Taking the Scenic Route

Lazy Summer Days So what have you been doing for the summer? I haven't been that busy until just this last week. Had a wonderful opportunity to play (thanks Sarah and Layle!)with the new Scenic Route CHA release, and it is gorgeous!
TemptationSo with the last week being full of paper and glue, the rest of my stuff has been in a holding pattern! I leave in 36 hours for Chicago, and still have just a few more things to do besides love on the kids a little more!
Two PeasI really like the work I was able to do with this new line, and the colors really were fun and spoke to me!
TrueI could visualize just what I wanted, and totally get there! There were some paper size issues, since we were working with printer proof sheets, we only had one of each design! Rox and I had to do some serious negotiating to make it all work, scraps and all! It got very funny at some points!
Room for Squares
SpoiledThe summer has just flown by, and I can't believe that the kids go back to school in just four weeks.
Me and My ShadowI need to get them out of town, but I am not sure how and when or where! Any suggestions? Karla wants us to go to Oregon in a week, but *ack* not sure if I am up for that drive!
Good Clean FunThe kids would love to go to CA, but there is a bit of weirdness with Dave's parents, they haven't been very communicative, so we think there is something going on with his mom's health. Any way, don't want to drive all the way there to find out they decided to jump to Hawaii for a couple of weeks.
Take a HikeDave is still relatively new in some duties at the office so he isn't feeling like a long week is in the cards for him. So thus, my best vacations this summer (but not the kids, hehehe!) have been in my scrap room playing!
And getting to take the Scenic Route Paper Co. vacation was heavenly!
B-

I am such a Dufus!

Is that a word? Even if not, it still would describe me!
I made travel arrangements to go to Chicago alone.
I love adventure, and so when the opportunity came to go, I just bought my plane tickets. Well, I spent the day trying to find out exactly where I am going!
The flight is into O'Hare airport. The Hotel is a Westin, there are only three in Chicago. The convention is at the Donald E Stevens center in Rosemont. I think I have it covered! I'll just bring my running shoes and be good to go! I think the downside of this convention center is that it isn't in downtown Chicago. I was really looking forward to seeing this area, and will probably have to take a train to get there. Easier to rent a car, maybe. I will seriously be missing Rox on this deal, she and I rarely are apart when it comes to stuff like this, but she used her fun money to go on a "family" vacation. I will still take the kids to Oregon later this summer, but this was just too much cool to pass up!
All the girls who are going to be sharing the hotel room have decided to do some fun swaps with each other, and some little giftie things. I love this!
So my count down has started! Only Ten days!
The girls will be gons all week for girls camp, so that will make the house a little quieter than usual also, and with Wimbledon done, I will have plenty of time to make happy messes in my {S}crap room too!
I do have to try to catch up with the Tour tho, in the past I had followed it closely, but this year has been a thin watch for me, I only know a handful of the riders that are left. I really wanted to see George Hincapie have a breakthrough for his many years of hard work, but he is 17th right now, not good! Dave Zabriskie is a local guy, but the news in Utah suffers from a state of smallmindedness, so we never hear how is doing. I think he is in 9th.
Anyway, Lots of tennis to play this week, and lots of scrapping to do!
B-

Saturday is a special day

Today Dave and I got up and went to the aerobic tennis workout, lots of balls, lots of running and lots of fun. After that hour and a half of sweating profusely, I went to my team workout and hit for another hour and a half with girls who absolutely RACK on the ball! So much FUN! I got home, exhausted, sweatier and ready to put ice on every joint I own! So instead of sitting down Dave and I went over to the church and fulfilled our scheduled commitment to help clean the church building. The good thing is that when everyone shows up it goes quickly! Dave and I vacuumed (my shoulders were so tired, the vacuum felt like it weighed 1000 pounds!) a bunch of the classrooms, emptied the trash cans and shook the front foyer entry mats and then vacuumed them. The building always looks so nice, and it is so great that all the families in the stake take turns to care for the building!
I am now finally sitting down and icing knees and watching Wimbledon Women's finals. Mauresmo is finally staying tough and beating Henin-Hardenne. Any tennis fan worth their balls is supporting Mauresmo because of the Australian Open where Henin-Hardenne retired from the finals in the second set she was playing against Mauresmo because her stomach hurt. Such incredibly bad form to steal such an important moment from another athlete that they have earned! Congrats Amelie, well deserved win! Beautifully played tennis!
On the scrapping side of life, I have taken this week off. I had so much tennis to watch and so many other things going on, that this took a break. It is good for me, I think that this keeps me fresh and humgry, I always have so many ideas in my head that it is really hard to stay focused, so a little time off helps me. Whenever I get back to my room after a small break, the ideas that have the most staying power find a way to a page usually!
Sometimes is I wish that I had way more time, but I don't think that I am alone in that wish!
Well, I will be watching the Men's Wimbledon final tomorrow with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, hoping that it will be on in my craft room, and not my bedroom with my ice packs!
B-

2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th

And today is the 6th.
What was I doing instead of blogging?
Well, Kimand her good friend Lindsay had this really cool contest going and Rox and I couldn't pass up the chance to enter!
It was for 2 (yes, two!) registrations for the SBA girls weekend! That is almost $1000 worth of wow!
So getting our entry done took the better part of two days. We had to do some layouts and answer some really funny random questions about some of the participating instructors. But most of the questions were from Kim and Lindsay's fun lives!
Along with this silliness I played a little tennis, LOL! Monday was about 4 hours total, two in the morning and then two in the afternoon! Poor me! Tuesday brought one of my favorite holidays and oh, yes I started the morning with a hit with Winnie!
Winnie is the amazing mother of the other pro I hit with a lot, Lindsey. She is in her late 50's, and she is incredible! Beautiful, athletic and the nicest most sincere person, LOVE her! So it costs me a lot of money to hang out with her, but worth every cent!
After a refreshing and necessary shower, I watched tennis, Wimbledon is in the second week, and I am obsessed! No American players left in the draw, bummer. But the quality of tennis is so high that it is so inspiring!
After a slow start, we got ready to go to my parents house to enjoy the late afternoon with a BBQ, card games and then fireworks. It was fun and we stayed way to late!
My brother and his wife have been staying with my parents since they sold everything and moved from Dallas. So I spent the day with them driving around and looking for the neighborhoods that appeal to them. They want to be really smart with their next house purchase and try to find a "livable" fixer. But staying with your parents for an extended amount of time could become trying, and they don't really want to get there, so it is something they want to stay on task with! I was very glad to help!
Of course there was the requisite 1.5 of tennis for me in the late afternoon, so I was able to deal with the car ride knowing there was light at the end of the tunnel!
Sadly, I haven't used a camera in days now. I just haven't had it in hand when I wanted it, and haven't taken the time to go find pictures, bad me!
The girls have loved having their "girl cousins" move so close and have enjoyed every minute spent with them! So many wonderful things about your family living close together!
We are blessed!
B
p.s. still miss the boy.

TV Tennis butt!

So I love tennis.
And I love to watch tennis.
And today was one of those days that was an amazing tv day for tennis, but the result after a day spent on my butt, I am SAD!
Andre Agassi, what a wonderful athlete and great philanthropist, played Rafael Nadal.
He lost and it broke my heart, because Andre just announced that he is retiring after the U.S. Open in Sept. It was a beautiful match but Rafa had all the answers today.
The next match that took my heart was Andy Roddick playing Andy Murray. After almost three hours Andy Murray played brilliant tennis and upset Roddick. I so wanted Roddick to get through here and have a comeback worthy of his ability, he just couldn't come up with what he needed to make it happen today.

On a more spiritual note, Chad and Tori (nephew and niece) were baptized today, and I spoke. It was a great experience to share my love of the Holy Ghost with them. We spent the afternoon at my parents enjoying lunch and the company of my quirky family, it was fun!

My project for the next couple of days is to WIN a trip to AZ for a scrapbooking event that I have been wanting so badly to go to!
Kim Kwan pointed this out to me, and I am really competitive and want to win because I deserved it, not because no one else is playing! So find a partner and play! Don't you really want to go? Yeah, you know you do!

So this post is going to be short because I have a lot of blog reading to do to find the answers!
See you in at the girls weekend!
B-

Miscommunication

An interesting by-product of life.
I try really hard to NOT gossip or say mean things to or about others.
When I have things said about me that I find offensive, I try really hard to LET IT GO! That being said, I just found out that something that someone said that may or may not have been heard in context was completely misconstrued to leave that person with hurt feelings. Well it was a while ago, and instead of going to the source and addressing the issue then when it could be solved without guessing, the person waited until there was no way to make it right and then brought it up. How adult is that?
This is very frustrating to me, because it seems like the person who is accused of this can't possibly make it right after all that time. If you are a person of solid character, you might have a chance of someone sticking up for you and saying something along the lines of it must have just been a misunderstanding. But if no one knows you in these circumstances, you are toast. There is no way to make it right and it will leave others thinking that you are unkind or even mean-spirited.
Doesn't this make you a victim of the circumstances as much or more than the person who felt hurt? It is one thing to have your feelings hurt for an afternoon and then get over it, but to have your character permanantly damaged because of this same misunderstanding is just aweful in my opinion.
Come on, we are adults, state the issue ask for clarification. If there is a valid point, it can then be addressed. If it truly was a case of miscommunication, no harm and no foul. Everyone goes on their way and feels better for wearing their big kid underwear!
Why must we assume the worst and then make others prove that they are trust worthy? I think that it is just a few people who do icky things that make others assume the worst and not be trusting.
This just makes me sad.
OK, philosophical thoughts aside. I have had a GREAT tennis week!
I have made some great personal decisions that have left me feeling peaceful and sure of myself. Haven't had that in a while, so it is nice!
Hearing abut changes in the scrapping industry that have me thinking "wow".
That is good and bad. As a person who thinks more globally, I don't like seeing the little shops (manufacturers and retail alike) getting bought, but I know that is the cycle the industry is in right now.
It is also hard for me to see immensely talented people not be able to get a shot. And there are the media darlings that it seems have so much handed to them without the hoops that others have had to jump through.
Sometimes I wish that I could go back a year and not want what it was that I was told that I should want, I think that ignorant, poorly designed, unpublished bliss would be very welcome, LOL!
I have not been scrapping for anything other than design team work and personal for the last few months and it has been great! Wouldn't it be cool if the scrapbooking publishing fairy just came to my house and said "WOW" you are amazing! Would you mind sharing some of your heartfelt and wonderfully designed layouts with others who want to be able to do the same thing for their family?
The great thing is that I am so over worrying about getting published or recognized as a decent artist! I would, for the companies I design for, like to get some work published so they get recognized more. I do submit work on their behalf, and I am trying, but if it ios meant for me to get there, I guess I will, and if not...
So yeah, just about all that I have going on in my head, besides the usual.
Need to go write a talk for my niece's (Tori) and nephew's (Chad) baptism tomorrow.
Need to do some housework and get the kids going on some clean-up.
Need to go to my room and do some fun stuff for Tyler's New York book.
B-

My little angel!

I poppetized Avalanche, and he is so cute!

I loved doing this project, it is whimsical and just so light-hearted, it let me appreciate the simple beautiful things about the boy that I really miss!

Of course it is minorly annoying to the children because they think that they are way cooler than all that, but that is what makes this so PERFECT!

Find something in your life to poppetize, it will help you appreciate it even more!
B-

Playing catch-up (usually!)

I have so many pictures! I feel like I can't keep up!
I have taken to making more of these smaller books and projects for the pictures that I just can't seem to find a way to get onto larger pages!


These pictures were from our trip to Disney last year and I am just getting them done. Unfortuantely there are soooo many more cute moments that I really want to do projects with! I am trying! This chipboard book was fun to use, and I covered everything with Lazar paper! Tons of different kinds of chipboard and lots of paint and glitter!



Of course it is much cuter in real life, and the kids think it is hilarious!

Split-step

I really was missing the boy today. I wasn't the only one either. To deal with my sadness I went to the craft room and made a layout from some of his bath pictures. Then Carter came in and we went through the pile of pics to have me make him a special memory book.
On the tennis front, I am really looking forward to this league season. I was recruited early in Jan for the summer season for a 4.0 group of gals that I really enjoy playing with. This is an unusual thing to have happen. I am still technically a 3.5 so for these women to accept me and actually want me as opposed to me wishing that I could be playing up is great! What is even better is that this team is really strong and there is a good chance that we could go into some after season play! I went and played doubles with Ally tonight against Karen V. and Karen T. They absolutely cleaned our clocks! It was nice though, I was able to work on my serve and get it grooved and also to recognize that I need to split step to get a better return of serve. As soon as I get flat-footed my return goes downhill fast! One of my goals this season is to get better at my seve and volley. I am very strong of the baseline, but as the players improve I will be playing against, so will the need to be at the net.
Anyway, just a good analogy for my life right now, hehehehe! When I am flat-footed and not preparing for what is next I tend to get caught unawares. When I split-step and then go and get what I want and make a plan on how to have that happen, even if I am not successful all the time, I at least feel like I am moving forward.
B-

Monday!

I know I am weird.
This is not a fact that would be disputed by anyone who knows me, some are nice in describing me as unusual, but I enjoy the march to my own drummer!
This being said, I LOVE Mondays.
I feel like it is a chance to get everything started out with fresh energy and to look at things with fresh eyes.
I am watching tennis this morning, the French Open, it is very exciting and educational. But what taught me someting this morning was an ad for a fund management group. The concept behind the ad was that adversity and challenges do not shape your character, they reveal it. This thought just really struck me right this morning. I had a very adverse and challenging weekend, and in spite of my trials, I really enjoyed it.
This ad let me appreciate myself in a whole new way. There are not many people who would do what I did, and do it well.
I received packs of critiques from CK that I went through last night. I was exposed to approximately 200+ people over the weekend in the classes I had taught for Mel. I had received many kind words of appreciation and about 95% of the critiques had given me excellent in the rating. The part that frustrated me was that there was a handful of people who were really disappointed in me and in the project. I feel disappointed for them that I didn't meet their expectations. But in the grand scheme of things, I realy pity that a more advanced person felt the need to attend a beginner level class just to be in the company of a certain instructor. These people were very harsh in their critiques, and then went on to bash me on a message board. The sad part about this is that they have not considered the position Mel must have been in to even ask me in the first place, or the people who would not have had a wonderful experience if no one had been there at all to present the project.
This adversity I believe has helped me to see that in my character, I have some fine points. I am unusual, but I am caring, fun, creative, and willing to endure uncomfortable situations to help my friends. Thanks go to the people who appreciated and enjoyed that I was there, doing the best I could! Patience goes to those who were disappointed.
Through the years, I have learned the very hard way that no one can be all things to all people. But thanks to the ad on the tv I had the realization, I am not sad that these people didn't like me, I am glad that I have the character to take on challenging situations.
Thanks go to the woman who told me I was a ray of sunshine. Thanks go to the woman who stayed in the class even when she figured out she was in the wrong one because she was enoying the class so much. And Thanks go to Mel for believing in me.
B-

Big Fun in Buffalo!

Things for my travel to Buffalo started of a bit stormy! Literally! I was at the airport in SLC checking in to get on the plane to Chicago where I found out that all the flights in and out of Chicago were cancelled due to huge thunder storms. I went home with new flight arrangements for the following day. The bummer about this was that this was the day we had scheduled for our Little Black Dress team tourist day! So no Niagara falls for me.
I would then get a phone call from a friend who needed a huge favor. There were some personal issues that prevented her from being able to keep her plans to be in Buffalo and would I please fulfill her assignments? Keep in mind that this gal is dynamite and silly good fun, my taking her place was going to be a a small foot trying to walk in a big pair of shoes, especially with no time for prep or coaching on the ups and downs of the projects and what might happen.
I would want someone to do this for me if I ever had the need, so it was easy for me to set my concerns for my own embarassment aside and quickly say OK! Love ya Mel!
Anyway, Thursday we spent the day preparing and setting up the booth for the vendor fair. We had dinner at a cool place called Adam's Rib, and I then worked on making samples for this new assignment until the wee hours! Thank goodness I did not have to come up with a new project, I just needed to put the pre-cut kits together. I didn't have any of the teaching instuctions, just b&w printouts from an email, the instructions and transparencies were being overnighted to me and would hopefully be there in time!
Friday morning came a little too quickly, hehehe! We got ourselves up and out the door and ready to do the days business! The information that I needed for my duties arrived and I taught make n takes all morning to the people who came and visited the booth. I then went and did the assignment that needed done for my friend, and enjoyed meeting and playing with the wonderful and fun scrappers from Buffalo!
When we were done for the day, we went to Le Nova's and had a wonderful pizza and a huge bucket of wings delivered to the hotel room because we were all so tired!
I got a little more rest this time, but you know how women are when they get together, we do tend to visit longer than is maybe practical, LOL!
The next morning I got going with the rest of the assignment, and again loved meeting and having fun with so many wonderful people! I learned that skewompy is NOT a word in New York, the word would be askew! Finished the rest of the day doing make n takes and then got the booth taken down and the products packed up and put away at about 8:00 p.m. We then went out to dinner in the town we had stayed in at a place called the Creekside. It was delish! The bummer about Sat night was that I had wanted to go to a 2peas dinner and hang out with some of the gals! I had big hopes that if I packed fast enough it would happen, but alas, no such luck, we had some parts that went a little slower than usual. Went to bed at about 12:30.
Sunday morning we were up at 4:00 so we could catch our shuttle at 4:30 to make the 6:00 flight. My flight was on time and easy into Dulles. I went from D.C. to Denver in a beautiful and very comfortable 777. Most of my flights are on much smaller planes, so this was delightful! When I got to Denver I had an unexpected gate change and some mechanical difficulites so the flight was about 30 minutes late. The pilot was wonderful and made up 15 of those!
The family picked me up and after about 9 hours of travel, I was really glad to be home!
I really miss my family when I travel, and I love to travel and meet new people, so this always is hard for me to balance between the two! But my family is always going to be my biggest and most fun priority! What else would I have to scrap about if I didn't have such a fun and wild life?
B-

Got Nothing

Going on today.
There was some tennis and some scrapping and kids.
It is one of the days that I am so glad that I can enjoy because I have nothing pressing on me. I didn't have to be anywhere,or do anything for anyone.
Okay, that is not true.
Had to get Dave to the train and Carter to school. And then be to the club by 9:00 to play tennis for a while. Loved on the cats and did some research and playing on the internet. Then Rox brought Ryan by so she could go to a meeting and he and I went and got the girls from school and Dave from the train. Then we picked up my sewing machine and Rox then met us at home so she could get Ryan. Worked on my Lazar DT project which now is almost finished. Went to my tennis lesson with Karen Thorup and then returned some DT e-mails and organized some tennis for the weekend.
That is about as quiet a day as I get, and it was HEAVEN!
I don't really "do" housework. I can always wait Dave out. He was raised by an obsessive/compulsive mother and he cracks way before I do with the messes!
yea I am evil, hehehe!
But didn't you already know that about me?
Still miss my dog and think about Wendy.
B-

A beautiful Utah morning

So I got up today and hiked!
Millcreek Canyon had always been my favorite for the quick close hikes. You can hike in for and hour and a half and get down in forty five minutes so you don't have to spend all day getting a wonderful look at the beauty God gave us! I took two cameras too!
It was actually pretty funny, my girlfriend Elaine was totally annoyed with me by the time we were done.
She said "either no cameras next time or I am going to be late showing up so my hair and make-up will be done!" Maybe I took too many pictures of her and was too bossy with telling her where to stand and how! (ya think?) Anyway, she is such a good sport and totally adorable too, so I think the pics will be wonderful! I used my old analog Canon A-1. It is such a great camera, and when I am on, the pics are so great. Can't blame the camera when they stink unfortunately! Used the digital one for some pics of some beautiful blue moths that I wanted to get for sure, and then just for fairness, I let Elaine take a pic of me. See, I can be nice sometimes!
Well, today is Carter's fourth grade program, it is all about Utah. This is my fourth program and I could probably sing with them and recite all the parts.
I am really grateful that my kids have been able to go to Eastwood, it is wonderful school, all the teachers and a lot of the parents are very involved and commited. That is good for parents like me who when it is time for the fourth child to come through are a little burnt out! I have done time (it sounds like I am talking about prison, LOL!) with all the kids in all of their classrooms, and when the co-op group ended for Carter last year, I decided that I was tired.
So thanks to all of you tireless teachers and parents who soldier on, I really appreciate all of you!
B-

CKU-Provo

What a FUN day!
Went down to Provo today and worked with Teresa Collins at the Junkitz booth, Rox and Annetter were there also, and we met so many wonderful people!
The make and take is so cute, Teresa's foam stamps are darling, and Janna's paper is so colorful and playful, a great combination!
When we were done with those we went to P.F. Changs for a quick bite with some really fun and UBER-talented ladeis! We had so much fun getting to know each other and enjoyed some lovely and enlightening conversations! So shouts go out to Anita, Debby, Marjie, Annette, Emily, Teresa, Michelle and Rox! Got to catch-up with so many people that I just adore too! Love to Sara and Layle, Melanie and Shane, Marjorie and Jennifer, Kelli, Candi and Cammi plus so many more that I am brain cramping on!
Anyway, a really great way to spend the day!
Thanks all of you for involving me and being so amazing, you are all so inspiring!
B-

Can't get caught up!

So I loved going to Vancouver (thanks Christina and Terry!)
I got home on Tuesday, and then had a couple of days to recuperate before working at the Salt Lake Scrapbook Expo for Scrapworks for Friday and Saturday all day!
barely got my feet under me and then left Tuesday for Detroit Michigan for the Great Lakes Mega Meet in Novi. It was a fun and busy show and I enjoyed meeting all the crafters there (especially Mikki D!).
I got home Sunday, Mothers Day at 2:30 and was greeted warmly by my wonderful family! They actually missed me!
Rox and her family and My Mom and Dad came over and Dave cooked and cleaned for all of us!
He is the BBQ master too, it was wonderful and he makes wonderful mac and cheese (Martha Stewarts recipe, LOL!) We had a nice evening and it was great to get to spend time with my family!
Monday I played tennis for over 3.5 hours. I really miss it when I am traveling!
So that brings me to today! I went and had my hair done. I am blonde now.
I will post pictures later, but it will be nice to have it lighter this summer, it always gets trashed in the sun anyway, so I am trying to get a jump on it!
Tomorrow is my only day that I do not have anything on the schedule for this entire month, I am going to go to my scrap room, and disappear in my toys!
Thursday, Friday and Saturday I will be at the CKU-Provo giving some help to Teresa. It will be fun to get to meet the crafters that will be there!
So that is why I just can't seem to get caught up! Nothing spectacular, but lots of good fun!
B-

Installment Three of the Vancouver trip

Woke up to the warehouse sale!




Very exciting, the grab bags we put together were so well received, the ladies and Seymour just loved them! Terry had made some wonderful brownies and mini loaves (Chai chocolate!) and the coffee and tea was flowing. The swaps were fun to watch too!
Christina and I were so happy with the turn out! I am such a fan of Christina and I really enjoyed meeting all of the people that were big fans as well! Everyone had such a great rapport, and I enjoy seeing how creative crafters can be! I want to say thanks to all of them for making me feel so comfortable and welcome too!
After we cleaned up a little, Christina and I went out to dinner.

We went to a really beautiful and fun restaurant called Stone Creek Grill. The meats are cooked on top of a granite slab that has been heated. Both Christina and I had the filet, and it was delicious! Dessert was fabulous too! Christina had a beautiful apple caramel pie. And I went for the chocolate mousse! After dinner, Christina drove me to Stanley park so we could see the view of the city core at night.

It was spectacular!
B-

Wow, that was fun?

Just finished two crazy days at the Scrapbooker's Expo here in Salt Lake and wow!
Rox and I worked for Shane and Michelle Walster. They ran a booth selling Scrapworks products, and it was crazy! We did the craziest deals, I didn't need anything or even want anything and I couldn't not get anything because it was too good to pass up! So I worked a total of about 30 hours over 3 days, 15 of those on Friday alone, I am wonky!
So to top it all off, I leave on Tuesday to go to Novi Michigan for the Scrapbooking Mega Meet. It is going to be so fun, but I am tired already, am I going to make it?
B-

Installment two of Vancouver

Saturday it rained, a lot! But by the evening, it was over, and the air was cool and clean. Christina and I went for a walk down the boardwalk by the old cannery in Steveston, the sunset was gorgeous.
Christina was such a wonderful tour guide, she was born and raised in Vancouver, and knows so much about the culture and changes that have occured locally through the years! I loved the diversity and laid back attitude of this city! For part of the day, we cleaned and set up for the warehouse sale that was on Sunday. We stuffed the grab bags full of amazing rubber stamps that would be sure to please the attendees! Got the tables organized and the items prices and displayed. It looked really nice when we were done!
For dinner we had Greek and it was Delish! All in all the day was a blur of activity!
B-

Sorry so long with no posting..

..it has been a whirlwind of a month.
I need to learn how to post even when I am crazy busy and just make them quick!
Sooooo, just got back from Vancouver today. It was so GREAT!
I will try to give the complete breakdown in coming posts, but Christina and Terry were so fun and so good to me, it was hard to go home!
I arrived on Friday afternoon, and Christina took me shopping so we could pick up some things for dinner and of course I had to get pics!
The market on Granville Island was fabulous, there were so many amazing things there!Beautiful colors and it smelled so great!Those are the pics from day one, there will be more to come, but I am whooped, and Dave missed me!
B-

Teenagers and Husbands....

Grrrrrr.
Had the biggest panic today doing carpool!
Laurel and Chloe always call and let me know where they are on the walk to the elementary school where I pick up Carter, and I scoop them from whereever they might be along the way.
Well, today, Laurel never called. So I called her about four times with no answer. Yikes I was scared and worried! Had something happened to them while walking, had there been an accident at school, you know, all the scenarios run through your head. I pick up Carter and then go to the Jr. high to see if I can track down the girls. I see Chloe immediately, but no Laurel. What? Chloe has no clue and had been sitting patiently at the place that she and Laurel have designated as their meeting place for after school.
This just makes me more worried! Where could she possibly be? I run into the office and let them know that I am concerned about the location of my missing teenager, something that I am sure they deal with on a daily basis. But it is new to me! She looks at me calmly and lets me know that she was thinking Laurel had signed up for a make-up class that was being held after school today and would I like her to call the class room and find out for sure? Heck yeah (I said in my mind) as I politely reply would you mind, that would help me a lot! She gets right back to me and says "Mrs. McDonald has Laurel there and expects to be done at 4:00". Great. It was decided while I was out of town (of course) with her dad and he gave her the ok without mentioning it to me. I call him and ask him if he had know about this and got the "oh yeah, I forgot to tell you". Great.
Is it just me? Would you absolutely just lose it? I was really scared and beyond concerned. I know we live in a relatively safe neighborhood, but that doesn't mean that something bad can't happen, I lived in So. Cal for too long I know better.
So had the chat with the daughter about being responsible for telling both parents what is going on and then using the phone we gave her for the intended use of keeping in touch. Then I have spent the rest of the evening torturing husband for getting "old timers"!
The life of a car pool queen, just one unending loop of school to school to school and then home. Yes, four kids and three different schools, none of which are within walking distance. Never mind that husband uses the train right now and likes to be dropped and picked up as well instead of using the bus.
Any suggestions?
B-

Whirlwind Weekend in St. Louis!

We worked hard, we played hard and I made some great new friends! Got to travel with Little Black Dress Designs for the CKC at the Gateway center.
What a fabulous weekend!
Of course sleep was not really happening but I caught up on that today.
This is a hairdo that Tina came up with at the end of the day on Saturday, it explains a lot actually! She is a blast, so creative and so generous! She taught two classes on Saturday that were so well received that we ran out of chairs! People came into the booth after and said that it was one of the best classes that they had ever had, WTG Tina!

Debby is so talented, and so patient! I was the newbie, and she walked me through so many of the processes of the weekend with such kindness! We have so much in common too it was almost spooky, LOL! We heard so many compliments about the booth and how it was so many peoples favorite, it is because Debby and Cindi know what Tina needs before Tina can even ask, and they just do it! What great examples of loyalty and exceptional customer service! Love ya girl!
We shared many inside jokes most of which I was on the outside of, but instantly felt included because of the warmth and humor that these ladies all share! I don't need no stinkin' pass! They let me right into the club!
*smooches*
Cindi and I were closer in proximity! But at least she doesn't snore! She is also very talented and has a huge heart! She had a big scare on Friday when the tornadoes were in Tennessee, and we were so relieved when she got the calls that all was well! The four of us shared french fries, the bathroom, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and lots of laughs, I am so lucky to have had such a great experience! Thanks girls for keeping an eye on me!
I also had the opportunity to catch up with Erika Hayes from Tracy's Pen and the ya-ya crabshack sisterhood, and she looks fabulous! She is a hoot, and keeps me in line as well! Kisses to you too chickie!
Well, I had to come home and sleep the day away today from too much fun, but it was good to get back to the family! I did miss them, and they might of noticed that I had gone missing at some point as well!
B-

Tyler is going to New York...

And neither Dave nor I have been! So totally and completely JEALOUS and very excited for him! His AP Art History class is taking avery small group and doing a whirlwind tour! He is so thrilled, and I think it is just such a great experience to have as a 16 year old kid to go on such an amazing trip!
My payback is that I am going to go to Vancouver to visit with Christina and Terry Lazar, in the beginning of May, and I can't wait! They are doing their warehouse sale, and we are going to drive to Whistler and be tourists!
Right now I am getting packed up to go to St. Louis to help Tina with the Little Black Dress booth, and that will be fun! She had an important Birthday this week , and we need to help her celebrate! I need gift ideas for the woman who has everything, that would be something that I can afford, LOL!
Anyway, a change of pace and scenery will do me good. I will enjoy clearing my head of the heartbreak that this month has brought and having the company of good friends and a different city will be refreshing.
As some retail therapy, I ordered the Jenni Bowlin kits for the month, and can't wait to get them!
When I get back from St. Louis I will be preparing the design team kits for Lazar Studiowerx and getting them shipped out to the wonderful gals on that team, there are some great things in store for them, and I can't wait to see what their creative minds will come up with!
Anyway, thanks all for the positive energy, every little bit has helped!
B-

Sunday morning

As gloomy and terrible as yesterday was, it is the exact opposite today.
The sun is shining there is not a cloud in the sky and all is calm.
Such a lesson for me here. I really need to remember to enjoy and appreciate the calm while I have it. It is so rare and precious and provides us with the strength to weather the storms that life brings.

The crocus are the first sign of spring here, and they know how to weather a storm. They grow low to the ground so they can retain warmth from the earth. They don't have big leaves that can be frost bitten. Their blooms are very beautiful when open but they know when to close to prevent the snow from coming in and burdening their tiny petals from too much weight. They are the first food for the bees coming out of their rest and they provide much beauty to those who are looking for it.
Heavenly Father gives us examples of ways to live beautiful lives in all the wonders around us, they just need to be observed to have value. I need to learn from the crocus that there is time to come out and be beautiful after the storms have passed.
B-

Grieving

Still.
I know I will be for a while.
Losing Wendy and Avalanche within two weeks is a lot for me.

I saw the parallel in their paths with the battles they fought, and even though I knew with Avalanche what the inevitable was, didn't expect it with Wendy. I really knew she had the faith and strength to fight through it. Heavenly Father just needed her more than we did. It was so emotional to see her parents, her husband and her kids. I haven't cried like that ever. I love them all so much too, but for some reason that I will never understand, or question we had a bond that made her feel like a sister to me. Seeing her in her casket with her temple clothes on reminded me of the day she and Rick got married, and I got to go with her into the brides room as her sister. The excitement and the glow on her beautiful face is still so fresh in my mind, it was only ten years ago.
She was without spot.
So good and unassuming and generous.
Her son Dallas said to her husband Rick, "It isn't fair dad, you got twelve years with her and I only got eight." Out of the mouths of babes come the most profound and important things. In perspective, with eternity just around the corner for all of us, it is just a spec but what a blessing in our lives to find people who help pass the time here in a constructive and enjoyable way. That is Wendy, she knew how to have lots of good fun that was funny. (to quote the cat in the hat)
Wendy, I know you are just around the corner, and that we will be hanging out again soon enough, please don't have to much fun without me.
With Love!
B-