Raffle Update

The raffle for Becky Higgins Creating Keepsakes 365 Project Kit of the Month ends in just a couple of weeks. I am so thankful for all donations raised and hope to raise quite a few more. If you haven’t had a chance, please do spread the word and/or enter for your chance to win.

Details of the raffle are here.

The View from Someone Else’s Eye

I’m a big fan of PhotoJoJo and often print out things that I want to remember. One of those things was this list of road trip photography ideas. One of which was to leave a camera in a self addressed postage paid envelope with a note to whomever may find it.

Cody thought I was crazy. But disposabale camera’s are cheap, so I went for it on our trip this month. We bought a two pack and I intended to leave one on Route 66 east of OKC and one of the west side. Of course, we didn’t make it down Route 66 west, so I only ended up leaving one camera.

I took a picture of the spot where I left it.

I wrote a couple of notes on the back side of the padded envelope and explained that we thought it would be neat to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

And then we waited to see what happened. Once we returned home, I really hadn’t given it much thought. Until yesterday. . .

It was returned!!!!!! A man from Indiana picked it up, he left his address on the outside so I felt more comfortable about what pictures may be on the camera. But even better he left a note. He was traveling with his brother and sister to see his Dad. We had the pictures developed last night. From the Blue Whale you can see that he went to Norman, Oklahoma and then back home where he includes a picture of what I imagine is his kids in front of the Indy Speedway.

Of course, it’s left me wanting more. I want to know the story behind the pictures. I want to do this more. What other results might I get?

So, what’s the view from your vantage point? If you had 24 pictures to share a vacation or your every day life, what would you take pictures of?

Peaceful, Easy Feeling

There has always been something about when I cross that state line into Missouri. There’s a peace and a calm that I don’t feel most any other time. I was born in Kansas City, MO but we moved from there just 10 months after I was born. Yet for some reason, it’s always had a pull on me.

It struck me just how strong that peace is on our most recent trip to Kansas City. We stayed at the Plaza which has always been a magical place to me. Of course, this trip also fulfilled a dream. When I was around 10 years old, we traveled to Kansas City for my grandmother’s funeral. I have always remembered going by the Plaza when it was lit up with Christmas lights. It was so beautiful. And this time, over 20 years later, the same is still true. (And, thankfully, Cody felt the same way- it wasn’t just nostalgia.) I woke up early when we were there, well rested, and just enjoying the fact that I was there- that I was calm and life was peaceful.

But, it’s not just the city, it’s the farms and fields, the hills, the folks. As we drove up there once we got across that Oklahoma line and as we drove back to Oklahoma, I noticed that I got quiet. I stared out the window and realized how long it’s been since I felt such peace.

With that peace and that calm, I become a different person. In many ways, I feel more like me. I’m more relaxed and let more personality come out. The feeling is so strong that in many ways I have to call it my home. Though, I don’t think I’ll ever call it home because I’m not sure I could handle that winter. I hated to leave this time just as I always do.

I hope everyone has such a place. A place they can go to relax. A place where they can feel entirely at peace and calm. Do you have such a place?

Two By Two

One of the things I ordered with my CK kit was the Album Shortcuts with Quizzes and Questions (Simple Scrapbooks). When it arrived, I asked Cody one of the quizzes and it was interesting to hear his answers. I plan on doing most the quizzes with him and others. But I thought tonight I would take one and share with you.

1. Hamburger Helper or Filet Mignon
Filet Mignon Medium Rare. I hate Hamburger Helper. But, this one also reminds me of the time I had Filet Mignon Burnt. . . My mom is a well done kinda person. We ordered Filet Mignon one time as a family. You guessed it, if momma aint’ happy no one’s happy. So we ate “burnt” steak.

2. Van or Sedan
I guess a Van. The new Dodge’s seem to have some cool features- if I were going to get a van.

3. Yellowstone Park or Disneyland.
Much as I want to go back to Disneyworld, I’d rather go to Yellowstone. Besides the fact that I love nature, I really don’t like to be in a crowd anymore. It’s the small town living that I’m used to. When there’s 1000 times more people than in the small town closest to us. . there’s just too many people.

4. McDonald’s or Olive Garden
Olive Garden. . . I like to make a meal out of the breadsticks and alfredo sauce.

5. Board Games or Video Games
Board Games, I think. I love to play them especially with my nephew. But, then again, from what I hear those Wii’s are really cool. We’ll see what I say after I get to play my nephews new Wii.

6. Snow Bunnies or Water Babies
I guess Snow Bunnies. . . especially if I don’t have to drive in it.

7. Early Birds or Night Owls
Me. . . an Early Bird which makes it interesting when Cody’s a night owl. I get my best work done in the first few hours of the day once I’ve had a chance to wake up.

8. Road Trip or Air Travel
Open road for me. There’s just no way to see all the things you see when you’re on the road. Just check out the pictures of our anniversary trip and you can see just what I mean.

9. White or Wheat?
I think, now, I’d have to say Wheat. It’s healthier and now that I’ve learned to like it, I guess it’s what I would choose.

10. On the team or in the Bleachers
In the Bleachers, watching the Buffalo Sabres or the Kansas City Royals.

The 3-Day, 365 Raffle

(Sorry this one’s blurry. . .it was already dark outside when I took this picture.)

Enough talking, let’s take some action! So, if you’ve read my blog posts as of late, you know that I’ve committed to raising funds for breast cancer research and walking 60 miles as part of that effort. Even better, my best friend Lisa has committed to doing it with us as well even after I sent her a goofy video invite. It’s part of the nationwide 3-Day.  And, I’ve told you all about the Creating Keepsakes/ Becky Higgins 365 Kit of the Month that I’ll be raffling to kick off our fundraising. 

Here’s how the raffle will work:

Ways to Enter
1) Donate at least $5 to my 3-Day Donation Page (Link’s below but I want to make sure you see how to optimize your chances)
2) Donate at least $5 to Lisa’s 3-Day Donation Page (Again, the links below, but read on.)

You’ll get 1 chance for donating on my page and one chance for donating on her page. So, that’s two opportunities to enter.

Want more chances?
The kit cost me just at $35 dollars. So, if you donate more than $35 to either page, you’ll get 5 chances. That’s five for my donation page and/or 5 for her page. (Maximum 10 entries)

(Note, the donation page will let you extend payments for up to four months.)

How long will the raffle be?
It’ll run from time of this posting through Midnight Central Standard Time Feburary 12, 2009.

Shipping
I’ll pay for US Shipping. International orders, I will ship internationally but you’ll have to pay me the difference in shipping (we’ll work out payment method at that time.)

How will we determine the winner?
We’ll put My list of donations/entries and then her list of entries or vice versa. We’ll put our names in a hat and let her son choose. (This way if you enter both, you’ll be in the first half and the second half!) Then, we’ll use Random Integer Generator to pick the winner.

Winner Notification
We’ll notify the winner by February 17th. The winner must reply by February 21st so that we’ll know where to mail the kit. We’ll also announce the winner here.

Overall chances
There’s only one kit in this raffle. But, your chances of winning will depend on how many donations we receive, and how much you donate.

The Cause
Don’t forget that this is going to a great cause that’s touched everyone’s lives in some way. You can include an any person that you are honoring with your donation.

OK. Now that you read the rules. . .

Here’s the links to enter for your chance to win the 365 Kit. You must donate online in order that we can ensure we count all donations into this raffle.

My 3-Day Donation Page
Lisa’s 3-Day Donation Page

(These links go directly to The 3-Day.Org- so they have control over donations and financial info. . . and it’s totally secure.)

And one more thing. . . .

How else can you help?
Share a link to this page with others online. The internet, and especially the scrapbooking/photography community is a powerful group of folks who can really do a lot to raise monies for causes such as this one.