tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38294603432014639522024-03-13T04:23:09.269-04:00A Little Bit of ThatYea...SPRING has SPRUNG!!!!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-16825290082781639742009-05-25T16:49:00.002-04:002009-05-25T16:51:50.042-04:00Happy Memorial Day!!!!THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CURRENT, PAST, AND FUTURE VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND OTHER LOVED ONES. WITHOUT YOU, OUR GREAT NATION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. THESE ARE THE DAYS WHERE WE ALL NEED TO STAND UP, SAY THANK YOU AND FEEL BLESSED FOR THE SERVICES THESE WONDERFUL FOLKS PROVIDE FOR US SO THAT WE CAN LIVE FREE IN THIS GREAT NATION. THANK YOU DOES NOT SEEM ENOUGH BUT IT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO ALL TODAY. APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE AND BE THANKFUL THAT OTHERS HAVE GIVEN UP SO MUCH FOR US TO HAVE WHAT WE DO.<br /><br />HUGS TO ALL,<br />KTTTT....................................Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-85961349611927606302009-05-13T17:14:00.006-04:002009-05-13T17:51:57.745-04:00Still hibernating...Well I was moving along hot and heavy there for awhile but then it got the best of me. I've successfully missed posting in the month of April and half of May. But that doesn't mean I have been sitting idle, no actually that would be an understatement. <div><div><div><div><div><div><br />So this year has been very weird. Many happenings good and bad. And they just keep giving. Right now a dear friend (my age) has had two strokes in a six day period. The plaque is breaking off between his corroded artery and his brain so there is no way to stop the blood flow because you just can't do that to the brain without severe side affects (DEATH). So they are trying to fix him by giving him medicine. His first stroke occurred while at home in West Virginia. Then after being released he and his wife decided to go to the beach for a relaxing Mom's Day. Well the second stroke happened on Saturday in OC. So we all learned that Berlin, MD is the home of a stroke center in their hospital where he has been through 1 pm today. He is currently in route back to West Virginia by ambulance which had to be contracted for and since it is departing from Maryland, you MUST have a certified EMT in the State of Maryland riding in the ambulance. And the poor guy doesn't have insurance so the story just goes on. Hopefully his ride today will be uneventful and we can get him back to the rehab center in Martinsburg (that would accept him without insurance for a hefty fee) for them to make his right arm work again. Since Buddy is an auto mechanic and that is their livelihood, it is imperative that he gets it working again. Knowing him, I believe he can. However, we must get the problem resolved too. That is another thing for the doctors to fix before the plaque breaks off again. We aren't sure right now what is next. But say some prayers again for him please. Seems like that's all I've been asking for this year. But it's for another worthy cause who truly needs it. </div><div> </div><div>I apologize to Rosemary and Jana for not following up on all the challenges going on at their Opus-Gluei site but I have been doing things at home. Like my comfort foods are ba-sketti (or spaghetti as others call it) and mashed potatoes. Those always seem to be the foods of choice unless ice cream is involved and then it's hands down ice cream. I had other items identified to do but just never got to them. I will try to do better but not sure when that will actually be.</div><div> </div><div>I wanted to post the cards I made for the "Aunties" for Mom's Day. I also made one for my MIL which I took to the cemetery on Mom's Day too. Just felt like it was something I had to do too. Then I went and visited with my aunties and had dinner with them. When I got home, I called my Mom in Florida and talked to her and my dad for quite awhile. They liked the cards too. It was a nice Mom's Day too.</div><div> </div><div>This is my Aunt Fran's card.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYFnFVVPDN-jMlDVSgOdcIIiU98by4Lqv4lgRQp3C6yVlJi4shs2TROFsHiAenAVFNkNLt1848JDJj7XYWXRN3yEp8ymFKl3e0zHpk4Ed8CadeS7mhsnvPAVXMaU4RBDuxdvYW-9El4Y/s1600-h/IMGP0001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335426936074070962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYFnFVVPDN-jMlDVSgOdcIIiU98by4Lqv4lgRQp3C6yVlJi4shs2TROFsHiAenAVFNkNLt1848JDJj7XYWXRN3yEp8ymFKl3e0zHpk4Ed8CadeS7mhsnvPAVXMaU4RBDuxdvYW-9El4Y/s320/IMGP0001.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>All the insides said "Rock" in same color as the "MY" on cover.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2MmuqWACh2oyT7FnOF7dN6PUtyNAGTsmmkr6eY1ywRL3-rT7xjAF3jOizR_bGTFntedwJjnsP9VwLUTpQn3CcBK5BOjmK_o9H1XWkzzFr9diuBtWky7sVRQE5OO1IiferLCKw6RH0KA/s1600-h/IMGP0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335426939468735618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2MmuqWACh2oyT7FnOF7dN6PUtyNAGTsmmkr6eY1ywRL3-rT7xjAF3jOizR_bGTFntedwJjnsP9VwLUTpQn3CcBK5BOjmK_o9H1XWkzzFr9diuBtWky7sVRQE5OO1IiferLCKw6RH0KA/s320/IMGP0002.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This is my Aunt Blanche's card.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO6Rc41NzozSbAe3mOQUh6iiQUcoqN59tXcqaoGY5QDTRrVT7h09zzWRKTyVugKMa-0Q_mB03EiJUJD47I6QaVd25fypCNu4kmPvW_4DwiXOzuRWcZWMjGaLgemvy7v2vpA150JpEKuU/s1600-h/IMGP0013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335426949896619314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO6Rc41NzozSbAe3mOQUh6iiQUcoqN59tXcqaoGY5QDTRrVT7h09zzWRKTyVugKMa-0Q_mB03EiJUJD47I6QaVd25fypCNu4kmPvW_4DwiXOzuRWcZWMjGaLgemvy7v2vpA150JpEKuU/s320/IMGP0013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And this is my Aunt Ag's card.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTxTvryIXiOTF-kO4pVRrTo39fobwKZF21daSnxFODfzgY23GEZ-JqzOWmwtDC79nNSHcwGXJHJZV8omSI0FgcGAQbZhazhBaERmY3oNjchUfI4o-dsdNJRQMsm3RqFVAXY1w2sSYG2w/s1600-h/IMGP0005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335426944356373666" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTxTvryIXiOTF-kO4pVRrTo39fobwKZF21daSnxFODfzgY23GEZ-JqzOWmwtDC79nNSHcwGXJHJZV8omSI0FgcGAQbZhazhBaERmY3oNjchUfI4o-dsdNJRQMsm3RqFVAXY1w2sSYG2w/s320/IMGP0005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And this is my MIL's card.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv27at1lhvLlqmwDRYA9RmdxQcxnGZ3cizIsyBbzZJVsP1nA6JPllefZkbOT4o1aVtdO_V2T6tqqdgrezUERsYxSCDNnMt0jydFBhuyt1XkzZ0uV6fg_HkO3vMZGVVfjDA-rY3yIosic/s1600-h/IMGP0015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335428313397341698" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv27at1lhvLlqmwDRYA9RmdxQcxnGZ3cizIsyBbzZJVsP1nA6JPllefZkbOT4o1aVtdO_V2T6tqqdgrezUERsYxSCDNnMt0jydFBhuyt1XkzZ0uV6fg_HkO3vMZGVVfjDA-rY3yIosic/s320/IMGP0015.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr44brHv5M-rdSXo5A0KP6KMeyqN3SlAayjVwkwxmjkAokFpVr5A7ADlGrmFeYz_DMzBs6-oKRnpgdmG2NGpdNCQ19OL-5ltddZOJZjPXjQTTW79ZhSjcEL5aXG1BjsPL11GP8cXy15E/s1600-h/IMGP0016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335428314124742210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr44brHv5M-rdSXo5A0KP6KMeyqN3SlAayjVwkwxmjkAokFpVr5A7ADlGrmFeYz_DMzBs6-oKRnpgdmG2NGpdNCQ19OL-5ltddZOJZjPXjQTTW79ZhSjcEL5aXG1BjsPL11GP8cXy15E/s320/IMGP0016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Oh and my uncle doesn't know it yet, but he's getting an "Uncle" card for Dad's day so he doesn't feel left out. </div><div> </div><div>This is my Uncle Red's card.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97vntOa64muKvVe6amXC0b_ICRE3TaT2vx_eHjUpI3PyVQfGVwAdjk-nQ5rY923fJ8VL8l7J63oVP5J0fkxehUJn7dIqdvJYly1ehO9vdV_ah744obXFtFA8OAI1zONVuoeSqrDp_r20/s1600-h/IMGP0018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335428319143753970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97vntOa64muKvVe6amXC0b_ICRE3TaT2vx_eHjUpI3PyVQfGVwAdjk-nQ5rY923fJ8VL8l7J63oVP5J0fkxehUJn7dIqdvJYly1ehO9vdV_ah744obXFtFA8OAI1zONVuoeSqrDp_r20/s320/IMGP0018.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>BTW I'm Flakey - hmm are you really surprised!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlF-zyxtxwkGJMQ5bhTnRgwTYet5u7pxAJPYzKjECM4spj2hOktneV3VUEF9J40-1cWjjLAGQf81uxwCyAkiSDSndLogXEA4vXkY2ic3NRr3F3s7np0XKIYgAGLeHPU0dvPQpPtyDnJY/s1600-h/IMGP0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335428321294702562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlF-zyxtxwkGJMQ5bhTnRgwTYet5u7pxAJPYzKjECM4spj2hOktneV3VUEF9J40-1cWjjLAGQf81uxwCyAkiSDSndLogXEA4vXkY2ic3NRr3F3s7np0XKIYgAGLeHPU0dvPQpPtyDnJY/s320/IMGP0019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I made the cards with pictures of them from the years that I acquired from my MIL's house and scanned into the computer. Pretty cool huh??? And I used alphabet letters which I have had forever too. All in all, it was a very fun and rewarding project! Ok, fun anyway!</div><div> </div><div>Well that's all I have for right now but I wanted to post something to show that I'm still here. I have a meeting tonight I must attend for the MC HPC (Monkey County Historic Preservation Commission) to deny our request for vinyl siding on my grandmom's house that we still own and rent out. You see it's located in Takoma Park in Monkey County MD and it was declared a historic property because it's a Sears house. Neat you say. No way!!! With that wonderful distinction, it means that you MUST follow all the HPC regulations BEFORE you change the property at all. So we have been paying to paint the wood house every 3-5 years because if you don't you get cited from the City. Then if you don't do it right, you get cited by the City. And if you don't cut your grass, cut the trees, take down the ivy, etc., etc., you get cited by the City. And it's just such a wonderful distinction that you pay more and more money to Monkey County to try and meet the requirements. So I am making Monkey County take the time and research the request to only deny the request but at least I feel a little better because some of my tax money was spent on their salaries to do the research. What a bunch of crap!!! Anyway that is at 7:30 in downtown Silver Spring so I must leave in a bit to go down 29 to get there. Oh joy!!! We should have sold the damn house when we lost my grandmom back in 88. Then it would be someone else's problem. Now we pay and boy do we pay. </div><div> </div><div>Sorry for the rambling but that's the breaks. Watch what you wish for and do your research on historic properties before you buy them. Or in our case, if you already own it and they designate it historic, then you get to pay whopping fees to the government in order to maintain the property you already own. Quite a racket if I do say so myself!!! </div><div><br />Well hope all are well. Hugs to all & I'll be back on later.</div><div>KTTTT....................................</div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-73494415160150966932009-03-30T16:12:00.019-04:002009-03-31T11:19:13.279-04:00I Wrote A Poem...<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Lightning is going to strike. Hell is going to freeze over. The oceans are going to part. Stand back, Karen wrote a poem for the Aunts this weekend. Wow, imagine that. What is happening to me? I don't know. I'm really beginning to scare myself what with yoga, trying to take care of ME, reading spiritual type books, agreeing to meet John's family for Easter brunch, planning on going to do the Stations of the Cross (OMG Rosemary I haven't done it since grade school -- that's like ancient history... and I had to look it up on the Internet for a refresher lesson but I think I'm ready), and all the other changes I've been making. But there was a very important reason that sparked the poem, really there was. You see last Tuesday we lost another one of our family icons, Uncle Johnny died of cardiac arrest. Uncle John sat by Cecilia's side during her month long fight after her stroke. He was her older brother. So what was five is now down to three. Only the Aunties remain. So last week was a time of visiting and grieving. Tomorrow is the viewing and Wednesday is the funeral for yet another family legend. </div><br /><div>So I visited two of John's Aunts (Fran & Ag) that live alone in Laurel last Wednesday nite. The third Aunt (Blanche) lives with her hubby of many years (Leland) in Oxon Hill. All I remember is that's out there near Andrews AFB but the other side of the world for me. So while thinking about Uncle John and realizing how lucky we were to have him for all these years and how lucky he was to go so quickly and not suffer endlessly, I decided to write a poem to show my feelings. I would then create cards and send to the three sisters to show them how much they mean to us. It goes like this:</div><div></div><br /><div>Although we may not talk every day,</div><div>Although we may not always say it out loud,</div><div>We love you more than words can convey.<br /></div><br /><div>That's it. Short, sweet and to the point. So now what do I do. Hmmm, well I have all these silly pens I have bought over the years. And I seem to remember taking a calligraphy class way back when. Do you think I might be able to use that skill? I will try. So try I did. And I wrote out the poem three times (yes, Rosemary & Jana, it's in my own handwriting). I then attached card stock to it and then made three cards. I had to put something in to represent my being known as the "flaky" or "crazy" niece because I love them all dearly and I don't always see their point of view so they have thought I was always a little flaky. Imagine that!!! Karen flaky. No way! At least I have an excuse cuz I married into that family I was not born into it naturally. Hmmm, excuse or mistake...... Well the QuicKutz egg with the chick feet coming out just cracked me up -- get it!!! So I put the Revolution size on the cards. I love the result. I used flowers, ribbons, scrap card stock, stickles, buttons, and pens. I even went and bought colored envelopes to meet the festive nature of the occasion. I hope they will love them as much as I loved doing them. Pictures are included. Oh yeah and I had to give credit to John Frank (their actual blood nephew and my hubby) on the card but I signed my name first. Hee, hee...<br /></div><br /><div>Enjoy the pics. I'll be off line again for a few but I'll be back! I promise with more stupid thoughts from flaky Karen.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH_hnDwIEYUuhOiKLD6h042d4pCnYR7yYxwBf5hhBTlI8qeSJCUWafsRZSji4q5Hhm4Okjn7GLtLfJrbZoJBCzzi_ZGfVY7T1a5tOevNkJVt2yUvZ16kBB3EmQJpxqfB_hbdKEiHZqFA/s1600-h/IMGP0193-easter+cards+-+all+three.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319369108722364610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH_hnDwIEYUuhOiKLD6h042d4pCnYR7yYxwBf5hhBTlI8qeSJCUWafsRZSji4q5Hhm4Okjn7GLtLfJrbZoJBCzzi_ZGfVY7T1a5tOevNkJVt2yUvZ16kBB3EmQJpxqfB_hbdKEiHZqFA/s320/IMGP0193-easter+cards+-+all+three.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5prO2713u7n-AOeb6W8IjnHCVOLviYaT_tWE2kqjC6MObC8Z-uC41rBlR0CWrgSvOoqFemuL6AdxPqvkHpWsFC3hC7qK9JjozeH9HIJeX8n-4fT7lCFFWJ7ij9r3uX4a4tdRafgUXdKI/s1600-h/IMGP0191-more+easter.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319369842037913682" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5prO2713u7n-AOeb6W8IjnHCVOLviYaT_tWE2kqjC6MObC8Z-uC41rBlR0CWrgSvOoqFemuL6AdxPqvkHpWsFC3hC7qK9JjozeH9HIJeX8n-4fT7lCFFWJ7ij9r3uX4a4tdRafgUXdKI/s320/IMGP0191-more+easter.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr5ZLBX5DKRHEXZA4VklcqenmW6tXq9WLzzHhXOIoCXsFH3zk_lnMKL2ks-r6U7burjLNrMPoI3Jm2Mk24U7o5gtbkAbsKWFLPkQurdVzxAckYJK4UCY0rOLXP-xIyWkdynG-OYszM0o/s1600-h/IMGP0391-all+3+close+up.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319369854042552194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr5ZLBX5DKRHEXZA4VklcqenmW6tXq9WLzzHhXOIoCXsFH3zk_lnMKL2ks-r6U7burjLNrMPoI3Jm2Mk24U7o5gtbkAbsKWFLPkQurdVzxAckYJK4UCY0rOLXP-xIyWkdynG-OYszM0o/s320/IMGP0391-all+3+close+up.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbBjBpqczv6tkt9CkgKf_tULboi0KPQVqwhcgCQIlxvUzwiR5asSof9FRv-uy3efAo3_sy1fjOoXZMlzkOvID5yF-vyvikpiKI-KhjwxfPfPO1p2x3UwSki9eUfTKTLrFcHSqzp3m524/s1600-h/IMGP0190-easter+poem.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319369838032106114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbBjBpqczv6tkt9CkgKf_tULboi0KPQVqwhcgCQIlxvUzwiR5asSof9FRv-uy3efAo3_sy1fjOoXZMlzkOvID5yF-vyvikpiKI-KhjwxfPfPO1p2x3UwSki9eUfTKTLrFcHSqzp3m524/s320/IMGP0190-easter+poem.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnFwgFVPunhdgVqhhJj32WssZ2glDabYLCiE6PIOx8x3BxFCUh7IPAUicd0aNhyDqFWudYpTHwoNcHCHLDrXJrWQW9SZQ9KTAS3KlvxCHnKQO75BAWLn5YVtxQqeqK_x3p99ot9gjNfU/s1600-h/IMGP0195-green+easter.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319370293547493650" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnFwgFVPunhdgVqhhJj32WssZ2glDabYLCiE6PIOx8x3BxFCUh7IPAUicd0aNhyDqFWudYpTHwoNcHCHLDrXJrWQW9SZQ9KTAS3KlvxCHnKQO75BAWLn5YVtxQqeqK_x3p99ot9gjNfU/s320/IMGP0195-green+easter.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1PZfHFjo1yP2PNARMmhHfC1ZAYBZIfHDtgwD8CmeNdMajxgzEe-jW0ce_2I0NAK4SC4wIT4UYaUUKUCmb5rbVLw4Q0GgeITRjK1Oi90A0ep2Khg_beWZyvmKStTRD6lTC-KMAge27bY/s1600-h/IMGP0194-purple.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319370293204119682" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1PZfHFjo1yP2PNARMmhHfC1ZAYBZIfHDtgwD8CmeNdMajxgzEe-jW0ce_2I0NAK4SC4wIT4UYaUUKUCmb5rbVLw4Q0GgeITRjK1Oi90A0ep2Khg_beWZyvmKStTRD6lTC-KMAge27bY/s320/IMGP0194-purple.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8yT4-qzzF9MIIeCN467koE-YElxf7so_bVyRkKP5E-IZGj4Tt-SbfJuEIfFry-DgJwOgO4uqatZ2ilHKxEULbLRO2dI_2ofitArMxmcoX6gUAehqc9zKKRz1HBmjjQkgdzJav-qTKtc/s1600-h/IMGP0394-blanche-kimono.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319370660242009810" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8yT4-qzzF9MIIeCN467koE-YElxf7so_bVyRkKP5E-IZGj4Tt-SbfJuEIfFry-DgJwOgO4uqatZ2ilHKxEULbLRO2dI_2ofitArMxmcoX6gUAehqc9zKKRz1HBmjjQkgdzJav-qTKtc/s320/IMGP0394-blanche-kimono.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Take care and hugs to ya all (my loyal now three readers!!!)</div><div>KTTTT..........................</div><br /><div>P.S. I didn't know that Chartreuse & Co. was only open once a month. Bummer!!! I went back Saturday to get more bracelets, Ro, cuz I thought those would make great presents for upcoming birthdays. Too bad I didn't think about with you. Next month's dates are around the 17-19th. .</div><br /><div>P.P.S. Here's my pin Rosemary! See it is three colors!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiTwouscWQrT6HqD7o6n21Fwe9YOQCnFm24Wppn3JF0vhbTRNX1GzgeLROqGj_PuOQXqhTXjFJk2b5PWfaQ31qirn5e33fqIABubxs0H8-EhdRgp5OBkGjIjS_3dpEW7R5sjZKcybLmw/s1600-h/IMGP0389-blurry+pin.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319369110402408194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiTwouscWQrT6HqD7o6n21Fwe9YOQCnFm24Wppn3JF0vhbTRNX1GzgeLROqGj_PuOQXqhTXjFJk2b5PWfaQ31qirn5e33fqIABubxs0H8-EhdRgp5OBkGjIjS_3dpEW7R5sjZKcybLmw/s320/IMGP0389-blurry+pin.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-29097510024796316132009-03-22T22:07:00.013-04:002009-03-22T22:35:21.404-04:00Opus Gluei Spring ChallengeOk so Rosemary and Jana put out a challenge to do something that showed the signs of Spring in your own way. Well I started this morning and finished my project from start to finish. Now don’t expect this every time you set up a challenge but this one was just too much fun to not complete it all at once. I even took time out to go help my hubby today when he called from the office frantic because he needed my help. (Yeah Rosemary, lightning is going to strike yet!!! But it’s a real good thing! I took care of paying bills for him and that meant he got another two hours to work on others taxes as that is his livelihood and he’s quite busy right now.) So I came back to my craft room and started from scratch. I had jotted down some thoughts. Now I had to make them come to life. So what does Spring mean to me….<br />Birds Chirping<br />Flowers Blooming<br />Sweet Ocean Breezes<br />Colors Popping<br />Walks Outside<br />Climbing Mountains<br />Blue Skies<br />Silly Girls Playing Dress-up<br />More Flowers Blooming<br />Pretty Views<br />Enjoying Life<br />Sounds of life at 75/80 again<br />Cruising TOPLESS<br />Blasting FREEBIRD<br /><br />So take a look at my little book of Spring. I even used my Bind-it-all to put it together tonight. I hope you like the result.<br /><br />Hugs to ya,<br />KTTTT………………………….<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzpAntKswTrgQMEaXzcnlXKuDr8bfg15kjrkB-K-PodloZv1i_eEJYQ3cwfjdFu6PsnCEbyv5o1jZ7MhEqEFhX3cRote2Vvi2CQCcUDvZcS4aolmFAjovqzZb100KQac-AhL2IcCSQiA/s1600-h/IMGP0359.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316199704466124450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzpAntKswTrgQMEaXzcnlXKuDr8bfg15kjrkB-K-PodloZv1i_eEJYQ3cwfjdFu6PsnCEbyv5o1jZ7MhEqEFhX3cRote2Vvi2CQCcUDvZcS4aolmFAjovqzZb100KQac-AhL2IcCSQiA/s320/IMGP0359.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFxe6yb5LujLItVrNI_VcLr5eu_2KqM6fHp-JDbrFMc8H8DpFIdZZul6g64nIIkGW0ETCi6mThNW4cJppubn3ULwFu8W4CwP6qCsokfoCKirYAmT6vSK6e-8tthK7ZbEFiiptq_wwmKk/s1600-h/IMGP0360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316199716433916722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFxe6yb5LujLItVrNI_VcLr5eu_2KqM6fHp-JDbrFMc8H8DpFIdZZul6g64nIIkGW0ETCi6mThNW4cJppubn3ULwFu8W4CwP6qCsokfoCKirYAmT6vSK6e-8tthK7ZbEFiiptq_wwmKk/s320/IMGP0360.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE-Ba9NFwdaSjY2LVzUrZWtWaOCykEu-s6UsYd0GWnjamXgeMJh2MfW7rvS0dIU2UvNgEzgh-kQ7C1MjsoAvPYHqJ7c8APnvSsPthSvjsZQn6_uHtFTnvLXahdTP69xYa-CPW_bjuCwY/s1600-h/IMGP0368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316199729979780034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE-Ba9NFwdaSjY2LVzUrZWtWaOCykEu-s6UsYd0GWnjamXgeMJh2MfW7rvS0dIU2UvNgEzgh-kQ7C1MjsoAvPYHqJ7c8APnvSsPthSvjsZQn6_uHtFTnvLXahdTP69xYa-CPW_bjuCwY/s320/IMGP0368.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY73PoE7L0JHSCaozAQrhTrV9ugGDFoK9HFsKQHtTA23svgRpjQA-BBGdU1Y1FY79uBHmZKmZTnRhfmwU3z4o_s_yusyZZ8faMhRNXlBXTw0NVw7W6EnZvclmi7nQ-QVCmfVfHqBB8DA/s1600-h/IMGP0369.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316199729028242770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY73PoE7L0JHSCaozAQrhTrV9ugGDFoK9HFsKQHtTA23svgRpjQA-BBGdU1Y1FY79uBHmZKmZTnRhfmwU3z4o_s_yusyZZ8faMhRNXlBXTw0NVw7W6EnZvclmi7nQ-QVCmfVfHqBB8DA/s320/IMGP0369.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Id8P2UmGLxPZ5XjdHml3ETRXZ9LxC0Rc5bOxCtYu27jbfsOxTUZ3qicQDVtjASrVtL6JT4dHFpR1vvcJxlpZHc240AWe9WNQiEYF8FVfQQJB6dpkEo_SD7zgXRLuaMB9OYKKFTLWt6A/s1600-h/IMGP0370.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316200764866391090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Id8P2UmGLxPZ5XjdHml3ETRXZ9LxC0Rc5bOxCtYu27jbfsOxTUZ3qicQDVtjASrVtL6JT4dHFpR1vvcJxlpZHc240AWe9WNQiEYF8FVfQQJB6dpkEo_SD7zgXRLuaMB9OYKKFTLWt6A/s320/IMGP0370.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PxUyGBbmt6l7wXFAxCMer-lWYlZH5E_H84x5L9Wx2uQZKfviPQtmA2Mg2kK_Zu0TE5yl8DQAYi7uWD1IHd-zCWPKAXFqvuEAABV4UOjcvP5BEi9Y7Dc4Yi_RkmQeWtSxM5cut-ZYIig/s1600-h/IMGP0371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316200772888351842" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PxUyGBbmt6l7wXFAxCMer-lWYlZH5E_H84x5L9Wx2uQZKfviPQtmA2Mg2kK_Zu0TE5yl8DQAYi7uWD1IHd-zCWPKAXFqvuEAABV4UOjcvP5BEi9Y7Dc4Yi_RkmQeWtSxM5cut-ZYIig/s320/IMGP0371.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGsAVWlS_OwRQ2tLeRULRCghgDBBCO_aXTIWfIvHEB-XstqdHp9z1iUckV5mlIDso1u0XRmWhjc7TFnjcp33nyqScWC0-aLyGV5_XIb5y_z8CPXIDvLCRempJqeajY7MNrfMs7-TfhYU/s1600-h/IMGP0372.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316200771494809970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGsAVWlS_OwRQ2tLeRULRCghgDBBCO_aXTIWfIvHEB-XstqdHp9z1iUckV5mlIDso1u0XRmWhjc7TFnjcp33nyqScWC0-aLyGV5_XIb5y_z8CPXIDvLCRempJqeajY7MNrfMs7-TfhYU/s320/IMGP0372.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeSvomYHgK_lbCln6RdfBzH7fwrj_GOy-hXO9VFr-w-js_5oJoQ0xKvFOTw4LcWVo7haIAEp_fdSym3Q-UHsj8J59btADtebCcGzTaRzU_Cw8xU06VOufAGfgsHkaVLS6hn7f4cYIYkU/s1600-h/IMGP0373.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316200777633203938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeSvomYHgK_lbCln6RdfBzH7fwrj_GOy-hXO9VFr-w-js_5oJoQ0xKvFOTw4LcWVo7haIAEp_fdSym3Q-UHsj8J59btADtebCcGzTaRzU_Cw8xU06VOufAGfgsHkaVLS6hn7f4cYIYkU/s320/IMGP0373.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEZuY09VQittbXTa_xpd7_q6iDuTFJl4hr3hkCEkZdX3V2TU8qC4HQ6EJp0IOWphvnpy8HgsJG_G8wKpTKOKSdeBbva2NcjBI1XBmqcTqUjYzqnBY7cmweMPJj0wnsVVi_GeLdAALNJw/s1600-h/IMGP0374.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316204255552020306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEZuY09VQittbXTa_xpd7_q6iDuTFJl4hr3hkCEkZdX3V2TU8qC4HQ6EJp0IOWphvnpy8HgsJG_G8wKpTKOKSdeBbva2NcjBI1XBmqcTqUjYzqnBY7cmweMPJj0wnsVVi_GeLdAALNJw/s320/IMGP0374.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MfTh2cccVMn7xtBYgA57NFyxXGwIcmbkrpfE98supWhco0Y4IS6WNdQqswRIN90vmf3H-kH2HgaorC-wffPBhTQaCpa1p_ZMSNRR-FHquWm-pvI18RODdboqD0d1LxG682IIeQZ37JA/s1600-h/IMGP0375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316202322202255634" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MfTh2cccVMn7xtBYgA57NFyxXGwIcmbkrpfE98supWhco0Y4IS6WNdQqswRIN90vmf3H-kH2HgaorC-wffPBhTQaCpa1p_ZMSNRR-FHquWm-pvI18RODdboqD0d1LxG682IIeQZ37JA/s320/IMGP0375.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt83R55w3ZvItgD_whJ9-JGlgYPVcXhsM4oqxdjgVQ-jRTvswyKyu6Shrv1_mWibjsUZnDYYBqQAAZEXzys9PpdxUqkjCuTl-Ccgp6O02xbBn-sDVH9s8wIzHPdMzGNuIGSW8lxvftlo/s1600-h/IMGP0376.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316202323024747826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt83R55w3ZvItgD_whJ9-JGlgYPVcXhsM4oqxdjgVQ-jRTvswyKyu6Shrv1_mWibjsUZnDYYBqQAAZEXzys9PpdxUqkjCuTl-Ccgp6O02xbBn-sDVH9s8wIzHPdMzGNuIGSW8lxvftlo/s320/IMGP0376.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWmV98zgWmA7z_oKiRX6P7-a9-pd4zMNk_Et4muzUYwPxyHfYFMznaSYxYgv7T9Vp8eaJO0_iUUWVgdq0hk1lC19GcklrjH2rDvd_SXhwsp6osd7XoZ7zEx9U_MIWJceKO6Styo6Ack8/s1600-h/IMGP0377.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316200783575239586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWmV98zgWmA7z_oKiRX6P7-a9-pd4zMNk_Et4muzUYwPxyHfYFMznaSYxYgv7T9Vp8eaJO0_iUUWVgdq0hk1lC19GcklrjH2rDvd_SXhwsp6osd7XoZ7zEx9U_MIWJceKO6Styo6Ack8/s320/IMGP0377.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzAaHMTFgLgnACgjdZOYXSLBnQcGASfiQh7IwxdhAh6vozPYtY4uW2J9gU5zdC8oNQA-H9OVbShkjor7xChOugW5Xy5WwMGFBhPJX4GtXu8eWgyEeb2uMWVujgXm1aJARWzMyZ_oEBvw/s1600-h/IMGP0378.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316202305285090786" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzAaHMTFgLgnACgjdZOYXSLBnQcGASfiQh7IwxdhAh6vozPYtY4uW2J9gU5zdC8oNQA-H9OVbShkjor7xChOugW5Xy5WwMGFBhPJX4GtXu8eWgyEeb2uMWVujgXm1aJARWzMyZ_oEBvw/s320/IMGP0378.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnAhz4vkLbv5Fc86BM-YWz8r4cIJjk3zI_S8R_BZTdqBn7Yfug3P4XFyt0pRBllzTdjVExtqm7BYUCDPNm0ziYbwMBG9_GexuKFdh8NtLp0mjE15JDrnF_3pki8_v6GVPAt_Dfq6aM_M/s1600-h/IMGP0379.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316204265914769426" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnAhz4vkLbv5Fc86BM-YWz8r4cIJjk3zI_S8R_BZTdqBn7Yfug3P4XFyt0pRBllzTdjVExtqm7BYUCDPNm0ziYbwMBG9_GexuKFdh8NtLp0mjE15JDrnF_3pki8_v6GVPAt_Dfq6aM_M/s320/IMGP0379.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYLV0eH0IeG-4vkqmd81v4BL6MQ36XiPE0KqWznymztiVlXn5LFxhSrkqXZ4Ac8ybn3QgyXv1Q2J_f_U4Y5sTa4LQeY8OwNaf5WHP1wStm3I29mdDKJAf_4B-QzjYDn88htQbeIjcqok/s1600-h/IMGP0380.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316204278306686754" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYLV0eH0IeG-4vkqmd81v4BL6MQ36XiPE0KqWznymztiVlXn5LFxhSrkqXZ4Ac8ybn3QgyXv1Q2J_f_U4Y5sTa4LQeY8OwNaf5WHP1wStm3I29mdDKJAf_4B-QzjYDn88htQbeIjcqok/s320/IMGP0380.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7dvVMnb7J7SOVwSkhXdbdU3WR_BSeab3cRyAOUFzE-5_WwEwfCLrh4NKZcYpRSgJB2rVNGs-m74dNtA7s_riIVyY1BqsMF3mdQTI3-LhxKY_I44wV_c14BqNgu7srr6aqJNzcSm4dxU/s1600-h/IMGP0383.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316204277218292578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7dvVMnb7J7SOVwSkhXdbdU3WR_BSeab3cRyAOUFzE-5_WwEwfCLrh4NKZcYpRSgJB2rVNGs-m74dNtA7s_riIVyY1BqsMF3mdQTI3-LhxKY_I44wV_c14BqNgu7srr6aqJNzcSm4dxU/s320/IMGP0383.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOFnzwOb_GB_RRJOmwvS7pN-bFVyu1PvkFukm9BfqJ531rEIiUFwb-6Hze6E9BethkBWxGovh5YZCJzjLK0hV8ozfUoSGvQAJHVFWS-_rRverZ_Ze5aSUZMeU7e18NY3aKQGpcbome3k/s1600-h/IMGP0384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316204285639193090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOFnzwOb_GB_RRJOmwvS7pN-bFVyu1PvkFukm9BfqJ531rEIiUFwb-6Hze6E9BethkBWxGovh5YZCJzjLK0hV8ozfUoSGvQAJHVFWS-_rRverZ_Ze5aSUZMeU7e18NY3aKQGpcbome3k/s320/IMGP0384.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-7841060884519394762009-03-21T19:14:00.011-04:002009-03-21T19:43:03.479-04:00What a great day<div><div><div><div><div><div>So Rosemary and I met up today for my initiation to Chartreuse & Co. WOW! It's a very cool place. Very much like Yesteryear Farms which used to be off Hipsley Mill Road in Damascus (but no one seems to remember that wonderful place so maybe I was dreaming it). Nawwww. But today we went antiquing thru barns, cottages, outside sheds, and other hang-outs on this wonderful old farm in Buckeystown, MD. What a find. Thanks Casii for introducing it to Rosemary so she could introduce it to me too. We both came home with goodies. We got some bracelets and some old hats. We put the hats on and had our pictures taken. We were driving around after our shopping spree and after talking to Jana while going up the stairs in the wonderful little cottage full of color on this little spree totally making her green with envy because she was just down in Virginia Beach popping out the pages and projects all by herself (yep she was having fun too just in another state far away from us but we were together by phone). Anyway while driving around looking for Casii who was out with her youth group, we had our hats on. We were laughing and giggling and having loads of fun. We couldn't seem to find Casii so Rosemary called her home. We left a message and a little while later the phone rang. You see we had spent sooooooo much time on that wonderful farm that we had missed seeing Casii and her team on the side of the road. But many drivers that we passed had quite the faces when they saw us in our new hats. I think we looked very nice and ready for our Sunday-go-to-meeting type night but others may disagree. But we didn't care and we had a great time. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV5c95-ZgC2fGXsS0hHE-I9IsdykcNhelj4H3UhZYKywm0eqAsyctUhu8hULZSqX5BvjRyx0CxR6xxEfcldHzsOK0DhccdyQutnPGPEAUGANWnAtNF960pP8LzmkkifL5swZfBReRCB4/s1600-h/IMGP0340.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315786551292215698" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV5c95-ZgC2fGXsS0hHE-I9IsdykcNhelj4H3UhZYKywm0eqAsyctUhu8hULZSqX5BvjRyx0CxR6xxEfcldHzsOK0DhccdyQutnPGPEAUGANWnAtNF960pP8LzmkkifL5swZfBReRCB4/s320/IMGP0340.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFFvpd0QBtrn7_JMf0-6PmIqXTK7XBK1eixmvmngv28E15DJtGxaz3APWowEyRL1dRi5NeYoass7WgqG1z4No5qETWIE9BMzI62jyZseHnnXgr9gTRutHAoTZmlnp4J7WH0WVTCQfLus/s1600-h/IMGP0336.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315786526749080722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFFvpd0QBtrn7_JMf0-6PmIqXTK7XBK1eixmvmngv28E15DJtGxaz3APWowEyRL1dRi5NeYoass7WgqG1z4No5qETWIE9BMzI62jyZseHnnXgr9gTRutHAoTZmlnp4J7WH0WVTCQfLus/s320/IMGP0336.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Look at all the goodies just waiting for someone to take them home.<br /></div><div>Then we went up to Frederick to another quaint little shop run by a friend of Rosemary, sorry the name escapes me, but she has the best inventory of vintage clothing, shoes, jewelry and linens that I've seen in one place in a long time.</div><div> </div><div>Then off to the Candy Kitchen - dare I saw more and then to meet David for lunch/dinner at the Black Hog (is that right Rosemary) the best little BBQ joint in Frederick. WOW was that tasty too. I'm soooo full that I'm ready to pop. But it was entirely worth every bite.</div><div><br />Well here's some of our finds. Enjoy -- we sure did!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhyxNbZ0lmHfVYXS_X7KQygLpcROIvSa_q_rakZ8irybuXiJyb3x6Kf_5sSGcjpmKZ96kRcrdpAgTz3Z3cfmWOlmhvepFxlRbVj6sRPsS1j7G2gN4wSRdDNopd37F2w_EcRy-r-wHNRs/s1600-h/IMGP0337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315786545250651938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhyxNbZ0lmHfVYXS_X7KQygLpcROIvSa_q_rakZ8irybuXiJyb3x6Kf_5sSGcjpmKZ96kRcrdpAgTz3Z3cfmWOlmhvepFxlRbVj6sRPsS1j7G2gN4wSRdDNopd37F2w_EcRy-r-wHNRs/s320/IMGP0337.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK_c11tANIs11a80rMr76W1YYzDR3NPGMKXKHPwX_U0ZAJDMrJXULyoyIqSpPl1f-n_DdGZLzTCIt2mLtoOmS8Cu1yeDu04BZhwO1rwsFvisk1CjIvB8xuRp3J62nWuv-N-48CB8shyA/s1600-h/IMGP0332.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315786537158266418" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK_c11tANIs11a80rMr76W1YYzDR3NPGMKXKHPwX_U0ZAJDMrJXULyoyIqSpPl1f-n_DdGZLzTCIt2mLtoOmS8Cu1yeDu04BZhwO1rwsFvisk1CjIvB8xuRp3J62nWuv-N-48CB8shyA/s320/IMGP0332.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>gotta love finding things that you had growing up; you relive memories all over again and it's just cheap fun; we had a ball just telling each other who had what and how pretty everything looked in the colors and sections that were set up to show off all the beautiful things<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRWKt8wHAd04WMowIqJ38N2iFC5Blrx76ARjJhdjP8I8CtRphgms9GGPZb5QE0OOjcbr4Zhc-3qhILNmef9fS8u8mT7HZkELax2Wk-_SURAQsuynHuw3TFnswGDaLTUIpqj0EF5qTFMY/s1600-h/IMGP0349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315788228658364578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRWKt8wHAd04WMowIqJ38N2iFC5Blrx76ARjJhdjP8I8CtRphgms9GGPZb5QE0OOjcbr4Zhc-3qhILNmef9fS8u8mT7HZkELax2Wk-_SURAQsuynHuw3TFnswGDaLTUIpqj0EF5qTFMY/s320/IMGP0349.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkxg36JOp8oyw9RYHV-ZKBYy5CxTCtLPjLxyV2h8lKycW1_C79Cu-_YA1eMojZ1a3GmsW3Yxr2gjG4oVEUTf-M6zewakEjPSnc2VZLzf3lib8Bnw3stpKsl_2i4UCYLriovUAehhtGNY/s1600-h/IMGP0343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315788217228289986" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkxg36JOp8oyw9RYHV-ZKBYy5CxTCtLPjLxyV2h8lKycW1_C79Cu-_YA1eMojZ1a3GmsW3Yxr2gjG4oVEUTf-M6zewakEjPSnc2VZLzf3lib8Bnw3stpKsl_2i4UCYLriovUAehhtGNY/s320/IMGP0343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is my stash, including the bracelets, hat, beaded ring, little straw change purse. and wooden file box. The pretty little plate is Sanyo china from occupied Japan. It's a beautiful blue with silver trim. Pretty little find too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShNXnISI3ZwQEYaJ7ISjBPQieokWV67ADyx-95DF62xosAWDy2-N4_PAdvHci8r_gLseOem2sp29nqqAoOXkPaYfKexVzrBr9CtWkg4Y5cB6zmBvjaBttVYVTHc_ZuYiaC0aaDHO_wJk/s1600-h/IMGP0348.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315788204658537986" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShNXnISI3ZwQEYaJ7ISjBPQieokWV67ADyx-95DF62xosAWDy2-N4_PAdvHci8r_gLseOem2sp29nqqAoOXkPaYfKexVzrBr9CtWkg4Y5cB6zmBvjaBttVYVTHc_ZuYiaC0aaDHO_wJk/s320/IMGP0348.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Hugs to ya all,</div><div>KTTTT............................</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-23443884340689700922009-03-16T15:34:00.007-04:002009-03-16T16:09:03.647-04:00So what did you do this past weekend????Costco was advertising a special on a little machine that looks intriguing to me. It was this cute little inexpensive machine that you manually loaded and uploaded your negatives. Yeah those 35mm type negatives slot by slot. You can also do it with slides supposedly. So being the adventuresome idiot that I am, I got a new negative scanner that was cheap. So on Sunday, I actually scanned in 369 negatives. Yep, individually inserting the little holder, looking at each negative, scanning, saving, and moving on to do more. So I got a good start on many, many negatives in my possession. The funny part is that you can even do the little tiny ones but that will absolutely drive you crazy (or in my case crazier!!) as you have to adjust the negatives in the holder each time as those don't really match the holder opening itself. It's more of a slide type set up if you get my drift.<br />But my little sister's wedding pics, our wedding pics, some doggie pics, graduation, other old photos are loaded to the SD card that came with it. I saved the images to my computer and had my own little slide show last nite. Now I have to fix the upside down and backwards ones but hey they are now in a jpg file. How cool is that???<br />And I copied the 10 CDs (yes that would be 10 in total) that were scanned in for me the weekend before last at our OC crop to my computer. I backed up my files twice. One backup will be brought to work and the other will reside at home. At least that way I have a back-up plan with off-site coverage just in case. I have to go get the little "sticks" so I can upload to those things too so I can carry around pieces of me for viewing purposes. <br />My projects for hubby's birthday this Thursday are 3/4 finished. He doesn't know it but he's getting two (three if I can finish the last one) picture frames with his family pics in it. The first one is actually for his office which contains four pics of his DAD which he has been saying for years that he has none of "Chief" and wants to get some. So in sifting through his Mom's house, I absconded with some, scanned and printed them and put in the frame for him. It covers from 1945 through 1990 so he now has his Dad in the Army, on his wedding day, another one in Paris, and last one at his 75th birthday party. All just plain "Chief" no one else in the pictures, just him. Pretty damn cool if I do say so myself!!! And so handsome too! Muscles on that man to make you swoon! <br />Then the next one is one of those collage type frames from AC Moore where they are 3x5 and 4x6 pics in a plastic type frame. It's three dimensional and kind of retro but very cool (IMO). I printed all the pics of his family (including all of us that married into it and the nieces & nephews too) and put in each slot. I think there were like 11 - 15 slots for pics. I then journaled what each picture represented, printed on card stock, and attached to the back of each picture. You can read thru plastic frame on back too. I like this one too and hope it stays at home and not in his office. But we will have to fight over that one. That's ok because I bought two more frames to do more for my walls at home with many more pics to choose from too. Ha, ha!<br />The last one is the digital frame I got awhile ago. I thought when I bought it that it was four digital frames in one but it turns out it's one digital frame with three static frames that you choose your favorites and put in like normal picture frames (only one moves through the slide show with your chosen digital photos). Guess four together would be a little too much on the eyes now wouldn't it!!! But you know my brain - I thought wow I could put four SD cards in there and you'd never run out of pictures. I could actually give you a headache while viewing all the pictures. LOL!! So I'm now trying to choose three 4x6 or 5x7 (to cut down) and put in the static frames and copy and put together slide show for his last present. <br />Ah yes, it seems to be a picture type birthday this year. But when he doesn't want anything I couldn't come up with a gift that would be better received than his family memories all together for his birthday. Hopefully he will appreciate all that has gone into this effort and project. Now it might take him until April 16th to actually see it all to appreciate it but at least he'll have some cherished memories to look over when his tax season is over officially. <br />Well got to run but wanted to post my weekend festivities. Not as much fun as Rosemary's birthday celebration but I got lots done. Oh and the deer have been out back for three mornings too feeding out back -- four of them!!! Birds are chirping -- I think Spring is finally coming!!!<br /><br />Have a great week!<br /><br />Hugs,<br />KTTTT.....................................Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-67273993194333833242009-03-09T20:25:00.017-04:002009-03-09T21:26:48.910-04:00OC Crop A Blast!!!!So I actually worked 37.5 hours through Thursday so that I only had to work 2.5 hours on Friday and could leave to go to Cropmania's Weekend in Ocean City. I can't believe that it's already come and gone. We had an absolute blast giggling and being silly all weekend long. And the weather, wow! It was in the 80s yesterday to the point where I didn't want to come home. Sunny too down there. Absolutely gorgeous.<br /><br /><br />We walked the beach on Saturday morning after breakfast just enjoying the sun and heat while picking up shells on the sand. We watched the four legged babies running after birds, balls and other items wading in the water too. We stuck our feet in the water and then they froze! Not quite that cold but pretty damn close! LOL!!! These are the pictures of Celena, her mom, Denise, and me in my glasses too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ_0kqu_V6Ejlfq62tjld-Gadu3YCv0TgnuHl6qFrqzqXZg_xXBSRlpUR-EaSpHyuk6nrQJKSS8m0n7JEQv2aOsF43tsfFBpwodmFfve1WO9d1_UWu2hc0YTk9NtQB3Us24tLDhiwKjY/s1600-h/IMGP0297.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353086131131010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ_0kqu_V6Ejlfq62tjld-Gadu3YCv0TgnuHl6qFrqzqXZg_xXBSRlpUR-EaSpHyuk6nrQJKSS8m0n7JEQv2aOsF43tsfFBpwodmFfve1WO9d1_UWu2hc0YTk9NtQB3Us24tLDhiwKjY/s320/IMGP0297.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d8lFUaMGupuC4ItbTMB3CpSxGkRZPiRMsrlI2mQT_sJVjd2NsqJ7cKfHS0-DsjJN7pfzgh9xDvTy4WfO5qm2k06nUPXQbmI8efxuDF78HYhJJd3kGWTNqXz0JkczuNgn4j-QZQosqqw/s1600-h/IMGP0296.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353092500458066" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d8lFUaMGupuC4ItbTMB3CpSxGkRZPiRMsrlI2mQT_sJVjd2NsqJ7cKfHS0-DsjJN7pfzgh9xDvTy4WfO5qm2k06nUPXQbmI8efxuDF78HYhJJd3kGWTNqXz0JkczuNgn4j-QZQosqqw/s320/IMGP0296.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We played games and one was like the price is right but with scrappin goodies. They had a box of goodies that they described and said ok write down the price -- honor system now. So I said I wasn't gonna play but Celena said I'd know the prices. So I wrote down $53.95 and waited to hear how off I was. They started with anyone between $25 & $60 stand up. So lots of us stood up. Then anyone $30 or under sit down. Then anyone $55 or over sit down. Then $40 and under sit down. $45 and under sit down. Then $50 and under sit down. So there were 2 people left -- ME and another lady. So Michele said Karen what do you have & I said $53.95. Then she asked the other lady and she said $55 even. Michele kind of looked at her because she had said $55 or over sit down but this lady thought she was special and that didn't apply to her. But she lost and I won. The actual price was $54.12 - I was a mere $.07 off -- guess I do know my prices after all. So I got some more papers, magic mesh, ribbon (oh no), letter stickers and a 12 x 12 box. I packed that box with my goodies on the way home and was very happy with my winnings.<br /><br />Then we took classes learning more about quilting with pictures, pretty cool too but loads of cuts which get a little tedious. Another clear acrylic book which I like very much and am doing one for a wedding present for later this summer. And an acrylic & chipboard book which I have to finish and add pictures to go on my desk at work. Then later we played games and here's pics of Celena and Dawn with hats on after they made pages and you steal the hats from others in the hopes that you are still wearing them when the bell rings. They both won too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4dDSDoXXxpWtSKiIlBcAfZ-_SuYSjSzGrDpCtHZ5DtdKsl7kVCYHc3ZM7vxcJSZ7AzlJZjtUCUzdosUAGukwIn6Ry_axQEMR22EX6pJXDafBtrKd7iIpkPbDnZNno-ByEk4Ww6gJNrI/s1600-h/IMGP0300-dawn&celena+fixed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353626966886402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4dDSDoXXxpWtSKiIlBcAfZ-_SuYSjSzGrDpCtHZ5DtdKsl7kVCYHc3ZM7vxcJSZ7AzlJZjtUCUzdosUAGukwIn6Ry_axQEMR22EX6pJXDafBtrKd7iIpkPbDnZNno-ByEk4Ww6gJNrI/s320/IMGP0300-dawn&celena+fixed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We did our word books. I actually finished one HOLIDAYS book, glued another one completely with papers and cut out the other four books too. Didn't get to the CECILIA or CINOTTI books but that's ok cuz I got quite a good start on the HOLIDAYS books for my sisters, brother & Mom & Dad for this year's presents. Pretty good too. Pics are here for your viewing. The embellishments have yet to be added but I'm proud that I got the book completed. Now come ribbons (oh no Rosemary do we need to go to Hagerstown???) and journaling (yes I plan on doing that too) and tags too.<br /><br /><br /><br />I got all my pictures scanned in and put on CDs as well as some copies of my Glenda book copied and printed digitally on 12 x 12 pages so I can have my OWN book of Glenda while returning hers to her family. All in all my little project that I estimated originally to be about 50-100 pictures, then increased to approximately 300 pictures was way underestimated. I actually had -- are you ready??? are you sitting down??? you'd better sit and make sure you are fully in your chair!!!! cuz the final count was 2460 pictures scanned in for me. Now that doesn't count the 12 x 12s and other fixed photos they did. The only thing I did estimate right was the price. I'm happy to say that I now have the photos plus others of my own scanned on 10 CDs and it was all worth every penny.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0-GlcbiTnUxOUUMmqPxnTR___Vw8B4USzis6Q9Ec5ZvTvcNWH5hWDqTurjT-uAgjcwAgp8GgPbX7opDDDnXeYyp-4e39Uz2PD-tMaKXfADZhYbGPth5Tmcb5kNkrcAhVE5lOShaN__k/s1600-h/IMGP0322.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353635063172898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0-GlcbiTnUxOUUMmqPxnTR___Vw8B4USzis6Q9Ec5ZvTvcNWH5hWDqTurjT-uAgjcwAgp8GgPbX7opDDDnXeYyp-4e39Uz2PD-tMaKXfADZhYbGPth5Tmcb5kNkrcAhVE5lOShaN__k/s320/IMGP0322.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJRT8zJS2Yb3Ux6L1OKiSaVZcdwh1qpQt_ZB_OahSSOLtAH6O-Koy3RRlenGcYfpGlxqFk7_Bp8vqDLk7BfLJoUiE9Q7zadJy7CtU3Z2fii0frN_WK3AWvlWX4IiCCydwF6QFcs7rp8U/s1600-h/IMGP0323.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353638109191330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJRT8zJS2Yb3Ux6L1OKiSaVZcdwh1qpQt_ZB_OahSSOLtAH6O-Koy3RRlenGcYfpGlxqFk7_Bp8vqDLk7BfLJoUiE9Q7zadJy7CtU3Z2fii0frN_WK3AWvlWX4IiCCydwF6QFcs7rp8U/s320/IMGP0323.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaja4YEKmZs8f55ZJMbok2pls49VoPF0LTAIsPu117r0FBlIbiR-7vcE4sI_DupB4DoCnBSknlTUn3H-lxzQXqKMXUzohdAPLtuc0t1eY2nCd1aeh4k-36nZNwYD1vNYdHIcE0rqZmZk/s1600-h/IMGP0302.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352293529754850" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaja4YEKmZs8f55ZJMbok2pls49VoPF0LTAIsPu117r0FBlIbiR-7vcE4sI_DupB4DoCnBSknlTUn3H-lxzQXqKMXUzohdAPLtuc0t1eY2nCd1aeh4k-36nZNwYD1vNYdHIcE0rqZmZk/s320/IMGP0302.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG_LBOnaZnqCccu1aVthhAs4SKlqm2-BPM9aJT3ZnHt_YdzKfZOAHkuY7hnsIbiCFa4v18yxP2Z36ThxFd0jxE1cs6bUesLjRwEQOTDoMp_HlwrQ9wD3duwlceLJ3pKuAimRSs7UahMk/s1600-h/IMGP0303.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352299771797058" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG_LBOnaZnqCccu1aVthhAs4SKlqm2-BPM9aJT3ZnHt_YdzKfZOAHkuY7hnsIbiCFa4v18yxP2Z36ThxFd0jxE1cs6bUesLjRwEQOTDoMp_HlwrQ9wD3duwlceLJ3pKuAimRSs7UahMk/s320/IMGP0303.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> Letters are embossed and/or crackle painted with Tim Holtz products. The entire book comes in pieces of cardboard and separate letter. You must assemble the entire book yourself. It's quite a cool project and comes out fantastic. But it is lots of love in this project.<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYt1Cd686CbXipWsIVbdI066ZPshZn_jaikzzfCft7u8odILGtlRAB-cVRRipnyMRXhwChU_yM4eWDON6htCOYS4Pi5K7yvwZMqQ04gvom3tqNWFZa35uoTRtbo3D0G1RR2fe4_BXzv0/s1600-h/IMGP0309.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352678418175954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYt1Cd686CbXipWsIVbdI066ZPshZn_jaikzzfCft7u8odILGtlRAB-cVRRipnyMRXhwChU_yM4eWDON6htCOYS4Pi5K7yvwZMqQ04gvom3tqNWFZa35uoTRtbo3D0G1RR2fe4_BXzv0/s320/IMGP0309.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7hApB-TMAzTgX19ouVvHwkJ3jtaXSh7kOpBc915W-BFGw0dccbZ_6EaYGqkQayLeHP3P2Q7kMTOKa0rQw53-CUw5IZfrjl3kAjFd3zld_kZ7hqtQ4mqA3zxtn5A_ga46rT9_Rnb0G_s/s1600-h/IMGP0306.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352308617637218" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7hApB-TMAzTgX19ouVvHwkJ3jtaXSh7kOpBc915W-BFGw0dccbZ_6EaYGqkQayLeHP3P2Q7kMTOKa0rQw53-CUw5IZfrjl3kAjFd3zld_kZ7hqtQ4mqA3zxtn5A_ga46rT9_Rnb0G_s/s320/IMGP0306.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>The papers were Daisy D's and Creative Imaginations from my collection of Christmas papers. These are from many years of collecting so they may be last year's models but I don't care because they came out great together. I love mine and I'm sure my family will too.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoAu2B4HSiIKlK2KRqcUcSu9pnU2I02UFoD7QZ9vBONynCOws58gj_JMvRW81J7p7e0UVw3-97A9M6-jHqH-QADgM2q2CIFgwtCFAJRUWRwjXjsjT6UNEFkI3470YSzXhHq2Ma7R8kd0/s1600-h/IMGP0315.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353078293546466" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoAu2B4HSiIKlK2KRqcUcSu9pnU2I02UFoD7QZ9vBONynCOws58gj_JMvRW81J7p7e0UVw3-97A9M6-jHqH-QADgM2q2CIFgwtCFAJRUWRwjXjsjT6UNEFkI3470YSzXhHq2Ma7R8kd0/s320/IMGP0315.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zf1YkhtvpKSU7saO4DJtfgLVhM6mvvXU6_yHOk-YKelhF8Vd9K43jozYvK8KE1mUnzFhtfudvJ1LaMFviaJwVBakFe0xbeTvMTetZgGiOHNPk6MV-LEhh1k8BOaPYO2xfMoRwtueZbc/s1600-h/IMGP0314.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352687193557874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zf1YkhtvpKSU7saO4DJtfgLVhM6mvvXU6_yHOk-YKelhF8Vd9K43jozYvK8KE1mUnzFhtfudvJ1LaMFviaJwVBakFe0xbeTvMTetZgGiOHNPk6MV-LEhh1k8BOaPYO2xfMoRwtueZbc/s320/IMGP0314.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqDQ3uhvSxOdFB40rdiS838alPqQLWbylDSpGlm3Y7zz2iUTibQjvzFqJ6qOBDp8_17nlPKBhSWwO300LhslJjomC4H5QLXN24R35YjLCp7Y3twMrVcEFh462kEOpeDz6a_d168AIgu8/s1600-h/IMGP0317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352700378506866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqDQ3uhvSxOdFB40rdiS838alPqQLWbylDSpGlm3Y7zz2iUTibQjvzFqJ6qOBDp8_17nlPKBhSWwO300LhslJjomC4H5QLXN24R35YjLCp7Y3twMrVcEFh462kEOpeDz6a_d168AIgu8/s320/IMGP0317.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YFwsZAzLtLkjJsqMDt8jkuLdLg23QG3KtLchJTiSQzMwzPrVh4D87eIWza8qzqrRGVfKjW5705bE6pd445e_rxLX7Iyd09J6u07DJi3Yr1qDMovr_awNLElQvKnLdnZ8LS6YbSTWSfY/s1600-h/IMGP0316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311352694931532482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YFwsZAzLtLkjJsqMDt8jkuLdLg23QG3KtLchJTiSQzMwzPrVh4D87eIWza8qzqrRGVfKjW5705bE6pd445e_rxLX7Iyd09J6u07DJi3Yr1qDMovr_awNLElQvKnLdnZ8LS6YbSTWSfY/s320/IMGP0316.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoHvdxnQCwGwg_klxeKqHnSJDdSXO0gxJ9aE6LFMZ1-yWhMO8H7LV2PKY48O8rHRREi2bLwXnB8Wcg8rhz3Bxg5VaUT-lFIgJxaM5Z1p5A2O5Tn4PADPOdC2FOw79PQyr4-wUiqCmqFo/s1600-h/IMGP0318.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353069765885378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoHvdxnQCwGwg_klxeKqHnSJDdSXO0gxJ9aE6LFMZ1-yWhMO8H7LV2PKY48O8rHRREi2bLwXnB8Wcg8rhz3Bxg5VaUT-lFIgJxaM5Z1p5A2O5Tn4PADPOdC2FOw79PQyr4-wUiqCmqFo/s320/IMGP0318.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg4i33brhXESnbSS7C0YTPPmvx4PUcD4iOQQzQeX8CDpj8NT7RVZgoMHWH5WnQnouXPQE9yQVH_Toa_ZCiMHyFrPd9rGzb4oC9XHfVzM414opA6ZCjlyTPZcHryGMUGCRROnCUxnslVc/s1600-h/IMGP0325.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353636379481570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg4i33brhXESnbSS7C0YTPPmvx4PUcD4iOQQzQeX8CDpj8NT7RVZgoMHWH5WnQnouXPQE9yQVH_Toa_ZCiMHyFrPd9rGzb4oC9XHfVzM414opA6ZCjlyTPZcHryGMUGCRROnCUxnslVc/s320/IMGP0325.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>Can't wait to finish the CECILIA and CINOTTI books too now that we had those pics all scanned in. I will have many to choose from and the family gets to tell us who is who. This too will be a fun family project.</div><div> </div><div>Well GTG. It's time for beddy bye!!! Good nite to all my loyal readers. Have sweet dreams!</div><div> </div><div>Hugs to ya,</div><div>KTTT.......................<br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-37829244250452729492009-02-26T16:05:00.017-05:002009-02-26T16:40:38.211-05:00Another side of meOk so you all know I scrapbook. And I love doing stuff crafty. I'm making ribbon angels now for the family which BTW are coming out pretty damn cool if I do say so myself. I have made wooden angels -- yep doing my woodwork on my band saw. I have painted Santas made of peanut resin. But I also used to make bears -- yes teddy bears with movable arms and legs. That's where my "joints" are now adays!!! Ha, ha!!! That always gets everyone's attention!!! The joints are made up of hex screws, with fender washers, and locking bolts. There is a buffer in between the fender washer and the material of the arm/leg/body of the bear so as not to rub a hole in the material. And to assemble the joints, that is done with MY own set of tools of course. The bears are sewn normally from different types of fur, i.e., mohair, alpaca, polyester, cotton, etc. However, some special bears are made from wool coats, linings of rain coats, bedspreads, suits, and other materials that might be special to certain recipients. I have even made bears out of a wool suit and dressed them in the lining of the suit via a vest or hat. I named them Memory Bears because when you receive them they make you remember the memories of the special person.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvESjmD1rakfeNOvEnsaTXXOdyBARfbbQ8MrHt3xxCW7bNPImEP9s9B41TwmjLzatCzYiC9-_FQInmbFAL-EX7uvQteKFxLVX4Ei6iwTmpLrD3zQF_JQpa6K73vV9Axe0rkQZ-WISdmw/s1600-h/0226091533.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307221166056239314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvESjmD1rakfeNOvEnsaTXXOdyBARfbbQ8MrHt3xxCW7bNPImEP9s9B41TwmjLzatCzYiC9-_FQInmbFAL-EX7uvQteKFxLVX4Ei6iwTmpLrD3zQF_JQpa6K73vV9Axe0rkQZ-WISdmw/s320/0226091533.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYG51RsgbRsZ4svUInWekQWoGmGI1ncX2mLmhS3jb22V8VjsV8ABGLawO3KD_QlxtaYwW3per96UVfEqYoFeZfWrX9Ue6HyNEU9WJJk2Puj2cRAkiLViaXHwRdaybKiVDS8Que5gnfsM/s1600-h/0226091534.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307221160461772562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYG51RsgbRsZ4svUInWekQWoGmGI1ncX2mLmhS3jb22V8VjsV8ABGLawO3KD_QlxtaYwW3per96UVfEqYoFeZfWrX9Ue6HyNEU9WJJk2Puj2cRAkiLViaXHwRdaybKiVDS8Que5gnfsM/s320/0226091534.jpg" border="0" /></a> For example, there are pictures here of the bear that I made for my mother-in-law when my father-in-law died fifteen years ago. Why do you ask am I bringing this up right now???? Well I am now the privileged owner of the bear. The family decided that they wanted the little bear to come back to it's maker to enjoy too. You see when Chief died, we took his London Fog coat and I took out the fur lining. There was just enough to make two normal size bears for my two nieces -- his granddaughters Kaycee and Karlee. There was not enough to make bears for the rest of us, namely his two grandsons (who probably never would have admitted that they wanted bears anyway) and the three sons---not even considering the daughter's in law or his wife. So because my MIL was so sad that she didn't get her own bear, I caved in and took the little bit of fur that remained from the left over bears and constructed a head and hands and feet. The rest of this little bear is made from one of Chief's ties. Yes, a tie. A striped tie nonetheless which some of the seams stripes were actually matched. What am I crazy you ask? Well yes I am. I didn't like the way the tie met the fur so I added ribbon with beads all hand sewn on the body of the bear on each arm and each leg making it look like he's in his pj's. There is a bow around his neck with a ruffle. Well little did I know that my MIL would have wanted to call this bear "Ern" after her Ernie who we all called Chief (because that's who he was ... our chief). Well when I gave Cec the bear the first question was "Why is Ernie wearing ribbons and beads? He never would have worn ribbons and beads. He was a man's man!!" I said that he would wear anything that looked good on him and from that moment on, she wouldn't let go of the bear. He sat in a place of honor in her home, usually in the front window on top of a flower planter she loved. When she passed, her sons asked me if I wanted the bear and I jumped at the chance to hold on to the bear for a little while. So enjoy the pics as you can see the handy work on the bear. I guess that's why my license plate is "BEARCRZ" to show you just how crazy for bears that I am!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND785YqIp1YlpKIuVlTpznWQXLnK_MSDhzWDTJ2IAokiRyZWl5oVNWPzQQ8j_JEn7CKGHsTU7jqaBwdch6M3wxze7fcM7hXdDQuSWQr6Cd614PpXXWnXK_8UapMorr7X6d0UhBFd7QRg/s1600-h/0226091537.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307221145514962018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND785YqIp1YlpKIuVlTpznWQXLnK_MSDhzWDTJ2IAokiRyZWl5oVNWPzQQ8j_JEn7CKGHsTU7jqaBwdch6M3wxze7fcM7hXdDQuSWQr6Cd614PpXXWnXK_8UapMorr7X6d0UhBFd7QRg/s320/0226091537.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtrPsnywGWhUzchKAewVBFWZSPD7bsJL6Ue6AgzWuHKSwf3A8aaj9MCagkQOywXPwd9s9RnE2h8L1WA0fFTqGPnOoENJalLXOzaE9SKfklGbokHAgSNP2gVJslG4IY7njMetqnXZpPDI/s1600-h/0226091534a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307221156842465874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtrPsnywGWhUzchKAewVBFWZSPD7bsJL6Ue6AgzWuHKSwf3A8aaj9MCagkQOywXPwd9s9RnE2h8L1WA0fFTqGPnOoENJalLXOzaE9SKfklGbokHAgSNP2gVJslG4IY7njMetqnXZpPDI/s320/0226091534a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Check out the stripes and hand sewing. Next he's sitting on my keyboard at work. Oops supposed to be workin but guess I'm not really getting much done!!!<br /><br /><br />Well ya all take care now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT1v4xoz3tbP0JPCukVh3IhHrRUh3L_z9Y_TU7ELKMcgd3VhsMbukg6TK22eBhHsOc7_3lBEctHw1Eyegiwv4VkaFb_hM5pA7UefH74hbZa22mBuioVKMM4Z__sXlh1qg34ny9Wd_zT0/s1600-h/0226091536.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307221156177443586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT1v4xoz3tbP0JPCukVh3IhHrRUh3L_z9Y_TU7ELKMcgd3VhsMbukg6TK22eBhHsOc7_3lBEctHw1Eyegiwv4VkaFb_hM5pA7UefH74hbZa22mBuioVKMM4Z__sXlh1qg34ny9Wd_zT0/s320/0226091536.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bear Hugs to you all,<br />KTTTT.....Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-70328746947125306492009-02-19T16:21:00.006-05:002009-02-19T16:50:11.200-05:00Where Oh Wheredid January and February go? It seems that I've been a little behind lately. I guess I'm just trying to get back into things or with things or over things. Hmmm, I'm not sure that's a realistic goal but what the hey -- it has to get better right???<br /><br /><br />Jana says that the Blizzard of 2009 never hit and then when they were making up the day and all was white, they went to school anyway. Go figure!!!<br /><br />Rosemary says that change may not be the actual word that she wishes to use when describing her new found way for 2009, but change isn't a bad thing.<br /><br />If we all just took what we get from within ourselves and actually listened to see what we really need or want, we could all be just a little bit happier.<br /><br />Ok, so I've been going through pictures because the first full weekend in March is my crop in OC. Yeah!!! Can't wait. With all my happenings since my trips started in November and December and unexpected illnesses and losses over the last month, it's been a little draining. I think my body finally gave in and the symptoms of the cold took over. Exhaustion isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's just a sign that you need to SLOW DOWN and take care of YOURSELF! Hmm, concept not understood by Karen. Anyway do you know that if you take that Airborne stuff by actually reading the directions and following them, it works. Hey that stuff is magic. The cold subsided quickly but the exhaustion is still there. So the OC crop will be a welcome relief. But my goal for this crop is to pack only what I will actually use. (Rosemary and Jana, stop laughing. I'm gonna do it you hear me!!! I can too do it!!! I have to learn some how now don't I??)<br /><br />I have three projects to work on while there:<br />Project One: a "HOLIDAYS" word book (five of them). Boy I will never learn now will I? That's one for me, my M&D, my brother, and two sisters too. It will be like the Thanksgiving book that I made for M&D and me. It will have pics of the family gathered for the holidays in Florida. I will make at least one of them and then "mirror" the other books for the rest of the family for presentos.<br />Project Two: a "Cecilia" word book (three of them). Those are to commemorate my mother-in-law's pics into word books for her three sons. At least that's the plan. My hope is to get one of those done with papers on the book itself and fill in the pics after I get them scanned in and printed out. I have to choose the right ones to fit in the book when done. So getting the papers on the pages and cracking some paint, and embossing some of it will be quite a lot to accomplish. But we will see.<br />Project Three: a "Cinotti" word book (for the rest of Cecilia's sisters, brother, and her nieces and nephews). That's her maiden name and I thought it would be something nice to do for all the folks I spent the time with in the hospital. We all gather together for birthdays, 4th of July parties, Christmas, etc. So we have many pictures of all the relatives growing up. Why not put some of those blackmail type pics into these books??? Hmmm, sounds like a plan to me. I don't know if I will get to this book or not but I will be doing this project this year too.<br /><br />Then, Rosemary, on a whim I went to Hagerstown last Saturday. I just didn't have enough ribbon on hand! So I had to go look for more. Imagine that -- not enough ribbon. What was I thinking???? BUT I found the PERFECT ribbon for angels!!! For the Italian Catholic relatives, I am making a ribbon angel that they will (hopefully) either get at Easter or Christmas. Why the difference in the dates you say?? Well AC Moore and Michaels do not seem to stock the angel heads and arms except for at the "holiday season" and good luck finding them when they do supposedly stock them. So they have been ordered from the internet and am waiting on receipt. Will play it by ear to see if they work. I hope so.<br /><br />But the angels are being made from a silver 2 1/2 inch ribbon which is called "Basilica" which has a circle with a cross in it. And the arms of the angels are out of an "Iris" ribbon which has a cross stamped on it. The ribbon actually starts as a pretty purple and fades to white then to blue. It's prettier than the description. The first angel is sitting in my room waiting to be glued down. But it looks pretty good for the very first one every made by Karen. That one will stay at my house as I try to keep the first of my projects for myself. If I can't keep the prototype then I usually don't get around to making my own.<br /><br />Well I have to go but wanted to let my two faithful readers and Casii too know that I'm still around just moving very slowly. It's ok and I'm getting better but trying to catch up on lots of lost sleep. Energy levels are low and so haven't been in touch. But February is half over and March is coming. Spring is on the way. And I will be too soon.<br /><br />Take care and hugs to ya all!<br />KTTTT...............Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-57755968527121408652009-02-06T14:55:00.015-05:002009-02-06T16:05:58.057-05:00New Revelation....<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Karlee & Kaycee at their big brother's wedding in Sept 2007 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai7Q_mbuade7ilwh7r5_jDTNZBD7uEpPJ-2w0EVqoX2qsBw3KidMeCoMa_eJUx1ZJRyX56WS2Gj2-aSnK9bJqUMxotzZ0bazFlnOOnhbzGc1mjrbswQCV_NXc7zUq01HrpNt0x2WMwb8/s1600-h/sisters+all+growed+up.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299790293173001202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai7Q_mbuade7ilwh7r5_jDTNZBD7uEpPJ-2w0EVqoX2qsBw3KidMeCoMa_eJUx1ZJRyX56WS2Gj2-aSnK9bJqUMxotzZ0bazFlnOOnhbzGc1mjrbswQCV_NXc7zUq01HrpNt0x2WMwb8/s320/sisters+all+growed+up.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div>So over the last few months I have learned again what is important. There are many reasons why I had forgotten this but 2008 was a year of firsts and new beginnings for me. It was good no matter how it happened. I got a new job (which I just celebrated my first year anniversary for this week); I had my very first manicure and pedicure (wow so old to have my first ones; I never knew what I was missing!!); decision to take care of me was panning out and I was happier (most days) with myself than I had been in quite some time; went on scrapbooking trips with adopted family members more than once for the year and actually got projects DONE (something that normally doesn't happen); and most importantly I remembered what Christmas should be like when you remember the reason for the season and spend it with family. I have been including pics of my side of my family in Florida. But I am now lucky enough to begin getting pics of my family on my other side -- the in-law side. My nieces and nephews are growing by leaps and bounds. Do you realize that my "kids" range from 30 to 5. Wow that's a pretty large swing. So here goes Sean is 30, Scott is 28 1/2, Kristen is almost 26, Kaycee is 24, Karlee is almost 22, Mike is almost 20, CJ is 16 1/2, Meg is 11 1/2, and Jessica just turned 5 on Christmas Day. Wow! How lucky am I? I'd say pretty damn lucky! So I'm gonna include some more pictures here for you to see for yourselves how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. This doesn't include my brothers & sisters in law, sisters and brothers-in-law, and my Mom & Dad and all my Aunts and Uncles either. </div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_SB726tTshHOs8RNlRCFisoIMfrfdF4gyMjlZsTT_XcJyfFKbFqxJgnXza9Tqpbxbnna4iaK23UhdmvBZVrmEQEa8Psv8cMEt0_5nkYLTIc8lks8CR4d1E0kOqZIE0PP388HPNOqEwg/s1600-h/Karlee+up+close.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299786412927208450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_SB726tTshHOs8RNlRCFisoIMfrfdF4gyMjlZsTT_XcJyfFKbFqxJgnXza9Tqpbxbnna4iaK23UhdmvBZVrmEQEa8Psv8cMEt0_5nkYLTIc8lks8CR4d1E0kOqZIE0PP388HPNOqEwg/s320/Karlee+up+close.jpg" border="0" /></a> The bestest part of all this realization is that I know have PICTURES of real people to put in my books. Not just books with empty pages but pictures too. I'm going to OC again in March and I can really scrap like all the other tables that have many photos to include. This is something else new to me. I haven't had real pictures to include in so long I may not remember how to do it. Ha, ha. I can't wait. I'm doing a Christmas Holiday Album with all the Florida family and ME. I will post those when it's done after my trip. So get ready for a real treat. It's been a trying last few months but it's looking up in 2009. It's gonna be mighty-fine in 09.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Karlee - isn't she cute????</div><br /><br /><br /><br />Kaycee, Sean, Scott & Karlee chillin out at the cottage!!!!<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J7XyH_DxA0CCf1MIb1Phtu5zi394FqUJLwkGtt-U7KCG-ZaOeMGPDUd98RLKxTRlcYq3-9FhhBIDImumSlW1XcYmRZJMTNt9SsbeYXW2iw8u-xCWs4M0tZbK4pRvLXwLZme5MKi7x1c/s1600-h/four+of+them.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299786407571913250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J7XyH_DxA0CCf1MIb1Phtu5zi394FqUJLwkGtt-U7KCG-ZaOeMGPDUd98RLKxTRlcYq3-9FhhBIDImumSlW1XcYmRZJMTNt9SsbeYXW2iw8u-xCWs4M0tZbK4pRvLXwLZme5MKi7x1c/s320/four+of+them.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCy-tnCi_eTdyFBoVRljNYmRYUbRbret6313Tfnk1BGVBRyYipHs4BssD91-Vsw7BGu2VtmSa5jkHsxmOHBLjMeYIMs92cexuEt3nrZ7m-zxeqFRfghexvIKPfCIifrxtLdWxryDSU5k/s1600-h/karls&kaycee+cute.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299786404885281842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCy-tnCi_eTdyFBoVRljNYmRYUbRbret6313Tfnk1BGVBRyYipHs4BssD91-Vsw7BGu2VtmSa5jkHsxmOHBLjMeYIMs92cexuEt3nrZ7m-zxeqFRfghexvIKPfCIifrxtLdWxryDSU5k/s320/karls&kaycee+cute.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Look at these cute sisters, Karlee & Kaycee.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div>Meg & JJ - silly sisters!!!!<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4nKJL9sNmiYtHqIGJc1nvm4wtdOu11R17mnMbiIKwlcDIVDt-4wycPQkiJ8OQYsH0QM3_oQlS4sEB3_fZkdDwiHyU_LuLc2rIX_O0V0S6ePJVQd00Av787pojXldNWX5ZW2RCKQlyps/s1600-h/December2008Album_330.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299789939734217250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4nKJL9sNmiYtHqIGJc1nvm4wtdOu11R17mnMbiIKwlcDIVDt-4wycPQkiJ8OQYsH0QM3_oQlS4sEB3_fZkdDwiHyU_LuLc2rIX_O0V0S6ePJVQd00Av787pojXldNWX5ZW2RCKQlyps/s320/December2008Album_330.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6c6ycwtdfXfW7IltBlnlq0ZeA6PrJrjl-lSoF5hvPOqIGIW32SgIFaCDjpnG1BF4b-aLTLkrO5nwOD1Kvu46lT_Cxwl0XyvsWyDkKvKECUj9G2_Tw5VsY4TKgpHxnUVws0DIIFR3GGE/s1600-h/December2008Album_331.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299789939898536578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6c6ycwtdfXfW7IltBlnlq0ZeA6PrJrjl-lSoF5hvPOqIGIW32SgIFaCDjpnG1BF4b-aLTLkrO5nwOD1Kvu46lT_Cxwl0XyvsWyDkKvKECUj9G2_Tw5VsY4TKgpHxnUVws0DIIFR3GGE/s320/December2008Album_331.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal6STZ1buM6tVAuOPuMUWJCyl-RVT0gRqwz07p7SWfaoKt0IBvagL5pKLF2rxE8n6w3IYcCm9BNP0ftyZp7M5F1xHrci1BvYLk0Pbn824olMEAbKq9LiYF1qaiyVMu3f165lezW-w_hI/s1600-h/IMG_0898.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299791885735028738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal6STZ1buM6tVAuOPuMUWJCyl-RVT0gRqwz07p7SWfaoKt0IBvagL5pKLF2rxE8n6w3IYcCm9BNP0ftyZp7M5F1xHrci1BvYLk0Pbn824olMEAbKq9LiYF1qaiyVMu3f165lezW-w_hI/s320/IMG_0898.JPG" border="0" /></a>Back row: Me, Greg (one of my BILs). Kevin, my brother, Beth (one of my SILs)</div><br /><div>Front row: Courtney Jean (CJ), Mike, Kristen (Kris)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br />Miss Kris.....................................and her "little" brother Mike<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Eku9QQ8Lj-6R4HgGlIlOJXxj6hsZ9k8CjZjHjrP3QtRiKKYwF4tOCHAdoc9ZJoGsYpAC2nbf0if9HGy-xGE1e77LBupHI98XU45fGFhs3Rm9yIGAwkWpglXZ0WP8qfMhQDRt54rdiK0/s1600-h/IMGP0183+kris+cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299791887413363170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Eku9QQ8Lj-6R4HgGlIlOJXxj6hsZ9k8CjZjHjrP3QtRiKKYwF4tOCHAdoc9ZJoGsYpAC2nbf0if9HGy-xGE1e77LBupHI98XU45fGFhs3Rm9yIGAwkWpglXZ0WP8qfMhQDRt54rdiK0/s320/IMGP0183+kris+cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht40JrQfwm5o0bT-ecQYA19clUX-DqSDE_3s03tmP1shI21EYAAdI4cAD3McZCUhsQwNAeRulNZOlR47yxYDxb17xRAvEEgT51AQGcbK1zlYMCRo3P3UFJVFSjQehESP1c7plB_OXmOo4/s1600-h/IMGP0260.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299791891638407698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht40JrQfwm5o0bT-ecQYA19clUX-DqSDE_3s03tmP1shI21EYAAdI4cAD3McZCUhsQwNAeRulNZOlR47yxYDxb17xRAvEEgT51AQGcbK1zlYMCRo3P3UFJVFSjQehESP1c7plB_OXmOo4/s320/IMGP0260.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcijmCcxikJkchO-mH8VvF9aE1ZdcIFlQ_K9Daj3P_JhAPVVhbmojLt9GUi3VnNRPPRDrIGl5bOim7_9OJkPJos-xbM4fu3rUhcI04Z-z5v0ylcwvJdLybb4vfRvEPrHRmiqR-PEhplVs/s1600-h/IMG_0904.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299791887833664482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcijmCcxikJkchO-mH8VvF9aE1ZdcIFlQ_K9Daj3P_JhAPVVhbmojLt9GUi3VnNRPPRDrIGl5bOim7_9OJkPJos-xbM4fu3rUhcI04Z-z5v0ylcwvJdLybb4vfRvEPrHRmiqR-PEhplVs/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Miss CJ again (she was being bad as usual)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>That's part of MY FAMILY!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hugs to ya,</div><br /><div>KTTTT.....</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-59725589937832034342009-02-02T16:30:00.010-05:002009-02-02T21:03:44.438-05:00A Tribute To A Good Woman...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwefqs1x5DrWyBnhyphenhyphenP4TU5mjaSx5v_6P3iST91GFeVLQg6dPafXyyhIB7Ems7bngryK3MsR9JvArziXd5mbCiQsKktrlWGqJ7jrFeFusWGA7FZRbHqLhksNU2u0Q7-9jARea1EYJE6Ps/s1600-h/Chief-Cec+1967.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298385388128117602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwefqs1x5DrWyBnhyphenhyphenP4TU5mjaSx5v_6P3iST91GFeVLQg6dPafXyyhIB7Ems7bngryK3MsR9JvArziXd5mbCiQsKktrlWGqJ7jrFeFusWGA7FZRbHqLhksNU2u0Q7-9jARea1EYJE6Ps/s320/Chief-Cec+1967.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After a month's fight, we lost my mother-in-law. But not without her holding on and recognizing all of us coming to visit her at the hospital after a massive stroke which took her body away from her. She had damage to her brain stem and the NIH Stroke Team told her sons that there wasn't much hope for change. That news came the day after they found her in her kitchen on her floor. She was 87 (excuse me really 27 because she always said she was 25 until her oldest grandson turned 25 then she advanced 2 more years) and going strong. She really didn't have any health problems that weren't under control -- or so we all thought. But with the stroke, since she was allergic to most medications she had to try and recuperate totally on her own -- without the help of the main medicine they immediately give other stroke victims which helps them come back faster. It might cause more harm than good with Cecilia. So from the night they found her (the 22nd of December) until most of the day on Christmas, she slept in her coma. Until around 3:30 PM when she woke up. That <strong>was</strong> our Christmas Miracle this year. She woke up to see two of her sons, one of which had stayed all night with her (that would be John my husband) and the other one, Joe, who stayed most of the other nights at the hospital too. She knew them but couldn't talk because the ventilator was in her throat. But she shook her head and squeezed their hands answering questions and tried to get up and leave because she didn't want to be in the hospital. Too much to do after all it was Christmas!!!! Both John and Joe were hopeful and she saved Christmas (which by the way was one of her two favorite holidays -- the other being July 4th). Her oldest grandson, Sean, came by and she woke up and knew him. When her oldest son, Tom and his two girls came by, she woke up again and knew all of them. So it seemed that the doctors were wrong. Or we could only hope this to be the case. But as the days stretched on, she seemed to lose that recognition. But her brother and her three sisters were there every day being driven back and forth to the hospital by her brother-in-law too. All held true to her trying to rally her and bring their sister back to health. She recognized me when I got home from Florida too. As if she was waiting for me to come and visit, she opened her eye (yes she really only opened her right eye as her left side really didn't work any longer) but she reacted to me. Her numbers on the machines went up and she seemed as if she was trying to talk and tell me something. I believe she knew it was me and was trying to tell me it was ok as she knew I was to spend the holidays with my family due to many illnesses in Florida this year too. But she was deteriorating more with each day's passing. The Stroke Team evaluated her again and it was decided to move her out of ICU. They moved her up to the next floor in the hospital. She stayed there (no trac as they took that out on New Years Day) but she had the feeding tube and oxygen in her nose. She looked very uncomfortable but she wasn't ready to leave us just yet. So after about a week out of ICU the decision came to work with Hospice and move her out of the hospital. No nursing home for her. That was not in the cards. So the boys moved her to Joe's house in Laurel where Hospice came in. That was Friday January 16th. They got her moved and set up in her own blue bedroom in her middle son's house. She seemed very relaxed. All four of her grandchildren were there that night with her visiting even making her laugh. Her son and daughter-in-law did round the clock support in their home. They opened up their home to all of us so that we could be with her as much as possible. Her sister, Agnes, is a nurse so she helped. He other sister, Fran, also lives in Laurel so she was also there too. Blanche and Leland picked up Uncle John so that all were able to visit a little more conveniently than the hospital in Bethesda. So over the weekend we all visited, telling stories, crying, laughing, squeezing hands, and just plain enjoying family, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, sons and daughters in law, grandchildres, cousins, and more cousins. On Tuesday, January 20th we got the call that she had the death rattle. So all left what we were doing and sped to Laurel to the house to be there with everyone and more importantly Cecilia. The sons stayed and the sisters stayed. She wasn't ready just yet. She made it through the night with only one lung working and the other filling with fluid. But to say Cecilia is a stubborn woman is putting it mildly. When she puts her mind to it, she could accomplish anything. I guess that's where her boys and grandchildren get it from. So the next day we all gathered again. We brought food, drinks, ourselves and just keeping family together in the home. But around 6:15 PM Cecilia seemed to be ready to let go. Sean was holding her hand and Joe was working on her. She breathed in but didn't seem to breath out. With a sense of the end in sight, all of us in Joe & Shari's home were gathered in the room surrounding Cecilia in her bed. We all held hands and said prayers. We told Cec that it was ok to let go and we were here with her. Cec left us at 6:25 PM. Very peacefully, at her son's home, with her loved ones all surrounding her. She is dancing with Ernie in Heaven now. She is my new Guardian Angel and I sure hope that she realizes that no matter how our relationship started, it ended with us both respecting and loving each other. I guess that being a Mother-In-Law can never be easy especially when you would want the best there is for your own child. But after years of trying, I think we finally got it right. She was quite the woman. At her funeral, she had the Laurel Police as her Honor Guards, the Mayor showed up, the Rescue Squad and the Board of Trade Members too. Her funeral procession went straight down Main Street past the Shop that she and Ernie had in business for many, many years. She's very well known in Laurel and her reputation of being an honest, determined and strong-willed woman is very well respected in this area. I'm glad that after a shaky start as with many daughters-in-laws, we actually became extended family. Now we have quite the legacy to carry on and we are all going to help keep the memory of Cec alive through all of us. She taught us all the way to the end that it was family that meant everything. I just hope that we can live up to what she taught us and carry on her legacy with the same zest for life that she gave us. We love you Cec! Thank you!<br /><br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-19731023779818919122009-01-17T23:23:00.009-05:002009-01-19T13:29:13.673-05:00Hey there again!!!Thank you all for the well wishes! They are welcomed muchly!!! An update to my MIL - she was released from the hospital yesterday and taken by ambulance to my BIL & SIL's house where they have hospice care too. She is resting comfortably and seems to be happy with her new surroundings. She was visited yesterday by all her grandchildren who made her almost laugh according to my SIL. So we shall see what the future brings. Still saying prayers. Thanks for all yours too.<br /><br /><p>So the picture on my blog is our legacy -- that is my Mom & Dad's. From the left to right, it is my baby sis, Kathy Michelle, my brother, Kevin Joseph, me -- the oldest -- now be nice ya hear -- and my other sis, Kara Lynn (or Lynn as the family calls her because Kara and Karen were too much alike while living together but everyone else knows her as Kara). It's me, then Kev, then Lynn & Kat. There's 12 years between Kat and me. Again be nice!!!!</p><br /><p>Kat and her hubby are the ones that moved the family (due to his job) from Ft. Lauderdale to Omaha. They love living in the heart of the country and their girls do too (that would be Margaret Amanda or Meg and Jessica Janine or JJ). Meg is my black belt niece --the youngest to ever be awarded the black belt. Yep, I'm proud of her. She's also taller than me now and you don't want to mess with her either. The next time I see JJ she will probably be taller than me too. I'll be surprised if she's not cuz she's growing like a weed!!!</p><p>I sent my pics from my southern Christmas trip to Sam's via the web. They did a nice job. Now I actually have pics to scrap. I just have to figure our what I'm doing and get them organized. At least I can actually do a book with family pics in it which is something that I haven't done in ages. It's a great thing to figure out! Hmm, I see books for Christmas next year too for the siblings. Ha, ha. I love making presentos! It's the best part.</p><br /><p>Well I've been spending time with my MIL at my BIL & SIL's house. She is hanging in there. Hospice is a great thing. My aunt came by yesterday and did her nails. She sat for hours just taking off polish, buffing and doing her cuticles. Her nails are now au natural and look very nice! She sleeps most of the day but today the nurse said that her left lung is quiet and her right lung is good. Quiet means we think it's not working. So we will wait and see what the future brings. At least she's at home with her family and resting. I'm still learning stories about her earlier life. Will have to document it. May ask for Rosemary & Jana's help on that one. Casii you too. If you all have any ideas let me know. It would have to be a project for later on but will have to do something like my memory bears for the family. Maybe a little book of Cec. Hmm, will have to do some more thinking. Help me out will ya please?</p><br /><p>Gonna run for now but wanted to say hi. We've made it through another weekend. It's actually Monday, MLK day. Tomorrow I will be at work out of the city and away from the masses that are swarming our capital. Sometimes it's nice to be near it but not right now. Too congested. But they will enjoy another pres being read in. </p><br /><p>Be careful out there in the white stuff on the roads. The guy in the beamer in front of me today wasn't too lucky when he slid down the hill, into the guard rail and back up the hill. He liked it so much that he went up, turned around and went back for more -- I think the poor guy was just trying to get back where he came from off the road. He made me put it in 4 wheel drive and down a gear to go down the same hill, around the corner, up the other hill, and again just to get the mile home. It's pretty slick out there so stay inside.<br /></p><p>Signing off for now!!</p><p>Hugssss to ya!</p><p>KTTTTT</p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-85256552655475238922009-01-15T16:06:00.004-05:002009-01-15T16:42:09.012-05:00Christmas was bitter sweet...OK so I know it's been forever since I posted but I have an excuse. You see this Christmas was the first time in a very long time (about 12 or so years) that I was going to spend it with my family in Florida. The reservations were made in September, the plans were made that the whole family (minus John) would be there, and we would celebrate in warm country for the first time in too long. We had spent Thanksgiving together (well all but the Nebraska folks, my baby sis, her hubby and two girls) and that was fantastic. So Christmas would be just wonderful right????<br /><br />Well the night before I was to leave on the plane I received this call from my hubby saying he was at Suburban Hospital ... It's like pulling teeth to get him to talk so he spit it out that they had found his mom on the floor in the kitchen and rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance. They believed it to be a stroke. They had talked to her at 3:30 - 4:00 ish and they found her at 6:00 PM. Thank goodness that my BIL & SIL went to see why she didn't answer. We don't even want to think about that now do we. So John spent the night at the hospital with his brother and SIL waiting on the tests they were doing for mom. She is allergic to most medicines so many of the preventive type things they give others could not be given to her. I was told that I was getting on the plane the next day no matter what. So I climbed under the covers and tried to sleep that night saying many prayers all night long. I think I may have gotten about 2 hours total sleep over all because of the worry.<br /><br />So when I got up, I called and learned that she was admitted after midnight and had a room in the ICU where they spent the night. I went to work with my truck packed ready to drive to airport and go to Florida under orders. I worked about four hours (yeah right!!!) and then called John for update. The NIH Stoke Team works with the patients at Suburban Hospital and they had evaluated the MRI they did on mom the night before. They would not know more til the swelling went down in a few days but prognosis was not good. So I begrudgingly drove to the airport parking lot, took the shuttle to the airport and checked in my baggage.<br /><br />Standing in the security line, one of the TSA guys made my day when he said "Hi Gorgeous". I was ready to take him home!!! I know he says that to everyone but it sure made me smile. Then we had a lock down which scared the crap out of me. Some lady was complaining and they locked down the lines for about 10 minutes. We stood wondering what was happening quietly. Then they lifted the lock down and we proceeded through security. I called John again and he was still at hospital telling me nothing.<br /><br />So after waiting four hours at the airport (I don't believe in being late during Christmas rush) the plane took off for sunny Florida. We arrived in the rain! Ha, even rain in Florida was better than the weather up here. My brother picked me up and after I hugged him I told him about my MIL. So that set the tone for the holidays. But Cec (my MIL) held her own (and is still holding her own today although not as well), and every day after two to three calls each day we would get same update. Nothing new. Until Christmas Day around 4 in the afternoon -- we got our Christmas Miracle. She opened her eyes, knew my hubby (her baby) and his brother too. She responded by shaking her head and blinking her eyes and some squeezing of her right hand. She then went back to sleep. She woke up later when her #1 Grandson came to visit, as she did when her #1 son came in his two girls too. It seemed to be looking up.<br /><br />So down in Florida even with the bleak outlook in Maryland, the T's clan had a great time visiting, EATING again and again, playing games with the kids, sitting outside enjoying the temps in the 80s and no rain, and relaxing. All the while we were all saying special prayers for Cec too.<br /><br />So my visit although bitter sweet was a good one. We told stories, watched football, played ladder ball, watched iguanas climb up the seawall out back in the canals, went out in Michael's boat for a spin, drove up the coast, went in the ocean (yes I did too!), and just plain enjoyed each other more than ever as it was well overdue. And although my MIL is still hanging on, she taught me that life is too short and you'd better do what you want and need to do while you have the chance.<br /><br />When I came home, I went to the hospital and Cec opened her "eye" because now her left eye just doesn't want to open all that much, and I know she knew I was there. I thanked her for holding on for me too. We have been holding vigil at the hospital since it happened and many of her family members have been there every single day. She does not have a good prognosis today and she is paralyzed basically from the neck down, so it is up to her and God as to what happens. We all understand that and will accept whatever happens whenever it happens. She is soon to be released from the hospital and then will go to my BIL's house for hospice care. We will continue visitation there too. So the bitter sweet still continues but there are many memories that we have and I'm learning new ones every day. Her sisters are sharing their memories with me and the stories are so very special. It is sad yes but it always seems to bring families together too. So with this New Year there are many new things to come and many things that will come to an end. But the memories will always be in our hearts. So I leave you with this thought -- <strong>don't put off today what you can do tomorrow because tomorrow may never come!!!! </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Appreciate what you have and no matter how much you think you are having a bad day, there is always something worse.<br /><br /></strong><strong></strong>Sorry that this is not as silly and crazy as usual but sometimes I have to deal with reality too. I will be spending more time with my family on all sides and my friends. Because with out you all, I am nothing!<br /><br />Special thanks to Ro as she lifted me up last week too. We've both been a little blue but when we are together we turn purple!!! LOL!!!!<br /><br />Cya later!!!<br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-41077322526259441722008-12-21T13:38:00.004-05:002008-12-21T13:50:40.531-05:00HAPPY 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcHttoCuuPAG80YJB1NSr96X0_7oBVxDhbm9aX7rWPbVUFIfxM19ZfagEU1XhYG98Pz1as5aGGhgX9oJ7_d7pwQ-FzfZlW3cKOxn_VwBYFZ2qmmuQ_nZWJbn45Oy6OTvNgdA-wg5h4Qs/s1600-h/IMG_0767.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282316310853828946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcHttoCuuPAG80YJB1NSr96X0_7oBVxDhbm9aX7rWPbVUFIfxM19ZfagEU1XhYG98Pz1as5aGGhgX9oJ7_d7pwQ-FzfZlW3cKOxn_VwBYFZ2qmmuQ_nZWJbn45Oy6OTvNgdA-wg5h4Qs/s320/IMG_0767.JPG" border="0" /></a>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!).<br /><br /><br /><br />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!<br /><br /><br />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!!!<br /><br /><br />Take care & hugs to ya,<br /><br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-36980762848884890222008-12-17T16:31:00.023-05:002008-12-18T20:30:34.002-05:00Pics of Mouse & Thanks ProjectsAs 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 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaLVSBcDiWR0HTw3t7_hzf0W3HiiJf3ubhWDcaYqEfEZ8LhnwN8uJtQPAaFgvEq0WY5H5EMXtxWhEGhHkgl9BPFeEhyphenhyphenBwXXKbMxjTn85J4tIywzpEjFNYKkIAxXJoUowpfR_frDTpsvU/s1600-h/IMGP0189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281306103245583170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaLVSBcDiWR0HTw3t7_hzf0W3HiiJf3ubhWDcaYqEfEZ8LhnwN8uJtQPAaFgvEq0WY5H5EMXtxWhEGhHkgl9BPFeEhyphenhyphenBwXXKbMxjTn85J4tIywzpEjFNYKkIAxXJoUowpfR_frDTpsvU/s320/IMGP0189.JPG" border="0" /></a>post) and put the tags and pictures in their books. Yeah, my presents are almost done!!!! <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzTnPXv0r-1wEUOw487vfuECf6j8oOxY8tGyMnkKTM4CWHkJgHLBapkuo_WV7Uq2B49_0U3ImiVfxi3ZClU9gc6q6QaY5TwRzuEvbNKCmbQFCbIXVDkmnjyrp5jwFm9uDB2jHKWrsk7U/s1600-h/IMGP0190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281292481365072882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzTnPXv0r-1wEUOw487vfuECf6j8oOxY8tGyMnkKTM4CWHkJgHLBapkuo_WV7Uq2B49_0U3ImiVfxi3ZClU9gc6q6QaY5TwRzuEvbNKCmbQFCbIXVDkmnjyrp5jwFm9uDB2jHKWrsk7U/s320/IMGP0190.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Opening page and then on to some of the pages for tags and pictures for the girls.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5xzepovz77ZPXQGlltR-fKaqfKpRvSkxFRdY2y4Jq0G3ceJCDitLU_sC1rsFYwo4SjNKhfI49UsNKryqD0s_6Zx_eVVtRBr4ZR9qBCk3wW932wiCph-cw0zEOAWmyMr6vpCytl5ZUYE/s1600-h/IMGP0194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281292501350066354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5xzepovz77ZPXQGlltR-fKaqfKpRvSkxFRdY2y4Jq0G3ceJCDitLU_sC1rsFYwo4SjNKhfI49UsNKryqD0s_6Zx_eVVtRBr4ZR9qBCk3wW932wiCph-cw0zEOAWmyMr6vpCytl5ZUYE/s320/IMGP0194.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwJ8CUsQSLWySNXDOX04GuT1gYG54JGfp7IL7ZdXk90ipDudG8XNdGpOfyqP4eQzftK8kMAqhoBgx1hKOgCXK4PtJjd5KMkXmqJC2CciL4vVILMPyi6gHzdIJDvyuA_UKsRYGjAbZd2I/s1600-h/IMGP0191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281292492206341490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwJ8CUsQSLWySNXDOX04GuT1gYG54JGfp7IL7ZdXk90ipDudG8XNdGpOfyqP4eQzftK8kMAqhoBgx1hKOgCXK4PtJjd5KMkXmqJC2CciL4vVILMPyi6gHzdIJDvyuA_UKsRYGjAbZd2I/s320/IMGP0191.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsBHSk9UxMxGE054eGiHTkZYPUv37PYkp458qrdl8Bvzcl9pvhsQg1I0Gfj9lLvTbzQEK9Vo3un77A90WQE24zJsX6qVyyMUy1Uz5bFBZHRIYj0lMMpt8YhsS3JWS8ji6C1yUKy7Fefs/s1600-h/IMGP0195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281293457166776114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsBHSk9UxMxGE054eGiHTkZYPUv37PYkp458qrdl8Bvzcl9pvhsQg1I0Gfj9lLvTbzQEK9Vo3un77A90WQE24zJsX6qVyyMUy1Uz5bFBZHRIYj0lMMpt8YhsS3JWS8ji6C1yUKy7Fefs/s320/IMGP0195.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7m58loNHze2vQo-1mEX1RwGuzr0Azm5LtqzWS1VWgMGwHBB86ytb-EGngzQQgzRwQBymE8e_TiHIsQSEEBEBvbGxjcivsF6OPwGFLB4_zwTRzupseghfrgtMqVrZvcmyo7PoO54spF8/s1600-h/IMGP0193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281292497483427106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7m58loNHze2vQo-1mEX1RwGuzr0Azm5LtqzWS1VWgMGwHBB86ytb-EGngzQQgzRwQBymE8e_TiHIsQSEEBEBvbGxjcivsF6OPwGFLB4_zwTRzupseghfrgtMqVrZvcmyo7PoO54spF8/s320/IMGP0193.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>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!!!!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfb-6LpgnuTowx82kXGyt6FJiiQkT-920fccGPdZzhGEybNUwI-dgS2mZfTBaZoEXK3vNYffIgNUb07iQ4kXxHdD_EEOoXZRcJQGuKwG8x9IRXPvOi-IJF24BK3cGKO_5tlIelb3U-eo/s1600-h/IMGP0201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281293473106986642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfb-6LpgnuTowx82kXGyt6FJiiQkT-920fccGPdZzhGEybNUwI-dgS2mZfTBaZoEXK3vNYffIgNUb07iQ4kXxHdD_EEOoXZRcJQGuKwG8x9IRXPvOi-IJF24BK3cGKO_5tlIelb3U-eo/s320/IMGP0201.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />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.</div><div><br />Now moving on to the Thanks Book - my favorite.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6Hh-4allhkKDZNl2tVrqF2DzdQi1R31qTduvBuZjqvkocOLmq-zmEZp7lEwBFW-taT7mZk_mi03alZizdcTEg-HUtfe3MrObdptV-JpMuFBMrYbFeZ76Oa0PnAvuCFrrOSg2akQwIAY/s1600-h/IMGP0202.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281295837951094738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6Hh-4allhkKDZNl2tVrqF2DzdQi1R31qTduvBuZjqvkocOLmq-zmEZp7lEwBFW-taT7mZk_mi03alZizdcTEg-HUtfe3MrObdptV-JpMuFBMrYbFeZ76Oa0PnAvuCFrrOSg2akQwIAY/s320/IMGP0202.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64kz4DSCJs0yymR4uZ0uqBneHuT3cMSvwKdA3Y6JCGSIa8yZ7ohxCPpfpMWycjok3YtZ5QTj8HIFIQU7O2x8Gfmg0CaXdsykUJNUgrH9gS-3miRA-I9oJT9xBqhI7bFbZfeEW9QGz0wk/s1600-h/IMGP0203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281295848883260674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64kz4DSCJs0yymR4uZ0uqBneHuT3cMSvwKdA3Y6JCGSIa8yZ7ohxCPpfpMWycjok3YtZ5QTj8HIFIQU7O2x8Gfmg0CaXdsykUJNUgrH9gS-3miRA-I9oJT9xBqhI7bFbZfeEW9QGz0wk/s320/IMGP0203.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>This is the accordian book with tags and hidden journaling.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Bh9NVEJ7U48viFzCRF5I0ilaqlUaz1cKLuXtLsVZWwjjpN3l9miGt2RAyiAAajNf78qJxDhKUAbUWDIoCrSmwECdtT8lKcXlyUiEgA6JxmZ3LSV2ITW8TNBB9SEV4Lv7MsXuuK9iDY/s1600-h/IMGP0204.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281295852469143394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Bh9NVEJ7U48viFzCRF5I0ilaqlUaz1cKLuXtLsVZWwjjpN3l9miGt2RAyiAAajNf78qJxDhKUAbUWDIoCrSmwECdtT8lKcXlyUiEgA6JxmZ3LSV2ITW8TNBB9SEV4Lv7MsXuuK9iDY/s320/IMGP0204.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM-dNz94Zhfnz1vc293FYAW1PxwR-_ueZ-eISqV3SVmDD-UA2MXoyx6YJg4DI72ZLBhyT-4ROmV6H8FVp5gisyuEtUyDZ4_0-q3JkYav8e8-7X0ClB1mXgfajDPUfAz_k3GrWLldqLtM/s1600-h/IMGP0205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281295861379023138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM-dNz94Zhfnz1vc293FYAW1PxwR-_ueZ-eISqV3SVmDD-UA2MXoyx6YJg4DI72ZLBhyT-4ROmV6H8FVp5gisyuEtUyDZ4_0-q3JkYav8e8-7X0ClB1mXgfajDPUfAz_k3GrWLldqLtM/s320/IMGP0205.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>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!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EvglV8pELZQmrrm1dwY8I_J15dNTcgZznQ23XMge0i81zaOx1J8fthZLT2ktEtSONpA3FzWr-WpAJQrP2ob3Gvr3yTIbS6qtH-vOuRC_u2o84DjkNgPAZjDxB19pRaDSIl3FrqvmSSQ/s1600-h/IMGP0206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281295863436588610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EvglV8pELZQmrrm1dwY8I_J15dNTcgZznQ23XMge0i81zaOx1J8fthZLT2ktEtSONpA3FzWr-WpAJQrP2ob3Gvr3yTIbS6qtH-vOuRC_u2o84DjkNgPAZjDxB19pRaDSIl3FrqvmSSQ/s320/IMGP0206.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYruRk87-TmAT6cSgKygTWs8bD7XbE15oouAUIXA7j-nj6I4tga9o2JFmTp4Jel8amErxT7OF8dXHteL5HqcfZpS8GDbGtPI2KHbwkl8Pnx7yxr9uWssjxn4_SXhPNlAqUOVBaIUNhAPQ/s1600-h/IMGP0207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281298304724907986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYruRk87-TmAT6cSgKygTWs8bD7XbE15oouAUIXA7j-nj6I4tga9o2JFmTp4Jel8amErxT7OF8dXHteL5HqcfZpS8GDbGtPI2KHbwkl8Pnx7yxr9uWssjxn4_SXhPNlAqUOVBaIUNhAPQ/s320/IMGP0207.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Kbg-lM-V9Wjy-dxxI4RZyHfwzqyBLqmO-19f-qz0uAn3g5cH3IS_TcdlK7BYq1WBrbRjJNJ1DPDZ0pW8nikf18lTw-mVOoOAaH62ecahslH7GrGMsaVtzhslngY8TH9sN5BeLL8VuB0/s1600-h/IMGP0208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281298316176126898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Kbg-lM-V9Wjy-dxxI4RZyHfwzqyBLqmO-19f-qz0uAn3g5cH3IS_TcdlK7BYq1WBrbRjJNJ1DPDZ0pW8nikf18lTw-mVOoOAaH62ecahslH7GrGMsaVtzhslngY8TH9sN5BeLL8VuB0/s320/IMGP0208.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4bAkUp347PqFt-OBL6Qy7RA7fjVB9WZOFpoTE3DBKC9VTscHq9rTxC5rcStOkU59wRMLxLKxedFVctNOMRMKS-Ju5oAec8z9Kf0YotyOraMT7ISaUvEWOtfM9pN2JbrHMKhY8-w3gqc/s1600-h/IMGP0209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281298326763318130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4bAkUp347PqFt-OBL6Qy7RA7fjVB9WZOFpoTE3DBKC9VTscHq9rTxC5rcStOkU59wRMLxLKxedFVctNOMRMKS-Ju5oAec8z9Kf0YotyOraMT7ISaUvEWOtfM9pN2JbrHMKhY8-w3gqc/s320/IMGP0209.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClocir7AEbrTp4x4TOk0FhfZvJeXiPrrYfDVf6smCzxCV0dPiMKrTnXvMTaQobLeZxktFHM0GkYVpUZEGfq496MdXg8H7dfwSWHCP_4VSvybRBA1WbLzYOO9qnNg_j4Bux9dl0eGnOsI/s1600-h/IMGP0216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281303496874338002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClocir7AEbrTp4x4TOk0FhfZvJeXiPrrYfDVf6smCzxCV0dPiMKrTnXvMTaQobLeZxktFHM0GkYVpUZEGfq496MdXg8H7dfwSWHCP_4VSvybRBA1WbLzYOO9qnNg_j4Bux9dl0eGnOsI/s320/IMGP0216.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZikZdJhk60gkX50sgjdF5Vkhjl1m88JeWbSXyMHSkq_MfVY-XqTrIAIozLkrndETRlUDqrs71zZq9utsfXLfavG87cxgvVYkBLin5bQp9rONDHskcCTJJRV8HG-_9si3Aqd4P1pt_1Qw/s1600-h/IMGP0215.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281303493037913426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZikZdJhk60gkX50sgjdF5Vkhjl1m88JeWbSXyMHSkq_MfVY-XqTrIAIozLkrndETRlUDqrs71zZq9utsfXLfavG87cxgvVYkBLin5bQp9rONDHskcCTJJRV8HG-_9si3Aqd4P1pt_1Qw/s320/IMGP0215.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRU63F0lkS_weU5lsN8pfCSYYszRgp6X8kLOr-c7rak-6Xuf1cneNJ6oycbi_pdqW5ontAe9p13_WoehcGtlfOGaUQqKqe6m8JHbRsJ0sgrH-kENIBLHk_u969F0IZ71Cq6kWLyV2Rn4/s1600-h/IMGP0210.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyaLLkcv6zz3tKdRtuDVH4Bu4sAs57iMzZeWZbAtVr0Eu_stdxrJ_sPos0EWXnsablAP45niW1jDigCfbb6fQ5oyhkXE40Q5tb0VxnDjroTmhFQe7aj0tAuchAlmXJSg3lZ1AYJO14Ng/s1600-h/IMGP0214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281303484394742962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyaLLkcv6zz3tKdRtuDVH4Bu4sAs57iMzZeWZbAtVr0Eu_stdxrJ_sPos0EWXnsablAP45niW1jDigCfbb6fQ5oyhkXE40Q5tb0VxnDjroTmhFQe7aj0tAuchAlmXJSg3lZ1AYJO14Ng/s320/IMGP0214.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKQf0Yfi2acihGYtfBXa1P0IrU41wpMKLfBNr-KkHDNI_WCF0v9Wuy-B92PLPmdGeJprjZM8dVnQbrnjnODVQ4FRtBOxz8yIHfEOpwSURgdx80KuLJJ0gt0xvBQzWSYx5yR_KlZmPdCQ/s1600-h/IMGP0211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281303480566428002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKQf0Yfi2acihGYtfBXa1P0IrU41wpMKLfBNr-KkHDNI_WCF0v9Wuy-B92PLPmdGeJprjZM8dVnQbrnjnODVQ4FRtBOxz8yIHfEOpwSURgdx80KuLJJ0gt0xvBQzWSYx5yR_KlZmPdCQ/s320/IMGP0211.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br />Enjoy!</div><br /><div>KTTTT </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-17804604151105020622008-12-16T11:30:00.003-05:002008-12-16T11:42:20.123-05:00Trans-Siberian OrchestraSo 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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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!<br /><br /><br /><br />Hugs,<br /><br />KTTTT<br /><br /><br />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!!!!Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-43497326258947085532008-12-16T11:21:00.002-05:002008-12-16T11:30:31.547-05:00Behind the Eight Ball Againso 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />The next project will be putting the Family Christmas Book together after taking all those pics on Christmas Day. I can't wait.<br /><br />More to post later. Take care to my loyal readers. You two know who you are!!! LOL!!<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Hugs to ya,<br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-4337025437829014782008-12-05T16:14:00.008-05:002008-12-05T17:21:51.535-05:00Wednesday @ our LSSthe 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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />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!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />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!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />GTG! Will write more ltr!<br /><br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-4301655251649417042008-12-02T22:16:00.027-05:002008-12-04T16:19:31.461-05:00Ft. Lauderdale & Turkey Day<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>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.</div><br /><div>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.<br /></div><div> </div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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!! </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mi30vEudCzxmJXEyCFyELhUoeN5l5yrSrsO6FCOZzSwHO2WJCW8mfurUciqJkWSr7rlS7mH27Su97Gaq1T1bxxNiws1zl4VhovqeXoXizI_yZvb7EaI_oPbS4Y4ZMaqUXoxsk3Eq8VM/s1600-h/IMGP0177dad&mom.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276043242541112722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mi30vEudCzxmJXEyCFyELhUoeN5l5yrSrsO6FCOZzSwHO2WJCW8mfurUciqJkWSr7rlS7mH27Su97Gaq1T1bxxNiws1zl4VhovqeXoXizI_yZvb7EaI_oPbS4Y4ZMaqUXoxsk3Eq8VM/s320/IMGP0177dad&mom.JPG" border="0" /></a>Dad & Mom enjoying the appetizers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Karen, Beth (SIL), & Lynn (my sis) having some liquid refreshments!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPIZqw3wi1QKH4HV8U1pbmm8eVfhdBMcDXZVLhKb8kk9ZezDoNaGHXQ8t6YHI0A45tB1-fRVqVtPh_7K5-ERUn3LzNBoNsSc_xZgD4AOtuhQMq_vSeQM2pp98Y0IBFP6_TKEy_oEdJz4/s1600-h/IMG_0763-me-beth-lynn-good-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275400571946301714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPIZqw3wi1QKH4HV8U1pbmm8eVfhdBMcDXZVLhKb8kk9ZezDoNaGHXQ8t6YHI0A45tB1-fRVqVtPh_7K5-ERUn3LzNBoNsSc_xZgD4AOtuhQMq_vSeQM2pp98Y0IBFP6_TKEy_oEdJz4/s320/IMG_0763-me-beth-lynn-good-2.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EjnKqAUnNnFEdds53j9mtjTWukYz-heXxjrGJyNIiBKlMiT1OlXLah5uUL9vIM6C6gaFzXLgCvbj6WdqIEKbrTQxNdf3kXe-8_z4na4qrsjx_Lcqm9vWT_26JbW4AnVEUAR2pt2f6QI/s1600-h/IMG_0764-3+sisters.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275400576271373314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EjnKqAUnNnFEdds53j9mtjTWukYz-heXxjrGJyNIiBKlMiT1OlXLah5uUL9vIM6C6gaFzXLgCvbj6WdqIEKbrTQxNdf3kXe-8_z4na4qrsjx_Lcqm9vWT_26JbW4AnVEUAR2pt2f6QI/s320/IMG_0764-3+sisters.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>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?<br /></div><br /><div>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 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTSbUuIM-eVL8Bb5KqeVL6gPMrleRWJeXkTapjgNwm6ehak476OYYQwDb58lNZO51iwvLZRGiP40V9IHk9ziTyLAmuLTKYoKVhXHlHOFVrDXl76hFw8oJOXhfSUYB5ZV-rzNhzQqX0h0/s1600-h/IMGP0187me&mysis.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276043255683508002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTSbUuIM-eVL8Bb5KqeVL6gPMrleRWJeXkTapjgNwm6ehak476OYYQwDb58lNZO51iwvLZRGiP40V9IHk9ziTyLAmuLTKYoKVhXHlHOFVrDXl76hFw8oJOXhfSUYB5ZV-rzNhzQqX0h0/s320/IMGP0187me&mysis.JPG" border="0" /></a>most days (cool by my Mom's standards) but absolutely perfect to me. Shorts, T-shirt & Sandals - P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!!!<br /></div></div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Me & My Sis!!!!</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQuZE5RKeNtyQAr-62yo9JXpcavmS61bzbrk0jP5z7RnrII7o8bY5ilAel-zZ13s_3qCTHggSiOjwle9txZ5RmaK7coF6RqKjlttbvzuqI4J0FW1LXTh1SYydCwipXsGkLjf_wG5hbZE/s1600-h/IMG_0760-dad+%40+table.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276037800866110674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQuZE5RKeNtyQAr-62yo9JXpcavmS61bzbrk0jP5z7RnrII7o8bY5ilAel-zZ13s_3qCTHggSiOjwle9txZ5RmaK7coF6RqKjlttbvzuqI4J0FW1LXTh1SYydCwipXsGkLjf_wG5hbZE/s320/IMG_0760-dad+%40+table.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>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. </div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br />Kris, her boyfriend Issac, Mike and CJ playing before eating.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfaODrO_jxCPl7ctsFfz2MTz5hJFMCdBhaVdt1KVtsBICC4oIOFObPPmZEGVNSGFFFPKTiqZn0TMPOzU7IU-r9xqL6K480a0-XdlqcdopGY9QYJqbT2BPHvUBmQCBVUa2hklaByg41tg/s1600-h/IMGP0180-playing+game.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276043247301326914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfaODrO_jxCPl7ctsFfz2MTz5hJFMCdBhaVdt1KVtsBICC4oIOFObPPmZEGVNSGFFFPKTiqZn0TMPOzU7IU-r9xqL6K480a0-XdlqcdopGY9QYJqbT2BPHvUBmQCBVUa2hklaByg41tg/s320/IMGP0180-playing+game.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_yZ60W8WnYe34BvwXiYqac8JT6PP2bE0DxIzfPF15eyYgZKra9qYYei2bdkC9L9GQGl2dmmjqoT9Yju0nYsibzVgzWZwbJKnFY5CVxm7ezwnxg7pzRqsrj8vE-KCinxJYfhp4hdTpD4/s1600-h/IMGP0178greg-kev-beth-lynn+patio.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276043235428589938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_yZ60W8WnYe34BvwXiYqac8JT6PP2bE0DxIzfPF15eyYgZKra9qYYei2bdkC9L9GQGl2dmmjqoT9Yju0nYsibzVgzWZwbJKnFY5CVxm7ezwnxg7pzRqsrj8vE-KCinxJYfhp4hdTpD4/s320/IMGP0178greg-kev-beth-lynn+patio.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Greg, Kev, Beth, & Lynn on the patio. I just barely got part of Mom in the pic too.<br /><br />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. </div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CicyDD3QqX0tNNN5ugDbPBCaklOJlyJYITWWXMRulO9Lt6iYvMQypedBY2q8uHBjh5WUU9bIM67eZ024-t7h8V6gXMKZnKszSo_8fNRd3SBm0z0GpcEi7mPjIgbPJv5jfLMszRs4HJU/s1600-h/IMG_0789-cropped.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275400568088172530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CicyDD3QqX0tNNN5ugDbPBCaklOJlyJYITWWXMRulO9Lt6iYvMQypedBY2q8uHBjh5WUU9bIM67eZ024-t7h8V6gXMKZnKszSo_8fNRd3SBm0z0GpcEi7mPjIgbPJv5jfLMszRs4HJU/s320/IMG_0789-cropped.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvhFSnxnA7gFk6LmWE_9ge2OudAB2rUDhvGDvX61EtdMJLaLSP6jl5GJt_aJLeviR4L9yb73AF98R7cp0LQJYF8g2b2wfCV05YIIUdHb2_fVC83eGAvTNkHhyHfq2uYRGjx0rX5w-otQ/s1600-h/IMG_0796.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275400573687324914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvhFSnxnA7gFk6LmWE_9ge2OudAB2rUDhvGDvX61EtdMJLaLSP6jl5GJt_aJLeviR4L9yb73AF98R7cp0LQJYF8g2b2wfCV05YIIUdHb2_fVC83eGAvTNkHhyHfq2uYRGjx0rX5w-otQ/s320/IMG_0796.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>More pics to come after Christmas visit. Can't wait. I will actually have pics to scrap in my albums. Hmmm such a concept.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-91115736852446403252008-11-23T17:22:00.008-05:002008-11-24T16:56:58.186-05:00Busy weekend<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Well the presents are wrapped, boxed and the plan is to UPS them tomorrow. I'm hoping that they will arrive while I'm in Florida at my parents. Then I can unload them and put them under the tree that I am going to help them put up after feasting on Turkey Day. Mom & Dad have chores for me to do while there. I can't wait. No internet, no cable TV, nothing but slow pace with my Mom & Dad. When my brother, SIL and niece and nephew come over that will change. And then again when my sister, BIL, and other niece come over too. Can't wait. They have dinner planned. My brother is picking me up at the airport, it's all planned. All I have to do is leave home at 3 am drive to the airport parking lot, get picked up, get checked in and get on plane. Then it's in the pilot's hands. He'd better be communicating with the man upstairs to get the plane there safely. There is a full load counting on it.</div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_qv52RzSwwS-0j54N75rGVY_oLPpRlwOUdUTCfBXTEEZqfKOt7FvLKlTPMBxdKfMzBi7f1lRh-g47oNvf5KmTUByp_KAnp_UGqb5kH5WDVEJW9jMuKNovZnaVl_RDDWr_lp_ef_rtZE/s1600-h/IMG_0723.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271988551088396338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_qv52RzSwwS-0j54N75rGVY_oLPpRlwOUdUTCfBXTEEZqfKOt7FvLKlTPMBxdKfMzBi7f1lRh-g47oNvf5KmTUByp_KAnp_UGqb5kH5WDVEJW9jMuKNovZnaVl_RDDWr_lp_ef_rtZE/s320/IMG_0723.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI3074NGhYiFqW9PvVnfdDLL6HcRrXDakRVcPibtEitX-RfxlPDFM20-L6cpbqzLlZjYqtRWrA0TQltgxiGUTzTKZFJOI2DElCX6McGThY55o0YBQfnStdhDtcULbK8MllVfCsWd7ung/s1600-h/IMG_0724.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271988555431947618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI3074NGhYiFqW9PvVnfdDLL6HcRrXDakRVcPibtEitX-RfxlPDFM20-L6cpbqzLlZjYqtRWrA0TQltgxiGUTzTKZFJOI2DElCX6McGThY55o0YBQfnStdhDtcULbK8MllVfCsWd7ung/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I also took pics of projects I did in OC with Celena which I promised to post. Those are here too. The pink one is an All Girl made with canvas as front and back covers with accordian tags in between. This is a Quick Quotes design. I finished my second School Book & Thankful Book (doing the backs of the books which I didn't do the first time) which were designed by my buddy Cheryl Mezzetti. So the two School Books are going to my nieces from Nebraska. The Thankful Books will be updated with pics (hopefully after my visit) and one will be MINE and the other will go back down with me for Christmas for Mom & Dad. Thought that would be great.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCApTQpZRkpdYS7JQ5Ck_WNAc9Ad5o0qKKXdaGJ1byG55SzQUf7Iau8fDssfB8GFubiH1KnJwXiut_BpIjYLqb9e7fgBdTl6s7cNtB_AJHumEmp1OSr3XxCqNLd_YxpsEC4M8OlGnGIU/s1600-h/IMG_0740.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271989853057143026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCApTQpZRkpdYS7JQ5Ck_WNAc9Ad5o0qKKXdaGJ1byG55SzQUf7Iau8fDssfB8GFubiH1KnJwXiut_BpIjYLqb9e7fgBdTl6s7cNtB_AJHumEmp1OSr3XxCqNLd_YxpsEC4M8OlGnGIU/s320/IMG_0740.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjp_YzIlAvFIVrmujiyrjKCz1CtZxDPc0TV_nxc1HbPvXKDfJfrpgnAG2J5K1om0F2PzZkilp-MmZdJtpc-O8x13zXfms6p1_FE69WExwvJXoDP2WmxMt0fSXsoMDsopg40bGOuo1fgE/s1600-h/IMG_0741.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271989855439987618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjp_YzIlAvFIVrmujiyrjKCz1CtZxDPc0TV_nxc1HbPvXKDfJfrpgnAG2J5K1om0F2PzZkilp-MmZdJtpc-O8x13zXfms6p1_FE69WExwvJXoDP2WmxMt0fSXsoMDsopg40bGOuo1fgE/s320/IMG_0741.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib71qP7Y1SYltEvLUee5y2EDRI7RU2hMc3uJMrR3fE07yE9LWqW3yWWRg8qKQLlnPrkwKNnF9Us-37JLxFHuCS98U0hgCNM32gZGNysSkloIm3ovD8oDDqy3Wd5sxBZFUOe60ueCQv_AA/s1600-h/IMG_0729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271989840165136290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib71qP7Y1SYltEvLUee5y2EDRI7RU2hMc3uJMrR3fE07yE9LWqW3yWWRg8qKQLlnPrkwKNnF9Us-37JLxFHuCS98U0hgCNM32gZGNysSkloIm3ovD8oDDqy3Wd5sxBZFUOe60ueCQv_AA/s320/IMG_0729.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib71qP7Y1SYltEvLUee5y2EDRI7RU2hMc3uJMrR3fE07yE9LWqW3yWWRg8qKQLlnPrkwKNnF9Us-37JLxFHuCS98U0hgCNM32gZGNysSkloIm3ovD8oDDqy3Wd5sxBZFUOe60ueCQv_AA/s1600-h/IMG_0729.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmqphs7-9ucQU10gNstBZJtPzKm49ZJQRaJgO3Y9xuj4W6AdRquUGuo3DkwqiBdhyzjHtOpY7PSf9TgWXHb5Pmuf52LeD-HZ4L_cPwdj4-y9yWxMxMPyCnUtetA6xm0Ymbj4WIBdlQ-g/s1600-h/IMG_0730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271989842370537122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmqphs7-9ucQU10gNstBZJtPzKm49ZJQRaJgO3Y9xuj4W6AdRquUGuo3DkwqiBdhyzjHtOpY7PSf9TgWXHb5Pmuf52LeD-HZ4L_cPwdj4-y9yWxMxMPyCnUtetA6xm0Ymbj4WIBdlQ-g/s320/IMG_0730.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib71qP7Y1SYltEvLUee5y2EDRI7RU2hMc3uJMrR3fE07yE9LWqW3yWWRg8qKQLlnPrkwKNnF9Us-37JLxFHuCS98U0hgCNM32gZGNysSkloIm3ovD8oDDqy3Wd5sxBZFUOe60ueCQv_AA/s1600-h/IMG_0729.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>And not to let Jana and Rosemary outdo do me, I made another project (completely finished) but it must stay secret as it's a present for Christmas and I cannot post it or it won't be a secret! LOL!!! I'm also working on two autograph books for Disney for the two girls who are surprising their Grandparents and coming to Florida with their Mom & Dad for Christmas. But they don't know their piece of the secret and that is that they are going to Disney after Christmas Day. So Aunt Karen is making them two Disney books with 24 (yes count them) 24 tags to be autographed by their favorite characters to then be put into their books. The tags are done - now that's 24 for each of them so a total of 48 cut out, put on cardstock, cut, eyelets attached and put together with ribbon currently. Then I will give them many different ribbons to attach (Rosemary I think I may need another trip to the outlet!!!) and they will have their presents all done. The books won't be finished until I get back from Thanksgiving but the tags are done. Yippie. Only 24 pages apiece to do in their books now. Another what was I thinking -- well it's kind of like Ro, using up the supplies that I have overwhelming me in my room (or should I say overflowing into rooms!!!). </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuocHvc89JzEygff1tIVa6vaay6LC2GjayisQXtvsoKvb9FETHKWe6SYG6nWSwvdZvnGcuKPHxMeOUwkRRY7pjzscyHvtmQVndbmfUIUubpskdLeAbg1VNu5tLDa2jG6T63_RNvPaeRTw/s1600-h/IMG_0757.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271989833616958674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuocHvc89JzEygff1tIVa6vaay6LC2GjayisQXtvsoKvb9FETHKWe6SYG6nWSwvdZvnGcuKPHxMeOUwkRRY7pjzscyHvtmQVndbmfUIUubpskdLeAbg1VNu5tLDa2jG6T63_RNvPaeRTw/s320/IMG_0757.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have two other projects I want to do too but will have to see if I have the time. One is a DOG book for one of the girls at work. And the other is a BOOT book -- the theme - How to decorate my boot -- she had foot surgery and my mission is to decorate her boot for the Christmas Party on the 6th. I think I have some ribbon I can use. Hmm, not sure but think I may just be able to spare it. So with that in mind, I want to take a stocking, make it a boot and show the many ways you can decorate it with pics from the party in it. We'll see. I may be biting off more than I can chew as they say.</div><br /><div>Well now on to the pictures. My internet shut down so I'm actually posting on Monday but all this was actually accomplished between Saturday and Sunday. I was very productive. Now I must PACK for my Florida Turkey Day venture. Can't wait!!!!!</div><div> </div><div>HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO ALL!!!!!</div><div> </div><div>CYA,</div><div>KTTTT</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-11640083894245621502008-11-14T15:47:00.007-05:002008-11-14T16:13:22.562-05:00Going Green with the GS & Duff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJJBpEHFHZGATnapvWzB4pQVaE4W1UGQaNuWFkXOcfRBBcPKNh1nPCnsHdy0cX3SYqsNPTx3EL8w6v7pRxij2R4icvpMa3toNMa-S2WhLAuTKHfshnR13b5QJehnU9d0GzK4Uxs2Va7M/s1600-h/Tagalong+cropped.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268623556517085922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJJBpEHFHZGATnapvWzB4pQVaE4W1UGQaNuWFkXOcfRBBcPKNh1nPCnsHdy0cX3SYqsNPTx3EL8w6v7pRxij2R4icvpMa3toNMa-S2WhLAuTKHfshnR13b5QJehnU9d0GzK4Uxs2Va7M/s320/Tagalong+cropped.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9hk_XFgtVeDDI5-TM-uMeAnFuvv5RFeVHq61RvwRqUC6iOiErAp9nAuDE6GFiqmmgaQEGMkw_1lrIoLqCJp7S2RXrFyuoESFLUzlUJoF2qM78OBXWakc9p3K0y8HoT7-MZat4qeElZg/s1600-h/lemon+cookie+cake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268623551641064882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9hk_XFgtVeDDI5-TM-uMeAnFuvv5RFeVHq61RvwRqUC6iOiErAp9nAuDE6GFiqmmgaQEGMkw_1lrIoLqCJp7S2RXrFyuoESFLUzlUJoF2qM78OBXWakc9p3K0y8HoT7-MZat4qeElZg/s320/lemon+cookie+cake.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WRrTWzYuu9b_UVbnfv142IBpp6N1qf9nQjl9f9y2pKoSzHteGNsgRNycckIPqMtOKGUYTzOKBZlGr0Xhq6A_fH3UsQmbQgH1qLEgBAyDCg5NXNm4cX-ZRwp0dArhRUDWlWFpxGSz3yg/s1600-h/IMGP0161-duff+serving.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268623533927125474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WRrTWzYuu9b_UVbnfv142IBpp6N1qf9nQjl9f9y2pKoSzHteGNsgRNycckIPqMtOKGUYTzOKBZlGr0Xhq6A_fH3UsQmbQgH1qLEgBAyDCg5NXNm4cX-ZRwp0dArhRUDWlWFpxGSz3yg/s320/IMGP0161-duff+serving.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Ok so last nite I went with two little 7 year olds to the Girl Scout's Going Green Celebration in Baltimore (and their moms too). Very cool event teaching the scouts to learn to live with the earth, save the earth, understand how things affect the earth, etc. Plus we got to eat lots of things while hanging out. Most of the stuff was made with GS cookies, like a lemon ginger dressing, a to die for chicken pot pie with trefoils as the "breading" (and boy was it delicious!!!), another pie that was sinfully delicious from Dangerously Delicious in Baltimore made with my lemon sandwich cookies too. And the piece DE Resistance, Duff Goldman & the Charm City Cake Designers Girl Scout Cookie Cakes. They had a Samoa Cookie, Tagalong, Lemon Sandwich, and plain cakes in Tagalong flavors for all to eat. They made chocolate cakes too. They were absolutely fantastic and looked just like the real thing just a lot larger. Duff was signing autographs but I never got up in the line so just stood over shoulders and took pics. Here are a couple of them for your viewing pleasure! Mmmmmmmm good. No calories either!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs8On_-JAEhbH1F6mY_QpVoEReJeQPcfFIEBpNoT6OJOOVeaao0DioZPozybWlFwqeTiO6OrS-k6b4V3KXH4zR00VRXARaWwXUicL5Wuo7pMZCDgpq6a42Tt9bQ_cE0juhO1gUYuIdvE/s1600-h/Duff+eating-cropped.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268623547396872370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs8On_-JAEhbH1F6mY_QpVoEReJeQPcfFIEBpNoT6OJOOVeaao0DioZPozybWlFwqeTiO6OrS-k6b4V3KXH4zR00VRXARaWwXUicL5Wuo7pMZCDgpq6a42Tt9bQ_cE0juhO1gUYuIdvE/s320/Duff+eating-cropped.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-vjn0NEyxzKCt8gxl_iReeA5ie3aocATEE6-SOUi3YTC1E03aKM6Ni8svV7bkv9ET0zxPUSxHchRKkBAdfJl_XuARj186SRaFLKFjicAZU1HMkG9GKd0VG_16JMqQ8HXMcxrREK3WvU/s1600-h/IMGP0162-duff&samoa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268623537673176258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-vjn0NEyxzKCt8gxl_iReeA5ie3aocATEE6-SOUi3YTC1E03aKM6Ni8svV7bkv9ET0zxPUSxHchRKkBAdfJl_XuARj186SRaFLKFjicAZU1HMkG9GKd0VG_16JMqQ8HXMcxrREK3WvU/s320/IMGP0162-duff&samoa.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-76583302375985018242008-11-13T13:13:00.003-05:002008-11-13T13:36:48.620-05:00OMG what was I thinking?????I got my glasses. Ha, ha!!! The sun glasses are GREAT! You don't even know you are wearing anything. They are titanium, pinky-purple cool thin frames with polarized gray lenses. And the lenses WOW they really can make coke bottles lighter and less visible now. How cool is that!!!!! For some of us, really, really great!!!!! Now everybody can't tell how bad our eyeballs really are.<br /><br />My regular day time glasses are FUNKY or as the lady told me "FUN". Yeah they are fun alright. They are plastic, a little heavier than the titanium ones but very krazy, off the wall Karen. Funky, groovy, Lucy in the Skies, type funny 60s type secretary glasses. I can't tell if they remind me of an old timey secretary/school marm scolding the men she works for because they didn't use proper grammar (and yes I WAS a secretary!!!) or more like Lucy on one of her normal nutty days with Ethel. I <em>LIKE</em> them but they take a little getting used to, not only because of the new frames, the shape and color but the prescription where I can actually SEE things and READ things. They seem very strong but not really because that's the way I should have been seeing all this time. Who knew!!!! So now I must take pics of me with my new looks so you can critique or laugh or just do BOTH which is what I do each time I put them on!!!! Ha, ha!!! Funny but very cool.<br /><br /><br />Tonight I am going with friends and their daughters to a "Green Event for the Girl Scouts" in Baltimore. Why you say?? Because one of the guests of honor is none other than the "ACE OF CAKES HIMSELF", yes the owner of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, the famous DUFF!!!! I expect to get my picture taken with him (and the Girl Scouts too of course) while there. I will post once I have something to upload. It will be a long, wet drive home unfortunately as it's really nasty out there now.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more in the life of Karen. She's just full of surprises!!!! And lots of other stuff too..........<br /><br /><br />Cya,<br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-83502796503989736552008-11-12T15:57:00.004-05:002008-11-12T16:26:30.293-05:00The WHO in Concert<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gjpJkhASUG6-yahBt6F5IaS3q854mrW1RY0x2v08DJE6WKmZF6VJvUO5O8nxDFcU_kQgD07bXEG_BoRDFno4m2trNF46s_gGjO_Cd67J02Nyv-aRku8Ep55orGnCTmDEIn9mr_87AjI/s1600-h/1103082250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267883151600965730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gjpJkhASUG6-yahBt6F5IaS3q854mrW1RY0x2v08DJE6WKmZF6VJvUO5O8nxDFcU_kQgD07bXEG_BoRDFno4m2trNF46s_gGjO_Cd67J02Nyv-aRku8Ep55orGnCTmDEIn9mr_87AjI/s320/1103082250.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz15EANwJi563rBWkrKEh4NfhpniIXeHVxM4N-hliTVQsLTcjVOg9IkIVw-p9nZRjFxsWXFkpOkGoOrJXLlkx_WLam5_LCFBwNlDzwV4kAJlyNFicor5oXVgsJHSKGA9NK8UNLQEuA7tg/s1600-h/1103082115.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267883145201066770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz15EANwJi563rBWkrKEh4NfhpniIXeHVxM4N-hliTVQsLTcjVOg9IkIVw-p9nZRjFxsWXFkpOkGoOrJXLlkx_WLam5_LCFBwNlDzwV4kAJlyNFicor5oXVgsJHSKGA9NK8UNLQEuA7tg/s320/1103082115.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Monday, November 3rd at Verizon Center in DC. I left work to drive acorss town to the Shady Grove Metro Station only to turn around and go downtown for the anticipated concert. Along with the Redskin fans also taking the train to FedEx Field for a Monday Nite Game. Yippie!!! But I ventured out to go see Roger Daltrey and Peter Townshend and the rest of the gang play DC. It started out with a band from Canada who said "What the fxxx man, we are opening for THE WHO!""" The center applauded but really just wanted to get them off the stage and bring on THE WHO. So around 9 PM, Roger, Pete, and the others came out on stage and started their concert. They actually played until 11 so we got quite the show. Who are you..... Behind Blue Eyes......Pinball Wizard....My Generation....The Seeker.....Amazing Journey.....See Me-Feel Me.....Sister Disco..... and many more. I kept thinking "Boy they look old". Then I realized they ARE old but they still put on one hell of a show!!!! Ringo's son played the drums. No one missed a beat. The bands coordination was excellent. Roger swung his microphone over his head during almost the entire concert, catching it as always!!! So for nearly 2 hours we ALL enjoyed ROCKIN with THE WHO. And I do mean ROCKIN!!!!! Young and Old alike, there was something for everyone. And without the smoke & smells from old days. They came out to do the encore to the light of cell phones -- no more lighters today. Even though I was in the nose-bleed section, it was totally worth every penny!!! Ro you HAVE to go with me next time!!!!!</div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-42768014592960574052008-11-10T16:06:00.003-05:002008-11-10T16:12:09.329-05:00Ok so I admitthat I haven't posted lately and really haven't done much scrappin since OC. Well not much of anything actually but have been reading others blogs, working, running errands, etc. I <strong>am</strong> taking a class at my LSS this coming Saturday with a CI person so it should be fun. Something to look forward to this Saturday.<br /><br /><br />I still have to take pics of the three projects that I actually finished at the OC Scrap and still have to post. Will try and do that later this week. We'll see.....<br /><br /><br />Got to run but wanted to post something in November!!! LOL!!!<br /><br />16 days til I fly to FLA for Turkey Day!!!! Yeah!!!!<br /><br /><br />Cya,<br />KTTTTKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829460343201463952.post-90504813470922543072008-10-26T22:26:00.014-04:002008-10-27T18:21:24.545-04:00Cropmania OC Crop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8zcIMJ2OE6x-SjO1Pwf1bBBZrGLsYKMDBzfLbdKdHGBdOa3g1UGBUIpeHUy4wR_PjDnWI2bR7UlimSN9ZAL0sXmEQK1konRwBl9jpePVwtpsLLuIIwWfQS2rO-rIYpf3I_x8Y9icaaE/s1600-h/both+of+us.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261960222811842786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8zcIMJ2OE6x-SjO1Pwf1bBBZrGLsYKMDBzfLbdKdHGBdOa3g1UGBUIpeHUy4wR_PjDnWI2bR7UlimSN9ZAL0sXmEQK1konRwBl9jpePVwtpsLLuIIwWfQS2rO-rIYpf3I_x8Y9icaaE/s320/both+of+us.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>WOW!!! I actually went to a crop for a weekend and cropped. We took ONE class and made a Word Book of our choice. It was great. Yep, that's right----ONLY ONE CLASS for the whole weekend. The rest of the time was creating our own pages, projects, books, etc. Half of our table was GREAT. Of course that included Celena and me and Tracy and Trudy who we met from Bel Air. The other folks... well let's just say they were nice when they needed something but we didn't fit into their plans. So we spoke when required and giggled and smirked and worked the rest of the time on our projects. Celena finished her Haunted Castle, quite a few 12 x 12 page layouts, her Aruba Word Book (which was great by the way) and a few other things too. She actually brings photos to use in her layouts.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I finished a School book, a Fall Book and an All Girl book that were kits waiting to be finished. All are my altered type small book projects which I love doing. Hopefully those will be Christmas presents for my nieces this year. That's the plan anyway. I just don't have any pics to put in them so they will have to add their own!</div></div><br /><div><div></div><div>Cropmania's October Crop began at 3:30 Friday afternoon and went through 3 pm Sunday afternoon at the Clarion Hotel in Ocean City. Celena and I had been planning this trip for many months. We left work half day and dropped off my truck at her house. She drove because she cannot ride across the Bay Bridge. She has to have control driving over the bridge. She did GREAT!!! We went through Delaware stopping in Bridgeville at SONIC for lunch. I've never been to SONIC. They have drinks to die for. I got a cherry limeade on way down and cranberry limeade on way back. The cranberry version was my favorite to date. After eating there, we left and went on to OC. We arrived around 4:30 ish, unloaded all the scrappin gear in the ballroom at the table and then on to check in too. Our room was 1107. It was a very nice room with a view of the ocean. </div><div></div><br /><div>Hey imagine this one girls -- going to a crop, actually getting stuff done AND being able to LEAVE ALL YOUR SUPPLIES, TOOLS, ETC. AT THE TABLE AND THEY ARE SAFE!!!!! Yeah that's what I said!!!! Very cool. Maybe we need to look into this one next year huh Ro & Jana??? There is supposed to be one in Deep Creek next year. There is one in March back at same place in OC. Can you come???? Sign in begins November 1st at 6 am and we already signed up! Think about it. My ultimate favority scrappin and the beach! WOW!!!</div><div></div><br /><div>And we played games. You complete a page and get the hat. If you are wearing the hat when the cow bell sounds, you get a prize. We didn't win. Don't know why. See pic!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHVdkK0C7OuT8K4gNIt3MKBw9Atxx4BB99OwoDl1z3JRJpvx1IUY2usB2sKAqvfavtMj_TZUrI33fHN6J6DECknIP-7ghyc2IIrBwf6tko534OfBUrJCJrqvaAYWg49skNjHr9SqZLkY/s1600-h/hats+%26+hair.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261960198045278466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHVdkK0C7OuT8K4gNIt3MKBw9Atxx4BB99OwoDl1z3JRJpvx1IUY2usB2sKAqvfavtMj_TZUrI33fHN6J6DECknIP-7ghyc2IIrBwf6tko534OfBUrJCJrqvaAYWg49skNjHr9SqZLkY/s320/hats+%26+hair.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRnXm06Zu2GM2fYsNg-zHkbC5M1msOI7kE6r6eMFOqGhKMgbK1f-git3EpUE615x76G9AzYDYUXHXE0ikkJ5ZF16KVYm1ISCAR2cEzYMPRBi9tWsQPUmXBZoGf6pPXncYyTeqrVzQx_U/s1600-h/Celena+Jack.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261960207684182306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRnXm06Zu2GM2fYsNg-zHkbC5M1msOI7kE6r6eMFOqGhKMgbK1f-git3EpUE615x76G9AzYDYUXHXE0ikkJ5ZF16KVYm1ISCAR2cEzYMPRBi9tWsQPUmXBZoGf6pPXncYyTeqrVzQx_U/s320/Celena+Jack.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>But had great time nonetheless. No pressure, lots of good karma, met many really nice people and only a few not so nice. Oh and one lady from GASC was there running into everyone in her wheelchair. You'd know the one! She'd run into you, make it seem like it was your fault and then do it all over again later!!! We'd just play with her. I don't think she even realizes or cares but she can really hurt someone with her chair. Unfortunately, I'd just fall onto her lap so she'd probably only do it once to me!!! Ha, ha!!!<br />Lots of neat ideas, lots of sharing of ideas, smiles, giggles, sassy little comments, and just plain ol down right FUN!!!! Michele and Teresa put on quite a show. Look them up at Cropmania.com. It's totally worth every penny.</div><br /><div></div><div>And I didn't even tell you about the food......<br /></div><div>Got to run. More to post later.<br /></div><div>Hugs,</div><div>KTTTT</div></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595714233346598898noreply@blogger.com1