“It takes a long time to grow an old friend” – John Leonard
What would we do without our girlfriends? Who would we laugh with…cry with…swap stories with? Our girlfriends often know us much better than we know ourselves. Time with my girlfriends is a gift I give myself (just not often enough).
I had a four-hour lunch on Sunday with my oldest girlfriend (oldest by length of friendship – not age!). We’ve been friends for thirteen years. We started working together at my last company at about the same time and our departments worked very closely together. We had lunch together almost every single day for almost six years.
She helped me celebrate my promotion. We cried together the day we found out our company was downsizing our jobs.
She knew me before I had kids. She was there for me through all my miscarriages. She was the one who told me I was in labor with Lauren when I was in her office complaining about my “Braxton-Hicks” contractions. She was the first one to visit me at home, bringing me a dish of Chicken Spaghetti, when Logan was in the ICU.
Over the past few years, we have seen each other less and less. Usually just a lunch get together for each of our birthdays. But she is the type of friend that you can pick up right where you left off, even if you haven’t seen each other in awhile.
She was the first person who called me when I wrote that I was getting a divorce. “Why did I have to find out about this from your e-mail?!?”
We talked and talked and talked on Sunday. I kept thinking how wonderful it was to have someone who knows me that well…who knows everything that has happened to me over the past thirteen years…who just “gets me”. 
So, to continue my “attitude of gratitude”, today, I am grateful for my girlfriends. Their friendship enriches my life.
Now on to scrapbook supplies!
We have a great variety of new collections this week. We have "Lucky Me" and “The Great Outdoors” by Reminisce, "Sport Trendy" by Stamping Station, "Garden Variety" by Cosmo Cricket, "Simply K", “Blossomwood” and “Nature” by K and Company and “Baptism”, “Off Road”, “Wedding” and “Easter” by Karen Foster.
You have got to check out "Simply K" by K&Co. There are 11 pre-designed, two-page layouts. They are even embellished! It doesn’t get any easier than this.
The SYT Designers were working on the following themes: Ballet, Basketball, Birthday, Boys and Girls, Cruise, Disney, Firefighter, Grand Canyon, Japan, Judo, London, Mexico, New Mexico, Paris, Pets, Police, Sea World, Snowmobiling, St. Pat’s, Travel and Williamsburg We also have a custom Firefighter laser die cut.
Click here to see all the new items: www.scrapyourtrip.com/3102010.html
We also have 205 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/3102010sale.html
Don’t forget to check out projects for this week’s collections down the right-hand side of the website. You can see all our projects on our Shop by Layout section. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
March 10th, 2010
I had a really interesting conversation with Lani the other day. We were talking about someone I know who, if out of 100 things, 99 are wrong but one is right, they will find the one thing that is wrong. I told her I am the opposite. If there are 99 things wrong and one thing right, I will find the one thing that is right. Ever the optimist, I suppose. Or maybe, it’s just how I choose to look at the world. What can I say? It’s gift!
This really came into play for me the other night when my minivan was broken into. A “smash and grab” of the driver’s side backseat window. I was at Bed Bath & Beyond getting stuff for my new house. I was parked in the closest parking space to the door underneath a streetlight. It took a few seconds for me to realize what had happened and notice that my briefcase was in a different position in the backseat than where I had left it. I went through my briefcase and saw that my Flip Video Camera was gone.
I went back into the store and asked them for a broom and a dustpan so that I could get some of the glass out of my car. I told them I didn’t want to call the police. And I almost immediately started thinking of all the ways this could have been so much worse and how grateful I was.
I was grateful the kids weren’t with me. Besides glass being everywhere, I know it would have really freaked them out.
I was grateful that the only thing of value in my briefcase was my Flip. Just that morning, I had taken out my iPod, my old cell phone and my checkbook.
I was grateful that they put my briefcase back in the van. All the stuff I am getting together for my tax return was in there. And all the paperwork for the divorce.
I was grateful that it was 60 degrees that night instead of the 45 degrees it has been every night so that I wasn’t freezing cold on my drive home.
I was grateful that I can afford to get my window replaced and that I don’t have to drive around with a plastic bag and duct tape on my van.
An attitude of gratitude. It has made such a difference in my life. Yes, bad things happen. But there is always…ALWAYS…something to be grateful for. What can you be grateful for today?
Today is the last day for our HUGE Overstock Sale! Over 1000 items are marked 25% off. Click here to see all the items: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/clearance.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
March 5th, 2010
My daughter has hit the “double digits”. Yep, on Monday she turned 10! I took her to get her ears pierced and she had a “girl hang-out” birthday party at our new house with six of her best friends from school.
It really does just seem like yesterday that “Miss Nellie”, her babysitter, made her an Elmo cake for her first birthday. But this birthday party? The girls picked up the coffee table to move it out of the way and had a dance-off to “All The Single Ladies” by Beyonce in my living room. How did nine years go by so fast?
I am old enough and wise enough now to listen to the parents before me who say “I blinked and here she is…graduating from high school”. Her life living with me is more than halfway over. It really does feel like the older I get, the faster time goes by.
So, as has been my theme for the past year or so, I am just trying to live in the present and enjoy every moment with her. Even when she was embarrassed to have me watch her dancing at her party and didn’t want me to take pictures of her and her friends. She also made me promise I wouldn’t put them in my e-mail or on Facebook.
But, I still took them. I still captured the memories. And while she isn’t thrilled about it now, there will come a time later in her life, when she looks back on all the memories I have captured of her (thanks to being in the scrapbooking world) and she will be glad I ignored her.
I love you, my sweet girl. I am SO lucky to be your Mom.
We are having a HUGE Overstock Sale! Over 1000 items are marked 25% off. Don’t worry, they are not discontinued. We just have too many of them! Sale prices are good through Friday, March 5th. Click here to see all the items: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/clearance.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
March 3rd, 2010
Four days ago I moved into a new house. Within those four days, it has become home. I feel more at home there than I ever did in the six months I lived in the condo in Celebration.
The first sign for me was when I changed the “Go Home” address in my GPS in the car. I had never done that. Then I changed the address on my driver’s license. I also am spending time figuring out where I want things to go, instead of just unpacking and putting it somewhere, like I did when I unpacked at the condo.
But the biggest thing that is going to make it home happened last night when the kids and I got home from after-school care. There is an alley behind our house that runs in-between everyone’s garages. As we pulled into the alley, there were kids everywhere! My kids squealed with delight and said “Look! Kids!”
Unfortunately, the neighborhood that Dad lives in has virtually no kids. So, my kids have never really had neighborhood kids to play with. It has saddened me for years and I started talking about moving 4-5 years ago. But we never did.
I had hoped that was the environment we were moving to in Celebration, but that didn’t turn out either.
My across-the-alley neighbor had a home party last night and invited me over. My default position would have normally been “No, thanks. I have to finish unpacking.” But, I decided to go and met lots of my new neighbors. They all said “Oh! You moved to one of the best alleys in the neighborhood! There are TONS of kids here!”
It filled me with joy to see my kids riding bikes and scooters with the kids in the neighborhood. I am hopeful that along with our new “home” comes the childhood I have always wanted for my kids.
Alright…enough about me!
Have you had a chance to check out our new items for the week? We have lots to look at, like "Lucky Me" by Little Yellow Bicycle, "Unwritten" and “Glitter Factory” by Reminisce, "Transportation" and "Mr. & Mrs" by Best Creation, "Poppyseed" by K and Company, “Disney Slims” by EK Success, USA and International paper and stickers by Paperhouse Productions and “Winter Fun” by Stamping Station.
I adore the "Poppyseed" line by K&Co. Anything with purple in it takes me to my happy place!
Click here to see everything new: www.scrapyourtrip.com/2242010.html and on sale : http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/2242010sale.html
Don’t forget to check out all the projects with the new items!: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
February 26th, 2010
My sunflower wreath is hanging on a new front door.
Many of you might remember an email I sent out in September when I moved out of the house and the kids and I moved into a condo in Celebration (a Disney master planned community). I hung a sunflower wreath on the front door, because just like a sunflower, wherever I am planted, I will always grow to face the sun.
Condo living was new and fun and exciting at the beginning. We had an elevator! The condo was so much smaller and cozy! I can take the trash to the trash room anytime I want!
Living in the community of Celebration was also really exciting in the beginning. It’s such a small town feel, right in the middle of the city.
But after 6 months (Wow! I can’t believe it’s been six months already!), the excitement has worn off. We all miss living in a house with a yard. And a garage.
And I miss my regular grocery store. And my regular Target, Walgreens, restaurants, etc.
So, yesterday, we moved into a house. It’s four minutes from school back in our old “neck of the woods”. A lot of the kids’ classmates live in the neighborhood (including Lauren’s best friend) and there are a lot of other kids nearby. And while the real estate market is not so good for homeowners right now, it’s awesome for renters!
The kids are super-duper excited. I am excited too, but I am also really nervous. It feels a little overwhelming right now.
Awhile ago, my scrapbook rep, Phyllis made a comment about “pink jobs” and “blue jobs”. Everything is a “pink job” now and that kind of has me a little freaked out. But, I’m strong and independent and I’m sure it will all be fine after we get all settled in. It’s the only choice I have.
In an effort to make this place feel more like home, I let the kids pick out new bedding and decorations for their rooms. I put it all together yesterday while they were at school and it was so cute to see the looks on their faces when they got home.
Let the new Mommy Swatek Family adventure begin!
Bring on the scrapbook supplies!
We have several new collections for you this week. We have "Lucky Me" by Little Yellow Bicycle, "Unwritten" and “Glitter Factory” by Reminisce, "Transportation" and "Mr. & Mrs" by Best Creation, "Poppyseed" by K and Company, “Disney Slims” by EK Success, USA and International paper and stickers by Paperhouse Productions and “Winter Fun” by Stamping Station.
Click here to see all the new items: www.scrapyourtrip.com/2242010.html
We also have 224 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/2242010sale.html
We added another seven new projects based on this week’s collections. They are located down the right-hand side of the website. You can see all our projects on our Shop by Layout section. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
February 24th, 2010
How open to new experiences are you? Are you adventurous? Or like most people, is "no thanks" your default answer when someone asks you to try something new?
This was my dinner conversation last night at a sushi restaurant, eating with four new friends I had just met. I am a wimpy sushi eater. Only California rolls for me! But, all the others were big sushi fans and had ordered all sorts of stuff for the table.
In my new life, I’ve decided I wanted to be open to trying new things, so I tried every type of sushi that showed up at the table. Some were delicious. Some were not. But I tried them all!
We had a great conversation about how scary it is to try new things sometimes and how we all wanted to do a better job at being open about it. Tuna Tataki on Crispy Rice was a good start for me.
Had a chance to check out our new additions and new overstock items for the week?
Click here to see all the new items: www.scrapyourtrip.com/2172010.html
We also have 175 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/2172010sale.html
Also, don’t forget to check out the projects on our Shop by Layout section. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
February 19th, 2010
I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day. Mine was absolutely wonderful!
Several years ago, Tony & I started taking the kids out for “date night” for Valentine’s Day. He always takes Lauren to Roy’s. She gets all dressed up and Daddy treats her like a lady.
Every year though, I’ve gotten the short end of the stick, because Logan is so much younger. Last year he picked Sweet Tomatoes and the year before that was go-kart riding at Fun Spot and corn dogs.
But, he is 7 now and we finally had a real “date”. We went to The Plantation Room at the Celebration Hotel. We both got all dressed up and I told him if he was going to be my date, then he had to be a “gentleman”.
He was so cute! He opened my car door, walked beside me, holding my hand instead of walking ahead of me and pulled out my chair for me at the restaurant.
He was so proud of himself and was looking at me with such pure love shining out of his eyes that it took all I had not to cry.
We shared a five-course DELICIOUS meal. As we were choosing what we wanted for each course, we had chose a crab appetizer and she-crab bisque. There was a choice between seafood and steak for the entrée and he said we should pick the steak because “we already have a lot from the ocean”.
After dessert, our server took him back into the kitchen and the chef gave him a long-stemmed red rose to give to me. “Give this to your Mom and tell her Happy Valentine’s Day and I Love You”. He came out from the kitchen beaming ear to ear and presented me with the rose. I bawled.
I was so proud of him. He was the perfect little gentleman. And the perfect Valentine’s Day date.
We have several new collections for you this week. We have "Joy Ride" and "Material Girl" by Cosmo Cricket, "Hit the Slopes" and "Faith" by Moxxie, "Hockey", "Doctor Visit" and "In Memory" by Karen Foster, "Real Sports" Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Softball and Tennis by Reminisce, and "Once Upon A Dream" by Best Creations. We also have crystals from a brand new vendor, Zva.
The SYT Designers were working on the following themes this week: Africa, Air Force, California, Canada, Celebrations, Civil War, Easter, England, Faith, Farming, Football, France, General Travel, Germany, Hawaii, Hockey, India, Ireland, Italy, Kids, Marines, Military, Pets, Romance, Scrapbooking, Skiing, Space, Valentines, Vietnam War, Winter, Zoo
Click here to see all the new items: www.scrapyourtrip.com/2172010.html
We also have 175 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/2172010sale.html
Thank you again to everyone who shared their perfect day! There were 6 winners of $25 SYT gift certificates: Stephanie, Nancy, Betsey, Lori, Tiffany and Julie. Ladies, your gift certificate codes will be in your e-mail boxes today!
We added another six new projects based on this week’s collections. They are located down the right-hand side of the website. You can see all our projects on our Shop by Layout section. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
February 17th, 2010
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
- Robert Brault
Thank you to everyone who has shared their version of a day that they GET TO live over and over again.
I am struck by the simplicity of most of our “perfect days”. Of how achievable most of the things are on a daily basis.
Why then, when happiness is within our grasp, do we not take advantage of it more often?
I am really going to work on this. I think I am going to let the kids pile into my bed for extra-long snuggles tonite! And then take a bath with my cup of chai and a good book!
Have you posted your “perfect day”? Everyone who comments will be entered in a drawing for a $25 SYT Gift Certificate. We will be choosing 3 winners for every 25 comments (one comment per person, please).
Last day for 20% off all our EK Success products! Click here to see them all: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/ek.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business. Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
February 12th, 2010
Last year at this time, I wrote what I think is one of the best e-mails I have ever sent out. Not because of what I wrote, but because of what all of you wrote back. I wrote the following:
“I can’t even say the words "Groundhog Day" without thinking of the movie from 1993 with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, where Bill Murray plays the grouchy weatherman who is forced to live the same day over and over again until he gets it right. But what if you had a day in your life that you GET TO live over and over again? What would that day look like? “
There were over 200 comments posted on the blog in response. Your “perfect day” stories touched me…changed me…and a lot of other people that read them.
So, I thought it was time to update for 2010. Parts of my day stayed the same…parts changed.
- My perfect day is one I get to spend with my kids.
- One that I am TOTALLY present – in the moment – enjoying everything as it happens and not thinking about anything except what is happening right now.
- It starts with a nice hot cup of my favorite chai tea.
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I get to spend some time curled up reading a good book.
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We go to Disney World and ride roller coasters. I am completely present when I am on a roller coaster. Plus, I like the rush!
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The kids and I spend some time looking over scrapbooks and old pictures and I tell them all their favorite stories about when they were really little.
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I go get a pedicure with Lani and we get to spend an hour or so of “girl time”.
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I have a great conversation with my Mom and Dad on the phone
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I prepare a delicious meal for dinner. Cooking is a way I show people I care about them. The kitchen fairies come and clean up.
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I spent an extra long time snuggling with the kids before they go to bed.
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I take a nice, long, hot bath. Long enough that the water gets cool, so I add more hot water and stay in some more!
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And then, since it’s my dream of a perfect day, I would fall asleep in the arms of my baby (Hey, just because I go to sleep by myself doesn’t mean I can’t dream of falling asleep in someone’s arms!)
Aahhhh. What a wonderful day that would be! What does yours look like? Please let us know on the blog. Everyone who comments will be entered in a drawing for a $25 SYT Gift Certificate. We will be choosing 3 winners for every 25 comments (one comment per person, please).
And if you have the time, grab a cup of coffee or tea and a box of tissues and read the comments from last year. I promise you…it will change you.
Click here to read: http://site.scrapyourtrip.com/blog2/2009/02/04/scrap-your-trip-adds-220-items-and-220-sale-items/
If part of your perfect day involves scrapbooking, we have lots of new items this week to help you out!
We have lots of great new collections for you this week. We have "Scooter’s Vacation" from Imaginisce, "Generation Z" from Little Yellow Bicycle, "Valentine’s Night" from Reminisce and "Nature’s Storybook" from Webster’s Pages. All with matching Bazzill packs available. We also have "Real Sports" from Reminisce in football, soccer, swimming, bowling and volleyball, along with "Bling It" embellishments from Bazzill and Memory Mates from James Buttons.
The SYT Designers were working on the following themes this week: Chinese New Year, Cooking, Florida, Italy, Love, New Orleans, Olympics, Pets, Saints, School, Scrapbooking, Sports, Travel and Valentine’s Day. We have a custom football paper and a custom football die cut available this week.
Click here to see all the new items: www.scrapyourtrip.com/2102010.html
All EK Success products are on sale through Friday at 20% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/ek.html
We also have 206 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see: http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/2102010sale.html
We have also added six new projects for inspiration this week. They are all located down the right-hand side of the website. Hope they give you lots of great ideas!
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options: www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html
See you on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
February 10th, 2010
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