Just for Fun

Okay I was reading "erin in utah's" blog today and she went to Ask.com to see what image was associated with her name, well I was shocked to see that there was a girl who had my exact name, when I google imaged "Kristi" I got Kristi Yamagucii, and Marie was Marie Anntoniette and if my history is correct she lost her head! So I went with Kristi Marie and found a delightful image. Thanks for the fun Erin and Jason... (the first image is an species of Affrican violet and well the 2nd is self explantory.)

Happy Birthday Jake D

Today is Jacob's 15th Birthday. I can't believe our youngest is 15.
There is so much to say about this young man, I could write a book
He is funny, witty, charming, kind and so on.
He is full of spunk and at time's piss,
he is a thinker and a reader,
He likes to solves problems and take things apart
and put them back together.
He can tell a story about anything,
and solve just about every video game we own.
He is a friend and pal,
loyal to the end and sometimes till he gets hurt.
He is logical and contemplative,
He doesn't have a short fuse but also isn't the most
tolerant.
He is sweet and kind when its important and fights for the underdog,
although He won't admit it,
he loves his sister and would stand up for her at any cost.
He is about justice and hope,
and doesn't tolerate the nonsensical.
He is such an important part of our family
and I am so thankful for Jacob.

I know one day he will go off to college and pursue his dreams,
in the meantime
He is my organizer, helper and pal.
I love when just he and I get to hang out.
I hope to spend the next 15 years
talking about life and figuring it out,
I hope he will always remain close
and stand up for what's true.
Most of all I pray that He loves Jesus
and will always remain at His side.

Happy Birthday Jake D

Monday being Thankful

I rec'd an early birthday present this weekend from my mom. You see in my book birthday's should last a month. They should be filled with fun lunch dates with friends, a family dinner on the actual day, maybe a home cooked meal by mom/grandma, flowers in some instances, thoughtful cards, etc. My mom told me (at my prompting) that we were going to take a little siesta for my birthday this year. She has been ordered by her doctor to get some sun, because she is lacking vitamin D, I need some retail therapy so we are headin' south. We leave the 9th and return home the 12th. Its a short, impromptu trip but well worth it. I will see some friends and eat at some of my favorite restaurants. The most fun part is going! I love to get ready to go. Think about what I am going to take, the sun, etc.

Do you ever take a last minute trip/getaway?
This makes me so thankful. Thankful my mom knows I need to get away, amazing girls to help out in the store so we both can go, kids who can hold down the homefront while we are away, etc. I have such a good life. You?

The "LOVE" month

Can you believe its almost February? We had a really fun class this week making pages about things we love. 8 girls enjoyed the new Bazzill paper that has Hearts already punched out in the paper. We also used the Cosmo Cricket paper, My Minds Eye and Scrapworks! Have you checked out our February calendar. Its on our website... Lewiston Scrapbooks

A Tag from Tami Sue

Here goes.................................the rules.....
1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details.)
So - here are my answers:
M- Merciful, I know that one of my gifts is mercy, I see the good even when its difficult to identify, I give many 2nd chances and love beyond, I get this from my folks and from Jesus
A- Advisor, aka, I like to give my opinion or advice. Funny thing is that people listen, I don't know if its cause I am convincing or God puts me in the right place at the right time, but I give a lot of advice.
R- Reliable. If I am assigned a task, or given a responsiblity, I take it on fully and finish it! I like to get things done, make decision and get moving!
I- Impulsive, this is good and bad, I can make a decision on a dime, but also at times I make snap decisions and later wonder what I was thinking sometimes I just have to dive right in and not wait another second.
E- Encouraging, I believe in others, I can see the positive and really bring it out in those that I encounter. I like to remind people they are important and full of life, they have somethin to offer and talents we need.

Now who will I tag? Rebecca, James, Aunt Jan, Brenda and Jean

More on HOPE

I have had one crazy week, I won't bore you with the details but I can assure you that not one area in my life was untouched. Today I really feel comforted by these words by Joyce Meyer...

Everything in life is a process in motion. Without movement, advancement and progression, there is no life. Once a thing has ceased to progress, it is dead. In other words, as long as we live, you and I are always going to be heading somewhere, and we should be enjoying ourselves on the way. God created us to be goal-oriented visionaries. Without a vision, we become bored and hopeless. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, according to Proverbs 13:12, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. There's something about hope that makes people lighthearted and happy. You're not going to be happy if you don't have hope. The more hope you have in God, the happier you become. Biblical hope is a close relative to faith. I don't see how you can have faith without hope because hope is the foundation on which faith stands. Hope believes everything is going to turn out all right—hope is positive! To enjoy life you must maintain a good, positive attitude. God is positive, and He wants positive things to happen to each of us, but that isn't likely to happen if we're not filled with hope and faith.
Some people are afraid to hope because they have experienced so much hurt and disappointment that they don't think they can face any more pain. They refuse to hope so they won't be disappointed. Disappointment is painful! Rather than being hurt again, they simply refuse to hope that anything good will ever happen to them. This type of behavior sets up a negative lifestyle. Everything becomes negative because their thoughts are negative. Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he....

Your Future Has No Room For Your Past!

There is more for you to read if you are interested at Joyce Meyer

H-O-P-E

I just needed to be reminded today of my word for the year.
Today
H stands for: helping a friend on the phone who was sad, heat from the heater since it was only 15 degrees when we awoke, heartache but the knowledge Jesus knows my struggles, fears and emotions, hand lotion that smells yummy on my desk and a heart scrapbook page I made last nite of me and my husband.

O stands for: oxygen that we need to breathe (basic I know, but necessary), an omelette for breakfast a few days ago that really hit the spot, friends with open ears to encourage and stand with me in tough times of late, opportunities to make my 8-5 job run smoother, and orange scented candles on the warmer.

P stands for: pretty paper that just arrived in the store. pets to greet you at the door and make you laugh thru the day, a pink polka dot handbag that I rec'd for Christmas, PASTA- i am a carb junkie, anytime I can have pasta its a good day, I even like it plain and lastly my pen that I love, its just one from a local bank, but it works and its reliable, simple and sweet.

E stands for: everything that glitters, I am loving sparkly products right now that are in the store, "E" you know with reference to the eco system, my daughter is working with our family to be more green, its a stretch for me, encouraging words, like water and air to my soul, I need it from many areas and God seems to provide me encouragement when I need it most.

what is your word for the day?

Paper Crafts Magazine!!

We're FAMOUS!

We are featured in Paper Crafts Magazine

We're listed in the store directory

in the back of the February issue

Just think we have been open a little over a year and we are in a magazine! who knew?

Doctors and Dentists oh my!

It seems that I spend a significant amount of time scheduling and taking our family to the doctor. Both kids have braces, and out of town orthodontists. Mike sees a plethora of doctors ranging from psychologists, psychiatrists, a neuro-surgeon, and a family doctor. Friday I took the day off and took Jake to Dr. Damon in Spokane, he got amazing springs installed to adjust the placement of his jaw. This also happened because Jake wasn't so compliant with wearing rubber bands. I also took Mike to meet Dr. Ganz in Coeur d'alene. Mike has a bulging disc that is impinging his sciatica in his right leg. We have finally met a good doctor and he scheduled surgery for February 5th.

Tomorrow I take Savannah to the orthodontist in Pullman. I get Wednesday off.... woohoo (from doctors appt's) But then Thursday Mike see's Dr. Walker in Moscow. This is a fairly important appointment in my mind because he has not been doing well. For some reason he's given up on living again. Don't ask me why or the reason, I have stopped trying to understand or explain this.... for whatever reason he is thinking he wants to die again. (don't be alarmed, he is on meds and has a great support system, we tell him to go to work and to try his best each day) If he gets worse he can always go into a hospital to get stable. Its just not the best choice for him. He has the tools to cope and to live....

If you need help finding your way around an insurance company, or knowing benefits, etc. I can help! I have called many a customer service line and fought many battles over what paid and what didn't.

I plan on scrapbooking Friday nite and Saturday as a reward for all my "doctoring" Wanna come along?

A long Tag

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items.
You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Grapes
2. Bakery: donuts
3. Meat: petite steaks
4. Frozen: pizza
5. Dairy: yogurt

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway.You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you.So, what's in your bag?
1. Jeans
2. black tshirt
3. clarks shoes

If I was to listen in on your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. This is Kristi
2. No, your child support check did not arrive
3. GET OUT SIDE
4. How can I help you?
5. Thanks for coming in

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. No Diet Coke available
2. Check my email
3. read the newspaper

We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Surfing twopeasinabucket.com
2. Napping
3. Scrapbooking
4. Blogging
5. Talking to friends

We are going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit.What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Polar Bears
2. Exotic birds
3. tigger

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. Dr. Phil
2. OPRAH
3. The Hills
4. Amazing Race

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Cookies 'n' Cream
2. Peanut butter chocolate
3. mud pie

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. Cell Phone
2. Kenneth Cole wallet
3. handmade checkbook
4. prescription drugs
5. Lip balmY

ou are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Surgeon
2. wildlife biologist
3. shoe shop owner
4. talent scout

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?
1. Enjoy more school activities
2. Have more respect for your parents
3. Take more trips with friends
4. play a sport getting

Saturday- BUSY and full of fun!!!

We are busy this weekend!

We have amazing Valentine papers,

with My Minds Eye, Cosmo Cricket and Daisy Buckets.

Tomorrow morning we start a new class.
PAGE CHALLENGE WITH KRISTI O
this class is designed to get you thinking outside your normal mindset. We will make at least 3 pages all for $10. 10am you need basic supplies and some photos

MEGA KIT returns at 1pm
Girls in this monthly club will love the Christmas papers and embellies!!

Then we are Croppin' the nite away
Enjoy dinner, conversation, and a chance to play with the BIG BITE!!!!
The Crop-a-dile II has arrived and you will all get a chance to play with it!
3-midnite 7.50.

You better hurry in!

Do you like my new look?

I found this amazing girl online who designs Headers for blogs. Michelle at Shabby Creations, she finally took my blog to the next level. I want our Shabby Chic feel from the store to be more reflective on the blog. Check her out! She is so nice and helpful.

More Valentine paper!!

Its Arrived, another Valentine line

introducing COSMO CRICKET!

CROP-a-Dile II aka BIG BITE

Girls, its amazing. Stop by next week to see this amazing tool, touch it, play w/it, you are going to love how it will set an eyelet 6 inches into the page! woohoo!!

Pre-Order yours and save 20% if you purchase the Big Bite and the case. (shipping March)

A weekend and my mom

I hope you had a nice weekend. I spent most of it at the Red Lion hotel scrapbooking with 40some ladies. We ate great food, and made projects and pages. It was so relaxing and peaceful. Just a group of folks enjoying paper, ribbon, ink and more.

My mom on the other hand did not have such a great weekend. Her neck pain is back in full force. Many of you know that she was forced into retirement a few years ago due to a neck surgery, (4 of them total) of which none worked. She has that constant feeling of pins and needles shooting out her arms, and almost like a hot, poky fire feeling too. She doesn't get any relief, sitting or laying down and often just feels sick to her stomach from the pain. At this point there really isn't many more surgeries that can we done. Short of a miracle from God she is in pain. Its mind boggling and frustrating to say the least. Would you pray for the Jan aka the Queen. She is not only my mom but she's the heartbeat of our store and customers miss her when she is gone. I need her. She needs to be healed.

Thanks...

Do you "Kiss & Tell?" We "Adore it"

Those are the two new Valentine lines we received from My Minds Eye. YES, its here and out on the shelves. You better hurry, its going fast!

I wish... or rather HOPE

Its Friday morning. I am spent. Not just tired but spent.... This week it seemed that in each area of my life something was off.... whether it was a normally compliant child who was adamant about not getting out of the car for an appointment, a husband who had an off week, a real life episode of the sitcom "The Office" at my 8-5 job, and so on and so on. To top it off my pal is vacationing all week, so I didn't have anyone to hang with. Geesh! no pity party here.. I am instead wishing for somethings today and using my word for 2008. HOPE
I hope today..... for peace. Peace in my work and my heart, Peace that God is in control and I am not
I hope today..... for my children to do well in school and finish up their lose ends as the semester draws to a close.
I hope today.... that Mike would somehow understand that life is uncomfortable yet managable. And he would see for even a few minutes that he is truly okay.
I hope today.... that the details for tomorrow's all day crop work out
I hope today.... that people find our store and feel welcome and its a friendly place
I hope today..... that my mind will rest and I will be able to enjoy cropping tonight with friends, being thankful for all I have.
I hope today..... you are blessed and at peace.

We can all breathe easy now

The Zip dry has arrived, its priced and in the store. Thank God. I mean literally. It arrived overnite air from New Jersey. Now that is customer service. I even called and thanked the lady I was not so nice too yesterday.

If you like Rusty Pickle we just received several of their t shirts in stock. They will be for sale this weekend for 10.00. We also received their 8 inch chipboard heart albums just in time for Valentines day. I have been waiting and waiting to tell you that we're going to receive a secret Valentine line into the store tomorrow. It is highly sought after, will sell out in the weekend and you don't want to miss it. Its gorgeous.... I will show you images tomorrow. :)

The End of my world as I know it

There are few things in this world that I can't live without. But I shudder to think that we may run out of just a few essentials.

If you have known me for very long you know that DIET COKE is right up there in my life. God, Diet coke and so on. It is water to me, the nectar of the god's if they stopped making it you would all be attending either a funeral or visiting me on the 5th floor.

And if you have been in our store very often, ZIP DRY! When we get down to the last box, we wonder when it will be arriving. We have it on auto ship, we sell well over 100 bottles a month. Most people buy two at a time just in case they were to run low. Well, last week I called and made sure my auto ship would be arriving on time. (just one box left) The woman who barley spoke english assured me it would ship and verified my credit card number (yes they have used the same card for 15 months but just to be safe). This morning I get a call from her, asking me where I am located, I answered, "Idaho" and wondered why she cared. You see there are 3 other Crop Paper Scissors who order Zip Dry and they sent mine to the one in Texas. This is not the first time this has happened but never with Zip Dry. She then told me that I couldn't have it by this weekend. Well, can you imagine, I blew a head gasket, asked to talk with Michael and he wasn't in..... I told her that I have made the same order for the last 15 months and she needed to figure out a way to get it to me. She told me to hold. She told me they can't ship it overnite as its a hazzardous material. At this point I didn't care if she had to drive it to me from New Jersey we were going to have Zip dry for the Red Lion this weekend.

Alas, they are going to overpack it, (whatever that means and send it overnite) I called my mom and told her she laughed, imaging how that conversation went. Teehee.

Like I said, don't mess with the things I hold dear. Or else my head spins and I spew bile. Its not pretty! not pretty at all.

Word for 2008 challenge from Ali

Many of you read Ali Edwards blog, and have chosen a word for the year. A word to honor and to encourage, one to challenge and keep us on track. I thought a lot about my word and then it hit me over the head. I made some letters for my office when I was on a girls weekend in Coeur d'alene, I wanted to put them up after the holidays. I ran thru many words trying them out and finally when I got the letters it made sense.

My word for 2008 is HOPE
HOPE - to wish for something with the expectation of its fulfillment, one dictionary said, to expect with "confidence." According to one writer, HOPE is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown. The Bible says, that "without HOPE, life loses its meaning and in death there is no HOPE."

I can't wait to see how this word works, I am excited to be Hopeful about things in my life. To expect good and not wait for the bad. I am excited to share HOPE with those that I come across. I think I am going to make a book this year on HOPE specifically for the word, so that I can focus on the good.

What is your word, will you share it with me? Will you check in every so often and she why you chose a word and how its affecting your life. If you read Ali's blog, so many great words are chosen, I hope one will inspire and move you like it has me.

It's a New Year.. DREAM BIG

I have been wondering what this year will be like. I am anxious to see what the scrapbooking world will look like. I am learning a bit about the digital world and that is fun... what's on your idea plate?

I would like to see what you are dreaming of.. Make me a list. Post it here or email it, whatever is easier for you. Tell me what you would like to see, do you love a paper line we don't carry, a stamp line? Are you dying to try that new grunge board from Tim Holtz, learn something new in a class, have you seen something in a magzine and heavenforbid we don't carry it? There are so many companies to choose from, do we carry your favorite? DREAM BIG friends. I want to see it.

New lines are being released at the end of the month and I want to make sure that I have what you want. I have already done some ordering and you are going to die when it arrives at the end of February. Its hot and its going to sell out!!! Can you only imagine?

Make a list! Blog it, email it, bring it in. Make our store your Big Girl Candy store.... and fill the jars with fun!!! There just might be a prize later down the road. Now wouldn't that be fun?????

Just a little retail therapy...

The solution for a rough, gummy day can always be resovled with a little retail therapy. I was so excited to see that the 1/2 yearly sale at Orchards shoe shop began on the 2nd. I drove straight there on my lunch. If anyone tells me that 4 pairs of shoes in one day is too much then they don't walk in my shoes or live my life! I was able to score two pairs of Clarks and two pairs of Born's for $74.65. Can you on imagine?
Later that nite, while Savannah typed a paper, Jamie ate a blizzard and I surfed scrapbook magazines... it helped.

Today... glum, cloudy and would like to anywhere but here...

I am kind of glum today, I don't really know why, I think that I am always longing for things to be different, to be better, I wish Mike were more well than he is, more "normal" whatever that means, that the store were more busy, that I was a better, daughter, mother, wife and friend, that I prayed more, listened more and talked less, that I was kinder, more thoughtful and more compassionate. I wish the sun shined more and it was less cloudy that the wind didn't quite blow so cold and I got just a little more sleep. I wish I was committed to exericse and drinking water, that I spent my time more wisely on things that mattered instead of those that didn't. I wish I took more care keeping my home and our cars, that I walked the dogs more, and had more quiet time. Alas, I am glum. I keep trying to shake it, I had a diet coke, (I am sure that doesn't surprise you) I thanked God for my day, my job and all that I have and yet here I am. I found this quote and I am HOPEFUL it will ring true to me today.

"I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be in another world;
but still I am not what i once used to be,
and by the grace of God I am what I am" (John Newton).

Day one of the New Year

Happy New YEAR!!!!
I had sort of a rough day. I waited all afternoon for the kids to call so we could meet in Colfax and do the exchange. The roads were somewhat icy, and there were parts that were covered in drifts. I don't like to drive on the snowy roads. I was wondering the whole time I was driving why my husband was not there doing the driving. Afterall it is the right thing for him to do. I am sure you will appreciate that he was sleeping at home in bed. Nice, huh?

When we got home, Savannah and I went to play card with the Jones'. They are the nicest older couple ever. Claude and Fern were a riot. Claude called Savannah "Georgia" and it stuck! We played hand and foot and it was a GREAT time. We are planning on playing again this weekend. Its nice to have such good friends we can go be ourselves and have a relaxing time.

I hope your day was relaxing and fun!