January 11, 2026 The Cruise of 2025 Our First Ever at Age 57

      Hello and a warm welcome. We could certainly use that phrase it’s snowing again here.  Well well how exciting is this…… this was certainly a trip of a lifetime for Bruce and us. It all started Jr. called to tell us in January of 2025 that he said he was taking us on the next cruise in June/July. We couldn’t believe it. Jr and Kim have been cruising almost every year since they got married and Kim before that. In fact they leave again January 16 for a cruise that leaves New York and goes to the Bahamas. I know the grandkids are super excited. They love a cruise. I couldn’t believe it…… it was magical. Absolutely amazing it was like being a queen. I everyone treated us so well and special. Jr and Kim paid for everything. We only had to get our way to Florida. More on that later. The cruise line is MSC. I would highly recommend it. Even the most experienced cruisers recommend it. I’m gluten free and have been for over 10 years since I have celiac’s disease. The crew treated me like a queen and even said “gluten free” when I walked in the dining room. They had a bag lunch for me the days on the islands. I should call the title a cruise of a lifetime. Bruce and I never even had it on our bucket list as it truly would of been unattainable for us. Yet we lived it and can’t even thank Jr and Kim enough!! Certainly not. Now we can tick that off the ‘ole bucket list. 

This was White Night. I used a dress I had bought in the summer of 2021. It was good to be able to use clothes we already had. We did find Dusty and Bruce a shirt at the thrift store. Levi looks so happy 😁, lol!! Not! Clarissa, Levi, Dakota, Samantha, Kim, Dusty, Jr., me and Bruce. 

With the grandkids 

Levi still sporting those crossed arms. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family. 

Need I say more….. I love this one. 

❤️

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80’s night 

Clarissa 

Dakota 

80’s night lmao 🤣 over Levi 

The neon green dress brought back so many memories for the 80’s I would wear a lot of neon green. Neon pink as well. I had neon pink high top converse. Even brought back the memories of the concerts I saw of the 80’s like Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, just to name a few of bands. I mostly went to the hard rock band concerts. Bruce and I frequently went to the Grateful Dead concerts. Some of the bands I also saw numerous times AC/DC, Van Halen and yes Van Hager, Cheap Trick, Bruce Springsteen, Pat Benetar, where is spell check when you need it most!!! Heart, Reo Speedwagon, Rush, Journey, Rolling Stones. Yes I know a lot but this is just a fraction of them. I lived 12 miles from Hampton Coliseum and tickets were cheap then. Like one of my last Grateful Dead tickets was 12.50 $. I saw Jethro Tull which was my very first concert as a teen. My aunt took me to Kenny Rodger’s, Crystal Gale, Tom Jones and a few others I don’t really remember all their names oh yes Barry Manilow. They will come to me some other time. Enough said smiling here at all those great memories. 

The children really got a lot of those virgin drinks like strawberry daiquiris, pina coladas. They certainly enjoyed themselves. 

Breakfast one morning 

Ready to tackle the beach’s I found this bathing suit at the thrift store. Brand new with tags. The wrap is from the early 2000’s my daughter Alexis said get rid of that. Hahahaha I told you I love those neons. The working guy is like damn I wish I was going out to the beach today to relax. Man do I ever know that feeling…….. I’m with you dude.  

Delicious 

Dusty was the man on the ship he had a lot friends it was a great experience for him for sure. 

At the Bahamas 

Mom and son… the white night must of been a great picture night. Haha it seems I have a lot of those. I will share more tomorrow so check back, please. 

The island is beautiful. We had all the beach fun we could stand for the day everyone was exhausted after that. Very enjoyable and the water was amazing. 

Peace ☮️ Out sending all the love and hugs and happiness to you guys. 

Much love and good vibes, 

Dawn Gallop see you tomorrow morning with more of the CRUISE 🚢 
 

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Elmo Birthday Cake and Banner Using the Cricut and Cricut Cake and Cups Decorated with Vinyl

Elmo Cake
Dusty celebrated his 3rd birthday and of course who doesn't love Elmo?

I made this cake for his party using the 1996 Wilton Elmo Party Pan where Elmo is wearing a party hat and holding a piece of cake. Well since it was a jungle theme I changed the party hat to a safari hat. The cake piece I used the binoculars instead. Elmo was holding balloons and I put the map in the other hand. The map was cut from the Cricut Cake using the Paper Dolls cartridge cut at 2 1/2. I made all my own fondant and frosting's. The red frosting I started a week in advance increasing the intense color each day. The green leaves were all cut from Life Is A Beach cartridge at various sizes up to the 3 1/4.  The frosting tips are  16, and 72 and 2. I dyed the fondant with Leaf green from Wilton.

The animals were cut from Animal Kingdom. Too too cute!! Always love that cartridge.
I used the Wilton black food writers for the eyes and the details.

The map was cut from Paper Dolls Cartridge at 9 1/4. 

Close up of the leaves on the side they were all around cut from Life is a Beach Cartridge.

Everyone LOVED Elmo! THANK YOU CRICUT CAKE!!!!

The banner was cut from the Elmo's Party Cartridge at 10.

The Sesame Street Font Cartridge was used to cut the alphas at 6 1/4.

The heads of the animals was cut at 2 3/4  using the Animal Kingdom Cartridge.

And of course the leaves Life is a Beach.

We had the party as a pool party in my backyard at our new and in making of the outdoor kitchen.

We (me and Alexis) made the cups for the party, the children loved them.
Alexis went to every Dollar General around to get enough! Love ya Lex!





We were all so pleased with the cups. Using the Elmo's Party Cartridge and vinyl.



Hello and Welcome to the Elmo Party I had for my three year old Dusty. All the details are under the pictures. Everyone had a super blast and making all the goodies for the party was just as much fun!

My daughter Crystal sent Dusty from South Korea a Robot and a Slip and Slide!!! My  cousin Josh bought him John Deere Tractor ride-on I mean like cousin of the year here!!!!! Thanks BJ, josh and Rebekkah. Dusty had so much fun i just tell you how much!!! Thanks to all my family, friends, and everyone!!!

Dusty

Alexis dishing the ice cream, me cutting the cake, Abigail (my granddaughter) and Dusty having a blast!!

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Tags using your Favorite Tim Holtz stamp ~Enjoy the Journey~

Front view tag 1



Back of tag 1

 


Back of view tag 2

 


Front view of tag 2








Dusty walking down our lane

 


Dusty waving goodbye at a car passing

  

Dusty reaching for a limb

 Hello again,

        Sorry it has taken a week to make this entry....I had a few computer issues. I also started going to a chiropractor as of Monday a week ago and it is an hour away one way. The leg has improved some what...at least now I can walk much much better. I can complete adl's now without being in severe pain and complete the tasks needed of me for family duties. The pics I took are of Dusty on our way back from the bus and going to the bus. Cooper stayed with Amanda so he missed out on the walk.



        The tags are some tags I made for the blog challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show  Show your favorite Tim Holtz stamp...well that is just tooo hard for me. I love them all and I really do have some favs that I do use all the time. Starting with the Enjoy the Journey...the ones with birds.....oooooo so many favs. We will go with the Enjoy the Journey at the moment. The dragonfly is from my tutorial if you would like to see how to make it...easy peasy!! Tim Holtz stamps, keys, alcohol inks, distress inks, papers, paints, the tiny attacher and stamps were used to create the tags. Quickutz tree from the Going Green "Reuse" dies for the tree. The leaves are Cricut from Life is a Beach cut using the transparencies that Beverly gave me and everyone in the class. Thanks again Beverly. The transparencies work fabo on the Cricut then use your alcohol inks to add color!!

        This weekend was a busy one...I will share more asap. Hope your weekend was a fun filled creative one.  Have a fabulous week....I will try real hard to make a post to share my weekend tomorrow. Until next time.............Be Creative!! Cyber Hugs, Dawn Gallop

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