Ta Da!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it has been a LONG time since a post for me here.

I just returned from an incredible weekend sponsored by the NMSS for couples living with MS. It was fabulous.

On my day off yesterday, I checked out a brand new hotel for this year's event. It just opened last Monday and I will keep you posted. It was lovely and could very well be the "spot".

I will have details on Friday, so stay tuned. For the moment, pencil in 10/10.

Huggles,
Jackie

shameless plug

this was posted on Miami Dawn's blog and I am copying it here.
It is so impt. to have such great friends and incredible support.

Click to make a pledge or email me to join the Walk Team I have formed or volunteer for the Walk(I am Volunteer Coordinator). Thanks to all,
Jackie

***And then my friend Jackie is participating in the MS Walk - you can click here to sponsor her. Jackie held the Crop4Hope back in September. She herself has MS, and will be walking with her team "Team Durning" her goal is to raise $5000.00. If you know Jackie, you probably know some of the people walking on her team like Helen, Amanda, Aunt Sue, or her husband John so drop by and cheer them on by making a pledge.

Happy Holidays

Hoping that everyone is enjoying the preparation and staying sane and healthy. I am starting to feel overwhelmed, but it is all good.
So ready for two weeks off........and hope to start working on the plan for the event next year. Keep yaposted.

For any last minute shoppers, I have a garage FULL of the plushland animals. They all need a new home and are adorable. LMK if you want a particular one and I will let you know what I have fo ryou.

Thanks
Jackie and Team Durning

RAK..........

This time of year, it is especially important to stop all the chaos and remember just how much we all have to be thankful for.

I am truly feeling that this weekend.I had a crazy, busy, run around taking Aunt Sue all over yesterday kinda day. Accomplished absolutely NOTHING and I was pms-ing. NOT a good combo. However, we did get to Publix and get Turkey day shopping completed.
Also, we did it all w/o the little guy, who was home with Daddy and CFA playing. Then we were off to St. Pete.

I read on Lisa Bearnson's blog last week about Random Acts of Kindness. In fact, she had a contest going for the best one. Cried while reading many of them. WOW. I replied to her blog saying how nice it was to know there are still people in this crazy world that take the time to appreciate others.Well, since I didn't post a RAK to be chosen from......couldn't think of one that was worthy although I do consider myself to be a generous person. ............I was chosen among 10 random winners to receive a 2nd prize........the new Sketches book.
I had already purchased it myself-although haven't opened it just yet.Anyway, my RAK for the day is that I emailed back for them to give it to someone who doesn't have it yet.

So, here is my challenge to anyone who might actually read this blog......Email me with YOUR RAK that you complete this week(prior to Thursday Turkey Day) and I am going to pick one person to send a TLC JINGLE album to.Go out and do something self-less for a change and lemme hear what you did.
Jackie

bad blogger

So it is already Tuesday and I haven't been on here since Fri. Shame on me. Ha ha.Did anyone miss me??Very nice weekend had by all of us. We went over to Celebration on Saturday for the MS Annual Meeting. I was going to be there as a vendor before I found out that I won the award ........OMG. What a magnificent hotel. UNREAL.The whole shindig went well. Sold a bunch of adorable Plushland bears and cried my eyes out when I was called up for my award. Some of the other's accomplishments made me feel sooooo tiny in comparision but what an honor to be standing amongst them. The award is beautiful and can be seen on NMSS.org if you look under the Mid Florida Chpt and the ACTIVIST winners.We really had a nice day. Johnnie, Joshy, Aunt Sue and my MIL Eileen were all there to see me in my glory. With Joshy there it felt like my Dad was with me too. I got to see all my MS Society "friends" and discovered what I already knew to be true. I am truly BLESSED to have been given this disease so that I can have all of these people in my life!!!!!! I know, you are reading and thinking that I have truly LOST what might be left of my mind, but in reality, I am SERIOUS. These people ARE my family.I was asked at school today to write down what I am thankful for and ironically, the first thing that came to my mind was my HEALTH. My health you ask? YES YES YES.You see, there are always going to be others who are far worse off than I am -afflicted with numerous other ailments and I am so lucky to wake up each and every day and tackle whatever it is that is thrown at me. That is my attitude and I am sticking with it. Now don't go calling my neurologist and telling her to UP my meds. I am GREAT and truly thankful for soooooooo many things.Off to complete some more painting projects . I luv being crafty.Nite to all,Jax

TGIF

I am very glad that it is Friday!!
Why do some weeks just seem to NEVER end? This one was def. one of those.
I am very happy that I had my house cleaned this week. Mind you, there is still PLENTY to do, but on the surface, there is a huge improvement.

We are off to Celebration tomorrow morning to sell my adorable MS plushland animals and for the Annual Meeting of the NMSS at which, I am being honored with the Perpetual Idealist Award.I will post when we return.Jackie

Had to share!!

So, I had a pretty crappy day yesterday. We all have em, I know. I do not care for having to work for 12 hours and do report card pick up. It is just exhausting and whoever scheduled it for the day after Halloween, needs to NOT be on the calendar committee at our school anymore.

Okay, so I get home at 9pm last night and I am going thru a HUGE pile of mail. Most of it is JUNK. However, there were two things that truly brought a smile to my face.

One, I received a $250 check donation to TEAM DURNING and a sheet for MATCHING FUNDS. How cool is that?! PLEASE PLEASE check to see if your company participates in such a program. THANX BUNCHES.

The second great piece of mail was NOT the letter telling me that I had forgotten to pay my HOA dues. OOPS. Too much going on the last few weesk and it just slipped my mind....But, it was a FED EX envie addressed to me.

Inside was a very nice letter congratulating me on being selected for the MS PERPETUAL IDEALIST award that my dh had nominated me for.

I will accept my award in Celebration, FL on Nov. 10th at the NMSS Annual Meeting.
Thank you all for letting me share my glory for a moment.

Proudly,
Jackie

Totals

Hi everyone,
I know that many of you have wondered and several of you have even asked,
"How much money did the 2nd Annual MS Crop 4 Hope make?"

Well, at this point in time, I am looking at approx. $5100 from the event!! I made about $2900 last year, so that WELL exceeds my expectations.

In addition, I have some matching funds that I will collect, so when all is said and done, it will be very close to $5600!! Not bad eh?

Be sure to read the article in yesterday's Tampa Tribune. QUITE impressive. She did a nice job.

Thanks again. I am already in the planning stages for the 3rd annual event. No downtime for the weary.

Remember, the Walk for Hope is on March 15th at Lowry Park Zoo this year and I would LUV to have you join TEAM DURNING. It is going to be a wonderful evening. Click on the link to the left to join my team or sponsor us.

Hugs to all,
Jackie

another few minutes of fame

http://carrollwood2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct/13/cw-disease-stirs-mom-to-act/?news

shirts 4 sale, shirts 4 sale

I have shirts from the Crop left over that need a good home and do not want to spend the next year sitting in my garage.

Large: blue-1, brown-1 and pink-4
XL: pink-5 and blue-1
2XL: brown-1 and pink-1

Lemme know if you would like to give a shirt a home.
Jackie

Photos

I got a copy of the photo cd today from Tony Alt. They are great pics. If you would like a copy, please email me and lmk. Remember, they are $5 each and he will donate the entire amnt.

Also, there are some PRIME time photos that he wasn't there for, so PLEASE PLEASE share your photos with me from the weekend. I wanna scrap them and my camera never came out of the bag. YIKES.
I was just a bit pre-occupied. LOL.

Thanks girls,
Jackie

more $$

Here is a fabulous opportunity for all of us:

My favorite professional photographer, Tony Alt, has offered to make copies of the photo cd for everyone who might want one. They will be $5 each and he will give all of that back to me for the charity. THANKS Tony.

Another fantastic opportunity: He is also offering to ANYONE that books a photo session with him from now until Dec. 31 st, to generously donate 25% of the total bill back.

So, please consider having him take a family portrait before the end of the year. They make great holiday gifts and perhaps your holiday photo card??? Hmmmmm, I might just have to set up a time with him SOON.

Thanks again Tony and to all of you,
Jackie

WOW

Pretty much sums it ALL up.
I am FINALLY starting to feel like a human being again, albeit, an exhausted one.

THANK you to everyone for making this year's event nearly twice as successful as last year. I am still trying to reconcile monies and count it all up as I have some outstanding. However, at this point in time, the total appears to be over $5,000!! WOW

THANK you to all of you fine ladies who helped out. My right and left hands, couldn't have done it w/o you and wouldn't have wanted to either.

I am already planning for the 3rd annual, in a MUCH larger room.

I will post details-promise, SOON.
Jackie

R U READY??????

I am not!!LOL
The seating chart is making my brain HURT, the everything is everywhere and I am going to bed.

If anyone needs me for anything, PLEASE call the hotel 813.925-7778. They should be able to find me or at least get me a message.

See you all this weekend,
I am off to la la land. If I can stop thinking about seating charts and place cards.
Jackie

another 30 seconds of fame

http://northwest2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep/27/weekend-event-raises-funds-multiple-sclerosis/?news

Crop 4 Hope MENU

2007 Crop For Hope Menu


Dinner day 1

Iced Tea with lemon wedges
Chicken Marsala, sauteed breast of chicken in a marsala wine and mushroom sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Fresh steamed seasoned vegetables


Lunch day 2

Iced Tea with lemon wedges
Tuna Salad stuffed tomatoe served on a bed of lettuce accompanied by cucumbers, red onion, black olives and salad dressing

Dinner day 2

Iced tea with lemon wedges
Chicken Parmesan, Breaded chicken breast lightly browned topped with provolone cheese accompanied by Linguini marinara
Side salad with house dressing


Lunch day 3

Iced Tea with lemon wedges
Turkey with lettuce, tomato and cheese wrapped in a garlic tortilla
accomanied by potato chips

Style.........Holidays are coming

An 'old' friend purchased this website last year and has donated and made this very special offer. PLEASE forward it to EVERYONE in your address book that likes to be 'trendy and fashionable' and think about this when making out your gift giving list for the holidays.Thanks bunches to all, especially Debbie.

StylePatch.com gives back. Do you love buying the latest fashions, but dread the thought of breaking the bank on great accessories to match? The experts at StylePatch.com have been in the luxury retail market for years. Learning from their fashionable clientele, the makers of StylePatch.com know that you don't want to spend a fortune on the hottest accessory. And now, thanks to StylePatch.com, you won't have to!StylePatch.com is dedicated to providing its clientele with fashionable, quality accessories at reasonable prices. They have invaluable knowledge and unmatchable expertise as to what makes for a quality product. StylePatch.com experts can help you find the season's must-have accessory at a fraction of the cost other retailers are selling it for!Not sure if StylePatch.com is the accessory website for you? Think again! StylePatch.com offers fashion jewelry for everyone. We're confident that StylePatch.com can meet the daily shopping needs of even the toughest customer. Whether you're a corporate big wig, urban fashionista, or small-town country gal, StylePatch.com has the gem that can set you apart from the crowd!

Stylepatch.com also believes in giving back and we are supporting finding a cure for MS. Through October 31st, 2007, if you enter coupon code: MS you will receive a 20% discount on your order. In addition, StylePatch.com will donate 10% of all orders using coupon code MS to the Mid-Florida Chapter of the National MS Society.Take a look at the website. You will always find something that is in style and priced right.

classes anyone

Ladies,
I am disheartened by the few people who have signed up for classes thus far. PLEASE PLEASE take another look and plan to attend some of them. They are all being taught by talented wonderful women who are donating back to the cause.

Thanks all,
Jackie

A basket a basket........

and many more a basket. LOL.
I am getting punchy. LOL.

Miami Dawn has listed many of the baskets and the links. You can click on them. REMEMBER, you can email a bid into me during the event and need not be present to win. How cool is that?

Emails to scrapnfla@hotmail.com

Here is the updated list as well. Friday is coming ........WOO HOO.

2007 MS Crop 4 Hope Silent Auction Baskets


1. T. Alt Photography #2 -starting bid $35
One sitting and 8x10 $100 value

2. Sexy Candy Basket-starting bid $25
Candy suspender belt
Candy bra
Candy garter
Candy cuffs
Candy G-string

3. Little Scrappers Kids Scrapbook Basket-starting bid $20
8x8 red Pioneer Album
3-kids pre-made page kits
Glue stick
EZ tape runner
Fiscars kids scissors
Blue tote bag

4. Sonny’s Backyard Bar~B~Q-starting bid $45
Catered dinner for 25 people
Includes: meat, sides, bread, cole slaw, paper goods, iced tea and more
$175 value Tampa area only

5. Close To My Heart Ribbon Tote-starting bid $ 50
78 rolls of assorted color and style ribbon inside plastic carrying case.
$125 value

6. Carrabbas Basket #1-starting bid $25
$20 gift certificate
Wine glass
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pesto sauce
Grated cheese
Pasta
Assorted Ghiradelli chocolates

7. Tampa Bay Lightning Basket-starting bid $30
Autographed Hockey Pucks
#19 Brad Richards
#34 Ryan Craig
Commemorative Thunder Bug Puck
Letter of authenticity

8. Making Memories Scrapbook Basket-starting bid $25
Alphabet rub ons
Memories mini stickers
Charmed frames
Rub on alphabet simply stated HEIDI
Little letter stickers
One sheet brown and one sheet green
Eyelets
Case of teal and a case of orange
Scalloped leather photo corners
Charmed plaques swirled
Leather label holders
Gem stickers
Hinges-antique solid
Rub on wordage
Mini rub ons-congratulations 2
Woven alphas
One package of black and one package of key lime
Metal signs-friendship
Funky fibers-pastel
One sheet of wedding stickers
One package of 9x9 card stock Tropic

9. Disney Scrapbook Basket-starting bid $30
Creative Imaginations 8x8 “Magical Moments” red album
Mouse Memories Large Die cut
Mickey Mouse appliqué
EK Disney sticker pack
Sandylion sticker packs (2) Large
Sandylion sticker sheets(2) Minnie & Goofy
Paper Pizzaz(Hot Off the Press) 8x8 Mickey & Friends Paper Pad
38 papers
162 ABC tiles
205 borders, tags and art

10. Beauty Basket-starting bid $30
3 eye shadows
Mocha
Coffee
Cashmere
Blush-Breathless
Chisel brush
Blush brush
Lipliner
Powderliner
Liquid lips
Barielle foot crème
Bath crystals
Assorted Lancome products
VALUED at over $200

11. Novelty Candy Basket-starting bid $15
Mini mints
Bridge mix
Mini caramels
Ghiradelli Squares
Dark w/mint
Dark chocolate
Mrs. Field’s Decadent Chocolate-cookie dough
Hippy Chicky-walking chicken
Super dooper Reindeer pooper
Porky pooper the pig
Crazy Daisy Super Dooper Crazy Pooper

12. New York Yankees Basket-starting bid $25
Hat-2006 Division Series
Jersey-2006 Division Series
T-shirt-2007 Pokemon tee. This item was never released for sale but a promotion used at Yankee stadium in New York
One sheet of baseball stickers

13. Planet Jill Custom Jewelry & Gifts-starting bid $20
$75 gift certificate to be used on any item in the catalog

14. Quic Kutz Hand tool-starting bid $30

15. Wacom Graphire 6x8 BlueTooth Tablet-starting bid $25


16. Huffy Electronic Basketball Game with electronic scoreboard-starting bid $35
Retail value is over $150

17. TLC Scrapbooking Basket-starting bid $25
Slumber party Runway line
-Rub ons
-Shapes kit
-Outerwear
Urban threads Runway line
-Outerwear drizzle
-Shapes kit
-Outerwear
Hot Fudge Kits
**NEW-Baby
**New-Family Love
Laugh Kit plus BLING
X-treme kit plus rub on ABC’s
Quik word rub ons-Sentiments
Mini Bookz Kit-ALL Boy including Lime mini album
**NEW Chatter Bookz-FAMILY

18. “SUMMER” Orange Scrapbook Tote with leather straps plus accessories-starting bid $30
12x12 fabric covered album
8x8 fabric covered album
Chipboard letters
7 feet of assorted Ribbon
54 feet of assorted Fiber
90 Buttons
4 wooden stamps
1 ink pad
2 Silk flower embellishments
1 Glitter stickers
70 Eyelets
2 JUMBO scrappin flowers
Scissors
Paper punch
138 paper blossoms
180 sequins
4 Labels
6 Button shapes
34 feet of decorative tape plus dispensers

19. “Spring” Hot PINK Scrapbook Tote with leather straps plus accessories-starting bid $30
12x12 fabric covered album
8x8 fabric covered album
Chipboard letters
7 feet of assorted Ribbon
54 feet of assorted Fiber
90 Buttons
4 wooden stamps
1 ink pad
2 Silk flower embellishments
1 Glitter stickers
70 Eyelets
2 JUMBO scrappin flowers
Scissors
Paper punch
138 paper blossoms
180 sequins
4 Labels
6 Button shapes
34 feet of decorative tape plus dispensers

20. Carrabbas Basket #2- starting bid $30
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Tri-color Fusilli pasta
1 box of crisp almond cookies
CIAO Tuscany Cookbook
$45 gift certificate

21. Creative Memories Basket #1-starting bid $50
Packaged in a Memory Mate CarryAll:
· White 12x12 Window Coverset (may exchange for black if prefer)
· Gold Dust 12x12 Refill Pages
· 12x12 Page Protectors
· PicFolio Minutes 6x8 Album – cream
· Large Circle Maker
· Holiday Glimmer (Vellum)
· Treasured Days Album Kit
· Garden Illusions Paper
· Gizmos n Gadgets Album Kit
· Groovy Girl Album Kit
· Parfait Album Kit
· Pumpkin Spice Paper
· Mini Power Sort Box – Bon Bon Ltd Ed w/ covers
· Free Admission to Creative Memories Great Gathering Event
o Saturday, October 20 at Marriott Courtyard, Oldsmar
· Great Lengths Stickers (7)
· Vintage Round Tip Pen Set
· Lasting Moments Magazine – October 2007
· CM Water Bottle
RETAIL VALUE = $267

22. Kit~N~Kaboodles Basket-starting bid $ 25

23. Coffee Basket-starting bid $30
8 ounce bags of Gourmet Coffee
Pumpkin Crème Brulee
Prospero’s Blend
Jazzy Java
The Real Stuff
Kona Blend
Very Vanilla
Jamaican Me Crazy
Cin. Vanilla
Decaf
Café Zanzibar Dark
Jamaican Blend
Assorted Biscotti
Tea Biscuits
4 oversized Blue ceramic cups and saucers

24. Stamping Basket-starting bid $35
$25 Gift certificate to Hilltop Memories
7-Color Box Liquid Chalk cats eyes
Karen Foster double ink pad-blue and red
Versa magic Dew Drop 4 pack inks
Glitz Fibers
Teal
Blue
Bronze
Magic Mesh apricot
Splatter Net 1 yard Blue
Assorted fibers
Inkadinkado Foam Stamp Sets
Details, ABC’s and Textures
Lil Davis Designs Sets
Birthday (8)
Christmas (9)
CK foam stamp sets(2)
CK chipboard package ABC’s
Assorted 8.5x11 cardstock and paper for card making
Samples of cardstock and paper for card making various sizes
Lg. Scrapbookers Palette ink pads: Bright, Classic & Basic
See D’s stamp set(48) stamps
Acrylic Block for See D’s
Assorted embellishments and brads
Paper Shapers paper punches: Star shaped and apple shaped
Autumn Leaves Acrylic Stamp Block 3x3
Autumn Leaves mini Hearts and Stars clear stamp set (7)
Close To My Heart Holiday Photo Greeting Card Pack
Shaker Kits in Apple and Circles

25. Scrapbooking Basket-starting bid $50
“Scrapbook Girl” cell phone case
Iron on glitter fish
Bag of embellies including buttons and flowers
$10 gift certificate to HILLTOP MEMORIES
Pioneer Glue stick
Basic Grey rolls of ribbon
Mustard Moon bottle caps
Ribbon and prima flower sampler
Color Bok weekly list pad and spiral mini album
Canson photo corners (2)
Moxie chipboard
Tinkering ink FINERY adornments
Shaker shapes-Flower
6x6 American Crafts page protectors
Jungle animal paper clips
Art Warehouse/Creative Imaginations epoxy stickers
Art Warehouse/Creative Imaginations rub ons
Art Warehouse/Creative Imaginations alphabet cut outs
Art Warehouse/Creative Imaginations rub on letters
Snip its Tags
Snip its tidbits
Art Warehouse backpack(HOT pink)
Heide Grace flowers (2)
Art Warehouse/Creative Imaginations book plates
Art Warehouse/Creative Imaginations envelopes
Zip Dry paper glue
Mini album kit
Carolee’s Creations ADORN IT cardstock stickers
Rusty Pickle rub on letters
Rusty Pickle Easter stickers
Bag of Tags
8x8 postbound album
Scrapbook adhesive
Scotch scrapbookers glue
Marcella mini book
SU mini stamps and stamp pad set
Loersch assorted frames and tiles
10 pack of Sakura Gelly Rolls pens
All enclosed in a Scrap~Paper~Scissors table tote

26. Tailgate Basket-starting bid $40
Tequilla Rose carry case
Complete Hibachi bbq including tools, eating utensils, plates
Umbrella
Assorted BBQ sauces and brushes
Flavored smoking chips

27. Martini Basket-starting bid $30
Black Polar Ice rolling cooler bag including:
Complete martini set: shaker, martini glasses, strainer and jigger
(4) plastic glasses
Plastic pink tub
Jelly Belly Lemon Drop FROZEN martini mix
Jelly Belly Lemon Drop martini mix
Frozen Peppermintini set
Peppermint martini mix with sugars

28. Weekend Get-Away Basket-starting bid $50
2 night stay at Courtyard Marriott/Residence Inn Oldsmar

29. Autographed Country Music Basket-starting bid $30
All items are autographed
Music cd’s are included and autograph is on the case
Andy Griggs -“This I Gotta See”
Carolina Rain “-Weather the Storm”
Trent Willmon –“A Little More Livin’ “
Steve Holy-“ Brand New Girlfriend”
Craig Morgan-“ Little Bit of Life”
Taylor Swift- “Taylor Swift”
Photographs
Tracy Lawrence 8x10 Color
Ty Herndon 5x7 Color

Location Location Location

Remember that the MS Crop 4 Hope and Silent auction will be held at the Residence Inn in Oldsmar on Tampa Road. That is just west of Race Track Rd and across from the Oldsmar Flea Market. You turn left at the light at St. Pete Rd. Applebees sits in front of it in the parking lot.

Breakfast will still be served at the Courtyard Marriott, but everything else will be at the Residence.

See you Friday.