Greetings from Nairobi

Well, we are now in Nairobi at the Palacina Residence and Suites. We landed around 2:30 pm and then were met by the CC Africa Tour company. The weather is much cooler here, thank goodness. It was over 100 when we left Dubai today. Dubai was amazing. You can't imagine the amount of building they are doing there. They are building hundreds of tall buildings. I mean tall. They are not all that big width and length but TALL. It made me wonder who are all the people that are going to come live in them? Dubai is a really big city. More palm trees than I have ever seen. The heat and humidity was humbling. The humidity was like nothing I have ever felt, it was beyond Florida hot. We saw all the major sites in Dubai, the gold souk, the mall of Emerites, the Burj al Arab, Wild Wadi and the beatiful beaches. Our hotel the Jumierah Beach was beautiful. They had 3 pools and beautiful beaches, 20 restaurants, shops and instead of painted clowns like in Sarasota they had...painted camels. Our room was huge and very nice with a stunning view of the famous Burj al Arab hotel. Jeff's uncle and aunt stayed there and we went there last night for a cocktail party in their suite. It was over the top.

We are all resting and getting our bearings. Tomorrow they come to get us to go to the first safari camp. This hotel is very beautiful, the room is huge and decorated very softly. We are headed to the pool and dinner later. Jumbo.

Goodmorning from the Emirates First Class Lounge in JFK

Well, here we are in NY at JFK in the very lush first class lounge of Emirates waiting for our flight to Dubai. Andrew said we are living the lap of luxury here in the lounge. We just enjoyed a beautiful breakfast buffet and now we are enjoying some time in the computer area of the lounge. We started our journey to Dubai yesterday from Tampa and flew to NY in the afternoon. We arrrived in NY and the weather was much cooler than in FL. Last night it was in the low 60's, what a nice change. We checked into our hotel and then quickly got back to the airport where we caught the Air Train to the subway and then got in the city to meet our friends Melissa, Ilene, Alexi and Sierra and my big sis Lora. We had a great dinner at Ruby Foo's a chinese restaurant in Times Square and then we walked down Broadway and made stops at the M&M store, 3 levels I may add. Next was Virgin Records and then on to the mecca for kids, Toys R Us. I have to say even I was impressed with Toys R Us in Times Square. They have a huge carasel right in the middle of the store and Andrew was in heaven with the big Star Wars area and the huge Pokemon area. We took the subway back to the airport and got back to the room after midnight. The city was so exciting, the people, the smells, the lights. I must say I am glad we live in Sarasota though. Andrew pointed out a rat to us on the subway tracks last night. That was the first rat I ever saw in the subway.

We can't believe the big day is finallyhere. We are off on the trip of a lifetime. We leave at 11:20 for Dubai and fligh for 12.5 hours and arrive in Dubai Sunday at 8 am. Today is a beautifual and clear day here in NY, this was a great first leg of our big trip.

Happy Scrap and Dash

Love, love, love this paper, Karen Russell, Creative Imaginations. I am posting tonight for tomorrows Scrap and Dash. Head on over to K2 at 5:30 to Scrap and Dash the "Love You Mom" layout for only $5. The second layout is sold al la carte. Have a happy Wednesday.

To Do List

Nikki challenged everyone to make a To Do list. After reading her's I am exhausted. So here is mine:

1. send papers to Greg
2. get a haircut on Wed at Molly's
3. clean off my desk at work
4. finish packing
5. go to the bank
6. meet Fern for Dinner
7. Dinner at the Graces this week
8. gather last minute travel items
9. get prescription at Publix
10. start taking maleria medicine this week
11. pick up travel documents at travel agent
12. dentist this week
13. Dr Brenda this week
14. get Andrew to pack his backpack
15. call Aunt Soni and Uncle Mike
16. Wish my brother Jon Happy Birthday
17. find camera accessories to bring

Weekly Challenge from a K2 Design Team member

First let me say that this layout was not done by me. It was created by Maggie from the Making Memories Design Team. I just love Making Memories, it is one of my favorite product lines and has been for years. I am preparing to go on a big trip and so I didn't have time to go through my albums to find a page with flowers on it.

The challenge this week is to create a page using flowers, they can be from Making Memories, Prima, Heidi Swapp, Doodlebug etc. I love how Maggie used MM blossoms on her page. I love how she used rinestone brads for centers and buttons for centers. I love everything about her whole layout. If I have a minute this week, I promise to scraplift this layout and post it.

So ok ladies, use flowers on a layout this week and email me a link. Happy Scrapping!

Feel Your Boobies

I was reading my alumni magazine from Ithaca College yesterday and I came across a story about a 37 year old alum who had breast cancer. She has since started her own non-profit for awareness of breast cancer and has a really cool website. www.feelyourboobies.org I think these shirt are so clever. She has a blog and a myspace site. Go and check it out. I think we all need to wear these in October to the pink crop at K2. If you don't live in my area, start planning your pink party for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Scrap and Dash today!

Is is Wednesday already? Head on over to K2 and create these versitle layouts at Scrap and Dash. I just loved the fabric tape from 7 Gypsies. I also love the flowers from Maya Road.