Scrapbook Playground

Our 1st Annual Scrapbook Retreat was held on April 18-20, 2008 at the Ramada in West Sacramento

We ended up with 22 women. We had a blast!

For 3 days we at yummy food from LaBou, Vince's, and Chevys. Plus had a waffle and an omelet bar for breakfast.

Classes and make and takes from Sei, Fiskars, Stampin Up, Heritage Makers and more!

Games, recess, hula hoop contests, pj party, chocolate night! What more could a girl ask for!

I can't wait for the next one!

Only one word

I got this email from a friend. Instead of emailing I thought I would post it here. Pass it along if you'd like.


You Can Only Type One Word
Not as easy as you might think. Now copy or forward, change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use */one word/* answers

1. Your cell phone is? usefull
2. Your significant other? aaron
3. Your hair? thick
4. Your mother? gone
5 Your father? here
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? vacation
8. Your favorite drink? lemonade
9. Your goal? happiness
10. The room you're in? bedroom
11. Your ex? none
12. Your fear? divorce
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? fulfilled
14. Where were you last night? meeting
15. What you're not? perfect
16. Muffins? yes
17. One of your wish list items? degree
18. Where you grew up? Wilton
19. The last thing you did? breakfast
20. What are you wearing? robe
21. Your TV? off
22. Your pets? hamster
23. Your computer? laptop
24. Your life? overwhelming
25. Your mood? ok
26. Missing someone? Mom
27. Your car? Van
28. Something you're not wearing? pants
29. Favorite Store? MINE!
30. Your summer? vacation
31. Love someone ? Lots
32. Your favorite color? Sage
33. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
34. Last time you cried? Tuesday
35. Who will/would re-post this? Wendy

Pictures of the beach

As promised here are pictures of our trip to Salinas, right off Pebble Beach near Monterey.


This was our view from our hotel room. We were only 300 yards from the beach. The view was spectacular. Sea anemones. We saw quite a few in the tide pools. I love my camera. I got some really great shots.
The hermit crab on the right was pulling the one on left. We watched for a few minutes. It was very interesting. I need to some research to figure out why.
The waves were awesome. I wish I had brought a chair. I would have sat for hours.
We walked along the boardwalk, through the golf course and along the beach. Our entire walk was probably 2 miles. It was beautiful.
I have many, many more pictures. I think I took 50 just of the water. LOL It was a fun trip. I really want to learn more about my camera now. I may think more seriously about taking a digital scrapbooking class.

It's over

In a very anti-climactic way Aaron came into our bedroom Friday around noon to announce that he had submitted his last assignment. Barring any strange rejection of the assignment from his instructor he was done with his Masters.

It was kind of disappointing. After he said he was done I just stood there for what seemed like hours, when in fact I'm sure was mere seconds, waiting for the angels to sing or balloons to drop. After 9 long years of schooling there was surely a more substantial way to end it.

Thanks to some wonderful in laws and great friends who watched the kids we were able to go away to Pebble Beach for the weekend to celebrate. I will post pictures tomorrow. We will also be having a big celebration next month for friends and family.

When Daddy gets you dressed

You are 4 years old and end up wearing your baby brothers 6/9 month pants as shorts!

I don't know what is funnier: seeing your son in what resembles girls capris, finding out they are your babies pants, realizing they fit your 4 year old or discovering that Daddy laid them out for the 4 year old to wear! LOL

This made my day to see this when I got to daycare at the end of the day (Daddy dropped the boys off today).

Support System

Many of you know that I have been going through a really rough time lately. I have suffered from depression most of my life. It gets worse after each baby.

After doing some research I believe I have a mild form of bipolar called hypomania. I have had manic episodes after Andrew was born. It was great for a while. I could function on a few hours of sleep, got a lot accomplished and felt like I could conquer the world. Then I began to have anxiety attacks and would black out. Not as much fun.

This time my depression was triggered by another baby, DH in school full time and owning a business. My manic episodes presented as irritability. NOT FUN! I have been short tempered and not a nice person. Everyone around me has suffered.

Thanks to some wonderful friends I attended a post-partum depression class, got an appointment for couples counseling, have an appointment for a medication review and have been able to make a start on discussing my marriage concerns.

So much has changed in the last few years. I am not the same person I was 10 years ago or even 5 years ago. I love my dearest husband with all my heart. I want our marriage to work. I know that we can conquer these changes and learn and grow. I love my kids and look forward to being a happier mom so I can enjoy being around them more. I especially LOVE working. It is so rewarding to work and succeed at something.

I am thankful for all my friends that have been there for me this last week. For a business partner who provides me chocolate and forgives me when I am being an idiot. For employees who see my need for time off and push me out of the store and take over my shift. For customer/friends who take me out to dinner so I can get out. For more employee/friends who jump in to work at the last minute so I can attend meetings. For others who offer me advice and a listening ear. I am grateful for each and every one of you. I would not have made it through this with out you.

TV stars

Today we had some local tv morning news gals come into the store. Sarah and I both love watching their show and get excited every time they mention scrapbook. Just knowing that they are into scrapbooking makes us feel somehow connected.

Right after they left I missed a call from another station. We keep playing phone tag. They want to get us on to do a spot about the classes we teach for FREE at Borders. Thats right everyone you can catch us for FREE. Check out http://www.bordersliveclasses.com/ and search for Fun Crafts with Kids, Beginning Scrapbooking and Scrapbooking your Family History in the hobby section to find out the dates and locations of our next classes.

Then I got a call from a 3rd station. I have been on Sacramento & Co. several times in the past. They asked me to come in this Friday March 21 for Good Friday and do a 5 minutes Easter eggs with children segment. Sarah helped me get some great ideas. After rushing over to the salon to get my roots touched up we went shopping for some materials. I am excited. The activities we have planned should be fun. I was asked by the producer to bring the kids. I really don't think she wants 5 so I will probably bring just 2. To find out which 2 tune in to NEW10 @ 9am. For more information visit http://www.sacandco.net/.


I guess I have become an expert in my field!