Scrapbooking shouldn't be stressful

I usually get together with some girlfriends once a year to scrapbook at a B&B. I didn't participate last year, so I signed up for two weekends this year. Since I have to travel to the site, it involves a bit of juggling of time and planning. Work is extra stressful right now with lots of projects. I thought I might look forward to the break from work, but the reality is, I'm stressed about not being able to get everything done that needs to get done.

Unfortunately, I didn't buy my airline ticket at rock bottom prices so that was an extra hundred or so. Good thing I'm frugal in other areas. And I'm still trying to figure out transportation. I'll probably just rent a car unless I can find a ride from my mom's to the B&B (hope I don't get lost driving there).

I haven't organized a single page, printed out any photos. As I was looking through my stash, I wondered if I should just get rid of it all. The hobby doesn't bring me pleasure any more (although I still enjoy shopping and buying). If I got rid of it all, would I miss it?

Great start to the new year

I was over at Ali Edward's blog where she's having a giveaway (there's still time to enter). To enter, you had to sharing something that's been inspiring. I wrote:

I find my friends inspiring. Just this week, I talked with a friend who started her own business last year and received two handmade cards. It's been a great week!

But why just share that with Ali who has no idea who I am (I just wanna win something, lol). So S, good luck with your business and I'll see you soon. T, love the card and I'll call or send you an e-mail soon. W, thanks for the beautiful card. It was a great ending to my first week back in the office.

To all my friends and readers, I hope you've had a good year so far and that you are surrounded by family, friends, and inspiration.

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I received this lovely thank you card from my friend W. Isn't she talented?

I have 27 friends

and eight more friend requests. Yes, I joined Facebook. No, I am not as excited about it as some of you are.

I can't figure out why some people want to friend me. We've never met in real life, they don't read my blog, I've never IM'd them (yes, even I used to IM), we don't e-mail, and I'm pretty sure most of them have never commented on any of my scrapbook message board threads. The only thing we have in common is the afore mentioned SB MB. Do they really want to follow what's going on in my life? (and do I want them to?) Do I want to follow their lives? Am I offending them because I haven't accepted their friend requests (I'm pretty sure I've offended a few people because I didn't accept their LinkedIn request.) Ahhh, where's Emily Post when you need her? Or maybe I need Dr. Phil to help me figure out all of this.

Awwwwww

I was talking to a friend yesterday and received the nicest compliment. She said that she's always hungry after reading my blog, which made me feel good since 1) I'm not a great photographer and 2) I don't post that many recipes. I think it would be great if I could get a cookbook deal ala The Pioneer Woman or Steamy Kitchen, but I'm not holding my breath. (By the way, I'd love to get either book for Christmas, hint, hint).

So today's lessons are you never know how/when/where you'll influence someone and compliments feel good. Go ahead, compliment someone today!

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A thank you card from a friend. I love getting mail!

Photo 16/365 Webkinz

My new friend, Roar. Thanks S!

Cookie Day

Today I joined some friends for our annual cookie baking day, a variation of the season's traditional cookie exchange. One friend generously opens her house and we all bake there. We each make a variety or two and bring home several dozen cookies. There's flour and sugar and nuts and butter and chocolate everywhere, lol, plus a line for the oven.

Each year, we get a little more organized and of course, there's a few surprises. Sometimes we bake old favorites, but usually, we try new recipes. I decided to make Hyacinth’s “Everything Cookies” from The Pioneer Woman. I heard some favorable reports from some LMers, plus favorable comments on the original cookie recipe post, so I decided to try it. Note that it isn't a cheap recipe to make, but I got over 9 dozen cookies out of it. I highly recommend using a stand mixer to mix the dough. There's no way a hand mixer could handle the dough and it sure would be tiring to mix it by hand. They are sweet and chewy (from the dried fruit), and crunchy (from the oatmeal and granola). Definitely a hit!

As I was browsing Tastespotting.com last week, I noticed an abundance of snickerdoodle recipes (was there some sort of web contest going on?) and went with this classic. Another hit!

We also had thumbprint cookies, macaroons topped with chocolate and macadamia nuts, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (a classic for us), and a couple others. This is one of few years I didn't make some sort of shortbread cookies. And I even bought a pastry blender (finally) for the event. Maybe I'll make use of it next year.

If you have a few friends who like to bake, this is a fun gathering. With a little planning, it is fun (but exhausting) day. Here are some tips if you decide to try this.
* Communicate ahead of time so you don't end up with all chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal cookies, lol.
* Have plenty of room to work. My friend borrows a six foot table for added workspace and uses her dining room table for cooling cookies (and we need all that space).
* Avoid delicate cookies or those that take more than 15 minutes to bake.
* Decide if everyone should bring their own ingredients or just their own specialty ingredients.
* If people bring their own tools, mark them so they get them back. We finally wised up and wrote our initials on our cookie sheets. Have a couple of sets of mixing bowls and measuring utensils.
* Bring lots of Tupperware to carry the cookies home.
* Have fun.

Grateful

I had a big long post written out, then decided it was a little too personal and perhaps shared too much about my friends and coworkers.

So I'll just share that I'm grateful for friends. I asked a friend to help me buy some stuff and then she gifted it to me. Totally unexpected and very much appreciated. Thank you K for your generosity and brightening my day!

Thankful for...

I have lots to be thankful for. I had lunch today with my friend who had surgery. She looks terrific, is moving a bit gingerly; all in all, she's doing really well. I was so worried for nothing I guess. Thank you for your prayers.

And my wonderful friend S is moving back into the ranks of the employed. She made the announcement via her avatar and I was too dense to notice. Thank goodness others weren't so dense. Congratulations!

Prayer request

A dear friend is having major surgery today. Please pray for a sucessful surgery and and quick recovery.

Friendship

I just received a lovely note in the mail from a dear friend. We had lunch last week, after not seeing each other for two or so years. I had left numerous "Hi, how are you" messages on her answering machine and sent Christmas cards, but had heard nothing from her. In fact, I was planning on dropping her from my Christmas card list last year. To my surprise, I received a Christmas card from her and later an e-mail. We finally were able to connect in person and, as the cliche goes, it was like just like old times. She shared what was going on with her life. You know that my life is boring so there isn't much to share there, lol. It was wonderful to see her again. We relate to each other on so many levels; there was lots of laughter, lots of support. I guess the lesson here is, don't give up on friendships. We are definitely going to have to see each other more than once every two years.

S: I still have the thank you "candle" you made on my bulletin board at work!

Rest in Peace Suzy

It was with great sadness that I read of the passing of Suzy. She lost her fight with cancer this morning. You can read a little about her on her blog and this blog continued by her husband. And words from her Lifetime Moments family here and here. Isn't it amazing the auctions her friends put together for her? Such an outpouring of support.

I always scoffed at those who said someone they never met touched their lives. But now I know it is true. Suzy really did touch my life. I never met her in person, but the few times we corresponded by PMs (private messages), her warmth and zest for life were evident. When she posted online, there was never an unkind word from her. She was optimistic and upbeat thoughout her entire fight. I will miss her.

Sometimes you just need to talk

I spent some time today chatting with my friend S. We talked about scrapbooking (of course), mutual friends, and general chit chat. I think I'm too stressed about the car (I hate dealing with insurance companies) and there isn't any resolution in sight. So it felt so good to be talking about us and fun things. I felt so good after we got off the phone, I went to tackle a project that I've been avoiding. Thanks S!