Silver Bella Swaps

I found out that I've been accepted into three swaps for Silver Bella, not including the one that Wanda and I are co-hosting. This should be exciting! I'm in the Vintage Bling Charm Bracelet Swap, the Scentimental Sachet Swap, and the Cupcakes By the Dozen Swap. I've already started to pick up bling for the Vintage Bling Swap, but, unfortunately, one of them just won't do (it has colored rhinestones, and the swap is specifically for clear rhinestones). Too bad, I'll just have to make it into a necklace and wear it myself (I actually didn't want to give that one away anyway!). So, here's what I've picked up so far.

This is the one that I get to keep.

I'll give these away.

China Tags

Today, I got tags from Cindy. A sneak peek can be found here. She also sent this little bag full of what I hope is lucky rice.

Baby Shower

At work today, I waited on a Baby Shower. I spent a couple of hours last night starting to set up the room, and finished today. They rented linens, and at first, I thought that the color combination was atrocious - but after they brought in their decorations, I liked it better.

Two More - Yippee!

Two more sets of tags arrived today! The first was from Rochelle. I wasn't expecting to get her's this soon, since she lives in Canada. For a sneak peek of her tags, click here.
The second set was from Alisa. She sent her tags (you can find a sneak peek here) in this book/box along with some candy. How apropos!

Thank you, ladies!

Not One, Not Two, But Three!

Today I received an astounding three sets of tags in the mail. My tag book are officially half way done! The first set I opened were from Peggy, and a sneak peek of her tags can be found here. She sent along a handmade journal with lace on the cover and a saint charm on the ribbon binding it all together. Thank you Peggy!

The next set of tags I opened were from Cheryl. Her sneak peek can be found here. She included a hand-made card. I wish that I was talented enough to do stuff like that.

The final set of tags was from Michelle. A sneak peek of her tags can be found here. Thank you, so much, ladies - they are all awesome.

Project Pillow Swap

My package for the Project Pillow Swap came today.

My partner sent two pillow covers, and I think they're both adorable! The only problem is - now I have to buy another pillow!

Thank you, Jamie!

The Sketchbook Project

During a phone call with Wanda today, she clued me in to something cool that's happening - The Sketchbook Project.

Now, I'm no artist, but this sounded like it was too cool to pass up, so I paid my $25 to participate, and am now patiently waiting for my sketchbook to arrive in the mail. I can't wait to get started!

Germany Tags

Wanda's tags arrived in the mail today. She also included in the package many things to use for goodie bags. I hope I have enough time to put everything together in a fun way. Anyway, her sneak peek can be found here.

Safety Day and Two Sets of Tags

Today was Safety Day at Huber. It's a day where we learn about health, teambuilding, and other safe practices. I was on the planning committee this year, and it was a huge feat of planning. Starting with classes and arranging for instructors, providing lunch and gifts and prizes, and coming up with activities to keep the interest of everyone involved. We had a Huber Olympics, to help build teamwork. I even won a monetary prize in one of the activities - a take off of one of the "Minute to Win It" games. Unfortunately, one of our cars is in the shop with a split radiator, so that prize is already spent.

Once I returned home, I found not one, but two sets of tags in the mail! They were from Rachel and Pam. For Rachel's sneak peek, click here, and for Pam's, click here.

Morocco Tags

I received Kim's tags today. For the sneak peek, click here. Her packaging was unique - to me at least! She used sewing patterns and the envelope that the patterns come in.

She also sent me an adorable collage.

Thank you, Kim!

More Tags Arrived - Blinder

Jane's tags arrived today. They are adorable, and for a sneak peek, click here.

Another Set of Tags

I received Beth's tags in the mail today. It's the third set, and I'm so excited! For a sneak peek, click here. She wrapped them up quite prettily, with some beads and a bubble wand, and even included an address label for me to use. What a great idea!

Project Pillow Pillow

I completed my pillow for the Project Pillow Swap. I think it turned out well, and I hope that my swap partner likes it.

I'll be putting it in the mail tomorrow, it's got to go all the way to Hungary!

Cook's Night Out

I finally finished reading this book today. Boy, was it torture! I started it back in May, when I was at home with my ankle injury, and I just couldn't get into it. The heroine had other people's best interest at heart, but she acted like a spoiled little rich girl. She would do what she wanted, against the advice of those she cared about. And the supporting villain didn't have a backbone. It made him a little endearing, but a lot annoying. I'm just glad the book didn't get the best of me!

O's Ravens Rally

Tonight's Pep Band gig was the O's Ravens Rally. We played for about an hour and a half before the game, while the cheerleaders and Playmakers interacted with the fans. Like last year, the Oriole Bird wore a purple shirt, and Poe was there in an Orioles shirt. The band even got the item that was being given away to the first thousand, or so, fans - a purple Orioles hat. The Raven's head coach, John Harbough, threw out the first pitch, and we played after the third inning, and for the seventh inning stretch. It sprinkled a little throughout the game, and the game was slow - I think the Mets beat the Orioles, 3-1, but I still enjoyed being out with the Pep Band.

Special Olympics and Tags

Tonight, the Pep Band performed for the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony.

As usual, I enjoyed the parade of athletes, and wanted to cry while the torch was being run around the auditorium. Joe Flacco was there and walked by the band. He was close enough to touch! Unfortunately, I was star-struck and he walked away unscathed.
When I got home, I found out that Marian's tags for the "Around the World in 20 Tags" Swap had arrived. For a sneak peek, click here. They're adorable. Marian also sent a gift.

It'a a book that she was a Project Designer for.

Thank you, Marian!

A Good Start

I finished reading another book today. I started reading it at the beach, and it was okay.

It was a little different from the Regency romances that I've enjoyed in the past - it didn't have much to do with the titled and the London Season. I also got really sick of the heroine. I hope it's not the genre of book that I'm getting tired of - I have another one that I bought at the same time that I still need to read.
I also got a good start on my pillow for the Project Pillow Swap.

I initially thought to do a curvy line of petals, but now I think I'll do a few flowers. Most of the parts are cut out, I just need to finish cutting out parts for the flowers, then assemble.

I've Got It!

I'm so excited to say that I picked up "The Second Short Life of Bree Tanner" today. I started reading it on-line today, and you should, too. Just go to www.breetanner.com to start reading! And hurry, it will only be available as a free on-line read until July 7 - then you'll have to buy it (but $1 from the purchase of every book will be donated to the American Red Cross, so buying it isn't a bad idea).

OC Air Show 2010

The remainder of my weekend was taken up with the Ocean City Air Show.

I haven't been to an air show in a long time, and since we were in town anyway... It started out with a jump from an airplane with an American flag while the Star Spangled Banner was being sung.

The Navy Leapfrogs and the 101st Airborne had jumpers not too long after that.

There were aerial acrobatics performed by several different pilots in bi-planes, German planes, and a Russian Yak, fly-bys by four Raptors and a Globemaster on Saturday, and three C-130's on Sunday. An FA-18 Hornet (which is the same airframe that the Blue Angels fly) did a demonstration which included breaking the sound barrier. The Geico Sky Typers had a demonstration as well, showing how those planes would be used in combat. At Sunday's show, they actually did some sky typing.

The show ended each day with the Thunderbirds.

Of course, Tom had some criticisms, but I enjoyed myself - where else can you lay on the beach and see that kind of entertainment?

The Fan Club that Wouldn't Die

This year's Raven's Roost Convention had the theme "The Fan Club that Wouldn't Die." It's really quite flattering that their theme was loosely based on ESPN's 30 for 30 piece that Barry Levinson did on the band called "The Band that Wouldn't Die." So, the pep band played before their parade. The parade had more variety than last year, there were a lot of references to past teams from the Baltimore area (Colts, Stars, Stallions), and quite a few references to the Mayflower trucks that the Colts left town in. One float was a big shoe with a "Mother Goose" type person telling the fairy tale of how the Baltimore Colts left town.

But my favorites were playing "Thriller," and implied that the fans keep coming back from the dead!

One of the Roosts even had a dance routine to the song - and they were quite good. We also had Sandra Unitas, Johnny Unitas' wife, and a former punter from the Baltimore Colts.

A couple of our band members were even in the parade, and the pep band hooped and hollered for them. It was a good time.

First Set of Tags

The first set of tags arrived today for the "Around the World in 20 Tags" Swap that I'm hosting. They came from Natalea, who chose India. For a sneak peek of her tags, click here.
She also sent a sweet little hostess gift.

Which opened up to reveal this wonderful smelling candle!

Thank you, Natalea!