Always & Forever

A while back I bought these plaques at Hobby Lobby. I paid $2 each for the big ones and $1.20 for the rooster one in the top right corner. I saw these free downloads on Pinterest (that I thought I pinned...but can no longer find) and I knew I needed them. Not sure what I was going to do with them....but I really liked them. I haven't done anything crafty for a while. I felt a little rusty....but I looked around the mess in my craft room and inspiration hit.
I took the little hooofies off the tops of the big boards and sanded everything down a bit.
I painted the big boards and Mod Podged some cute paper (from the stash) onto the small board.
Then I put the hooofies back on and sanded the big boards. I used the Mod Podge again on the little one. This time to affix the ampersand. Cute!
I dusted off my Silhouette....been a while old friend.....and cut some always and forever....
I put a layer of Mod Podge over it all and let it dry over night.
I added some ink to the edges of this one....I like it a little shabby.
Obviously this one is a little blurry is the second attempt....the vinyl is a little wonky.
I like the way they all turned out. I hope my Valentine's will like them too!!

I am linked with Metamorphosis Monday....come find me.

Days Five and Six: The Voyage Home

Day five was our day at sea moving towards home....well Miami....but then home. This day at sea (compared to our first) was more relaxed. It wasn't charged with the anticipation of things to come, but more with gratitude of things we'd seen and done.
We relaxed more (if that's possible) this day that we did on any other. We even sat in on the towel folding class. Funny stuff. Jim can now successfully fold two towels into the shape of an elephant.
And almost successfully fold two towels into the shape of a rabbit.......
Anyway, they had fun and that is all that matters. We lounged in the sun and just took a more leisurely pace to the day. We ate lunch in the dining room for a change and then napped (not much change there).
Then we ate at the buffet so we could hit two shows. But then we decided we missed our waiter so much (and maybe the Molten Chocolate Cake) that we should stop in and see if we could snag some cake see him.
Our waiter got a concerned look on his face and told us he would see what he could do about getting us some food (as it was closing time at the dining room). We told him not to worry about the food. We just wanted cake!! He was happy to oblige and we were happy to eat cake!!
This vacation has been amazing. It was fun to hang out with The Walkers and spend some time away with my sweetheart. We came home so relaxed and recharged.
Here is a quick recap (in photos) in case you forgot how much fun we really had. :)
In a few years maybe we can bring our kids (and spouses, if any) on a fun vacation like this and make some fun memories with them.
It will be hard to top this trip. But I am up to the challenge of trying.
Day six really is more of a side note. We were herded like cattle into the big theater to wait for our turn to exit the ship....which we did without too much hassle.
We made it to the airport and through security with plenty of time to spare. Of course the airline had neglected to assign us seats on the plane. A fact that we failed to notice until about five minutes before we were to board the plane. Luckily we did get seats. Sadly they were on opposite ends of the plane.
But we made it to Chicago in one piece where we enjoyed our four hour lay over. It was nice to not be rushed and we used the time to check in with our friends and family via text messaging.
We made it home safe and sound and found our dogs had missed us very much. Seems the teenager didn't give them all the attention they thought they needed. Jo did a great job holding down the fort and was a little glad to see us as well.
Someday we will do this all again....but I will make sure to have my camera on me at ALL times. I did miss a couple funny moments.....but I think I got most of the action. Thanks for hanging in there through this extra long post. I know who my true friends are ;)

Day Four: Jamaica

Jamaica man. That's right. This beautiful island is home to beautiful beaches with the bluest water as well as stunning mountain vistas. Our shore excursion on the sunny isle of Jamaica had us riding dune buggies (you know....for those back home...Gators!!).
There are no problems in Jamaica.....just small situations. In order to avoid a small situation, it was safety first for all the drivers as well as their passengers. As soon as we got in, Jim said, "The steering and suspension are shot on this rig." We were about to find out why. The trail we went on was so rutted and rocky it literally took Jim both hands on the wheel to keep us on the road.
When our guide said keep up...he wasn't kidding. We hauled...our cookies....down that trail. We flew through orange groves and stands of water coconuts. Over and around and under and through.....at break-neck speeds.
We stopped at one point and our guide picked an Ugly Orange (it's official name) and peeled it and gave each of us a few wedges. I bit into it...(it's a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine)and juice sprayed everywhere! It has a tough membrane (not fond of that word) like a grapefruit. It was sweet and delicious. But so messy!
Jim recommended putting the whole thing in my mouth to avoid the mess....Attractive!! Mainly the ugly orange is sold to juice companies. It was pretty tasty.
The Ugly Orange is like a huge grapefruit in size. Then we drove some more until we came to an old stone building with a water wheel. We learned that in the 1700's this was the Good Hope plantation. At one time there were over 300 slaves that worked here. The owner is said to be a good slave owner. He built a hospital for them and schools. He never had a slave revolt. Ever.
The main crop on the plantation was sugar cane. At one point this plantation was the largest supplier of sugar cane in all of the West Indies. You know what we get from sugar cane? Molasses. And do you know what we get from molasses? Rum.....at least that is what both our bus drivers were sure to tell us.
All of the buildings and bridges that are original to the plantation were made with stones that were once used as ballast stones on ships coming to the island to buy sugar cane and such. Most of them are still standing. We drove across the stone bridge that the slaves built using the double arch design. The key stones hold it all together to this very day.
We finished back at the gift shop and then rode our bus back to the pier. There were a lot of tourist shops set up to take however much money you were willing to part with.
Since I was lucky enough to get a cold (yes my first cold in a year and I get sick on vacation!), Jim and I headed back to the ship for lunch and a nap. We then met the walkers for 80's Music Trivia. We totally rocked that game!! We missed one out of 20...and if I had thought about it a little harder we would have walked away with the prize.
We hit the buffet for dinner and went to the game of love....picture the newly wed game but with one newly wed couple, one couple that had been married for 24 years and one that had been married for 58 years. It was so very funny!! The old couple was a hoot!! The boat was really swaying that night. I didn't mind it too bad though.
We took a Latin dance class from the most fabulous boy ever!! His name was Keenan and he was flamin' funny!!! We LOVED it!! It was beyond fun!! The wind was whipping pretty good so we called it a night around 12:30. Tomorrow is our last day on the ship. I am sad that it is almost over.

Day Three: Grand Cayman

We got up extra early to get on the little boat to take us to shore so we could explore the island of Grand Cayman. There was a little snafoo while we were trying to disembark (with 500 of our closest friends). We were late getting into position (blame it on strong tides) so instead of a smooth transition....it was crowded and smelly and angry. But since it is a rule that no one can be angry in paradise.....it was quickly forgotten when we got to shore.
We started in a little area of the island known as Hell. It has an interesting limestone formation that gives it that name. It also has the oldest post office on the island and if you mail a letter from there is will be post marked From Hell.
Our second was the rum factory. Since we aren't drinkers....this wasn't much of a draw. Not even at the promise of the free samples. We hung out outside and took pictures at the pretty beach instead.
Our next stop was the turtle farm. I think it was one of my favorite things about the trip. I got to hold a hatchling and Jim held a turtle that was about 8 months old.
They have a breeding operation there for the Green Sea Turtle that is almost extinct. They have several ponds with turtles of various ages. Did you know that they can't tell the gender of a sea turtle until it is eight years old. Then the males develop longer tails than the females.
While the eggs are incubating the farm can control the gender of the turtles by maintaining a constant temperature. If it is kept at 82* the turtles will all be female. If it is higher than that they will all be male. If it fluctuates....there will be both.
We stopped on our way back to the bus for a snack at the turtle farm's restaurant. Did you know that turtle meat is the official meat of Grand Cayman.....and that they serve it in the restaurant. Yeah...like going to a puppy farm and eating a puppy on the way out the door. Not cool. But The Walkers and Jim were able to try it. Consensus was unfavorable.....like fishy chicken. I'll pass.
Our next stop took us to a boat. We got to sit on the bow, with the sea spray in our faces. Good thing the sun came out cause man was that cold!!

Side note....Another unedited water picture. The water was the most beautiful color!!
We rode the boat out to a sand bar and jumped into the saltiest water I have ever been in!! It stung and burned my eyes like nothing else!!
The water was anywhere from three to five feet deep and very warm. I tried to snorkel....but it will take more practice for me. I kept panicking. But I still loved every minute of it!!
I got a water-proof camera for Christmas. I am very glad I did. This is what the ray looked like under the water. I was hesitant at first to put the camera in the water. Forever I have spent my time keeping my cameras dry....but it worked!!
Then I tried something completely out of my comfort zone.....I held (and kissed...almost) a sting ray!!!
It was slimy and soft. But the captain of our boat showed me how to give the ray a belly rub to keep it calm. You know...that way it wouldn't want to harpoon me with it's stinger....
Then he made me turn around so the ray could rub my back...you know....to calm me down. I hope I made it more calm than it made me!
Jim had a blast on the sand bar too. It really was one of our favorite parts of the trip.
I took my pony tail out on the way back to the shore so my hair could dry. I think I looked like I could sing with an 80's Hair Band by the time we got back to the ship!
There were five cruise ships worth of people on that tiny (8 miles by 22 miles) island. It was a little crowded....but still a highlight of the trip.
We turned in shortly after dinner. We were so tired after all the fun we'd had. Our elephant towel animal was cute enough to snuggle. This was such a good day.