Call for local Scrapbookers...

I thought I'd share this call for local scrapbookers to highlight their particular town/city...wouldn't it be great to see Carlsbad or Oceanside showcased? I plan to go through my photos and see if I can put together a layout, here is the article:

Friday, December 7, 2007

Do you live in WA, OR, CA or NV?
In each issue of Scrapbook News + Review, we’ll draw attention to four different states, highlighting their unique appeal for scrapbookers, both as residents and visitors. We will focus on 4 unique destinations and will showcase each state’s amazing attributes and characteristics, seen through the eyes of scrapbookers.We will focus on the region, popular events and well-known landmarks as well as local scrapbook stores, featured scrapbookers, and manufacturers. For example, you can focus on a town or city, a natural landmark, a destination attraction, a regional festival, or even why you love living there (or being from there).Layouts can be in any size format and of any style, and there are no restrictions on whether it has been posted to an online gallery, blog, etc, but we do respectfully request that you remove it when selected for publication.If you prefer not to submit a layout but still want to tell us all about your home state, in 500 words or less, tell us everything you love about it and why you’re a proud resident.Most importantly, don’t forget to vote for your favorite scrapbook store and include a tid-bit as to why you hold them so dear to your heart. After the deadline, we will tally up the votes for each scrapbook store and highlight the winner of each state.So if you’re a scrapbooker, scrapbook store owner, or manufacturer in Washington, Oregon, California, or Nevada, tell us why your state should be a favorite destination!Deadline: January 15, 2008Email a scan or photo of your layout (as well as information regarding your state) to destinations@scrapbooknewsandreview.com.Thanks, and have fun!

A Holiday offer from Uppercase Living and me!

To celebrate this holiday season, and to say thank you for your interest in Uppercase Living products, I would like to offer you 10% off any purchase made during the month of December. Our two catalogs we have offered this year are being replaced so that we can offer new designs and phrases. This is a great opportunity to get any of those items you loved but haven't gotten around to purchasing! If you would like to view either of the catalogs simply go to www.uppercaseliving.com and click on customer log-in. You will see two boxes and in the box on the right it will ask you for my demonstrator #792994 and a token -Christmas. Feel free to register and create your own user name and password so you can log back in any time. Besides viewing the catalogs, you can have fun playing with our design tool and customizing anything you would like from your child's name to a favorite quote or funny movie line! Once you have decided what you would like, feel free to contact me right from the site or leave me a comment with your email address. I accept all major credit cards.

I appreciate your business, and know that it is because of many of you that my business is a success! I started my Uppercase Living business in April 2007 and am amazed at the growth we've had in less than a year! I am excited to start 2008 with a new catalog and TONS of new designs! I look forward to sharing the 2008 catalog with many of you at your Open Houses in the coming months.If you or anyone you know would enjoy doing what I do please feel free to share this email with them.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season, and in true Uppercase Living fashion, I'll leave you with a "Quote" for the season that I love...

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."

www.uppercaseliving.com
Demonstrator ID: 792994
Token: Christmas
wordsforwalls@yahoo.com

Belated Turkey Day wishes, and thoughts to share...

It's been awhile dear Blog, but life has been busy! I hope your Turkey day was as yummy as mine was... filled with family and good food! I opted to sleep in on Black Friday since there weren't any amazing deals I "needed" to get up for. I shopped later with the cousins, picked up a few ornaments, but that is about it~ J and I shared a Chocolate Devotion at Coldstone and were in chocolate heaven for a little while. Yummmmmy! My pal Casey had this on her blog and so I thought I would share it here too! Have a wonderful Sunday~ we will be decorating for Christmas, I can't wait!

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the paragraphs straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. They are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.

Here ya' go Rach~

A few photos of the designs for your friend with the coffee shop.

This is the cutest saying, I am going to order it for my display~

Check out my latest classes at Ever After. I just absolutely LOVE Christmas, so this will be fun! I can't wait to start baking, and getting out this cute little book with cookie recipes. The Advent Calendar should be fun too~ won't you join me?!

My Uppercase Living event was fun last night. I got to meet Susan Lyons, one of the owners of Freckle Friends, online scrap store. She had some really cute kits, and her friends has some great items to purchase. A great group of ladies to meet and a fun night! Thanks Joann for introducing me to all these ladies~

Off to teach class, better go figure out dinner before I go! :)

The totally last minute photo shoot....

turned out better than I could have imagined, thank to DeShun at http://www.dezignphotography.com/

We were at Ever After in the am, and he had a few openings in the afternoon. I rushed the girls home to change! We raced around to get ready, and within an hour of arriving at EA, these amazing photos had been taken! He was very sweet with the girls and made them feel comfortable. Of course, it helps that they both love having their photos done! He promised Erica a piece of gum afterwards, and she was putty in his hands...LOL!

I don't know how we are going to decide what photo we'll use for our Christmas card~ maybe this one?!?!

The latest from me....

Well, where does the time go? It's been a few weeks since I posted. It actually seems like yesterday! Crazy month for me!
I've had J's scrapbook birthday with 11 girls, 2 Open Houses, volunteered at Survivor Crop, a demo with a MOPS group, class at Ever After, and I have two more classes before Halloween. I hope you'll join me for the Star Album class tomorrow night 10/25 at 7pm.
Whew~ I actually love being busy...Life at 40 has started with a bang!
The next few weeks include my baby girl turning 4~ I can't believe it! She is so excited about her Angelina Ballerina birthday party!

On to a more serious note, the fires in our area, have really made us all slow down this week. Both kids are out of school until next Monday, and no dance class either. Mostly due to the air quality. Our home is no longer under voluntary evacuation (that was scary, not knowing what to do!) We continue to pray for the families who have lost their homes, and the firefighters who are working endless hours.

Here's to updating way more often!

Anyone getting married?!?

I played around with the Design Tool today on the Uppercase Living website. I am trying to put together some wedding designs for customers, and Wedding planners. Here are a few I tried today... it was fun to put our names in! Let's see...we've only been married for 18.5 years! These are made to be put on the dance floor at a reception, a canvas to Welcome guests, or on the window of a limousine. (thus, the black background)

Life at 40...

Holy Moly...I woke up this am and came to the realization that the 40th birthday party I went to this weekend was for ME! Yes...me! Scary but true! I still cannot believe I am 40...part of me loves it, part of me hates it! Just like one of the cards I received said, "I have lived the life of TWO twenty year olds"
Photos...coming soon!

I don't know...

if anyone reads this, but I write anyway. I've been a slacker with my blog this week. I've had a root canal that put me into lala land for a few days, and now fighting a yucky, kids brought it home from school, cold. Okay, enough with the whining!
Meanwhile...
JoAnns UL Open House is still bringing in orders....JoAnn, you rock! Thanks for sharing UL with your friends/neighbors

Jessica is getting A's in all subjects except for Spanish! It is a HS prep class, so I'm glad shes giving it her all. Bill says if her Caucasian side gets a C, and her Mexican side gets an A, that will average out to a B! (funny, and works for me!)

Erica is loving Preschool, and loves staying for Later Gators, which gives Mommy more time to do, as she says, "stuff"

Bill decided to stay with Quest. They made him an offer he couldn't refuse, and so he is happy with his new accounts and some of his old ones too. I am proud of him for his dedication to Quest. They finally decided to let him know they've noticed, before they lost him.

And last but not least, we are on countdown to my 40th Bday...
In 6 days, we will be having a PAR-TAY! The band is all set, the caterer is getting ready, second dress is bought (yes, second, don't ask!)and the drinks are ready to go! Woohoo! I am very excited to share this day, with my family, and friends- old and new!

Almost ready to roll....

for this weekend! My UL demonstrators and I are headed to the Great Womens Expo in Anaheim for a fun and hopefully productive Uppercase Living event~ This will be our first, and I know it is going to go well~ Wish us luck!

Photos of September Class Projects

The Recipe Album class is Thursday, September 20th, the Halloween Star book is Thursday, September 27th. Both are from 7-9pm

Classes for September at EA and a little UL news

My samples for my classes for Ever After this month are finally done!
I am doing a "Made from Scratch" Recipe Album on Thursday, Sept. 20th and then a Halloween Album (super cute, if I do say so myself!) on Thursday Sept. 27th. Both classes are from 7-9pm. I hope to see some of you there! I will add photos as soon as I get them downloaded~

The Uppercase Living news for today is that I can now accept all major credit cards! Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover....now this is very exciting!

My new UL demonstrators ROCK!

I was so excited to login to my UL acct today and see that my team has over $800 in sales for September already..woohoo! That is very exciting, since they both have just gotten started in the last month or so. I've been asked to take over the Great Womens Expo in Anaheim next weekend for Upppercase Living...last minute change, but I think I can do it! I need to spend next week getting all of my display stuff together to make a fabulous booth to represent us~
Off to start my list making...

Things I am thankful for...

1.My considerate, giving, loving husband who goes out of his way to make my life easier, even if it's inconvenient for him...I am so lucky~

2. My almost teenage daughter who still loves my selections in birthday invitation designs.

3. My three year old who sensed I was anxious about my visit to the dentist and told me, "Be Brave Little Piglet" knowing that I needed to hear that. (Just like I tell her when she is feeling nervous)

4. My Grandpa who loves my Grandma endlessly, even now that she is gone to Heaven...may she always know how devoted he was/is

5. My Mom, who is celebrating her birthday today...Happy Birthday Mom! :)

What am I up to ?!?!

1. Finishing up my "Made from Scratch" Recipe Album for Ever After

2. Getting together NEW Fall stuff for my Fall Open Houses with Uppercase Living! I'm having fun with these new designs...

3. Get all my stuff mailed that has been waiting for the 3 day weekend to be over...
Tuesday = trip to Post Office...for sure!

4. Check in with my demonstrators, see how they are doing!

5. Waiting on the arrival of the Halloween papers/albums for my other September class...

6. Prep everything for my Dance Album class (makeup class, from when I broke my little piggy)

More about me...

Never in my life have I: gone skydiving...never will either!
High school was : A BLAST! Crazy fun!
When I'm nervous : I eat chocolate
My hair : Black
When I was 5 : I was teeny tiny for my age
When I turn my head left : I look out the window
I should be : folding laundry, instead I am answering these ??s
By this time next year : I hope to be in better shape
My favorite aunt is : ALL of them, I can't pick one
I have a hard time understanding : Prejudice!
You know I like you if : I make you something!
My ideal breakfast is : Choc. Chip bagel w/cream cheese (bad for me!)
If you visit my home town : you will see the ocean
If you spend the night at my house : you will see that I stay up way too late
My Favorite blonde : ??
My favorite brunette : My daughters, Jessica and Erica
I shouldn't have been : so crabby to my Mom (when I was a teen)
Last night I: stayed up way too late
A better name for me would be : Lucy!
I've been told I look like: Monica Lewinsky (back in scandal times)

Do you want to play along?

Look what I just ordered!

I had a customer order this last weekend. Of course, customized with their last name, and I loved it! It is a design "copied" from a competitor. Their design $49 Our design $12.50....you do the math! Our design is a bit smaller, but MUCH more affordable... Gotta love it!

"So long, Oh Well...then maybe say Goodbye..."

That is what Erica is singing at this very moment! It is to the tune of So long Farewell...from the Sound of Music! I don't dare tell her to sing it differently, I love it!

I am so excited...I'm a finalist!

I couldn't believe my eyes when my name was on the Rusty Pickle finalist list on their website. Now I need to send the actual album to them and hopefully it makes the final cut for their new book. This was my first attempt at a big contest, and makes me want to try more now....just what I need, more to do! :)

Is summer over yet?!

I love summer, I don't love summer, I love summer, I don't...that is how I feel the last few days! My girls are getting on eachothers nerves something fierce, and it is making me rather...how should I say? Edgy! Grrr....

I will miss them when they are busy with school, dance, etc...but I'll be able to focus on my two PT jobs, Uppercase Living and Scrapbooking!

Albums, and Cousins and Orders, Oh my!

1. Trying to finish RP Pickle Album! Soooo close....photos and submission are next! Woohoo!

2. J and hubby brought home to "live" walking/talking souvenirs from NY, aka Cousins! They are great kids, ages 12 and 15...we are having fun playing tour guides so far. Sea World and the beach are on the agenda!

3. Business is really picking up! I look forward to taking more and more orders...keep 'em coming!

Oh, and SLEEP?!? Who needs sleep?!?! Oh...ME! Good night!

Crazy creativity = no sleep

I just decided on Tuesday that it would be a good idea to enter the RP Pickle Party contest...one minor detail, the album is due next Friday! With most of my fam gone, I figured I could get it done...
So far Friday 8/10 I am about 60-70% done! I am really proud to say that I have stayed on task so far...The theme is" STORY OF...I am writing about the story of adopting Erica. It is not the typical "we had a baby" story, so I am hoping it will get some attention. Plus, it is a great way to show that Adoption is such a miracle.
One of the rules is we have to use 90% RP product, so I hope I've done that...it's been tricky!
Anyway, back to scrappin'....

Keep the Promise...

Onto another subject..."Keep the Promise"
This is a saying that the minister said at my brothers wedding last weekend. It has stuck in my mind since then. He was talking about how it is so easy for couples to get caught up in the everyday, and forget about the promises they made on their wedding day. He told my new sister in law that if my brother ever forgets, all she needs to say is "Keep the Promise"...and he can say it to her too! Promise to love, honor, cherish, respect,and so on. We have both always kept the promise, even after 21 years together, but it helped me realize that I tend to put the kids and other stuff in front of our relationship. Spending last week together reminded me so much about why I love my hubby, and how he makes it so easy to keep the promise. I truly am blessed~

NY is right around the corner...

and I wish I was going. I knew this was going to happen. I didn't care if I went a few months ago, but now that it's here...I want to go.. Reality is, I can't. Who would E stay with for all those days? She is too little to be left for a week, and too young to go sightseeing for days on end. Plus, J has waited for this trip since she was 8 and now its 4 years later and she is soooo excited! I am used to B going on business trips, he does it all the time.
I guess I am moping because I have been there for every first in her life. This is her first trip to NY! Waaaa....It is hard choosing between two kids, I can't imagine when you have more than two. Maybe you just go all or nothing...everyone, or no one!
Anyway, I am sure the next few blogs will be filled with whining...feel free to ignore me. They are not leaving until Thursday...better suck it up until then!

Family Togetherness

The four of us headed down to San Diego to play "tourists" for a few days this week, and had a blast! We laughed until we cried, got frustrated at eachother, ate way too much "vacation" food, and just had an overall FUN time!
Let's see if I can make a list of highlights... in no particular order...

Watching Erica hold a starfish for the first time...total smiles!

Hearing the way Erica says Sea "Wearld" and "I'm so exskighted" and giggling to ourselves, and hoping she will never say it differently!

Trying to do a dance to keep E awake so she could watch Cheyenne dance in Riptide at Sea World, it worked the second night!

Jessica and I giggling as we watch a family try to put a 6 foot long stuffed shark in their tiny car!

Bill and I enjoying time away from cell phones or emails...it was nice!

Laughing at Bill and Jessica "show" Erica and I how giraffes chew! LOL!

Eating a oh so yummy hot fudge sundae in a waffle cone...yum!

Smiling as we watched the panda eat his bamboo lunch, then lean back against a tree and smile! I swear, he did!

Helping J name her newest monkey from the SD ZOO, which ended up being "Diego Balboa Bahia Notailo Martin" She has to say it in an accent for you to think it's funny!

Having Erica tell us that we need to do "cation" again because it was so fun!

Crazy weekend..whew!

The weekend started for me and my gal pals at Coyotes on Friday night. We went to see our favorite band play, and the place was packed at 5pm! So much for getting there early! I guess the Happy Hour crowd beat us. Anyway, we had MUCHO fun...I call it Margarita Madness! (enough said!)
Saturday was my baby brothers wedding, and it was a blast! The ceremony was beautiful, the reception was a crazy party, just like my brother wanted! All his old friends were there, and everyone, I mean everyone was dancing! So much fun...again, Margarita madness for me!!! They had a video of all these photos of when we were kids and I cried like a baby when I watched it~ Oh...the memories of childhood...

Today we went to see Hairspray and Erica even went too! She loved it, and was dancing in the aisle to the music, it has some catchy tunes. Fun family time! :)

This week will be filled with more family fun...hubby is taking vacation time! I love the carefree days of SUMMER!!!

Birthday countdown...2 months until I am four ohhhhh..........

Sharing a SMILE...

Warning: Mom bragging ahead!

Today when I picked up E, her teacher said, "Your daughter cracks me up!" My first thought...Oh no, what did she say? I guess when it was share time, she stood up and said she had something to share. The teacher said "What do you have?" She just smiled really big and pointed to her mouth! She then walked around the circle of kids, stopping to SMILE at each one! When I asked her if she shared her smile, she casually answered, yes...
Awwww...my little love bug...you're the best!

You Are a Margarita

You aren't just the life of the party, you are the party! You mix a good drink, bust out some great music, and know how to get down.

What Mixed Drink Are You?

Another late, late night...

It is HOT in this house~ we never have to turn the air on, but tonight I did. What a crazy day this was!
1 Uppercase Living biz is busy! That is always a good thing, no complaints here!
2 E was oh so crabby after a long day at the beach on Sunday...tomorrow is preschool, yahoo!
3 J was nervous about her auditions tonight for Musical Theatre, Lyrical and HipHop tryouts! It is going to be a long week until she gets those results...I pray she did well, it matters to her alot!!!
4 Gotta get busy creating something FAB for August classes at EA~ hopefully I will be inspired on Tuesday night at the Crop n Shop!
5 Must stop at the Post Office tomorrow, lots of packets and catalogs on their way to potential customers
6 Take flyers and biz cards to EA tomorrow night~ that is a must! :)

Good night Blog~ tomorrow is another day...actually, today is another day!!!

Way tooo late...

I decided to set up a blog at about midnight, and I'm still figuring it out~ the perfectionist in me wants it to look right before I go to bed...I'd better just leave this thing and get some sleep...E, age three will be looking for some help with breakfast in the early AM!