check out the rates.  You can see what a horrible exchange it was for us Americans..
Yes, our dollar was only worth about half a euro!  We got on the cable cars, usually 4-6 each in one and rode up a very scenic ride.

You can see in this bottom pic, how far you went up!  Once on top, it was much like Mykanos, narrow walkways, all uneven, cobblestone and up and down.  You were constantly changing levels.

You can see in the second picture what I mean.  If you were walking impaired, it would be very hard if not dangerous, to walk around.  On the side of the island you get off on, it's all shops, restaurants, hotels and churches.
 
Now check out this bakery I found!!



I walked to the far side of the island by myself and that was where the locals were and all their stores.  This was a guy selling corn on the cob.  Here's some other "normal" stores..
The walkways were regular roads too on this side.

Back on the cable car side, you'd be walking along and get these breath taking shots when you turned corners..
You can see how high up we were here..

I got in trouble for taking this shot...or at least a man came up and told me not to do it!  I have

no idea why but I had already taken the shot, lol!

I stopped and had an expresso on the way...check out the nescafe sugar!  That's how it served throughout the med.

This was a cool outside patio for a restaurant that overlooked the clift.

Love that sculpture!

It was an extraordinary island and I really loved it there.  Very picturesque!

 



I'll end with this pic of a cool buoy in the sea that we passed in the tender...

Hope you enjoyed a bit of a wonderful place!  
 

  

another wonderful weekend!

Had so much fun down in Ft. Myers this weekend with the girls!  Barb was the perfect hostess again of course.  I just love her house down there!  She took me to breakfast this morning to a place I hadn't been before and it was so yummy. Did I take a pic of my breakfast? Noooooo, forgot again but it was a delish Greek omelet!  They have unusual type breakfast's at this place and it was hard to choose just one thing to eat.  After eating, I got back on the road and headed home...took another couple of pics approaching the Skyway bridge...not too bad pics for driving 75 mph and taking a photo at the same time! 
This one is just when I was coming down the bridge towards home...really clear day as you can see.

We got A LOT done yesterday!  Everyone was working away and at the same time, talking and laughing and eating.  Barb set up a nice buffet for us and we all made the

sub sandwich of our choice and then she put them under the broiler so they'd be nice and toasty.  Pat made the most delicious pasta salad that had everything under the sun in it too and the other girls brought various things to go with it all including a yummy strawberry pie!  We ended up eating it all for lunch and dinner as we were so into what we were creating!  I made up a kit that will be sold at the November crop at Robert's school, full of fun Christmas cards, books, etc.  GA also gave me the new November KNK kit and I made what will be the first Reveal on the 16th!  Can't wait for you to see it!  Penny and Jackie were both working on mini albums and having a great time- love both of them!
  And Pat, the products rep, was even there all day and evening making up things that were adorable and she will be at the crop too.  GA did a starbuck run for us late afternoon so I was able to have a double expresso TWICE in one day, lol!

Even Robert, GA's son, was into it and creating in between his X-box games with Sonia.  Everyone left late and it was near 1am when Barb and I finally went to bed.  I was in her guest bedroom of course with that comfy bed of hers that I love.

Jackie brought her KNK color challenge layout  with her showing her 90lb weight loss and it was terrific!
You can really see how thin she is here in this pic.. Way to go Jackie!!
 What an inspiration!

She has graciously invited me to stay with her and Penny and Suzanne in her 5th wheel RV at next winter retreat and I can't wait!  You remember that the last two years at that, I had an asthma attack and then a migraine so hopefully, this year I can just enjoy myself with no illnesses!

So that was my fun weekend!  Got another super one coming up- Hilltop's Creepover!!  That's next weekend.

My wonderful cleaning lady stayed at the house this weekend and even though it wasn't her cleaning time, she cleaned my house and did a load of towels for me- even folded them up.  What a doll!  She'll be here next weekend too.

So another FABULOUS Sunday eve...why?  Because NO WORK tomorrow of course!!