obviously taking a break...

I wish I cpuld say I planned it this way, but I am SICK, SICK, SICK! It would totally figure that I would take a couple of vacation days only to spend them sleeping in between doses of nyquil, chicken and stars soup and hot tea. My throat feels like it has been sanded with coarse grit sandpaper and I swing between fever and chills... Hoping you are all better than me! Take care and I will see you when I am feeling better...

The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

Even though it is very familiar, read this story slowly and just imagine...

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

(Luke 2:1-20)

Beautiful Card from my BS2!

A beautiful card in my mailbox today! This one was handmade by my BS2, Sharon (and I'm sure Aub had something in it as well!) The scan doesn't do it justice, the little berries on the holly are sparkly and the image on the front is so pretty!

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Busy with work and things. I will tell you my favorite Christmas traditions though. Every year since my junior year of high school (20 years ago, OMG!) my mother has hidden jewelry on the Christmas tree for me and my sisters and Melanie to find. The other tradition I like is going to Red's on Christmas Eve. All of the great big family of cousins and kids are there and it is just nice to visit and have a good time with them!

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My husband's favorite tradition is to drive me crazy with hints about my present from him and what lengths he has gone to hide it from me. Drives me absolutely nuts, I tell ya!!!

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Take care!

A Mighty Long Post!

Babs sent me this a few days ago. Thought it would be fun to share with all of you, since I haven't been my usual ranting self since my change of jobs at Wally-work! This is the getting to know your friends Christmas Edition 2008....
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1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Both, depends on the item!
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2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – I’m married to the original Grinch...LOL!
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3. When do you put up the tree? When the kids are here to help do it, one year it didn't go up until December 26th. We do our Christmas when the kids are here. After our first Christmas together, we decided it was too much for the kids to do both homes on Christmas day, so we pick a day, usually the morning after the first day they get here on Christmas vacation to have Christmas morning with them. Less stress and a fun and relaxing day for us. Many of the ornaments for the tree belong to the kids, they pick a new one each year, so I like for them to be here when we put the tree up to put on their ornaments.
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4. When do you take the tree down? After Russian Christmas
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5. Do you like eggnog? Not really, but Grinch drinks enough of it for both of us! I am more of a cocoa kind of gal!
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6. Favorite gift received as a child? As a child I got a Cabbage Patch Kid the year that they were super hard to get and I really wanted one!
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7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom and Dad
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8. Easiest person to buy for? DH
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9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, and it goes in a stable that my Dad made out of split twigs for me several years ago. I also have a Christmas village that DH painted for me when way back when we first were dating.
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10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if I ever get them finished!
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11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Clothing that didn't fit (the person who bought it for me wears the same size, so she had to know they wouldn't fit.)
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12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Not really movies, but I love Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon specials)
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13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year long, I keep a tote of stuff that I buy throughout the year, but we LOVE to shop on Black Friday!
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14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
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15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mom's Pineapple Filled Cookies
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16. Lights on the tree? Yes, only white ones, no blinking or chasing it makes me ill!
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17. Favorite Christmas song? Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night. On a side note I would like to shoot the person who wrote that awful Shoes for Mama song... I would rather listen to Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer NON-STOP from Thanksgiving to New Years than hear that darn shoes song once!
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18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at home
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19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Curly, Larry, Moe, Schleppy, Gus, Hardrock, Coco, & Joe, right?
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20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
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21. Open the presents in the morning? DH likes to open them Christmas eve. We do Christmas at our house when the kids are here, so that could be any day between Christmas and New Years. (see question # 3 for the LONG answer...LOL!)
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22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? I work at Wal-mart, need I say more???
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23. What theme or color are you using? None in particular, just an eclectic collection of stuff from through out the years.
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24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing really, but some peace and quiet and family here, but those two don't usually go hand in hand! LOL!
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Now my question for you all… What is your favorite Christmas Tradition? (or you could answer all of the above questions!) I will tell you my favorite tradition tomorrow!

Let it snow, Let it snow... NO NOT REALLY!!!!

Just doing my part out here in blog-land to keep things going while Babs is away! I hope all goes well for her and her big event!

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How about a little RESIST today???

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This page border was the make and take for my CMC's crop this past Friday. The snowflake squares are stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. After they set you sponge on your ink and then wipe away with paper towel. Where you embossed the ink will not set in, that my friends is the RESIST part!

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The squares were punched with the CM Square maker and matted with the largest. Card stock is CM Caribbean Blue. Ink is Delta, Royal Blue, available at Michaels.

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Behind the squares I randomly stamped a snowflake cluster stamp from my extensive collection of snowflake stamps. TA DA!!! A quick and easy border for a scrapbook page!

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I did something today that I have not done for a very long time. (No not that!) I printed pictures, about 50 of them. I have not been a very good scrapbooker lately. I do not print my pictures often and it has really made me get really behind on my scrapping. I even printed some in different sizes! I am usually a standard 4 x 6 printer and I don't edit often either.. just too darn lazy I guess!

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So I am thinking of some New Years Resolutions.... I have thousands of pictures on the computer and on my memory cards, so my plan is to print ten to twenty a week AND actually get them on to pages! But I have time to make my resolutions... at least a few weeks!

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I am still plugging away on my Christmas cards too... little by little they are coming along!

Take care!

How Do You Like the New Look?

Just popping in quick to say hi! What do you think of the new look? I decided to go "winter" instead of Christmas, because I don't want to have to update again in a few weeks... LOL... Lazy, I know!

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I got a pretty good start on the Christmas shopping this past Friday and I am working on gathering my recipes for the cookies I plan to bake this year.

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DH got a deer today, a rather LARGE doe, and he still has several days of his hunting vacation to go, so there may be a buck in the future here too. He was pointing to where his second shot hit in this picture. How about your hunters? What tales from the forest are they telling this year? Sorry to anyone who is squeamish about game pics. I am just happy he got a deer this year!

Take care!

First Christmas Card of the Season!!

I love opening the mail box this time of year and seeing Christmas cards in there! It makes up for the rest of the year when all I get in that box is bills and junk! This one is from my friend Angie and her family. I just love it... Those litte hedgehogs are too cute!

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So, it has been a busy couple of days at Wally-work. Hope all your holiday plans are coming together and you are finding all the things you want for in your stockings and under your tree!

I am still working at my Christmas cards, but at least I got started!

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Take care!

Thankful

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am full of turkey and stuffing and ready for a triptophan induced nap! After a nap, then some dessert and coffee and pouring over the Black Friday Ads... nothing much has flipped my lid this year on the ads so far. Got the cute little poem below from two of my gal pals today... thought it was cute and wanted to share it with you!

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May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

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Also a little Thanksgiving freebie for you all.... Check out this free E-book from Living on a Dime. Just click for the link to the Gifts in Jar download. It doesn't take long at all! (Trust me, I have dial up and if I didn't think it took long, it really didn't take long!)

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Take care, maybe I will see you bright and early with the crowds shopping!!!

Counting Down til Turkey Time!!!

Starting tomorrow morning my DH is on vacation for twelve... yes, twelve days... I see a "Honey-Do" List in his future... of course he has his own list in mind.. something about hunting a BIG BUCK???

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Seriously, I hope he gets his big buck and I told him he could hang it anywhere he wants in his shed! LOL!

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My favorite part of the day on Thanksgiving is in the evening sitting around with a cup of coffee and a piece of pie and ALL OF THE BLACK FRIDAY SALE PAPERS trying to get a game plan as to what we really want and where we are going shopping! As strange as it seems, after fifteen years in retail... I LOVE TO SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY!!! We usually have a big crew and we like to hit Wally-work first and then head out from there. I seriously crack my Mom and her friend Betty up... I am like... "Come on let's get moving... No time for coffee... If you drink it now you will just have to pee later!" Typically I do not like crowds or noisy places, but there is just something about the energy on that day that appeals to me, go figure!

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We have a secret weapon too, my baby brother (only brother) Char. He goes with us every year... even though he has to explain to his boss that he needs the day off to go shopping with the girls! LOL!!! We have to feed him through out the day, Shmuffins & coffee to start with and then a bigger breakfast later in the day. He is our go-to guy, fighting the crowds to get the things we really want. We pretty much get a cart and go hang out in ladies wear and let him bring the loot to us. Then he hauls it all home in the truck while we go for more! Gotta love that!!!

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After a day of crazy shopping we then come home, relax for a bit and then head out to our second day after Thanksgiving Tradition... Barb's Crop! She always has one on that day and she makes the WORLD'S BEST Homemade Vegetable Soup!!! (It is so good and the perfect thing for those of us who are all turkey-ed out!)

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In honor of the pumpkin card, here is a recipe for Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Pudding. I have not made it or tasted it, but I have on good authority from several trusted cooks that it is to die for, like warm pumpkin pie without the crust, yummy goodness.

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Take care!

Nothing says fall like apple picking!

This is one of my favorite SU! sets, For Father. It was in the last mini catalog I believe. It has Three image stamps and one sentiment. The other images are a puppy with an old work boot and an old wooden tool box. I don't have alot of "masculine" stamps so this one is my go to set for all things guy!

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I don't know if it is like this for you all, but for me, getting started is the hardest part of doing my Christmas cards. I have the idea in my head, I pulled the card stock from my stash, but darn am I having a rough time putting the stamps to paper. I actually have gone with a MUCH more traditional look this year... Red, White and Silver. I also have been using the same sentiment in my cards from year to year as well. It is one the I like and it says what I want to say, so I just print the insides of the cards on the computer. Last year my cards were pastel and the year before that I was ALL PURPLE! I got a great little acrylic stamp set from Wally-work for $2.96. It has an angel, a flourish with a star and "Joy to the World" sentiment. Now I just have to get the motivation to get moving on them. I really cut down my card list this year as well, mostly because I want a much more simple holiday and sending out 50+ handmade cards is not simple at all!
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Take care!

Anybody out there????

Watercoloring is one of my favorite stamping techniques. I taught myself, like I learn alot of things, by trial and error, mostly error! The stamped image is from Art Impressions and is not one that I own. It belongs to a friend. I love swapping stampies with my pals! It is so much fun to share your stamps, since they can be an investment. Since coloring this fella, though, I have decided that I do need a scarecrow in my collection of stamps.

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Back to the original question.... is anyone out there? I catch all kinds of heck for not blogging for a couple weeks and now that I am back where did you all go? I am sure that everyone is just busy getting ready for Turkey Day!
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Take care!

A Few More Fall Cards for the next few days....

because once I have these all posted to the blog I am going to surrender to the snow and winter and get on with the Christmas ones....

This stamp is one of the first ones I think I ever bought, what seems like a lifetime ago! It is from Inkadinkado (6207P), not that I think it is still available. I pull it out every year and use it though! I colored the image with watercolor pencils and an aqua painter. The oak leaf pattern paper is from my immense stash of paper. It was either not marked or I cut that off and it is glued down on a card already. I do wish that I had about 10 more sheets of it since it goes so well with the stamp! Ribbon is Michael's $1 Bin.

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Things are slowly coming back together here at the Holbrook Homestead. DH almost has the top layer of sub floor in the bathroom done so I can start tiling it. We also nearly have the furnace woes taken care of. We got an updated replacement part for the broken mercury switch, which is no longer being manufactured. The (very) young kid behind the counter at the heating and plumbing store didn't even know what it was when Ken handed it to him. The older guy working next to him, chuckled and said he knew what is was and what to replace it with. Tomorrow will be a new belt on the motor and all will be back in business!

Ken is furiously working to get all these things done before his 12 day hunting vacation. It is funny, I thought I packed Murphy's bags and sent him packing, but apparently one night while we were both at work he sneaked back in.

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Any big Thanksgiving plans? I am really looking forward to the turkey!!! Thanksgiving is a pretty great holiday... almost as good as the 4th of July according to Linnie! (Linnie likes the 4th since you don't have to buy gifts, clean the house and you can throw away the dishes!)

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Take care!

Babs and the Amazing Top Note Bigz Die

Sharon (BS2) won the first to send her cards in award and Barb won the "My Favorite" prize. I love the stamp set she used, Stampin' UP! A Tree for All Seasons. It is definately a set that I will be adding to my collection! I will I also thought it was neat how by just changing the papers and ribbons a bit she got two different looks!

That really great curvy-pointed die cut shape on the front is also a SU! item. It is for the Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine. SU! has a whole bunch of great dies for cardmaking now in their product line. This particular one "Top Note" has been wildly popular and is on backorder at the moment!
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How are your Christmas cards coming along? Haven't even started mine yet (hanging my head in shame.) Don't even have an idea for the design yet!
Take care!

Sharon, Fastest Card Maker East of the Mississippi & My BS2!

As promised (a day late) these are Sharon's cards from the swap. Sharon does such a great job with her cards. She did the sweetest basket of peppermint patties for a make and take at my crop last week.

I just love that satin-y pumpkin ribbon on Sharon's Thanksgiving card!


Isn't that little ghost stamp on the envelope too cute!!
Next post will be my BS1's cards!
Take care!

Showcasing the work of my talented friends!

You may recall a little while ago I hosted an Autumn theme card swap. The cards are all in and I am sending them out today, so I thought that I would share those cards over the next few days. These beautiful cards were made by Jody, my dear chicksa from Washington, PA. She does the neatest things with chalk and templates! The card below just doesn't shine in this scan. The Give Thanks is done in sparkly bronze glitter!
I am hoping that I packed "Murphy's" bags and sent him on his way. We had to fix the tail lights on the car this week and the first time we fired the coal furnace this season the darn motor burned up. That has been repaired and we have a REALLY good batch of coal that burns super hot, so here's to a toasty house this winter!
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Tomorrow's cards by Sharon!
Take care!

He's the Big Brother

Being the oldest of five children has always been interesting. I have always told my parents that I did a poor job of preparing them for what was to come. (Yes, I know you read this Lynnette, and as you know your first born did not prepare you for what was to come either... LOL!) For those who don't know Lynnette is my sister and a mother to FOUR energetic active boys, can anyone say CRAZY? Look it up in the dictionary, there should be a portrait of her family next to it! I have some pictures of those nephews to post here as well. My first nephew just turned 14, can you believe it? He named me Aunt Meme many years ago.

I have had such a good time watching Ty be the "big bruvver" to his little sister. On this particular day he begged for several hours to hold her. Finally I relented, figuring that he would hold her for five minutes, get bored and go on about his business. Boy was I wrong on that one... He sat on the couch in the middle of all of those cushions and pillows and held her for almost an hour. He gave her little kisses and smoothed her hair and touched her teensy tiny hands. She slept contently the entire time.
I guess we should appreciate their special relationship while it lasts. It won't be long until they are getting on each other's nerves and picking on each other. I will keep these pictures around to remind Ty of what it used to be like!
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Take care!

Hey Tracy, Barb, Tina, Kathy & Joyce!!!!!

Okay my friends from Bedford! I am back on the blog!!!! Thanks for the gentle kick in the butt.... I know I have been neglectful!

This was the calm before the storm, so to speak. All peaceful, quiet and empty... not for long. A mere 15 minutes later and this was the scene.... Scrapbookers and supplies as far as the eye could see! The Camp Harmony crop grew to about 80 this fall and not without some growing pains, to say the least.

I actually referred to this crop as "Murphy's Crop" (as in whatever could go wrong... you get the idea...) I had two vendors and an instructor cancel, we outgrew the room that we usually use and were forced into the multipurpose building that has really bad lighting. Thankfully for the most part, scrapbookers are a very kind and understanding group of people.

Thankfully, we did still have a pretty good day. I got another vendor, did some make and takes myself and made up for the bad lighting with lots of good food. We had some GREAT door prizes as well. At the end of the day we packed up, went home, unloaded and I proptly sat down in the recliner, kicked it back and fell asleep until the next morning and slept like I haven't slept in weeks!

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Over on the side bar->->->->

I did put up a link to subscribe to the blog and the comments if you would like to do that. That way when I post it goes directly to your email and you can also get in on the comments as well!

Take care!

Holy Crap, Batman!

I can't believe I have not posted for over two weeks! Those six day work stretches are killing me! Then I don't get my sleep flipped around when I am off work! The first two nights of this last six day stretch I worked alone. One of the ladies I work with was very sick and could not come to work. I am glad to have the first shift all alone under my belt and out of the way. I didn't do too bad and the next night was better.

We are working on crop stuff pretty regular now. Ordering our food and working the seating charts. Get your registrations in, I can't wait to see you all again!

I will post up the pictures of our last Stamper Seven meeting soon. Barb has the best projects for us! I always come home with the neatest cards and fun things!

Until then, take care!

Finally a day off...

This was my make and take page from the St. Andrew School crop 2 weeks ago. I love the dahlia fold technique. It is so simple but the results are so elegant and WOW! The GORGEOUS PAPER is from a Creative Memories customer gift pack that you will get FREE if you attend Croptober-fest on October 24 at Berkey Church. This is the first time that I took the time to ink up the edges of the circles on both sides before I folded them and it made such a huge difference in the depth and dimension of the finished piece. I am thinking of doing this as a make and take for my Camp Harmony Crop on November 8.

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Baby Kya is improving. We are so thankful for that. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

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Can I say that I am so glad for a day off from work! I haven't worked a stretch like that in years! It wasn't bad until the last 2 days when I didn't sleep well.

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Our Stampers Seven group is meeting this Saturday and it is my turn to host. If anyone wants to come to the party let me know! We are making a tin and two cards. I am also making apple dumpling cake!

Take care!

What a week...

First a little note card that I made to send to Melanie, who is in the hospital. Her appendix ruptured on Tuesday. She was to the ER on Monday and was misdiagnosed, went back on Tuesday because she had a fever and more pain. That is when they figured it out. She is doing okay. Kenny went to see her yesterday and took her a care package of stuff from us.

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Just one more night of my six night stretch. I am ready for a day or two off.

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I am working on my cards for my Autumn theme swap.... lots to do yet! I can't wait to see everyone's cards.

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Anyone have big plans for World Card Making Day? (this Saturday, October 4th!)

I am having my Stampers Seven SU club meeting! I love to get together with the ladies and make Barb's creative projects!

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Take care!

Sweet Baby Kya

Last Thursday we got to meet Baby Kya... this was her response...LOL!

Actually that was her response to her Mama agitating her. She really liked me, I think she did anyway. How about that teeny tiny diaper? It is a bit big for her still.
She had a little set back this week. They put the IV back in since she wasn't digesting her feeding and she has some fluid in her lungs. They say it is minor, but still keep her in your prayers. She is so very little and lungs are the last to develop, so we just want her to bounce back from this quickly.

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Uncle Kenny has given her a nickname, just as he has all the boys... (Brat, Peach, Hog, Chunk, & Peanut.) Baby Kya is to be called Stink... not cause she smells, but because Uncle says "she is so stinkin' tiny" and "she is a little stinker." LOL... if tradition holds then she will call him Uncle Stink...LOL!

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Take care!

Keepin' Busy!

It was quite the busy weekend. I was helping my CMC at St. Andrew School Scrap the Day Away on Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday I had a Make & Take card table as well as handmade cards for sale at the Camp Harmony Church of the Brethren Heritage Festival.

Thank goodness my BS2 came along to help at Camp Harmony. The Make & Take table did about 40 tea bag holder cards. Thanks to BS2 for donating a basket full of tea bag holder cards! They were a very popular item!
We restocked the sale table twice, sales were brisk! I was thrilled that my booth did so well, since this was the first year I tried it. We sold over 100 cards and donated over $150 to the Camp!
I was trying to make cards to refill the sale table in between doing make & takes and selling!

I LOVE IT!!!

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That being said, I am asking you, my scrapbooking and cardmaking friends to PLEASE LEND A HAND! Next time you are scrapbooking and have some scraps left, turn them into a card for me to sell next year. I donate all the money we take in back to the camp. If next year goes as well as this year I am going to need more cards!

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Take care!

Let's Get Caught Up!

Travis went back to Pittsburgh last week. The house is so quiet and there is actually food in the kitchen! LOL! We miss him so much when he is not here. How do you like his new look? I love Dad in the background, just shaking his head in disbelief. (It is just fun fur and tape.)
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I fell on Friday and skinned my knee. Pretty typical of clumsy me. It is bruised and has scabs all over it. Our poor football team got beat again pretty bad on Friday night and it rained so hard at times during the game that it wasn't even funny. I worked the drink tent and was cold and wet by the time it was all done.
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I did buy a cute new purse. I love the Dollar General quilted purses, they are cheap, only $8, so if I use them for one season and pitch them I don't feel bad at all. They do wash up pretty nicely though! I got a real nice fall colored one.

I am not sleeping at night right now, just getting adjusted to the routine I guess. In about two weeks I work a six day stretch, Lord help me! I just told the gals I work with to have plenty of coffee and chocolate ready for me!
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I have become addicted to Mocha Joe from Burger King, so I have been working like a mad scientist and cook trying to get the formula down so I can make it at home and I think I have got it nearly figured out!

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That about covers it, Take Care!

Some Christmas Cheer

These items were included with my swap cards for the Christmas Cards in July swap. Just a little something to thank the ladies for participating in the swap. I really like the metallic "class appeals" type stickers for their double use. You can use the image as I did on the card above. The image is on the front of the card, and the "leftovers" are on the envelope flap. The tags below were made with leftovers and the image is on the inside of the card above. No waste, LOVE IT!!
An update on baby Kya.

She pulled her tummy tube out, the one that was in her mouth, so they put it in through her nose. She is eating good through the tube, breathing good, and only needs the bottom blue blanket for jaundice. Her big brother got to see her today and he is pretty impressed with her and can't wait for her to come home. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers!
Take care!

First Pics

Just a quickie post to show off Kya! She is under the light for jaundice so that is why so much blue. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to see her in person. That hand in the picture is my Mom's. After waiting for 14 years for a baby girl she just can't keep her hands off of her! LOL!

Take care!

New Arrival

Just posting up the arrival of my FIRST NIECE! Kya Noel was born yesterday afternoon. She got here a bit early, at just 29 weeks. She came into the world wailing and kicking according to her Nana. She weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces and is 15 1/8 inches long and has a pretty good head of hair. Her Mom (my sister, Jes) is doing well. I imagine that Tyler is anxious to meet his baby sister as well! Baby Kya is doing well too. They did not have to put a tube in to help her breathe, which was a good sign that her lungs are doing good. Hopefully I will have some pictures to post up tomorrow. Say a prayer that she gets bigger and stronger each day!

Take care!

Only Two Spots Left!

HI! Just a quick post... Only two spots left in the Autumn theme card swap, sign up in the post below! Sharon gave me her cards yesterday, so she wins the first to send in prize, but there is still a prize for my favorite card!

I am working a several day stretch here, so I may not post for a day or two. I do have great pics of our Stamper's Seven projects to post for you though! (so check back!)

Take care!

Autumn Theme Card Swap

I had so much fun with the Christmas Cards in July Swap that I thought I would do it again! This time our theme will be Autumn cards, whatever you like Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving

5 spots available (actually 4 since I plan to participate)

Each person makes 10 cards, 5 each of 2 designs.

Please use materials that you would like to receive.

Please put a sentiment inside the card.

Include an envelope for your cards (decorated would be nice!)

Give the back of your card your mark.

No Vendor Requirement, anything goes! I know I will be dazzled and amazed with your talents as always!

Sign up for a spot by September 8.

Cards due to me by September 27, I will mail back to you promptly after receiving all cards.

Please send your cards in a zipper bag to be sure it all stays dry.

Include an addressed return envelope with the same amount of postage it took to mail your cards, plus a few extra stamps (loose so they can be returned to you if they are not needed.)

PRIZES!!!! A little something *special* will be included for the first cards received! I will also choose MY FAVORITE CARD from the swap and send a special prize for it!

Let a comment to sign up for your spot!

Take care!

Sharing the Swap with You!

As promised, the cards from my Christmas Cards in July swap!

Tracy's
Sharon's
Jody's
Barb's
and mine.
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I was so impressed with everyone's creative designs! I loved hosting the swap and can't wait to do it again... so check back tomorrow, I will be posting up my next swap!
Take care!

Christmas Cards

A couple of quick and easy Christmas cards to share with you today. The images on the front (St. Nick and Snowman) are diecut punch outs from K & Company. They are older. I found them in my stash while I was going through some Christmas papers and such. The white and green rectangle pieces are embossed with the Cuttlebug old script/text embossing folder. I gold heat embossed the sentiment on the inside. Start to finish I think it took me 15 minutes to make 2 of each of these cards!

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I have been trying to make a few Christmas cards at a time to fill my stash up for my booth at Camp Harmony's Heritage Festival on September 20th.

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Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!

Take care!

Butterfly Birthday

This card is also from one of Keathe's Stamp A Stack get togethers. Thought I should get it posted here since it is a rather summery card and it seems that our summer is fading fast!

The Christmas Cards in July Swap cards have been sorted and mailed out, so in a day or two I will post pictures of all of them here on Everyday Blessings. I want to give the ladies who participated a chance to see them in person before I post them up on the blog.

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The new position is going well. I am getting the hang of the HOW to do things, the WHY is still a bit foreign to me. (I had a thought the other day, one of those slap yourself on the forehead moments. I don't balance my checking account, I look over the statement, but I don't do the math. What was I thinking, taking a money and math job???? LOL!)

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Since I am waiting patiently for Fearless Fourteen, I picked up a few of Janet Evanovich's earlier romance novels and have been enjoying them. They are nice, short, funny and easy reads.

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Tomorrow starts the Fall Harvest Gospel Music Festival at Camp Harmony. I will be there all weekend helping in the kitchen.

Take care!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Just a quick post before I head off to work. Today is my sweetie's birthday!

This card is one that we made at Keathe's Stamp A Stack a couple of months ago. All products are SU!

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I work the next two days and then I am on vacation for a week! Yeahhh!!!! Can't wait... lots of good blog things while I am on vacation so check back.

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Take care!

Long Time, No Blog...

Take a kid to the fair! It is more fun that way! Note the smiling kid below with all his FREE LOOT! He got a glow necklace, balloon, water bottle, candy from the vendors in the local business & organization building and a personalized dog tag (at the Army recruiters booth.)

I love that grinning face! We went to the fair again on Thursday evening. It was tractor pull night. My guys loved it. Chunk especially liked the BIG, LOUD, SMOKIN' ONES. The one pictured below smoked so much it blocked the sun for a minute or two.
I enjoyed another Maple Milkshake, but was most bummed that the Tilt-A-Whirl was not at the carnival this year. Chunk rode a bunch of rides that he could go on alone, but there were a few that he wasn't tall enough to go on by himself. I told him he wasn't big enough, so Travis would have to go with him. Chunk informed me that Travee would go with him, since I was too OLD!

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Having another sleepless night, as you can tell by the time of this post.

Sorry I missed out on the Stampers 7. The projects were so AWESOME!

(Check out Babbie Blogs, over there --->>>)

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For my Christmas Cards in July Swappers, I have all the cards and I will mail them out Monday! WOOOOHOOOO!!!!! I am planning a fall theme card swap for September, so check back for details! Plus I have an idea for a November swap as well.

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I am also planning a little blog candy give away here soon!

Take care!

The Fair

I took a short nap yesterday and then went to the 108th Somerset County Fair. It was a good day to be at the fair. Somerset Trust Company was hosting free admission and parking day and handing out stadium seat cushions. WOOHOO! Went to the Queen Contest. My baby sister Abby was a contestant. She looked so pretty in her gown and was the second runner up. I enjoyed a Maple Shake (SUPER YUMMY!) visited with some friends and came home... and could not sleep AT ALL.

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My first night of third shift syndrome, I was wide a wake until 6 AM... lol... and then fell asleep until 2:30 PM.

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Tuesday is the Market Swine show at the fair. My sister Abby, nephew Rian, and cousins Amber and Hannah are showing piggies.

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If you get the chance to go to the fair do it! Admission is only $6 and that includes rides and grandstand activities.

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I am having PLUM WITHDRAWAL, I finished One through Thirteen, and my cousin Amy is reading Fearless Fourteen, so I am waiting for her to get done with it. I also read all the between the numbers books, so if anyone has some good suggestions for a good read send it my way!

Take care!

First Day

Just checking in with you all! I worked my first shift at my new position and WOW! I have A LOT to learn, but the gal who is training me is VERY GOOD at her job and is sharing all of her tips and tricks with me. Right now I am concentrating on learning the HOW it is done, and hopefully the WHY comes along in due time. She even started a notebook for me with cheat sheets, thank goodness for that because my brain is ready to bust after last night! On a positive note, she told me that I am doing things that the person before me did not do for a couple of months into his training and I was doing them my first night! I did make a few OOOPSIES... and had to chase a roll of flying dimes, but that was more funny than anything! The night flew by so very quickly and before I knew it, it was time to go!

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Best part is that I work tonight and then I am off for two. Love the schedule! I even got to be a little bit crafty today, and I am feeling my mojo making a return. I know that they Olympians have been feeding off of it, and if they need to use it for a while longer that is okay, but it really needed to be crafty today!

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Take care!

Good Bye Curse-at-me Desk...

******DISCLAIMER*****

This is a long one, I have been saving up for you! Get comfy, it is a long one!

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Today was it, my last shift at the desk, 1 pm to 10 pm. The desk has been very quiet this week, Johnstown is hosting the AAABA and I think the entire city must be at the Point Stadium. (Not that I am complaining about that!) All that quietness at the desk left me plenty of time to ponder what I liked about the desk and what I would miss and on the other side of that coin what I hate and am glad to not have to deal with any more. Here are my observations...

I will miss

• People watching, boy the sites that you can see on any given day! It is truly entertaining!
• My co-workers, each with their own unique quirks, but we managed most days to not kill each other!
• My friends from the other areas that were my lunch companions in the lounge.
• Being the self appointed "fashion police." There were days that the violations were too many to count.
• The occasional eye candy that we gals got to see.
• Checking out the "it's really a guy, but it looks like a girl"... we always try to figure out where they are putting IT.

I will not miss

• The general nut balls, thieves and liars of which there were PLENTY.
• The beginning of the month welfare, Social Security and Food Stamp rush. Not gonna miss it one teeny tiny little bit.
• Mr & Mrs Stinky & family. Soap is cheap and water is nearly free. Take a bath once a week or so, especially before you come to see me. We raise pigs here on the farm that smell better than you!
• Mr & Mrs I Lose My Kids Every Freaking Time... really.... and then you yell at the kids when they come to me to page you on the loudspeaker. Thanks too, for taking your sweet old time getting to the desk to retrieve them. You are so wonderful yelling at your kid who is in tears since they have been sitting here for 1o minutes waiting for you to get them. How about keeping a better eye on them in the first place! I vote for handcuffing kids to parents!
• The people who complain about EVERYTHING. I don't see someone standing next to you with a gun to your head forcing you to shop here, you have a choice, shop elsewhere if you hate this place so much.
• People who return food. It is one thing to return food that is spoiled before it should be. However, if you have had it past it's expiration and had time to use it, but did not, TDB!! If you overbought, oh well, do better next time. Any food that leaves the store must be destroyed, what a waste! Donate it to the food pantry.
• People who think that I want to know about their "female problems down stairs" and how their husband is upset because he's not getting any lovin'. Don't want to know, don't want think about it, too late, I got a mental picture and now I have to go wash my brain and eyes out with soap!!!! But thanks for letting me know you have conjunctivitis so I can throw my pen away and Lysol the counter top and debit reader!
• The customer who thinks that a motorized shopping cart is the same size as a wheelchair and should fit into the restroom. It is NOT a wheelchair and it is too big to fit into the restroom. Even though you got it in there and now are STUCK. That is your OWN fault and why do you think it is MY PROBLEM to get you out?
• Don't get me started on the VALID PHOTO ID people... I think I have beat that dead horse enough!
• Last of all, I am not going to miss the CELL PHONE CHATTER! HANG UP THE DARN PHONE!

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Take a deep cleansing breath with me... Let it out... Relax, it was all a bad dream...

Take care!

Perseid Meteor Shower

Monday night into Tuesday morning the 2008 Perseid Meteor shower peaked. I love to watch the show, so at about 2 AM I convinced my DH, Ken to come out to the back yard and watch with me. I got bundled up in my sweats and jacket, grabbed the sleeping bag and a flashlight and we set out for the back yard. It was truly amazing! I have watched the Leonid's before,but it is always pretty brisk in November, so watching on a slightly cool summer night was quite nice! We stayed out for about an hour and saw at least 30 meteors shoot across the sky. The sky clouded over and we weren't seeing anything at all, or I would have likely stayed out until sunrise! My DH was quite the good sport about being dragged out in the middle of the night and I think that once we started to see the meteors he did enjoy it. You can find out more info on upcoming Meteor events HERE.

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When I was a camp counselor (many many moons ago) sleeping out under the stars was probably my most favorite thing that we did each week. I always tried to schedule our "sleep out" night early in the week, so that if the weather was not cooperative I could still reschedule for later in the week. My favorite sleep out site was up at the top of the hill, beyond the trading post, in the field below the tall oaks. It is dark there and the sky is just sparkling with billions or trillions of stars. The best week of all was when the "city kids" came from the mission. They were in absolute awe of the brilliant star filled night sky.

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There is a state park here in Pennsylvania called Cherry Springs that has one of the best "dark skies" on the East coast. There are "Star Parties" and other special events through out the year. Pretty cool!

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I still have Olympic Fever and I haven't found my crafty mojo, apparently it went with Bab's Mojo to the Olympics... LOL! Tomorrow is my last shift at the Curse-at-me Desk. I am anxious to start my new position, a little apprehensive, since it is like going to a new school and having to make new friends. Say a prayer and keep a good thought for me! Take care

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GO USA!!!!!!

Olympic Fever!

Do you have it??? We have a pretty bad case of it here! GO TEAM USA!!!!!

How about our Men's Gymnastic Team~ they won the bronze when no one expected them to medal at all!

The Men's Swim Team! WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!! Winning the Gold medals, shattering world records, it doesn't get better than that, well, except for Phelps who now has the most gold medals of anyone on the planet I think.

Ladies Softball~ Kicking butt and taking names... they are doing so well that the mercy rule was used!

Ladies Beach Volleyball~ also just kicking butt!!

Ladies Saber~ they swept GOLD, SILVER, & BRONZE!

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I know I am full of excuses for not being crafty at the moment. I think my crafty mojo went on vacation without me! Hopefully it comes back soon, cause I have work to do!

Take care!

On Her Own

My dear step daughter Melanie is on her own. She is living in her own (very tiny) apartment. We drove out to see her today. We took with us a load of groceries and some house stuff for her. Nana is loaning her a microwave and she is borrowing a cell phone from her father's vast collection of cast offs until she can get hers repaired.

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She is paying more per month for her tiny bit of independence than my parents paid for their mortgage. She has no land line phone, no cable tv, and until we arrived her cupboard was pretty near bare, but she was happy as a clam. LOL! She is making friends with the other struggling young people in her building and some other folks in the neighborhood. She is not too far from her Mother if a crisis should occur.

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It is so hard to believe that she was just nine when I met her and now she is grown and on her own. I have a mix of feelings some scared, mostly proud that she is spreading her wings a bit. So Mel, if you are reading this, we are proud of you! (AND CALL US!) Love You!

Take care!

Some Random Stuff

I will start my new position on August 15th, and I am thinking it will not be soon enough. I had one of those eyerolling days today. I thought they were going to have to use that shackle and chain out that they keep under my register to keep me from going up over the counter and hurting someone. (Don't laugh too hard, I know I would most likely hurt myself more getting over the counter, but man there are days....)

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We had our inventory today at Wallywork. We don't do the actual count, an outside company does that, we just do a huge amount of preparation and then hang out all day and hold our breath. The last couple years have not been so good inventory wise, so when we got the GREAT NEWS today it was all the more wonderful!

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I will have to find some pictures of that dinosaur cake, I know that we took some photos of me, DH and Rian with it the day after the wedding when we were opening gifts. Becky also requested a pic of the chocolate pudding cake with PB icing... I think that you can find one in the archives in April 2007 or search "bundt pan" and you will get it. I haven't made one of those in a while, might have to get on that over the weekend!

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A Plum Crazy update... I am ready to start reading Twelve Sharp. I have also read two of the between the numbers, Plum Lovin' and Visions of Sugar Plums. I laugh out loud in the car, the lounge at work and anywhere else I happen to be reading them! Not much crafting going on at the moment, I am too hooked on the books!

Take Care!

Cake

I bet you have never seen a wedding cake with a mud truck on top!

How is this for marital compromise?
This is the cake that my Mom and I made over the weekend for our neighbors, Greg and Beth. They are building a mud truck to run and wanted a unique cake... I think we accomplished that! The guy from the beer distributor stopped in to hook up the taps while we were setting it up and he was quite impressed with it. The groom's mom, not so much...LOL! The bride and groom were thrilled with it and that was all I really cared about!

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For future reference, when my nephew Rian gets married his wedding cake is going to be a dinosaur. Ri was about 5 when Kenny and I got married. He asked what the cake was going to be like and we showed him a picture of it. Stupidly, I asked if he thought it was nice... of course he said no, it should be a dinosaur, so along with the wedding cake we had a dinosaur cake... makes me think of that crazy armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias... LOL

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Take care!

Family

Just two quick pictures from the family reunion. It was one of the nicest ones I have been to in quite a few years. The picture above is my Dad and his Aunt Anna Mae. Anna Mae is the oldest living descendant of the Shroyer who started the whole reunion thing. She came back here (her childhood home) for her High school reunion and the family reunion. It was so nice to see her and visit with her!
From the oldest to the newest... This little fella (the baby there in the blanket, not my DH) attended his first reunion at the tender age of 10 days. He is my cousin Jeff and Desiree's newborn. There is nothing sweeter than the site of my big tough hubby making baby talk to a sleeping infant.

BIG CHANGES

About two weeks ago I interviewed for a position in the Accounting Office at Wallywork. It is an overnight job. It was offered to me and I accepted it, so there will be some adjustments going on around here. I will still only be working four days a week, thankfully, and my ranting will likely simmer down some. (LOL!) I won't have as much customer contact, and as you all know that really breaks my heart... There is also an increase in pay too. Not a bad deal. I will have to work a few weekends, but I am actually okay with that. My DH works night shift as well so hopefully we will get to spend more time together. I hope to have some more crafty time too!

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Today is the first of the month and I am absolutely thrilled that I do not have to be at Wallywork. (Especially since the 3rd is Sunday, so we will be hit super bad today...UGHHHH!) I did have to stop in the store to pick up some things and I was mentally kicking myself for it!

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Tomorrow I have a wedding reception (and cake) and my Family reunion... always a REAL treat! This one will be special though, since my Great Aunt Anna Mae is here for this one, she is the last surviving of my Grandmother's siblings. She lives in Missouri and made the trip back here for her class reunion and the family reunion. I am quite excited about seeing her!

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I have one more Wallywork RANT saved up and I will get it out of my system in the near future! Until then, take care!

Product review... Fiskars Glue Dots... just as good as Zots... actually I think they may be a bit stickier. (Is that a word? I guess it is, since it passed the spell check!) I used the smallest size thin to adhere some metallic ribbon bows to the front of the cards for the Christmas Cards in July swap and it worked wonderfully. I also like that the roll they come on is not as wide as the Zots one, the Fiskars ones are all in a single file row.

Another adhesive that I have been using is also available at Wallywork. It is quite similar to the Tombow Monoadhesive (TM), as a matter of fact at first glance I did mistake it for Tombow. It is definitely gummier than TM. I have found that when using it in order to not get that stretchy tail of gummy adhesive you need to stop rolling it, stand it on end and give it a little flick of the wrist and then lift away. That cuts it off and eliminates the adhesive tail most of the time. I did have an issue with the used portion not rolling onto the take-up reel, however that is easily fixed by simply opening the dispenser and manually winding it. I did that once and did not have any more problems with it.

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Wallywork also now sells the same brand of adhesive in a dotto style as well. The dispenser retails at my store for less than $4 and refills are 2/package for $2.27. Pretty economical in my book! The dotto is repositionable to permanent. I have used it and am testing how long it takes to get to the permanent set stage. After a day or so it is a bit more difficult to get remove. The blue one is the regular runner, the purple is the dotto style.

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I am still on the Stephanie Plum book kick, I am up to the seventh one and they are just sooooo good!

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Card swappers, I am just waiting for one package to arrive and they I will get them out to you!

Take care!

GOBS OF FUN!!!

Spent Saturday afternoon with my friends Dee, Harry, Jean, Debbie and Jerry and Susie making about 500 gobs for the Fall Harvest Gospel Music Festival. It is at Camp Harmony on Labor Day weekend. (The gobs are frozen after they are made.) We made Pumpkin, Chocolate, and Chocolate with Peanut butter filling. YUM YUM YUMMMMYY!!!!
Dee is a match maker, pairing up the tops and bottoms.
Here is the production line, filling and bagging the finished gobs.

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Speaking of gobs, Travis went with my Mom this morning to the Farmers Market at the Georgian Place in Somerset. The 4-H club helps out by carrying packages and they also sell refreshments. He had a few dollars in his pocket so he made a couple of purchases.. a pan of cinnamon rolls from the bakery, a honey comb, and the last thing he bought was not out on the counter, he had put it in the freezer... he told me he bought a "gobler" You know one of those chocolate things with the filling in the middle. I look in the freezer and I see a GOB! ACKKK!!!!

Take care!

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P.S. My cards are done WOOOHOOOOO!!!!

I will post pics of every one's swap cards after I have mailed them out.