Annual Open House & Garage Sale

Can't belive it is time for the annual open house and garage sale.  Of course, since Stampin' Up! moved their catalog year up a month, it came around faster than planned.  So this Friday and Saturday, I will be open for your browsing pleasure.  There will be stamps, paper, ribbon, and other fun stuff for sale, as well as a chance to browse the new catalog and order if you want.  You can join a stamp club, or book a party.  Don't miss out.  On Friday I will be open from 7-10, and on Saturday from 10-3.  Come grab a bargain. Hope to see everyone there. 

Catching Up

Well, I am so sorry I have gone missing for several months.  Life has been totally out of control and I have barely been able to keep up, but I think I'm almost to slow down and get some control back.  I hope!! 

Anyway, there are a couple of specials from Stampin' Up! going now.  #1 is for those wishing to join SU as a demonstrator.  If you sign up before Nov 11, you will receive a free Big Shot (die cutting machine) or $100 worth of free stamps on top of the usual demonstrator kit.  This is a super deal and I would love to have you in my downline.  Call me with any questions or to find out how to sign up.    #2 is for Free My Digital Studio downloads until Monday.  There are some really cute ones and you can click on the link on my blog to check them out.  If you don't have My Digital Studio, you can still download these for use in other programs.  #3 is a special for anyone hostessing a workshop between November 1 and Dec 15.  Check out the rewards by clicking on the link in the sidebar. 

I have been crocheting like crazy lately.  So far I have finished a baby afghan, 4 doilies with another one only a few rounds away from being finished.  I have lots of things to get done before Christmas.  It will arrive sooner than I will probably wish for, but that's always how it is. 

Hope you are all ready for the snow and for the holidays to be upon us.  I hope you can all enjoy this time of year and remember all the blessings we have living in this country of America.  As I have a son in the Air Force, I am much more aware of how precious our freedom is and the price that has been and will continue to be paid for that freedom.  As part of this, I am continuing to collect cards to be sent to a group of ladies that send them to servicemen and women all around the world.  If you would like to donate cards and envelopes, money or supplies, please contact me and I will get it sent off.  Thanks for your help.
Have a great season.  Janell

July Almost Gone

Wow, I just can't believe it is almost the end of July.  Where does the time go? 
We spent the 4th of July in St George visiting my in-laws.  They are getting older and experiencing many health issues - NOT FUN!!  I don't really look forward to that part of getting older. 
It seems like summer is just flying by.  In only a month school will start again.  Unbelieveable. 

This week I am having my annual "garage sale and open house."  I have lots of retired Stampin' Up! stuff to sell and to give away.  After this it will hit the Ebay posts because I really need the room!! 

Bella (our dog) had 8 puppies again 2 weeks ago.  They are opening thier eyes now, and starting to try and walk instead of crawl.  Unfortunately, 2 of them and our small male dog died this week.  No apparent reason.  We saw no symptoms of Parvo, so we think they somehow got into something that was posion to thier systems.  It was a very sad day!!  Bella and the other 6 puppies are doing well. 

Sean is still in Texas at school for AF and Heatherly is headed down soon.  In late September or early October, they will be moving to NE for their first duty station. 

The other kids are going along in school and work as usual.  Melanie will be doing photography at CSI for now and is looking forward to that. 

Not much else is happening.  Our retreat for 4 Girls and a Dream is coming up in October and I am in charge of the food this time.  I'm excited about that because I sometimes miss cooking.  I'll share some of the menu as I get it figured out. 

I made some totally awesome cards for my stamp club this time, but I don't have pics yet, so I can't post.  I have 3 clubs this year and am excited about that.  Each group is fun and will be a blast to meet with. 

Have a great day - or month if I don't get back any sooner. 
Janell

Oh My, How Time Flies

Hum...so I see my last update was April 28 - that is almost 2 months ago.  My ony excuse it a lot has been going on since then.  So let's catch up first.  My son Sean has finished Basic Military Training and graduated, moving on to Tech Training in Witchita Falls, TX.  My daughter Melanie has graduated from high school.  My other daughter Jenna has turned 16 and moved into the "dating scene."  My in-laws have had some not-so-good health issued come up and are needing more care and help.  We spent a week in San Antonio, TX - had a blast and I'm going to try and share some pics here in a minute.  We are happy to finally be getting some warm temps and thinking it might actually be summer - still not sure yet - it's only been 3 days.  Anyway, you get the picture.  I'm busy just like you are, and I don't get around to updating this blog very often. 
So anyway, we had a great time in San Antonio - it was VERY warm there - around 100 each day!!  The graduation activities were amazing and we enjoyed the time we were able to spend with Sean on base, learning a little more about military life and the great times we had exploring things in San Antonio - like the zoo, the Japanese Tea Gardens, the River Walk, the LDS temple, and trying to manuever on the freeways.  It was impressive to see the way the Air Force is working and amazing to see how big the Lackland AFB was.  You could literally live there and not ever leave and probably not miss anything.  The BX (base exchange) is huge and has everything you could want from a mall and Walmart all rolled into one area.  The commissary (grocery store) looked equally as large, although we didn't go in there.  There are parks, movie theatres, a bowling alley, and lots of eating establishments all on base.  There was also a 'mini mall' that we went to several time that had a small grocery/convenience type store, a food court, a barbershop, alterations store (to do what needs doing to their uniforms), a shoe store, and a couple of other stores that I can't remember.  We attended church on Sunday there and that was fun and interesting.  We ate at the Officers/Enlisted club for brunch one morning, at Smokie Joe's bbq once and at Godfather's pizza all on-base. 
I have always been really patriotic and this whole experience just brought it all home for me.  We spent some time walking around the parade grounds looking at alot of planes - many from WWII era.  It made you realize what has transpired to keep us free, and what is still an ongoing battle to keep these freedoms.  On Friday while we were there, right after the final graduation ceremony, we went to the River Walk to eat.  While we were sitting there eating some people at the next table got up to leave and they stopped and shook my son's hand and thanked him for serving.  Then they thanked me for letting him and I got all teary-eyed.  We take some much of what we have for granted, but someone is paying the price and I now realize that and feel it more since it's my son that is doing it.  I am proud of him and now he will serve with honor.  So I would encourage you all to take the time to show your gratitude to someone that is serving - if you see them around or if you send them a card or whatever.

Ok, so here is Melanie and Calissa (BFF) the night of their graduation from Minco.  I think it was all worth it to them then!!

 Here we are after the first day of graduation activites at Lackland AFB.  Jenna is with us, but she volunteered to take the picture.  I think Heatherly was one very happy wife at this point!!

 Here is just one of the planes that surround the parade grounds on the base.  It was very cool to walk around to see them.

 During the 'pass and review' on Friday for the final graduation ceremony, one flight was honored to carry the flags - the US flags as well as a flag from all US states and territories.  It was really a site to see. 

This is just one of the cool things we saw as we took a boat ride around the River Walk.  Our boat guide was hilarious and we had a great time seeing the sights.  I would recommend this to anyone going to San Antonio.  I will try to post some more pics later - hopefully not 2 months later!! LOL