It's Coming, It's Coming

Yes, yes, I hear you! I have new posts coming. Sorry....delayed due to Christmas Shopping!!

COOL TOOL

Each time I go to the scrapbook getaway, I seem to find some new tool that I just can't live without. This time, it was the Scrappin' Spin.

The color I bought was purple trimmed with gray to match my scrap room. The nice thing about it is that it spins, enabling you to get to the stuff on the other side without having to lift the whole tote around. I'm lovin' it!

Scrapbook Getaway!

I am lucky to attend Scrapbook Station's Scrapbook Getaway twice a year. It's a scrapbooking crop where 100 or so women gather in Butler, PA to - yup, you guessed it - scrapbook! It's long hours getting prepared to go, and you can see how much gear is needed for these 3 days.

Once I had my stuff packed, I couldn't figure out where I was going to go with Kim and Sandy's stuff! We had a van full.

Sandy got me in a particularly unflattering "action" shot (LOL!) as I'm selecting ribbon for my layout. Hey, these are difficult decisions that have to be made.

Finally, here's Kim preparing to use the greatest tool every - the Cricut. This is the coolest thing ever. If anyone needs Christmas ideas for me, I could really use some Cricut cartridges!

All my planning paid off as I completed a record 22 pages. Woohoo!

After Election Thought

I congratulated myself too soon. I was happy that I managed throughtout this 2-year mega-spending free-for-all presidential campaign to not post anything political here. Politics seems to bring out the worst in people and I don't think I'm any exception. But, while reading a political message board, someone posted this quote. I think it sums up perfectly my thoughts the day after.

"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions... Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new, wonderful good society' which shall now be Rome's, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious.' Julius was always an ambitious villain, but he is only one man." ~Cicero

Did You Vote?

I voted. Hope you did too!

Gemarama and Taste of Central PA

Dad called on Friday night just to chat. He threw out the invitation to go with him and Mom to the gem show in Exton. I know he figured I already had plans for the weekend. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was totally surprised and pleased when I said I would go along. It was a big show with quite a few booths. Here are mom and Dad, taking in the sights at the show.

The show had all sorts of specimens, faceted stones, cabachons, beads, and jewelry. Quite an assortment of stuff, but alas no rough. Rough is the bare gem stone before it is faceted into the beautiful faceted piece you see at the jewelry store, or if you're really lucky, one your receive from my Dad. I'd take one of his pieces over what you buy in the store any day.

Also on tap for this weekend, my friend, Renee, invited me to attend the Taste of Central PA. This event is sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and this marked the 21st year for the event. About 50 area restaurants, caterers, etc. set up tables with samples of their food. I especially liked the sample provided by the Hollywood Casino. It was champagne sauerkraut topped with pork tenderloin and a mustard sauce. Mmmmm, it was totally yummy. This is a great event which typically raises more than $100,000 to help feed hungry families in Central PA.

Happy Halloween!

Each year, Kera invites us over for trick-or-treat night. Brent and I take turns each year passing out candy while one of us walks along as Gwen collects her candy loot. This year was Brent's year to walk along.

I brought this Pochahantas dress back from Disney for Gwen. At which point she promptly decided that's who she would be for Halloween.

Gwen's Webkinz raccoon, Moona, was available to trick-or-treat with her. Pochahantas' raccoon friend in the movie is Miko. How fitting, and how cute!