Parade preparations.....

So, what are the preparations for that huge production, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? One thing that happens is that the balloons are inflated along city streets in the upper west side of Manhattan the Wed. before turkey day. It all takes place on the streets around the Museum of Natural History, and many people--like myself--come out to see the balloons. I actually haven't been out for this in years, but caught it all this year. It took 2 hours to get through 2 blocks, but I saw plenty of balloons!

Pikachu

Macy's Star

Ronald McDonald

Hello Kitty

Energizer Bunny

Fishlips!!

It was so worth the wait to get these pictures! I did not go to the parade today, rather watched from the warmth of my apartment in my pj's. I spend Thanksgiving with my friend Pattie and her wonderful family on Long Island. It was a really special day!

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Thankful!

I want to reflect for a bit on what I am truly thankful for. I am so blessed to have rich, full, and unconventional life. I live in the best city in the world, love what I do for a living, have a great extended family and the means to visit them for extended stays, and an eclectic and diverse group of friends. My life has taken a different path than I expected, but I am fortunate to have a rich full life. I am also extremely thankful that our country will soon be under new leadership, and that I can once again feel patriotic. I look forward to what's to come!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Publish Post

A new beginning....

It's been a long time since I've posted--I sort of got busy, then just forgot all about it. I have been very wrapped up in all the Election happenings lately. I am so happy with the results!

I have been an Obama supporter from the beginning. I know that many people feel he's the "lesser of 2" or whatever, but I think he is just what we need right now.

It was exciting to watch history being made last night. Being a NYer who was front and center during 9/11, as well as a former Peace Corps Volunteer and avid traveler (not tourist, traveler), I look forward to seeing how Obama deals with restoring foreign relations. I did not like the feeling of being embarrassed about my government when I met new people in other countries. Last night I felt a sense of relief--of excitement, actually. On any levels. I was wonderful to see history being made and knowing that I was a part of it. Hearing and seeing all the excitement on the streets of NYC--the city that I love--was awesome! It's great to finally have a man in office that my innner city students can relate to, even if in some small way. They feel more empowered today.

Enough of the sopabox--off to dinner with co-workers and back to work for open school night.

Janet

Packing up....

Sadly I am packing up to head back to NYC. I will miss Montana and my family. It's been a fun summer, and very relaxing. I ended summer with a bang......an awesome Willie Nelson concert Friday night in Red Lodge, MT!! This was a fundraising concert to make money for a wonderful local organization called P.L.U.K (Parent's Let's Unite for Kids).

I got so close to the stage, it was incredible! Nothing like a small intimate concert of 6000! I got some god pics--the concert was outdoors in a rodeo arena. He played for just over 2 hours. Here are some of the pictures from the concert:

I love Willie!!

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I got lots of scrapping done this summer, and cards too. I completed about 43 pages and close to 60 cards. It's so nice to have this time to create.

Here's a few things I've made recently:



Next post will be from my cozy apartment in Brooklyn!

Janet

FED-EX Follow up

So, I finally supposedly got resolution, 6 weeks later. They are supposed to send a check to the shipper that I used in Brooklyn. I found out, thought, that I am not getting what I was originally promised, but $34.00 less. The woman who finally helped me acted as though she was doing me a gigantic favor. I'll be sending a letter to FED-EX outlining these issues, and in the meantime, I'll just move on.

Thanks everyone for your support. Somehow shipping issues can be so frustrating, and I think we've all had these issues at one time or another. I love the support I get from scrappers and stampers!
Janet

FED-EX Fiasco--consider yourself warned!!

Wow, what difficult time I've had with Fed Ex. I was hoping to deal with this issue through more traditional methods, but they didn't work. It's my hope that someone out there might see this post and be able to help me to recover my money from this company. Also, let it serve as a BEWARE as you prepare for holiday shipping!

Here's the story:

July 1--I mailed a large box to my Montana address. I sent stuff I had collected for gifts as well as some scrapbook supplies I intended to use over the summer. I sent them through one of those independent shippers (I won't name the because they are innocent in all of this) and Fed-Ex was the cheapest way to go. I was guaranteed that the box would arrive by July 8 (to take into account for the holiday) or my shipping would be refunded.

July 8--No box arrived so I called the 1-800 number for Fed Ex. After many attempts so reach a human being, I was told that it was no problem, the shipping would definitely be refunded and to please call back when the package arrived to get that started.

July 9--Box arrived, and it was damaged. The delivery man carried it to my door, I signed, he turned to walk away but I called him back to show him there was a big hole in the box. He said, "oh, yeah, I saw that. Let me record that." Here are the pictures:

Later that day (July 9) I called the number again to get the refund and claim process started. I spoke to someone in customer service that said they were putting in the claims, and that I should call back in a few days to check on it.

July 16--Called again (this time I learned of a new way to call and get right to humans!!!!). I spoke with a woman named Earlene Brockley. She said that the call was being recorded, and then proceeded to help me. She took all my information (I had lost the tracking number at this point) and that the checks--one for a shipping refund ($70.00) and one for my claim ($50.00) would be sent to me. I explained that I was in Montana for the summer, and she took down that address. She said she'd put in the claims, and that someone would be contacting me in a few days to let me know the status. I explained that I had already had claims put in, but she did not see any and said she'd take care of it.

By this time I am beginning to understand that this might be a long process, but still am hopeful.

July 21--Called again and spoke to Lisa Wood. She was very rude and continuously interrupted me. She explained that the shipping refund and claim for the hole were 2 different processes (DUH!!) and she told me that in total 6 times. She then told me that the insurance claim would be sent to me in Montana, and the shipping would be sent to the shipper. She said I'd have to get it back from them. I asked when both the shipper and I could expect to see anything and she rudely told me she didn't know, but I had to be patient. I then asked to speak to a supervisor. Lisa said that a supervisor would tell me the same thing, so I didn't need to speak to anyone. I demanded to, and was put through to Paulette.

Paulette was not very nice either, but at least she listened. She then repeated that these were 2 different processes (again DUH!!). She said that both would be sent to the shipper in 4 weeks. I told her what Lisa said, and Paulette basically said she did not know, but had no control over what was said. I said, "you are supervisor, don't you have a hand in training? You'd think everyone there would be on the same page." Paulette then told me to stop telling her how to do her job (someone needs to!!). I was still confused, but ended the call. Later July 21, I called again and spoke to Eddie and told him that in the confusion I had forgotten to leave contact information. He put me on hold for 19 1/2 minutes (seriously, I timed it) and then took down my Montana address. He did not know anything about claims.

At this point I gave up for awhile as I had some trips planned and wouldn't be anywhere near a phone or Internet.

Fast forward to today (August 21). I called again just to check the status of the claim. I spoke to a kind young lady named Jessie Mora. She informed me that in fact the claim check for the damaged box had been processed on July 17, and sent to my Montana address. This was BEFORE my last call to them. I have not received that check. She further informed me that there is no record of a claim for the shipping refund. WHAT??!? All I called for was to see if the shipper had received the check as the owner said he had not. Now she called claimed to put it through in express, so that there would be a 72 hour turn around. She also knew nothing about when or if the claim was actually mailed. I was finally referred to a supervisor who was out to lunch. I left her a voice mail and have not heard back.

This is so frustrating. At this point I am only trying to get what is rightfully owed to me. I can't give up because this is actually not a small amount of money. Please be forewarned that FED-EX has horrible customer service. BEWARE.

Thanks for reading!

Janet

more layouts

I've been busy! The family reunion and camping trip was fun! Now, though, my summer in Montana is winding down--I have little over a week left. Then it's back to NYC and back to work. I've been really scrapping lately, hoping to get a little more caught up before heading back to the rat race.

Here's more layouts (please click on them to see them larger)--some from my road trip to Butte, MT last year. I used the new Making Memories Passport line for these--yummy!!



This layout was based on a layout in an older Scrapbook trends mag.


This layout has pictures from an underground tour that I took that included this really cool speakeasy. Letters are felt thickers, everything else is MM.


This one has pics from the old jail, part of the underground tour. I love this paper line!


These were the left over pics of the town, Copper King Mansion, and the copper mine. I love this paper and just had to use it up!

I have done 37 pages so far this summer, less than normal, but we've been busier with other stuff this summer. I hope to get a few more done before I have to pack up my scrappy supplies and leave.

Hope you all enjoy these last few days and weeks of summer vacation!

Janet

How I earned my e-mail name....

People often ask me how I got the name jdstumble (I used this as an email name and on numerous boards). Some think that stumble is my last name. It's not. My last name is Duncan. Basically, I got this name when a friend helped me sign on to AOL years ago. I'm a klutz, and everyone who knows me knows that about me. My stories make family folklore, and are actually quite humorous sometimes. Okay, here's what I have been doing lately:

On Monday, I went to a nearby town to see a friend's new quilt shop. On the way out of town I decided to fill up the gas tank in Mom's car, because she is so generous with it all the time. I pull up to the pump, punch all the buttons (one is to pay inside by credit card) and try to get the nozzle into the tank. It doesn't fit. the pump starts beeping at me loudly, but I am so focused on getting that darn nozzle into the tank, that I ignore it. I finally realize that I am attempting to use the diesel. Then I begin using the correct nozzle, but it was still beeping loudly and won't stop. Finally the attendant (who saw the entire fiasco) came out with a smirk to fix the pump. I filled the tank. As I was replacing the nozzle, gas went everywhere, all over my hands too.

I went into the station (half gas station and half hardware store) and went straight back to the bathroom to wash the gas off my hands. As I was scrubbing, a man came through the door. Oops, I was in the men's room! a few guys saw me leave, and I ran to the front to pay. As I set down my purse to pull out my wallet, I knocked everything that was on the counter off. The same attendant that helped me at the pump got a giggle out of that one, and I proceeded to clean up my mess, pay and leave.

Needless to say, this story has received lots of laughs in the family.

Okay, now for the latest: This evening I got a call from my sister in law in Denver. I am currently in Billings, MT and I am supposed to fly to Denver on Aug. 25 to catch a flight back to NYC the next day. Coming out here I drove up from Denver with my uncle, so this Billings-Denver flight is a one way. Only, I booked it backwards. Yes, back-asswards!! I booked and paid for a non-refundable flight from DENVER to BILLINGS instead. And I am not even blonde!!! Go figure. I'll decide what to do about that tomorrow.

That's it for now--hope you got a few laughs, too.

Love,

JDSTUMBLE

Recent layouts

I've been busy creating! I get about one double page layout done a day. Sometimes cards, too. Here are a few:

This is from the last day of school in 2007--my friend and I went to the "beach" bar in Queens.



A day out with friends. I loved this line from Scenic Route!!


Finally, my nephew at 2 months old.

You can click on the layouts to make them bigger.

All the layouts were created with fabulous kits from The Scrap Room (http://scrap-room.com/). I love those kits--you get 4 mini kits each month--it's like sampling 4 lines of paper. My goal this summer is to use up as many as possible (to make room for more, of course). Tammy, the owner, does a great job, and you can even opt out for a month if you want.

So an update on the fires: they are still bad and getting worse. Apparently 9 homes have been lost and the winds tonight did not help. There is a layer of dust blowing in the windows, and it's ash from the fire. It's so sad to see this, but I guess it's a once in a century thing. I just hate that people lose homes.


Janet

Fires

Every year when I come home to Montana, there are fires somewhere in the state and Billings is generally pretty smoky. This year is extra-heartbreaking, though, because the fires are in the mountains near Red Lodge. Red Lodge is a town that my Grandmother grew up in, Mom lived there, I went to Girl Scout camp for 10 years there, and my father's ashes are spread near one of the campgrounds south of town. Red Lodge is about 60 miles southwest of Billings, in the Beartooth Mountain range.

I heard on the news today that the Girl Scout Camp was empty, and they evacuated the many gorgeous campground on both forks of the roads. We spent our entire childhood camping in these mountains. I am just hoping and praying for adequate weather conditions to get this thing contained. So many people have already had their homes threatened, and the fire is so close to town!

Here's a couple of pics from www.billingsgazette.com


I am actually supposed to go to Red Lodge on Wednesday for the day, so I'll know more then about what's happening and see first hand how close the fire is. I'll keep you all posted, and please keep this town that's a little piece of heaven in your thoughts/prayers now. Thanks!

Cards galore!

I've doing lots of crafting lately, both scrapbooking and card making. Here are some of my recent cards:

I used BoBunny scraps for this simple card.


For this one I used everything Making Memories, all left overs from a layout.


I got this idea from the galleries at www.splitcoaststampers.com. I did change up the papers--mine are BoBunny. Stamp is SU. Can't really see it, but I used Bazzill Bling for the lighter CS.


This is all from a Scrap Room kit. Their kits are awesome!! Everything here is left over from a layout.


Finally, some cards using my stamp set from Stampin' Up/ All the products are SU, actually. I don't generally do this much stamping on cards, but I like it, so I might have to do this more often.

Thanks for letting me share my creations with you!

My projects

Finally--Here's some of the things I have been working on while I am here visiting my Mom.

These 2 layouts have pics from July 4, 2007







That's it for now--have to get the others cropped, etc, and I'll post later in the week. Thanks for looking!

Tagged!

I got tagged by Shauna over at Simply Obsessed and thought I'd share the info here, too. Here goes!

High school was: something I slept through, and was excited to get out of.

When I'm worried: I cant sleep, or else I sleep too much. Depends.

My hair: is in desperate need of a cut! It’s really long, and getting on the scraggly side. The only person I trust, though, is in NY so I’ll have to wait until the end of summer.

I can't do: mornings. I also am NOT a runner, will never be.

When I was 5: I had a kindergarten boyfriend that I used to hold hands with.

I should be: getting dressed and ready for the day.

By this time next year: I hope to weigh less than I do now, and in better shape.

My favorite scrapbooking celebrity is: Becky Fleck—I love her sketches AND she is a Montanan, too!

I have a hard time understanding: People who hurt others. Makes no sense to me.

I prefer: salty and spicy to: sweet

My ideal breakfast is: Swiss cheese omelet, rye toast, bacon or sausage, fries. Or the breakfast of champions–cold pizza and a diet Pepsi.

If you spend a day with me you'll: spend time scrapbooking, running errands and probably go somewhere fun for lunch (that’s now, in the summer).

If I was an animal I'd be: heck, I don’t know, maybe a chameleon since I fit in most anywhere.

Yesterday I: got together with my sister and cousin to make cards. Made quite a few, too!

If I could have any car it would be: I haven’t had a car in 20 years, so I have no idea. One that I could park for free on the streets of Brooklyn without someone breaking in would be ideal!

My favorite theater outing is: Going to an off-Broadway production and out for Indian food. I love theater!

Okay, now it's your turn!!

Relay for Life (American Cancer Society)

I finally got the adapter I needed to get photos from my camera, so I am posting this a bit late. Lat weekend I participated in the Relay for Life in my hometown, Billings MT. I've done this for the previous 2 years as well. Teams walk throughout the night, and our team takes one hour shifts. We had a pajama theme with the logo "Put Cancer To Bed." I wore my pj's and I got the 4:00 AM shift to walk.

I slept the night at the field, and when I got up at 4:00 to walk, it was surprisingly 29 degrees! Here's the not-so-flattering picture of me about to start the walk--and shivering! I was not prepared for the low temperature.


I also took pictures of the time and temperature board as I figured no one would believe me.




One of the special things about the Relay is the chance to purchase luminarias in the name of someone who has passed from cancer or a survivor. I purchase one each year for my father. These next pictures show some of the luminarias lit up. The ones with purple bands are for survivors.


The luminarias on the bleachers. I love looking at this!












Luminarias line the track that we walk, and you can see team tents lining the track as well.




The Relay made over $355,000 for Cancer research. This is becoming a meaningful family event for us.

Thanks for letting me share!

Colorado mountains

I think it's time to update this blog! Last weekend I took a short weekend trip from Denver to Leadville, CO, and had an awesome time. I love traveling on my own--it's so refreshing!

I got to Leadville after about a 3 hour drive. After settling in, I went in search of some ghost towns. Had dinner in town that evening, and enjoyed the cool mountain air (Leadville is at over 10,000 feet so it was plenty cool!). Sunday I enjoyed a scenic train ride to an old mine, shopped a bit in town, then had a picnic in the rain at a nearby lake. This is definitely somewhere I want to visit again soon!

The view of town and mountains beyond.

The ghost town of St. Elmo, south of Leadville and Buena Vista.

View from the scenic train ride.

Beautiful Turquoise Lake right outside Leadville. I love this picture with the approaching storm.

Now I am in Billings, MT for the summer, relaxing and visiting family. This weekend we are all participating in the Relay For Life benefiting the American Cancer Society. I'll post pics if I can.

Traveling...

Haven't posted for awhile, I've been so busy. I ended the school year uneventfully, but busy. Then packed up to sublet out my apartment and head to Montana for the summer. I am in Denver now visiting my adorable niece and nephew!

This weekend I am heading on a solo road trip to Leadville, CO--the highest incorporated city in America, at over 10,000 feet. I am excited--in all the years I've been coming to Denver I've never had the opportunity to explore the mountains.

On Monday I'll head north to Montana. Can't wait to get there and get some crafting done! I'll post pics from the mountains when I have them, and hopefully I'll soon be posting more of my creations here. In the meantime, enjoy the 4th of July!

Off for the weekend!

I am off to Cincinnati for my cousin's wedding. I am excited to go, it's been stressful around here finishing up with year-end paperwork and dealing with over-active students. My cousin is awesome and so is her fiancee and I can't wait for the wedding! I plan to spend Sunday morning doing some shopping--I just discovered that there is an Archiver's about 10 miles from the hotel.

Hopefully I'll have time to make a wedding card (or 2) tonight, so watch this space--if I do I'll post them.

Okay--got some cards finished. I think the one with hearts look more like a Valentine, but I like it. Not sure yet which one I'll give my cousin, I'll decide at that last minute.

This one I used some Rhonna Farrar paper and heat embossed the chipboard hearts. The scallop is from my new Threading Water border punch from Fiskars!



This next one I used the same paper (thanks to a Simply Obsessed kit) and some super cute Jolee's that I like. I know, they are no longer "in" but I love them!

I'll be back on here next week to tell about the trip. Now I am off to pack--packing up stamping stuff too, so I can have someone take it back to Montana for me.

Janet

Summer Card

This was a summer themed card I made for a contest at The Scrap City. I used the cool Fancy Pants papers! Thanks for looking!

Brooklyn Bridge

So, I thought I'd jump right in with photos. Last Friday My friend Erika and I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and then ate at a favorite restuarant of mine, Grimaldi's Pizza. I took some good pics of the Bridge from different angles--trying out my new camera.

I loved taking these photos, the night was clear, and it was a great way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Here's a picture I like that shows the old style of water tower up against new buildings. Great shot from the Bridge, too!

This is a good night shot I took from the

Water Taxi pier, trying out new camera
settings. Looks pretty good!

First post!

Here's my first post! I said I'd never blog, but here I am. Seems like I am always sharing my crafts, photos, stories, etc. with online friends and family, so I figure it's time to put it all in one place. I called this "Pieces of Me" because my thoughts, crafts, and photos that I share are all parts of me and my life in this fun city! Thanks for stopping by!

Janet