HOLY COW...

horse, sheep and goat!

My to-do list today is jam packed! Been busy all morning. But simply have to stop answering the phone. It's my biggest weakness, and my biggest time-sucker!

So I'm talking to the boy this morning over breakfast - rattling off all of the things I have to do today. Not really looking for a response from him, just filling the kitchen with sound while he was eating.

His solution to my whining - to go to bed early tonight. Because I can control when the day ends. By going to bed...day over!

And you know what...I love it! Don't you just love the wisdom of a twelve-year-old?

Makes sense to me!

Off to tackle 900 piles of paper in my office...file expense reports...get some projects done for next week...and call the home office. Sounds like we're planning some awesome, fun stuff for Phoenix CKC- including me teaching Friday and Saturday classes! LOVE IT!

Eight hours until bedtime!

until then - - -

IN HONOR OF WEDNESDAY...

a list of things that currently top my "WONDERFUL" list.

In no particular order!

Dear husband coming home from a road trip - bearing flowers.


Lillies, roses, orchids and daisies...for my favorite lime green vase. Not because he was guilty or sorry, but because he missed me...and because I survived August! AWWWWWW - thanks babe - totally LOVE random goodies like this!

This new goodness from Absolute. YUM-OH!


It makes the most delish raspberry martini - with just a splash of Triple Sec and a smidge of Diet Sierra Mist. Refreshing, sparkly and raspberry-ie.

Scrapbook pages that take 15 minutes or less.


And turn out pretty darn cute! Just had to get these sushi pics scrapped - and had to use the new Scenic Route arrows that I got in Chicago. But what I loved were the scraps or orange paper that I found in my scrap stash - do you see it? The circles look like sushi rolls! Totally stumbled into that one by mistake - but I love it!

Also love decorating doors in the middle of the night - but alas, I have no pictures. The flash might have blown our cover. The teen snuck over to teen guy's house last night to plaster his front door with well-wishes for his first football game tonight. Good stuff girlie. We'll be there tonight, cheering the freshman team on to a well played game. Let's hear it for #66!

Okay - enough wonderfulness for today. I'm heading over to Bazzill this morning to get their QuicKutz Silhouette installed and started cutting. They need 800 hearts by next Thursday...and they are new users. So I promised I'd come hold their hand this morning! Very fun. Think I'll stop and pick up some Diet Cherry Limeades from Sonic en route. You know, spread the Wonderful Wednesday LOVE!

Hope you have an equally WONDERFUL Wednesday!

until then - - -

CHICAGO ROCKS MY WORLD...

even with their crazy weather this past weekend!

A weekend recap - from the Windy City...

This is what the parking lot looked like as we were being evacuated from the convention center. Tornadoes, rain, wind and more rain.


We took up residence in an interior ballroom - only to have the power go out. But with a room full of scrappers - cameras (and flashes) were everywhere!

(for the record, about 3" of rain fell during the entire ordeal - and that's a LOT of water!)

For dinner - what else but some authentic Chicago-style pizza...courtesy of Giordanos.


Just enough cheese and carbs to last us an entire weekend! YUM-O!

I met some great folks during the 2-day convention. Totally pumped up QuicKutz fans. Ladies that love our products and aren't afraid to show it...


it's fun to work for a company that has such a loyal, over-the-top, following. They get excited, I get excited...it's all good fun!

We had another great dinner Friday night - at Dimitris. If we'd have just waited a bit longer, I'm sure we would have been treated to some Greek dancing...because the band was just warming up as we left. Maybe next time!

Saturday included more fun, more fans, more scrappy goodness. We ended the day by sitting down to dinner with the crew from Embellish It!. What a hilarious group of ladies (and gentleman...sorry Steve!). Good food, great conversation and the inevitable convention stories that are priceless!

By Sunday morning everyone was ready to head for home. The lobby was full of vendors loading up and moving out. I had called the day before to arrange for a car to take me to the airport. Well, what a car it was! Can you say stretch limo? What a wonderful 35 mile trip to the airport it was.


And it was cheaper than the taxi-cab mini van I'd used on Wednesday. Go figure!

So I'm home now for two solid weeks. That sounds strange. No boarding passes to print. No cars to reserve. No hotels to confirm. No demos to prepare for.

I think I'm going to paint the hallway. And maybe the dinning room. Who knows...

Next week is Creative Escape 2007. Looking so forward to that. Six hundred crazed scrapbookers, feeding off of each others energy. Should make for an electric weekend, to say the least!

Rest, relax, regroup, recover, reorganize, remember.

And I"d love to get some scrapping done too!

until then - - -

IT'S NOT VERY OFTEN...

that I get to play the hero role.

Oh sure, to my kids once-in-a-while. And dear husband, a bit more often.

But they're related. And they're easy!

But I'm talking out-and-out hero. Saved my life, what would I do without you HERO!

That was me - today.

Since it's 1:07 a.m. and my last load of laundry is in the dryer - waiting to be put in a suitcase - I'm going to toot my own horn! Totally bragging here!

I got the QuicKutz "bat signal" first thing this morning. I was needed in the West Valley. Laundry and groceries be damned...I grabbed the aforementioned Amy...and we were off!

First stop:

Robek's - for fruit and yogurt smoothies - YUM-OH!!


2nd stop:

"Simply Scrap" for Cookie Cutter dies.

3rd stop (after a screamin' U-turn):

"Scrapbooks Etc." for a Revolution.

4th stop:

potty break and lipstick touch-up


5th and 6th stop:

map confusion, followed by a phone call for clarification


7th stop:

Her
house...to drop off some QuicKutz love. With a few tricks and tips thrown in for good measure :)


8th stop:

no time to make an eighth stop (so always pick a co-pilot who packs snacks!)


So, to borrow an overly used slogan:

• 12 phone calls between AZ and UT - FREE
• 2 yogurt smoothies - $8.47
• 1/3 tank of gas (129 miles round trip) - $18.00
• getting to be a QK hero for the day - PRICELESS

TOOT! TOOT!

To Melanie - thanks for asking...I was tickled to be able to help

To Amy - thanks a gazillion for helping me navigate (and for playing paparazzi)...(and for the snacks!)

To Becky - thanks for being so understanding

until then - - -

I KNOW A ROCK STAR...

and I don't even think she can carry a tune.

But in my mind she's off the charts, whether she can sing or not!

She's top of the list...numero uno!

A total scrappin' ROCK STAR!

My friend Amy...


is totally basking in the glory today. The creative goodness oozes out of her...all crafty...all the time!

Seriously!

Rock on girlfriend. So looking forward to working with you in Phoenix. Today...PHOENIX...tomorrow the WORLD!

Congrats Amy! Big, huge, gi-freaking-normous CONGRATS!

Now...let's talk about singing (grin)...

until then - - -

HOME SWEET HOME...

but only for a couple of days!

Home from San Diego...safe and sound and exhausted! I accomplished all that I set out to do:

We got to the beach on Thursday night - it was a bit windy but it made for some great wave-watching!


the Scrap-Mart boys weren't doing any posing for the camera, but I grabbed this shot and love how the water shows their reflections...



we stayed until almost sunset...


and then it was off to Buca di Beppo for some carb-loading!

Friday was a rockin' day. Friendly, happy, California QuicKutz loving ladies all over the convention center. I demoed the Silhouette to approximately 714,000 people - okay, maybe it just felt like I did! But suffice it to say that this week - there are new machines adorning lots of scrapbook spaces all over San Diego!

Friday, after a long day on the convention floor - we were ready for some FUN! The boys and Michelle and I headed out to Taka for an obscene amount of sushi! Being the sushi virgin that I am - I had to put all of my trust in my dining companions. It was a good decision, because every single thing that I tried was over the top delish!


The "rainbows" were my favorites - and the tuna was insanely good. Good company, great city, delish food - what more could we have asked for on a Friday night?

Well, how about some chocolate?! We headed down to the Ghirardelli ice cream parlor and partook of some chocolate...I even brought home a big ol' bag of the 72% Cacoa "Midnight Delight". Love me some dark chocolate - but the fact that it was tied up with lime-green ribbon was simply icing on the proverbial cake!

We ended the evening at a sports bar, in the shadows of Petco Park. A cute little bar with yummy concoctions and hilarious signs scattered about. This was my fave...


because it's oh-so-true!

Saturday was another crazy day. Crazy mainly because we were dealing with teamsters during tear-down. I've decided I want to work for THEM. No dress code, no manners required, mandatory breaks and a sloth-like pace is actually a good thing! My first exposure to this fine group of men, and probably not my last. An education - for sure!

And before I knew it - I was on a plane headed back to the heat. Where we are about to set some ridiculous heat record. I'm hoping we won't make the record books until AFTER I leave for Chicago though. My convention bud Shelly and I are jumping ship Wednesday. We'll be spreading scrapbook love through the fine state of Illinois. The convention has an awesome venue this year...Pheasant Run Resort & Spa. Do you think I can do demos from the steam room? Could I educate about die-cuts during a mud bath? Hmmmmm...might have to research that!

Lots to do before we leave though - like laundry! And stocking the fridge. Some things never change!

until then - - -

TRYING HARD TO REMEMBER...

how we used to pass time in airports.

You know, before technology.
Before laptop computers.
Before free wireless internet at Sky Harbor Airport.
Before cell phones.
Before text messaging.

I've been at the airport for almost 90 minutes. Since I walked through the security check point I've done the following:

• texted the teen to remind her to call her father after drama club tonight
• chatted with the boys in California about possibly attending the San Diego Padres game tonight
• called dear husband to fill him in on what I left them for dinner tonight
• emailed a group of girlfriends about plans for Sunday
• checked voice mail at home and on my cell phone
• eaten one over-priced Burger King value meal
• read through 5 blogs to keep up with some friends of mine
• checked the weather in San Diego and Chicago (where I'll be next week)

What did we do before? But I know I sure as heck didn't travel that much back then. I'd go stir crazy spending this much time just sitting.

Off to San Diego - where it currently is only 79 degrees. AMEN!

until then - - -

CALIFORNIA HERE I COME...

and it better be cooler there than it is here in Phoenix!

Sheesh! What is up with the heat here? This is my 17th summer here in the Valley of the Sun - and I've seen some bad ones. But these last few weeks are verging on unbearable!

But tomorrow it ends. Because I'm jumping ship and heading to San Diego!


A fast and furious trip to the Scrapbook Expo to spread some QuicKutz love to the fine folks in California!

I'm meeting up with the Scrap-Mart boys tomorrow. I've made them promise me sushi. I'm a sushi newbie - they're sushi pros. All I really want is some good seafood - raw or otherwise, I'm not that picky right now!

So bring on the sand. Bring on the coolness. Bring on the crazy-California-scrappers. Get me some seafood. Prepare for some laughter.

And when I return later this weekend...this boy will be preparing to enter a new realm...


the new world or tween-dom!

Lord help us all!

until then - - -

THERE'S NO SUBTLE WAY TO SAY IT...

other than to just scream it!

Out loud! So plug your ears...

I LOVE MY LIFE RIGHT NOW!

Seriously!

Right this very second - 10:27 a.m. And most likely later too, but maybe not. But for right now - LOVIN' LIFE! My life!

Today - - -

• the teen had an awesome first day of high school...friends, great teachers, old acquaintances, new faces, lunch outside, fun text message to mom during lunch, great newness for this year, and a phenom bus route to boot! PRAYERS ANSWERED!

• the boy had an equally awesome first day of sixth grade...loving the "top dog" position this year, is star-struck with his new teacher, had some great stories to share about summer, got "the best seat in the class", got to sit next to buddies from the other class at lunch because "6th graders get to sit anywhere we want", and claims he is so happy now that school has started up! BUSTING WITH JOY!

• dear husband called and he's coming home a day early. And you know what THAT means (wink, wink). YEP - I have to cook dinner tonight - but I actually have something planned. BIG WHEW!

• had an awesome mom's brunch yesterday - to celebrate back to school. Gotta love girlfriends. How would I get through life without them? SUCH A BLESSING!

• carpool schedule totally rocks this year. Think I'll be driving 10 afternoons a month...and that's IT! Again, neighbors and friends - thanks. LOVE 'EM ALL!

• the pile of scrapbooking goodies sitting in front of me have me tickled pink. Well, pink and teal and blue and green. The new Scenic Route and BoBunny are just insane. Ridiculously delicious. APPRECIATE YOU GUYS!

• trip to the podiatrist yesterday showed me that my foot woes actually have a solution. Hooray. Gotta love having a diagnosis. Now to deal with it - not a ton of fun...but doable, and much better than the alternative! WHAT A RELIEF!

• solidified my September schedule yesterday and know now that I'll be attending the big Creative Escape shin-dig. So tickled to be in such a creative, inspirational setting. So excited to see all the good stuff coming out of that event. COUNTING THE DAYS!

• got a day's worth of hilarious text messages from some co-workers yesterday. So happy to be working with such fun, funny people. Thanks for letting me live through you this weekend, since I had to back out of San Jose, CA. Fun to be a part of yesterday - have a blast...and behave yourselves. GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR!

• feeling so blessed - friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and regular everyday folks. For the most part, people are great. They add to our lives. They add fun, excitement, laughter and excitment. But they also add support, encouragement and assistance. I'm honored to have such a huge circle of all of these people...TOTALLY HUMBLED.

So that's it. How I'm feeling right now, this very second. I love it.

What are you lovin' right now? Have you made a list recently? Have you taken a picture of it? Have you told them? I'm literally busting out of my skin today - so people might get tired of hearing me today. But that won't stop me. You know it won't!

Stand on something and scream it out loud. I LOVE MY LIFE!

until then - - -

SHHHHHHHH...BE VERY VERY QUIET...

because I'm totally enjoy the solitude.

No teenage daughter trying to plan outfits.
No boy packing and repacking his backpack.
No husband growling in between phone calls.
Heck, even the dogs are snoozing.

It's completely quiet here at Casa de Keuter. And I'm lovin' it! Totally lovin' it!

This is due to the fact that school started today! All moms - come on - let's do the wave....HOORAY!

Monday night was 6th grade "Meet the Teacher" night, last night was high school "Meet and Great" - and this morning proves that it was all worth it.

The boy was actually ready first...


finally having permission to wear his aforementioned new white tennies. (I wore KSwiss back in jr. high, but I haven't had the heart to tell him that yet!)

The teen was raring to go, albeit quite sleepy (I don't think she slept much last night...too excited!)...


he put his arm around her all on his own - ya just gotta love spontaneous sibling affection!

For those of you that know me - you know that I am NOT a morning person. But when 7:15 a.m. rolled around I was clean and dressed and ready to head to the bus stop with the teen. I was so proud of myself (because I'm usually at the bus stop in my jammies!)...


I did the best thing this morning - and didn't take my camera to the bus stop. But that's not saying I won't be there tonight - lens focused and ready to shoot. I did that last year - and survived. I think I can eek out one more year of first-day-stalking! I'm crossing my fingers!

After the teen was delivered to the bus stop - the boy had to wait around for almost an HOUR until it was his turn to leave. I pointed out that in the near future, he could probably sleep until after his sister leaves the house. He thought that was a brilliant idea...but he also thought it implied that he could stay up later than she does. Nice try big guy...sorry!

After getting everyone started in the right direction - it was time for the moms to celebrate. We headed to brunch at the Good Egg here in Gilbert. YUM-O! Catching up, visiting, comparing notes, checking out digital pix, and making plans for upcoming weeks - much needed mom time! So fun.

So they're gone. Out of the house - and into their big years, respectively. The boy in his final year at elementary school - and the teen in her first year of high school. Big years. Exciting years. Years that they are going to cherish.

But we get to share in all of it. The joys and the sorrows. The victories and the losses. The successes and the failures. The good and the bad. It's all going to be incredible. Because we have two awesome kiddos. Full of happiness, full of love, full of good spirits and full of compassion.

My mind is spinning in things to accomplish this year.

But for right now, I'm going to enjoy the quiet.

until then - - -

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM...

is what I'm calling today.

But I don't mean it in a bad way. I just mean it in a fast-and-furious-insane-hair-on-fire-lots-to-do-and-lots-to-finish kind of way.

You know...CRAZY. And I love it. Isn't it amazing what all gets done - when it all has to get done?

This is what my email IN box looked like yesterday afternoon...


I got all of my flight travel booked for the next 6 weeks! WHEW! Got two of the hotels booked as well. But that is a little easier to save until closer to actual travel dates.

- Charlotte, North Carolina (CK convention)
– San Diego, California (Scrapbook Expo)
– Chicago, Illinois (Scrapbook Expo)
– Phoenix, Arizona (CK convention...woo-hoo no air travel required!)
– Las Vegas, Nevada (Memory Trends)

Finished up back-to-school shopping with the boy and the teen yesterday. UGH!

The boy had a specific pair of shoes in mind - and nothing else would do. Nothing else. And, being that he takes after his father, he couldn't understand why the shoes weren't at the first store we went into. I tried to tell him that "shopping" implies "searching". Not an easy lesson for an 11 year old boy. So while the teen dragged the teen guy around the mall checking out make-up counters and dress shops, the boy and I searched. High and low. Almost everywhere. My last hope was to hit Sports Authority on the way home. Success! The color and size he needed! And while it pained me, just a bit, to pay that much for a pair of sneakers that I know he'll only fit into for 4 months, I feel a bit better knowing that at his current size...we got more for our money that someone who only wears a 7! Hey, I have to find solace somewhere! The kid wears a men's 9.5! That's bigger than my foot. Quite a bit bigger than my foot, in fact.

The teen is pretty well set. She scored a bunch of shopping before her Spain trip. And I keep pointing that out to her. We're still in search of one final piece for her "first day of high school" look. But I'm not worried. I might check in Charlotte this weekend - it's tax-free shopping this weekend in North Carolina. In preparation for back-to-school. How cool is that?

Finished up some scrapbooking over the last couple of days. I feel like I haven't scrapped all summer long. But with new beach pictures, and a gazillion Spain pictures - I couldn't hold off any longer...


I snapped this picture from my beach chair - and I realized later that I got my leg in the shot. But then it dawned on me that this is exactly what I saw for 3 days. My leg, crossed over my knee, and the sand and the water. So I didn't crop it - used it as is! LOVE IT!


And while both of these shots were blurry, because I was taking them covertly and quickly, I scrapped them anyway. They were just too cute. Two 14 year olds, building sand castles like their younger siblings had been doing all morning long. They worked for about an hour - it was precious. Glad I got it recorded, blurry and all!


These are pictures of the Farmer's Market in my hometown. Nothing like a Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market. I so long for the same thing here - but it's just never going to happen. I deal with it - but I can still be jealous! And when I talk to friends there, they don't realize how good they have it.


And finally - my first scrapbook page of the teen's pictures from Spain. This is Valencia - on what I think was one of her favorite afternoons. She and her cousin, wandering around (and getting slightly lost) in Valencia...by themselves. I'm glad I didn't know of their plans beforehand, because I would have been a basket case worrying. But they had fun, saw things that they wouldn't have been otherwise - and lived to tell about it! So FUN!

And NOW - on to today!

- pedicure
- laundry
- packing
- Target for hairspray and Powerbars
- grocery store for the fam
- pack up supplies and samples for the booth
- check in and confirm flight
- print out MapQuest directions
- pack camera and speakers
- exchange the boy's shirts
- email out instructions for "100 things" class in September
- print out convention schedule for 2008

Dear husband will be home this afternoon. Flying in from Charlotte. I leave for Charlotte tomorrow. Too bad we couldn't have combined our trips - now THAT would have been fun. He could have come to the crop...and I could have shopped while he worked!

Still enjoying the morning calm. Because the fury is coming - - - luckily I LOVE IT!

until then - - -