Welkom to Rotterdam

I got home last night from a week in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and London and at 4 am, now awake still a bit on London time. It was a wonderful trip - the business part went swimmingly. I met my colleagues (some for the first time) in Rotterdam and along with my boss, spent two days reviewing our work. It was in a great format - we met at someone's home and discussed various issues in an open format. There is nothing like visiting a colleague's home to really experience the country. I had dinner once at a colleague's home in Sydney and it was such a privileged experience. I lucked out on getting a row on BA by myself - so I read and relaxed and had a great flight.

I had a little difficulty figuring out the train system from the airport to Rotterdam but made it eventually and had dinner with my colleague, Rene. The scene was picturesque: a canal from where the pilgrim fathers departed around 1620 called Delftshaven, here's a photo. See the windmill in the background?We had a barbque (grilled) meal that was spectacular - pate, cheese and bread with wine. Grilled veal with grape tomatoes and chocolate souffle. The tomatoes were so sweet and savory, the waiter gave me extras to take home (and I ate them with eggs in the morning). Actually, all three meals in NL were AMAZING. Our group dinner on Thursday night was in a small hotel/inn near Ijmuiden called Augusta. Everyone was jovial and bantering and the food was delicious with a 4 course meal lasting 4 hours. One thing I will remember about Netherlands is their bread - I've tasted some of the most fresh and delectable bread in Holland. Just yum. And most people think of simple meals in Hollands - quite the contrary this time.

My camera battery is recharging - I will download photos tonight and post sometime in the next few days. The first leg of the trip was well worth it and enjoyable. I feel fortunate to be able to say that about my work. My best shopping score in London - 14 vintage photos!

Open a Door

Nothing is ever lost by courtesy.
It is the cheapest of the pleasures;
costs nothing and conveys much.
It pleases him who gives
and him who receives,
and thus, like mercy,
it is twice blessed.


-Erastus Wiman

Leftovers

Well, it looks like the weekend is coming to a close and I did manage to get to IKEA for Expedit shelves and Liatorp buffet. In and out in 30 minutes, folks... can you believe it! I've gotten 5 of the 6 pieces into the house and that's about it. That stuff is HEAVY! Saturday night we had a family dinner for my Mother's 85th birthday. It was really nice. I love watching my niece and nephew growing up. It still amazes me to hear them talk - they're 9 and 11. Sunday I took a ride over to Brenham with Karen to see Leftovers Antiques. Very cool store that I saw in Country Living - they have an incredible display of purple glass (all recovered from a landfill!) Lots of great vinettes and some wonderful nesting boxes that should have gone home with me. We both managed to snag a gift for ourselves. I found a vintage pink cake stand (that is VERY heavy) and Karen found a four tiered silver stand that had some beautiful detail on the edge. I also managed to pick up a little giftie for a girl that lives in Laurel, MD... Whoooooooo could it beeeeeeeeeeeeeeee???? And a birthday present for my sister (in October). I'm getting my ducks in a row for London - shopping, theater (Phantom of the Opera, let's hope!) and Kensington Palace (thanks, Boo). I am working on a Shutterfly photo book - my first. I just think it is going to be the best way to keep my memories for certain scrapbook trips. Let's face it, I'm not going to get a scrapbook done this year - so this is a good compromise. I can't wait to finish it! I'm working on the ARTistry Vancouver March 2007 trip right now.

This display is from Kuhl + Linscomb in Houston. I had to take one of the petite green vases home with me.

Summer Saturday

Back home again and I'm possibly the only Houstonian enjoying the heat. I heard all about our humidity while in Canada... but frankly, I am enjoying the beautiful sunshine. There wasn't alot of it in Montreal or Quebec and definitely not at the wattage we get. Just awesome today. Okay, it helps to have the a/c chugging but still....

I took the train from Montreal to Quebec, which was fun and relaxing. Definitely, the way to go. Quebec was awesome - we stayed at the Hotel Frontenac which was just amazing. We visited some falls at Mont Morency and the beautiful Joan of Arc gardens at the Plains of Abraham. We walked our legs off - the shopping wasn't that great but the scenery was fabulous. Quebec is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. This other photo is of a Catholic church that is next to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, and it is absolutely stunning inside. As beautiful as any European church, even Notre Dame. I didn't see much else of Montreal, just stayed overnight. One things for sure, I saw plenty of fleur de lis everywhere... this was my favorite, next to the train station.

Oh, I almost forgot... major score in Canada - Cuban cigar boxes! YES! I found 3 very nice ones.

Found two cute sites - one is a zoo word site. It makes an animal out of the letters... my niece, Kate will just love this site. Take a look-see.

The second site that I thought was so cool is called Wordle which are word clouds. I definitely will be playing with it! Great for scrapbooking! This one came from my blog... good fun.

I signed up for Donna Downey's Inspired this week- it's in May of next year. The diverse list of classes and teachers is what attracted me to it, I definitely hope we play with canvas and paints. Plus Jeanne and our CE peeps will be going... good times! I took a class from DD in Vancouver in 2007 and it was fun and I learned new things... We used Bazzill chipboard for childhood photographs - simple project but the true test is that it was totally useful - I made one for my brother for Christmas. So cool - to get the photos out of the drawer and available for reminiscing.

I worked on Photoshopping old photographs today. I'm tired. I realized at the end that I was getting sloppy so I quit. The new sofa arrived this morning and when I tried to hook up the TV across the room, the cable wasn't engaged. I don't know why I am so mechanically challenged, but I am. It is exhausting. It rarely goes smoothly. Replaced the batteries, but still no doorbell. That's it, I just need to call Angie's List and get somebody over for a to-do list. That's for tomorrow... plus an IKEA visit!

Friday at last!

Okay, so I'm still loving the Wii, like in - every evening we fight over it and I rushed home from work when Nanie called to say she was at Target, just so I COULD BE FIRST! It really is amazing how they trick you into doing all these little games and you DON'T EVEN REALIZE you're exercising your body. I am telling you - it is phenomenal. It was hilarious today when my 10 year old nephew came over and played tennis. I had been playing this civilized old lady in skirts version and he was making those guys ATTACK. Crazy. And just too much fun. I can't say it enough.

The good news is that I don't sit at the computer every night and do nothing... I also haven't worked on any of my Photoshop projects or my last CJ (sorry, Megan). I am leaving in the morning for Quebec City for 6 days and I need to pack tonight, along with get some money and pay bills blah blah blah. It's alot cooler in Montreal (70s) than here, which will be wonderful. I'm going to a conference where I know no one... except my boss. But they're my kind of people (insurance) so I'm sure we'll get along famously.

My newest BFF, Cindy found some amazing ideas on scrap rooms with my all time favorite being, Vicki Boutin. Oh man, it is exactly what I want. I have been eyeing the Liatorp cabinet and she has it outfitted beautifully.

I also found an ingenious clip it type storage here. Stop for just a moment and take a look see at how simple and inexpensive the solution she created. Amazing. It only cost her roughly $10.

Okay, I'm just about out of time but have to show you some amazing canvas' that I purchase a few weeks ago. Fell in love with them... Found them on etsy while searching for local, her name is Lori Young. Love her work. I purchased 6 of them - look at 33 sales to see the last 2 Texas canvas, that I bought. What do you think?

Okay, so I'm out of time. Have an early flight so need to get packing. Hope its a great weekend for you. Au revoir!

Mii loves Wii

I think it is important to remember when life becomes as easy as a cake walk. Sunday morning was one of those times. I have been researching Nintendo's Wii for about a month. On Sunday I was reading the Chronicle and looking at the Target ad when I saw Wii and Wii Fit on friggin SALE, people! So I call and the Memorial City store says they have both in stock and I am there in 4 minutes flat. I did brush my teeth and I TOTALLY SCORED a Wii. Well, two actually. My 10 year old nephew wanted one so I woke up his Mom to see if it was okay to get one. It is very easy to put together and I have to say, I am now one of those goofballs that is hooked on it. The tennis brings me back to high school days. And no, I won't share my rated age (at this time). Maybe later. When I lose 20 pounds... We love the golf too and I love doing hula hoops. Nancy has a full workout routine going but for the past two nights we've started at 9 pm and then I can't get her off the damn thing. I just have to say, it is one of the best inventions of the decade, for sure. Come on over and play with us.

I've torn my scrap room apart and trashed the living room and sunroom. My new BFF, Ronda gave me some great ideas on using Ikea's Expedit and Liatorp together (hanging the E horizontally on the wall). I also have a cool PB engraved pencil thats 6' tall that I need to get on the wall. I won't do either until I get back from Quebec City (I leave Saturday). I did get another Elfa cart from Container Store - I have one that is crammed full and I love the large open trays. I still need to assemble it - maybe tomorrow night. I've had trouble sleeping 3 nights in a row so hopefully I can crash for the nite. Oh, wait. We need a requisite photo - let me look in my stash... This is one of the rooms at Lake Austin Spa, one of my favorite places to visit. They serve healthy cuisine and teach tai chi, along with all those fabulous spa services. I haven't been in years but it is on my vision board now. The rooms are so comfy and inviting. It is my goal to get back there in the next two years. Its a great way to kick off healthy living - you don't want to veer off the path once you get started. In my dreams I'd like to be invited as a speaker or teacher one day. I should probably have a clear idea of what I could teach or write but that's for another day. Yep, when the stars align and things come easily it is confirmation that I can relax and remember I'm not running the show. Good night.

Connection

WOW! What fun... I went to an all day crop at By Design yesterday to support Laurel's walk for breast cancer. You can read about it here. It's called, "Save the Tatas" - 3 day walk, 60 miles. Anyway, we all donated and cropped together yesterday. It was an awesome day. If I sound like I am gushing, I am - I think we all did because we all connected and had such an amazing time, sharing projects, information, websites... I have learned to appreciate those days of pure bliss. Laurel arranged for some great Lebanese food and I'm not into that kind of stuff, but it was good and there was plenty. I got to sit with my CE buds, Sandy and Karen and I met several new girls, Ronda and Cari. Laurel, Cindy and Adriana all are into Carol Wingert kits, so it was fun to see those and Cindy's LP album (made from a record). I definitely want to try that out! Went searching for my LPs... and finally found them. I was so inspired today, I finished a layout, etched on a vase and almost finished a surprise board book for someone(s) special. I was talking trash yesterday... I did NOT make it to Ikea for the bookcase. I still have to decide which ones to get!

I know everyone complains about the heat but I am just loving the sunshine days we are having. (random).

My niece, Megan is 15 today! It's also my Gracie girl's birthday today, she's 7. I've had her since she was 4 months old and it really doesn't seem that long ago. She is such a sweet little pup. (Killer's on the left - he's a good guy too).

Last week went off the rails slightly. I took my brother to the emergency room Wed nite because of stomach pains. I thought it was something he ate, turned out to be pancreatitis. He got out Friday and I'm glad he's feeling better. It was a little scary for a while.

I'm not sleeping well and not really sure why (not). (another random)

I'm home for another two weeks and then to Montreal and Quebec City for a business conference. Should be fun and interesting. I'm taking the train from Montreal to Quebec - it's 3 hours. Wish I could go further east and see my friend, Charleen but not this time. Oh, Canada!