Back home...

oh my!! what an eventful weekend. There were many firsts that I experienced, too many to name.. but man I had a much needed "fun" time.

I know I say that about each event or store visit I go to, but this somehow was just so different. The trip itself was VERY eventful, as I got stuck in immigration both on the way there AND on the way back. Apparently  the phrase" I am in Canada to teach scrapbooking" doesn't sit well with customs! LOL. But once I arrived I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by such wonderful people. Both the teachers, most of whom I had only heard about (and was very scared to meet!LOL).. and the event planners, whom I had been talking to for months.

The entire weekend was so full. The "mariners" as Canadian call them, are so easy going and yet they are funny and spunky and just nice! It reminded me alot like the TV show "cheers". Where everyone knows your name and everyone is friends. There were over 80 women who attended this event and I was so surprised at how all of them got along so well! I felt right at home and instead of a "work" trip, it turned into a much needed "vacation".

One thing i do have to say is there are alot of industry "look alikes" in Canada. I met 2 Donna Downey's, 2 Tracy kyles and Lin Sorensen from Simple Scrapbooks. It was FREAKY. Seriously, they not only looked like them, but sounded like them as well. The first night we were there we had dinner at the restaurant in the hotel and our waitress looked and SOUNDED just like Celine Dion. I felt like I was in the twilight zone the whole weekend, but in a good way. It was pretty cool. I got to have lunch each day with some wonderful ladies.. the first day was with Crystal Bevans and her sister "hank ziggy", also known as Brandi.  These girls are HILARIOUS and remind me of my sisters. Since I didn't have a class right after lunch, I met back up with them in the crop room where I started a album about all the women in my life and what I have learned from them. You will be proud of me, because I got 10 pages DONE!  I will have to scan it and post it later this week. The second day, I got to have lunch with Christine Campbell. Seriously nice girl. We had e-mailed back and forth several times prior to lunch and so when I found out i would be spending lunch with her on this day, it made me happy!! She is super smart and SUPER talented. I hope she moves to Idaho soon. (  :)) There were so many women that I got to know all weekend long. Infact my second to last class on Sunday, some of the women were leaving to head home instead of staying until that night for the commencements.. and I started to cry. I had really enjoyed getting to know them, and It made me very sad to leave them. I also had a wonderful time with the other teachers that were there. We had our picture taken in the bathtub of the executive suite, where we would meet to recoup each night for dinner. It was Amy's idea ( We couldn't all fit, but we made the best of it! LOL..)

I was so sad to have to leave a day early.. the teachers and get er dones spent all Monday shopping, eating and going to the movies, without me. Well okay, they did print my picture out and put in on a Popsicle stick and took me everywhere they went.. but I really wanted to hang with all of them, just one more day. It was probably better anyhow, as yesterday I was sick the entire day with a stomach flu. But still.. I missed them. All of them are so incredibly nice and funny. I really can't wait to see them all again.. hopefully at CHA Winter.  They are all like sisters to me, and i didn't get a chance to thank them for staying up with my on Sunday night until 3:00 am in the morning! My flight left early and I decided not to go to bed, so we all stayed up laughing, chatting and just hanging out until then. ALL of them were so funny, fun and talented women. Seriously it was kinda freakish how we just all clicked.. INSTANTLY. I can't imagine coming back next year, if we all aren't there. It just wouldn't be the same. I know I gave Debbie Hill a hard time in my last post and I have to apologize, because I was sitting in her classroom, disrupting it, using her laptop, when I posted it. She freakin ROCKS!! She and I were twins.. separated at birth. SO dang funny and just someone I could go and do ANYTHING with. I miss her already..

I also want to thank the women who put on the event. The store owners, Debbie and Shirley and the Git er dones.. I have never been to an event where things were put together more smoothly.. I think it was just the atmosphere all together, but I am already planning my visit with them next year. Seriously.. a year is too long to wait.  Well ,back to the grind of work. I had fun spending the day with my kids yesterday. Granted I didn't feel well, but we just all hung out and talked about what they did while i was gone. I missed Ben too. When he picked me up from the airport, all I wanted to do was snuggle with him. He's a keeper for sure. OH life is good. The holidays are coming, and that means tons of family time and fun family traditions. Can't wait! Thanks to everyone again, in Moncton, who shared their weekend with me. I miss you all laides.. and am so happy by all the e-mails I have gotten since I left. Love you all..

Comments

[Jennifer Burchell]

Oh Christy, we had such a great time having you as a teacher, singing to us and making us laugh! By the way we are Maritimers;people from the Martimes- New Brunswick,Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island not Mariners(sea going people) Thanks for coming to Moncton and we hope you come back next year!
{the fudge lady}

[Noella]

Christy you were awesome and lots of fun! We all had a great time we will not soon forget this past weekend. And Yes there are lots of pictures with popsicle stick Christy. I carried you around at the Christmas Store!! The guy thought I was crazy! He Kept saying to me that you were very quiet (he he)

[Elyss Jennings]

CHRISTY WE LOVE YOU!! :) I had so much fun meeting you and the other girls on the weekend. I loved all of your classes and your teaching style! It was a pleasure to have met you!

Oh and btw I bet you I am one of the Donna Downey look-a-likes you are talking about! hehe

I will chat with you soon!

Elyss

[Nicole LeBlanc]

Hey Girl; Me and my mom will not soon forget this weekend, the atmosphere was like nothing we ever experienced, it is like everyone clicked and what an awesome group of special ladies we all are. Friends for life because of this amazing thing called Scrapbooking. Thanks for inspiring!!
Luv Nicole and Rachel
(Get R' Duns)

[Tena]

Christy - Hanging out with you was definitely one of this weekends highlights so glad I can now count you as a " scappin sista" now. You made me laugh way too many times to count, and you are so sweet and kind as well. Can't wait to hook up again for some more crazy fun... Your pal in Arizona Tena

[jamiesoucy]

Sounds like so much fun!!!
I hope to see you sometime during the holidays! Let me know if you are coming up. I'll be home the first week of December!

[Tash]

Christy you are such a joy! You kept me laughing all weekend! The weekend was amazing, we all bonded so quickly, like Nicole said "Friends for Life". Thank you so much for coming & hopefully we'll see you very soon! Luv Tash

[Kah-Mei]

Christy, it was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to meet and hang with you. You so rock, sista - and the serenading - well, now, I think I have never laughed and cried so much at the same time before. Thanks for being awesome and so easy to be around. Hope to meet up soon! XO!

[Debbie]

Gotta add my 2 cents I guess. I'm sorry to hear you haven't felt well! But what a great weekend it was! I miss you all so much already. I loved looking at all of the pictures here...

[Christine Campbell]

LOL, oh, that picture.
YOU ROCK MY FRIEND!!
Sorry you got the flu, I was home sick yesterday and not feeling too hot today either, I can tell ya.
But, I had SO MUCH FUN on Sunday!! Thanks for having lunch with me, and letting me pick your brain. :) Hopefully I will see you before too long!!

love to ya,
Christine

[courtney]

so glad you had a fun time, Christy!! :) Sounds like an absolute blast!! Now come teach in Illinois, will ya?? I would definitely volunteer to be your TA! :)

[Tina McDonald]

LOL at the "mariners" comment!! Maritimers we are... mariners we are not! LOL!!! It is so YOU to say that!!
You are awesome! Sorry you've been sick... but glad you got some family time! Get some rest girl!

[Tawnya]

These are great photos. They say a lot. You are a doll!

[heather]

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND GLAD THAT YOU HAD SO MUCH FUN. GIRLFRIENDS ARE THE BEST.

[TraceyT]

What fun it is to read this entry in your blog. It truly was a wonderful weekend, one I hope to do again sometime. Loved your classes.

[Jill Godon]

I'm so jealous :) Glad you had a great time!

[carol]

So glad I had a chance to get to know you, Christy...and to laugh and cry together. Looking forward to seeing you in Anaheim!

[Cari Locken]

Sounds like you had a blast!!! How fun!!!!
Sorry about the customs thing!! (that's frustrating and sometimes a bit scary too) But at least you're home now, right?

Isn't Canada a great place? Now you just need to come to Alberta!! ;)

[Tina MacGougan]

Hi Christy: Love your pictures. I think our Get-er-Done group will be talking about Scrapgala for the next year. You are part of our memories. Thanks for "coming" shopping with us and for sitting next to me at the movies, even though it was a dumb movie. Thanks for everything!! A scrap sister forever.

[Julie Hickey]

LOL! Had to laugh at the "mariners" comment. It's actually Maritimers :) (and I'm one myself, now living in Ontario). Looks like a good time was had by all :)

[meredith h]

Ooohhh...can't wait to see your post of your little album :-)

[cindy]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. You are such an awesome teacher! I am sure all of the girls loved it as well as you. Loved the picture in the tub!