Vacation = abundant blessings!

Hello my faithful readers! I'm sorry I didn't blog this past Sunday but I have been totally submersed in the freedom to sleep in, to craft and to cross a few things off of my "to do" list since Friday. I am so grateful the girls and I don't have school this week. We call it "Fall Break" and I need to give our calendar committee a great big smooch 'cause I am lovin' it!

One of the many lessons I gained from Heidi Swapp's visit last weekend was this concept of
"energy in and energy out". It's not anything that we really don't know about ourselves and our lives, but her story and analogy just helped make it so understandable for me. Think of your energy as if it were money. We need money - energy in - and we also spend money - energy out...
It is important to do things that give you energy. And today, although I had to "spend" a lot, ch-ching, I am reaping the rewards of my effort. (deep breath.....mmmm, energy in......)

I know, I know, it is a little early, but the girls helped me clean house and set up all of the holiday decorations in the house...yes, that does include the tree, but looking back (in the blog) to last year, I didn't get to do it until the Sunday night before we went back to school and that was just too stressful. Remember, it is my goal to be ready for the holidays by December 1st! :o)

It has become tradition that Andrea holds McKenna to place the angel a top of the tree....I wonder how many more years she'll be able to do that? :o)

It has also become tradition that Scott puts together the Disney Monorail under our tree.

I'm sorry the photo is a little blurry, but I liked this better w/o a flash.

I have also ordered and picked up at Walgreens our holiday photo cards and have addressed about 20 envelopes. (deep breath....energy in....) I am really happy w/ them and can't wait to send them to you!

Lots of energy in yesterday. The girls washed and vacuumed my car in hopes of earning as much money as possible before our Black Friday shopping trip this Friday. (They also washed and vacuumed Nana's car!) While she was over, Nana got to finish a few gifts that she says I helped inspire her to try - how cool! But I can't take all the credit. That inspiration came from Tim Holtz.

While my mom worked on those, I got to work on not one, but two mini-albums I've been wanting to do. The first is one called "Thank God Crazy Dreams Come True". I've shared the front cover of that one before, now the pages are in and waiting for photos. (.....energy in!) The second book I worked on is my "December Daily" inspired by my other favorite designer Ali Edwards. The embellishments aren't in yet, but the pages are and I've even started to document our holiday activities.....yep, energy in.......

What I haven't planned well for is groceries.....I'll be off to Wal-Mart tomorrow (day before Thanksgiving) to shop for groceries.......lots of energy OUT! However, I plan to go as early as possible. Later that day, I am planning to renew some "savings" and Andrea and I will go to the movies. I love going to the movies. I love escaping reality for two hours and pigging out on popcorn. Yes, we plan to see New Moon. It is all the rage with teen-age girls these days (and even some "not so teen-age girls" :o) . I'm just grateful to have some time with Andrea and to relax.

Okay, I know tonight's entry was a little long, but I know you've been waiting for an update!

May your blessing be many and your memories grand - Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
All my love,
Melle

My "energy" renewed!

So much to share, but so little time, so I'll keep it to the highlights and hope I can get back w/ details soon.
The things I learned this weekend are priceless.
From tools and products to new outlook on life I am so grateful I got to meet and attend two Heidi Swapp workshops this weekend at the wonderful new She Scrapbooks store in The Villages.
Here's me and Heidi!

and I'll throw in me and Tim Holtz, just for good measure! :o)


Now, if I can just get one more famous crafter under my belt, I will have hit the Trifecta!!!!!

I'm also busy with mass production again as I get ready to bring some gifts bags to Susan's Open House this weekend and fill orders from school.
Thanks everyone!!!!!!
Melle

Sneak Peak

Well, as I've shared before, my favorite moment of the week is Saturday mornings, however, I think I can say I equally dislike Sunday nights....on the eve of another work week of course I haven't accomplished everything on my "to do list" this weekend, but I did get to take the photos I want to use for our Christmas cards this year. (Remember, I have a Dec. 1st goal!!!)

So, here is only a "sneak peak", you'll get to see the final project when you receive your Holiday Card. :)
May you have a great week!
Love,
Melle

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween!!!
Well, here are a few photos of our big day....they are unedited, but if I wait to post when they are edited it might be next halloween!

Scott continued with his "Mad Medic" theme and we were his zombies. Thanks to all the friends and family who came to work another successful year. I admit though, after
6 years, this one was leaning towards more work than fun....makes me always think that this might be the last one.....we'll see....perhaps I'll feel differently in about 300 days.....Of course, I don't know why I complain, Scott does 99.99% of the work!

Scott's epitaph was written by my mom and I one Saturday afternoon during lunch at Mimi's in retaliation to Scott making a tombstone for me! "Here lies Scott, you'll find him where its hot!"

McKenna searched for the perfect pumpkin.....

Here's the "perfect punkin"

Grandma Gail and her good friend Darlene handled the candy duties....
(Did you catch the fog in the background? Cool!)

(McKenna, is NOT a zombie! :o)

I thought the glowing red eyes worked in this case - don't believe I'll edit those out.


Two quick side notes (maybe 3):
I made 42 Halloween treat bags (see photo in previous post). Of course, 10 of those were for my gifts, but then the other 32 were "orders". So, I'm trying to design some more for Christmas. My goal is to only take "orders" in November and deliver in December.
Here's what I have so far, but not really sure these have the "wow factor" like the Halloween ones did. I think it's all in the stamp I choose.....


Speaking of goals and holidays in the same sentence (thanks to Yvonne's inspiration), it is truly my goal to be finished for Christmas by December 1st, so I can enjoy the holiday. I actually placed a few online orders today - November 2nd.....hmm....not too bad....oh and I have purchased the clothes for the girls holiday photo for our Christmas cards. I hope to take those this weekend.....anybody else....don't forget to book me for holiday photos if you need me! ;o)

And finally, I remember that I never posted anything about Andrea's birthday....that was during the week I missed....hmmmm....wonder why??

First we surprised Andrea EARLY in the morning of her 15th birthday with a dozen balloons and streamers attached to her bedroom doorway. Daddy woke her with a bagpipe serenade! :o)

We ended her day with our traditional dinner w/ friends and family at the Japanese Steak House Kotobuki's. She wanted to bring her balloons with her. :o)

Love to all,
Best wishes,
Melle