Ahhhh…the frolicing fun in the sun, crazy touring misadventures, belly-busting laughter with friends and hourly eating schedule have left a permanent ear-to-ear grin and expanded waistline. But, the fact that I have to return to cooking, laundry, dirty dishes with no one to make my bed, serve me made-to-order omlettes or provide nightly dancing, singing and comedic entertainment has me singing the blues! Let’s not forget to mention the all-day 9-hr wait at the San Juan airport to arrive home past midnight early Mon. am with 900 e-mails and 30 phone calls. And a not-to-be-missed, dead-battery fiasco on the side of the Expressway exit while trying to rendevous to pick up our kitty from grandma and grandpa Monday evening!

However, none of this can ever replace the feeling of being absolutely pampered and spoiled rotten by everyone from Stampin’ Up! Co-founder Shelli Gardner, President Dale Fillmore, Executive Board members and staff. There were awesome daily Spin-the-Wheel giveaways, a stamp set scavenger hunt, drawings for customized Island Oasis designed Flip cameras, to-die-for pillow gifts, a chocolate buffet Stamp Night Share and fantastic Midnight Make & Takes!

Now can you understand why I have the cruise blues? ) But, do you know what makes it all better? Just grabbing and hugging and drooling all over this fabulous ensemble:

The purse, wallet clutch, travel folio and even 3 coordinating luggage tags!

Cruise purse inside lining coordinates with our fabulous Island Oasis Designer paper! This thing is so roomy and has an adjustable drawstring! SO COOL!! My absolute most favorite cruise gift EVER!

This roomy wallet can double as a clutch! It has two clasps and opens in the middle with lots of room for ID, credit cards, change and bills. I took it with me to dinner a couple nights!

And, of course, they had initially sent us this travel folio with our plane tickets, cruise vouchers and cruise itinerary. So handy and pretty!

Now what do I really have to whine about, right? Nada–zippo–zilch! So, stay tuned for other tidbits from the trip that I’ll be sprinkling in between my creative pursuits! Is it too early to have a tropical drink? Not if you check out my next post and video! )