My Last Day

Today is my last day with Imagination Project. It's bittersweet for me. On one hand, I am SO excited for this new venture and cannot wait to get started. On the other hand - I have so many good friends and memories here. Nobody ever said life was easy - that's for sure. But, today I'm going to celebrate - the friendships that I've made over my three years here and hopefully the new friends I will meet!

I'm taking two days off in-between to organize my home, have a yard sale and spend some time with my kids. Maggie's last day of school is tomorrow, and I'll be at her party which is a first for me. She's super excited about it and truthfully, so am I. It's not easy being the "working mom" whenever you go to a school function. All the other moms know each other and you can tell that they don't quite understand where you're coming from. I went to her awards assembly yesterday and felt very out of place. But, this is a decision that I made a long time ago. One that I really don't have a choice with but one that I need to embrace anyway. Maggie thinks it's cool some of the stuff her mom does. Let's hope it stays that way.

I just wanted to end this with some funny pictures of some of the things I've done of the past few years. Good times...

Moments

You ever find those little moments in life where you capture a picture and you see more than maybe what others see? I was going through the photos from Nic's wedding and found two that I absolutely LOVE. Normally, I wouldn't pay much attention to them, but they actually had me chuckling and bursting all at the same time. My husband is a great dad. I mean that - A GREAT DAD. When I met him YEARS ago, I knew he would be. He was just very attentive and fun. Those were two traits I KNEW would equal "great dad".

Before the wedding, I wanted to snap a few shots of Scott with the girls. Of course, it turned into an all-out hair pulling event with Addison. Maggie has this gorgeous, long hair and Addie likes to grab on tight sometimes. This photo is actually one in a series where Scott is trying to hold onto Addie, hold onto Maggie's hair and Addie is going to town. Of course, I'm laughing as Maggie is hollering. (This happens ALL the time) Good thing she's a good sport about it!



This one was taken at the end of the day - Addie was tired and Scott was holding her. His girls are his absolute pride and joy. I'm sure one day Addie will love seeing this picture - I'm thinking of blowing it up and framing it in the house.



On another note, I've talked to a few of my future co-workers and am VERY excited about my new role. It's almost bittersweet because I'm going to miss so many of the people I work with now, but I love to meet new people. Good times ahead!

A Great Weekend and Clarification

You know - it's funny how you can have a great weekend and then come in Monday to a bunch of rumors, incorrect facts, etc. It amazes me how people think that they "know" you - and they make assumptions, verbalize their disdain (which in my opinion is completely unwarranted) and have no problem hiding behind the Internet and it's anonymous protection.

Anyway- first things first. The positive. My cousin, Nic, got married this weekend. He's like a little brother to me and I love him dearly. I was 8 when Nic was born and have watched him grow up to be a fine young man. It's always nice going back to Somerset to see my family because that feels like home to me. Even though I don't get to visit as often as I used to, it's just nice going back to a close-knit family and feeling welcome. I miss them!

Here's Nic and his wife - it was a beautiful wedding!



Then, my mom - being the comedian she is had to embarrass him. They had "request time" and the DJ let her tell this story from when Nic was about 6 years old. We were all at a fair and he wondered off (It was a small town festival) and next thing we know, he's on stage singing "Achy Breaky Heart". So - she had the DJ tell the story of "Nic the Performer" and then they had to dance to Billy Ray. Trust me - you had to be there to gage how funny it really was!



Good times I tell ya - good times.

Now - for clarification. It's funny how rumors, etc., start flying and truthfully - I don't understand why some people feel the need to tear me apart. But, for those that were genuinely curious as to what I'll be doing, etc., here's the 411. I'm not going to work for Memory Makers. I'm working for F&W. That's different. It's the parent company and I'll be working in the books division as the Marketing Manager. Not only will I work on craft titles, but also other fine arts & hobby titles. So, this isn't just in the scrapbook industry. It's in multiple industries. I do not "own" the company that I work for now. Gin-X is merely a licensed brand under Imagination Project and I was their Creative Director. I am the one that made the decision to move on - I wasn't "fired" or anything else. I made this decision based on my family and they are the most important thing to me. Plus, I wanted to be back in a corporate setting and I wanted to go back to marketing full-time.

If you still have questions - see that little rim that says "No Pimping" on the side? Then, click it and e-mail me. For those of you that have shown your support - thank you. I really appreciate it.

Cha...cha...cha...changes....

You know - life is about changes. They can be good, bad, up, down, anticipated, unexpected, exciting, etc. Right now - I've got some changes coming up. Changes that I'm excited about and ones that are going to benefit my family greatly.

What type of change do you ask? Well, my last day as the Creative Director at Imagination Project will be May 30th. I've accepted a position with F&W Publications as their Marketing Manager in the Books Division - more specifically the craft, fine arts and woodworking books. (Yes - that includes scrapbooking titles!) Truthfully, my roots are in marketing and to be able to combine the two really excites me! I love marketing (anyone who has ever heard me go on a marketing rampage knows that) and of course, I love crafting (especially scrapbooking) so there you go. It's like when Reese's figured out chocolate and peanut butter. Or Forrest with his peas and carrots. Yes - marketing and crafting. Good stuff...

I'll have releases for this show for Gin-X. It's very emotional for me, though. I must admit. Gin-X is my third child - a baby that I created three years ago and have nurtured through 23+ collections. It's a part of me - that's for sure. But, as I said before - things change. And, the best way to handle that is to go with the flow.

Been Tagged...

I know I don't update as often as I should and I promise (lightheartedly) to be better about it! But - sometimes I worry that I'll bore you with the mundane details of my life. (i.e. Took Maggie to school. Went to work. etc...)

But, at least Barb H. gave me something to write about! She tagged me on her blog (link to the left) so now I have some questions to fill out. You know the geek in me loves questions! Here goes:

FAVORITE SNACK FOOD - If it's stamped "Hostess" or "Little Debbie" and involves chocolate with NO nuts, then I'm game. But, since I guess those are "desserts" and not really a "snack", then I'll say chips and salsa. Have you tried the new flour Tostitos? Yummy stuff! With some Jack's fresh garden salsa. HOT!

CATS OR DOGS & WHY - Well, 10 years ago I would have said cats, no question. I had a cat from the time I was 5 until I was 27 when we had to have her put to sleep. I LOVED Opal. But, then I got married to a dog person. And, we had two dogs until Maggie had an allergic reaction. I loved BOTH. My dogs were great and my cats (I had a cat, Nemo, with the dogs) were awesome. It's a hard call. I think it depends on the pet. My lab was the greatest pet ever. If it were based on Sicily, I'd have to say dogs.

COKE OR PEPSI - For dark cola, Coke all the way. (no ice) If it's a different type of soda, then Mountain Dew. (Hey - you knew the hillbilly was bound to come out in me at some point!)

THREE PET PEEVES - I only can list three? Let's see.... 1) When people honk at you immediately after the light turns or when you're at a stop waiting for a car to pass by. Had a chick do that this morning and she and I nearly had a bout at 8:00 am at a stop sign. Then, she saw the car coming. That's right - she had to wave her hand in apology. She was about to get stomped! 2) Stupid questions. Think Bill Engvall's "Here's Your Sign". Ever doing something and someone walks up and asks a dumb question? Don't you want to say "Here's your sign". Idiot... 3) The word "embellies". Drives me nuts. Don't know why - but it gets under my skin. 4) That's right - I took a fourth. Cockiness. Who cares how great you are? We all have some positive traits so get over yourself.

THREE NEW THINGS THAT I'VE TRIED THIS YEAR - 1) Dave Ramsey's budget plan. Trust me - the man's a genius. It works! 2) Curves - a great spot to work out. I get up at 5:30 am three days a week to hit the circuit. 3) Sunless tanning lotion. Hey - when you're as white as I am and reflect the sun, you gotta try something. Jergen's works best!

So - I'm going to tag a few friends of mine - Heather, Teresa, Stacey and Angie. Would love to hear yours! :)

Is it possible that a vacuum cleaner can make one happy?

I realized that I'm getting old when all I want is a vacuum cleaner. For months I've been saving for a Dyson and finally bought one this week. Can I just tell you something? It's life changing. I remember talking with Tricia Reubens probably three or four years ago about Dysons and she said that there is nothing like it. Ever since then, I coveted one but never had the guts to actually shell out the cash for it. So, I saved. And my mom kicked in the remainder (early birthday present) so that I could buy it. Can I just tell you - love at first use!



I bought the one for all floors so that I could vacuum the carpets, ceramic tile and hardwood. It's a total gem. My old vacuum would blow everything around on a smooth floor, so I always had to use the attachment. Not this baby. It sucks it up right away without any additional air flow out the sides. Amazing how something so simple can make your life so much easier.