I am glad that Christmas is over. It was one big STRESS this year (balancing family, etc) - it seemed to never FEEL like Christmas even though I did all the shopping for it, etc. Mike and I never got our picture done which means that we didn't get our Christmas letter finished so I will be putting together a NEW YEAR'S thing to send out - a review of our 2006!
That makes me think… I need to finish my 2005 Scrapbook before the 1st so that I can start my 2006 (it’s easier than getting further behind!)
What happened in 2006 (they are not in any order):
Corolla Died
Lyndsey’s Baby Shower
Tore my ACL in my left Knee (February on Crutches)
Baker Love Note "PRICELESS"
Vicki’s 50th and the scavenger hunt I sent her on
Anniversary – Aquarium/Seattle Site Seeing
Vegas/Grand Canyon
4th of July
Easter
Mother’s Day
Convention
Camping
Regionals
Women’s Retreat
Mike/My Birthday
Christmas
New Truck
Mike transferred to Food Department
Baker’s First Birthday
Russell & Tracy’s Wedding (make blurbs for Terra’s Wedding, Shawna’s Wedding, Mike’s Wedding, and Laura’s Wedding)
New Year’s Eve
Something I want to start doing in 2007 is doing a weekly scrapbook challenge (I got the 52 Scrapbooking Challenges book for Christmas). The first one is WORK THOSE WORDS – Whether it’s a quote, a list of your favorite adjectives or a computer-generated phrases, journaling on strips of cardstock is a great way to add visual excitement to your page. Be creative and cut a favorite quote into pieces to add to your design. I am giving myself enough time to figure out what I want to do and not do any last minute pressure (journaling is harder for me – I put it off until the VERY last and need take this moment and decide what I want to put in there). Thinking I will be doing something for New Year’s Eve – maybe find some type of poem or a phrase to put in there… Anyway I really wanted this book because I find that I have tendencies to do the same thing over and over but a little different each time and I want to break out of my box and try something new! I am HOPING to post my challenge each week on here and then later with a sample of my creation – if anyone wants to join me on this challenge I would love to see your results or just knowing your interested is exciting! Scrapbooking is something that I really enjoy but have to really force myself to take time to do it. One person has recommended planning your pages so that you can take the only 10 minutes you have each day to do something to get that page a week done (gathering up the paper, making accents/journaling boxes, borders, etc). My goal is to make a weekly time that I can spend a few hours Scrapbooking. Right now it will probably be Sunday evenings – what a great way to relax and begin a new week (of course Sunday’s won’t ALWAYS work, but they are a good start for now!) I have so many pictures to catch up on and am committed to finishing the book for Kim that I made her for Christmas (I haven’t taken pictures of what I have completed, but I can)
Okay – I have to admit how much of a geek I am. After I was looking through my book of challenges I got to thinking about what we have with SU! and in my own collection that I do not use but want to put into a "jar" to draw from and challenge myself to use regularly. So I went to Creating Keepsakes websites and bookmarked some of my favorite layouts and then have used those to add additional "inspiration/ideas" for me to try during that week. I will not always have a chance to this weekly or for that fact do it regularly but I want to get as much "different" things in that I can on my scrapbooks (they start to look uniform and that drives me bonkers!) I was on one of my other scrapbook sites and got an idea for a mini album – it just totally cracks me up! So I am going to try to figure out a way to take my 2006 memories and make a themed mini album from it and will be VERY excited to share the results with everyone! Okay back to the pictures I bookmarked – I tried to find SOMETHING that drew me to the picture (was it color, layout, the use of an embellishment, photograph – WHAT?) and that is what I wrote down that I want to try! For example one of my pages I chose had a big letter D with journaling on the right side of it. The only place there was a picture was on the inside of the letter. The page looked VERY crisp and clean (I like a busy page but not a cluttered page – big difference!)
I have started to think about what I want to improve on in the next year (not New Year’s Resolutions but small changes that can really make a big difference in my life):
*Read more (that’s why I started the book club at church!)
*Lose some weight (I gained back all the weight I lost but have learned how to live again with my knee limitations)
*Stay organized (whether it’s 15 minutes a day or one evening a week, or one day in a month – I find it crucial to keep order and balance in my life!)
*Send birthday/occasion cards – even just random thinking of you ones! (all you with early Jan birthdays – they are probably going to be late – just WARNING You now….)
*Don’t overbook myself – these turn into battles with the spouse because everyone wants my time - and I love to help people, but I need to carve out time that I say NO for him
*Make an album about ME – sounds kind of selfish doesn’t it?! Something that shares WHO I am- my opinions on shtuff, my likes and dislikes. Haven’t decided how I will format it, if it’s going to be an A to Z type of album or use other prompts.
Right now I am debating on purchasing a Cricut. I have a sizzix that I got as a gift a few years ago but don’t use it (I have an alphabet set but it’s only ONE size – the cricut does multiple sizes!) It’s one of those BIG choices to make – so I am sitting and waiting until I have a firm yes (I hate jumping in head first just because it is something fun or new- have to have my validations for it first!) I should find out if anyone I know has one and then I can get different cartridges than what they have and we can borrow from each other…. Good idea!
Yesterday I caught up with a friend I haven’t spoken with for awhile. She is doing great and will be moving in the next few months. Just talking with her made me miss the times we used to spend in Junior High and High School – she was a good friend (she still is a good friend, we just aren’t as close as we were back then)..
Mike is going with his dad on a trip in March – might do a weekend crop at my house during that time. Have a girls party – NO BOYS allowed! LOL (except my Baker doggie!) I am still not sure on the dates – seems like they keep changing (it looks like the weekend of the 16-18th according to Google).
Okay I have probably said way to much here and need to wrap it up (this blog started yesterday and I am just now getting it finished to post today…. Yes I am Chatty McChatterson today!)
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I can't remember what I wrote last but am SO full of positive energy today!
Here's a quick catch up!
Baker had his FIRST birthday on November 1st! It was a fun evening of trying to get him to keep on his birthday hat so that I could take his picture!
We had the big SNOW storm on MOnday the 28th - I was taking Ann to the airport and got stuck in the snow for 1.5 hours (usually only takes me 10 mintues from the airport!) When I got home I found a package in my mailbox from my friend Crystal! It's always nice to have suprises! Crystal is my SU! friend who lives in ID and remembered from Convention that I LOVE the Body Butter (Bath & Body)
Then a few days later we had a ice storm (not as bad as predicted)
AND then... November finished with me celebrating my birthday. It was a great day!
December started off smooth and is just now catching up with me! We had the BIG WIND STORM and we lost power from Thurday night until Monday afternoon.
Monday night I picked up Ann from the airport and Tuesday Kim came home!
Yesterday was also my last day of volleyball until next year which is exciting but sad. I am finally confident in my limits with my knee (wearing my brace) and have to wait awhile before I can play again! *BUMMER*
We are in the process of moving my office (merging it with the other office...)
Starting January 1st I am doing a BIGGEST LOSER challege with some friends of mine. There are 11 of us involved so far.
I also have some fun things in store for my new year. I will be doing a weekly Scrapbooking challenge (and hope to post pictures!). There is a book on my Christmas list for challenges (52 scrapbooking challenges which means ONE per week!)
I will also be doing another personal thing but can't mention it until I get the items mailed off to the proper people and KNOW that they have recieved them. Thanks to the weather I am farther behind than expected but they will get to them when they get to them.
This year I am doing Secret Sisters at church and am in the middle of making the gift (it's a frame art thing!) Once it's done then I will share pictuers with you! :-)
The Sell-A-Bration sets have kept my mind TWIRLING with ideas! I just WISH I had all the time in the world to make them and that they weren't EXCLUSIVE.... I want to use them ALL year, not just now!!!!!
The count is up to 11. 11 people that I know are expecting this next year. Now I just have to figure out gifts to give them that I can do that are different but still the same....
I am thinking about making shirts for volleyball. Haven't decided if I am going to do a few for just me or also for my team members. One guy I wanted to do "Speedy Jeffzalez!" and another guy "I am not afraid of the floor..." (because he always hits the floor in a dive or something strange- it's totally funny!) and the gal that is the wife of the floor guy "CLING - that was YOUR ball....." it's just the other 3 I don't know what to do for yet...
Okay - not much else going on. Didn't get the scrapbook finished that I was working on but plan on giving that to her anyway (and have her reorganize the pictures that aren't done in order so I know how they go together....) - I will take quick pictures of my pages, give her the gift and then post them.
Something I just thought of... is I should put up a curtain bar in my stamp room to hang fabric on to make a "photo studio". It would be ontop of my counter so I couldn't use it for people or anything but for all my projects and other items. Get a solid fabric background to hang as needed (white for now with a lining to so you don't see my bright green walls behind it!)
Tonight hubby and I are going to dinner and invited Kim and Ann to join us. Not sure what time but we will be going to Azteca. That's after I put up my Christmas tree (I have the tree up, just not the ornaments on it - it was supposed to happen over the weekend!)
Okay - that's all for now!
Here's a quick catch up!
Baker had his FIRST birthday on November 1st! It was a fun evening of trying to get him to keep on his birthday hat so that I could take his picture!
We had the big SNOW storm on MOnday the 28th - I was taking Ann to the airport and got stuck in the snow for 1.5 hours (usually only takes me 10 mintues from the airport!) When I got home I found a package in my mailbox from my friend Crystal! It's always nice to have suprises! Crystal is my SU! friend who lives in ID and remembered from Convention that I LOVE the Body Butter (Bath & Body)
Then a few days later we had a ice storm (not as bad as predicted)
AND then... November finished with me celebrating my birthday. It was a great day!
December started off smooth and is just now catching up with me! We had the BIG WIND STORM and we lost power from Thurday night until Monday afternoon.
Monday night I picked up Ann from the airport and Tuesday Kim came home!
Yesterday was also my last day of volleyball until next year which is exciting but sad. I am finally confident in my limits with my knee (wearing my brace) and have to wait awhile before I can play again! *BUMMER*
We are in the process of moving my office (merging it with the other office...)
Starting January 1st I am doing a BIGGEST LOSER challege with some friends of mine. There are 11 of us involved so far.
I also have some fun things in store for my new year. I will be doing a weekly Scrapbooking challenge (and hope to post pictures!). There is a book on my Christmas list for challenges (52 scrapbooking challenges which means ONE per week!)
I will also be doing another personal thing but can't mention it until I get the items mailed off to the proper people and KNOW that they have recieved them. Thanks to the weather I am farther behind than expected but they will get to them when they get to them.
This year I am doing Secret Sisters at church and am in the middle of making the gift (it's a frame art thing!) Once it's done then I will share pictuers with you! :-)
The Sell-A-Bration sets have kept my mind TWIRLING with ideas! I just WISH I had all the time in the world to make them and that they weren't EXCLUSIVE.... I want to use them ALL year, not just now!!!!!
The count is up to 11. 11 people that I know are expecting this next year. Now I just have to figure out gifts to give them that I can do that are different but still the same....
I am thinking about making shirts for volleyball. Haven't decided if I am going to do a few for just me or also for my team members. One guy I wanted to do "Speedy Jeffzalez!" and another guy "I am not afraid of the floor..." (because he always hits the floor in a dive or something strange- it's totally funny!) and the gal that is the wife of the floor guy "CLING - that was YOUR ball....." it's just the other 3 I don't know what to do for yet...
Okay - not much else going on. Didn't get the scrapbook finished that I was working on but plan on giving that to her anyway (and have her reorganize the pictures that aren't done in order so I know how they go together....) - I will take quick pictures of my pages, give her the gift and then post them.
Something I just thought of... is I should put up a curtain bar in my stamp room to hang fabric on to make a "photo studio". It would be ontop of my counter so I couldn't use it for people or anything but for all my projects and other items. Get a solid fabric background to hang as needed (white for now with a lining to so you don't see my bright green walls behind it!)
Tonight hubby and I are going to dinner and invited Kim and Ann to join us. Not sure what time but we will be going to Azteca. That's after I put up my Christmas tree (I have the tree up, just not the ornaments on it - it was supposed to happen over the weekend!)
Okay - that's all for now!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Speechless
This is something that I am not but have been battling it for awhile. It's kind of like my creativity - sometimes I am just on a role and then sometimes I just need to sit back for awhile.
What has been happening:
Baker is destroying our home. I love the little man (he's a black lab puppy) but I had finally had ENOUGH of his destruction (boredom while we are at work). I came home on the 9th and told Mike that we needed to get a Kennel (I had joined a yahoo group about lab puppies and this is what they advised). Well he hemmed and hawed but still went out looking at them with me. He didn't want to do it and wanted to wait. The next night he got home from work before I did and found that Baker had dug through the carpet in the landing downstairs and that was the final straw! By Monday morning we had the kennel up for him. Monday I had to drag him in (I put food & water in there along with a blanket and rawhide bone to chew). Tuesday I had to physically pick him up (he is now over 60 pounds and yes my knee isn't very strong). Well, this morning was a breakthrough! I opened his door to put his food & water in (because I fill it every morning and rinse the water dish) and left the door open (it's a wire kennel so he can see everything). While I was fixing things for him he went in there and laid down - all on his own without me needing to "assist" him in any way! It was so nice! When we get home from somewhere our house isn't "destroyed" more because of him and life is just balanced again!
On the 1st we celebrated Baker's birthday! He turned 1 year old (that means we have another 11 months of PUPPY issues!) I have the cutest picture of him - just need to get it on the computer!
On November 9th my wallet was missing (don't know if it was stolen or lost....) So I was stressed about it- searched EVERYWHERE for it on Friday hoping it had fallen out of my purse at home - no luck. Saturday I tried to call all my cards and they were closed because of Holiday Weekend. So Monday I called and let all the companies know what happened. So, I was living off cash (which is nice because Mike had to fill up my car and do all the "fun" errands because I couldn't!) Well yesterday I got a call on my lunch break saying they found my wallet and it was turned into the bank. Well, not my wallet but the items (except the $3 cash that was in there) had been turned into Safeway and they took it to my bank. So I was relieved that things were recovered (they were cancelled and had a FRAUD alert put on them so they couldn't have been used anyway).
Stamp Room Update- Recently I have been given a HUGE shelf (almost couldn't get it into the room). So now it's just a matter of finding time to get everything over from the old room to the knew one. I haven't found time to work on the many projects I have but realized I have until the 19th to get one of my Christmas projects done (have over 400 pictures to scrapbook).
Mike's schedule is a lot less stressful for me now. I really enjoyed having weekends off together but it's hard for me because I am used to doing whatever I want on Saturday until he got home from work and I didn't have that luxury anymore. My Friday and Saturday evenings are usually full with classes and meetings (by choice) but I really had to back down to make things work while his schedule was different. But unfortunately his schedule is a lot more stressful for him - I enjoy being the supportive wife!
Book Club- This is a ministry I started at my church (Christian Authors). The groups have been very small but it's so awesome to see the things that God has instore for us. I see friendships beginning and that to me is a huge part of building a solid foundation for yourself in a church (personal connections). With everything that has been happening lately - I know I am blessed! We just finished the disucssion on the book Captivating. This book was recommended to me by a bunch of people and I was shocked because I struggled with the book and thought it was okay (not great). The beginning was rough to get into, the middle was a breeze - really enjoyed it, but the end was rough again. We are starting a new book 8 Choices that will change a woman's life and will discuss these at our next meetings in December.
I originally started this blog to share fun things that are happening and I am designing. Even had the intention of posting my camp cards for the month and also the swaps I have created. Things have just gotten away from me and now I am trying to find balance in it all (Mike's schedule REALLY goofed me up - plus my sleep schedule has been outawack!) I am hoping as I have more creative time/energy that I will be able to get this done (once my stamp room is done there will be a lot less stress and more creativity!)
I have already begun thinking about what I want to do next year (sending out birthday cards- have a system that I need to just implement, scrapbooking, etc). One thing I am wanting to do is a weekly scrapbooking challenge for me to be able push myself to do things that I wouldn't do and also to get some things done. We all scrapbook differently - each of us have our own methods, creativity and time availabiity "issues". One gal that I spoke with at a crop awhile back had said she is to the point where she is JUST sticking pictures in because she doesn't want to get behind on her books. The one book she took time on and did all the FUN technique stuff is her favorite it's just something that she doesn't have time for. Well, me being who I am (I did keep my mouth shut on this one!) was wondering "why in the world would you create something that you really don't like just to have it done - ESPECIALLY for scrapbooks". It also makes me think of the many albums that I haven't finished. **(thought)Which reminds me that I need to get a new scanner so I can finish scanning all my mom's pictures.** Right now I only have a few pages to go to finish a friends baby shower album (it's so close to being done it's not even funny!), then I have my Christmas gift album to finish, do journaling for my Orlando book (from 2004), and finish only a FEW events for 2005 (I haven't even started 2006!). I am VERY behind with Scrapbooking but figure that I can catch up the past as I have time for because we did not exist before 2005- right?! (there was sarcasim for those that missed it). OH- and because my sleeping schedule has been so "off" I am doing a few pages of scrapbooking each week for the historian book at church (those are quick and easy pages for me - no thought required!)
Tonight is volleyball. I play on the Parks & Rec league with a team from church. It's hard for me because I was limited by my weight before (I am not as active as I used to be) now I am limited by both weight and knee. I am figuring out my boundaries with my knee and with Mike's new schedule we should be going to the gym again soon!
Friday- where am I shopping? I always go to Joann's Fabrics early in the morning (there is nothing I NEED that morning, just have some things I should get for a craft I am sending with Ann for Kim to do with the kids). Then I will probably head over to a few other stores, go home and take a nap (I am a crazy who gets up at 4AM and then home by 7 for my "nap"). So after my nap I am going to try to sit down and finish the scrapbook from the baby shower (I will post pictures of it when I am done). Work on organizing the room for 2 hours and then scrapbook some more. Right now I don't have cable in the new stamp room which makes it a challenge for me to be there for any period of time (I need background noise and get tired of the radio - plus I like TLC and always feel inspired by the colors and other things). Hoping to meet a friend for "coffee" (I don't DRINK coffee but if I say "drinks" a lot of times people think of alcohol- and we will probably meet at Starbucks!) Might see if another friend wants to come over for scrapbooking that day- haven't asked anyone yet, just waiting to see what happens - if anyone wants to come over, please feel more than welcome!
Thursday we are spending time with my family (we try to alternate years). It's really strange because the holiday is catered around me and Mike's schedule (we live the farthest away and Mike has an ever changing schedule). Personally I don't like how much control I have over Thanksgiving. My poor cousin has been trying her best to organize things and my Grandma keeps telling her that it all depends on me (they asked me at the last breakfast what I was doing for Thanksgiving and I told them it was up to mom and dad). Only some of my family are aware of the dynamics but my cousin has been crushed so many times by our family. I do feel for her.
Sell-A-Bration is right around the corner! I got a sneak peek at the sets and I LOVE them! Have a swap that I am hostessing for the sets - have a second group going because the first one is filled already! They are doing the exclusive sets again this year so they will NOT be available in the next Idea Book & Catalog. Once I get some samples made I will post them. Have a few fun ideas swirling around in my brain!
I have a lot of ideas for Christmas cards (photo cards) and need to get on the ball making them. Each picture I am having printed B&W and also in color (so I can have all the samples). It's just a matter of finding time. December 1st is my Christmas Card Camp and want them done to hang on my wall!
Also - there are 6 weeks until New Year's and since we are having our Annual party (yes because it's our second I am going to start referring it as our ANNUAL party) I want the house in TIP TOP shape! That means lots of work! Each week I will be focusing on a room - which gives me the last week to work on all the little things that are last miniute (sweeping, vacuuming, dishes, etc).
What should I do for my birthday? I am thinking about going out with a Hubby and a friend and her family for dinner. Just making it simple and spending time together. I told Mike I want a massage for my birthday - need to relax and get the kinks worked out of my shoulders and neck (I go to the Chiropractor regularly) - those are the areas I carry my stress. Speaking of stress- my right eye has finally stopped twitching. Mike thought it was funny but it was irritating me more than anything. I didn't understand why it was happening but he informed me that he has that problem when he is stressed. Things are much better now - the waters are calm again. I was also debating on going and seeing the Nutcracker as a birthday gift. That is still up for debate (I don't have the best attention span....)
Okay - that's all for now... update is over!
What has been happening:
Baker is destroying our home. I love the little man (he's a black lab puppy) but I had finally had ENOUGH of his destruction (boredom while we are at work). I came home on the 9th and told Mike that we needed to get a Kennel (I had joined a yahoo group about lab puppies and this is what they advised). Well he hemmed and hawed but still went out looking at them with me. He didn't want to do it and wanted to wait. The next night he got home from work before I did and found that Baker had dug through the carpet in the landing downstairs and that was the final straw! By Monday morning we had the kennel up for him. Monday I had to drag him in (I put food & water in there along with a blanket and rawhide bone to chew). Tuesday I had to physically pick him up (he is now over 60 pounds and yes my knee isn't very strong). Well, this morning was a breakthrough! I opened his door to put his food & water in (because I fill it every morning and rinse the water dish) and left the door open (it's a wire kennel so he can see everything). While I was fixing things for him he went in there and laid down - all on his own without me needing to "assist" him in any way! It was so nice! When we get home from somewhere our house isn't "destroyed" more because of him and life is just balanced again!
On the 1st we celebrated Baker's birthday! He turned 1 year old (that means we have another 11 months of PUPPY issues!) I have the cutest picture of him - just need to get it on the computer!
On November 9th my wallet was missing (don't know if it was stolen or lost....) So I was stressed about it- searched EVERYWHERE for it on Friday hoping it had fallen out of my purse at home - no luck. Saturday I tried to call all my cards and they were closed because of Holiday Weekend. So Monday I called and let all the companies know what happened. So, I was living off cash (which is nice because Mike had to fill up my car and do all the "fun" errands because I couldn't!) Well yesterday I got a call on my lunch break saying they found my wallet and it was turned into the bank. Well, not my wallet but the items (except the $3 cash that was in there) had been turned into Safeway and they took it to my bank. So I was relieved that things were recovered (they were cancelled and had a FRAUD alert put on them so they couldn't have been used anyway).
Stamp Room Update- Recently I have been given a HUGE shelf (almost couldn't get it into the room). So now it's just a matter of finding time to get everything over from the old room to the knew one. I haven't found time to work on the many projects I have but realized I have until the 19th to get one of my Christmas projects done (have over 400 pictures to scrapbook).
Mike's schedule is a lot less stressful for me now. I really enjoyed having weekends off together but it's hard for me because I am used to doing whatever I want on Saturday until he got home from work and I didn't have that luxury anymore. My Friday and Saturday evenings are usually full with classes and meetings (by choice) but I really had to back down to make things work while his schedule was different. But unfortunately his schedule is a lot more stressful for him - I enjoy being the supportive wife!
Book Club- This is a ministry I started at my church (Christian Authors). The groups have been very small but it's so awesome to see the things that God has instore for us. I see friendships beginning and that to me is a huge part of building a solid foundation for yourself in a church (personal connections). With everything that has been happening lately - I know I am blessed! We just finished the disucssion on the book Captivating. This book was recommended to me by a bunch of people and I was shocked because I struggled with the book and thought it was okay (not great). The beginning was rough to get into, the middle was a breeze - really enjoyed it, but the end was rough again. We are starting a new book 8 Choices that will change a woman's life and will discuss these at our next meetings in December.
I originally started this blog to share fun things that are happening and I am designing. Even had the intention of posting my camp cards for the month and also the swaps I have created. Things have just gotten away from me and now I am trying to find balance in it all (Mike's schedule REALLY goofed me up - plus my sleep schedule has been outawack!) I am hoping as I have more creative time/energy that I will be able to get this done (once my stamp room is done there will be a lot less stress and more creativity!)
I have already begun thinking about what I want to do next year (sending out birthday cards- have a system that I need to just implement, scrapbooking, etc). One thing I am wanting to do is a weekly scrapbooking challenge for me to be able push myself to do things that I wouldn't do and also to get some things done. We all scrapbook differently - each of us have our own methods, creativity and time availabiity "issues". One gal that I spoke with at a crop awhile back had said she is to the point where she is JUST sticking pictures in because she doesn't want to get behind on her books. The one book she took time on and did all the FUN technique stuff is her favorite it's just something that she doesn't have time for. Well, me being who I am (I did keep my mouth shut on this one!) was wondering "why in the world would you create something that you really don't like just to have it done - ESPECIALLY for scrapbooks". It also makes me think of the many albums that I haven't finished. **(thought)Which reminds me that I need to get a new scanner so I can finish scanning all my mom's pictures.** Right now I only have a few pages to go to finish a friends baby shower album (it's so close to being done it's not even funny!), then I have my Christmas gift album to finish, do journaling for my Orlando book (from 2004), and finish only a FEW events for 2005 (I haven't even started 2006!). I am VERY behind with Scrapbooking but figure that I can catch up the past as I have time for because we did not exist before 2005- right?! (there was sarcasim for those that missed it). OH- and because my sleeping schedule has been so "off" I am doing a few pages of scrapbooking each week for the historian book at church (those are quick and easy pages for me - no thought required!)
Tonight is volleyball. I play on the Parks & Rec league with a team from church. It's hard for me because I was limited by my weight before (I am not as active as I used to be) now I am limited by both weight and knee. I am figuring out my boundaries with my knee and with Mike's new schedule we should be going to the gym again soon!
Friday- where am I shopping? I always go to Joann's Fabrics early in the morning (there is nothing I NEED that morning, just have some things I should get for a craft I am sending with Ann for Kim to do with the kids). Then I will probably head over to a few other stores, go home and take a nap (I am a crazy who gets up at 4AM and then home by 7 for my "nap"). So after my nap I am going to try to sit down and finish the scrapbook from the baby shower (I will post pictures of it when I am done). Work on organizing the room for 2 hours and then scrapbook some more. Right now I don't have cable in the new stamp room which makes it a challenge for me to be there for any period of time (I need background noise and get tired of the radio - plus I like TLC and always feel inspired by the colors and other things). Hoping to meet a friend for "coffee" (I don't DRINK coffee but if I say "drinks" a lot of times people think of alcohol- and we will probably meet at Starbucks!) Might see if another friend wants to come over for scrapbooking that day- haven't asked anyone yet, just waiting to see what happens - if anyone wants to come over, please feel more than welcome!
Thursday we are spending time with my family (we try to alternate years). It's really strange because the holiday is catered around me and Mike's schedule (we live the farthest away and Mike has an ever changing schedule). Personally I don't like how much control I have over Thanksgiving. My poor cousin has been trying her best to organize things and my Grandma keeps telling her that it all depends on me (they asked me at the last breakfast what I was doing for Thanksgiving and I told them it was up to mom and dad). Only some of my family are aware of the dynamics but my cousin has been crushed so many times by our family. I do feel for her.
Sell-A-Bration is right around the corner! I got a sneak peek at the sets and I LOVE them! Have a swap that I am hostessing for the sets - have a second group going because the first one is filled already! They are doing the exclusive sets again this year so they will NOT be available in the next Idea Book & Catalog. Once I get some samples made I will post them. Have a few fun ideas swirling around in my brain!
I have a lot of ideas for Christmas cards (photo cards) and need to get on the ball making them. Each picture I am having printed B&W and also in color (so I can have all the samples). It's just a matter of finding time. December 1st is my Christmas Card Camp and want them done to hang on my wall!
Also - there are 6 weeks until New Year's and since we are having our Annual party (yes because it's our second I am going to start referring it as our ANNUAL party) I want the house in TIP TOP shape! That means lots of work! Each week I will be focusing on a room - which gives me the last week to work on all the little things that are last miniute (sweeping, vacuuming, dishes, etc).
What should I do for my birthday? I am thinking about going out with a Hubby and a friend and her family for dinner. Just making it simple and spending time together. I told Mike I want a massage for my birthday - need to relax and get the kinks worked out of my shoulders and neck (I go to the Chiropractor regularly) - those are the areas I carry my stress. Speaking of stress- my right eye has finally stopped twitching. Mike thought it was funny but it was irritating me more than anything. I didn't understand why it was happening but he informed me that he has that problem when he is stressed. Things are much better now - the waters are calm again. I was also debating on going and seeing the Nutcracker as a birthday gift. That is still up for debate (I don't have the best attention span....)
Okay - that's all for now... update is over!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Something to ponder...
I went to a friend demonstrator asking for advice on how to juggle life (being a demonstrator, working full time, growing my business, being involved at church, and balancing family). For the most part I am FANTASTIC with managing my calendar, time, and life - the one obstacle we are having is when I get home I usually head downstairs to clean and move things into my new stamp room (because I not home every evening it's not an EASY fix). Once the remodeling is done life will be easier because then I can just bring my projects over to the other room and hang out with him while I work on stuff (I have ADHD so I don't sit still very well and tend to multitask through movies/tv) - so our situation is just TEMPORARY.
Okay - back to my point- my friend shared with me something that her old supervisor shared with her and it really applies to all areas of life:
Don't put off the important because of the URGENT.
Okay - back to my point- my friend shared with me something that her old supervisor shared with her and it really applies to all areas of life:
Don't put off the important because of the URGENT.
Monday, October 02, 2006
One step forward!
Sunday my counter was installed! It was fast and easy and VERY streamline! It looks GREAT! I have started moving stuff in already but need to get the floors all cleaned up first. My vacuum filter accidently got tossed and so when I vacuumed a bunch of drywall was coming out the air thing (blowing it back into the air!) I closed the door and opened the window to get it "unclogged" Again, I have most of my stuff moved over there and am excited for this transformation. I still have to paint the ceiling, finish the window, put new wall pluggs/switches on, and put up trim. But that will all happen when it can! Poor Scott (our cousin) he got to witness my "childlike" excitement while he was putting it in. I get all giddy, practically jumping up and down with anticipated excitment. This room has taken us about 5 months to get to this point (schedule issues and procrastination!) Yesterday when I was loading my room I got to the point where I was like "What am I going to do with these?" - business forms. I have PLANNED all of my storage for my tools and accessories but not my forms and postcards, etc. Well, one thing I bought a while ago is a BRIGHT PINK footstool (I don't really like pink - I like RED) so when I am at my counter I have a place for my feet to go (because I'll be on a stool). Anyway - it has storage and now holds my business cards, order forms, post cards, etc! I was SO excited! YIPEE!
As I am moving rooms I am making a "do not need" pile for all those things that I just don't need in my life anymore. Some are organizational and some are just things I don't want or think I'll be using.
Stamp camp is Friday and I have all the designs done and ready (they are going to be fabulous!) I just have to find the time to get it all cut! I have a camp on Saturday also so I can't spend too much on my new room because I have to be prepared for my month. Oh! Goodness sakes - why do I procrastinate- this is why I have a love/hate relationships with Post It's - they turn into my to do list to keep me from forgetting things but they also don't give me much free time! LOL I blame the Post It and not the person with the pen! LOL
I am doing a "Daily Goal" thing right now. I need to get my Book To Look envelopes completed (I need them for Saturday but they will last me a few months!), also need to finish making all my Hostess Packets (I am doing like what Aunt Terry does using a folder so I don't have to RECOPY things all the time!) So tonights goal is to pack a box to work on during my lunch break for the B2L Envelopes and cut cardstock for my camps this month. Actually I just remembered that I am meeting a friend at church at 6:30 to work on our Sunday School homework and probably won't get home until almost 9. So I need to prep a "to go" box with items that I need to cut cardstock during my lunch break tomorrow. I am almost done with the B2L Envy's and the cutting of the cardstock is the first priority (especially since it's stamp camp on Friday!)
I have to admit that Halloween is one of my favorite times of year. Not because of all the witchcraft and junk but because of all the CANDY! Now if they only made pumpkin shaped (not flavored) Peeps - that would totally rock!
As you may have read in previous posts I am addicted to scrapbook paper. Well, I ordered a catalog to be sent from one of my favorite places to purchase online (www.scrapbooks.com). They are VERY big and I get overwhelmed looking at the catalog online. I got it yesterday and got a chance to paruse through it earlier today. It is FILLED with page flags! LOL I will be handing this to the husband with specific instructions - look for the stars on the flagged pages - minimum of 2 sheets of patterned paper, or 2 yards of ribbon of whatever you choose. Just a side note here - I say "addiction" with much sarcasim (it's not a REAL addiction- more of a joke).
Got an email from Julie today (she is one of my uplines) and inorder to qualify for manager's reception at Leadership I have to promote by October 31st. There are 2 gals that I have been talking with about the SU! opportunity, I need to keep on the ball because if THEY want to do it I need to make sure it's done in time. I am good at procrastination! My two problem P's: Procrastination and Patients! LOL
We just had our COFFEE night at church on Saturday (Come Over For Fellowship, Entertainment and Enjoyment). It went GREAT! As a member of the Women's Ministry Leadership Team my role was cordinating the game that we played. It was like a GUESS WHO game. There were 10 questions and each table had 2 questions - some of the questions were asked more than one time for each table. The question was posted at the top and each of us answered it, they just had to figure out who's answer was who's! I was down to the wire on getting it finished by the time the event was ready to start but it was a success! After we played the game and did a few skits each of us got a chance to introduce ourselves. Starting in October I will be starting a Book Club ministry - totally excited about this! At the retreat it was revealed that women are wanting to build and develope deeper friendships and when we have BIG functions it's totally hard to get to know others. So, we are transforming and trying to offer small groups! This way it's easier to get to know other women.
I am also in the middle of cordinating a bowling tournament for November 5th and starting volleyball league on Tuesdays. On Monday we went to open gym to have volleyball practice and even though I took my brace and was wearing it, I tweaked my knee. It hurt for a few days. Sometimes I wonder if I should have pushed for the surgery because I will forever have to wear a knee brace. The good thing is that I am excited to be playing again. It will help me get a better foundation with exercise again to battle this weightloss.
This is a pretty long post! I better get going!
Have a great day!
As I am moving rooms I am making a "do not need" pile for all those things that I just don't need in my life anymore. Some are organizational and some are just things I don't want or think I'll be using.
Stamp camp is Friday and I have all the designs done and ready (they are going to be fabulous!) I just have to find the time to get it all cut! I have a camp on Saturday also so I can't spend too much on my new room because I have to be prepared for my month. Oh! Goodness sakes - why do I procrastinate- this is why I have a love/hate relationships with Post It's - they turn into my to do list to keep me from forgetting things but they also don't give me much free time! LOL I blame the Post It and not the person with the pen! LOL
I am doing a "Daily Goal" thing right now. I need to get my Book To Look envelopes completed (I need them for Saturday but they will last me a few months!), also need to finish making all my Hostess Packets (I am doing like what Aunt Terry does using a folder so I don't have to RECOPY things all the time!) So tonights goal is to pack a box to work on during my lunch break for the B2L Envelopes and cut cardstock for my camps this month. Actually I just remembered that I am meeting a friend at church at 6:30 to work on our Sunday School homework and probably won't get home until almost 9. So I need to prep a "to go" box with items that I need to cut cardstock during my lunch break tomorrow. I am almost done with the B2L Envy's and the cutting of the cardstock is the first priority (especially since it's stamp camp on Friday!)
I have to admit that Halloween is one of my favorite times of year. Not because of all the witchcraft and junk but because of all the CANDY! Now if they only made pumpkin shaped (not flavored) Peeps - that would totally rock!
As you may have read in previous posts I am addicted to scrapbook paper. Well, I ordered a catalog to be sent from one of my favorite places to purchase online (www.scrapbooks.com). They are VERY big and I get overwhelmed looking at the catalog online. I got it yesterday and got a chance to paruse through it earlier today. It is FILLED with page flags! LOL I will be handing this to the husband with specific instructions - look for the stars on the flagged pages - minimum of 2 sheets of patterned paper, or 2 yards of ribbon of whatever you choose. Just a side note here - I say "addiction" with much sarcasim (it's not a REAL addiction- more of a joke).
Got an email from Julie today (she is one of my uplines) and inorder to qualify for manager's reception at Leadership I have to promote by October 31st. There are 2 gals that I have been talking with about the SU! opportunity, I need to keep on the ball because if THEY want to do it I need to make sure it's done in time. I am good at procrastination! My two problem P's: Procrastination and Patients! LOL
We just had our COFFEE night at church on Saturday (Come Over For Fellowship, Entertainment and Enjoyment). It went GREAT! As a member of the Women's Ministry Leadership Team my role was cordinating the game that we played. It was like a GUESS WHO game. There were 10 questions and each table had 2 questions - some of the questions were asked more than one time for each table. The question was posted at the top and each of us answered it, they just had to figure out who's answer was who's! I was down to the wire on getting it finished by the time the event was ready to start but it was a success! After we played the game and did a few skits each of us got a chance to introduce ourselves. Starting in October I will be starting a Book Club ministry - totally excited about this! At the retreat it was revealed that women are wanting to build and develope deeper friendships and when we have BIG functions it's totally hard to get to know others. So, we are transforming and trying to offer small groups! This way it's easier to get to know other women.
I am also in the middle of cordinating a bowling tournament for November 5th and starting volleyball league on Tuesdays. On Monday we went to open gym to have volleyball practice and even though I took my brace and was wearing it, I tweaked my knee. It hurt for a few days. Sometimes I wonder if I should have pushed for the surgery because I will forever have to wear a knee brace. The good thing is that I am excited to be playing again. It will help me get a better foundation with exercise again to battle this weightloss.
This is a pretty long post! I better get going!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Good News
I am SO EXCITED! Well, there’s two things I am excited about! First of all Mike has finally been assigned to a store! Not just any store either- one that's in the Seattle area (saves 42.3 miles per DAY!!!!!!) No more commutes to Everett and no more closing shifts next week (which sucks because he now can't attend our family breakfast - but life goes on!) I will have my hubby home in the evenings which I enjoy but can be challenging for me at times (I am independent and "spending time together in front of the boob tube" isn't "spending time together" for me - we are still trying to work these quirks out, after 6+ years you would think we would have this figured out!)
I am also excited about is installing my counter on Sunday! Our cousin will help us install it on Sunday and we will then be all set to move stuff! I will be making a trip to Home Depot right after church to pickup the rest of the supplies I don’t have (I have the 2X4’s- which I need to paint in the next few days, just need to get the right screws and the L bracket thingy’s – don’t know their name so I make up my own verbage….). Once that is installed I can move my shelves in and begin clearing out the big room! YIPEE! The only problem is that I have a packed week and need to make sure I do other things before I focus completely on that room (like posting Ebay adds for my stamp sets on Sunday evening). So I should be able to take pictures of the room on Sunday (I won’t have my curtains up yet or my stools covered, but you’ll get the gist! A gal from church was/is/might be helping me move items. There is definitely going to be an area of "don’t want". Some of the items I can sell and others I will offer to my downline first (organization tools- they get dibs at my next downline meeting- not before) and then my customers. What isn’t taken will then go to Good Will.
Have you ever lost something and then you felt like you were completely cut off from the world or lost? For some it's not wearing a piece of jewelry (ring, watch, etc) others it's something that's not attached to them directly. That was me yesterday- I couldn't find my phone. I thought it was in my purse but when I checked it later (cleaning my purse out) it was no where to be found. So I called it - couldn't hear it ring. Called it and ran outside to my truck - no where to be found. Left a message on Mike's phone to look in his car and see if it was there but never heard from him. Left a frantic message on my friends home phone and cell phones (maybe 2-3 messages....)to call me a few times after I would be home from work so I could help find it. Ya see, my cell phone IS my home phone and with being home in the evenings by myself it's my access to the outside world. Not that I spend my evening on the phone but it's nice to have it available if I wanted to contact anyone. So when I got the call I was able to "follow the ring" I was so glad that it's a "LONG" jingle! It was buried DEEP in the beat up couch (we have one couch the puppy has destroyed...)- in between the springs and almost to the floor. I would NEVER looked there. Well, I ended up going out that evening with the friend rather than staying home and doing dishes/laundry/grocery shopping like I had originally planned.
Sunday the adventure begins! Me and Ebay - who will win?! LOL Of course this will be done after attending a SU! meeting in Kent and installing my counter so I might be worn out, but need to get it done! Then I can make a trip to the PO on the Monday after that. Hoping to have an armful to take! Hoping to get 25%-50% of them posted!
Okay - happy stamping!
I am also excited about is installing my counter on Sunday! Our cousin will help us install it on Sunday and we will then be all set to move stuff! I will be making a trip to Home Depot right after church to pickup the rest of the supplies I don’t have (I have the 2X4’s- which I need to paint in the next few days, just need to get the right screws and the L bracket thingy’s – don’t know their name so I make up my own verbage….). Once that is installed I can move my shelves in and begin clearing out the big room! YIPEE! The only problem is that I have a packed week and need to make sure I do other things before I focus completely on that room (like posting Ebay adds for my stamp sets on Sunday evening). So I should be able to take pictures of the room on Sunday (I won’t have my curtains up yet or my stools covered, but you’ll get the gist! A gal from church was/is/might be helping me move items. There is definitely going to be an area of "don’t want". Some of the items I can sell and others I will offer to my downline first (organization tools- they get dibs at my next downline meeting- not before) and then my customers. What isn’t taken will then go to Good Will.
Have you ever lost something and then you felt like you were completely cut off from the world or lost? For some it's not wearing a piece of jewelry (ring, watch, etc) others it's something that's not attached to them directly. That was me yesterday- I couldn't find my phone. I thought it was in my purse but when I checked it later (cleaning my purse out) it was no where to be found. So I called it - couldn't hear it ring. Called it and ran outside to my truck - no where to be found. Left a message on Mike's phone to look in his car and see if it was there but never heard from him. Left a frantic message on my friends home phone and cell phones (maybe 2-3 messages....)to call me a few times after I would be home from work so I could help find it. Ya see, my cell phone IS my home phone and with being home in the evenings by myself it's my access to the outside world. Not that I spend my evening on the phone but it's nice to have it available if I wanted to contact anyone. So when I got the call I was able to "follow the ring" I was so glad that it's a "LONG" jingle! It was buried DEEP in the beat up couch (we have one couch the puppy has destroyed...)- in between the springs and almost to the floor. I would NEVER looked there. Well, I ended up going out that evening with the friend rather than staying home and doing dishes/laundry/grocery shopping like I had originally planned.
Sunday the adventure begins! Me and Ebay - who will win?! LOL Of course this will be done after attending a SU! meeting in Kent and installing my counter so I might be worn out, but need to get it done! Then I can make a trip to the PO on the Monday after that. Hoping to have an armful to take! Hoping to get 25%-50% of them posted!
Okay - happy stamping!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Is it REALLY Monday?!
I have been MIA for awhile! Things have been busy and so has my schedule. Yesterday I attended a New Demonstrator's Training event (for the 3rd time). I like to go to these periodically just to keep fresh on what others might be doing- and also to help out (they always need helpers!) Yesterday I felt like I gleaned a bunch of information from listening to people I have known for about 3 years- new things they are trying or even how they open up their stamp camp. I also picked up a few new business tips that I am excited to implement and see how they will grow my business.
This week I need to finish my 6X6 swap (it's gonna be cute - it's all in my head right now!), make book to look envelopes for my camps (40 of them), finish painting my walls/ceiling in my room and mail off some cards to friends (I have a few friends that are pregnant!) That is something I always THINK of doing but don't ever seem to find the time, and am always am trying to turn my thoughts into actions.
You can thank my friend/cousin Amber for this post. She told me she's been waiting for one for awhile and look what happens I finally get the ball rolling!
Tonight I have a ministry meeting at church but will be priming my ceiling when I get home tonight and POSSIBLY be painting the spots on my walls (corners and crevases that were missed). Mike has Wednesday and Thursday off so we HAVE to get my counter in on Wednesday because I am meeting a friend on Thursday to discuss the ins and outs of being a demonstrator. Once my shelf is installed it's SMOOTH sailing! I am excited for my meeting on Thursday - I know what benefits there are to being a demonstrator and now I get to share that with someone else. All of my downline are my friends - friends FIRST and even though some have gone inactive, we are STILL friends because that is what comes first.
Saturday is Russell and Tracy's wedding (Mike's cousin). Mike has to work and has been trying to get his schedule changed around but he's no longer department manager (because he transfered departments for "growth" opportunity). Saturday is also my friend Jenn's Bridal Shower. She is getting married in October but it's going to be in Hawaii. She is a VERY kind person and I am excited for her as she begins this venture.
Well, I did it. The other day I was browsing through one of the websites for scrapbooking stuff- there was a particular item I was looking for, and that started the avalanche of patterned paper buying. As I experessed before, I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with my Scrap Rack. Right now I love it and purchased additional sheet pages to put into it to better organize my stuff. I had emailed the company and shared my frustration hoping to find a solution. Well, I was right- I was using the product wrong! LOL So, now that I know how set it up correctly I am REALLY liking it! This weekend I went to a crop at church and I could easily pack up my accessories and put them into a bag and walk out the door. My only problem was that I don't have all my new stuff (I ordered more organizer pages so that I can put my eyelets, brads, buttons, etc in them) so I had to bring all those with me. My other obstacle was that I hadn't PLANNED my page yet! So if you could just imagine I walk into the building with a big rolly bin, a large bag, and a large box, and a hand carrying box. Yes, TOO many things! So, my next investment (because over the weekend I bought a rubbermaid bin) is to get a rolly collapsable cart that I can set my Rubbermaid bin on (pack the rolly cart and then set the bin on top). The last thing I would need is a shoulder bag for my Scrap Rack and I should be "good to go". Whenever I go to a crop it's hard for me not to pack EVERYTHING I own- cause I WOULD like to take EVERYTHING with me- right now, just trying to get down to necessities so that I can get pages done. The other night while scrapping I had a chance to work on my pages from my home (I am trying to complete a 2005 album- well I don't like them. They are "too cutesy" for my taste and I am going to redo them. I have already decided what changes need to be made. On Saturday I picked up one of my online orders from my MIL's house. It was 2 books from Creating Keepsakes (one was the Sketches 2 and the other was Designer's Eye for Patterned Paper). I got a chance to browse through both and am in LOVE with them! They are on my "don't forget" list when I go to crops!
Okay- I better jam stan!
This week I need to finish my 6X6 swap (it's gonna be cute - it's all in my head right now!), make book to look envelopes for my camps (40 of them), finish painting my walls/ceiling in my room and mail off some cards to friends (I have a few friends that are pregnant!) That is something I always THINK of doing but don't ever seem to find the time, and am always am trying to turn my thoughts into actions.
You can thank my friend/cousin Amber for this post. She told me she's been waiting for one for awhile and look what happens I finally get the ball rolling!
Tonight I have a ministry meeting at church but will be priming my ceiling when I get home tonight and POSSIBLY be painting the spots on my walls (corners and crevases that were missed). Mike has Wednesday and Thursday off so we HAVE to get my counter in on Wednesday because I am meeting a friend on Thursday to discuss the ins and outs of being a demonstrator. Once my shelf is installed it's SMOOTH sailing! I am excited for my meeting on Thursday - I know what benefits there are to being a demonstrator and now I get to share that with someone else. All of my downline are my friends - friends FIRST and even though some have gone inactive, we are STILL friends because that is what comes first.
Saturday is Russell and Tracy's wedding (Mike's cousin). Mike has to work and has been trying to get his schedule changed around but he's no longer department manager (because he transfered departments for "growth" opportunity). Saturday is also my friend Jenn's Bridal Shower. She is getting married in October but it's going to be in Hawaii. She is a VERY kind person and I am excited for her as she begins this venture.
Well, I did it. The other day I was browsing through one of the websites for scrapbooking stuff- there was a particular item I was looking for, and that started the avalanche of patterned paper buying. As I experessed before, I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with my Scrap Rack. Right now I love it and purchased additional sheet pages to put into it to better organize my stuff. I had emailed the company and shared my frustration hoping to find a solution. Well, I was right- I was using the product wrong! LOL So, now that I know how set it up correctly I am REALLY liking it! This weekend I went to a crop at church and I could easily pack up my accessories and put them into a bag and walk out the door. My only problem was that I don't have all my new stuff (I ordered more organizer pages so that I can put my eyelets, brads, buttons, etc in them) so I had to bring all those with me. My other obstacle was that I hadn't PLANNED my page yet! So if you could just imagine I walk into the building with a big rolly bin, a large bag, and a large box, and a hand carrying box. Yes, TOO many things! So, my next investment (because over the weekend I bought a rubbermaid bin) is to get a rolly collapsable cart that I can set my Rubbermaid bin on (pack the rolly cart and then set the bin on top). The last thing I would need is a shoulder bag for my Scrap Rack and I should be "good to go". Whenever I go to a crop it's hard for me not to pack EVERYTHING I own- cause I WOULD like to take EVERYTHING with me- right now, just trying to get down to necessities so that I can get pages done. The other night while scrapping I had a chance to work on my pages from my home (I am trying to complete a 2005 album- well I don't like them. They are "too cutesy" for my taste and I am going to redo them. I have already decided what changes need to be made. On Saturday I picked up one of my online orders from my MIL's house. It was 2 books from Creating Keepsakes (one was the Sketches 2 and the other was Designer's Eye for Patterned Paper). I got a chance to browse through both and am in LOVE with them! They are on my "don't forget" list when I go to crops!
Okay- I better jam stan!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Hello. My name is.....
Becky and I am addicted to Scrapbook Paper. Many of you know my other addictions such as handbags/purses, food, socializing and this may come as a shock to you but I am also addicted to buying scrapbook paper (and then I can't use it unless it's the PERFECT project for it because what if I want it for something else later....). The good thing about this addiction is just like the rest- I am a VERY picky person - so I won't buy just ANYTHING! The other night I was REORGANIZING my scrapbook paper (I keep my 12X12 SU! Cardstock, SU! Simply Scrappin Kits and SU! Patterned Papers all organized in our Paper Holders and use the Dividers - but my non SU! patterned paper is kinda a crazy mixed mess). When I first started scrapbooking I did random pages and put them into a storage binder until I had an album for them - this is a HUGE album- big binding and it's purple (it's not my color- but it was the best out of the choices available). Thanks to Craft Keepers my "albums in progress" get stored in there until they are ready for a new home, and I have converted the LOVELY hughmungo album to be my "other" patterned paper storage (I have found the "less" handling of paper the better - keeps corners nice and no wrinkles - this way I can FLIP through the album). In the front it has all the vellums we used to sell (in 12X12 sheets of course) followed by catagories with 2 patterns in each divider (one on each side). I had TRIED to use my Scraprack (my Scraprack and I have a love hate relationship which I am willing to work on....) but everything ends up "flopping" and I struggle with it (when I move rooms I am going to try to use it again and will do a blog update about it). So now all my papers are divided into sections and then broken down by color (I know I am a silly girl to try and be THAT organized - I just really DETEST looking for stuff and not finding it - my stamp room is a mess but I can almost *ALWAYS* locate what I am looking for). So this morning I go to check my email and get a notice from a scrapbook company about their new lines they have out and available. Well SILLY me, I go online to check it out and what happens I fall in LOVE with some patterned papers! DUH! Did we not see that coming. But wait- there's more..... I will NOT purchase online because I hate all the extra little costs (shipping - more than 10% seems SO unreasonable to me- I am spoiled by SU!). I would rather take a trek out to one of my favorite stores in Kent or Issaquah to fill my NON SU! scrapbooking desires than to pay for shipping. My time is limited so it also delays my impulse buying habits and makes me think about WHAT I really NEED for scrapbooking supplies.... nothing (well, except for those CUTE Prima flowers in the CUTE jars - but those need to go on my birthday/Christmas list...). But this company offers FREE SHIPPING (on orders of $45 or more...) so the battle continues. Luckily enough I have been saving my SU! money to pay for Leadership otherwise I would totally be ALL over that offer. BTW- the only way I can pay for my scrapbooking stuff is from what I make with SU! It's my play money and am so glad that I teach classes because it supports my addictions (scrapbooking, stamping and socializing!) Going back to the reorganizing my pages- I did make a some choices on what to toss (there are some scrapbooking papers that I got in a variety pack that I don't EVER see myself using... EVER).
So now that I have rambled ON about the paper.... lets move onto paint and scrapbooks! A while back I was on Ebay bidding on some scrapbooking paint and was in shock because of the price (I like to get a good DEAL if I am going to be bidding on Ebay!) Well I called my favorite scrapbook store in Kent to find out if they carried this particular item. She told me ALL about the new lines and how it included a "stamp" and was a great deal... then I told her that I am a SU! demonstrator and I am very picky and pretty much exclusive to the SU! line (it's a RARE moment if I find something else I like enough to purchase it when it comes to stamps). Then she quietly told me (as if it's a secret not to share....) that the product I was asking about is just like the acrylic paints you can buy at the store - just different labels. I was like - "NO WAY- pin a tail on me and call me Betsy!" (my grandpa used to have a cow named Betsy when my mom was growing up - I never met the cow but have heard many stories about old Betsy!) So, I went to hubby's work on the day of their employee sale and walked out with a variety of colors! Haven't had a chance to play with them yet - but JUST wait- once I get my Watermark created I will be a HAPPY CAMPER and posting like a wild woman! OH! I just thought that I can ask my pal Kevin if he knows how to do the watermark (Mike's to busy with his job/commuting and I don't do well with written instructions - I am a VISUAL girl....)
Mike's schedule has been crazy with his commuting & work and this weekend is his birthday! I am not allowed to plan anything after I get off work until I leave the house Monday morning because it's all about spending time with him. Because his birthday isn't until Sunday I have him helping me with my room tonight (he has today off!) He is taking down my ceiling so that we can put up a new sheetrock ceiling tonight and that I can work by myself again (until we are ready to install the counter. This means that I will have a new lights put in (my ceiling is funny - it's a basic rectangle with a heating vent sticking down about a foot down in part of the room- when I take pictures you'll understand). So I decided to put in a new light that would adequately light the room and then a SECOND light to put against the wall to give me adequate lighting for my scrapbooking (if the main light is behind me it would create shadows whereas if it's infront it won't!). Now I am starting to think about possibly putting the new light in the middle area...... I'll have to think about it and see if it will work! I told him that I want to be able to move items into "the dungeon" Labor Day Weekend - that's my FINAL goal date (so I have to paint THIS WEEK!) This room is taking me forever.... all I want is a nice ORGANIZED effecient stamp/scrapbook/craft area (cause I will be sewing down there to!)
Oh the HAIR drama! It's gotten long and it was really frustrating me (I looked like a walking mop!) So, I called my favorite hair dresser (who I found out is ENGAGED and getting married in November!). Anyway I told her it was her choice to shape it or chop it. She was SHOCKED to see how much had grown! She took off 3+ inches! So I am back to "shaped hair" - yes still have some curl in it! She was firing questions at me because she was shocked at how fast it grew and the first one was "ARE YOU PREGNANT". When I relayed this story to Mike I was laughing about it and he was like "you're not right..." I just rolled my eyes. As everyone knows we would LOVE to be popping out babies but right now is just not a good time for us (I really don't want to HAVE to work full time when we have kidlets). So, we are on a 2 year plan as of right now!
Good news - I am almost done with Lyndsey's Baby Showers album. When I do projects for other people they get done quickly but for my own - they take me forever! SO I can deliver that album with a cute pink bow on it and check it off my list. Have to get some more pictures printed first (but after my meeting tomorrow morning I can run over to Costco - might go to Costco on Sunday while hubby's still at work.... that's a better plan!)
Okay- lunch is over so I gotta jam stan! Have a great day/weekend/week - until I talk to you again!
So now that I have rambled ON about the paper.... lets move onto paint and scrapbooks! A while back I was on Ebay bidding on some scrapbooking paint and was in shock because of the price (I like to get a good DEAL if I am going to be bidding on Ebay!) Well I called my favorite scrapbook store in Kent to find out if they carried this particular item. She told me ALL about the new lines and how it included a "stamp" and was a great deal... then I told her that I am a SU! demonstrator and I am very picky and pretty much exclusive to the SU! line (it's a RARE moment if I find something else I like enough to purchase it when it comes to stamps). Then she quietly told me (as if it's a secret not to share....) that the product I was asking about is just like the acrylic paints you can buy at the store - just different labels. I was like - "NO WAY- pin a tail on me and call me Betsy!" (my grandpa used to have a cow named Betsy when my mom was growing up - I never met the cow but have heard many stories about old Betsy!) So, I went to hubby's work on the day of their employee sale and walked out with a variety of colors! Haven't had a chance to play with them yet - but JUST wait- once I get my Watermark created I will be a HAPPY CAMPER and posting like a wild woman! OH! I just thought that I can ask my pal Kevin if he knows how to do the watermark (Mike's to busy with his job/commuting and I don't do well with written instructions - I am a VISUAL girl....)
Mike's schedule has been crazy with his commuting & work and this weekend is his birthday! I am not allowed to plan anything after I get off work until I leave the house Monday morning because it's all about spending time with him. Because his birthday isn't until Sunday I have him helping me with my room tonight (he has today off!) He is taking down my ceiling so that we can put up a new sheetrock ceiling tonight and that I can work by myself again (until we are ready to install the counter. This means that I will have a new lights put in (my ceiling is funny - it's a basic rectangle with a heating vent sticking down about a foot down in part of the room- when I take pictures you'll understand). So I decided to put in a new light that would adequately light the room and then a SECOND light to put against the wall to give me adequate lighting for my scrapbooking (if the main light is behind me it would create shadows whereas if it's infront it won't!). Now I am starting to think about possibly putting the new light in the middle area...... I'll have to think about it and see if it will work! I told him that I want to be able to move items into "the dungeon" Labor Day Weekend - that's my FINAL goal date (so I have to paint THIS WEEK!) This room is taking me forever.... all I want is a nice ORGANIZED effecient stamp/scrapbook/craft area (cause I will be sewing down there to!)
Oh the HAIR drama! It's gotten long and it was really frustrating me (I looked like a walking mop!) So, I called my favorite hair dresser (who I found out is ENGAGED and getting married in November!). Anyway I told her it was her choice to shape it or chop it. She was SHOCKED to see how much had grown! She took off 3+ inches! So I am back to "shaped hair" - yes still have some curl in it! She was firing questions at me because she was shocked at how fast it grew and the first one was "ARE YOU PREGNANT". When I relayed this story to Mike I was laughing about it and he was like "you're not right..." I just rolled my eyes. As everyone knows we would LOVE to be popping out babies but right now is just not a good time for us (I really don't want to HAVE to work full time when we have kidlets). So, we are on a 2 year plan as of right now!
Good news - I am almost done with Lyndsey's Baby Showers album. When I do projects for other people they get done quickly but for my own - they take me forever! SO I can deliver that album with a cute pink bow on it and check it off my list. Have to get some more pictures printed first (but after my meeting tomorrow morning I can run over to Costco - might go to Costco on Sunday while hubby's still at work.... that's a better plan!)
Okay- lunch is over so I gotta jam stan! Have a great day/weekend/week - until I talk to you again!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Thinking
Even though my new Stamp Room isn't finished and my current one looks like it's been hit by a tornado - there are some things that I just have to get organized with NOW and have some other organization for LATER.
My organization goals for now are:
Send out newsletters by the 25th of the month
Update my website samples by the 25th of the month (wonder if anyone noticed there were new cards on there this month.....)
Design next months camp by the 20th of the previous month (will have to adjust depending on SU! specials)
Prepare for a months worth of camps in ONE afternoon (I used to do this and it SAVES me so much time!)
Send project samples to my downline on the 1st
Goals for later:
Send out personal/birthday cards (start on January 1st)
*So - you better email me to make sure I know when your birthday is!*
Right now my business if flourishing and it's awesome how things are developing. My favorite part about it is that my customers/downline are my friends. Who else gets to go to work and spend time with a bunch of gals yapping it up?! Love it!
Tonight is PAINT NIGHT! Once the room is done I'll be posting pictures of my stamp/scrapbooking heaven!
~B
My organization goals for now are:
Send out newsletters by the 25th of the month
Update my website samples by the 25th of the month (wonder if anyone noticed there were new cards on there this month.....)
Design next months camp by the 20th of the previous month (will have to adjust depending on SU! specials)
Prepare for a months worth of camps in ONE afternoon (I used to do this and it SAVES me so much time!)
Send project samples to my downline on the 1st
Goals for later:
Send out personal/birthday cards (start on January 1st)
*So - you better email me to make sure I know when your birthday is!*
Right now my business if flourishing and it's awesome how things are developing. My favorite part about it is that my customers/downline are my friends. Who else gets to go to work and spend time with a bunch of gals yapping it up?! Love it!
Tonight is PAINT NIGHT! Once the room is done I'll be posting pictures of my stamp/scrapbooking heaven!
~B
Monday, August 14, 2006
I got LUCKY!
For the last week or so I have been working on my email newsletter practically KICKING myself for not getting it out by the 1st like I wanted. I used to get it out at the end of the month for the NEXT month, but Stampin Up! stopped announcing their specials until the beginning of the month (after my email newsletter was sent and I don't want to fill everyone's inbox- I have friends that send forwards and it drives me batty so I try to be just as respectful and not CLOG anyone's inbox...). Well, I got LUCKY! They announced a promotion this morning for New Recruits that starts tomorrow! So, I updated my email, added the information and was set! There is a good reason for procrastination..... right?!
Hubby's work schedule is really crazy. He has Wednesday and Thursday off this week and I had to move my schedule around so that I will see him this week (he changed departments and is in training again- he'll be placed in his own store next week). So it's back to me and kids (our two dogs) most evenings. This will give me a good chance to get my room done with fewer distractions. Which is one of my goals this week!
The other morning I had a few moments before I went to work and had a chance to get creative! Made some fun things. Went to make a Bridal Shower Card and was COMPLETELY blank of ideas. Still whipped one up but fought with it a lot. I am definately one of those people that need to make 2+ of things so when I need something I am in a creative rut there's still something fabulous to grab!
On Friday I got a chance to go to Photographic Memories at church. Didn't take any of my own personal scrapbooking projects (by the time I would have packed/organized my own projects it would have been 10PM!) So I took Shawna's Well-Wish cards and a few other projects that I could work on away from the house. It was nice to get a chance to get out to work on stuff and get a chance to meet new people. Didn't get all that I wanted done with the Well-Wish cards because I loaned out my hole punch (I didn't want them to be a "tacky" size hole either....)
SU! Goals:
Finish Room (sand/paint walls, install counter and begin to move shelving/items)
Book to Look Envelopes (for Katie's SC on Friday! YEAH KATIE!)
Create a Watermark to put over images that I take pictures of so I don't get into trouble with the SU! copywrite policy
Hubby's work schedule is really crazy. He has Wednesday and Thursday off this week and I had to move my schedule around so that I will see him this week (he changed departments and is in training again- he'll be placed in his own store next week). So it's back to me and kids (our two dogs) most evenings. This will give me a good chance to get my room done with fewer distractions. Which is one of my goals this week!
The other morning I had a few moments before I went to work and had a chance to get creative! Made some fun things. Went to make a Bridal Shower Card and was COMPLETELY blank of ideas. Still whipped one up but fought with it a lot. I am definately one of those people that need to make 2+ of things so when I need something I am in a creative rut there's still something fabulous to grab!
On Friday I got a chance to go to Photographic Memories at church. Didn't take any of my own personal scrapbooking projects (by the time I would have packed/organized my own projects it would have been 10PM!) So I took Shawna's Well-Wish cards and a few other projects that I could work on away from the house. It was nice to get a chance to get out to work on stuff and get a chance to meet new people. Didn't get all that I wanted done with the Well-Wish cards because I loaned out my hole punch (I didn't want them to be a "tacky" size hole either....)
SU! Goals:
Finish Room (sand/paint walls, install counter and begin to move shelving/items)
Book to Look Envelopes (for Katie's SC on Friday! YEAH KATIE!)
Create a Watermark to put over images that I take pictures of so I don't get into trouble with the SU! copywrite policy
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
I think I'm in LOVE!
Not with my husband (well, yes I am in love with my husband but this is completely different!) but with the NEW RIBBON ORGANIZERS! Yesterday when I was supposed to be mudding the ceiling I was cleaning and doing other odd things (playing fetch with my son!). If you haven't seen it yet, here it is:
Isn't it beautiful!
Tonight I got the first layer of mudd on the ceiling and will do the second layer first thing in the morning between the gym and the shower. Then when I get home from work I can sand and hopefully begin the painting! YIPEE!
I don't have much to say on here. Got Shawna's Well-Wish cards done for her wedding (cut and stamped... need to find out if she would like them a little bit "fancier" or if simple is better)
Was up late last night and made a new background for my myspace page. It's a compilation of our Vegas pictures!
Have a good night - I am tired and going to bed early! Tomorrow I will begin planning my Stamp A Stack cards for the 16th! Oh! Had some great ideas earlier for that heart stamp set and didn't "sketch them" and have already forgotten! Some day it will come back to me!
Isn't it beautiful!
Tonight I got the first layer of mudd on the ceiling and will do the second layer first thing in the morning between the gym and the shower. Then when I get home from work I can sand and hopefully begin the painting! YIPEE!
I don't have much to say on here. Got Shawna's Well-Wish cards done for her wedding (cut and stamped... need to find out if she would like them a little bit "fancier" or if simple is better)
Was up late last night and made a new background for my myspace page. It's a compilation of our Vegas pictures!
Have a good night - I am tired and going to bed early! Tomorrow I will begin planning my Stamp A Stack cards for the 16th! Oh! Had some great ideas earlier for that heart stamp set and didn't "sketch them" and have already forgotten! Some day it will come back to me!
Monday, August 07, 2006
Oh goodnesss... my FIRST post!
Okay- I am a little nervous here. I am not new to blogging but really nervous about WHAT I will say on here. It’s for all my friends (my downline is included in this category), family, customers, and the world to read (not that my others aren’t, I just don’t “advertise” them like this one – this one is open to everyone…. and that thought makes my brain hiccup!)
So, what are my intentions on using this space? I want to use it to talk about my life as a Demonstrator, the events/places that I go to, my wonderful creative space (that SHOULD be done this weekend!), and also some goals that I am working toward achieving.
Some of you may be wondering why in the world I chose my blog name as stamppalsyeah, but it’s my SU! group name…. Stamp Pals YEAH! And those of you who know me can probably figure it out why I chose that (say it out loud putting all the words together…. What does it sound like?)
I hope to post regularly (at least once a week, maybe more frequently than that). Share some of my creative thoughts (if I am not using them at a stamp camp…) card making, projects and scrapbooking!
Okay- my break is almost over…. Have to get back to work!
(for those of you who don’t know, YES I do work full time on top of teaching classes on Rubberstamping and Scrapbooking!)
Today’s SU! goal:
Finish sanding the walls in my NEW stamp room and mudd the spots on the ceiling!
So, what are my intentions on using this space? I want to use it to talk about my life as a Demonstrator, the events/places that I go to, my wonderful creative space (that SHOULD be done this weekend!), and also some goals that I am working toward achieving.
Some of you may be wondering why in the world I chose my blog name as stamppalsyeah, but it’s my SU! group name…. Stamp Pals YEAH! And those of you who know me can probably figure it out why I chose that (say it out loud putting all the words together…. What does it sound like?)
I hope to post regularly (at least once a week, maybe more frequently than that). Share some of my creative thoughts (if I am not using them at a stamp camp…) card making, projects and scrapbooking!
Okay- my break is almost over…. Have to get back to work!
(for those of you who don’t know, YES I do work full time on top of teaching classes on Rubberstamping and Scrapbooking!)
Today’s SU! goal:
Finish sanding the walls in my NEW stamp room and mudd the spots on the ceiling!
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