Should I or shouldn't I???

I received the December (yep, December) issue of Creating Keepsakes today with the information for their Hall of Fame contest for next year. I've read through the list of required layouts and most seem do-able to me. The one that I think would be the most difficult would be the new technique but overcoming that hurdle I think I could actually pull things together and enter. But then I think, who am I kidding? My layouts are so linear (and somewhat predictable) that I doubt I could do anything that would wow anyone...but it might be fun. So to all my scrapping buddies, weigh in on the topic and help me make a decision...and if you have any ideas for new techniques I could use that too.

UPDATE: Or maybe that should be no news....still no new camera. I didn't make it home during the day and by the time I did get home (5:15pm), the office was closed so I couldn't check to see if UPS actually delivered my package. If he did, he didn't bother to leave a notice so I didn't feel I could call and complain today. I'll check tomorrow and if there's still no package I will be having words with someone!

I HATE *#@**&* UPS...

or at least the ASS assigned to my complex. The problem is that it takes days and numerous phone calls to locate and get my packages. I never had a problem till moved into this apartment. The incompetent moron that delivers here can't seem to figure out how to fill out the notices that UPS often leaves and when he does finally deliver a package he mouths off and the so-called supervisors do nothing about him.

It started last spring...he would never leave my stampin up shipments or my monthly club scrap shipment. It didn't matter how many times I signed the release for the package to be left or left notes to please leave the package either at my door or the office. Every time I came home to another delivery notice where the moron had checked all the boxes (lot of good that does in planning to be home or whatever).

Good luck finding a number on the UPS website where you can actually talk to a human! But, somewhere along the way I got lucky and got the name and number of a rep at the Stafford distribution center (which is now on my fridge). Every time there was a notice I would call to find out if the driver was still in the area and to ask that he please be redirected at that point to deliver--sometimes it worked, most often it didn't.

The driver would always claim that no one was at the office when he attempted to deliver the package. I would ask what time the attempts were made and was always told the driver said all different times. At which point I would point out that the office is only closed one hour each day, at the same time unless there is an emergency. So how is it he's supposedly attempting to deliver at all different times but no one is ever there according to him.

The final straw was when it took a week to get my last stampin up and club scrap shipment (i dropped SU and cancelled CS because I was tired of fighting to get my stuff). It was Friday evening and I was told he would deliver by 6:15pm....and he finally showed up at 6:30pm. I so wanted to say something to him but I bit my tongue and then he commented that he 'usually delivers to my office'....at which point I told him, no he did not...so he tells me that I should have my packages delivered to my office. I tell him no, that is not possible and he proceeds to tell me in a smart-assed tone that I should stay home then if I'm expecting a package. I could not believe what i was hearing and asked him to repeat himself...so he tells me to stay home. I informed if he felt I should stay home to wait on him that he could pay my bills and that I would be reporting him.

I held to my promise to report him and the supervisor apologized and assured me he would follow up with me--which he never did.

So today I come home to find a notice stuck to my kitchen window and once again the moron has checked all the boxes. I've called the distribution center but they couldn't contact the driver but I have been assured they will make certain he delivers the package tomorrow to the office--we shall see!

The package is my new camera and I was really hoping to have it tomorrow to take halloween pictures at work. Oh well, one more day won't hurt me....I just hope it's only one more day.

Haunted Courthouse???

I left the halloween party early so I could go to the local production of Dracula (all this time in this town and this was the first time I went to the theatre--won't be the last). Keeping with the halloween theme the show didn't start till 10pm and everyone was encouraged to attend in costume--which means I could go straight from the party to the theatre (and though I felt a little silly I was not the only adult in costume). Leaving downtown (a whopping two and a half miles from my home) I decided to snap a few pictures of the courthouse square. I was somewhat shocked when I reviewed the pictures and found this one of a huge orb beside the bell tower. Normally I would just think there was some camera malfunction that ruined what might have been a good picture....in light of my recent education via the Branson Ghost Tour I'm wondering if perhaps if it's something else.....

BEAUTIFUL DAY

Saturday was a beautiful day with mild temps. Other than a halloween party in the evening I didn't really have a great deal planned. One item on the list was to pick up around my place and possibly hit the Country Peddler Show in Rosenberg. Peddler won out. After I made a quick trip to Michaels looking for some dollar calendars (crappy Michaels in Sugar Land didn't have the size you did Carol--bummer--so I'm back to the drawing board on that one.) But I digress...the day was too beautiful and I couldn't resist snapping this pictures of the flags as I was headed out of the fairgrounds.

Cold Front or No????

The latest news cast calls for a real cold front tomorrow--with temps supposedly dropping about twenty degrees. I say, BRING IT ON! It's nearly November...we should have had some cooler temps by now. It'll be nice to not have to run the A/C quite so much....to be able to open the windows...to wear a light jacket. To finally have some fall weather.

Great Hat...

This is the hat I brought back from Branson for Bossman....

Current Book Club Layouts

Some favorite shots from 2007 (thus far)

My Thoughts on the New Fall TV Season...

are that it BITES. I haven't found any of the new shows that really hold my interest. Granted I missed most of the premiere episodes due to being out of town but even trying to watch now is almost an exercise in futility.

Pushing Daisies on ABC looked interesting but I just cannot get into. Reaper on WB looked interesting...fifteen to twenty minutes was about all I could handle. Cave Men on ABC just looked STUPID and after about five minutes last night (because there wasn't much of a choice in my opinion) I was convinced it is STUPID. I've never been into Grey's Anatomy and missed the premiere of the spin off...nothing on NBC has even piqued my interest (nope, not even The Office) and about the only thing on CBS is 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'Two and a Half Men'--thanks to the boss I'm watching that one and think it's hysterical. Charlie Sheen is a riot.

I'm not into reality shows so Survivor, Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, etc does nothing for me. Honestly the only thing that I make it a point to watch is 'Ugly Betty' and I got hooked on that last year by accident.

Guess I might finally get around to reading the stack of books I've been collecting!

Two Weeks Ago Today...

...I was in Branson....seeing 'The Boys'....and loving every minute of it--even when Duane stepped on my foot! And at that time I didn't have a care in the world...nothing existed outside that moment and that theatre and they were singing for me.

One lyric always sticks in my head...from 'Ozark Mountain Jubilee'....'I hear a rooster crowing, it's a frosty morning, I can almost see the sign....rolling so fast I can't stop, I'm just a stone's throw from Little Rock, heading for that Missouri line...'

I often think of driving the Ozarks, windows down, wind blowing without a care...and in those times I can actually 'see' myself on those roads, see the signs of the strip....and I am wishing I were there. This latest trip I had been in Branson a total of about an hour and the thought that kept running through my head was that I feel happiest when I am driving those hills....and it's true. It's amazing to me I could/would feel that way.

I remember all the times mom would suggest going to Branson and I'd shoot it down. And then for some reason in May 2002 it sounded like a wonderful idea--better than just going to San Antonio (afterall that can be done in a weekend). And we went....and had a BLAST...and I wanted to keep going back---and I have. Maybe it's because after all this time I understand why mom liked it up there so much and now I think how she'd be saddened by so much of the development/progress. And even with the progress, the simple can still be found. And the feeling of freedom just driving the hills. I wish I were back there now....

Wish I were there....

This is the main fountain at Branson Landing during the light show. The fountains and fire are choreographed to music and is awesome at night...I can almost hear Van Morrison singing "It's a marvelous night for moon dance...." One thing for certain, these things put out a LOT of heat but the view is spectacular.

What a life...

Looking for costumes...

Beside my desk...

...sitting at the office this afternoon (had to go in to test software--don't get me started) I looked around at all the crap on the wall beside my desk and this little gem jumped out at me. It's among some of my favorite pictures that help transport me to another place and time when work gets to be too much. So thanks for the smiles Timmy!

Tuesday is Boss' Day...

...and while shopping for cards this one made me laugh.....in case you can't read it: Young Winthrop trains for his future in mangement by surrounding himself with asses.