HAPPY BAH HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh so I had to figure out how to get my page to look like I'm in the spirit too! This year I actually am so because it's such a change for me, I'm sharing a photo of my Dad's decorated door. He had to pull down the mailbox frame, attach the mailbox, carry it from the garage to the front door, and then load all the little presents into the mailbox itself. This is a big thing for him because at 79 and 12 years after his stroke, we are just glad he's still here with us. So this year, all his kids are coming home (like it or not) for Christmas.

We actually set this up during our Black Friday decorating around the "T's" house in Plantation, Florida. While my brother,nephew and I were "cleaning out the garage", my sister, her hubby and daughter were decorating the outside of the house. Those pics are below in the blog. We also pulled down the tree (like that "we" cuz I had nothing to do with that as it was on a shelf in the garage over my head and I wasn't even going there so my brother & nephew did that for us), and then I spent over four hours trying to take off the lights that had been wrapped every year over the last three by Dad. They were all bunched together and we had "discussions" on why I was taking the lights off. Funny thing was that three of the four strings were dead and didn't even get put back on the tree. But we got the lights on it and it looked good too.


The bad thing was that before we could get the other boxes down (four of them) with the decorations in them, I had to fly home. So I can't wait to see the finished product on Tuesday. And I can't wait to see Mom & Dad again, my sisters and brother and all my nieces and nephew (yep only one but he's the man!).



And did I saw we were gonna eat again???? Oh yes we will!!! And OMG on QVC today they had the best looking prime rib to cook and the sampler cakes from Balboa. So guess what -- yep those are on the way to Florida too. I just love bill to/ship to. Ha, ha. So the food will probably arrive before Karen does. Oh well!!! Gotta tell the pilot to fly safe once again for me please!


Take care and Happy Christmas to all and to all a good nite. I probably won't be back on before I return. I wish you all a great holiday. Enjoy the family! I will be!!!


Take care & hugs to ya,

KTTTT

Pics of Mouse & Thanks Projects

As promised here are the pics of the Mouse autograph books (two are same) and the Thanks book from Thanksgiving that are Christmas presents for my family. I think they came out pretty good myself. I really like the Thanks book as it has many hidden tags and journaling to remember the gathering. I know my Mom & Dad will love theirs as much as I love my copy. My nieces are going to flip when they learn they are visiting the Mouse after Christmas. They can get autographs on the tags (in earlier post) and put the tags and pictures in their books. Yeah, my presents are almost done!!!!

Opening page and then on to some of the pages for tags and pictures for the girls.

Just a sampling because I keep adding pics and wiping them out. I've been at this for two hours now and I'm giving up. Some day I will figure out how to do with without the white space. Sorry!Very frustrating!!!!

This last page is done from the paint swatches from Home Depot/Lowes. I peeled them off the cards and ran them thru the Xyron. This book was done with my CM supplies and is a quick type easy book just so the girls would have special ones to use for this surprise trip.

Now moving on to the Thanks Book - my favorite.

This is the accordian book with tags and hidden journaling.

There is actually journaling on the back of each tag (that is if it doesn't have two pictures on a tag). There is also my handwriting (yep, I did do it Rosemary!).

Enjoy!

KTTTT

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

So I got these voice mails from Rosemary asking me if I wanted to go with her and her sister to see this orchestra named the Trans-Siberian or something. Magical Mystery Tour or something. Wasn't really sure where we were going or what it was about but after figuring out my cell had been off for two days, of course I was in!!! Didn't matter where we were going, I was going with Rosemary and Cathy somewhere. So I called and said Yes I'd love to go. We met up for dinner and watched the game while eating and visiting. Then down to the Metro to meet Maryanne who actually picked up the tickets. We got on the Red Line to go to the Gallery Place and Verizon Center.



The weather wasn't bad. Not too cold and clear. They were having a little craft fair with many tents of vendors so we toured their wares while waiting to go into the show. We also walked a few blocks to the old Woodies store to see decorated windows. None at Woodies but there were some at Macy's though (see Rosemary's blog for those pics). We were disappointed as they were nowhere near the extravagant windows of the past and really don't depict "the reason for the season" because we have to be politically correct now adays! Bah humbug, there is a reason for the season and that's why it's named Christmas. We can all celebrate as we wish but give us a little break will ya??? Anyway the decorations were nice and we walked back thru the streets looking at all the very detailed architecture of the buildings that is missed by many. Wow the masonry and design in those old buildings is still beautiful to me.



Oh and we saw the SPY museum, the Wax museum, the Art museum -- all places we have to visit in the future. We have to take Metro to the Metro Center stop and just come up and play.



Well the reason for our venture was wonderful. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is like no other. The light show is phenomenal, the violin playing was excellent, guitarists too, and the drum solo -- well I don't have to say any more about that. The show went on for three hours plus. We didn't get back home til after midnight. Late nite for the girls but it was well worth it. I had a ball. Thanks Rosemary for my wonderful Christmas present, watching the show with people I love!



Hugs,

KTTTT


P.S. Oh and the ice cream cones were good too. Thanks Ro for digging deep in your wallet to find the cash to pay for the cones and drinks. You made up the majority of the cash and I'll make it up to you after the holidays! I promise!!!!

Behind the Eight Ball Again

so Saturday my destiny was to finish two books for my nieces for Christmas. But I really didn't wanna sit and scrap all day. However, after talking to Rosemary and being told I had to get my "mojo back" I listened and not only finished the two books but also finished the Thanksgiving Book I was doing for my parents too AND started my exact copy of the same Thanksgiving Book too. Yeah imagine that -- got my mojo and more!!! Thanks, Ro!!! It's your fault and I thank you for the motivation because I didn't have anything going into it.

I haven't taken the pics yet and will do that before the week is out and try and post. But these were two little CM books for my girls who are taking a surprise trip after Christmas to see the Mouse. They only know they are flying into Lauderdale to see their grandparents and aunts and uncles but don't know about the Mouse yet. So I made them the tags that were posted earlier so that they can get their autographs and now they have books to put the tags into once signed. Not super detailed but used up some of my CM supplies just for this cute little project.

Then moving to the Thanksgiving Book, I had these done from kits from Cheryl Mezzetti too. They are cute little accordian books with tags. So I included pictures and journaling (no Ro I just typed to paste in but did write a little bit in my own handwriting too!!) on the tags and pages. They actually turned out really cute and I know my parents will LOVE their specially made book. I, of course, LOVE mine too because I don't usually have my own to save. But I'm starting to duplicate so that I can savor the moment too in pics.

The next project will be putting the Family Christmas Book together after taking all those pics on Christmas Day. I can't wait.

More to post later. Take care to my loyal readers. You two know who you are!!! LOL!!

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GIRL MEGAN. WOW, seems like I just met you! Oh, I did didn't I. Ha, ha!!! Have a great birthday!

Hugs to ya,
KTTTT

Wednesday @ our LSS

the QK rep came to visit. So a bunch of Diamond Club members showed up to hear his news on the upcoming products and talk QK. And of course there is always the chance to WIN FREE PRODUCT TOO! So we gathered around the tables and listened. Listened to Kris talking about the details of why they did this, or didn't do that, and what we should expect in future. Some things were scrapped because QK listened to their customers and took their ideas into consideration BEFORE they released their latest products. WOW imagine that. A manufacturer who actually cares about their customers. Certainly a different concept in this world today!!! Hmmm sorry I digress.



Then we listened to the women who had questions while others bitched about some of the products. Yes, they bitched. When I walked in late, there was one woman who was actually bitching because the QK reps didn't give the stores advance notice of reductions in prices. Poor Kris stood there listening attentively while trying to explain that it was HIS fault because he is only one one rep to 600 stores and he let his stores down. Most normal self respecting, nice people would have stopped at that point. But noooooo not her. She just kept on going belting out complaint after complaint. It was actually embarrassing at this point. Finally she just stopped. Bitch session complete! I went up to the LSS owners later and told them I thought this was supposed to be a fun event not a bitching session. You would have thought I'd committed a mortal sin with the looks I got. Oh well. Call it like it is you know.



So on to the give aways. They gave out some of the newer 4x8 alphabets - very cool. The first one was one by the one person who ALWAYS wins and they says she shouldn't be considered in the pot. Well then why did you put your name in there???? The second one was won by another one who usually wins but with enthusiasm and enjoys what she wins. Then another, and another, and all smiles. No we didn't win YET!!! So more make-n-takes, more show us what's coming, and just answer more questions. Very nice time actually. Then it was time for more give aways. So let's call some more numbers .... 3527044, "oh that's mine but I don't want that die. I don't like it " says the winner. "But it's free" says the store owner. "I know but I don't want it. Oh well at least I'll have a Christmas present to give someone." She took the die gave it to another lady standing there that DID want it and then talked about it for another 10 minutes. Can you imagine!!! Next 3527061 "oh that's me...." I said. So I went up and got my die expecting to hand it over to Rosemary because I already had one but wasn't about to say anything out loud (except to Ro). Then 352051 and there goes my chance of giving it to Ro as she won TOO!!!! So we both have the very cool gold heart tag dies in our possession now. Hey Jana, do you have one -- cuz if you don't it may just show up in your Christmas stocking!!!!



Jana - you know the first person that won. And for the record she wanted to know why I was awol from many activities this summer. I laid it on very thick (even though it really wasn't lying just spreading it out thick and shutting her up because I was just plain baffling!!!). That too was actually FUN!!! Oh I'm not getting my place in heaven. I've lost out! OMG!!!



After the QK festivities then Rosemary and I went to have a nice dinner at our local pizza place. It was a GREAT evening especially after leaving the LSS. I always enjoy being with my buddy RO!!!



GTG! Will write more ltr!

KTTTT

Ft. Lauderdale & Turkey Day

with my family -- so I decided to go to visit MY FAMILY this Thanksgiving alone. I flew down on Wednesday and just got back on Monday. What a GREAT decision that was!!! I haven't been down to see my family in way too long to count. It was great. I stayed at my parents. I left my house at 3:15 AM to drive to BWI. My flight was at 7 AM. I got to the airport around 4 am. Checked in my luggage, went thru security and was sitting at the gate by 4:49 am. Read my book "Eat, Pray, Love" until boarding. Flight took off on time (yep imagine that!). It was a two hour and one minute flight. Pilot made sure he emphasized that "one minute". Ha, ha. My brother (Kev) picked me up at the airport. I got the royal tour of the beach highway A1A to see all the new hotels, condos, leftovers from Wilma, etc. It was a beautiful day -- chilly by some standards but 75 is not chilly to me. Sunny, blue skies with billowing white clouds in the sky. So glad I decided it was time to visit.

After my tour, Kev took me to Mom & Dad's who of course were waiting anxiously for their eldest to finally arrive. We visited and Kev stayed awhile too. Then he left to go help his wife cooking because she was the chef for our feast to happen the next day. He kept bringing dishes over to put in the fridge, appetizers, side dishes, salads, etc. We were gboing to be eating all day long.

Mom, Dad and I were off to Carrabas for dinner Wednesday nite. It was good too. But we were all waiting and anticipating our very special Thanksgiving Get-Together the next day. There was much to catch up on and we did it too.

Thursday all we did was eat appetizers, dips, and the meal. OMG the meal. What can I say. My SIL & brother did themselves proud. It was WONDERFUL!!!! Beer, wine, mighty fine too as you can see from the pics below!!

Dad & Mom enjoying the appetizers.

Karen, Beth (SIL), & Lynn (my sis) having some liquid refreshments!!!!

Us again but my niece, Kris, told her mom, Beth, to stop looking silly. While drinking wine, how do you not look silly??? And what's the purpose?

The food, the company, the weather, nothing could have been any better than it was! We truly had a magical time with one another. So much so that I can't wait to go back for Christmas. Three weeks and I'll be back down there to spend yet another holiday in Florida. It was 75-80 most days (cool by my Mom's standards) but absolutely perfect to me. Shorts, T-shirt & Sandals - P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!!!

Me & My Sis!!!!

As you can see, Dad took advantage of all the good food. He wasn't the only one enjoying our holiday. Lots of smiles, hugging and catching up. Long overdue. Can't let it be that long in the future.

Kris, her boyfriend Issac, Mike and CJ playing before eating.

Greg, Kev, Beth, & Lynn on the patio. I just barely got part of Mom in the pic too.

So then on Friday it was clean out the garage, pull down tree and decorate the inside and outside of the house day. You can see that the outside looks great thanks to my sis, Lynn, her hubby, Greg, and my niece, Courtney or CJ as I call her. They did a GREAT job.

More pics to come after Christmas visit. Can't wait. I will actually have pics to scrap in my albums. Hmmm such a concept.