Monday, September 3, 2007

Vacation Blog Candy

Yay! We just got home from the in-laws in the greater Cincinnati area and I'm glad to be home! I've truly become my mother! She is such a homebody and so am I! I love visiting family and getting to shop at places that we don't have here in Western Kentucky, but I missed everything about home...my bed, my wonderful, comfortable leather recliner and my DVR. (Having fibromyalgia, having a soft spot to relax in is mucho importante! And being addicted to tv, I'm really addicted to my DVR...I was having Hannah Montana and That's So Raven withdrawals...and no, I don't have kids!) Anyway, yep, I'm a homebody! I had my computer with me, but my internet connection wasn't the best, so I did a LOT of coloring (I stamped a lot of images before we left so I wouldn't have to take as much with me) and finally finished the last Harry Potter book! (It made me cry too, but it was a good cry!) Of course, you're probably thinking, "Why did you bring stuff with you to do when you were going to visit family?" Well, they (my hubby and all of his immediate family) are early morning risers. They get up super early (well, to me it's super early!) and I sleep as late as my body will let me, let's say noonish whenever I don't have to work. So, when everyone else is going to sleep, I'm wide awake, looking for stuff to do! I shouldn't blame it on the sleeping habits of his family though! Last time we went to my mom and dad's, I took my clipboard and pencils and colored the whole time I was there. Basically because it was 100 degrees outside and there was NO way I was going outside!

Anyway, back to this weekend! I went to a place called Stamp Your Art Out. I had been there five or six years ago, but that was WAY before I'd ever really thought about stamping and it was really overwhelming, so I didn't buy anything. But evidently I did sign up for the mail list cause they had me as a customer! So, me and my MIL went there on Saturday. Now that I enjoy stamping, I loved it! I only bought one stamp, but found two other things that I've been looking for ever since I started stamping! Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle and Oval punches! WOO HOO! I've found them online, but once you add shipping onto the price, they were close to $30 each and I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on punches! So, I am finally a proud owner of those punches! I'm so excited! I just can't wait to use them!

So, if you've read this far, congrats! I'm not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. I write what comes into my head and I do not have much of an internal editor. I get off track very easily and usually have to re-read what I've written to get back on track! So, thanks for sticking with me. Now, on to the good stuff...CANDY! I'm calling this my vacation candy. I bought most of it while on our Labor Day vacation, and will hopefully get it sent out before we leave for our Florida vacation! (We leave for Florida in two weeks!! WOO HOO!!) It consists of:
  • 3 clear stamp sets from the $1 bin at Michaels
  • 25 sheets of 10" x 7" cardstock (100# Classic Laid Cardstock) with 25 matching 5" x 7" envelopes in Classic Crest Solar White
  • 10 scalloped circles in various colors
  • 10 scalloped ovals in various colors
  • random diecut shapes in various colors
  • and whatever else cool stuff I find between now and closing!
To have a chance to win, post a comment on this post telling me your favorite lazy day, easy read book. Our Florida vacation is going to consist of laying on the beach, reading a good book, while soaking up the sun, and not doing much of anything else! I want to check out some good books to take with me, so I need some advice. Of course, I'll be taking some stamping stuff too. Who knew that coloring/watercoloring was so therapeutic?!

I'll be taking comments on this until September 11th and then will pick a number using random.org to see who wins! Please make sure I have a way to contact you to notify you if you win! Feel free to link this candy on your blog to direct others here so everyone can have a chance to win! I'm relatively new to stamping and blogging, so I'm hoping this candy will help people to find me! Thanks for looking, and if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

25 comments:

Michelle said...

My favorite "easy" read is anything by Stephen King - quick read, not too much thinking required. By the way, you won my blog jewels!! I need your information to ship to you!

BasketMom said...

You're a riot, Kim! I'll bookmark your blog for future reference.

As for suggested reading - have you read "I feel bad about my neck" by Nora Ephron (she wrote When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail). It's hilarious and it's just a bunch of short essays, so it's easy to read a few, put it down and come back to later. FUNNY stuff.

Another interesting book is "Assassination Vacation" by Sarah Vowell. I *love* her writing style and this is another funny but informative read about all the presidents that have been assassinated (plus info on the people who have assassinated them) - is that a weird subject matter to find funny? Well - after reading it, you'll understand why.

maiahs_momma said...

lol, my fav easy read would have to be "Good Night Moon" just because that is all I have time to read is children's books to my children. Hope that counts :)!

Scott Franson Photography said...

Wonderful blog ! You should read the books by Jan Karon, all about a little town and it's people all told by the Preacher. It's funny and touching. I think there are 6 in the series.

Betty said...

I read a book called Welcome to my Planet by Shannon Olson. It is hilarious!! Here's a short narrative:

In Welcome to My Planet, the fictional Shannon Olson--who shares her creator's name--is witty but confused, whip-smart but unable to fully release her ties to bad boyfriends, childhood obsessions, and the "gassy expanse" of marginal jobs. With the help of a therapist known only as the counselor, this almost 30-year-old Midwestern neurotic gamely tries to steer her way past credit-card-fueled Target binges and a too close relationship with her mother, Flo, and to slowly inch toward the elusive land of adulthood. Comparisons to the charming neurotics found in Bridget Jones's Diary and The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing are inevitable, but beside the point: Shannon is less brittle, less self-consciously hip than those postmodern heroines. Contemplating living on her own again after a stint with her parents, she whines to the counselor, "I've never really lived anywhere else. What if I never find anyone? I may as well go out and adopt a bunch of cats and start wearing macramé ponchos."

Cheryl KVD said...

Oh, I love "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson. It has 1-2 page chapters and is an easy read. Plus it will help you relax by putting everyday items into perspective. I've taken his series of books on vacation with me several times.
Thanks!
Cheryl KVD

Linda SS said...

I definitely recommend Water for Elephants - A Novel. (by Sara Gruen) I loved it:) I really enjoy your blog and love it's name.
I was rejected from the TV show The Newlywed Game. I've been married now 32 years & still not happy we didn't get on & win a piano...I'm a funny person:) Guess it was my husband's fault. teehee

Pat S. said...

Hi Kim!
I'm glad to find another KY stamper! I live in the Lexington area :)

Thanks for offering such great candy...wow!!!

Suggested reading: anything by Janet Evanovich...her Stephanie Plum is a hoot!

Anonymous said...

I love anything by my favorite author Nora Roberts. I work full-time and don't have a lot of time for reading, but her books go quickly for me because I can't put them down once I start one.

Peggy Maier said...

Have you tried Agatha Christie's mysteries? They're great & you can never guess "who dun it". I've read them over & over & they always hold my attention. Great for rainy days.

ikkinlala said...

I'm a fan of the Discworld books for easy and fun reading.

jodene said...

I just love the name of your blog!! My favorite easy reads are Chicken Soup for the Soul. They even have one for the scrapaddict.LOL Thanks for the chance.

dasimonds said...

Hi Kim..
I found your journaling quite interesting...nice blog.
I am fairly new to all this to..
just love browsing whenever I get the chance.
Hope you have a great vacation in florida...relax and enjoy.
I enjoy relaxing with a Danille Steele or Nora Roberts book.
Enjoy your stamping..
Thanks for the chance to WIN your blog candy.

Dee

Rebecca said...

If you're going to Florida, be sure to take a book by Carl Hiaasen. You won't be disappointed. He's quirky, has even quirkier characters, and still quirkier plots. He's from there, his stories are about Florida, he's a columnist, an environmentalist, political commentator, big kid, all rolled into one. I just finished "Flush," which is supposed to be a "young reader" book, but it was great. I still laugh just thinking about all the great books of his I've read. Enjoy the trip. I'm getting lots of good leads on things to read. Thanks for the great giveaway and topic. And thanks for letting me play along.

Pattyjo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pattyjo said...

September 11 is your last sign up date. Bad day now...but it wasn't a bad day for me years ago, because that is our 38th wedding anniversary.
I think the most relaxing thing I have ever done, is floating on an air mattress on the lake one year. We had rented a lake cabin at a beach for summer vacation. I remember floating on this air mattress in the warm sun, hearing the sounds of the children playing and water splashing against the shore. I thought surely this must be what Heaven will feel like someday. It was a wonderful feeling. Thank you for the memory again.

rholschen@air-pipe.com

Ijsbeer said...

I have M.E (CFS) so I know all about the importance of relaxing and sleeping well. I sleep bad and I get so ill I just feel like crying. But I love holidays because I so rarely get out of the house:)

I love books so much and although I have big troubles with reading them nowadays its still hard for me to pick just one. Maybe a book by Roald Dahl? I love his books and can read them over and over! Or if you like travelling something by Bill Bryson? His travel books are funny and a easy read. Although his book "A short history of nearly everything" is not such an easy read. Love the Chronicles of Narnia. Love the books by George Orwell. Love so many books. Memories of a Geshia is also a really good book. It really depends on what you like; crime, humour, adventure etc. I used to read a book a day when I was younger. It got much less when I started studying but until I got ill I still read a lot. If I knew what category you liked it was easier:) Hope you have a nice holiday in Florida and that its a pain free holiday. I'll cross my fingers that the Fibro symptoms stay at home!

Unknown said...

I just got back from vacation and got to visit an Archievers for the first time! WOW! Being a pre-k teacher, my easy reads are always easy. My favorite is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

Suzanne said...

I would say the HP series was easy read and VERY captivating! I don't read much anymore though (never enough time!)
Oh and my DD (4.5) and I LOVE Hannah Montana! She wants her b-day theme to be HM! I've just got to come up with invites! I'm thinking of using my wishblade to cut out the name and cover it with glitter.... NOW I'm getting sidetracked! LOL

Alex said...

It sounds like you had a good time and yep, I read to the end, you write just fine - LOL! I am an avid reader and finish a book every few days BUT I did just finish the new book called Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and I could not put it down. Dang she is a good author! I had never read her stuff and I went to the used bookstore and got them all! I have no read four of them and they are wonderful reads! Have fun on your florida vacation - I live in Florida so I an tell you it is definitely hot enough for the beach! Thanks for visiting my blog - I will be back to visit yours as well! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

Anonymous said...

I read all of Oprah's recommendations, but currently I'm reading the book 90 Minutes in Heaven. It's a true story of a pastor who was pronounced dead and after 90 minutes of a glimpse of heaven and all of his deceased friends & family, he returned back to earth to tell his story. It's a quick read if you are interested in this topic. I'm finding it very interesting!

Anonymous said...

Wow...you just got home from vacation & you're off to Florida...lucky you!!
I'd LOVE to win this sweet candy...'been wanting those circle & oval punches for some time too!
I don't know if you'd call it an "easy read", but I enjoy all of Karen Kingsbury's books. Enjoy a relaxing holiday!
~Brenda H.

Unknown said...

I WANT CANDY I WANT CADY!When we went to the Dominican Republic for a week of doing nothing (first trip without kids) I brought a few books and I discoved Steve Berry as an Author and I now have read eery book of his (except Alexandria Link, I'm waiting for the paperback to come out) SO anything by him.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim!

Thanks for offering such great candy...wow!!!

Interesting that you should mention Stamp Your Art Out. I visited there last year. What a beautiful store! Did you know they are the host for the Cincinnati area stamp convention?

Another good read for summer: I like any mystery that doesn't scare me :) I really enjoy Sue Grafton, Lisa Scottoline, Jill Churchill, and Sarah Graves.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim!

Thanks for offering such great candy...wow!!!

I am visitor #333...
there should be something lucky about that, right? :)

Another good read for summer: if you like funny, try Jennifer Crusie or Linda Francis Lee.

ps_1972stamping@yahoo.com