random ramblings

Friday, August 24, 2012

Progress

First there is the idea. I usually get inspiration from an image. In this case it was this little piece I ran across last year.

I played around with adding some color on Photo Shop. I liked how this looked.

Then we projected the image onto where we needed it. We wanted it on a 4' x 4' box. With a bit of patience and paint-and here we have it! The start of our giant Jack in the Box!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Photo Shoot with the Dogs-Revisited

A while back there was an open call for dogs to come in for a photo shoot for a "Rover" coffee table photo book, being shot by Andrew Grant. We took all 4 of our pups in. Although only Jack was chosen to actually be in the book, we loved the photos of all of the dogs. I think I shared some of these with you before, but I recently ran across them again, and thought they were worth re-posting.

Harley

Kona

Jill

Jack

More of Kona

Our gaggle of Goldens

Thank you to Andrew Grant for these awesome photos of our gorgeous goldens!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Operation 'Big Top' is underway!

We spent all day working on Halloween stuff and got a couple of great things accomplished. It felt GOOD!

I wasn't kidding when I mentioned a "big top!"

Not the best picture, but you get the idea - and you know me, I don't like to give away too much before the party.

The "Big Build" will get started tomorrow, but today the groundwork was laid. I'm very excited to see how things look tomorrow evening at this time.

I know, I know, this post is short, and a little secretive. Hey, what can I say? It's that time of year! Only 10 weeks until the party! OH NO! I just went into panic mode! I'm heading out for more painting...seriously!

G'night!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pleasant Surprises and Gratitude

Over the course of the last couple of days, I have received some of the very nicest surprises. I have received compliments too numerous to count regarding the reunion - some of which were verbal, and some of which came in the form of very heartfelt emails and personal notes. I received a very nice "goody" bag of delightful items from some of my classmates - items all of which I enjoy very much! Thank you Sherry, Jenny, Linda, Lori and Kathy! (You'll notice by the time I took this picture most of the peanut brittle was gone!)

On Friday night, while at our "multi-year mixer" I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, white carnations and blue roses, from my friend Sandy, to thank me for my work on the reunion. It was unnecessary, but very much appreciated.

Yesterday and today, I was surprised with packages being delivered. Who doesn't love something fun coming in the mail? Yesterday a FedEx box came with all sorts of goodies from my boss. (Have I mentioned lately how much I love working for him? Yes? Well, just in case I haven't, let me mention it again! He is the BEST!) Recently I qualified for another of his fantastic incentive trips. This one happens to be a "stay-cation" for me, but not for the others who will be joining from the mid-west. In my goodie box came a San Diego beach towel, a San Diego beach bag, a frig magnet, a post card, (my boss also happens to have a wicked sense of humor that I love - my postcard was black on the front and said "San Diego at Night" - on the reverse side in his handwriting it said, "you already know what it looks like during the day") and a brochure with all of the details of the L'Auberge Del Mar, the resort where we will be staying for our trip. I. AM. SO. EXCITED! This is a gorgeous resort, and we will be enjoying a complimentary spa treatment, a limo tour of our nearby wine country, fabulous meals, and plenty of pampering.

My other delivery, the one that came today, was just as unexpected! I received some gorgeous roses from my dearest "boy"friend, Doug. I was gobsmacked (thank you Chris H., for that term, I love it!) Such a wonderful surprise and beautiful gesture.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people who have such kind and generous hearts. The positivity that I have felt over the last week has been overwhelming and has helped to lift my spirits and refresh my soul.

Thank you ALL who have reached out to me with a kind word, call, or note. I can't tell you how much it means to me, I really can't, suffice it to say, that you mean the world to me.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Summer Days Drifting Away...

Tomorrow AJ flys back to Indiana. He will be starting back at Purdue on Monday as a sophomore.

Where did the summer go?

We spent our last evening together (for a while at least) enjoying a perfect summer evening picnic at La Jolla Shores. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful sunset.