just some thoughts on being home

I am home! Can you hear the angels sing? I even unpacked.

Shauna at Up in the Nite inspired me to blog tonight. She did a blog on keeping house. Now, if you know me at all, I am busy. We are talking busy. I have 2 teenagers who are involved in their lives which means I am a full time taxi driver. I work for the Governor, not directly but he signs my pay check, I own a scrapbooking store. I have great friends and family and a hubby with 3 dogs. This doesn't leave much time to sleep let alone do laundry or clean.

Last year I rec'd the best advice ever from my friend at work Bonita. She told me that some people are better at cleaning than others. I would rather spend an evening with my kids than do 4 loads of laundry or clean the kitchen. I know some things are a given and have to be done but I am not going to lose sleep or relationship time over vaccum or sweeping the kitchen. Therefore we have a bi weekly housekeeper. She comes Monday morning and Thursday morning. We are then guarnteed that she will sweep, mop, clean the kitchen thoroughly, throw the laundry downstairs, muck out the bathroom including the tub and do the windows. She even dusts! She is a great organizer and she takes the pressure off of me. Now is my house clean? Nope, do you want to eat off of my floors, nope? You are guarnteed some dog hair or some dust, yes we do wear shoes in our house, yes we do at times leave towels and heaveforbid underwear on the bathroom floor. We don't make our bed each morning, the dogs would just mess it up. We take the garbage out each day but we don't mow our lawn each week in fact its about every 10 days. My husband and I, neither of us enjoy the outdoors and yard work, in fact we argue over it. Our yard kid moved on and Jake is too expensive.. so it gets mowed when we call someone.

But I can tell you this. I spend a ton of quality time with my kids, we laugh a lot, we connect and we share. I have fantastic friends that I keep up with and a successful business.

Just don't come over expecting a show home, its down the street a few doors or across town.... in the meantime you might find me laughing on the deck, or taking a nap...

Longing for home

Officially, I have done Dallas. I have been to Super Target, Super Wal Mart, various smaller shops, a great restaurant called Pantera where they serve small panini sandwiches and homemade soups. Johnny Carino's and I have become one. They are similar to Tomato Bros. with their friendliness and their menu. Tonight I had Calamari and salad to go. Not bad. Oh yeah, they have GREAT iced tea.

But I am done. I have been on the 288 loop a few times, I have sat in my fairshare of traffic and the guys who work at Race Trac thinking I am stalking them by coming in each day for my diet coke.

I am praying and asking God to bring me home tomorrow nite or the next.

TAGGED.... here goes

You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.
At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

M- Married. Yes I am married. I was married on 12-12-98. It will be 9 years this December. It seems like a million years at time and then just yesterday. This last year has been a real test of our marriage. Michael, Mike, baby... he a 6'5 blue eyed boy. Cute, funny and a great dad to our kids. But he suffers from a major depression disorder. Its wearing on a family when the "pillar" so to speak and they are down or sad, or non functioning at times. It takes a lot of energy running a family and keeping "daddy" happy. But God is faithful, and He brought us together. He will help us and keep us.

A- Adventure. I am always up for an adventure. Last year mom and I took on a new adventure by opening the store. It was a leap of faith on my folks part but always an adventure trying to find great things to stock our shelves and keep our customers coming back day in and day out. This week I am on an unexpected adventure, I am in Dallas, Texas. I am with my hubby while he gets some help for his depression.

R- Rest, Relax. This is something I am not good at. I don't really know how to just lay around and clear my mind. I am not good at naps, or watching a long movie. I have to keep moving. I like to surf the internet while I watch TV with the kids, I hate going to the real movies because you have to sit and only do one thing. This week I am sleeping in a bit and trying to rest. My whole goal is to support Mike. But I still am taking adventures daily with the rest.

I- Inspiration, Inspire.... I love to help someone find their dream, capture their vision. I am the cheerleader so to speak and really like to just be that person that can keep a group going. At the store I love it when instructors have new projects and I can inspire people to take their classes, or someone tells me they have boxes of photos and I can inspire them to get them onto pages.

E- Encourager- Encouraging goes with insprie. Its just part of me. I love to cheer people on, whether its in a new business deal, a side job, or their family life. I find that we all have power in our words. Its important to know that we can shape someone's future and help those around us just by being kind and thoughtful.

Now I tag, Aunt Jan, Brenda, Shauna and Michelle A.

Home sweet Store

We are so blessed ladies! I am trying to fill my days here in Dallas with some fun..... and you won't believe it, but I had to drive over 45 mins to find a scrapbook store. The first one I found was so weird, it was like a big empty JoAnn's, it lacked an kind of soul... I hope that doesn't sound too weird, it just bothered me that it was so lifeless, I longed for our paper racks and beat up furniture, the girls were nice enough but it was so "big box" feeling and the racks were empty. They didn't have complete lines like we do, My Minds Eye, Luxe, Dream Street, etc. Then they told me about a store another 30 mins away, they weren't able to tell me exactly it was against their store policy, so I called Becky, gave here the address and we did mapquest to find the location. I made it to Carrollton, Texas. Scrapbook Barn was a warm, friendly and comforting store. The lady was so sweet. I found some American Crafts paper and Treehouse items I liked. But I noticed they didn't carry My Minds Eye, Luxe, Dream Street or Junkitz. It made me so happy to know that we have some the latest and greatest in little Lewiston, Idaho. It made me thankful that we have fun in our store and love to meet new customers. I hope that if for some reason you stumble across us while you are on a short stay in the LC Valley you will find refuge in our Crop Paper Scissors.

I am longing for our beat up hutches filled with Tami and Debbie's project. I want to see Caylie and Evan's cute smiles on the walls. When I asked at the hospital here where to go find some scrapbooking stores they told me Michael's and Joann's. I know that when you ask at our JoAnn's they recommend Mem'ries and us. We also give each directions to the other store. Heck we've been known to call up to see if they have what you are looking for...

Yes ladies, living in the Great Northwest is not a bad thing. In fact even though the southern charm of Dallas is I appealing I can't wait to come home.

I will tell you this... we need a SONIC drive in and a RACE TRAC conveneince store. Sonic still has car side service and they serve COKE... woohoo, Race Trac is just next door to my hotel and they have over 30 types of fountain sodas for 69 cents. God was looking out for me teehee....

On the road 2

Hello from Texas. I am away unexpectedly on a family emergency. I noticed today that My and Me Big Ideas shipped. Also check out the new adhesive from K&CO wacky tack tape runner! It is really nice to use. I am not a big tape runner fan, I seem to mess them up. But I think you will like it. Stop by and see mom this week. Its weird not being around the store. Missing you all

Hot August Nites

I hope you will run by the store Saturday morning and check out the yard sale! I have had quite a few call to say they would be bringing their goods. I have had to be out of town unexpectedly this weekend. Pray for us, its a whirlwind trip. Ta Ta!

One week and counting

This weekend we did a little school shopping. What a fun time of year. New paper, notebooks and pencils. A fancy folder, colored pencils and erasers. I get excited finding treasures, and sales, it begins a new season. We will have a more defined schedule, it means cooler nites and warm sunny days. The Northwest has perfect indian summers, I love Fall. Its a time of change. I love that we still water the lawn but we can open the windows at nite. I love that the trees will turn in a few weeks.

I am sure my kids are a little excited (although they are too cool to admit it, but they like back to school as well.) They like a schedule, they like having purpose. Getting out of the house in the mornings together is fun and then coming back together talking over the day, the experiences and happenings w/ friends.

For Savannah it means ballet and dance again, everyday refining her God given talent and worshipping in a fresh way. Her dance teacher is leaving for Kenya soon and there is a new one on the scene. We know God sent us Courtney, and its going to be a great year. Lots of challenges I am sure but growth is inevitable.

Jacob will be seeking new friends as he is back at the high school here in Clarkston. It will be a whole new experience walking the halls with 1000 other kids.

For the store it means BUSY! We have an event every weekend. We will have a sale for the roundup, a huge retreat with 60 ladies at the Palouse Divide Lodge, then a booth at the fair. We will be receiving a ton of merchandise each week. We love the UpS and Fed Ex drivers. Its like Christmas when we get boxes of paper and accessories. Look for Autumn leaves and their new stamp line, great papers from Creative Imaginations, Daisy Buckets, Paper Salon, Queen and Co., Heidi Grace, Fiskars, Me and My Big Ideas, and much much more!

We are going to really push the envelope of creativity. Dont miss it!!

Breathe deep and enjoy

Amazing ladies. I had the opportunity to spend the evening tonight with some amazing ladies. WOW I am awe of their talent, insightfulness, and encouragement. They make me laugh and accept me when I am down. Each bring something unique to our group.

Jimelle is back from a break, I love her quiet presence and her willingness to help out whenever possible. She is going to be teaching 2 card classes a month for awhile, you won't want to miss out.

Debbie is home from her summer away.... she was so missed. She is truly like family to me, she understands how we work, she fills in just like she is my sister or aunt. I am loving all her new projects, watch out for her amazing classes.

Tami and Cori ROCK, Tami did an amazing job on Shriner's crop this weekend, it was such a blessing. They bring life to me and the store. Their energy inspires me. Each day as we chat away I take in their ideas and breathe them in..... If they are missing for a vacation, or something I know something is truly missing like an arm or leg.

Erin, sweet Erin, she is the youngin' in the bunch and I love her. She challenges me with her energy and tenacity. She introduces me to great girls like Kristi and then makes me laugh with her stories. I am so loving having her around.

What a great nite. Just what I needed. My personal life stressful and these ladies help me create a store that is life giving. Their unique personalities and creative ambition make me smile....and breathe deeply thankful for all we have.....

CROP FOR KIDS

Saturday 18th 11am-11pm

12 hour crop for the Shriners

This is going to be a great event!

Come work on some projects, make pages,

jump start your Christmas cards!

Get in here, bring something snack on

and hang out with us for the day.

$20 and all proceeds go to the Shriners

Call for a reservation 743-2014

(many of you know Jayton as Tami and Jeff Rowden's little boy. He is a Shriners patient. He has been to Portland on a couple of occasions for surgery to correct a cleft pallette, this weekend honors the Rowden family)

8 random things.....

We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.*Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.*People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.*At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and they should read your blog.

1) I don't like wearing socks, not at all, I wouldn't ever wear them if we didn't live where there was winter weather. I love mules or sandals all the time. I even own a pair of Mary Jane Crocs.
2) I don't like my sheets tucked in, I think it is simliar to the sock thing, I don't want my feet to feel claustrophic, so we just use a duvet cover and no sheets tucked in.
3) I love to give gifts. I love the hunt and search to find the most perfect gift for someone. I almost love the hunt just as much as the actual giving.
4)I have always wanted to be a concert pianist, I would love get lost in music, but I am not patient enough to practice, I want to be good, NOW. HA!
5)I grew up downhill skiing during jr high, high school and college. I went every weekend and was pretty good. Then I got married and Mike didn't ski so I haven't been back.
6)I always wanted to own my own business, I knew growing up that I would be good at it, then last summer we opened a store, its fun and busy, crazy and stressful and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else that I can think of.
7)my ultimate vacation is cruising. I am so spoiled on a cruise, I don't even care where I am going as long as I am on the ship and with people. I love how people sleep on the ship because the boat rocks with the water and its comforting. I love how there is someone to take care of you the whole time you are there. Its such an amazing time.

Now I am tagging Tami Sue

Bling Bling

"Every girl needs a litte bling"
Tonight Erin and Deanna came to the store with the 5th Avenue Jewelry collection. It was an open house and some really great girls cameby. Everyone left with a little white bag of bling. There were gorgeous ear rings, bracelets and necklaces. Traci really stole the show with her fun set which she wore to dinner. It was relaxing and just a nice evening. Thanks ladies for coming by. Hope you had as much fun as we did.

Surprised by the kindness of others

I had an interesting weekend. It was my 20th High School Class reunion. The packet originally arrived at my home in April and it was thrown in a pile with the rest of the "junk mail," I didn't really give it much thought, had it been college I wouldn't have missed it but I was having trouble coming up with reasons to go to the high school one. Afterall, I still live in my home town, my kids attend the high school, anyone that I would like to see I still do.... so why go. Why go and feel the need to prove myself and who I am or who I have become.

I did take a walk down memory lane last week and remember the 80s. WOW nice hair and clothes..... man, what we were thinking? I am sure the hair spray companies made a mint on the 80s. I did wonder about a few childhood friends and where there were in this life. Friday nite my neighbor called and asked me if I wanted to tag along to the cocktail hour. I don't drink and had a horrible day at work so that thought of getting dolled up didn't sound like any fun to me. I opted instead to spend the evening with Savannah having dinner and relaxing. I was at the point of needing some downtime so I took it. The next morning Diana told me she was really glad she had gone and I really missed out. I then called up a childhood friend Chantelle who has in town from Colorado and she answered! She acted like it hadn't been 25 years since we'd seen each other, rather like we had spoken just the week before. She told me to come by around 4:30 and we could go together. (there is that whole group girl thing that still works).

I was then in panic mode. What would I do with the millions of lbs I had gathered over the last 20 years, my hair looked horrible, I was getting my nails done and oh no, WHAT WOULD I WEAR? I don't have a tan, I won't have a date as hubby is out of commission this weekend, suddenly I was thinking hit redial and BAIL! But I didn't. I shopped quickly for an outfit that didn't look great but I felt good in, even got some fun shoes and off we went. Her family welcomed me just like the did the years we spent together. It was comfortable and fun.

I was amazed when I arrived at the hotel. People greeted me and hugged me, they asked about me and my family. They even made me and official nametag and found me a dinner. We spent the next several hours figuring out who was who, there was a darling slide show w/pics from the past and present. There was awards for who had changed the most, the least and been married the longest. There was more chatting, dancing and fun. People hugged me and chatted and were interested. Guess my life isn't so bad afterall. So thanks to Chantelle for letting me tag along, Anita, Steph, Shelly and their gracious husbands for dinner, Andy, Denny, Don, Eric, Colleen, Sherry, and the others who entertained me and were geniunely interested in me and my family. I am now looking forward to our 30th. And yes, I am thinking already about my hair, what to wear and how to shed these lbs I have picked up along the way.

CROP: verb- get together with fun great girls, sort pictures, gab, make pages, cards or alter something. Leave the kids at home and chill in the cool crop room.

WHEN: Friday nite 5-11pm
Saturday all day from 10-5pm
Sunday 10-4pm

WHO: Great girls like Debbie, Cori and Tami

WHERE: Crop Paper Scissors 851 Main Lewiston 743-2014

WHY: 'cause your family deserves albums, and they will know they are extra loved when you come home and show off all that you did about them!

Are you packing? Get moving, Get in the car and Go down and CROP!

So I bit..... just do it, I promise it won't hurt

Over at Ashwin’s blog, you will find one crazy blog owner!! You can win $2500!! To enter just copy this text and paste it in your blog!! But hurry, this competition will not last long! So get posting!

CHA pictures

I was able to take sometime tonight and download a few pictures from CHA. Hope you like them! We have this product in our store!

Check out my Slide Show!