trick or treat !!!

an escape worth remembering.....

Whoa, I have super FUN and EXCITING news to share!

I've registered for Creative Escape 2011 !!! {insert happy dancing here}

True, it's not until August, but I wanted to secure my seat, especially since this will be the FINAL Creative Escape event {boo hoo}.

So I'm a mix of SAD and GIDDY ... sad to see this incredible event end; after all, it is the "ultimate scrapbooking indulgence" and incorporates so many things that I enjoy (scrapbooking, friends, a fancy resort, spa time!, shopping, travel, non-stop fun and surprises) ... and I'm extra GIDDY because they said they'll be "pulling out all the stops" for this last CE, and I can't wait to see what that means!?!? The CE '11 theme is "worth remembering", and I'm sure that it will be!

And to my scrapbooking pals ===> see you in Arizona !! :-)

... 42 ...

Hey there! Hope you enjoyed the weekend?

I spent mine relaxing, enjoying my birthday! Seems like not long ago I was at my 40th birthday party, and now I'm a gal "in my forties", oh well. So I took an afternoon off to go to the spa ... I tried a new one ... and although I didn't love the spa facility itself (too noisy, not "tranquil" enough!), the massage was enjoyable. And although Sal has been sick with the flu (bummer!), we were able to spend some time together and celebrate a little bit.

And last week, the students who I work with in Sal's research lab thoughtfully surprised me with flowers, a balloon, and this DECADENT cake!

it's Sarah's special day!

Happy 7th birthday today to our niece, Sarah! She lives in Gulfport, Florida.

Have a FUN day, Sarah! :-)

Love,
Aunt Susan, Uncle Sal, Buddy & Aruba

World Animal Week

Hey there & happy Monday!

It's a new week, and an important one ... it's World Animal Week, an event celebrating the beauty of animals and bringing attention to worldwide animal suffering and the need for compassion.

Please take a moment this week to (re)consider the plight of animals in your life ... the companion animals in your home, the wild critters in your backyard, the abandoned awaiting homes at shelters, and those on your dinner plate.

And speaking of animals ... a member of the Save The Manatee Club (Terry Duncan) snapped this photo of a manatee "scratching" his back in shallow water! How precious is this? She has seen manatees in her area (near Daytona Beach, Florida) doing this from time to time. Who doesn't love a good back scratch, right? ;-)

Have a great week,