Scrappin' in the Mountains!

Me and Donna Jean

Shawna

Our View!

Chair Lift at Sunset

One of my favorite layouts!

Oh what a wonderful weekend I had scrapbooking with 33 creative & amazing ladies at the Palouse Divide Lodge! Donna Jean, my best bud from Nevada, came up for the retreat! So I got to hang out with my two best friends; Shawna and Donna Jean! We got up to the lodge on Thursday night and set up all the tables for the gals coming up on Friday. I managed to get 28 layouts done. It was so much fun. I can't wait to go back!

What will I do with all my time?

Well I have made a big decision that is going to change my life! I have decided to close the Moscow store and expand the Pullman store. It has been a very stressfull month, trying to weigh out my options and make this choice; but I know I have made the right one. I can't wait to get back over in Pullman and renew my friendships with all of our Pullman customers! Shawna and I are so excited to get to work together a few days each week. AND...we will both get a lot more time off! I sure have learned a lot and have made the BEST friends by opening up the Moscow store. I don't regret it.

I am looking forward to spending more time with my family! I want to hang out with my 15 year old, teach him how to drive & help him with his homework. I want to help my 19 year old find his way. I want to renew my friendship and relationship with my amazing husband. I know this sounds "sick" but I am looking forward to cleaning my house, cooking dinners, making menus and being at home! I might even be able to scrapbook and create again. I can't remember the last time I have sat down to scrapbook. My husband is making me my own scrapbook room in our house - we have a really cool room upstairs that is partially finished. So, I can't wait to have my "stuff" back home; where I can work on it whenever I want without feeling guilty - cause I'm at the store.

I am planning a trip to go see my family in Florida. I so enjoyed having my Mom and Dad here and it made me realize how much I have missed them. I have not seen my niece in 4 years. My sister about the same and my brother even longer. Life is too short and family is so important - I am not going to let another year go by without seeing them.

I plan to start going to Yoga again. Eat healthier. Get my hair cut. Loose 50 pounds. Learn how to golf. Practice being present. Meditate. Walk. Live.

So, thanks for everyone's support - this is such a blessing.

Happy Birthday Karna

Happy Happy Birthday to our nephew Karna!

Archie's Place - Kendrick, ID

You all have to take a scenic drive out to Kendrick, ID and visit Archie's Place (located downtown/main street) for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Arletta and Jim have remodeled and re-opened the cafe in town and it is YUMMY! On our visit we had the best burgers, sweet potato fries (my fav) vanilla shakes (the real kind) homemade coconut cream pie and homemade bread pudding! And no...this was not just for ME! We took my parents out for a drive and to meet Arletta and Jim.

We will definitely go back! I give it an A+!

An Enlightened Collection!

I am fascinated with Buddhas, goddesses, saints and other religious icons. I started collecting Buddhas last year and have been trying to learn more about Buddhism. I just started collecting other religious icons this year. Just one of those thing I do!

This Buddha sits on the dash of my car!

These three are made of shou-shan stone ware. I believe they are Fukurokuju, the god of wisdom and longevity.

Hotei - the small Buddha on the left is jade; I don't know if the large one is jade or glass. I would love to know if it is jade!

Not sure what this one is made of - but it has a planter on the side - very heavy. I think this is also Hotei - but shown as the Safe Travels Buddah.

Kwan Yin is known as the female Buddha or the goddess of compassion. Likened to the great stature of the Virgin Mary in the West. All those who needlessly suffer are Kwan Yin's children. She is all-loving, and the perfect embodiment of beauty, grace and enduring compassion. I find it really interesting how similar she is to the Virgin Mary...

This Buddha is made of vintage celluloid, the first entirely synthetic plastic. The front of it spins around and has an offering or devotional area. I would love to know what type of Buddha he is.

I also found three Virgin Mary statues made out of celluloid. This one is extra special to me since she is a black Mary. I think she is so beautiful.

A Birthday Full of Favorites!

I had the best birthday today! It was filled with all of my favorites:

My favorite friends; Shawna and her daughter Katrina!

A phone call from my favorite niece, Lily! Who also had her birthday today! She is five years old and sang me Happy Birthday all the way from Florida! I also got to talk to my Mom and Dad, who are on their way to Yellowstone.



My favorite places to spend my money...at all my favorite antique stores! We hit almost every antique store from Pullman to Clarkston! I found so many amazing items to add to my collections. Will share photos of all my finds tomorrow. We also stopped at a few scrapbook stores. My second favorite place to spend money.

One of my favorite things to do...taking pictures of everyday items!

And then to come home to a husband and two boys that love & support me!

Life is good for this 42 year old gal!