HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!!!!

Fall in Ashland............

Better late than never...........look what GF Eileen sent me for my birthday, just received it last week. I also got a bracelet but forgot to upload and don't have time right now.

(who's the old broad with the chicken neck wearing the necklace)!

Isn't this sweet................my desk mate and bud Karen Delsman gave me this great journal for my trip! I will definitely use it!

On my way!

Talk at ya soon, hopefully.

All is secure at home and life will go on without us for a while!

Busy, busy weekend and of course week! Rocky and I went and got our haircuts on Saturday and then I ran a couple of errands running home to plant the rest of the bulbs! I did real good with the bulbs (Brooke), I mapped it all out in the bed first so next Spring, I'll know what's happening, especially since I also need to put in other plants. I did plant them in clumps..... Next Spring we plan on finishing out all the beds close to the house.

Also, pulled out all our clothing and finished up the toiletries, vitamins, etc. Checked on the weather for Italy and it's cooled down a little so I'm rethinking a couple of things, of course doing layers.

Also, made lots of taco meat and chili (Rocky's favs) to freeze.

Hopefully by the time this post comes up I will have colored my hair! I also have to clean out my photo cards and I need to finish typing up my itineraries and, and, and!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't really had time to get too excited yet but know that when we're driving to Portland it will be a reality!

Pretty...............pretty..............why isn't our money this pretty!

I know I've been a slacker (Eileen) but this girl has been busy!

Yesterday a.m. I met my GF Cheryl in Medford to get my form for my discount at the Springhill Mariott on Friday, Cheryl is the Director of Sales and out of the goodness of her heart is letting me use her "friend and family" discount - love her. We had breakfast in the Artisan Bakery which is located in the shopping center behind Hollywood Video off Exit 27. They really have some yummy stuff, very Ashland-y. I also ran over to AAA and picked up my EUROS! This makes it official, I am really going to EUROPE!!!!! Wanted to have some cash on hand when we arrive, the rest of the time we will be using ATM's.

Also, had my first BUNCO meet last night! (Vegas babes - dice!) It was a lot of fun and looks like we have a good group going, if anyone is interested let me know in case we need someone to fill in.

So..... met GF Anita, Whitney and friend Stephanie at Anita's job and we car pooled to Pam's house up in the hills of Ashland. So much fun looks like we'll be doing it again next month!

Needless to say I didn't get much done concerning my trip but what I have left is pretty minimal at this point (TG).

A little update on my "procedure"............my brown patches have lightened up immensely and my skin looks really nice. I am going back for the second go-round when I get back so that they will totally be gone! Had to believe that ugliness would go away and I would have some nice looking skin. So I would recommend the procedure to anyone. I totally like the fact that I am not using a ton of concealer to hide my spots and the money I save on concealer will pay for the procedure - yipee!

Here are some photos of the "Aeropac" I made. Mine is done and I'm finishing Pete's tonight, no dots for him, more manly fabric. This was a free pattern I found on the internet at www.studiokatdesigns.com. I used scraps, gotta love that!

Just a head's up, if you're trying to find a recipe, especially something lo-cal, please check out under "Other Favorite Bloggers" "The Love of Food," this blog was recommended to me by my ole, gal pal, Geri, it's a friend of hers. I just copied a lo-cal dessert since sweets are one of my weaknesses, thought I would make a few of these and keep them on hand. I've noticed that most of her recipes also give a Weight Watchers point count, so if some of you are doing that diet, this will help you in your time of need.

I know it may be hard to believe but I've had this bag since 1982 (remember when I bought it Marie?)I went to visit my BFF Marie in Monroe, NY just before I moved to Nevada. I was going to get my hair permed by her cousin, Georgette who had a salon in town. Down the street from the salon was a great handbag store and I found this amazing bag which is really called a messenger bag now. It doesn't really have any pockets so I found a free pattern on-line and have made a pocketed insert for it and another bag I have.

I rarely use this bag because I have been preserving it for my lifetime (I guess). Maybe now that I have the insert I'll use it more. I thought it would make the perfect bag for my trip (I hope).

What to do, what to do..................when I woke up on Monday a.m. I was TIRED, so tired from the retreat. I'm usually one of the few that goes to bed last and wakes up first so not much sleeping going on, especially since I don't hit the pillow and sleep, it takes a while. Also, my back, legs were doing pretty well but sleeping on a futon with a big dip kinda takes everything out of alignment. Well, I thought, a big, fat latte will help (hopefully) and guess what, machine NOT WORKING!!!!!! Checked out the troubleshooting, none of those things worked. Figured I had to decalcify the machine, so Pete picked up some stuff so I could do that, tried that and that didn't work. Went on-line to Starbucks and looked through their troubleshooting guide and tried something else - no good. Finally called Starbucks, Customer Service and they referred me to the manufacturer - Saeco, called them yesterday from work and they said call back when I was by the machine! Well, finally this morning I called them (instead of working out) and did what they said and "VOILA", my machine is working again! Love that guy that helped me, he actually talked me off the ledge!

Just an update on my FACE! Well, I really didn't think that there was going to be any improvement and I still can't tell how great it's going to be.............maybe in about 3 days I'll have a more accurate post. It seems like my spots have "lightened" up more than anything, really can't tell if any are gone. Needless to say it looks like I might go for round 2 but will wait until we get back from my trip since it's a good week and a half of not looking that great.
Getting a little excited about our trip, still working on stuff. When I finish the aeropac's (document holder) I'm making I will post a photo. Finally decided what purse I will be carrying, maybe will post a photo of that too.
Called triple A yesterday and ordered some Euros to have on hand when we get there, so those should be in early next week ! Needless to say things are moving right along!