A Place to Lay my Head

Well, we've done! After looking at almost 20 homes or condos...we put in an application for one!!! Yea! It is nice, newer (1997) and spacious. It's going to be about a 30 minute drive for Steve to work. It backs up to a local golf course...not too far from groceries, etc. I'm excited! Girls, it has a 3/4 basement for cropping!! Here's the pics that we have...

The Kitchen..the blue stripe has been replaced with all white. There is a nice ledge over the island and the family room (right) is actually in the same room. (From this pic, the island is just to the left of the pics, behind the squatty chairs.

It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The master bedroom, below, is flooded with light! It will help keep the winter depression down, I hope. It is massive, so as you can tell, we will have a nice sitting area in there also. The master bath has no door! It is open to the bedroom. A double sink, large shower, and a separate toilet is really going to spoil me. And the closet!!!OMG!!! It is almost 8 x 8!! If we were younger...a person could almost turn it into a nursery!
In the laundry room, there is a space large enough for Buddy's crate and a laundry folding table. I can't wait for you all to come visit, so I can show it off.

Now, if we could just figure out how to take all our family and friends...it would be the perfect house. Our agent was the best and showed us some wonderful houses. Now to get everything up here and settled in.. I might get to do some scrapbooking, say..by June at least.

Gotta go, Our plane leaves around 3 and we want to see if we can find the house on our own..without the agent's help!

If you haven't been reading the blogs about all the new products...get with it and

Keep Dreamin

Pam

BRRR

Wow! It's cold here. We arrived on Saturday afternoon to the swankiest hotel (Hotel Arista) I've ever been in. I can lay in my marble soaking tub and watch tv on the mirror! Yes, you read that right. The tv is built into the mirror. I have my own personal robe, they turn back the beds, set up a tray of water, turn the radio on a soft channel and the lights down low. That is the way we are greeted in our room after returning from dinner! Nice.

House hunting is a lot of fun. We saw houses, condos, and townhouses with our agent on Sunday. Yesterday I went out on my own to view apartments. I took a wrong turn and ended up in a bad part of Aurora. It was a little unnerving. But I had my map and got through it. Today I'm going out with Julie again, to look at more. We found a few that really interested us, but the search continues.

Hey!! Have you been to any of the scrapbook sites to see the new things that are being released at CHA this week? Wow SEI has some great lines...they are fresh and cheery. A good thing on this dreary day. To check them out on their website, click here.

And of course, the Basic Grey line is always a hit. The new one on their website called Porcelain is soft with the browns, Line Rickey is bright and summery (my fav colors all in one kit!) and the Marrakech line is mandarins, blues, and even some teal in it. Check out these products...let me know what you think.

So, go hunting...find some items you want to have your hands on. I'll see if I can't arrange it..I have ways of doing these things.

I have to tell you about the scrapbook space one of the houses has....it is just for me! Two of the walls are painted mod orange. (I'd say physodelic, but I don't know how to spell it!) It's a small room, 9x9, but it has a great window in it. I can see me all set up in it, making kits for you guys. Can't wait to get my new venture started.

I've started a forum page, so we can start talking back and forth to each other. I will link it to my website, so you can shop, learn techniques, gab about latest products, win free stuff...you know kinda like on We Scrap or Scrapbook.com. the URL for it is http://grou.ps/dreamersklub. So far there are only 2 of us on it...but I have make it public so anyone can join. Be sure to read the profile infor carefully, so your email address is not made public to everyone. I'll administer those as people sign up, and send you a blast if you forget to check it. Just trying to keep the spammers out.
I had a group on yahoo and somehow spammers got it (there is not much security on yahoo, and that is part of it). So I've worked hard and read all the fine print with this company. It should be safe...but on the web nothing is. You don't have to worry about me selling your addresses...I wouldn't know the first thing about it! I work with scissors and glue...this techy stuff is over my head.

Well, gonna run. I want to check out more new products...going to Fancy Pants, BoBunny, Making Memories...the list is endless. Let you know if I find some goodies. In the meantime...

Keep Dreamin

Pam

I'm So Proud

Okay, again, not about scrapping...but, we have a "newish" dog. Older golden lab puppy, actually. His name is Buddy and he is stealing my heart. We are taking him to Chicago with us, so he has to learn some house manners...which means he has to stay in the house.

I bought a crate for him. It is as big as a toddler's bed! At first, I had to physically drag him into it. (He weighs 63 pounds) Then we worked on saying, "Buddy go to your room". And he is so stinking smart, that he went. A little snack for obeying. Then we had to play..in the room...out of the room...in...out...in, snack,...out praise! Last night, I had to impress Steve with how intellegent our youngest child is. He didn't think it would be so successful, after only one morning of work. Wrong! The dog AND his wife have some skills!

But now the proud moment. He slept in the crate last night. We heard just a tiny bit of whiney at the beginning of the night. Then he settled into a long winters night sleep. This morning his crate was dry and clean!! I couldn't believe it! I think he is the smartest kid we have! (glad my children don't read my blog!! I'd be in trouble.)

I'm So Proud!!

Well, it's back to the store for more cleaning and sorting. Our agent sent us some home specs to look at for Chicago. For the amount we want to spend, there were some extremely nice homes. It will be fun shopping next week...big shopping. House shopping. We fell in love with one in Wheaton, an older home built in 1954. It has been totally renovated, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a loft with a spiral staircase leading to it! It has lots of appeal and charm. (But unlike an apartment, no pool or exercise room. I was looking forward to that) We'll see how it turns out in real life on Sunday.

I'll send pictures to update you.

Keep Dreamin

Pam

Which Way Did I Go?

I tell you girls, I've been so busy, I'm not real sure where I am right now! If you find me, take me home, Please! The store is coming home with me as we speak. I had no clue that I had so much personal items there. Steve is freaking out a little bit..but I'll find a place for all of it. we leave for Chicago Saturday to hunt for a place to live. I'll be gone all week...Sally will be running the store. I hope she stays busy with last minute shoppers. Be sure to visit her.

Hey, have you seen the new buckets that Queen & Company are now using? They are bright and filled with goodies! A must have for your shelves in the crop room. Check them out on their blog, http://www.queenandcompany.typepad.com/ They are giving away 7 of the new pails to random people who add a comment to their space. Go NOW...come back and read the rest after you've entered.

Welcome back. Not much else to say, today. Registration is officially closed for the retreat...There are 11 of us going..which is a great sized group. For their goodie bags I got..wait! they may be reading this. Anyway, the gifts are over the top...brand new items...WOW!!! I can't wait...I need a break from the frenzy here.

Only 2 more crops at the store...I'd love to have everyone come. But I can only seat 8. So call in and save your spot. 4 are already reserved.

Well, gotta run...more packing and more sales to finish.

Keep Dreamin
Pam

survived the cold night

What? It's still Cold!! I want the "cold one day and hot the next" weather cycle back. It seemed worse at our house last night, because the upstairs heater didn't kick on. We've been having some problems...put in a new thermostat...is it an installer (hubby) problem...or is it the starter? Anyway, it got down to 56 in our room last night..great for sleeping, not great for getting up!
I didn't scrap any yesterday. I'm still digging through and sorting out my things. And busy with all the shoppers coming in for the 1/2 price clearance items. But I have found some really great paper that I forgot I had...so I'm cropping tonight! The Dreamers and I are going to have Taco Soup at the store, instead of going out to eat. There is only 2 crop nights left before I close my ownership of the store. Please call and join us. I heard a rumor that there will be a drawing for those who come to the crops...free stuff..give me more!!!
I had two more ladies sign up for the retreat....and 1 more on the fence trying to make a decision. I know there are others who have decided that they will hold their own retreats (since they used to be friends, I wish they would at least have waited till I was gone before they started taking my business from me), but I can guarantee you that you will be pampered to the fullest at mine. I've ordered brand new products to give as goodie bags (not leftovers or dollar tree junk) that add up to over $20 in retail. So, if you have some time come join us. Thank you to my real friends and customers.

Keep Dreamin

Pam

BRRRR!

Wow! Is it cold or what!?! Just to confirm your suspicions, I am moving to Chicago ON PURPOSE! Yes, me, the coldest person in the world. I'm gonna die!!! The first time we lived there, it was 46 degrees on the 4th of July! Remember the last paragraph whenever I try to convince you I know anything!
Well, the moving out of the store has started, and I can say it is one of the saddest things I've done in a long time. And, I've discovered that I need to scrapbook some of my thousands of items in my possesion! I have some neat stuff, and as I work on it I will start showing it here. (With all the cold and snow in Chicago, I can't imagine I'll be doing much running around outside) So in the months to come, this will become a scrapping blog again.
In other news, I had 5 ladies at the stepping up class. I taught them some basic techniques, inking edges, wet embossing, stamping, using chipboard, using die-cuts...we even used ribbon. The thing I love about new scrappers is their excitement to learn new techniques. Do you remember those days?? Girls, get out and search the web for something new and challenging...it will renew your excitement with scrapbooking all over again.

Keep Dreamin

Pam

New Year, New Inspirations

Well, the New Year is here. Yes, I've been so busy that I just realized that! With the move and all, I'm really stretching myself to stay positive...and creative. With thousands of junk things rolling around in my head, where to live in Chicago, how much of our stuff are we going to move, gotta see "so-so" before we leave, you know, Stuff, that I haven't even thought about scrapbooking. My practical side has taken over...and...

I NEED SOME CROPPING TIME!!!

Sorry for the yelling. But I do feel better. I'll be moving my scanner home over the weekend? Maybe on Monday, so I can start showing you guys some of the fun stuff I want to create that is rollin in the other side of my head. I promise this will become a scrap blog again. Really. Scouts Honor.

Some things I've found during my fits of insomnia, are on-line classes. There are a couple of really cool sites out there. Forget sleep one night, and cruise on down the web. Probably my favorite site is We Scrap. I've been a member for a couple of years, although a paid membership is not necessary. But it has perks, so check them out. But the site has wonderful challenges, fun forums, Quote of the Day, and occaisionally free classes. I love the interaction and they are not trying to just sell me their products. It is truly an international site. Check it out. You'll love it.

Tuesday I'll start the clearance sales at the store...pretty much everything the new owners don't want will be 50% off. I need it to sale, cause I sure don't need it sitting around my house. Come by and browse.

Another shameless plug..I still have spaces available for the Dream Retreat. I have 5 brand new retreaters this time...can't wait to wow them. Come join us.(if you are on my email list, you received a $30 off retreat coupon. If you don't have one, drop me a line at dreamsandmemories@yahoo.com and I'll get you one!)

And in the meantime...

Keep Dreamin

Pam