Eads' Girls Layouts

Stephanie's ...

Sandy's layouts....

Bridget's layouts.....

Marci's layouts....

The Bags

I forgot about all the bags! Aren't they cute too? Sorry, the pictures are not cooperating today (or yesterday for that matter). It is taking forever to download them. I'll try later to get the layouts up.

I doubt it is a surprise that I scrapbook the guest books of every place we stay---started that in Colorado years ago. We decided to choose one word that best described our trip. Bridget came up with "fulfilling" as it fulfilled every need. The perfect word.

Mindy finished her needlepoint pill box on the trip.  You can't tell from the picture, but  she used all sparkly fibers. I turned out really cute.

Chris made a special trip to Nashville in January to visit our needlepoint shop. She made several purchases---and was given a fabulous deal---she was not supposed to tell me, but I got it out of her. They didn't give me that good of a deal, but they appreciated that she had traveled so far to visit their shop. This is one of a series of room scenes that they had. I treated myself to one for my birthday. Each one is stunning. It was really hard to choose. 

I'll try to get those layouts posted later today if the internet cooperates.

"The Amount of "STUFF" Required..."

for our Eads' girls weekend is pretty unbelievable! Especially in this age of technology---so many electronics, chargers, power cords...

We started this tradition of getting together 4 years ago. Chris comes from St. Louis with Bridget, Sara and Marci. Stephanie, Mindy (for the first time this year) and myself come from Nashville. And Sandy comes down from Kalamazoo. After a few other locations, we decided last year that Nashville, IN is the most centrally located for all of us. The drive is the same within about 15 minutes---except for the St. Louis' Eads' girls who manage to  make it an extra hour for themselves!! (You know "gabbing and following directions don't mix?" Remember my 10 hour trip back to Nashville last year with my friends?  Should have only taken 7, but we missed the first turn right off the bat. It wasn't until I started seeing signs for Kansas City that I knew we had a problem. Okay, I'm just saying---it happens)!

We have the best time, laughing, reliving our past memories, scrapbooking, stitching, games, eating, reading, napping, late nights, drinking, learning---we cover it all. And it is FUN, FUN!!! The only thing missing this year was Sara! She ended up having to stay behind due to sick husband and kids. I know it couldn't have been fun for her. We certainly missed her.

The only other unusual thing that happened is that Stephanie (with Mindy's help) cooked dinner. Considering Steph's lack of cooking skills, her meal was fabulous---teriyaki glazed salmon with gingered spinach. Delish! ! I think we'll let her cook again next year. Could it be she figured out a clever way to NEVER have to cook? Yeah, that sounds right.

And here we have the Cricut electronic cutting system. We can't live without it and "yes", it's BIG.

Another MUST HAVE item---the 12" printer---BIG too.

The newest gadget---"The Gypsy"---handheld computer system that holds ALL of the Cricut cartridges. Very user friendly. Everyone used it.

Much to my dismay, Steph brought her regular printer to print her pictures. Ended up being a hassle.

Assorted lights---Mindy couldn't get over that we each had our own!

Must have drinks!

Just add meat!

Bridget's new iPad. Might need to get me one!

Another light---pretty pink.

We had several iPods. This is the only one I got a shot of.

Bridget and Marci have this tape gun. It's pretty big, but I'm just about ready to give it a try. I put it next to the water bottle so you could get an idea of the size. I comes with like 3 miles of adhesive.

And of course, the phones. Where would we be without them? Half were "i"'s. Gonna' get me one of

those too.

Hard at work.

Assorted computers---5 to be exact.

Look at the "birdie."


Layouts to come....

Another Old Gift

My friend, Beth Ann gave me this set of test tube vases about 10 years ago for my birthday. I keep flowers in it just about year round. During the spring and summer, I have flowers from my own garden to keep it filled and fresh. During the fall and winter, I buy the cheap flowers from the grocery store. What you see here is a bunch I bought in January. They've dried quite nicely and will carry me into spring---probably jonquils by next week. I love that feeling that the garden is coming alive. 

Just to the left of my test tube vase, you can see my little lounging pixies. They are so darn cute!

He Has His Moments

Last weekend, Butch and I drove to St. Louis for a trivia night that my nieces, Bridget and Sara, put together to raise funds for their school. They did a beautiful job---made their "fund-raising" aunt proud!

I put together a table with my family. We had such a good time and had the best food too. In fact, later in the evening, some guy came by to trade a cream cheese roll-up for one of our meat and cheese skewers that Janet made. We didn't touch his roll-up, but sent him away with a heaping plate of skewers.

Along with the trivia, there was a raffle with lots of fun items. I purchased $50.00 worth of $1.00 tickets. You went around and put your tickets in the bag of the item you hoped to win. Then I bought $10.00 worth of $1.00 grab bags. Butch was about to have a conniption fit. He was really giving me a hard time. I was completely baffled. It wasn't like I was spending a fortune.

The item I wanted to win the most---I did. I put about $25.00 worth of tickets in the bag. It was at the end of the table and for whatever reason, I don't think anyone noticed it there---lucky for me. But when I won, all of a sudden, Butch started acting like I was crazy for wanting this:

I'm planning to re-do my sunroom, so this table made out of an old window is exactly perfect!!! I love it and would have easily paid $100 for it. Anyway, Butch started, "how are we going to get this home." As if we didn't just get a huge, new vehicle. He kept it up and I was starting to get really mad. Finally, in his way to try to smooth it over he said that he wasn't trying to "hold me back" but that I was being too "FLASHY"! What the .... yeah, I was really flashy throwing around those $1.00 raffle tickets!

He's never been the most romantic sort of guy, but he has had several key moments over the years that mean the most to me---sometimes at the most important times.

Our first trip to New Orleans---mid 1980's, I was walking near our hotel and noticed this in the window of a jewelry store.

I stepped inside to inquire about it and it was way above my budget. Everywhere we went, we seemed to be passing by this shop. I pointed it out to Butch. One day, as we went by, it was gone. Even though I knew I couldn't afford it, I was so disappointed that it was gone. Butch suggested that we go in and see if they had another. I was happy and sad all at the same time---knowing that he would let me buy it and then knowing it was already gone. We stopped in and I asked the man behind the counter if they had another. He said, "sorry, that was the last one." My heart sank. Then he said, "as a matter of fact, we sold it to this man, here" and pointed to Butch. I couldn't believe it. What a nice, romantic surprise. This porcelain magnolia is one of my most cherished possessions.

I guess the moral of this story is---it's okay to be "flashy" in private. I'll take it.