Saturday, I drove to Stuttgart to scrap with my group there. We had a great time as usual, but we also raised money for breast cancer research. Everyone paid to crop and then donated for using different machines and water and tea, etc. Basically everyone gave what they could, and once the room rental was paid, the rest when to the cause.
I made this page in honor of Stacey. I have had it and the album kit since 1999. I finally decided it was time to do a book of cherished friends in my life. So I started with this one since it was this special day, and will continue to fill it with pages of friends.
Tuesday is Erika's birthday. She is the "ring leader" of the bunch, so we each (secretly) made a "me" page for her and presented her with the book. She was very touched and loved it!
These are the ones who could make it to the crop! There were a total of 22 or 23, a great turnout! and it was 11am-11pm! SO much fun!
Discussing something very important. Layouts, embellishments...where we're getting lunch...
Cheryl ponders which challenge to do next! We had 4 we could do if we wanted, get our name in a drawing to win little prizes. You know...just for fun! the Pink challenge was a pink page, the sketch challenge was a sketch you copied, 3-2-1 was 3 papers, 2 pictures and a journal box, and pick 3 was to choose three of the embellishments from a list to use. I did all the challenges! :) Won a $10 gift card to Stampin Up! yeah, I already ordered, about 10 minutes later!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Pink Scrap 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
How's THAT for fair?
So, the Army gives us a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) because the cost of living is so high over here. Now if we want to shop and live and breathe and buy anything and everything for three years at one grocery place, one department store type place (and I use that term VERY liberally), 3 fast food places and 2 restaurants, 1 movie theater that plays about 2 movies per week, and a bowling alley, fine. But you know everyone is on your case and it's truly a wasted opportunity if you don't get off post and experience some of Europe. Even just Germany! So we do. Enter "cost of living".
We are also provided with Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) if we do not live on post. We do not, so we do. When we got here, our OHA completely covered our housing. Since the dollar is in the toilet (down 20% today from what it was when we got here), we currently pay some out of pocket. Fine, we'd pay more to not deal with on post housing.
But here is my gripe...We were getting x amount of COLA. Then the dollar rose from .62 to .70 for LESS THAN A WEEK. "ha! a trend! The dollar is getting stronger!!" Headlines in the paper and emails gone wild "be aware, COLA rates drop, your mid month paycheck will reflect the lesser COLA amount, and my favorite: Remind your Soldiers and Family members that the 100 euro that use to cost them $162, now only costs $151!!" mmmm, grreeeaaat.
This week? yeah, back to .65. Can I get my COLA back now? oh, no, we can only raise and lower COLA rates quarterly or some such. *EYE ROLL*
Monday, September 22, 2008
About me
8. Your all time favorite song
11. Which state you live in
17. Thing you'd like to do before you die
20. Present you would like for your next birthday
Here is what I got!
I accidentally left my camera in one of Elizabeth's baskets when I was helping her take them to the car. I got it back today, and took these of my purchases. :) Could I have gotten a few more? yes. Could I have carried any more to the car in one trip? Probably not. I'm pleased with what I got, and I wouldn't have known what to do with any more. 
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Lichtenfels Basket Festival!
Wow. I've never in my life seen more baskets! In fact, I've never seen more of anything! Well...except maybe Polish Pottery! :) Here are some pictures, and I'm off to rest my tired body!
This giant basket is not 10 euro. The ones in it are. 
They are dancing. To Footloose, Mr. Sandman and Timewarp (from Rocky Horror Picture Show!).
American Flag! and giant coffee cup/saucer. This was on top of a shop. There were several other country flags.
Doggie basket!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Has it been a week??
I guess it has. I have been wrapped up, even a world away, by the drama that was and still is Hurricane Ike. Daily updates via phone, email, facebook, blog, etc on my family and friends and their property, belongings and sanity in the wreckage and powerlessness.
The good news is that for the most part everyone I know is getting through it. The bad news is that many many have lost everything or an awful lot. Even those who have little or no damage are going on a week without electricity, and while our grandparents and theirs managed, it is stressful to deal with losing what you are accustomed to. I worry also about the many who are honest, hard working, regular people who hold hourly jobs. What happens when they can't work for a week or however long this persists because their place of business is closed?
I'm praying for rest above all. When you are not rested, the stress takes over and rational thought and decision making are harder to come by. When you are worn out, it is hard to see the good in any situation. Rest and peace in the hearts, minds and lives of these people, Lord, asking your blessing on the many.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Today
Today, I came home sick from work. I'm worn out.
