Lollygag

Reflecting . . .

I'm in a reflective mood this morning or should I say afternoon since it's now 1:45!
Got lots on my mind to think about and relish.

Melis came over this morning and it was so good to see her. Growing up we saw each other everyday at school and heck we even shared a dorm in college. Now there's a week or two in between visits and it's not like she lives that far away! She's such a good person and I think about that often. She just gets me! No matter what we do we always enjoy each other's company. It can be as exciting as a trip to Vegas or an ordinary Saturday morning chat. She doesn't care the vacuum's strung out all over the floor, or that my hair's in a ponytail and I haven't taken my morning shower yet! :) I just love that comfort level between friends.

I have other encouraging and supportive chicks in my life that I'm thankful for.
Amanda- How in the world would I make it through each work day without you! I thought it was funny when you were complaining what you were going to do when I took a vacation day on Friday. I responded by saying at least it wasn't maternity leave! Yea, that sure was a long 12(?) weeks without ya. But seriously, I thank your for all your encouragement and inspiration for my creative passions. You always give an honest, constructive word of advice. And . . . you're always good to laugh with. Or discuss the fine art of cupcakes or any other dessert for that matter! I would have never known about Cupcake Island if it weren't for your investigative skills!

Last night I met a bunch of local ladies that share my passion for scrapbooking from Two Peas. Of course I was a little nervous and kinda shy since I didn't know many of them. But they all were very kind and welcoming. So nice to chat with people that love this hobby as much as I do. I'm still new to the whole process of submitting and design teams but these chicks seem like pros! Man, I've got a lot to learn!

I posted the picture above since it seems to go with my "reflecting" theme. It's my Mom & Chance at the lake a couple weekends ago. She doesn't even know I took it. I came outside and just thought it all looked so pretty with the view, the tree framing her, etc. End of the "lake" season is fast approaching. We'll probably go down there tomorrow to close up. Turn off the water, put the patio furniture away, etc. Before long we'll be raking leaves.
And on another note, 15 days till Mom and I leave for our European adventure! Gosh I can't wait. It will be so special sharing this fun time with her. We've looked forward to this for so long it's unbelievable that it's this close!

Guess what?

I made the Stemma Design Team!! Chelsea called me at work last Wednesday and shocked me with the good news. I asked her, "How'd you get this number?" And she said, "I searched you down, I do that for people I want on my team." Wow, hearing that certainly made my day!

So last Wednesday was pretty fun in my neck of the woods. Chuck and I celebrated being married 3 years! We went out to eat and really enjoyed the evening together. We didn't get to take our little romantic weekend getaway like we had wanted. I called down to the Lied Lodge last Monday and they were already booked for the weekend. We are definitely going to have to try again though.

Last night when I got home from work there was 3 boxes waiting for me on my front porch. It was like Christmas. I couldn't believe it! The Stemma fairy (Chelsea) sent me tons of their product. Her presentation was excellent! She had purple tissue paper and even sent us Stemma t-shirts. When Chuck got home he said, "Looks like we can cross scrap supplies off your Christmas list this year!"

I'm very excited to be a member of this team. Looks like there are some fun and talented ladies that I'll be joining. I really can't wait to get to know them all better.

And now, in the words of the Stemma fairy, Without further ado I bring you the 2006 Stemma Girls!

Sandi Peiffer

Diane Lynn McGraw

Michelle Van Etten

Cynthia Roybal

Melissa Kelly

Amy Welch

Toni Boike

Queen of Halloween

It's getting closer to fall everyday! Yesterday I was in Nebraska City at the Apple Jack Festival amongst a bunch of fall propaganda. Apple pies, apple cider, caramel apples, pumpkins, candy corn, cornstalks, the list goes on. I even had a apple chicken bratwurst and a cider slushie for lunch. Sounds a little different but it really tasted good.
There were so many wonderful photo opportunities. I was with friends and didn't want to hold them up so I didn't get too snap happy. With next week being our Anniversary I think I'm going to try and steal Chuck away to Arbor Lodge for a night. Then I can go back and take as many as I want.

At the craft shows there of course were so many fall decorating ideas. Made me want to come home and get my house ready. That's another thing on this week's to do list. But I already know of one item that will be out front and center this year.

I made my "Queen of Halloween" crown at work a couple months ago. We were concepting for fall/holiday and we had one afternoon to "just create". This is what I came up with. I know some of you have already seen it. (AW & MK)
But since it wasn't chosen as an idea to go forward with I brought it home to decorate my dining room table with. I love this idea! I made another "New Years Eve" themed crown last week but it was for a call so I can't show it to you yet.

So what are some "signs of fall" you're seeing in your neighborhood lately?
What are your favorite fall time decorating tips?
Come on out! I see the stats for this site and I know there's a bunch of you that aren't leaving comments. Let me hear ya!

September . . . and a good mail day

I absolutely love the weather around here lately! Looking back, this is the reason I picked September for my wedding date. The weather is perfect, not to hot, not too cold. And on the 20th of this month Chuck and I will be married for 3 years! Gosh the time's gone fast.

I reveled in the gorgeous surroundings on my way to work this morning. I had the sunroof open and the windows down. Don't you feel guilty using the AC when it's like this outside? I thought to myself, "Remember this and be happy cause January and the bitter cold is right around the corner."

It's time to put my sandals away. As much as I love 'em it's just not sandal weather anymore. There's fall craft shows with Melissa to look forward to, the Applejack festival in Nebraska City, Outdoor fall portraits, The Pumpkin Patch, Apple cider, and one thing that always makes it feel like autumn. Maybe I'm just weird but when I saw that the candy corn was out at the grocery store I just couldn't resist. I grabbed a bottle of peanuts and took 'em home to mix. I wasn't introduced to this wonderful sweet n salty concoction until a couple years ago. The girls at work got me hooked.
So I made a big bowl tonight and keeping in mind that I'm working on my weight before my Europe trip, I just had a handful. Yum!

It was also a very good mail day around here.
First was my order from Papier Valise. I LOVE this store!

Turquoise Glass Glitter
Metal Numbers
Mercantile ribbon
Dress-Form Drycleaning papers
Bus tickets
and my favorite: French Flashcards. I plan on using them in my layouts for the Paris portion of my trip!

And last but certainly not least . . . our Eurail passes and tickets arrived! We're all set now.

From London to Paris we're taking the Eurostar (we'll be traveling under the English Channel, sounds fun!)
Then Paris to Nice it's just a regular high speed train.
And from Nice to Venice we're on a night train. This one was tricky to book. Everywhere seemed to be sold out! Finally I found a company that got me two berths in a four person couchette. Yikes! We really wanted to get a double to ourselves but this was the only thing left. So . . . say a little prayer for us in October. Hopefully it'll be just fine. I'm hoping we'll meet some very nice locals that will give us great restaurant ideas or something like that. :)

Good ole family time

So my Labor day afternoon turned out perfect. Great weather and I got to be with my family. (including the dogs)
I always have my camera with me at the lake but lately I haven't taken as many pictures 'cause I feel like I have a zillion of the same thing. The scenery, the boat, the dogs playing in the water, etc. This Monday though, my brother let me have a mini (10 minutes) photo shoot. He got all excited after I suggested it and told me he needed new pictures for his Myspace profile. Yea, I'll remember that one to barter with next time too.
It was late afternoon sun and some of the pictures turned out too "hot" but there was a break when the clouds passed in front and gave me some great lighting. I only got one or two shots that way but it's how I got my favorite.

Here he is loving up Autumn. (Back when the sun was at full shine)

And of course, Mom and her little pooch. I love this picture of her. I think she looks so pretty. Can't wait to scrap that one.

Labor Day

No worky jerky today! Yea! Kona is thoroghly pleased that I am at home with her. After finishing the milk leftover from my Cheerios she has taken up permanent residence in my lap on the computer chair. The weather is starting to cool down and it's prime "creating" season. During the summer it gets so hot up in the studio. No matter how high I turn the AC it never gets completely cool since it's on the second story. I need to invest in a window unit just for this room but I never got around to it this year. I'm saving all my money for EUROPE! I've got a countdown calendar going at work. I think I'm around 42 days left now. :)

It's been a pretty good weekend so far. After work on Friday I went out to my parents house to check on the dogs and just spend some time outside. Nothing like walking around their 5 acres to make me feel happy and content. Brings back so many memories of being a kid and playing out there for hours on end. Mom and Dad weren't coming home for a little while so I decided to mow for them. It can take awhile to get it done but it's such a pretty view and the weather was so nice, it really was relaxing. Plus there's nothing like looking out on the yards once I'm finished. Beautiful! And such a sense of accomplishment!

See what I mean?

Saturday night was date night around here and we decided to try something a little out of the norm. We went to the drive-in! We took the cedar lawn chairs (cushions included) off the front porch, put them in the back of the truck and drove off. It was a beautiful evening! Even so, I brought hooded sweatshirts and a quilt in case it got too cold. We found the perfect spot once we got there and Chuck backed in so we could sit in the chairs in the bed of the truck. It wasn't crowded at all. Perfect! And for $8.00 we got to see TWO movies!

There was an intermission between the two movies so Chuck and I went to Walmart to get ice cream. I assumed we'd just get plastic spoons but he insisted they'd break and we needed to buy regular ones. We found a 3 pack of "regular" spoons but realized we wouldn't be able to wash them before we ate with them. Yuck! But Chuck had another idea. He grabbed a bottle of Purell and some paper towels. Back in the truck we "did the dishes" before we got back to the theater. I was kinda iffy about the whole situation. I didn't want to eat ice cream with a spoon that tasted like Purell! But it was just fine and we enjoyed our treat while watching "You, Me & Dupree". Then the cold set in! Between being chilly outside and the ice cream we just ate, we had to cuddle together in our sweatshirts and quilt to keep warm.
We'll have to go back one more time before they close for the season in October.

Now I'm off to enjoy the day. Don't know for sure what I have planned yet. I'm up in the studio right now but I know we'll probably head down to the lake this afternoon. It stopped raining and the sun is out!