Back from Cali

Wow.  Fun trip.  Feels like I've been gone for a long time, but it was really only four days.  CHA was a whirlwind of activity, although, very productive and satisfying.  As usual, I attended with Jamie and Jen from Coordinates Collections and we planned 10 kits while there. Whew!  Also, I met up with Rebecca from Pink Paislee and it was equally fun to hang out in their booth for a bit.  The PP product from this show is amazing!  I'll be shooting a video this week with the new Artisan Elements, so stay tuned!

I left some pretty nice weather in Seattle to mediocre weather in Anaheim.  Go figure.  Unfortunately, they had been inundated with rain and thunderstorms right before I arrived, and started again the afternoon I left.  I guess it was meant to be that I didn't plan a Disney trip this year immediately following the trade show.

My super-cute-adorable-hot-spankin-new Passat was at the dealership while I was gone (that way I wouldn't miss out on driving it while I was home!) getting Bluetooth installed and completing a few other post-purchase housekeeping items.  I will never miss another phone call again due to extremely loud music.  Dang I love that car.  Looking forward to driving to North Bend tomorrow for Emma's soccer game just to be in it :)  It's the small things in life people...

And the big things.  I met up with some wonderful long-lost friends while I was in CA - totally nostalgic and nourishing for my soul.  And then, just when I thought my trip was over, an old co-worker met me at my gate at SeaTac for a super quick visit - just a ride on the train and walk to the curb - but so lovely to hug and see her.  Can't wait to get together for dinner soon, Linda.

Here's a picture of Patty and me - keep in mind it was her husband, a man, taking the picture - if a woman had taken it she would have surely told me to reposition myself :)

Lost Generation... think about this.

I am part of a lost generation

and I refuse to believe that

I can change the world

I realize this may be a shock but

"Happiness comes from within"

is a lie, and

"Money will make me happy"

So in 30 years I will tell my children

they are not the most important thing in my life

My employer will know that

I have my priorities straight because

work

is more important than

family

I tell you this

Once upon a time

Families stayed together

but this will not be true in my era

This is a quick fix society

Experts tell me

30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce

I do not concede that

I will live in a country of my own making

In the future

Environmental destruction will be the norm

No longer can it be said that

My peers and I care about this earth

It will be evident that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic

It is foolish to presume that

There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

There is hope.

It is foolish to presume that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic

It will be evident that

My peers and I care about this earth

No longer can it be said that

Environmental destruction will be the norm

In the future

I will live in a country of my own making

I do not concede that 

30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce

Experts tell me

This is a quick fix society

but this will not be true in my era

Families stayed together

Once upon a time

I tell you this

Family

is more important than

Work

I have my priorities straight because

My employer will know that

they are not the most important thing in my life

So in 30 years I will tell my children

"Money will make you happy"

is a lie, and

"Happiness comes from within"

I realize this may be a shock but

I can change the world

And I refuse to believe that

I am a part of a lost generation.

Portland Fun

Well we're back from our 24 hour Portland adventure.  It was really just an excuse to get the Passat out on the open road :) We stayed downtown at the Westin, a very pretty, small hotel that allowed dogs - so Coop got to come along.  We walked downtown and window shopped, ate dinner at Burgerville, and then rode the MAX to the Rose Garden to watch the Trailblazers vs. Golden State.  We finished the whirlwind weekend with room service for breakfast and had a great drive home (this time with ME driving :)