Conowingo Dam

Today, I went on a Craigslist excursion. I found a gentleman on Craigslist who was willing to GIVE me something like 20 antique windows that he took out of a building on his property. It actually ended up being closer to 30 windows. Boy do I have my work cut out for me on these. I plan on redoing some for here in my house, but then to do some more to sell finished. You will notice in the pic that there are pallets behind the windows...those are for yet, another project.

Anyway (I digress), it was on this 1 hr trip up to PA, that I stumbled across this awesome beauty. Of course, I had to take my family there after I got home. I just couldn't get over the beauty of this dam. When I got home and before I took my family up there, I looked up some info on it. Conowingo Dam is one of the largest Hydroelectric dams in the US. The original town of Conowingo is located directly under the dam. They relocated the town to build the dam. Can you imagine being told that "I'm sorry, you have to relocate so we don't build on top of your house"? LOL

Apparently, dams are notorious for Bald Eagles. At least this one is.

We had a great fee day!

Happy Late Mardi Gras

Oh, how I miss New Orleans this time of year. We would normally be out visiting all sorts of festivals and parades. Havre de Grace, MD had what they call a Mardi Gras parade. I really wonder if the people who set this parade up have ever been to a real Mardi Gras Parade. It had about 5 groups in it and no floats. They were barely throwing out any beads at all. Thankfully, my little one, who has never been to a parade, was able to get 3 strands of beads and he was happy with that. However, Melissa, who was born in Kenner LA and has attended too many parades to mention, was extremely disappointed. Glad she was in the parade so she at least had something fun to do. Having such a horrible Mardi Gras this year has prompted us to want to go back to New Orleans to show Michael what it is really supposed to be like. So, next year, you will have pics from a real Mardi Gras. This year, there aren't any pics that are worth sharing. So, I will show my King Cake I made last year for my oldest daughter's birthday cake. Her birthday last year was close enough to Mardi Gras that it was appropriate. I hope you enjoy.

Thank you to Sizzix!!!!!

I have to tell you all about my misfortune and how it turned out to be amazing! I am a huge Craigslist fan and shop for everything imaginable on there. Recently, I found a Sizzix Big Shot with about 20 texture plates for $55. Well, I jumped at the chance to get it (since I can't afford my Vagabond yet). I even had to drive 2 hours to pick it up...but for $55 for all that, you know I did it!

Anyway, I get the item home and I am so excited I have to try it immediately. Well, the arm won't crank on it. I think I'm doing something wrong as I have never used one before. I try and try and I can only move it a tiny bit.

Now, I have to say...I have NEVER been burned on buying anything on Craigslist until NOW!!!!!!!!!!! I was so upset as it was my last $55 I spent on this until payday. I emailed the older woman I bought it from and no response...Go figure! I tried to see what was wrong with the unit. I took the arm off to find the crankshaft completely bent and twisted.

I called Sizzix about a week later to find out that I can order the crankshaft from them for $5. I was so excited again. I can fix my baby. I wanted it quickly so I gave them my fedex acct number and they shipped it to me and I had it the next day. I immediately put the new crankshaft in and to my dismay, it still wouldn't turn. I couldn't understand what was going on. I called Sizzix again and they said, don't worry about it, I'll send you out a NEW MACHINE!!! I said really? Do I need to send this one back to you? She said no, don't worry about it, throw it out. I almost died right there and then.

This was on Friday, I was home sick yesterday...but guess what came? MY brand new Big Shot! I put the arm on and guess what...it TURNED. WooHoo!!! I am in business again! I sat there finding all sorts of scraps to play with. I was like a little kid in the candy store.

So, I guess I share this to let you know that I will now always be a fan of Sizzix and their customer service is amazing. Of course, at this point, with the shipping, etc. it has cost me more than if I just bought one new. But, what a good feeling I have about Sizzix now.

I have an online business that I am constantly trying to grow and their requirements are so high that I can't buy from Sizzix directly, I have to go to a distributor to buy their items to sell. However, I will be buying more now.

I absolutely recommend Sizzix to anyone!

P.S. I made my first card with my Big Shot last night for my son's basketball coach. I had to texturize the basketball on the card.