Our Holiday Tradition

We're only weeks away from one of the biggest holiday seasons of the year. I'm not sure how big it's going to be for each of you, but for me it will be about the same as always.

All though the number of presents I give and receive has diminished greatly over the last few years, the celebrating with family and friends is still the same. It's the one time I can see my kids and grand kids under one roof. For years now we've gathered at someones place on Xmas Eve no later than 9 p.m., bringing tamales, cookies, hot apple cider, candy canes and presents. It's can be dangerous sometimes to have the entire family together, especially when they start reminiscing about old times and beginning sentences that start with the words, remember the time when....of course everybody remember a different version of the same story, I'm not sure how that happens. Announcing that the food is ready usually stops all conversation and everybody rushes to the kitchen and begins to eat. No matter what the financial situation is in the world , we always find a way to eat. My Kids and the older Grand kids cook well and love to eat, but you'd never know that by looking at them, because most of them have very thin frames, like me. Usually after we have stuffed our faces we have our Family photo session, It's a rare occasion when I have all of my kids in the same room together, so I take advantage of the opportunity. I'm so excited that a few of my grand kids are camera fanatics like me, so there's lots of picture at the end of the night. Well now the fun is about to begin, NO! it's not time to open presents it's time to play the white elephant 99 cents Christmas game. What, you've never played this game, well our Family plays it every year rain or shine. Yes, you guested it the conversation starts back up again and it starts with, remember the Christmas when you got...the. Someone always repeats the list of the prank gifts that have been given over the years and the laughter begins again. I enjoy shopping for this game, I always get practical items that anybody could use that only costs 99 cents that includes candy or food items, my budget is around $20.00-25.00. I wrap each item up just like a present. Now, my kids are all a bunch of practical JOKERS, you never now which gift to pick. Last years winner was poop scooping bags...which would have been a great gift, except none of us had a dog. LOL! We play this game until the last gift is gone, or all the items can no longer be snatched away. Others have played this game with us and have vowed to return for revenge. "We say to them, bring your 99 cent gifts and let's get it on, just kidding." T'is the season to be jolly! LOL! Our Family has found this to be a recession proof way to enjoy the holidays. We eat, play and laugh till we cry. You might want to give this a try with your Family..

Happy Holiday from my Family to you and yours.

DebsPartee: Halloween Past

DebsPartee: Halloween Past: " Are you getting ready for the ghosts,goblins and kids wearing funny costumes to visit you. Over the years, I seen the fun associa..."

Halloween Past

 Are you getting ready for the ghosts,goblins and kids wearing funny costumes to visit you. Over the years, I seen the fun associated with Halloween deminished. I grew up looking forward to dressing up in my Moms oversized dresses, high heels shoes and a wig. I got my face all made up with rosey cheeks, lipstick and eyelashes. My cousin would wear a suit coat, a tie, and a hat, that were all to big for him. We would laugh at each other, then get our trick or treat bags and off we'd go. Nobody really cared what we looked like, we were on a mission to knock on doors  of strangers to get candy and money.  Sometimes my Aunt would take us to a local park or carnival for fun and games. Kids tryed to win prizes by tossing a ping pong ball in to a fishbowl, bobbing for apples and climbing up the grease pole. When it was a cold night they'd light a large bonefire in the middle of the park. Everyone would stand around and get warm, while eating food and candy. I always had a great time. Unfortunately, by the time my kids came along the fun of Halloween seemed to be all gone. I remember making costumes for my kids, but they always wanted a store bought costume of a hero or cartoon character. There were 5 of them and money was tight. I'd dress them up, put them in the car, find a "good" neighborhood and walk them to every door. They were told not to eat a single piece of candy till we got home. The candy was taken home an dumped on the kitchen table and  every piece checked. It took all the fun out of it and soon we stopped taking them out to stranger homes. It was sad to think that people were intentionally doing things to harm children. I passed my fears of Halloween on to my Grandkids and they only went to the local malls to get candy from the stores and vendors or only went to family and friends they knew. I can't say that was any better. Now a days more people are having halloween parties at home, it's a lot safer. Here are few good Halloween ideas if you decided to have a party at home:      Decorate your place in a Haunted House theme.            1. Hang skeletons, bats, witches and ghosts made from old white sheets.            2. Scatter dried autum leaves outside makes a crunchie sound as guest arrive.            3. Make scare crows from old jeans, strawhats and flannel shirts.            4. Stuff old costumes and sit them in chairs, great for taking pictures.            5. Fill the room with black and orange balloons and curlie ribbon.                ( make sure to pop one every now and then to make people jump)            6. Things that move or talk when you approach them are great too.            7. Diming the lights or have them flash off and on add to the special effects.            8. Play spooky music or scary movies for sound effects.            9. Have lots of hot ice or a fog machine.           10.Drape the place in spider webs. *Take a pair of clean gloves, fill them with water, tie the ends with rubberbands and put them in the freezer.  Cut the gloves from the ice, then add them to your  bowl of punch to keep it cold. Play games like bopping for apples, pin the spider on the web. Have pumpkin carving and best costume contest. Take the Family to a pumpkin patch like my Co-Worker, Kay Starr did, who took this great picture. Select a big pumpkin for your Halloween and Thanksgiving party. Make sure to have lots of food and candy, check the internet for great food ideas for Halloween parties. Get all dressed up in your costume and wait for your guest to arrive and have a Happy and Safe Halloween. http://www.debspartee.vpweb.com/ Table and Chair Rentals http://www.zazzle.com/Debgr8biz* T-Shirts and Gift ideas

Last Day Of The Fair

Each year I try to make it to the county fair. I've been going every since High School. On the first day of the fair the school would give us free tickets and half day at school. This year I got a discount ticket for $5.00 entry on the last day of the fair. So, I got on the Metro link and off I went. When I was younger I never liked the scary rides, and I still don't. I always end up wondering around looking at the entertainment and finding a booth for corn on the cob or cotton candy. As I got older, I found all the exhibits inside the building to be fun and sometimes educational. My favorite place to go was the miniature train layout. I could stand there for hours watching the trains and looking for the new setups each year. This year and once before, I got to go inside the gates and see the whole layout and watch the conductors operate the trains, I was thrilled. Over the years I have taken my children, my grandchildren, friends and relatives to see the fair. I'm not sure how much they enjoyed being carry or dragged all over the place, but I always had a good time. I have a few not so good memories of the fair too...I lost one of my Son's there when he was quite young, he wondered off and it was an hour or more before he was found. I've worn the wrong shoes for all that walking and could barely walk out of there. I've misplace my car in the parking lot, it rained once and we had to leave early.
I took a few pictures while I was there this year. The one of the ferris wheel at night turned out to be my favorite. I think the fair is a great place to go once a year and have lots of fun. See you next year.

I had a Gr8 Birthday Party!!!

promised I'd keep you posted on my birthday party, sorry for the delay. I had a great birthday party.. not quite a big bash, but a nice party. My Daughter asked me what did I want to do for my birthday... I said, I don't care, maybe something simple like a party at a hotel. I could stay overnite and won't have to drive back home. She replied, no problem. I gave her a short list of Friends to invite and the party was on. With help from her Sister and other members of the Family, they put together a wonderful party.  The Ebassy Suites Hotel has a beautiful lobby with fish ponds and a waterfall. It's located right across the street from the LAX airport, I was able to watch the planes arrive and depart. To keep my grandkids from being board they enjoyed the swimming pool. Room service was availabe to bring us things we forgot, like a corksrcew for the wine. I loved the atomphere, I could hear jazz music playing in the lobby. We had a great time laughing, telling jokes and stories, eat and drinking. The cake had my favorite lemon filling. They didn't put the total number of candles on the cake, LOL!  We didn't want to sound the fire alarm. Someone started singing happy birthday to me, all off key and the rest followed. My Grandson the Hip Hop Star, did a rap version of Happy Birthday using the table as a drum. We took a few group pictures for our FB pages, I opened my presents,  someone cleaned up and then it was a wrap and the party was over. I kissed and hugged all those who came to the party, wished them a safe journey home. Then I closed the door to my suite, Pour myself a glass of wine, got in bed... and fell fast asleep. This party tops my list as the best birthday party ever. The biggest part of planning a party is location, location, location. Happy Birthday 2 me. http://www.DebsPartee.vpweb.com Table and Chair Rentals http://www.zazzle.com/Debgr8biz* T-Shirts and Gift ideas http://www.DebsPartee.vpweb.com Table and Chair Rentals http://www.zazzle.com/Debgr8biz* T-Shirts and Gift ideas

October 5, Birthday Trivia

While search the internet a few days ago I came across a very interesting piece of trivia. Do you know what the worlds most common birthday is? I was very curious to know, and was shocked to find out it was my own birthday October 5. According to Anybirthday.com "An average of 12,576 people are born each year on the 5th of October. Which means that some 968,000 Americans celebrate this day annually" Wow!!! that's a lot of people that share my birthday, I'm sure you've counted backwards by now and figured out why. Correct! New Year Eve That was interesting, I can't believe that I never knew that before. Well, as they say, you learn something new everyday...or at least you should. My birthday was yesterday...didn't do anything exciting. I have plans for the weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Summer is just about over. What are your plans in the next coming months.
The kids will be returning to school and I plan to join them.
I've noticed lately that lots more adults are returning to school too.
Maybe it the current economy or the money available for education.
Most of the people my age are returning to school to obtain new skills for the job market. Since this is definitely the age of computers and technology,we must be trained or get left behind. I've noticed lots more people are turning their hobbies into a full time business. I only have about 3 more years before retirement so I want to turn a few hobbies into something full time.I figure if I've got to work the last few years it may as well be something that I like and enjoy. So I'm going back to school to learn more about photography and photo shop. I hope these new skills will enhance the look of my t-shirts and give me a new skill that I can use in the workplace. With this in mind I also hope to keep my mind busy learning something new. I heard that keeping the mind busy with reading and learning helps offset Alzheimer's. I have lots of senior moments these day, so hopefully this will help. I'm thinking once I get back into the groove of school maybe go for a advance degree. Education is a great thing to have and once you have it, it's yours forever.

Summer Designs

Just finshed some new designs for my online store. Most of them in colors of red and black. I also included a few bright colors for the summer, Pink, Yellow,purple. I Updated an image I have had for a while and changed the words to say "I Love Summer". Looks great on a tank top and als on the new canvas bags that were just added to inventory. This way you can have an entire ensemble.I enjoy summer. You have more day lite and time to do more things. Picnics, BBQ, and just plain fun.
I'm getting all my designs done now, so I won't be trapped inside at my computer.
I wish I could go on a road trip, but money is still a little tight.
My kids who are all grown have traveled all over the USA.
When I retire that's what I plan to do.
I would like to hear from others where they think the best places are.
I've met quite a few people on the internet over the past few years and I plan to go and visit each of them. Until then I'll just have to be content with trips to the local parks and the beachs. Have a gr8 weekend.

Sad weekend

I got sad news this weekend, my oldest Sister passed away from Cancer.
Unfortunately we don't live in the same state and it's been a long time since we've seen each other.
Money being tight prevented us from visiting as much as we would have liked.
I used this weekend to reflex on the pass and the fun times we'd shared.
I made a few new designs to add to my store. She was a very creative person and that's what I decided would be the best use of my time while I reflected on her life.
Crazy thou I didn't create anything yet that was specifically for her.
I think I will design a t-shirt later that will have something to do with Cancer awarneess that will be in memory of her. Life is what you make it and she made it fun and creative. God Bless and keep you Sis, Love Ya.

I been busy making new designs. The summer is here and trends are changing daily.
I keep coming up with designs that are mostly red and black in color.
I sold my crossword puzzle design mug the other day to someone in Ireland, WOW!!!
I was really excited about that sell. It was the first item that I'd sold out side of the USA. The more designs I do the more ideas I come up with. I wish I could just channel my thoughts to one particular subject like most of the other designers do. But I guess random designs and thoughts are better than nothing at all. I seem to have a small following and that's gr8.
Well, I hope you all have a gr8 Memorial Day weekend.

Gr8 Thanksgiving and Black Friday

I sure hope everybody is having a gr8 Thanksgiving.
I'm having a quite day at home. I prepared a nice small dinner for myself.
I plan to have enough left overs for a few more meals. Then I'll nap alot.
I've been working hard all last week adding new designs to my stores to prepare for the gr8 Black Friday shopping. I know a lot of people will take this opportunity to shop online. I heard the stats that less people are going to be buying gifts this year. I plan to doing most of my shopping online or using gift cards. And I've picked a few items from my stores to give to some of my friends and family.
Well I sure hope you all have a gr8 shopping day and don't spend all of your money. Remember that books make a great gift. If you do buy books I've got some gr8 tote and messenger bags at my stores. Well I'm off to take a nap, I plan to get up early tomorrow and do my part to save the enconomy. Don't forget to be Thankful.

Have a gr8 Shopping Day

Unpacking

I'm still unpacking boxes from my recent move. I'm down sizing and giving away lots of items to goodwill. But the one thing I havent't parted with are my many books. Wow, I knew I had alot of books but I felt like I made a million trips upstairs with all those books. I can hardly wait to get settled so I can find time to sit in a comfortable chair and read a good book. Until then I'll just have to resign myself to reading my emails and updating my blog. I've got to hurry up and get this place with homey feeling since the holidays are approaching fast. I'm adding lots a new items to my online stores. Well I better get back to unpacking.

Back to Normal

Well the last three day weekend is over and unless you count Halloween we've got a little ways to go before we get another holiday. Things are back to normal and I'm hard at work on some new designs for the t-shirt stores. The holidays will be here soon and I've got to be ready for the early bird shoppers. I really need to work on some ideas for my Book Lovers for the holidays.

Today I had a gr8 day at the store, I made a big sale. A customer purchased 100 magnets with SAVE ENERGY on them. You see I'm not just into books, I'm concerned about other things like saving the world we live in and it's resources. I hope you are too. Here's a website I located that you can read about ways to conserve energy.http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers

Well I've got to get back, I hope you're reading something interesting. If not you can always stop by my bookshelf and pick up a book.

Have a Gr8 Day

Labor Day Weekend

Today was a gr8 day to catch up on all sorts of things.
I’m sure lots of people took advantage of this
Labor Day weekend by doing things around their house.
I stayed home because the heat still continues to be in the triple digits here. But I did get quit a bit done inside, I cleaned out a closet and got stuff ready for a yard sale.
I’ve been working on getting my online store fixed up since the holidays are only 3 months down the way.
We just got in this new "keepsake box" that is black lacquer exterior with a tile lid it has lining on the interior with side hinges it also come in a cherry finish. It is absolutely Gr8. It’s really a great gift idea.
I’m featuring it in my store right now as a “Secret” keepsake tile box. You can hide all sorts of things in it.
For instance,reading glasses, remote controls, coupons, cards, jewelry, tickets, important papers, pens, lot things.
I have lots of different designs decorating the
lids of these boxes. So drop by my store and take a
look around. Do a little early holiday shopping or pick up a birthday present for someone or get one for yourself. This would make a gr8 gift for a Book Lover.
Come visit my store on CafePress!

Have a gr8 week.

This Summer has been "HOT!

The Summer is almost over, the heat and humidity have been unreal
here and it's probaly not over yet. Hurricane season it back already,hardly gives you time to fix up things before it time to board up again.
My prayers really go out to the people who live in those area.
Where I live I just have to worry about the earth cracking in half.
I guess every place you live there is some type of weather to be worried about. Earlier this year we had a cold snap,that froze everything,wow that was totally unexpected.
We're so use to nearly perfect weather here that we mostly wear T-shirts and
jeans. I'm not quite sure where else I'd live.
I've been thinking about relocation, but the weather would be a big factor in where I'd moved. I don't like cold or a lot of rain,so that rules out a lot of states.
I'm all about sunshine and outdoors. Don't get me wrong I'm not a wildness Girl.
I still need the comforts of home and some place to plug in my computer.
I'm planning to get a laptop soon so I can be outside more.
Because I've discovered I do my best thinking when I'm out and about.
Like a few months ago I an idea came into my head while riding the bus.
I saw a girl with a very fancy T-shirt on, I figure it must have cost her over $20.00 ( I didn't ask).
But what was crazy was, inside my head I thought I was having a conversation with her T- shirt."I said, WOW! you sure look fancy and expensive", and the shirts reply,
was "I can't believe that someday I could be a dust rag."
I couldn't LOL or the people on the bus would have thought I was crazy.
Yes of course I know, anyone that's holding a conversation with a t-shirt is crazy, but I'm pretty sure the shirts not going to tell. He's too afraid of being turned into a dust rag.Isn't it funny where I ideas come from.
Well, I got to get back to work, haven't come up with any ideas for the back to school season yet, but I did get a few "HOT" Hip Hop
items finished. I'm in the middle of reading the 1 minute millionaire, everybody in the world has a ready read it, I'm always behind the crowd.
I've got an awfully lot irons in the fire these days,as if it wasn't hot enough.
Well I'm sure hoping for cooler weather soon, it's hard for me to think
when I'm hot an sticky. I hope you all have gr8 weather where you are.

Bye 4 now

Money Found in Book.

Now here's a reason to buy a book...

While playing with a thrift store book bought earlier in the day for 25 cents, Rhiannon uncovered $1,300 in cash stuck between the pages. Her baby sitter Sheila Laughridge said she only bought the book at Rhiannon's insistence and was surprised when the toddler found a brown paper bag full of $100s, $50s, $20s and $10s.
Laughridge took the money, which dated as far back as the 1960s, to a local bank, where she received only $300 in exchange because most of the bills were in pieces. The rest of the tattered money was sent to the U.S. treasury department.Thrift store book holds $1,300 in cash
Sat Feb 24, 3:21 PM ET
MCDONOUGH, Ga. - Rhiannon Barnes may be the luckiest 15-month-old ever. Or maybe her baby sitter is the fortunate one.

Hmmm... I've bought lots of books from thrift stores but I've never found more than an old bookmarker or a picture of someone. They were lucky.

Discount T-shirt Coupons!!!

I just received a discount coupon for one of my latest
T-shirt designs. http://www.CafePress.com/Im_Friendly
So I'm sharing it with all my Friends, Family, and Customers.
This would be a great opportunity for you to get a gift for a co-worker, Family, Friend or a St.Patrick's Day T-shirt. Use this link to get to my online store http://www.CafePress.com/Debssamples
use this code DES 147) at check out and save $10.00 when you purchase $25.00 or more. It expires 3/4/07 So HURRY.
Feel Free to pass this info on to your Friends & Family.

Have a Gr8 Day
Deb

Get ready for the next holiday.

Just dropped by here real quick to update my blog,
can't believe I still had hearts and flowers floating
around here. With another holiday fast approaching
I figured I better get in here and make a change.
The next holiday's basic color is green,
but I'm not really into that color scheme.
I'm really into the animal print these days
I love to wear animal prints and to decorate
with it, sometimes when I lay down on my sofa
I camoflauge, LOL.That could be dangerous,
someone could sit on me by accident.
I really love clothes.
Having an online T-shirt Shop helps me cure
my craving , a little. I can design what I want.
If you're getting dressed up for St. Patrick's Day.
Stop by my online T-shirt shop and check out my

"Don't Pinch Me"design. I have it on Hats, T-shirts,
Mugs,Hoodies and lots more stuff.
It's funny that I'm always talking about Holiday
T-shirts, when in fact more people seem to like
my other designs like this one Eyelove2read.
I think reading is very important so I make designs
to encourage kids and others to read.

Well guess I better get back to the shop and work
on the next holiday design.

P.S. Message to the Family everybody is doing gr8

Deb

Hey Friends,
I hope you are all ready for the Cupid Flying bow and arrow shooting , candy and flowers routine that is about to converge on us in the next two days.
I guess you can tell from the heart with the lightining bolt in it, that I not your average hearts and flowers type of Girl. Not that I don't like the Holiday. It's just that I think your sweetheart should do this for you all the time not just one day out of the year. So, if you've got that going on in your life hang on to it. I think the mold has been broken.
I hope you all are prepared with you gifts, I tryed to give you a head up a few weeks ago. If you are still looking for something stop by my online store. Alot of my designs have hearts in them. I add the hearts for LOVE and the FUNNY sayings so people can LOL.
I just completed a design that I think is gr8.
I call it "Everythings Not Always Black and White"
I put the heart in there because I think with LOVE added everything looks different.
Have a Happy or UnHappy Valentine's Day
Deb