RETIREMENT STEP ONE - DOWNSIZE

First rule of thumb when you think you want to retire - DOWNSIZE! We won't have this 5 car garage-mahal and all of the outside parking - so something has to go. (boohoo, sniff, sniff) So we decided to sell our 1967 Corvette - it was a really fun ride. We'll miss ya!

So the buyer is in New Jersey - so this truck pulls up on Saturday to pick up the car. Now this was an amazing car carrier, I've never seen the likes of this truck! It was amazing!

This truck carries 8 cars and the sides and top are soft-sides (like canvas). So the first thing to happen is he pops open the back of the truck which the only hard surface portion other than the frame.

Then he has the roof lifted up! Really?

Next he pulls out the car which will be located UNDER our car. And when I see this car, I'm just praying our car doesn't leak oil - lol. This beauty is a Mersedes Gullwing (brand new)! Oh let's say maybe around $250,000!

After the excitement of our neighbors thinking our new car was being delivered (NOT!), then they pull up our car to load.

Our car is then lifted up and the bottom car is added to the mix. Then it's wave goodbye (boohoo and sniff sniff). The new owner also owns a 1961 Corvette so it won't be lonely in New Jersey.

BYE BYE!

Russ is thinking "hummmm - wonder what I can find to park in that empty space?"

THOMAS KINCAID THE PAINTER (cat)

I worked hard painting the kitchen this weekend, but I was lucky that Thomas Kincaid wanted to help out!

I'll do the high parts for ya.

BIRDS! BIRDS! Look - there are BIRDS!!

FLOWERS FROM NORWAY

Thank you to Ed and Pilla for the lovely birthday wish.

About five years ago I purchase 3 of these mannequins. My intention was to cover them with pretty paper and deck them out with hats and jewelry to make a pretty display. Well I guess time gets away from all of us. Now I'm looking at these mannequins and thinking either throw them out, give them away, or finally cover them with pretty paper, etc.

I took choice number 3 - I covered them with pretty paper. Well, at least one of them! Now I'm inspired to do the other two.

Here she is with her hat and jewelery!

This is the completed project on the dresser top

BETA SIGMA PHI BEGINNING DAY 2010

BEGINNING DAY 2010!

Service Project - Empty Bowls, Prescott Arizona. We gather together and each member prepares and decorates one or more bowls which are then donated to the Annual Empty Bowls event to help end hungar.

The 13th Annual Empty Bowls event will take place on September 12, 2010 at the Prescott Courthouse Plaza in Prescott, Arizona from 11am to 2pm. The money raised goes to the Yavapai County Food Banks

The program described the benefits of being a BSP woman. Life, Learning and Friendship!

There's always great dessert!

I GOT IN!

DON'T FORGET TO GO OUT AND

My friend reminded me to try again this year and get into the lottery for open seats early. I'm glad she did, because this is the first year I was chosen to attend. I GOT IN!

Halloween is right around the corner - so of course there were Spooky displays.

The conference theme was "REFLECTIONS" and the project that each instructor prepared was a mirror. They certainly were impressive!

I joined in the card swap for Christmas and Birthday cards. I made 10 each of these two cards and then in return received 9 additional cards back from other participants. It's a great way to see what others are doing in the card making world and to enjoy sending beautiful cards to friends and family. Here are the two cards I made for the swaps.

It was the best!! Rooms at Wild Horse Pass Resort and Conference Center had views that allowed you to relax and reflect. Althought days were very busy, it was nice to wake up to this beautiful Arizona setting. Thanks to my husband, Russ, Mom and Erik for allowing me to enjoy every moment of this experience.

EXPLOSION BOOK and other crafts

Here is a quick project I made for my Mom to enjoy photos of my brother Don. It's nice because you don't have to get out and pour through an entire scrapbook, but instead you pull open the !!!EXPLOSION!!! book and enjoy!

When you begin to pull the front and back covers apart, the pages appear and fold out to make a flat scrapbook.

The back cover of the book when closed.

Once open this book is a scrapbook of memorabila and photos.

This is a two-sided book so you have two different theme possibilities or as I did, one side displays the pictures of my brother, Don during his school years and the other side has photos of his adult years.

This was a really easy and fun project to put together. You end up with all the best photos of one topic in a quick and easy place to enjoy often.

As a gift set, I also sent this vintage theme picture frame.

More from the note card set.

Note card set I made for a friend