Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Surprise - WOYWW and Rudolph Days

This is going to be a LONG one, with tons of photos.  I'm trying to do one post to cover several events.  So, I shall start in reverse of the title.....That way if you only want to see My Rudolph Day entry....you need not go too far into this post.....

Here's my Rudolph Days Challenge card.  I'm thinking about doing this for a class, so it's not quite where I want it for teaching a class, but here's what I have.  The outside is finished, the inside....not so much....

Briefly, the trees were cut using the Karen Burniston Pop It Ups.  I embossed the paper and the outside trees using an Elizabeth Crafts folder, and the sentiment is part of a die from Impression Obsession.  I've got to tell you, the inside tree was really easy to assemble and there is a fantastic You Tube video that shows you how.

For a change it's Wednesday when I am taking a photo of my desk for WOYWW.  Not real exciting, but it is what it is.  I've been playing around with making paper flowers using a Memory Box die that I've always loved, however, I just haven't used it much lately....


There's not much excitement here.  There is one thing that I am loving....my daughter and son came to surprise me for my birthday.  Amy brought me a little wooden box that has a so true sentiment....It says, If I didn't have you as a mom, I'd choose you as a friend.  Thanks Amy....and here is Amy....and me..  If you don't want to see family photos....stop now....if you do I hope you enjoy my birthday as much as I did......

Amy flew in from Chicago  and met with  her brother Dan in San Francisco.  To say the least, I was totally surprised.....
This is a re-enactment, however it's darn close to what I looked like!  I knew my son was coming, but boy did they keep a secret.  They were so secretive they didn't even tell my honey.  I found out later they kept this secret for an entire month.  

After a way too late evening, we spent the following day driving around.  Both kids wanted to see what the California drought had done to Lake Oroville....Not very pretty is it.  The water is normally up to the tree line.  

Here's a shot of Dan and Amy 

We went to dinner at my favorite restaurant.  Nothing fancy, but really yummy.....

Finally a shot of my honey....Always wearing a baseball hat and if allowed a T-shirt.  

So, if the kids visiting and phone calls from the others, wasn't enough, the plan was to go out to breakfast before the kids went back to the Bay area and home.  When I walked into the restaurant, I was met with this surprise.....


What a surprise.  These are my local craft ladies and they even brought their husbands.  Amy planned from 2000 miles away a surprise party.  And I had NO idea.  Can you believe these people kept the surprise for a month.  I can't.  What's even more surprising.....I am a hard cookie to surprise. Working in law enforcement for 20 years, married to a Highway Patrolman and having 4 kids, always kept me trying to stay one jump ahead....well this time, I had no clue.  Thank you Amy for forming the plan, Dan for planning the trip from the Bay Area, Shell and Karen for giving her the contacts, and my Chico, Magalia and Paradise group for being so closed mouth even though we were spending time together....I'm not sure I could have done it.  I have the best family and friends.  I love you all....

I should probably sign off, but I want to share two more photos.  A neighbor told my husband about a nest in the English Laurel bushes dividing our property.  It's too big for a bird, unless it's a hawk or an Eagle...we should be so lucky, so we are thinking it is a squirrel.....what do you think?


Baxter was a bit miffed, how come no pictures of my old buddy....so here's one of my little old guy...

Until next time...

Hugs from me to you.....
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy 














13 comments:

  1. Hi Mary. and a Belated Happy Birthday to you. How wonderful to have been surprised like that, what a fantastic bunch of family you have. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #5 xxx

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  2. Looks like you had a great birthday and love the photo with the look of surprise, good job you were sat down.
    Great card and love the inside of the card even though it is not finished.

    Kath x

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  3. Hello Mary, What a lovely post yours was to read. What a wonderful surprise for you had when your children arrived and then a surprise party with all your friends. What a happy birthday you had. I loved looking at your photos and your little dog is looks such a dear little lad. I think your card is lovely. The pop up tree looks very impressive. Barb#27 xx

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  4. Super card Mary - but even more super are the wonderful photos of your Birthday surprises! Belated wishes from over the Pond - lucky lady!

    Hugs

    Di xxx (and Parsnip!!)

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  5. Happy Belated Birthday, Mary. And you did look surprised! (Great re-enactment!)
    Thanks for sharing your party with us. #53

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  6. Happy Belated birthday and that card is just fantastic love the little tree inside :)
    I'm gonna go with squirrel nest looks like one they would build
    Have a wonderful day hugs Nikki 7

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  7. Happy Birthday. It is very impressive that they surprised former law enforcement. They were definitely planning on the downlow. ;-) Have a great day.
    April #47

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  8. Congratulations and WOWZAH, you have the best kids (well... next to my son of course...!!!) Your face and photos show indeed that the surprise was huge! I bet you are still glowing today! Happy woyww and a big hug from stormy Holland, Marit #33

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  9. Hi Mary, How lovely to be surprised by your daughter and your crafting friends. Lovely photos.

    Love the card and totally adore Baxter.

    Happy WOYWW
    Sue #26

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  10. Loving your pop up tree Rudolph Day card Mary.

    But my goodness me . . . what a smashing looking birthday full of surprises. How wonderful of everyone to keep the secret for so long . . . . sending you belated but very HAPPY birthday wishes.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  11. Oooh, what a surprise (or two). I love the photo of you enacting surprise! Thanks for sharing the family photos..
    I was really shocked to see the lake so dry! The nest... I have no idea. Keep us posted. I'm curious now.
    I'm a bit late in commenting, but I like taking my time and reading people's blog and sometimes older posts too.
    Have a great week,
    Lisca#29

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  12. Love the pop-up tree in side your fabulous card!
    Thanks for joining in the Rudolph Day fun!
    Helen x
    (Guest Designer)

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  13. Hi Mary, been a while since I popped in for a visit. In doing some Rudy Day commenting, I've zipped in here,& hit the jackpot. First, loved the fab popup card. Really liked the way you've got the front flat trees, that sneaked in the dimensional one in the inside. Great design, and pretty colors. Also enjoyed sharing in your birthday festivities. Lucky you to have kids that would do all this to surprise you on your special day. And to have such good friends that wanted to share in part of it. I'm so glad it was a really happy day for you, with your loved ones there. My DH also is a ballcap & T-shirt guy. These are pretty special fellas, yeah? TFS & Big hugs. Belated happy birthday as well.

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Thank you for spending time visiting my blog. And thank you even more for your comments. I LOVE reading each and every one of them. Happy creating!