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

Thanks for the support

Made this cute little purse card for my supervisor, Susan...she is a BIG supporter of me and my Stampin' Up! endeavor. Thanks!!

A couple more samples

Enjoy!

FABULOUS water color crayons from Stampin' Up!

OMG...I love these little jewels!! Have had them for such a long time and never thought to get them out. Sure sign that I have TOO MUCH STUFF...but NEED MORE STUFF...I will acquiesce to that fact gracefully!! AND...when used with my favorite of all time Stampin' Up! stamp sets, I am happy!! Thanks for the visit!!

Hey - I'm Better

Yep - my mom took real good care of me and I am not sick any more. I have to be a bit careful not to get the sniffles again though, and I WILL be VERY careful. Kitty buggies are no fun. When my mom took me to the Vet, he showed her how to blow my nose...YUCKS to the max...So, here is one of the pics from my latest foto shoot...mom took them this morning. See everyone...I DID grow into my ears. I weigh 4 pounds now, and I used to weigh 2.6 pounds. YIPPEE. Oh, yeah, the other ladies in this post are my big sisters. Kleopatra and Petunia. That guy is Willie T. He is the BEST big brother around. Kleo is very snooty, but I do get along with Petunia - as long as she lets me. Thanks for all the get well wishes, too. Later, Sam

My little baby Samantha

Today I am so bummed out. My baby kitty Samantha has the crud. Bug. Cold. Head congestion. Poor little thing, her nose is running and she has clogged sinus cavities that I can't seem to clear them up. Our vet says it is a viral infection and has to run the course. Just like humans. Since we have 8 fur babies, it's like a nursery...one little runny nose and they all get it. Yep...she us the last one to get it. But she is so small, it's just killing me to watch her. But, she is a tough cookie and will be just fine. Unlike me...it's so sad to watch her breathing with her mouth open...not geting a full portion of sleep...will keep you up to date...thanks for listening.

Fabulous Purse and Cards for my Swap Sister in New Zealand!!

I love how this project turned out. The cards match the purse, which, by the way, is a Becky Roberts knock-off. Ooooo...just like the big city and the trunk sales...only this is legal...LOL I really hope Anna likes it.

It is here! It is here! (Almost) Get ready to experience the next wave of fun…The Digital Age...My Digital Studio – oh my goodness – you are not going to believe your eyes and what they are seeing on your own monitor. With this fabulous software, you will save money like never before. Remember my motto: “Why print it twice, when you can print it once”…makes sense if you give it a moment. For everyone the advantages to MDS are:

1. For those of you that are not ready to take the next step, you can plan what your project will look like with various colors and embellishments, before you get out your materials.
2. MDS uses Stampin' Up's exclusive colors, stamps, and embellishments. Nice! No guessing!!
3. A great selection of digital stamps come with the program, and more will become available through downloads.
4. You can print your creations at home – in jour jammies if you like! or you can have them professionally printed through our vendor.
5. Scrapbook pages can be printed individually, or
6. You can have an entire book printed and bound.

In addition to scrapbook pages, you can print cards and calendars--perfect for gifts! Come on, fess up…did you ever go on a trip and come back with more pictures than moments in the actual trip? Go ahead, you can say yes, because I have done it myself. No problem for MDS… just pop the photos into the pre-designed layouts, add some text journaling and – The End. Just as if you spent hours and hours on the project by hand. Hybrid it up with some embellishments after it is printed and you are good to show off your vacation scrapbook. Really. It is that easy. I am in the process of becoming a Certified My Digital Studio Demonstrator and will walk you through every step of the way in creating your very own My Digital Studio project. Watch for its arrival on October 1, 2009. Schedule your next party for October, November, or December and have a chance to earn the MDS Software for HALF PRICE… Go to my website and email me to schedule your next gathering and watch for the samples…

Introducing Samantha...our newest little furbaby

Isn't she just the cutest? Spent the week on the beach with me making cards, scrappin, taking naps. Yep...she helped make kits, ate fresh salmon, watched CSI NY and kept us up all night because she still hadn't figured out that we really nee sleep. Later

Purse-onally Perfect Notes Class

We will create our stationary set using the Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set and the beautiful Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper. Our accent colors are Very Vanilla, Kraft and Note Quite Navy. Note: picture is for example only. Colors will change. October 24, 2009 - 1:00 PM at the Panera Bread on Ulmerton Road in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Let me know if you are visiting our wonderful city and would like to join in!! You can leave me a comment and I will get in touch with you!