So it's election night-------and------

Quite frankly, I'm bored!  Finally turned my TV off!----even HGTV and DIY were getting on my nerves!  Got a lot done today--cleaned 3 big kitchen cupboards that were so in need.  It really hasn't been THAT many years since I cleaned them--really--I try to get them reorganized at least once a year--so did I just forget the last few times to check for outdates!  My spice cabinet which was bulging at the seams is now nearly EMPTY!  Oh, well the 3 large garbage bags of stuff were things I never ever use anyway!  Things like cumin (what the hell is cumin??) and dry mustard (and what kind of recipe would use an ingredient like that??)   Oh, my!  not in a million years can I remember why I bought most of them!  And then there's the economy size containers (bought only at Sam's Club) of things like fish and salmon rub, and whole pepper (the kind you need to grind).  I couldn't make fish fast enough to use up a 4 cup container of rub before it outdated!  and I have since lost my pepper grinder, so whole pepper is useless.
      Then there was my mint making, cookie decorating, candy molding phase and all the "solid" food colors,  (at least 50 colors--did you know they made that many??) assorted molds, volumes of sprinkles --at least one bottle for each holiday--10 bottles for most!  Yowsers!!!   THose days are soooooo over!  Walmart has decorated cookies!  That's my kind of decorating!
    Enough of my cleaning escapades (man, can you tell I'm bored!)   Troy is still out east and now they are predicting SNOW and wind!  Can they not catch a break?

Yesterday he sent pictures via FB of the tents they "live" in while out there--the "mess hall" above

This is the tent city they call home .  Hope this newest storm misses them and they hurry home safely!

 and I couldn't end my post without a couple of pics of the happy couple from last night and the beautiful "ring".  (For those who don't follow me on FB, my son Todd and his GF Aly got engaged last night and we all went out to celebrate after the happy occasion!)  We are thrilled to have Aly as a "daughter", tho I have thought she was for some time now.  They are a beautiful couple together and we love them both so very much. 

Boomer, Aly's dog should be excited!  He loves his 2 boys (well, most of the time--except when they are harassing him), but from the look on his face, he may not be so excited about sharing his momma with another guy!

Aly and Todd--the happy couple.

and Aly with her 2 silly boys, Nicholas and Aiden who love her so much.  Aiden said it best when asked  if he was glad about the engagement--he said "YES I AM!  Now Nicholas and Daddy and Aly and Me are one happy family"  only out of the mouth of a 5 year old!  Brought tears to a couple of Grandma's eyes, for sure.

Well, at some time, I will probably check in with the election results.   Happy Election Night!   I have never blamed the government for anything, because I'm a firm believer, only I can direct my destiny and only YOU can direct yours--no man can really make any laws or rules by himself, so I try not to get too excited about the outcome.  We are only one person and we are the only one that can make us happy.     No matter what happens tonight, I intend to be happy the next 4 years and just like the 60+ years I've already lived, in reality on a day to day basis, Washington can play their games,  my life is no better or worse because of their antics, and I don't think that will ever change.  The debt goes on, prices go up--people need to get a life --cuz as long as I can remember, that's the way it's been! and always people have complained --I can remember in the 50's when gas went from 35 cents/gal to 50 cents/gal, everyone was in an uproar!   Our gas today in proportion to our earnings is not that bad!  After all, back then--salaries were only $3-5000/ yr if that  !--and the government was in debt and everyone had to tighten their belts--sound familiar?   It'll never change and no one man, no matter what he thinks or promises is ever going to change that!  Debt & prices will go up, Unemployment will always be around-- No president will ever solve those problems .   Enjoy and love each day that is yours--God has given us so much to be thankful for--everything else will take care of itself!   Good Night!  Tomorrow is a Bright New Day!

After Christmas Open House Catch Up!

Well the Holiday Open house was a huge success by everyone involved.  Lots of people came to enjoy all the fabulous creations and made all our hard work worth while!  So Thanks to all who visited Memory Bound the past couple of days! 

While I was busy with Christmas projects, Life continued all around me --so I thought I would catch you up on some of it via pictures posted or sent to me  by my kids!  The first event was a Trout stocking event at a local lake the day after Nicholas's BD party.  I think I have mentioned previously, he got a new fly fishing reel for his BD (which he has wanted for awhile), so this event  fell at the perfet time!

The pictures are a a little out of order, but you'll get the idea.  Nicholas ended up getting his limit of 5 after they watched the DNR stock the lake.  He got one tagged one, which meant he won a prize!  --another rod and reel and some homemade flys (Nicholas now makes his own flys, so these were of special interest to him!) 

These pictures show his catches of the day, a very good meal to come! 

This is one of those out of order pics---this was the kids waiting for the DNR to come and stock the lake---some 200 people showed up!

And the best part is a local reporter was there writing an article and the next weekend there was the article, complete with this picture (below) of Nicholas and one of his Trout!  The article was all about the benefits of fishing for kids (and adults, too) and was a great article!  Thanks to Garry Brandenburg for another terrific article! 

The other big news is, of course, Hurricaine Sandy out East.  Though it didn't affect us directly here in Iowa, it did affect us directly!  Confused---well a lot of  people from Iowa have gone East to help out--the Red Cross, Humane society, etc.--but also a lot of power Linemen!  and one of those is our son, Troy.  I loved this little bit of humor (in a not so humorous sitution) that he posted one day . 

He is in the Caskill mountains (hope I spelled that correctly) putting lines up and has sent back via FB some pics of the region and of them working.  In a couple of days they will be heading into the city to help! 

 Tho much of this region is very pretty, it too has been hit hard.  The guys work long hours with little sleep, could be there a month or more --away form home and family and at times (most of the time, I think up in the mountains), sleep in tents when they do sleep!  Troy says the people in the mountains are very appreciative of their efforts! (I should hope so!)

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 These pictures just plain make me dizzy.  He does not get his ability to do Heights from me!  All I can say is stay safe you guys--and hurry home--we miss you!

And the last thing that came and went was Halloween!  I have a few pictures of our little ghosts and goblins, but haven't seen  all of them yet!  I felt really bad, since we never really have any trick or treaters out here in the country, so I never  have any "treats" on hand-----actually, I usually don't even know when T or T night is---so when Callie showed up at our door, I didn't have ANYTHING to give her!  I'm sure I can make it up to her--she said she was just here to show us her costume--she is such a little doll!

I didn't get to see Cloey in person (she was out with a group of her friends Trick or Treating), but here is a pic of them both!

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I also got a couple of pics of Nicholas and Aiden creating their Jack-o-laterns!

and as you can see, they were very creative!  What fun!

They looked great all lit up! 

Oh, to be young again and enjoy the simplest of pleasures!

So this was my Catch-up Sunday!  Hope everyone has a great week--mine will be very busy as I have 2 classes coming up next weekend and LOTS of prep work and kit work yet to be done.  It will all be fun and good tho!  Remember--your life is beautiful---take pictures and Scrapbook it!

It's Holiday Open House Time at Memory Bound

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas--well at Memory Bound, anyway.  This is our big weekend of Holiday ideas--and believe me, if you don't get in the spirit and get plenty of fun craft and decorating ideas in the process---well, I don't think you'll ever get in the mood!

It is so neat to see all the things we all have been working on (like little elves), all coming together in one display.  One of my last minute creations was the Santa hanging below.  I love those chipboard letters (which we do not carry, but I had on hand) and a new  Melissa Frances paper line (yes, we do have that),  I filled this 12 x 12 shadow box with "Santa".

I got the idea for decorating the letters from a post I saw on pinterest.  (THanks Bonnie K. for pinning it!)

As the display was set up, my calendars, a chipboard frame I decorated, and my Santa Hanging all ended up in a group.

Across the isle on another table, my Santa Countdown (now in kits and selling very well) is on a table with bright typical red and greens displays.  There's a CD calendar made of envelopes--very cute--and I wish I could give credit to it's creator--but I'm not sure who had this very cute idea.  My wreath is there and my ribbon CD calendar.  Above that is another one with adorable little doors to hide treats behind, also made by one of the other girls.

Below is a very awesome tree, all covered in some of the most unique handmade ornaments and banners ever.  I made a lot of the sizzix ones (shown on an earlier post.)  Diane, our manager, made the banners which are awesome and there are socks and a variety of other decorations made by some of the other girls!  I want a tree like this this year.  It doesn't even have lights on it and it's amazing! 

Below is my garland on display. 

and then last night, I whipped out this cute little favor set (also a pinterest idea)!  They were so easy, and look so cute filled with candy. 

Across from them, are 3 more of my calendars on display. 

It's surprising what a few pieces of  scrap wood can produce in the way of decorations.  Maggie even has a tree made from blocks of wood that is fantastic.

and then my cookie sheet CD calendar--- 

and my muffin tin CD calendar 

There are over 100 ideas, most of them very easy to accomplish, tons of kits with everythng in them, and so, so , so many ideas.  It's only something like 50+ days til Christmas--so give us a visit the next couple of days and get a start on a lot of fun ideas. 

Earlier tonight , I took the girls out (Ella and Lily) and there was the prettiest,  spookiest, halloween orange moon out--this picture does not due it justice.  It was perfect for Trick or treating--just a night  to late.  So with an orange moon lighting the landscape, I say good night all---see you at MB tomorrow to sing Christmas carols with us and enjoy all the sights of the Holiday!  Sleep tight.