How I Used An Afternoon of Vacation Time

Took off at noon today (well closer to 1p by the time I got out of there...). Went home to create.......





The CKC class for which the kits did not arrive on time. Got the instructions and sat down to create....Yes, those are pictures of Les embeliished by flowers....the class was Prima's Get Your Grunge On boy mini album.........

CKC

I decided this year that I would take full advatage of CKC being in Houston. I took a vacation day and booked a hotel. I check class listings and signed up for a couple. My thoughts were that this would be a nice mini vacation. I could relax, scrap and shop. Though my original plans were not to go solo it worked out that would be the case--no problem for me!

After finding a friend from high school would also be in attendance, we made plans to meet up and 'play' together at the crop Friday night. Initially I only had plans for two classes but after our Thursday night chat I decided to add a few more when I picked up my registration on Friday morning. I'm glad I made that decision because the extra classes proved to be the ones to get me thinking outside the box and sparked my creativitiy.



I signed up for a Prima 'grunge class' that was to be 'boy themed'--basically how to use all the Prima goodness (which is often frilly and flowery) to make a masculine album. It was my first class. Unfortunately, our class kits did not arrive and we had an instructor with no supplies. Fortunately she had enough kits from another scheduled Prima class (which I had just added) that we would do in class--while still getting our original class kit once it arrived the next morning--kinda like getting a class for free. Since I had signed up and paid for a class that I had now done the project the wonderful folks at CKC allowed me to change my class--so it was still like getting a class for free.

My final class on Friday evening was titiled I Love That Paper...from the desciptions I was thinking it would be about using the various beautiful patterned papers as backgrounds, etc. It turned out to be a class where we took some cute but funky paper and cut our various elements to put together a layout. I loved it! It got me thinking outside the box. It gave me a boost to unleash my creativity.

Summer Reading...

While browsing Target I came across several books that grabbed my interest so naturally I had to get them. Now I have to read them! I have a habit of picking up books that appeal to me then putting them aside because I'm not really in the mood to read. The result: stacks of unread books. In an effort to keep that from happening with my lastest purchase I am determined to read these books by the end of July. So far, I have managed to finish one. If I manage at least a book a week I will be able to accomplish my goal. And maybe, just maybe I'll get back in the 'habit' of reading on a regular basis...

Happy 89th Mom....

Happy Birthday mom. You'll be glad to know I'm doing well. There have been a few little bumps but nothing to derail me. I've got a great guy in my life that you would love--he takes great care of me and says you don't have to worry about me being taken care of cause he has it covered (yeah, I told him about your big concern being me-how you said you worried about what would become of me...). You would probably really be loving him right now because he is a hunter and I have sausage in my freezer from a wild hog he killed---I remember you always commenting you'd like to have some good, wild hog.... I live by the things you taught me; to not wait around on others if there's something I want to do--I've shared that philosophy with others on many occassions. I can thank you for all the great adventures I've had and the courage I've had to do various things. I am proud to say when you left I did not stop living. So happy birthday mom--give daddy a big hug from me.....

Gettin "My Craft On" and other Sunday Adventures...

After a bit of debate I decided to make a run into civilization to do a little shopping...and along the way I heard from my 'Jewish Mother' who proposed doing a little shopping together and grabbing lunch. It's been ages since we've gotten to visit so today was perfect! She picked me up in her new chariot just outside Macy's and off we went. Spent some time wandering Joann's and picked up a few goodies....then back to the mall and to wander Macy's and few other stores. After that we checked out Aaron Brother's Framing (I think that's the name---I could get in trouble there since they carry Tim Holtz and 7 Gypsies goodness). We topped it off with a yummy lunch at Panera and chatting and catching up. We really need to schedule that a bit more frequently...

I had talked about the honey's upcoming birthday and bounced ideas off Carol....and when I got home and began to play I continued to bounce ideas off her and came up with what I think is a cute canvas for his office---here are a few sneak peeks:



a fun tidbit...I picked up the bingo card on the first trip the honey took me on when we went through antique shops in Llano....

Project from HELL...

I am ashamed to say this is my scrap closet.....I will say it no longer looks THIS bad. I was off half a day last week and decided to begin the process of purging and organizing. Tons to get rid of and much to organize. I long for an organized, accessible stash--hoping it will help foster my creativity (doesn't that sound fancy--lol). I had decent momentum and did manage to purge quite a bit but there is still much to go--here's hoping I can accomplish something this weekend....

Fort Worth Weekend...

So last Saturday morning the honey and I loaded up and headed for Fort Worth--all for me because I had tickets to see the Oak Ridge Boys.....so off we went....along the way we stopped in Waco to check out Crop, Paper, Scissors--picked up a few things but overall wasn't all that impressed....

After a little blip we were finally able to get in our room at the downtown Sheraton--wish I could say I thoroughly enjoyed that hotel but I can't (that's a whole other story but let's just say my room charges ended up being reversed after a few calls to the management staff...)

We met family for dinner at my favorite Ft. Worth BBQ place-Ricskys....where we ate, drank and laughed--a good time for all...then a stroll (yes in the blazing heat and humidity) that included 'cowboys' singing on the corner.



The honey survived the show--while he was physically present I know mentally he was somewhere else cause that just wasn't his thing--yep, I owe him big time...

Sunday morning we were up and off to meet family again for a yummy Mexican breakfast near the Stockyards (drove the honey through) then home we went.A quick trip with a few bumps but full of good food and great company.

And believe it or not....I didn't take that many pictures! Kinda disappointing in hindsight but it'll be okay....

Creative Weekend

One of the ladies I worked with at the MS camp last month is super cool and very creative. We decided before leaving camp we would get together to create sometime--lucky for me she lives in LaPorte. The stars seemed to have aligned just right and we managed to get together Saturday to create. I arriveed early evening on Saturday and we began to brainstorm. Plenty of creative toys around to play with...we stayed up late playng with paints and alcohol inks and other assorted items. It was relaxing to just hang out and let the supplies dictate where you went. Looking forward to our next creative time.....

Farewell By Design.....

By Design Scrapbook Boutique....a favorite source of scrappin goodness for the past four years is shutting their doors. By Design has been the place to go for the newest, cutting edge products. I've been fortunate to take some wonderful classes from people like Tim Holtz, Heidi Swapp, Janet Hopkins and Debby Schuh thanks to Tracy. I'll miss her and the store and all the goodness.

My Jewish Mother....

I have a dear friend who I refer to as my Jewish mother...always giving me an extra push when I need it, not sugar coating things. She's creative, snarky and funny and I love her dearly. She's having a bit of a time with some health issues and has recently been sentenced to massive doses of steroids. If you have a chance, pop over to her blog and leave her a word of two of encouragement.

Beer Fest revisited.....

So apparently it was all over channel 11 what a mess the event was.....people being overcome by heat waiting to get in (no surprise there), people waiting in line over two hours to get in--and still not getting in, running out of beer.....seems we weren't the only ones who thought it was poorly planned. At least we had a nice night in a nice hotel and fun at Pete's!

Beer Fest and other stuff....

The Houston Beer Festival was held Saturday downtown. I bought tickets weeks ago through Groupon for the honey as an early birthday gift and added a hotel room at the Doubletree (they were offering a special and this way we could both enjoy ourselves without the worry of getting home after). After a yummy homemade breakfast we headed downtown and checked in....and being the Doubletree we were greeted with warm chocolate chip cookies.....

We lounged a bit (since the festivities didn't begin till 2p) before heading over to city hall....and were greeted with....long lines.....no sinage......and we waited....and waited....and waited....

After nearly an hour and a half in line we were in the gates. We had a fistfull of tickets that could be used for tastes or full 12 ounce servings.....

As time passed the crowd began to grow which meant the lines for the beers began to grow.....we had been there a few hours....they honey was able to enjoy a few beers and had a couple that weren't so good. I sipped on iced tea and finally tried some Jeremiah Weed spiked cola. It was good but the combination of that, only my earlier breakfast in my stomack and the heat I felt it immediately. The lines were insane, the placed was packed to the point that moving was growing difficult and we decided to call it done. I don't think it's something we'll try again---unless they change the venue (at the very least....they had too much packed into too small of a space).

We wandered back to the hotel and after cooling down a bit and resting we walked over to the Houston Pavillions for dinner. There are a handfull of restuarants-most somewhat up-scale, but we settled for Guadalajara. We knew there would be a wait but the wait to be seated was minimal. It was the wait for our food that seemed to go on forever......the honey was NOT impressed.....I can't really say that I was either....

After dinner I was able to talk the honey into a vist to Pete's (Dueling) Piano Bar. I've been to Pete's in Austin on numerous occassions and always had a wonderful time and I hoped this adventure would prove to be fun as well. The honey had no idea what he was walking into but being a good sport he went. We grabbed a beer and then found a place to sit in the back. It wasn't quite 9p, but it was already rocking. It took a song or two but once he knew what was going on, the honey seemed to relax and enjoy himself. We sang....we danced....we had a good time. I think maybe Pete's redeemed me after the disappointment of the beer fest and dinner.....

Time Off.....

I recentlly took a day off from work. No real planning....other than asking late in the day if I could take off the next day (gotta take my vacation time before the end of August of I lose it). So Tuesday near 5p the boss said yes to Wednesday off. So I took it!

No real plans, just burning a day. I thought I might go in.....maybe even just half a day. My body knew that morning when the alarm went off that I didn't really have to go in--so I slept a bit longer. I took my time waking up...getting up and getting started. I piddled......watched a little morning television (it was Meredith's last day on the Today show--not something I normally watch)....thought about catching a movie (a chick flick) then decided against it. Finally up and going I headed out for a little shopping.....a new outfit for the beer fest this weekend (finding that was luck!).....picked up essentials at Target (ya know, toilet paper, etc).....a run through Specs (why not!)...a quick (yummy) lunch at a place I'd never been (Chinese place in Rosenberg near Kroger)...then grocery shopping and home.

This is the fortune which accompanied my meal...

Feeling it today.....

Over the weekend I had an opportunity to ride a zip line....and I did it. It's one of those things I watch others do and think it's cool but it isn't necessarily something I saw myself doing. And then came Saturday.....one of the other girls at the MS Camp Can Do was talking about the zip line and how wonderful it was...how you it's not as scary as you may think. Maybe I wasn't in my right mind--but when am I ever? I had a chance to break away from my scheduled duties with an opportunity to choose various activities during my break. I didn't really give it much thought-just headed out to the zip line. I didn't think about it...didn't think about the possibility of difficulty in climbing the tower....and didn't think of being scared spitless of 'jumping' off a tower---thought I didn't actually jump. I figured if I was ever going to do this I was certainly in the best environment for doing so...afterall, they work with people with all levels of mobility--there were people who use wheelchairs climbing that tower (granted, they had assistance but they were still climbing)! So without any deep thought I stepped up, got harnessed up and climbed the tower and rode the zip line down!

Weekend at camp...

At 44 years old I have attended my first sleep-over camp. It was great! I spent the weekend as a volunteer at the MS Camp Can Do. This camp is for adults with MS and no matter the limitations of the person, they CAN participate in every activity--not just arts and crafts--though that is certainly an option (and the area where I will now be working during camp--yep, I will be back).

Horseback riding....canoeing....archery.....zip line (which I did!!). All offered (among other things) and all accessible to everyone whether walking, using a cane, wheelchair or scooter. Every camper gets a buddy and together, they are unstoppable!

Happy Mother's Day Mom....

Has it really been a year already??

Can hardly believe a year ago today I gathered with a handful of classmates to begin preparations for our 25 year high school reunion.

Tent set up for the 25 Year Reunion...

Those brave souls who worked to put it all together...the day before the event....

This how we looked 25 years later....
May 1, 2010

Quiet Weekend

It's Sunday evening and I am trying to get in the 'right' mindset for going back to work tomorrow. I honestly was only in the office one day last week due to vacation time, workshops and holiday time so this week is going to be a real 'eye opener' for me since I'll have to work all week! I know....poor me---NOT. LOL

It's been a nice, relaxing Easter break. I'd like to say I made lots of progress....note, I'd LIKE to say that....but I can't! I spent a great deal of the time doing a lot of nothing and must say I did enjoy it.

Thursday I made a run to the other side of the world to go to Archivers. Lots of scrappin goodness but I managed to control myself in the spending realm--though I'm not certain how! My major adventure Friday was HEB---INSANE! Saturday was a trip to WalMart--even MORE insane than HEB the day before.

Lots of time chillin in front of the tv. Minimal number of chores--laundry, cleaning. Got my scrap on a bit and got a few pages done. Got cool pictures from my brother (one posted below) that I'm gonna get printed and 'play' with. Even did some cooking, trying out a few new recipes--some good, some not so much. Spoiled the honey with home-cooking (we didn't eat out once this weekend!).

And even more surprising for me...not one picture taken all weekend!

Happy Monday everyone.

Final Day in the Hill Country

Got up Sunday morning and remembered we had talked about a trip to Cabella's. The honey said it would be okay to skip but after the many places he's gone for me, I felt a trip to Cabella's was a MUST. Didn't hurt that it was only about 15 miles away.

If you've ever been to Bass Pro you have idea of what it's like to go to Cabella's. Even so, it was cool looking at the various displays.

From Cabella's we headed for downtown and since we were hungry we headed for food (If we'd known what all our bike VIP passes allowed we'd have eaten there--next year!!). I had seen a spot on Diners, Drive ins and Dives about Casino El Camino in Austin--basically a bar with 'bar food' consisting of insane burgers, fries and wings. It was actually a good choice since it was about noon on a Sunday--we got there before any crowd. Bugers and beer--at least the honey had beer.

Bellies full we headed for our ultimate destination; the Bob Bullock Museum and the finish line for the MS150. Too bad this map was incorrect about where museum parking was....but the honey found us a place just on the edge of the UT campus and only a few blocks from the museum. We were able to watch the riders come in from the second floor bistro concourse....honey had a beer...and if we'd been hungry there was all sorts of delicious looking fare....I had a bottle of water and a peanut butter cookie that I split with the honey.

It's a cool sight wathcing all the riders come in after two days of cycling from Houston. Many partipate to fulfill personal goals but many do participate for the cause--raising funds to erase MS.

HIll Country Adventures...

Yes...I'm a week behind....but at least I'm catching up.......

(Last) Saturday morning after breakfast at Denny's we headed to the Gilespie County Fair Grounds for the Country Peddler Show---it was 'His and Hers Weekend' so there were things to appease both men and women. Saw some cool hunting stuff and I picked up a few goodies. And the honey says there was a woman hitting on him though I never saw her......


After that it was off to the Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War. A very cool and interesting place. We were there for a few hours taking it in and still didn't see everything.... Made me think of my dad and the silk parachute my brother has that was taken from a Japanese paratrooper that dad shot down during the war. We are looking for the 'right place' to house the atrifact so it can be viewed by future generations.



The first stop after the museum was one of the many biergartens for refreshment. The honey was in heaven with the selection of dark beers. I stuck to DP since I would be driving soon.
After the beer it was time to hit the scrapbook store--with the honey patiently waiting as I ooohed and ahhhed over all the merchandise and tried to limit myself in regards to purchases.

A quick bite to eat--honey was starving--and off to Austin. Checking in the hotel was a breeze--thank you Priceline (first time I'd done that). Since I was very familiar with the area in which we were staying I couldn't ignore the 'pull' of Michael's and Barnes and Noble so while the honey rested I went for a brief shopping trip---would have been longer if it hadn't been after 8p already. Back to the hotel and shower and bed--Sunday was to be another big day with the MS 150.

HIstory...

This is a picture of my daddy in WWII with the parachute of a Japanese paratrooper that my dad shot down.

Going to the National Museum of the Pacific War last week brought to mind this picture I hadn't seen in many, many years....thanks to my big bro for sending it to me.

Friday recap

Friday was a gorgeous day and we headed for Fredericksburg...

Our first stop was the Fredericksburg Trade Days....kinda like Canton on a smaller scale.....the honey loved this!


Checked into our room and vegged a bit then off to grab a bite to eat then back to the hotel for the night....

Weekend Recap...coming soon.....

Still recovering from the weekend fun and fulfilling work obligations but full post and pictures coming soon!

Weekend adventures ahead....

Plan Accordingly

Cute shoes, auction purchases and other assorted tidbits.....

What a jam packed weekend.....did a little Macys shopping on Saturday--didn't realize how long it had been since I'd been there...got some cute new work tops and new orange dreamsicle colored polo for the MS150 next weekend (spectator, not rider)..and some cute Vera Wang flip flops at Kohls...that I ended up having to exchange Sunday because the pair I got home with had a major rip (before I ever got to wear them)

So on the way out Sunday morning the sweetie stopped by Kolhs so I could make the exchange...and I got a second pair of cute VW flipflops:

Then it was off to auction....there was an estate sale and he was hoping for a few bargains and figured there might be something we just couldn't live without! I ended up picking up a new basic sewing machine that I'll most likely use strictly for scrapping so it can be dedicated to paper, etc.

And then I looked away only to look back and hear 'SOLD to buyer number 3'...which was the number we were sharing...and this is what he bought......


Me: What did you just buy?
Sweetie: A table
Me: ok...(and then I actually saw it)....um, why did you buy THAT table?
Sweetie: Babe, it was only five dollars!
Me: Um, what're you gonna do with it?
Sweetie: Not sure, maybe sell it.
Me: Do you have someone who might be interested?
Sweetie: No
Me: Um, ok....wait, I may actually know someonw we might be able to sell it to......
Sweetie: That's great--go for it!

So I begin a text exchange....maybe....possibly.......don't really like the color....don't want it if it's partical board and not solid wood......

Sweetie and I continue on to R's dad's birthday bash.......say hi....eat a burger, visit a bit...head back to Podunk....

And then it happens.....as we turn a corner headed to get something to drink the top section flies off and hits the ground--apparently it wasn't quite as sturdy as we thought....and the Sweetie's reply.....oh crap, there goes the resale value!

You can make this up folks!

SLACKER......

...yep that's me in the blogging department. Spring break was here and gone in the blink of an eye...I started strong then faded into oblivion... but I WILL try to right that wrong. It's time for me to step up and rejoin the blogging world so please allow me to redeem myself!