still me

validation!

Today was this total re-visitation to my life 8-9 years ago!  It was weird.
Capri is teething.. man I forgot how miserable it is! she’s also got a bit of a cold, so she is not sleeping or napping well, so the normally, completely happy perfect baby is so sad… crying, running nose, wants to be held and has no sense of humor!
After eric being up ½ the night, and me up the other ½…  I felt so exhausted this morning!  I got her to sleep for a little while, but each time I would put her down, she would  wake up moments later… I finally got about ½ hour to review my to-do’s and get some work done on my big picture class… when she was back up again. So basically, after I had gone over all the things that I really need to accomplish between now and the end of the week… I came to the realization, that whatever it was… it wasn’t happening today.  As I was pacing around my room, and my studio and softly bouncing a very sad baby… and she looked up at me with big tear drops in her eyes,  despite the to-do’s… the fact is, she is the most important thing right now.  I imagine no one will ever look back and wish they hadn’t sat and held the baby so much!   
I feel like this balancing act is harder than I ever imagined…particularly with the anticipation of this baby boy!   Chuckle.. .but at least I won’t be pregnant!
It’s funny how as you go along… day to day, facing new challenges and learning how to deal, you forget what the old ones feel like! And here I am facing both…
I find myself wishing  I did a better job of journaling!
I had a funny  conversation with cory and quincy as we were doing homework… quincy was complaing how hard her kindergarten homework was… the reading. And cory was telling her ‘just wait until you get to second grade…it gets so much harder!’ and went on to describe the things that he is struggling with! I laughed and explained that they can expect that with every year of school, but if they will work hard, they will be ready for the new challenges! And then I said… ‘then when you are a mom, life is SO EASY!’…
And both of them were like “not it’s not…being a mom is so HARD” and went on to tell me all the things that I have to do! like take care of the baby, and work and make dinner, and clean clothes and drive them to friends… and they went on and on. I  was SHOCKED! And amazed that they realize how much I do for them! I got a little teary… and certainly appreciated being appreciated… even though I wasn’t getting an official “thank you” and I still had to remind them to pick up dirty socks and put away their homework to get ready for dinner… just knowing that they know somehow made me feel validated!
For now… they are what it’s all about! I am sure that you get out what you put in… just like anything else. I have to remind myself of that a lot! And accept the changes… and remember, that change is good!

They have done it again!

Guess what I got in the mail!
The newest member to the compendium family of fabulous inspirational items…
The book is called “bloom”.
And it’s beautiful and inspiring.
I have read through it a number of times already… it’s very moving, reassuring, encouraging and warm.
I LOVE the illustrative design, the beautiful cloth cover and the message, of course.
It’s here just in time to inspire me as I am working on my Creative Escape project!
(no pressure at all!)
it’s making me happy!
There are so many wonderful quotes in it…
I noticed they are for sale on their website, not sure where else you can get one.

It’s worth getting!

gentle reminders

I’m up with a really sick stomach. I am not sure at what point along the way I am going to realize that I CAN’T do spicy! Didn’t’ seem to matter last pregnancy… this time, even the slightest bit of zip in any food, causes great regret a few hours down the road…tonight I felt immediately sick after I ate, and I decided to lay down. That was at 7:30…it’s now 1:30am and I am not really tired…but I don’t feel good. So it’s a good thing that I have tues, wed and thurs nights episodes of American Idol on my tivo… so I am just going to sit here under a quilt and veg.
I had an awesome productive day, and I am thankful for that. Today was the start of week 8 in my Big Picture ‘year to remember’ class. In preparation for March, I have challenged my class to focus on ‘counting blessings’… and truly being grateful. I am enjoying the process of this class, and I get the luxury of focusing on the things that I need to focus on in my life. Today was a perfect example…I had a little lesson in taking something for granted. It’s funny how, when I go through my days or my weeks, I tend to focus on the ‘unaccomplished’ side of my list, and not so much being happy or content and thankful for the parts of my life that are accomplished and running well. Rather than really being pleased about what is working… what I have covered…I get so broken down about the things that aren’t under control.
I think that joy and happiness in life comes from finding it; appreciating it.
There has to be a balance of finding satisfaction and enjoying… and then turning it on, knowing what has to get done, and doing it!
But there is no time for ingratitude. Definitely reminded of that today.
So, I took cory to basketball practice today, and instead of dropping off and picking up and squeezing phone calls and errands in between, I sat on the ground on the side of the court, at the park… in the sun (sorry if you don’t live in az, so nice today), and watched cory play…cheer for him a little. Regroup. while I was there, my girl scout cookies were delivered (didn’t know we ordered) nice surprise! It’s the little things!
Much to be thankful for, pleased with and appreciate the reminder.

Man, there are a lot of commercials in American idol. (love tivo) chuckle. I bet a coke would make my stomach feel better.

where does the time go?

I don’t think I realized how long it’s been since I blogged!
Where does the time go?
It’s scary.

I was sitting here today wondering what I have been doing for the last 10 days since I blogged?

went to Orlando to get a taste of the builders show… eric’s booth ROCKED! They got tons of attention… made lots of contacts and generated a lot of buzz… you can see by the photos, it looked great. It was fun to be a ‘fly on the wall’ really… I just stood back and watched and listened. I loved that. People would walk by and I would kinda eavesdrop in, “wow… are those garage doors?” “I have never seen anything like that”… “those are amazing”… “they look heavy”... on and on. it’s been so rewarding after 2 years of work to get to this point. Very exciting!

Got home Friday, and had the crazy sat. of basketball and catching up… taught RS lesson on Sunday and then Monday had my ultrasound.  We didn’t find out what sex the baby was with Capri, but this time…I felt that I really wanted to know.
So…
It’s a BOY!
(smile)… we are so excited to have a little guy toddling around! It’s been awhile since I had a baby boy! The nursery is going to need a new coat of paint! It’s very princess right now… Capri will have to make room for a baby brother!
Everything looks great  in the ultrasound… he’s growing just right! All the fingers and toes, and chambers of the heart etc… it was very reassuring.  I even bought him a cozy little GREEN blanket while I was at target. So soft! I am excited. A little worried, how it’s all going to work out…but excited!
I did have to break down and get all the maternity clothes back out. sigh. Already!

Tuesday was an all-day Creative Escape meeting! It’s great cause we are SO MUCH further ahead this year than we were last! It’s going to go so much smoother… exciting.
(long meetings!)

the week rounded out with valentine’s stuff, blue and gold banquet, I had a dinner party, taught 2 classes at Scrapbooks, etc. and then tonight…had a bunch of my cousins over for dinner and introduced all our kids!  I think we had like 13 kids running around! So much fun for them, and my lasagna turned out perfect! I haven’t seen my cousins for a long time, and we all live here… but never make the effort to get together… all the kids are like the exact same ages. They were loving it! it’s always worth the effort to bring people together.

I have to share these cutie photos of my MIL’s new baby pupplies! They are shitzu puppies- about 8 weeks old! They are sisters… and their names are “tootsie” and “lu lu”.
So cute. And I keep meaning to share these jars! Every holiday my mother-in-law changes the candies and ribbons and everything to go along with the current season!  It’s on her island in the kitchen! How yummy does that look!? Great idea!

so...
tomorrow is monday! but it's a monday holiday... which means no school.
which means, limited to no productivity! so i may as well just give in and spend it goofing off with the kids.
we'll have to  put off the major motivation and productivity until tuesday this week!!!
have a great pres. day!
hopefully we will all SLEEP IN!

my corner rounder

In my big picture class, A year to remember (AYTR) as we all casually refer to it… (I am SO SO SO LOVING teaching at BPS…) I mean, really this on-line stuff totally rocks… I feel connected, I appreciate the opportunity and I am loving seeing the response from the women in the class… I love it so much that I just signed up for “photography 101” with Barbara Caroll on BPS. I am excited. (10 weeks of photographic inspiration here I come).

Ok, but in my class as we have discussed techniques and me explaining how I do stuff etc, I was trying to explain my corner rounder and my corner rounding fascination.
And without showing photographs, it would be impossible for anyone to really get a feel for how amazingly cool  my corner rounder is…

This is it. the granddaddy of all corner rounders! Isn’t it fabulous! It cuts through MULTIPLE pieces of cardstock all at once, and goes through chipboard like butter. It’s a papercrafter’s best friend…

I got mine at Scrapbooks ETC here in town… the regulars there brought theirs to class… (can you imagine bringing it along w/ you! I mean, why not bring your bernina!) lol.
But I saw it and knew I must have it.
So Emily got it for me for my birthday on my ADVANTUS credit card, and called my boss Kevin Carpenter and told him what he got me for my birthday!  He later called to make SURE I knew it was from his heart! LOL!!! We got a good laugh out of that… but I  am going on my year anniversary with it!

Not sure where else you can find one… but you might try Marti at Scrapbooks EtC. here in Mesa. I am sure she would be happy to hook you up!

scrapbook lifestyles

you know how when you hear your voice on a recording, and you think... do i really sound like that?
and how... it's even worse on a video... lol...
well, i just watched myself on the scrapbook lifestyles video clip from CHA winter... it actually turned out kinda cute...(it's nice to be reminded what a total geek you are!)  and it's a fun little peek into CHA and my booth and stuff. someone told me that you can accesss it from 2peas... so i went and saw it...
there is one of elsie up today as well... pretty fun... i guess it's the next best thing to being there.

another monday eve!

I broke down and made chocolate chip cookies today.
I needed the caloric therapy. (chuckle)
They turned out so good. I have eaten 3… and preparing to eat 3 more… with milk.

I have been asked several times for my recipe… so, I think it’s time to share:
You must follow these instructions perfectly…and even still, I can’t guarantee anything, as I have been practicing for over 20 years, and mine still don’t turn out as good as katie’s (little sis).

Ok.

Pre-heat to 350

1 cup brown sugar (be sure it’s fresh. NO CLUMPS. Very important. Packed)
½ cup granulated sugar (hard to screw this up)
1 cup shortening (it has to be butter flavor Crisco…and I like the sticks)

combine that all in a mixer (I have a white kitchen aid… I really wish it were pink) and mix until it’s nice and fluffy…
add in:

2 eggs
1 t. vanilla (I usually overkill on this a little)

mix until it’s really fluffy. I think this is a key point. Like 2 minutes.
Then add:

2 cups flour
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda

mix until it’s all combined, use a spatula to push down all the extra flour etc…
don’t over mix this part…
then add in as many choc. Chips as you feel comfortable.
I like semi-sweet… I used to like milk choc when I was young. I don’t know what my deal was!
My dad really likes coconut and almonds added in… Katie always puts that stuff in… I like my choc. Chip cookies straight up… no other garbage…
But that is up to you.
If you are going to spurge on the calories, you better totally love it… you know?

Ok… keep the cookie size smallish… like 2” ball.
I use those insulated cookie sheets… mine looks totally burned and stuff, but it works great. 
I bake them for 11 minutes and then remove from the oven and immediately transfer to a cooling rack. Even if they don’t seem totally done… I hate overcooked cookies…
I have one pet peeve when it comes to baking cookies…
I HATE it when people steal the dough and eat it raw. Like it threatens the number of actual cookies I get to eat! Lol… my kids sneak in and grab handfuls like secret agents.
Makes me crazy… now it’s a big joke… so just to warn you… you may want to plan a hiding place for the dough while you are in the baking process!

It’s amazing how the time goes so quickly.. 
When I came home from the show, Capri had a whole new bag of tricks! She has gotten so mobile and is sitting up so good. She even has started this inch worm trick of putting her face down on the ground and moving her legs in and buns up and then propelling herself forward… tonight she got the arms involved and almost has a little army crawl going.  gasp! And as I was sitting in church this morning, holding her as she slept through Sunday school, I felt the very first little tiny kicks from new baby.  I just sat there being overwhelmed with the responsibility and joy that is mine as a mother. 

And so I eat cookies and milk and enjoy the sound of children sleeping!

Happy Monday…

the good and the bad...

Wow.

Is there any other word?
I was only home for a few minutes today in between basketball games and Saturday errands…and in phone contact all day with the team trying to deal with the freakishly overwhelming registration process this morning. 

I think that the only way to explain what went wrong this morning… is to imagine me as a 9-month-pregnant woman trying to squeeze into a pair of my kindergarten daughters jewel-jeans! Just AIN’T happenin’!

I guess it comes down to taking the good with the bad..

The good thing is that we set out to create a wonderful event:
Great projects
Outstanding teachers
A complete overall experience…the same for everyone…
In a beautiful place, bringing people together that could enjoy and connect.

The good thing is that outstanding companies have been delighted to participate, and excited to support and sponsor our vision.

The good thing is that we learned many valuable lessons the first go-around, and we are benefiting from experience!

The good thing is that as a Creative Escape Executive Committee, we all have the same vision, goals and purpose behind creating this event… and are willing to commit the resources needed to meet and exceed our own high expectations!

The good thing is that this year, I have 7 weeks to recover from childbirth, rather than 4. (smirk)

The bad thing… is that we can’t accommodate everyone who wants to come.
That sucks.   
Man, I wish we could.  I am so sorry for the disappointment, and for the frustration!

the dust is still settling from registration- those of you on the waiting list will be accommodated as we are able… please know that we are doing everything possible to get as many in as we can!

To those of you who got in… CONGRATS!!! And we’ll see you in SEPT
(don’t worry, it’s a dry heat!)

registration... 9am PACIFIC TIME

just thought that i'd better drop a friendly reminder that tomorrow morning registration for CREATIVE ESCAPE begins at 9 AM PACIFIC TIME!!!!
set your alarms...you won't want to delay this year!
the event is totally going to ROCK!

CHA winter (long) overview

I have now tried 4 times to blog about CHA… I tried before, during, and now that I am finally home, maybe I can gather my thoughts, feelings, emotions of it all, and not cut into my otherwise –decompression- time! I am so lame for not blogging the whole process, because it really is quite remarkable…and so much goes on and goes into pulling the whole thing together, that it’s just too much to ‘overview’… but here is a shot. I went over to Anaheim for set up last Thursday… I have been really excited because we got a new booth set up. It was far more spacious,  and specific! We even ordered a ‘heidi swapp’ carpet… with the logo flower about 15’ tall or so… I didn’t measure it, I should have! So cute.
Set up is intense…Stephanie is our coordinator in Jax and she does an amazing job of packing everything up in bins for all the different parts of the booth so everything is together. because em and I don’t live in florida, we have to do the booth when we get there, and not before hand.. that is a huge project…
Then I wanted these really cool black chandeliers hung… so they had to come with the huge crane and hang them from the 100’ ceiling. They looked so cute. Then I wanted the ‘heidiswapp’ neon signs hung over each panel… and there were 12 panels… I was really going for a nice PINK GLOW on everything… borderline overkill, but not quite (wink).

I released my very own 5x7 playing cards… that can be used for, well,   PLAY… so I put a few of them up on this mirror that I masked parts of to show off some of the new masks.

What we are going to wear is always  an issue… this time I wanted to dress it up a bit… so I had these cute pink ruffly shirts and pin stripe vests made.

For the finishing touch, I wanted warm choc. Chip cookies served in the booth! We rented an oven and baked the entire show. It was awesome. You could smell the cookies for aisles! Delish!  I will have you know I only ate a total of 3 cookies the whole time! the smell was good enough!

We wound up being a little short handed…so I had to recruit one of my best friends, Heather Warner who lives close by, and she came and helped out with make and takes… and we had to borrow Chris Foster (the guy on the left), and since he didn’t know he would get stuck in my booth, he had to go out and buy pink and black shirts and ties! You may see him if you attend the consumer shows this year…. he’s our consumer show guy.
I have to thank my team for all the effort and, well putting up with the outfits and the boots! The boots were a really bad idea! LOL.

The redeeming quality of all the work that goes into the shows… is simply the chance I get to see everyone a couple of times a year! there are so many individuals that I love and admire in our industry that we only get to visit at these shows!  This time was so cool because there were a number of people that are taking my “Year to Remember” class at Big Picture Scrapbooking that came and introduced themselves- and I got to hear a little insight into their personal goals and response to the class so far. It was so cool for me!
Thanks to all of you who stopped by to say hello… seemed to be a lot of ladies that had attended Creative Escape and even tried to get in for pre-registration! (with no luck!)

i was so happy to come home last night. I was really missing my family! I came home to a clean house and happy children! Thanks LIZ… for your help in that department, and thanks to eric…in the past he has come to every show and is usually the master of the make-n-take… but he has been frantically getting ready for his National Builder’s show next week in Orlando…but he still managed to help coach the sat. basketball game, do sharing time, get the boy’s to practices and scouts… I couldn’t do all this without the support I get from my husband, friends and family! Colton’s only complaint was that dad never seemed to know what was for dinner! (I asked him how that was different from me!!) they did great… I missed them. 6 days is too long!

Ok,
So I know this is a really long blog post… and if you are still reading… you deserve a metal…
I thought maybe I could talk about my new products… I took lousy photos… so I will be highlighting the new products on my blog for the rest of the month…  just one at a time.
Guess what is SO cool…. !?! they are all in stock and shipping Feb 19. So if you see something you like, make sure you let your LSS owner know she needs to place an order (before the backorders hit!)

XL GHOST:
Arrows
Exclaimations
4” clocks
butterflies
flowers
hearts
hibiscus
label holders
stars and
wings

BLING:
Crows (clear, pink, green and blue)
Hearts

Journaling spots:
More of my favorite days of the week
Pink
Orange

Writers Block:
These are super cute little pads of paper that have borders and such in different colors. I like them cause they coordinate, and they are cardstock weight.
3 different sizes
2 different color sets (kinda boy and girl)

CLOCK OVERLAYS:
12”… they are for use in the clocks or on a page… they were one of the hottest items. Very cool.
3 different styles in black and white and one in pink.

RIBBON:
There are like 30 I think…
On the little bobbins..
A  yard on each spool and
$.99 each retail.

ROLLED STICKERS:
I love that I get a whole roll at my house! These are clear…I am loving them!

Flying bird in black, pink and white
Damask in black, pink and white…

MASKS (finally new masks):
Bird and branch for sure the most popular…
Dots
Butterfly
Leaves
Tulip
Condensed floral

These sold like hot cakes.. and I was thrilled. I am loving them all!

XL Brads:
For floral centers:
Brown
Orange
Black
Pink
White
Green

XL Photocorners:
Have to be my favorite at the moment…
I was surprised to get a little mixed response… cause I am so in love with them all…
But they do look a little GIANT, and you kinda have to see them in action to love them!

STAMPS:
These were a huge hit as well… you can’t see the images at all in these photos… so I will have to show you later…
But know that there are 18 more coming at you… all at $1.99 retail!
They rock
JUST FOR LOOKS:

You can see the idea book there in the bottom left corner of the photo...
I decided to take a little different spin on my idea book this go around. This book is simply photos of scrapbook pages. Page after page… just like if you were looking through my scrapbook album… there is no instructions, commentary or frills. It’s ‘just for looks”… turned out great… and I think it’s very useful! It’s retail is $9.99 and it’s a great value!  The layouts are created by Emily, Janet and I, so there is a nice mix of styles and ideas… good stuff.

Ok
I gotta take the dog to the vet.