Sunday, July 28, 2013

Giveaway Week!



I want to thank everyone for all of your kind words and support. I am not the type who likes to complain but it is nice to be able to vent sometimes;) I have been on a lot of trips since Bill and I have been married and lots of disasters, but this was the worst. 

Our first trip was in New Hampshire for a camping trip. We visited Castle in the Clouds and the next day we paddled the lakes in a canoe. Bill got burnt badly and woke up with a fever and the chills, so we headed home. Got home and found out we were robbed and then the store spilled something on our film and we lost most of our photos, but I have wonderful memories of the fun we had and the misadventures. I have had bad rentals that I got to and said, no way, made them give me back my deposit and checked into a hotel. Vacations always have their good and bad, but it is the memories that are important , the ones we use to relax our minds, a mountain top, the sounds of the loons at night. Then there are the memories that make us laugh, because murphy's law is always part of life;)

And here is where we start the giveaway. Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". I am sure all of you have taken a trip, at one time or another and had something go wrong or think after, now I know better, won't do that again. 

My example: Be careful when you rent cabins in the woods, trees and swampy areas are prone to moss and mold growth, which makes a house extremely musty. On ours, you could see the dark stains on the walls and floors, so don't be afraid to ask for a close up shot of the rooms;)

My motto is, be prepared for anything. Someone cut themselves on a fish hook, I  had neosporin bandaids. I even bough Bill's extra glasses and on the day we left, he broke his. He cannot see without them, and he is the driver on long trips.

Now, give me a, "what to watch out for on a trip". It can be the accommodations, area or the travel, anything you want that we might not think of and can add to our list for future vacations. Or if you are one of the lucky ones who have perfect vacations, you can tell us a tip that makes vacations better or easier.

I will draw a name from all of the comments and one winner will get a box of goodies. I will post some photos, of some things, later in the week. Some things will be a surprise. Something handmade, patterns, fabric, etc. You can also let me know what types of crafts and sewing you like to do, favorite colors, etc in your comment. Then when I draw a name, I can customize the box for the winner. 

I will leave the contest open until Sunday, August 4th at 10pm EST. I will also announce the winner that night. I truly appreciate all of my visitors and friends that I have made in the blogging world.

One good thing I did on this trip, was to take photos, one of a church and a few gravestones. I am hoping to have some new patterns next month and get back into creating again.

And I will leave you with one simple message for tonight. This boy already has a sense of humor;)

He is two months, today!




48 comments:

Gayle said...

Oh my - what an ordeal you've been through! We don't usually have any problems when we travel. But once in Canada we had a bad flat tire on our trailer and it was in a difficult place to change it out for a spare. I guess we are more careful at checking the tires since then.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Good thing you were so prepared, especially with a spare pair of glasses for Bill.
My tip ... be sure to pack a spare pair of undies and necessary toiletries and meds in your carry on so if your suitcase is "delayed" it won't be so bad.
You know me, I love dull and drab and dirty colors :)
Hugs :)
Lauren

Quilts And Pieces said...

I don't think I can top your stories! I won't even try! I guess the worst disaster I've had was this spring. My sister and I waited 20 years to finally take a vacation together, no husbands, no kids. The day finally arrived! I flew in, and then a 9 hour car ride. Next morning I got up to take a lovely walk on the beach. I came back to the house and she is bawling, her daughter got rushed to the hospital and was sick. We had to get a flight out to go home and I was left at vacation house by myself, to pack up and drive her car home. Luckily everything turned out ok, but I hope it doesn't take another 20 years to be able to do something together!

Happy Valley Primitives said...

Vacations can be so, well, memorable. We've had some real interesting ones, and have found over the years that sometimes the best memory is the humor of it.

Arriving after a very long drive to Lake Shasta for our honeymoon, we found out that I had left all of our cash on the dresser at home (and we didn't have a credit card to our name at that age). Thank goodness we got our deposit back in cash to be able to pay for the gas home.

Oh, and there was the time we accidentally lit our screen tent on fire due to a leaky camping stove in the middle of the night. They sure do burn quickly...LOL!

Hugs to you for a restful and relaxing time at home now!

Ilene

Tina said...

The scariest time on vacation was when we ran into hurricane Hugo on our trip to Alabame. The rain was so bad on the freeway that we could not see how to get off the freeway. We finally found an off ramp which was right by a Holiday Inn. We were lucky. Thank goodness this was just the tail end of the hurricane. The next morning was sunny and bright.
Tina@brainer.com

Sue Tokash said...

My best vacation, stay home and tell everyone you went away! The bed is always comfortable, no pests or bad living arrangements....

Dorothy said...

On ou 1st camping trip we arrived in the dark and put up the tent and went to bed. Next morning we discovered we had pitched the tent on a patch of black soil and it was through everything and in our beds/sleeping bags.
We have never camped again. Cabins or caravans when the kids were little. Now we go for a bit of comfort.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Sounds like you have had some adventures and some misses. ;-) Love the photo! I always make sure I have an extra set of keys on me when we travel. It is unreal the number of times DH, my Dad, the kids has inadvertently locked the keys in the van. ;-) Have a happy week!

Fiona said...

I think the fact that you are prepared to go to new places means you risk a potential disaster place to stay... the other option is staying at home... I would rather take the chance. Once I was travelling with a daughter and 2 of her children (one was only 4 months old) and we were promised a room with extra beds and kettle etc and bathroom. we just got a little container room with only 2 small beds and no facilities at all.... as we were travelling and the next stop was over 2 hours away we had no choice but to stay there... dreadful!! lucky we were on our way to a luxury place...
you are great to be giving a parcel away....
Hugz

Julie Fukuda said...

I had a vacation like that last year, Something went wrong on every single flight... cancelled or delayed and every connection missed. It reminded me of that saying. "cheer up. things could be worse ... so I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse".
I think, when it comes to vacations, you need a "plan B" and a "plan C" just in case.

Chris said...

I am so sorry that your vacation was a bust. Ugh. It has been a few years since we have had a bad experience. Mostly because it is just Rich and I and we are not dealing with the family. One year we went to Gettysburg and my bil decided that they wanted to walk around the battlefield to get some boy scout badge but we didn't have water with us... 9 miles later. Ugh Always have extra water with you :)

BumbleBeeLane said...

I agree even the worst times can bring good memories or a giggle when we think back. We do a lot of small trips, after many unexpected break downs I always make sure we have some tools and water just in case.I don't like my cell phone so used to just leave it behind but now am in the habit of throwing it in my purse , still get interupted but at least I can reach out if need be. Warm Blessings! Amy

cucki said...

oh dear..
but best thing is you were well prepared and extra pair of glasses too.
that remind me of my hubby..where ever we go he always travel with a extra pair of glasses because he has a habit to forgot them..and an extra pair of car keys..once we forgot them in the car..lol..
love and smiles
cucki x

Me and My Stitches said...

You have definitely had some memorable vacations! I used to travel for work and once when flying home (Iowa) from Boston - my light was delayed in Boston, which made me miss my connection in Chicago. I sat in O'Hare for 8 hours - kept getting put on standby, then bumped. Was finally booked on the last flight out, and they cancelled it! I rode home in a rental with 4 complete strangers. None of us knew each other, we all just wanted to get home!

And as for quilting - I love red, and wool applique and miniatures!

Shelley said...

Three things I always pack in the car for a trip...a clothespin, a paperclip and a roll of duct tape..with these three things you can repair, fix, juryrig, hold together just about everything from a loose tail pipe to bandaging a cut. I love all the same colors as you :), love working with wool...oh, I'd be happy with just about anything lol!

Raymond Homestead said...

Oh my, you certainly had a time of it. I don't really have a good tip other than to tell you that when I go through things like this I always think about a saying I came across one time, it said, "Don't worry about it, it ain't gonna be alright anyway." For some reason it just kind of makes me feel better because it reminds me that no matter how much I worry and fret and get upset, it won't change anything that has already happened. :-)

paulette said...

The worst holiday occurred while we were down south...our first trip where we went down for Christmas and all of the girls came down to spend it with us! EVERYONE got the flu!! Thankfully not on the same day...Every two days someone new came down with it. Our RV became a revolving 'sick room'! It was awful!
It was a nasty bug that flattened anyone in it's path! We can laugh about it now...but certainly not then!!
LOVe the pic of your wee one!! He is adorable!
P

Jacqueline said...

My tip would be to get the name of the person confirming your hotel reservation and have them send you a printed copy of said reservation.

More than once I have gotten to the hotel to be told they did not have my reservation and there was no room at the inn...

I am a quilter and a hooker. I am into traditional quilts and colors. I piece and applique.

Thanks for a chance

marie said...

It seems on every trip there is something I've forgotten, but there is always Wal-Mart somewhere near by. I love your colors, wool applique and hooking are my favorite past times.

sandy said...

Very smart to take an extra pair of glasses along. I think our worst trip, at least most recent, was last March when we had a blow out going into Death Valley. We had no phone service and nobody stopped. It felt like we were all alone in the world.I like all colors and all fabrics.

Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies said...

Oh yes...we have had ONE of THOSE trips before. Heading out west to see Hubby's family..there were six of us traveling along. We planned to camp the entire way. The first night our pop-up camper broke and fell as we were raising the top..nearly decapitated the youngest..and with no way to get it fixed, we searched until after midnight to find a hotel that could fit us all. We ended up traveling the rest of the trip out and back and staying in hotels..having to crawl into the camper each night to retrieve clothes, etc. When we finally returned home, we SOLD that darn camper and have been hotel-ling it for all vacations.

woolywoman said...


Well, you have shown that you know my best advice: always be willing to throw in the towel and say "this is no fun. Lets go home!" or at the least, do something else! I remember a trip with DH where we were climbing a steep trail to see a view that was supposed to be spectacular. Problem was,, it was record heat, we neither felt well, and after a bit we looked at each other and said " i don't care how spectacular it is. I don't care!" We turned around, found a nice restaurant and had big glasses of iced tea and a lovely lunch instead!

woolywoman said...


Well, you have shown that you know my best advice: always be willing to throw in the towel and say "this is no fun. Lets go home!" or at the least, do something else! I remember a trip with DH where we were climbing a steep trail to see a view that was supposed to be spectacular. Problem was,, it was record heat, we neither felt well, and after a bit we looked at each other and said " i don't care how spectacular it is. I don't care!" We turned around, found a nice restaurant and had big glasses of iced tea and a lovely lunch instead!

Unknown said...

Tip for a camping vacation: If you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and don't feel like walking to the communal bathroom - do it anyway. Crouching down by your back car tire may leave you with poison ivy on your butt. Oh yeah - been there, done that - won't ever happen again.

Anonymous said...

The only thing I can think of is when we drove to Yellowstone and on the way there was a huge storm, could not see to drive and there was hail too. Had to pull over and wait. Thanks for the giveaway, I like embroidery and owls, or foxes.

(smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

Linda said...

Hello, after being sick a few times,my word of caution is: Just drink bottled and boiled drinks!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Pam in IL said...

Always carry an extra set of keys. We learned this the hard way when a valet lost our car keys. We always seem to have some misfortune on our vacations too, but we do seem to have a laugh over some of them too.

Allie said...

Wow - you have had some experiences, lol - I don't think I've ever had a bad one, but I don't get out much!!! I remember when I was a kid and we were on our way to Niagra Falls in Canada, our car broke down and we couldn't believe how nice folks were and how they went out of their way to help us. So even when bad things happened, they turned out well.

My tip is don't come to Detroit. *snort*

Your grandson is so very, very precious!!!!

The Wool Cupboard said...

My experience had to do with appropriate clothing. Be prepared with both warm and cool weather gear...regardless of the time of year!

We went to the Colorado Rockies the second year we were married and decided to take one of those tram rides up to the top of the tallest peak at Estes Park. It was a very warm day and we were dressed in shorts and sandles. About half way up the mountain the weather changed dramatically. We encountered icey cold wind and sleet mixed with freezing rain!

Believe me...by the time we slowly made our way to the top in the open tram, waited out in the open platform for the down tram to get to us, and then made the equally s...l...o...w... decent to the base we were MISERABLY frozen!! So BE PREPARED for all kind of weather changes.

I LOVE primitive "dirty" wools for rug hooking. Thank you!

Hugs, Linda

The Wool Cupboard said...

My experience had to do with appropriate clothing. Be prepared with both warm and cool weather gear...regardless of the time of year!

We went to the Colorado Rockies the second year we were married and decided to take one of those tram rides up to the top of the tallest peak at Estes Park. It was a very warm day and we were dressed in shorts and sandles. About half way up the mountain the weather changed dramatically. We encountered icey cold wind and sleet mixed with freezing rain!

Believe me...by the time we slowly made our way to the top in the open tram, waited out in the open platform for the down tram to get to us, and then made the equally s...l...o...w... decent to the base we were MISERABLY frozen!! So BE PREPARED for all kind of weather changes.

I LOVE primitive "dirty" wools for rug hooking. Thank you!

Hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

So much for the fun holiday for you...dang!

A good map is a must! Although these days we have GPS. Years ago we took a trip and DH thought it would be faster to go through a mountain area across Yosemite rather than stick to highways. He guessed it would shave off several hours drive from looking at his map. The joke was on us! It was summer and the route took us to the peaks with SNOW! It was cold, slow going due to fog and a VERY LONG day! We sure could have used jackets and snacks. Lol

Carol Swift said...

I hope this is the last of your bad vacations! A long, long time ago we took a vacation with my sister and her family to a beautiful lake in Utah. By the third day, I was so mad at my sister because she wouldn't stop her daughter from biting my daughter (she said my daughter provoked the biting) so we left and I didn't talk to her for several months. It was a silly fight and luckily we didn't stay mad for long.

Betsy said...

Oh dear, I too hope this is the last of the bad patch for you. A few years ago when we started visiting Florida, I rode a bike fronted from th resort and injured my leg. I had to have an MRI and even had crutches for awhile. No fun at all

Anonymous said...

Love the new added piece...I'm just sayin. Lol. I've already commented here before so this one shouldn't count...just had to say saw that mat...drool.

Mosaic Magpie said...

I love the bird pillow you are thinking of adding. I thought I had previously commented on this post but I don't see it....
Sometimes vacations give us reason to remember, "There is no place like home".
Wool in any color is the best, it makes stitching a pleasure.
Deb

Jean Barker said...

I thought I was the only one with murphy's law on vacations. One thing I always do is check the bedding. Eight yrs ago now I went to Maui and rented a bungalow. When we arrived the room was beautiful, but when I turned the linens down for the night, there were dead bugs everywhere.....needless to say I did not sleep for days while there.

I love everything primitive! Sewing, woodworking and punch/embroidery are all things I love to do.
Blessings,
Jean

Gill said...

Definitely be prepared!! with 3 sons every mishap that could arise, did arise!! I always take a torch1

jackiero said...

So sorry to read about all your "icks" of late. My hubby & I have always been frugal, never traveled for pleasure & 'saved' our money. Two years ago we bought a small cabin in the Blue Ridge Mtns. of NC (3 hrs. from our home) where it's our own space, we bring our 2 dogs & 1 cat and it's our slice of heaven :) My only thought to share with you is I found "Mercuroclear", an old time remedy for cuts @ WalMart for less than $3! Love it, it's healed everything :)
I love earth colors, so far everything you've ever made :)
Blessings to you, Jackie in NC

Anonymous said...

My advice is to always know where the nearest hospital is!! Happened twice... hubby got that fish hook in his thumb all the way through, and I had to make my way through a strange city to find the hospital.... and once I got sick and had to go to the ER, so HE had to drive me :o) Would love to win the goodies!!! Thank you for the chance!

Carrie P. said...

Man! that stinks that you got robbed.
So sorry your trip ended sooner than you wanted it too. I don't know if I have ever had a perfect vacation. We used to camp in a tent, later a pop up with our kids when they were little. One thing we always brought was a first aid kit. It seemed like one of the kids would get hurt and we have to open that box. It seems we would always have at least one day of rain too.
I guess my tip would be to have a first aid kit of some sort with you.

Lori said...

Think of the memories you made! It seems it is always the "bad" vacations we remember the most.

We went to Hawaii and wanted to rent a jeep we could have the top down. When e got to the rental place it was an old squeeky jeep/jalopy! We fit right in with the locals!! My daughter and I drove up to a swanky hotel where we were using the spa and about died to see valet parking! lol

Deb said...

Vacation horror stories, I am sure everyone has one! My tip is to always carry with you; on your person, in your carry on bag or oversize purse: whatever you need to see you through a day or two without luggage. Undies, a tooth brush, hair comb, a little lipstick, your medications, etc. If you're going somewhere warm, through in your bathing suit and flip flops too! We had a trip from H E double hockey sticks to the Caribbean years back; should have been an 8 hour flight; two days later we landed at our destination without luggage! I was not a pretty sight, let me tell you :O)
I love cross stitch and embroidery and would love to learn how to needle punch. Primitive colours are my favourite palette. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway and your grandson is adorable! Deb

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

What a cutie pie your lil' one is. I bet you love being a Grandma :) Hope your feeling better soon!

Karen said...

We have been renting the same place in the mountains the last few years. So, we know what to expect before we get there. A couple years ago, we joined family at a rental in New England. The write-up said elevator so we had no concerns. Turned out it was up three flights of stairs with no elevator. They were able to put is in a first floor unit after a complaint.

SIMPLESEW said...

I won't even try EITHER! I guess the worst disaster, I seldom leave home unless its to go home. I find it all here .. my grandchild num 6 is due Nov, all will be under 5, so I have been busy for 5 yrs just with new babies. I am blessed.

Mara said...

My worst disaster was when I was traveling in Ireland with a rental car and on our last day and a rush to the airport it started to snow and the roads where icy and yes I crashed into a car when I was going through a roundabout, talk about the most expensive holiday I have been on, I did not have rental car insurance (you know to save money), thought my normal rental insurance would cover, but the only place it didn't cover was Ireland and 1 other country. It cost me 11,000euros, ouch. Now I always op to have the extra insurance.

acorn hollow said...

Since sunday is my birday maybe I will get lucky. The worst thing that happened to us was a travel agent booked a hotel for us as we were getting into Tampa very very late last flight in. The hotel was in a high crime area we took turns staying awake until morning and we could get out of there. That was before internet. We were worried about the rental house we booked in siesa key but it turned out beautiful and have been going there since.
now you can check on the internet
Cathy

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

So Sorry to hear about all your troubles. We use to go vacationing and camping, years ago. Now I am just a home-body. To work and back home. Traveling makes me ill, I cannot ride in a vehicle with someone else driving. I have to be driving, which is probably why we don't go anywhere. I have my share of bad luck with things just happening around the home. Glad to hear your safe. Take Care and have a wonderful Sunday.
Sandi
Sandraallen260@centurytel.net