I am on the design team...YEAH

How fabulous it is to be on copicmarkerscrapbooking.com's design team. I can't wait to finish up some of their fabulous digital stamps and upload the card designs. Why not check their website out...you're gonna love it. Love to have some feedback...watch for my designs!!

Paris 2010

We are off to Paris this year for our bi-annual trip to Europe. We are in the planning stages, although we do know where we are going to stay, and how we are going to get there. NOW, the fun begins. Where to go first. What to see. How to see it. I am satisfied that our fabulous hotel has a view of the Eiffel Tower out the window, and that the metros are within walking distance of the hotel. Not too keen on the idea of the 185 plus steps to climb the Arc de Triomphe - but when in Rome...(I mean Paris)...I did climb to a pretty lofty height while visiting Mount Vesuvius in Italy, so one can assume I would be able to do the steps...perhaps my DSO won't be hung over this time. LOL...that was not a pretty sight. Anywho, getting pretty excited about this adventure, as you can well imagine. Pics and Posts along the way!

Imperial Pines Ladies

My new group of stamping ladies loves the cards made with Lorelie Stamps. They were really excited to learn to water color and stamp in the same day. Isn't she cute?

Okay. I am over the loss of Jack

On to bigger and better things...

Life As I Know It Is Over...

Season 8 of my all time favorite television program is about to come to an end. Jack Bauer will be no more. No more 24. No more Chloe...boy I sure do like her character. The expressions she has and her never ending technical expertise is something to be in awe of. And then, there's Charles Logan. One person that I love to hate. He has some expressions - ichy slimish "oh, damn, don't believe him Madam President...just look at his face...he's bullshitting you...duh...you went for it again". He's such a weasel! This program has been part of our lives for the past 8 years. I can still recall the weekend that Bill and I caught up on the COMPLETE first two years...remember when you last pulled an all-nighter??? Bet it wasn't to watch a television program. LOL. Anyway...as 24 comes to an end I am hoping that Jack Bauer will some how show up in the movie theater with a "sequal" to somehow save the country...wouldn't that be great? Because ya know...they just can't KILL him. Not on national television. Not in America. Not on my watch...

So...420 Dog Years Later

My best friend, my greatest fan, my wonderful SO turned 60 and I threw a surprise party for him...he was clueless. Loved the friends, the fun and especially the $100 cake. Take a looksee...

Motherhood

Saw this today on a friends post on Sassy Cheryl's Blog, and HAD to share it. Love it!!! A woman, renewing her driver's license at the Departments Clerk’s office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, 'explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a .?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mum.' 'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'Housewife' covers it,' said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.' The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in mid-air and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother does not) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I am working for my Masters, (the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)And I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.' There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 10, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (my 6-month-old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum'. Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there is a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates'? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants'!!!

Got Scraps?

Here's one way to use up those pieces of ribbon that NONE of us can throw away because we will always use them LATER...enjoy! (p.s...it's for a class tonight at Jotos in Saint Petersburg, FL...wish you were here!

Oh, she's so cute

I just love this little girl. Sweet Sassy Cheryl's Little Red Stamp is just the perfect project for this copic card. I added one of my favorite frames from PaintShop Pro and I'm off to the party. Thanks for visiting me!

Proud To Be An American

I love our country and what we represent and all that we have done! I am proud to be an American…there still is not a better country in the world than this one! You could have heard a pin drop. At a time when our president and other politicians tend to apologize for our country`s prior actions, here`s a refresher on how some of our former patriots handled negative comments about our country.. JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded, "does that include those who are buried here?" DeGaulle did not respond. You could have heard a pin drop. When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush... He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.' You could have heard a pin drop. There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?’ A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?' You could have heard a pin drop. A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S... , English, Canadian, Australian, and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?’ Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie’s, and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.' You could have heard a pin drop. AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE... Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically... Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously... "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.” The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.” Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !” The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to." You could have heard a pin drop. If you are proud to be an American, pass this on! I am proud to be of this land, AMERICA

For Betty

My friend Betty LOVES frogs...so I was playing around and made a little froggie thingie for her...LOL...he is really cute. HI BETTY!!

"DAMAGES" is back!!

Oh, man...just as Tom Shayes gets his name on the door - Hewes & Shayes - the scene flashes forward six months and he is found murdered. YIKES...this has to be one of my favorite shows and I am so happy that someone had me in mind when they invented program recording and TIVO!! With Jack in "24", Patty in "Damages", House in "House" and that cutie pie Jane in "Medium"...our TIVO really gets a work out. And, Bill tapes E-V-E-R-Y House Hunters episode that is on...he's trying to find the PERFECT vacation home location. For under $500,000...LOL...For me, as long as it is in Italy, it won't matter. But come one, now...how could "Damages" get any more suspenseful than last season? Glenn Close is a wonderful actress, and her character Patty Hewes is such a Biatch - I just love her. Can't wait til next Tuesday...(TIVO Monday cuz I can't stay up til 10 to watch it on Monday)...

#5 - 360 To Go - Even The Bees Have To Stay Warm

Yep - right outside the garage door. These busy bees are keeping warm right outside the door. Not too bad in the winter, but come warmer days, I will have to be a bit more causious...they will be everywhere. Bill doesn't want me to take the hives down...(not just yet, anyway).

Since we are what we are: Stampers - let's just do what we know. STAMP. If you need to make Valentine Cards, why not help Stampin' Up! help the people of Haiti? From now until February 28, $2 from the sale of each of the I Heart Hearts stamp sets will go to the Red Cross' Haiti relief efforts. And, every person that purchases this set from me will also get a handmade valentine card kit from yours truly as a thank you. I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Set Wood Mount - 117010 I {Heart} Hearts Stamp Clear Mount - 118571 You can order from me online by clicking here "shop now" Thank you

# 4 - 361 To Go

I LOVE glimmer mists and all things about them. I created this fabulous frame for Coastal Cabana - my art is there for sale there. It's 12x12 and so sparkly. I have included a close up of the georgeous dragonfly I stenciled on the corner. Enjoy!

# 3 - 362 To Go! BRRRR It's Cold Here!!

Can you beleive the weather here in Saint Petersburg looks and feels like this???? It is GOING to warm up, but today is another cold one. Took this picture out back at the lake. HAHA...NOT...it's from one of the displays at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando from the wonderful show ICE! If you have not been to see ICE at the Gaylord...it's got to be put on your next Christmas Holiday To Do List. It was amazing and REALLY cold. 9 degrees is VERY VERY COLD!!!

#2 - 363 To Go - Don't They Look Cold?

Shot this pic on the way to the office...these birds are always in my yard, and this day they looked really cold, and searching out the food in unison. Of course, I stopped, went back in the house and brought out the rest of the loaf of bread and crumbled it up on our front yard. Hope these birds like bread. Cuz, it better be gone by the time Bill gets home, or my ass is grass for using the best part of the bread for bird food. AND...I caught a glimpse of 'Lil Miss Samantha checking me out - quizzed look on her face...what is my mom doing with those weird things with the long legs??? Her little bitty pink nose stuck on the window...kitty nose smears for sure to clean off the picture window when I get home. LOL

#1 - 364 To Go - OK - I am late already

I have seen some bloggers and their 365 Picture Of The Day Blog Postings and find them to be V-E-R-Y interesting (insert the little dude from the long ago Laugh-In Show) and am going to give it a whole hearted attempt. I do have the shots, and since the holidays are over, I probably have time to edit them and post 'em up for you to see...stay tuned...hope you enjoy!! #1 - 364 to go! Samantha the Stampin' Up! Sponge Thief - we find these things all over the place. In the shoes, in the shower, and just last night, we found one in the drum room by the base drum - who would have thought she'd go near that thing!! LOL...alas, where Bill goes, Sam goes...it's piteeful, but true.

Happy 2010!

2010 is going to be a great year. Even greater than 2009. More stamps, more colors, more techniques, more tips, more classes...YIPPEE...there is always room for one more piece of information in the brain. Not to be confused with jello, tho...LOL. I'm off to Sarasota for Copic Certification and can't wait to share everything with ya'll. Thanks for coming to visit my blog and see you soon!

Thanks to my BF Stampers Six Club members

Can't show you all of these sweet little card purses, because these ladies follow my blog...but I will see them tonight...bringing food and goodies to share. One of them will choose this sweet little card purse. And...I already know which one...LOL