Trip Tick Tock...

OK, so Saturday was Travel Day One and I loved the time with my Sweetie. Then, we got to the hotel, and you know how that went. Sunday travel day was not so great, but Sunday night was great 'cause I saw my grandkids and my daughter. We took lots of pics and I'll be working on those pages soon. Romeo and I stayed in Houston for 2 nights, then Headed to Dallas. He is awesome! We are staying another night here so I can go on the inaugural Cowboys Stadium tour. And since we have to be here anyway...that's right...we went to the Dallas Galleria Mall!!! You aren't going to believe this one, but I went to a 4 floor mall and didn't buy one pair of shoes. That's because I am saving my money to buy you new toys and paper and embellishments -- oh, my!

I talked to Michelle yesterday and gave her the wish list. She has some great things on the way and now it is she who will be getting in trouble when I get back. Funny how life changes, huh? Give her a call and ask her what she bought, because I don't know yet! The closer we get to Christmas in July, the more excited I get. She has such a fun time planned. I like the way this is working out, with Michelle not working in the store, I mean. She would beg to differ with that right now. And, all kidding aside, she has my love and my gratitude for the person she is and the sacrifices she makes.

Have you reserved your crop spot yet for Friday July 24th? If not, don't let the chance get by you. It is $15 for an all night crop, with lots of surprises.

See you soon...The Mom

The trip so far has been filled with mixed blessings.

The BEST news is time well spent with my sweetie and GREAT grandbaby hugs! The less than great news was the worst hotel room ever and the beach was ridden with algae. It was heartbreaking. The gulf coast is beautiful and the sand is like baby powder. The water is so clear you can see your feet, even walking hundreds of yards out. I'll post pictures later. I drowned my sorrows in chocolate and fell asleep watching a movie. Romeo (yes, that's what I call him) was tolerant of my complaining and supportive.

Then, we got stuck in Louisiana on a bridge with no exits for over an hour. We took a detour as soon as we could and got back on I-10 again. Needless to say, my grandson was less than happy, but he was SOOOO good. I was very proud of him. I have to go now because they are on their way and we're going to breakfast. More later on the woes and beauties of Houston TX...

So, have you heard the one about the cable guy?...

If you have been trying to reach us by phone and thought we were just ignoring you, NOT SO! If you want to hear the story here goes. I'll try to do the Reader's Digest thing, but good luck with that. Last week, Michelle and I spent 2 and 1/2 days fighting with our phone service provider (no disparaging remarks from me) and finally got the phone working. I checked before the guy got off the phone to make sure. Soon after I hung up, come to find out we still couldn't make outgoing calls, which took another day. Then, Michelle came in on Thursday and called again because we had no dial tone at all. She got a message there was an outage in the area. So, okay fine, we waited. Next day, still no dial tone. Which is why you were getting the voicemail that whole time! We called again and were told that the phone modem had been unplugged. Well, we tried and tried to tell them we had no phone modem in our store. Of course, they thought we were just a couple of dingy girls with no sense. The last time I called, I was determined to get them to come fix the problem. The landlord came to help us and was very much on our side, confirming there was no equipment in the store we just couldn't find. Michelle was insistent that it was in the other business in our building. Those of you who know the background are jumping ahead of me now. The landlord went next door and of course the business owner there knew of no phone modem for our store that could have gotten unplugged. Really?!... Long story short (believe it or not, this IS the condensed version) a tech came out on Saturday, and sure enough, there was a phone modem next door connected to our side that had been unplugged. How could that be? I guess accidents happen, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Anyway, the phone does work for now and you can call Michelle tomorrow. If you haven't already done it, be sure to reserve your seat for the Christmas Eve crop. And don't miss out on the new i-top Tool!

Blogger followers anonymous no more

Okay, you Cricuteers -- I have a proposition for you. Sign up as a follower on the blog and get $5 off your next purchase of $10 or more. It's that easy. And, as a bonus, submit a comment for an additional surprise next time you come into the store. The Mom

Store vision changing

As you have probably heard, Michelle is going back to school and I have retired from 23 years with Prudential Financial. That is good news, not sad news. The big change in the store will be Michelle helping me instead of me helping her. She will still be contributing her talent in the art and input for product selection, but the running of the business side is now on me. I will continue my Cricut obsession and have begun setting up some classes taught by amazing instructors. Shere may be here awhile after all, Becky's Bears are oh too cute, and Michelle's creations will wow you, and that's just a teaser for now. Never fear, The Mom still rocks on...As Scottie said yesterday, we have to continue our Scrapbookers' Anonymous meetings, after all, right?

I thank you all for your ideas that really have me thinking and I get more excited every day! Be watching for schedule updates and some surprises through July. Michelle, Shere and I are cooking up something special for you, but for now, it's a secret. You can't make me talk, so don't even try it. Okay, maybe just a few hints...We have some hot new products on the way and will be doing the demos very soon. But, remember, it will all be in the planning stage until I get back in July. Keep an eye on the emails and blog updates to get in on the news, just between us girls.

I am looking for weekend support in the store so I can keep the Pink House and still get to spend time with my Sweetie. He is the epitome of the good man, something I thought to be a contradiction in terms before I came to know him. We are going on an 18 day road trip starting this weekend and I will be sending out the details of the new business structure then. In the meantime, please call ahead if you plan to visit the store, as Michelle will be balancing The Pink House and 6 kids out of school for the summer. The girls are all in Cheer Camp and Zane will soon start football again. You have to experience the family dynamic during football season to understand what that means. He is sure to be a Pro after college. (We have really emphasized the 'after college' part of that with him and believe he understands the back-up plan concept.)

I have already added two new artists to the Consignment Corner and spent quite a while with Jessica yesterday. Her husband is very supportive and involved in her projects. Be sure to visit the store to check out her framed albums. Angela has done some wonderful work with Crayons and key fobs that you have to touch to appreciate, and which you moms and altered art fans will love. Kim's Scrap-Ma-Bob bags are a hit and we will continue to carry those for you. Heidi will be leaving us soon. Her husband is being shipped out. She only has 2 of the fabulous painted pre-made pages left and may not have time to bring in more, so come on in and check out her beautiful 3-D paint cards and watercolor pages.

I sent an email out on Thursday about the 60% off craziness and the fixtures we have for you. Let me know if you didn't get it and I'll correct your email address in Michelle's distribution list. I am email stupid, so I have to send the newsletters out from hers.

Sorry about the long post, my friends. That's what happens when you occupy yourself on a sleepless night. So much spinning in my head right now that I am dizzy! (I heard that, Becky.)