Guess the Value of My Gene Allen's Gifts Bargains!

 Last Friday was Brown Bag Bargain Day

at the wonderful Gene Allen's Gifts,

and I was there right after the doors opened!
All items were consolidated at the Randol Mill store.

I didn't get to participate last year, so I'll review
the procedure for those of you who don't know!

The brown bags were $20--

that's for all the final sale items you can

"place" in one. 

("pack," "cram," or "stuff" might be more like it.)

I purchased and filled 3 bags VERY FULL--
for a total of $64.80.


I purchase these items primarily for
Mission Arlington 
and the Metroplex Women's Clinic.
**I will admit, however, that there are
several this year which fit into an
event scheduled for New Year's Eve!
I'll tell you when we get there!**



Your mission, should you choose to accept it,

is to guess the total ORIGINAL PRICE 

of this lovely assortment of merchandise,

including tax.

I will show you pictures, but your estimate

will of necessity be a WAG.

(That's wild a** guess in the vernacular of

Jack Stovall.)

The one who comes closest to the

ORIGINAL PRICE of all items totaled

will win a $50 Gene Allen's gift certificate from

yours truly, LJLS, Brown Bag Bargain queen.
Guesses should be submitted on Facebook.

Here we go.

There are 14 Itty Bittys, 7 Little Golden Books,
8 packs of  fancy bridge tallies, 8 packs 
r/w/b paper plates, 3 lovely Mary's 
Angels wood play sets for little ones, and
5 purse lights.

Here are the play sets up close.

There are nine beautifully gift boxed white
satin bibs, a cute zebra baby "thing," 
2 tall and 2 shorter metal candle stands,
7 packs of Hallmark envelopes and notes, 
and 2 packages of Aromatique potpourri.

One candle holder, one Precious Moments
figurine, 2 super hero books, and
7 Disney sticker books.

These are "Shred Lite" necklaces
made of remnants. 

**We're there!**

These things have a common theme...
The bag says "Cheers to the "Mr and Mrs,"
the wrapping paper "Happily Ever After,"
and the picture frame "Just Married."
Perfect for the Mimi of the bride!

There were several "one of a kind" things,
including this "Because I said so" bag.

I got 4 of these cranberry and citrus cider
drinks--even though the pic only shows 3.
I gave one to a friend when showing her 
"my loot."
(Can't wait for fall--I'm giving me at least
one of these!)




So that's it--93 items.
I meticulously added up the original
prices and added tax.
So...how much do you think I got?
Make your guess on Facebook.
I'll give everyone time to throw their
hat in the ring and won't announce
the winner of the gift certificate until
Monday evening.

A Week of Disney Wonder

I have to tell you--it was truly magical!

Shirley and I (the traveling grannies), Rob, and Susan

flew to Vancouver to meet the ship carrying our

Madeline around for the last few months.

All of us were missing our Susannah immensely,

needless to say.

Susan found us a lovely hotel in Vancouver from which

we could see the Disney Wonder cruising into

port very early on Monday morning!

Here she comes!!!

Maddie got off the ship to meet us!
First time Shirley and I have seen her in months!
Just to be sure you know...she is a mainstage
performer on this beautiful ship, for a period
of 9 months.

She had bought these shirts for us!
(Including one for Rob which you will see later.)
She also had a giant gift bag full of Disney goodies
in our cabin waiting for us!

And here we are shopping at Nordstrom in Vancouver!

And back on the ship...

One of my special hidden talents is...
making the tallest soft serve cone on the ship!

I know Shirley was probably jealous!


We sailed with confidence after our muster drill!
Had the cutest leader!

Then the best looking greeter for
The Golden Mickeys!
What a fabulous show it was!

Our first stop was Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

We went whale watching...

and saw lots of whales!

Didn't I get some good shots?

No--Rob did!

This happened almost every night.

Madeline would come to her Mom's and Dad's

cabin after the show and share with all of us!

A magical experience!

Next stop: Skagway

Breakfast (with a photo bomber!)

Traveling through beautiful Alaskan scenery to

see sled dogs.

Loaded up on the dry weather "sled"

being pulled by very excited, enthusiastic dogs! 

A professional shot of us making a corner
at very high speed!

Then we got to pet our dogs.

At a different location we got to hold

4 week old puppies!

This was the #1 excursion on my wish list,

and it exceeded my expectations!

Thanks, Madeline, for arranging it!

Unforgettable!

On our way to Dawes Glacier,

we saw these seals.

(Rob's picture.)

The beautiful Dawes Glacier.
(Photo Cred: Rob)

I thought this was an interesting picture with

the ship's shadow in the foreground of Dawes Glacier.

(Photo Cred: Me!)

We took one last fun excursion.

It was a duck tour--something I've always wanted to do.

This giant yellow vehicle toured us around Ketchikan,

then drove right into the water

 and toured us some more!

A highlight of the trip for us grannies was

being invited to the Royal Tea, 

presided over by the very entertaining 

Lady Chamomile and Chef Bruleé.

The tea provides an opportunity for the guests 

to meet 3 of the princesses up close and personal and

 receive a host of lovely gifts!

"Be Our Guest!"

Here are some shots with Mickey and pals!

On the final night we got to meet 

Fang and Hook Hand from Tangled

at TWMA ("Twama") or

Til We Meet Again.

(So you'll be in the know if you go!)

Those are lovely rats on Fang's shoulders.

The Disney Wonder is a wonder, as are all the

other Disney ships I am sure.

Elegant, luxurious, sophisticated.

The size of the Wonder was appealing to me.

I was surprised that there were many "unaccompanied

adults" - traveling without children!

I think the shows are top notch perfection,

although I acknowledge I was biased on this cruise.

The costumes and the wigs are exquisite.

The stories and music so beautiful.

The food was the best cruise fare I have had

in many years.

Can you tell I had a good time?

Thanks, precious Madeline, for allowing us to

live vicariously through you and your talent.