The Elephant and The Cat

So! Guess who got a shipment of wonderful artwork from her friend, her pal, her favorite blogger, Gary? Oh yes, ME! And here it is in my office. Do I love it? Yes, yes I do!! Thanks, Gary!

First, the elephant and her baby... is this too cute or what?

Then the cat with its fish... don't ya' just love that face?

On the credenza:

A different angle:

Again:

The "bonus gift" that I just CANNOT get a good photo of, but adorable:

And, who could leave out the resident crabby clam? The pics in the background are mine :)

You should just head on over to Gary's blog and shop around - well worth it!

Thanks again, Gary, I love my new art :)

Goodness!

Well, what do you know? I got big, ole raise yesterday. It wasn't time for a review or after a year or anything - it was a "just because you're doing a great job" raise!

Nice, isn't it?

And, even nicer... I got my best friend, Kaye, hired. She starts a week from today.

Yesterday, I received my order from our favorite potter, Gary. A beautiful heart-shaped mug (that's for ME) and a lovely heart-shaped candle holder that I have given to my coworker and friend, Wendy (she loved it), and Gary included a really amazing "mystery gift." I can't tell you what it is because I don't want other Gary afficionados to be jealous. It's possible they could come after my collection and things could get ugly.

The Colonel? No calls yet... he's been here over an hour. He has that "staring at the computer screen" down pat, though.

I don't think he got a raise.

Gifts and Bonus Gifts

Although my flash was too bright and I had no zooming options using my daughter's little camera, I think you can see how great my little sugar bowls from Gary are.

Now, the longhorn sugar bowl has been packed up as it will be a gift, but I couldn't resist putting them together for the shot. And, the little yellow vase in front was a bonus gift!

We do bonus gifts in our family. We decided it was fun to get a gift at Christmas or your birthday, but it was even more fun getting two (or more). So, we give each other gifts, and bonus gifts. Bonus gifts are not expensive, but thoughtful or fun little items - a desk calendar, a key chain, a CD, a handmade item, etc...

Our favorite potter, Gary, has this idea down, don't you think?

Now, to veer off-track, the colonel (we all know and love him) is already bugging me and we haven't even spoken more than two sentences to each other this morning. I'll keep you posted if any weirdness happens today.

Happy Monday!

I'm Not Supposed to Travel & My Sugar Bowl

And it already looks like I am going to Oklahoma City and Atlanta this month alone.

Go figure. That was my ONE stipulation when I took this new job - no traveling. Believe me, I have done my fair share of it and I am loving staying home every night.

Once in a while, however, the bug bites and it feels good to get away - even for work.

Yesterday, I received my sugar bowl from Gary at The Potter's Blog. You just can't imagine how incredibly cute it is in "real" life. It's a little blue elephant on a green sugar bowl. Really, really adorable. When I bring my camera home from my office, you're going to see it,

So, what in the heck do these two things have to do with each other? Nothing! Makes a catchy title, though, doesn't it?? lol - have a GREAT day!