Searching for missing boy.....

anyone seen him?
He turns 8 on Sunday and we are just wondering where he has gone!!

Feeling better

Oh that is just music to my ears.
I have been a bit sick.

I actually got rest and took care of myself on my 5 day Scrappin Weekend. S.A.V.E. was just awesome and I really thought I would come home all refreshed and ready to go, but somewhere along the way of being with close to 140 woman I got sick! But I can feel the end is near, and hopefully the use of tissues. Do have to put them on the shopping list for tomorrow!

Kate and Josh are doing ok. As Kate says...."no time to be sick!" So she got her round of antibiotics and they seemed to have done the trick. Can't wait to open the windows again...that has to be the worst part of the winter!

In Wrestling news...

Josh is 8-1 on the year with one more match next week. He should be seeded up in the top 4 for his weight bracket for the East Penn League tournament. It is pretty excited since in his first year last year he was ranked last. He has worked very hard this year and is really starting to mentally get more and more each week. They work so hard on learning all year, it is really exciting to see them put the moves together in a match and see their excitement when it actually works. We are so proud of him and are looking forward to a great tournament season!

So today I am working on the Coach's scrapbooks for Football. We have our banquet next tuesday and I have them about 1/2 done. It should go pretty quickly now that I have the intital patterns done. Hope to post some of the pictures soon.
Also gearing up for Chantilly in a couple weeks. I can't wait to go and have some fun with the girls. Also so excited to be taking a class with Stacy Julian. I am not sure if she is ready for all 11 of us in class...but I can guarantee it will be a hoot!
Also loving all the new things coming out at CHA(Craft & Hobby Assoc) This is the semi annual show where us retailers buy the new things for the year. I have already ordered many things and am not too upset to not be actually going to the show this year. The vendors are all making it so easy to order without going to the show that it is great to be saving the $1000.00 or so dollars it would cost to go and spend it on new inventory instead. More great things to get for the Corner Store. Tim Holtz is also doing some great little videos over at his blog, showing how to use his product...and it is a great idea! I have had a rush of orders for his new Design ruler, fragments and his scissors this week! You go Tim!

So I am loving life, it is so great to be home running my business, enjoying my friends, and cherishing my family. We have just finished up putting the final touches on our Alaska vacation in June and now just have to plan which excursions we want to do. My friend Deena has been giving me great websites to visit and look at all the things we can do. It is so exciting! 12 days of an unforgettable trip.

Josh is turning 8 in just a few more days.....

Hangover!

Yep, that is the right word...

Now this was not the typical hangover...it is a Scrappin Away Vacation Hangover!!!

Yep 4 great days of scrapbooking with 130 women!!! I have to say this was one of the BEST EVER weekends too.

There were 130 women there to have a great time. They were there to scrapbook! I saw alot of productivity. Met some new ladies, and loved it that they have already told me they would be back! Saw some old friends, and it is always great to see them return year after year. Saw som ladies that I haven't seen for a while, and was glad to get to see them again. I usually have alot of stress going on at my events. But I have to say this year it was different. The girls working in the Corner Store were just fantastic, and I am so BLESSED to have them in my life. Trish, Deena, Ruby, Kim , Steph , Julie , Dot and Linda...you all ROCK!!! I couldn't have had such a successful event without each of you! Thanks so much.

A big shout out too all the ladies that came to the event too. I know there are many choices out there for weekend events, and places to shop. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my new adventure in the Corner Store and your compliments to me this weekend made me smile alot. I love bringing you the latest and greatest in scrapbooking. Can't wait to start getting more things in after we see what they come out with in Feb at CHA.

Now I am going to take a few days off from everything and get things organized for taxes and finish doing inventory. Josh is home today and we are going to go enjoy a movie and some lunch together. I missed him so much this weekend. My little guy is turning 8 in a couple weeks and I just want to soak in every minute with him. He wrestled on Sunday and he won both his matches, which makes his record 7-1 this year. 2 more weeks of wrestling for the league, and then we start the tournament season.

So I am nursing a sore throat this morning and feeling a little bit under the weather. But hopefully it will pass soon. I have so much scrapping momentum now I just want to get to it. Chantilly, VA for Scrapbowl 2008 is just around the corner and I can't wait to get down there and scrap the weekend away with 10 of my friends.

Last week I went over to my friends house, Julie. Her little one and I played the Wii , bowling was her game and she WON!!! I just love this girl for her silliness and excitement! Go Sydney GO!! You ROCK!

Still Rollie's Words....

Just hanging a new sign for this month.



The Corner Store sign was made by my great friend Julie and I wanted to hang it up here for this month. Since this month starts a new year and a new beginning. I love having this little store and this month I am vending for the first time at an event. Rosie is doing her Katrina Crop again this year. I am so happy to be a part of this. It has a special place in my heart. These families are still struggling to get their life's back, and so many have forgotten that there are so many still suffering so much from the horrific event. So we are going to raise some money to help families get back on their feet. Some great raffles and prizes are up for grabs!



It is hard to believe that one week from today I will be heading up to Split Rock to get ready for 4 days of cropping at S.A.V.E. . This is an annual event that I look forward to every year. This year promises to be even better then ever before! Great classes and great people to spend four days with!!



So in other news, We took our trip to NYC on Saturday. Kate had gotten the family tickets to see one of my favorite books/movies, "The Color Purple" and it was starring one of my favorite singers FANTASIA!!! So we headed up to the city on the train and headed over to "The Top of the Rock", It was a great day to see the city. We rode the subway, which seemed to be one of Josh's favorites. He liked being able to stand and hold on to the pole.

One of Josh's favorite bands...Green Day! I love this picture!
The Play was AWESOME, AMAZING and more AMAZING!!! I just love the story this book tells, it is a great love story. Learning to love yourself when no one else will. To come from a place where everyone is telling you that you are nothing, and becoming something. How one person caring about you can change your life....but most importantly you have to care about yourself. The music was just amazing! I love the song "HELL NO" and of course the line " God would be pissed off if you walk thru a field and didn't notice the color purple" I still find myself quoting the play. Bought the sound track at intermission, because I knew I wanted it on my ipod. I know that Fantasia is now done with her tour on this show, but I hope she does more, her voice is just amazing!
Josh is enjoying his Ipod Nano....(thanks Grandma) We watched Sponge bob episodes on the way back on the train. I love this picture as we are sharing the head phones with each other.
Then on Sunday it was off to a day of wrestling. We wrestled CB South, their one team has not been beat in 5 years, and our boys did great. We didn't win the Varsity team match, but we gave it a good try. Josh had 3 matches and he went 2-1 for the day. I have had a good time working on getting better wrestling pictures. I still have a long way to go but they are getting better. A lot less are blurs on the screen. We have started taping all his matches also. Kate is having a hard time taping but is getting better. It is hard to yell and hold the camera still. Besides you are doing the moves with them too.

So here we go...2008 is up and running....and I got thru my first session of exercise yesterday! Still don't like it...but did it! I will go back Thursday and continue...maybe one day I will like it. Doubt it tho!!

It is 2008! and 2 years of blogging.

I can't believe about 2 years ago I started blogging. I was reading some of my first post here. Boy what a difference 2 years will make in ones life.
What makes you happy in one moment can bring you nothing but pain in another. Now this doesn't happen over night, but with time and things not being as they seem, it sure can. It is a little like a relationship, say a marriage that goes bad. It starts out so wonderful, you are so in love and lust with someone , or something that it is all bliss. Then when you get down to the nitty gritty, true colors and all that come out. Only the strong survive, and you can only hope you see what is coming before it swipes you up against the head.
Al righty then...on to present day.
WOW 2008!!!
Josh will be 8 years old one month from today. I will be running a GREAT Scrapbooking event in about 14 days. It will be a bit different this year from last year, as we had Ali Edwards up here last year, it was a bit busy and crazy. This year it will be much calmer, and it will be so nice to have the ladies I have coming this year. Looking very forward to a great event with great people!!!
Then it is off to Chantily, VA for Scrapbowl 2008!! Will be seeing some great people, Donna Downey, Kristina Kontes and of course going with 12 of the best girlfriends ever!!!! We are in for so much fun, the stories I am sure will last for a long time.
In April, I am going to South Carolina....or is it North? To spend a great 3 days learning and expanding my art at Donna & Bill's Inspired Art workshop!!! Just had great news that my buddy Steph is going to be joining me too...which is just making it that much better. Working on one more to come with us too!
Then the creme de la creme...is ALASKA!!!! I just can't wait for our family to go on this trip...a trip of a lifetime, something we are looking forward to, and something we will cherish every minute of.
So those are the big things....all nice and easy and all have already been planned booked and we just have to get on the planes and we go.

So here we go into 2008, I have chosen a word for the year..."Simplify" I am going to journal about this this year, it will have many meanings I imagine. I have already begun to do this.

I am now home, working on my online store, running the retreat company. I love having the time to do what I want to do and be able to do it for myself and my family. It is so much better to be doing all the work and reaping all the rewards for it, rather then doing the work and having others reap it. It makes my life so much more simple to reach goals for myself, while not having to answer to anyone else. I love that I still get to see all my friends, and customers. I love going out to meet them with goodies or having them stop by the house. I love having little impromptu crops at the house, and having workshops. It is so great to keep living your dreams.

So 2008 is looking great. Kate will turn 50 this year, and I am sure we will celebrate in a great way! (I have a few ideas )!!

Well back to inventory....packing for S.A.V.E. and living life!

Our little champion!

Great day at our first tourney of the season! Josh fought hard! He made it to the championship match and won 2nd place! He wanted 1st place very badly...so he will continue to practice hard and we know there will be some 1st place trophies in the very near future! So PROUD of him!!!

I Won it!!!

It is a prestigious award!!! I can't tell you how fun it was opening this gift on Christmas Eve!!! I will cherish this cheesy gift! I love that my friend Nic knew I would get a kick out of it and have fun with it. Christmas Story is one of my all time favorite movies and I can quote pretty much the whole thing. Guessing it helps that it is on for 24 hours every year and also that I own the DVD! ah well we all have our downfalls! Ok so this will have a special place in my heart and room always!
and this is a SCORE!!!! Mom made us a red velvet 4 layer Cake for Christmas eve dinner. I have to tell you, I know why they call it velvet!!!! This might have to become a tradition!
and it is the little things....and I mean little! These ping pong paddles and net came with the DVD Balls of Fury...and I have to say the laughter they produced were more then a belly can take. I suggest they market these little things! It gives table tennis a whole new meaning!

So the big day is over, but Josh and I have decided that Christmas is much too good to last only one day, we have been playing and having company over everyday. Today Uncle Steve comes over and a few other of Josh's friends. We will be rocking out on Guitar Hero III!!! Oh and by the way...I have cleared ALL 42 songs on EASY and about 18 on Medium....ROCK ON!!!!

WOW!

Seemed to be saying this silently to myself alot lately. Once again Kate blew me away with her thoughtfulness that goes into any gift she gets me. She just knows me better then anyone, she knows who I am and loves me anyway. She is my true best friend, and also my life partner. You don't get much luckier then that! Well.....unless....your BFF gets you tickets to .....

COLOR PURPLE ON BROADWAY STARRING FANTASIA!!!!!!!!!!!! oh yeah I DID just use those !!!!! I am just blown away! When I first found out Fantasia was playing in The Color Purple ( one of my FAVORITE) stories. I wanted to see it so bad. But then life got in the way and I put it out of my mind, knowing things were just too busy. Well Kate didn't and she made it happen! I already count my blessings everyday that I have her in my life, that I have someone that is ALWAYS in my corner...not just when things are going great, but ALWAYS! Then she does things like this that just humble me so much to know she just loves to see me smile, and knows what will do that even more. Thanks my love!
Then there is this, and if I have nothing else, but have this....I would be just fine!
And the music of the season.....it is so hard to clear these off my ipod. But don't worry ladies going to S.A.V.E. ....I promise they won't be in the Shuffle this year!!!

So on to doing Inventory for the Corner Store, so we can order lots of new goodies for the new year! Hope everyone enjoys the week and keeps absorbing the season.

Oh and did I mention....I am ROCKIN Guitar Hero III on the Wii!!! (that I will save for another blog :)

This makes me HAPPY!

I love this hat!!!

I love that it was made for me!

I love how warm and comfy it is!

I love this hat!!

Celebrations!

Today is Ruby's birthday! She is about half my age, but age truly doesn't matter. This girl has more talent in her little pinky then most will know in a life time. Her potential has no limits, and her heart grows more and more each and everyday.

Ruby and I met thru the wonderful world of scrapbooking, and even if we didn't always see eye to eye, we saw something in each other that we didn't want to give up on. Ruby has been a true sense of support for me over the past months. I never knew how strong she was, or how true of a person she was till it was tested. I am so very blessed to call her my friend, and I cherish her everyday.

Enjoy your birthday today girlfriend! Eat lots of Peppermint ice cream!!!

Another celebration I want to acknowledge is that this lady! (no not merideth) , Kate, is now a Vice President in her company!!! I am so proud of her, and so glad she got the promotion she deserved. She is a very hard working lady, and it is nice to see a company realize that in 3 short years. I love that Josh has such a great role model on work ethics. It will help him thru out his life. Congrats my love....We are going to celebrate big on Sunday!!!

Another great celebration was last night as Josh had to wrestle off for his position. If someone wants to challenge you they can. Josh won 5-4 last night against a kid that last year was throwing him around the mat. It was great to see Josh's determination and that the hard work is paying off.

So 4 more days till Christmas.....makes me a little sad sometimes, I look forward to the build up as much as the actual day I think. But Mom is coming in today and can't wait to spend time with her. Dawn ( Kate's mom) comes in tomorrow and then it is a big family Christmas just waiting to happen!

Letter to Santa....

Just love this letter!

When he asked me if he could write a letter to Santa the other night, I was excited because I love to see him write these every year. When I got the letter handed to me to mail to Santa, I was once again amazed by my son's compassion. He didn't list one toy, or item. He has told me several times that he loves that I don't work at the store anymore, he loves having more family time with us.

That speaks volumes to me. I love being home for him and with him more and more each day. I love being able to do the things I need to do for our family and our home, and also have a great business at the same time. The Online store is going so great and we haven't quite got our website going yet. My customers rock and they are a great group of ladies.

So along with Josh , I wish all families to have a lot of FUN this Holiday season. Don't let it go by without soaking in every moment....we will be having some Wii fun on Christmas day! Can't wait to play!

Sign of the Times

This sign was a gift from one of my best friends. Julie will never know how special this was to me. It made me cry when I opened it. Just the fact she took the time and put the thought into this overwhelms me. Julie is one of the most thoughtful woman I have ever met. She is always making others feel very special. She never stops thinking about what she can do to make others feel special. Her positive attitude and her never tiring compassion has just blown me away so many times in the 2 years I have known her. I am so happy that she is my friend, I am more then blessed that she is in my life and my families life.

Thanks again Julie, I will always cherish this, and it will be hanging up soon!

On another note...happy birthday to my friend Steph P. She always makes me laugh, and when I call her to talk she always gives me level headed answers. I admire her for being one of the strongest ladies I know, and such a great Mom! Hope you have a great day and I raise a glass to your day!

Party! Pin! Rest!

In that order!!

Yesterday was our 10th annual Holiday Open House.

It just amazes me every year how many people look so forward to this party.

Comments from some of the guest are just enough to make me teary. I love that the Sheilds told us this year that the kids didn't stop talking about the chocolate fountain for 3 months after last year! I love this!!

Others just telling us how much love they feel in our house. That is so important to Kate and I.

I also love how much Josh looks forward to this party too. He told me Saturday morning that it is like our "other Christmas", because we get the gift of so many friends. Damn he is one special kid!! A little off track, tonight he told me he wanted to write a letter to Santa, because he wanted to ask for more family time, because it is the best present he could get. I am thinking that little movie "home alone" got to him the other night.

Here is one of my favorite shots from the party on Saturday......well that and the hair flip pose Lisa did for me, but she won't let me post anymore pictures of her on my blog!!! (and this one wasn't even of her in her pajamas!!)

I saw these ladies pushing little kids out of the way to get to the chocolate fountain!! ( just kidding, no children were hurt , much!)

After the last guest left last night around 10 pm , it was hit the pillow only to be woken by the wind, ice and a 70 lb dog on my head shivering in fear. So after lots of hugging and calming down, I think I got a few hours sleep. Then it was off to the Wrestling match to watch Josh pin his opponent in about 40 secs. It is great 2 pins , 2 wins for the season! and a big thanks to Karen Russell! thru her blog and a few emails back and forth, I am on my way to getting a few better wrestling shots this year!

So that is it for this busy day, only 9 days left!
Mom comes in town Friday!!! So excited to have her here this year.
Kate's Mom comes in Saturday...first time for them to spend Christmas in 18 years....that just warms my heart.
Then it is a weekend of baking cookies, Peddler's Village and a great Christmas Eve dinner with Friends and Family! I am one lucky womyn to be so blessed in my life. Thanks everyone that supports me each and everyday. My friends, you are truly awesome and amazing to me!!!

O Christmas Tree.

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas.

Which is a good thing when you are hosting a holiday party in two days!

We have watched The Grinch, Elf, National Lampon's Christmas Vacation, Frosty, Santa Claus is coming to Town, Polar Express.....and each night or two we see another classic or favorite. Tonight we watched Home Alone for the first time with Josh, that was different to watch as a Mom, I was crying, funny how things are different after children.

So all that is left is lots of cooking tomorrow. Which is a day I look forward to. Salsa, banana bread, and hot chocolate mix. Lots of wrapping to do also, but it will all happen somehow....Christmas magic!

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday, a heart felt happy holidays from me to you. It has been quite a year in alot of ways and I am so blessed to be where I am in life. I love to reflect on the year and realize this.

When things are happening you don't always think they are the best. But if you just take it in faith that everything happens for a reason, and you are not in control of everything, then you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So wherever you are in your journey....keep going.

Not sure what made me think about that, but maybe someone who reads this needed it.

So sit down, have a cup of hot cocoa and cuddle up with someone and watch a Christmas show....enjoy the holiday.

Smiles!

These girls make me smile!

wow only 14 days to go!!!

Got my village put up today, got the living room, play room, and almost the dining room and Kitchen all cleaned and ready for the 10th Annual Open House this Saturday!!

I can't wait to have all 70 people over for the day! It is just a great day to see many friends. It really is one of the best days of the season for me. To hear the laughter and the chatter of the day. I will miss some of you that can't make it this year, but you will be in our hearts!

Now back to Santa's workshop....I have a giveaway to get ready for tomorrow!!!

Perfection

or at least the closet thing to it. Ever dream of that perfect day, one that you could write the script to? I do that quite often, and usually end up crumbling the piece of paper up and throwing it towards the trash can. It takes alot to have perfection....but every once in a while, you get to keep that one piece of paper uncrumbled! Yesterday was my day!
It started with the Stillings Family Tree Hunt for the "perfect" tree...really we just love something green and fluffy! We usually find it. Today was no exception.

Josh wanted to cut down the tree, and he found out it was not as easy as it looked.
But together we worked thru the tree and hollered.....T I M B E R !!!
Then Josh, wanted to pull the tree down the hill, and well he landed on his butt at first try!
But he got up, and pulled and pulled again......

and again......

and again......he landed on his BUTT!!!! Laughing the whole time.
Finally he got it moving and he was quite happy with himself!
Then
Then it was down the hill we went to bring our "perfect" tree home!
Our Friends Coreen and Nicole invited us to Philly for the evening. We went to the Wanamaker's Building where they have this wall of lights, and do an old fashion light show, none of the modern lasar lights, just a good old fashion, (looks like a giant light bright) motion and story. It is narrated by the voice of Julie Andrews.

Josh and I layed down on the big red carpet with 100's of other family's and watched the show. I will cherish this moment. It was just fun to watch and know that for many years people have done this same thing with their kids. I love tradition....and I think this one might make it into our life's every year!

How can you not love that smile!
This is what made him smile!
Then it was off to the Dicken's Village, another part of the Holidays in Philly that is rich in Tradition. From what I understand it has been around since 1987 and it is worth a walk thru.
Oh and to have someone read each of the story boards, that makes it even more magical. Josh was riveted!
and what would a perfect day be without a surprise Hanuka parade of cars, all fitted with Menorahs! Oh that just made me smile. How fun to celebrate the holidays.

So it is Sunday morning and I am getting ready to go and start to set up the concession stand for Wrestling today. Josh has his first Varsity match and we are very excited. Hope everyone finds ways to make the holiday season Perfect for them!

So we went to see the big guy.....

Yep the one and only..... SANTA!!!
He was so cool giving Josh a high five!
They did some whispering and I couldn't hear anything!
Josh said he only asked for 2 things.
Hope he is on the GOOD list this year.

Having fun with the advent boxes....Josh got some pokemon cards, and tonight he got to pick what we would have for dinner.
Chicken Enchiladas it is!

Have been working on the house more. Today I hope to finish the closet, caulk and paint the trim one more time, and then finish the red paint into the kitchen. I want to take it to the cabinets so it has a stopping place. Tomorrow I am going to IKEA to get this and 8 of these
So excited!!!
and even more excited I won the Football pool last night so that is an extra 300 dollars to put towards these new beauties!
I needed 45 points or more last night , so I was the fan wanting scores, not caring who got them!
Don't you know in the 3rd quarter they got to 44 points 24 to 20 and then no one could score...they just kept going back and forth!!! It was so hard to watch...I was sure for a little while I would just be 1 point away from it all. But then the Patriots pulled it out (with a LOT of luck) and got the winning TD! Whew.....IKEA here I come!!!

Ok back to work....only 21 days to go till Christmas!!!

Let the countdown begin!!

Made these little advent boxes this weekend. Josh is very excited to open them each day. We are doing different things, some charity, some presents, some special events. I love his excitement.



Today we are going to see Santa. Josh is ready to go see the big guy and let him know what he would like him to bring. I am so happy I get to go and get the picture. I love having that picture every year. It brings the magic back to me everytime.





Had a FANTASTIC weekend with girlfriends!!! We scrapped the weekend away from Friday to Sunday. Laughed, cryed from laughing, ate way more then I should have, and got so much done in the way of christmas gifts. I am making 90% of my gifts so I needed a really great weekend to work on them.

The dining room is on the agenda today. I just have the shoe molding and the one step trim to go. Then it is off to IKEA on Wednesday to pick up the dining room table and chairs. Then it is Decorating full force!!! I can't believe I have less then two weeks before our Holiday Open house and over 50 people coming. I can't wait....this is just my favorite party of the year to have friends come and have holiday cheer with us!

Got the living room done last night, the curtains are back up and except for removing the carpet and doing the flooring this room is done. We hopefully will do that after the holidays.

Need to go and look for a fixed lens for my Nikon too. I was reading on Karen's blog about the pictures she takes of her son wrestling, and in order to get the settings I need a new lens. I can't wait to try this out.

Hope everyone is getting excited about the holidays.....it is truly a wonderful time of year to take time to be thankful for all the wonderful things in your life, and let those around you know how much you love them.