Hello Stampers!! I know that I am rarely mushy here on my blog, I mean honestly I am rarely mushy EVER ;-) !! But over the last few days (weeks) honestly I have been thinking about how unfair life is, and then I realized after going to many of the classes at Convention that I should SHUT UP and come to terms with the fact that I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO blessed!!!
So for many of you that don't know me on a real personal basis (hold on, you are about to) you may not know all the things that I have had going on in my life recently. I am so glad to say that it isn't anything earth shattering, thank heavens- but when you are in a stressful and depressing situation it kinda feels that way, right? So in the last say 6 months I have had a lot of changes take place. I have had to deal with my very BEST friend move out of state (this after I have been growing so close to her after brain cancer and a slew of other life issues she has gone through), I couldn't imagine what I would do when I needed someone to talk to- not being able to strut right over to her house and poppin' a squat. Yep, she lived right next door... and on top of it all she just helped me be a better person all the way around, booohooo! So yeah I did shed many a tear dealing with this "change".
I have also been in the process of trying to sell our other home in Colorado. We have had it rented for a few years and because so we have not been able to sell it. So after much thought and prayers we decided to have our renter move out and prayed that it would sell. After it being on the market for not even a full month we got a contract, YEAH!!! Then about 15 days later the buyers walked away from the house... Ugh!!! I have had many a conversation with Heavenly Father as to why this house can't sell... see we have been making TWO mortgage payments and I have been slowly turning into a whiny brat making life miserable for ALL, I was the captain of the S.S. Misery and Woe- sounds fun, huh?
SO then August comes rolling around the corner. This is now increasing my anxiety level because it's my Birthday MONTH and now it is time to shop for school clothes, school supplies, Dr. appointments. There are additional expenses for my son as he has more than just regular physicals and then there is additional medicine costs with that as well. We also have a funeral that we are attending, out of state... and I know that I should be trying to make this wind down of summer more enjoyable for my kids and family and all I can do is be sad that my friend is now gone and hear the sound of CHA-CHING over and over in my head.
Then I went to Convention with my Cousin Shannon, and man was that the pick me up I needed. I learned so many cool things there and it was so nice to be completely distracted from all the things happening in my life. Although if you ask Shan, she might tell you it was a day or two before I stopped complaining about my house not selling... she was about to get a new room! I went to Bonnie Thurber's Class about Change and it was like I was the only one in the room. It was so uplifting and comforting and really helped me get out of my poop mood. On my way home it got me thinking... instead of being so focused on the things that are not going MY way in my life I should be focusing on the things that are going GREAT. I started to think about all the fun and wonderful things that I now have. I am so blessed that my husband and kids are healthy and happy (for the most part, if I'm happy every one's happy). I am so glad that my friend Ashlie that she is adjusting well and beginning to feel better every day, she deserves the best! I then started to think about all of the NEW friends that I have been blessed to make and get to know even better just over the past few months. I had a wonderful turn out to my Catalog Kick-Off party and then started to realize that is what life is all about. Spreading our wings and getting to know a ton of different people, and I think many times we are amazed at how all those new relationships change our lives. I am realizing that I am SOOOOO grateful for all of my NEW friends that I was able to meet and find through Stampin' Up! I am so blessed to have all these people to craft with and to become closer to, all thanks to a craft and hobby that I did for selfish reasons. I then started thinking- man, if Shannon had not forced me to go to that first card class with her over 5 years ago I would NEVER had this amazing opportunity in my life. So Shannon- THANK YOU!!!
I also wouldn't have the amazing demo friends that I have now and I wouldn't have the awesome experiences like Convention to think and reflect on. It is astonishing how one decision or choice can change your life. I am SOOOOOO blessed for the gift of Stampin' Up! It has allowed me the opportunity not only to meet new people but to make life long friends and have memorable experiences. Plus now that I need a creative distraction not to mention the added income to offset our additional expenses- I have Stampin' Up! to thank for those 2 boosts as well. Stampin' Up! has really stepped into those voids that I have in my life and I am such a better person because of it.
I share this experience with you for several reasons, the first is to hopefully help you as an anonymous reader get to know me a bit better- not to mention it is so therapeutic for me to put these thoughts and feelings out there. But I also wanted to share this with you in hopes that it might change your life direction as well. If you have ever thought about becoming a demonstrator but was hesitant hopefully my experience will help you realize that it is the best thing you can do. I am so grateful to have a career that I LOVE to do, that I am fulfilled in doing. It is so rewarding. If you think that this is something that you might want to try let me know. If you have questions, I would love to talk with you and help you get the answers you want. If you sign up for nothing more than to have the camaraderie of fellow stampers then you will still get the added benefit of getting your products at a great discount. Not to mention the ability to attend all those Stampin' Up! events with me and my team. If you want to make the decision to join as a career change and are pumped to make this a business then I am here to help you with that as well. I am just thrilled to share this blessing that I have had through Stampin' Up! with everyone I know, or those of you I want to know that I don't yet :-)
If you have thought of joining, or are inspired to join I would be honored to have you on my team. You can CLICK HERE to get started or email me and I can assist you with the process and answer any questions you might have as well. Don't forget that through July 31st, just a few more days, Stampin' Up! is offering a deal on the starter kit, it's ONLY $99!!! Don't worry if you are not located near me here in San Antonio, I have demo's from CO to TX so don't stress. When you join my team you get all the support and assistance that I give to my local stmapin' friends, plus you get all the class ideas and tutorials and materials that I prepare for all my classes also. I want to help you be as successful as you want to be. Contact me today if you have ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I would love to chat with you!
Thanks so much for stopping by to get to know me a little better, I hope I didn't put you to sleep and if you did drool on your laptop I am truly sorry. :-) I hope you have a great weekend and until next time~
