I HAD A MOMENTARY PACNIC ATTACK...

when I saw the email in my "IN BOX" Sunday afternoon.

An email address with the trailer" @gilbert.k12.az.us" could mean a multitude of things. Could be good things, could be not-so-good things. But why do I always assume the not-so-good-things...

- overdue library book
- expired lunch ticket
- using iPods or cell phones at school
- missing assignments
- classroom conflicts or disagreements

I don't know why I always jump to the negative conclusions - but I do. Even when I know from experience that I am usually wrong.

And wrong I was, when I opened the email from the teen's high school Honors Biology teacher. And while I know she's going to roll her eyes and give me that look of "oh muh-ther" - I'm going to brag on her right here, right now!

Mrs. Keuter -

As I'm sure you are well aware, your daughter is amazing! I've been teaching for 15 years, and I can always spot the students who will come back and hang w/ me in AP Bio and (she) is one of them. She's always thoroughly prepared and engaged in what we're doing, she's got a great sense of humor, she's a wonderful participant, she's brilliant, and she thinks her mom is pretty cool!

WOW, you've done a whole bunch of things right!

(signature)

The best part of the entire email for me? The part where she said, "...and she thinks her mom is pretty cool!". Totally loving that. I think I'm going to print it on banner paper and run it down the hallway. Just as a reminder...to both the teen and myself. So proud - so stinkin' proud. So thrilled to have a teacher that would take the time to send me something like this, because it simply made my weekend. So THANK YOU. For what you do, for what you impart in my daughter and for what you said. Much appreciated.

In other weekend news:

Creative Escape was an amazing event. People from all over the world (hi to my new friends from Japan and South Africa) coming to town for this hobby we call scrapbooking. Mind boggling. Saw old friends, made new ones, met blog readers, heard heart-wrenching stories. We laughed, we cried, we joked, we played, we talked and we bonded. I feel like my circle of friends just increased by about 700! But alas, no pictures. Because shortly after snapping the picture of my table set-up...my batteries died. So I settled for mental memories. And it's all good!

Friday night was the high school football game. We went as a family - however the teen ditched us as soon as we got there. Something about sitting next to the band section and smelling cotton candy and slushies, makes you feel 18 again. I managed to track the teen down during half time, to snap at least one picture...


The football team has a neat tradition - when they win the game, they all gather in front of the home bleachers and sing the school fight song to the crowd. So very cool to hear...


so very fun to have witnessed! Hopefully the first of many more to come! GO TEAM!

Saturday night was BUNCO night in our neighborhood. And this time - the Keuters were the big winners. Good food, fun friends, hot dice, cheap drinks and too much laughter to even describe. Plus heading home about $50 richer than we started!

And finally, Sunday night was the big kick-off party for our church's teen program. After Mass we left a happy group of teens in the courtyard, and 90 minutes later picked up a wet, sticky, exhausted group. They were laughing so hard we couldn't make out many of the details they were telling us - but we believe a good time was had by all!

And now, on to this week!

Creating Keepsakes Phoenix is in town this weekend. I'll be there with my girls Amy and Shelly. We've got some secret new product that will be in the Scrap-Mart booth...right next to all things QuicKutz. Classes, demos, crops and some Tee-Pee tamales Friday night - it's going to be a great weekend!

WHEW! Have a great week...if you're local, stop by the convention center and say HI.

until then - - -