Well, today I come to you with the most fantastic thing that has ever happened to me....well that is other than marrying the love of my life and having my beautiful family!

I am going to be traveling in September/October to the countries of Ireland and Italy! I am beyond excited about this adventure!

                    

       


So, here is the back story! My friend Kim is moving to Ireland for an extended period of time due to her husband's job. I was telling my hubby how I am going to miss her and his response was..."well, maybe you can go visit."  Ummmm....YES! He also stated..."I don't know if you could do Italy ( has been the main thing on my bucket list since 1998) but at least you could go see Kim." So Kim and I set to work to planning the trip to Italy to see if it was financially possible. Thanks to her and Jamie's travel savviness it become a reality!


Going to Italy (specifically Rome) has been a dream since I taught third grade at a private school where the Social Studies curriculum included a 9 week unit on Ancient Rome. It was absolutely my most favorite thing to teach the whole three years I taught there. So, here I am about to embark (in 63 days) on the most exciting adventure I will probably ever take in my life. This is like way better than waiting for Christmas morning to arrive! Can you tell I am just beyond excitement?

I have never been out of the country at all...in fact never even traveled out of the South until the year 2010. So, I covet all of your thoughts and prayers as I go on this adventure of a lifetime! If anyone has any positive tips to share please do so in the comments below! No neggie ones cause I have heard them all already! Even from random strangers in the nail salon!

I will be sure to share some exciting photos and maybe even a vlog or two along the way.
And you might see and read a thing or two as I get ready/prepared for this journey. Thanks so much for taking your time to share in my excitement!

Life Update!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Lots going on in my life these days...I just wanted to take some time to give you a life update and let you know what it happening in my neck of the woods. So, I am going to split this into three sections.

Personal

I began on February 1 to start taking charge of my life...don't know what took me a whole month...usually I am on the ball right around the first of the year. So, I decided I needed to get fit and healthy. I began Weight Watchers...and have been working on that steadily since then. I would like to say I started on February 1st exercising regularly but that would be a total fib. I struggled with that aspect of getting fit...walking some but not consistently, exercising at home but again not consistently. So, fast forward to the month of March...I got a Fitbit for my birthday and things started
getting more regular. Then on Mother's Day...May 10th...I had recently found out that we could join the local gym at a huge discount due to my hubby's place of employment...so that was my present from my wonderful husband. A gym membership completely paid in full for a year. And to my surprise he joined as well. We go regularly 3 times a week and then I go twice a week. I have also gotten on a regular walking schedule at home when I am not at the gym...so I walk twice a day most days. Recently, we went to the beach for our annual family weekend and I walked over 10,000 steps in one day for the first time! I have lost 26.6 lbs since February and am still losing...I have quite a ways to go but I am going about it the right way!

Organization

I decided on January 1 that I was going to get my whole house completely organized! With that goal in mind I designed a complete closet redo for my walk in closet in my bedroom. My wonderful son executed my design and the result is a beautiful walk in closet with drawers, shoe racks, hanging space, shelves, and a make-up vanity! I am totally in love with it and would not trade it for anything!

I completely cleaned out and organized my kitchen...have cleaned out every drawer and closet in this house.

Also with the help of two friends I completely redesigned, purged, and organized my scrapbook room. I am still not quite finished with that room but it is getting there. My goal is to completely finish that room by the end of this month.

Lastly, the final space I will need to completely clean and organize is my space in the garage...that has fast become the problem area for me. I cannot seem to keep that area clean. But that is on the agenda for this month as well.

Business

As most of you know I own/run a scrapbook supply retail business. Scrapping for Less sure keeps me on my toes. I have been super busy with orders, sorting, and shipping lately. I strive my best to offer excellent customer service and provide scrapbook/card/craft supplies for sale at a price that is better than most places. I design the card kits for Scrapbook Blessings Club which debuts on the first Saturday of each month. Check out the blog hop each month and comment on each participant...you could win a kit! I also recently introduced a monthly planner kit! June was a huge success...July had a rough time (only sold 2) but you can't win 'em all right? I also offer a service unheard of most other places...ask and I will see if I can get anything you may want...tools, specialty paper, a certain stamp...whatever you may need...I can't promise...but I will look for it and see if I am able to obtain that item for you.  Anyhow, I am committed to bring the best/hottest/greatest supplies to you at super prices!