Help Required & Lapping it up … literally !

Thursday was a ‘sea day’, and I bet you all think that I was having a lovely relaxing time, sunning myself in the glorious heat and taking a few laps of the pool ?!?!?!  Wrong !

We were actually walking for Haiti !  Not only were we walking, but we had a challenge to walk 10 laps of the Allure – which equated to 4.5 miles !   Seriously, who walks 10 laps on a cruise ?!?!  Would you believe that practically every Demonstrator who achieved the trip, and who could walk, or be pushed, walked the 10 laps ! And here is the evidence !  We needed to raise $18,000 to build 3 new houses, and we raised over that ! YAY !!!  Stampin Up! paid for every single lap that every single person walked … not only is the company generous to us Demonstrators, but their charitable work is to be applauded x

 

After the walk, we took a quick shower and headed for the pool – well we did deserve it !

 

After lunch, we made our way to the Stampin Up! Hospitality room, as there were Demonstrators from all over the world, were demonstrating new products from the 2014-15 Catalogue. There were shed loads of samples and examples, and we actually got to see the 2014-15 NEW In-Colours – you are NOT going to be disappointed I promise you !

 

We could also pick up our swaps from the trip.  We had to make 26 swaps, and in return, we got 26 swaps back.  Here are some photographs of some of the swaps.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be showing you some of them in more detail.

 

And some photographs from the demonstrator booths.

  

There were also lots and lots of displays …

 

That evening, we attended the Headliner Show – it was the amazing mo5aic – they were runners up in America’s Got Talent, and they were even better than when I saw them on TV !  They ‘make’ all their music themselves, and therefore use no instruments at all !

After the show, we went to the Promenade for a coffee and cake, night cap ..

….. and returned to our cabin to find the fifth pillow gift – this fantastic waste basket stuffed full of savoury and sweet delights !

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey so far – pop back tomorrow to find out about Cozumel, Mexico – not to be missed … crocodiles and iguana’s play heavily in our visit !!!!!

MDS Downloads

Tuesday’s MDS Downloads are HERE

Help !

I would appreciate your help please folks !  I have 3 places left for a stampers group starting in June.  The details for the stampers group/10 Club are HERE – but basically, it is to help YOU spread the cost of purchasing your crafting supplies.

You commit to spending £15 per month (or more) for 10 months (plus postage) … during one of the months that you are in the group/club, YOU will be the ‘virtual’ hostess, and will earn at least £25 to spend on anything you like from the current catalogues.  During your time with the group/club, you will receive all the NEW catalogues for free ! Plus a host of other benefits too !

As I say, I have 3 places left – if you recommend my stampers group to another crafter, and they commit to the 10 months, then I will send you a Stampin Up! gift as a thank you !  So please … pass on my details to your friends and family.

I am also looking for people to hostess NEW CATALOGUE parties for me in July – so if you would like a fun, crating evening with friends, then please consider holding a party for me – hostesses earn some incredible rewards, so please have a think about holding an event (which will be tailored to your requirements), and contact me.

As always, if you would like to place an order, or if you have any questions or queries about anything whatsoever, then please contact me on carole.bryson@gmail.com or call/text me on 07747 465186.

Don’t forget to pop back tomorrow for our trip to Mexico !!!!!!!!!

Take care – Cal xxx

Wicked Wednesday … don’t get confused !

We’re half way on our trip now – Wicked Wednesday Man !  It can only mean one thing …. Jamaica !!!!!!

So close, but so far … we’re nearly there !

Sal and I were up bright and early today, and after breakfast, we made our way down the gangplank and into Jamaica.  As it was Sally’s Birthday today, I had arranged for us to take a private excursion around the island.  I booked with an amazing lady called Patrice Bailey and if you want/need her email addy, please ask me for it. 

Our guide for the day was the amazing Bobby.  I had asked that we stayed away from the typical tourist spots, and instead, spend the day finding out about the ‘real’ Jamaica.  I wanted to be able to go off the beaten track, enjoy some Jerk Chicken and do some ‘hassle-free’ shopping !  Well, we got all of that, and more …  here’s Sally and I as we start our ‘journey’

We saw everything from ran-down shanty-towns to huge sprawling dwellings, all within minutes, possibly seconds from each other.  These people lived side by side … and at times, my heart broke for the circumstances these people lived in.  There is no ‘social security’ in Jamaica, and people have to earn their money however they can.  We drove past numerous road side sellers selling everything from coconuts to hand-carved/painted plaques.

  

 

Bobby took us to the ‘town’ where he lived – Duncansville.  Similar to Southern Ireland, Jamaica is made up of Parishes, and Duncansville is in the Parish of Trelawny.

The people of Duncansville were lovely and friendly, and I’d love to spend more time there ‘investigating’ the place.  As we continued our journey, one thing really struck me, and that was how smart the school children looked.  We drove past Bobbys’ sons school, and the children looked immaculate, despite the draining heat.

We continued our journey, and we stopped again at a place called St Anne’s to visit with friends of Bobby’s who owned a local bar.  Carolina (the wife) invited us to take a walk down to the local beach opposite – this was where the fishermen ‘lived’ and ‘worked’ from. 

When we arrived at the beach, we started taking photographs and talking about the Island itself.  Caroline was a mine of information, and explained how the big cargo ships would arrive near this beach to load up the concrete that Jamaica was famous for exporting – I couldn’t believe that these huge ships could berth at this small port, but arrive they did !

Sally and I suddenly spotted someone waving to us as we were taking photographs, so we politely waved back.  The gentleman continued to wave to us and started approaching.  Caroline told us that he was 80 and was still fishing … even more surprising, was when he finally reached us, he had dreadlocks down to his knees !!!   He was a right old character, and asked for us to take his photograph - we were more than happy to oblige !  He walked us back to the ‘bar’ to say goodbye – what a character !

Sally and I were very tempted when we saw the following sign …

We continued on our way, and stopped for lunch at the amazing Scotchies – which is an extremely well-known restaurant specialising in Jerk Chicken.  We decided to go the whole hog, and ordered more or less everything on the menu so that we could taste it – and needless to say, we didn’t eat it all – but boy, was it delicious !!!

Scotchies ! 

Anyway, this is now getting a bit long …. eek !  We finished off doing some stress free shopping at a wonderful shop in Ocho Rios on the North side of the Island – the shop was owned by a friend of Bobby’s and we bought some stunning gifts at discounted prices.

We even had our own personal shoppers ! Here’s a photograph of them with the amazing Bobby !

Well, I will end today’s post by saying that we rounded off the evening with an amazing meal at the Samba Grill for Sally’s Birthday with the Vice President of Stampin Up, Amy Shwartz and her husband Mario, Paula Gorry, Business Manager for the Uk and her amazing husband Paul – and finally, Monica and Pete Gale !

Don’t forget to pop back tomorrow for the next update – I hope you’re not getting bored !?!?!?!?!

Cal xxx