Archive for February, 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
Just got back to the office from chaperoning Logan’s field trip to Sea World. They have been studying about the oceans for a while and this was the cumulation of all they have been learning.
It was so cute when we got there. All the kids were on the bus and the moms (and quite a few dads) drove separately. We got there before them, and as all the classes (four-first grade classes) arrived, it was a chorus of "Where’s my Mom?"
We got to see baby dolphins! They were so small compared to their moms and so cute! We also got to see three different shows, including the Shamu "Believe" show. I have seen it several times before, but I am always astounded at how the trainers swim and interact with the killer whales. Amazing. Just amazing.
It’s such a treat to be able to take a half day off to be with one of the kids on their field trips. Thank you for allowing me the ability to do that
Logan’s class at the Dolphin Nursery. He’s the "ham" in the front with the fingers up
Logan with his best bud. Here we are with the fingers again! I guess he’s trying to be cool
Just a reminder that today is the last day of the 20% off sale on Reminisce products. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/rem.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 5th, 2010
Are you a trusting person? I am.
I think there are two types of people in the world. The first kind is people who don’t inherently trust anyone until someone has proven that they are trustworthy. The second type of person is someone who inherently trusts everyone until someone gives them a reason not to.
I am part of the second group of people. At my core, I believe people are good. Yes, there are some really bad people in the world. But overall, I believe people as a whole are good. And when given a choice between right and wrong, most people will make the right choice.
I always choose to see the good in people. Sometimes it’s their whole personality. Sometimes it’s hard to find. But I know it’s there.
Yeah, I’ve gotten my feelings hurt and taken advantage of a few times. But thankfully it hasn’t made me cynical or made me decide to stop trusting people. Choosing to always see the best in people is a core part of who I am and I don’t ever want that to change.
So, how about you? Do you trust or do people have to prove themselves first? Did you used to be one type and now you are the other? Let us know on the blog!
On to scrapbooking supplies!
We have two great new collections this week. First is "Love Struck" by Making Memories. Next we have "Winter’s Wings" by Webster’s Pages (since good ole’ Phil saw his shadow yesterday). And of course, we have SYT branded papers for Valentine’s Day, including a Custom Love Horizontal Word paper. Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/232010.html
All Reminisce products are on sale through Friday at 20% off. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/rem.html
We received a lot of emails from you disappointed because you missed the 20% off sale on SYT branded paper last week. So, just for you, I am extending it today and tomorrow! We have papers in almost every category, so they are sprinkled throughout the site, but they are all on one page in case you want to look at them that way instead of by theme, but please be patient while the page loads. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/sytp.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 3rd, 2010
