it's been so long...

I know, I am a terrible blogger! I get so frustrated with myself because I did this blog so my family can keep up on what's going on in my life and it's sad when they call and have to ask if everything is okay because I haven't updated  it! LOL..

well, so CHA was amazing.. even better because Ben was with me. I swear, he makes the best business partner and I am always so excited to have him around. I can't think of anyone.. ANYONE else, that I would rather spend time with. Is that weird? Although I do love spending time with friends and family.. but sorry.. if I had to choose.. it would be him! LOL..

Ben's sister, Jenni, stayed with our kids while we were gone to CHA and I could KISS her a million times over, for the organization she brings each time she comes. She straighted  and organized all the cupboards, cleaned and organized closets and drawers.. and even POTTY trained our little "Nova" while we were gone. We no longer have a child in diapers and we have had a child in diapers since 1996!!! Can you believe it? That is almost 12 years of diapers straight! We had a few years where we had 3 kids in diapers.. holy cow.. it feels good to be DONE! Thanks Jenni.. we just want to know when you are going to move closer, so we can spend more time with you and YOUR family! Did I mention she also high-lighted my hair the night she got here? She ROCKS!

Oh.. so much is always going but after attending CHA and seeing all the wonderful products out there, and seeing all the cool projects that were made for displays.. it makes you want to go home and create. To document your life. I also got to meet up with some old friends in the industry, who always inspire me as well. It was good to see everyone.

I keep forgetting to mention this on the blog, only because I think I forget sometimes myself.. but CHA was also a bitter sweet time... because in November, I stepped down as a contributing Editor for Scrapbooks Etc, BHG magazine. So it was sad to be at the show and not representing BHG.. but on the sweet side.. I got to go as "Scarlet Lime" and have my own CHA member account! 

But.. because we work so far in advance with the magazine issues,  my regular column, "Gadget Girls", will be in there until May.. I think.. so I was kinda waiting until that issue.. to say anything.. but then I thought.. well I might as well let you all know now. Anyhow.. I LOVE those gals.. love them to death (and I should say guys).. I have worked with them for years now, before even being a contributing editor. I worked with them while I was the PR and Marketing Director with Chatterbox and got to know those BHG gals and guys so well. What amazing people. Truly. I will miss working with them! 

So why? you are probably wondering.. well I resigned because I felt so overwhelmed with life.

Since the start of Scarlet Lime back in September of 07, it has just grown.. so much more than I expected.. I also realized about Mid October that I just couldn't do it all and still be the mom and wife I wanted to be... so I decided to lighten my load. It was so hard because I really do miss working on articles and with such great people, getting inspiration from them  and being apart of something so helpful to the Scrapbooking industry.. but it was a good change for me and my family.

and.. as many of you know, Ben owns his own business, doing remodeling jobs as well as building houses. But we soon found out that it takes BOTH of us to run the Scarlet Lime too, so in January, he put his business on hold, to become the "do it all" guy of Scarlet Lime. He is the one who packs, kits, ships, inventories, keeps tracks of what's coming in and what's going out.. both on the product side and money side. HE is amazing! I could NOT do this without him. Once again.. he is putting his goals and dreams on hold.. to help me pursue mine. We have been so blessed by the growth of Scarlet Lime and to be honest, we both really enjoy it. I think what we enjoy most is working together. We have worked together almost our entire married life, except for the few years at Chatterbox, and I love it so much. I love having him home every day to just have someone to talk too. He actually understands the scrapbooking community so well, because of the time I have spent in the industry, and him being able to work at shows in the past with Chatterbox. So he is a great partner and he loves being home too. We are truly blessed and have a wonderful support system going.

Anyhow.. just thought I would share that with you all, so you know what's going on with us.

Anyhow, back to scrapbooking.. I really want to get better at documenting my life and my kids life. Even if it's in journals and photo albums. I have about 15 photo albums, meant for 4x6 photos.. that have...and NOTHING in them.. and about 10,000 PLUS pictures on my hard drive and DVD's that have never been printed out.. and that's just from 2003!! Yikes! I need to get those pictures printed and in books, so my kids can see them. I need to document the stories behind them as well, before I FORGET.  It IS important and I need to remind myself of that.

Well hopefully it won't be 2 weeks before I post again! I hope to post again in a few days.. maybe with some good news on my progress of documenting our life.

(this blog is just the first part of that.. actually)..

have a wonderful weekend!

hugs!
Christy

Comments

[Jill]

I totally get those same questions from family members about my blog. So funny.

Congrats on all the changes you're making in your life. I personally am so loving the Scarlet Lime kits. They are awesome. Save me from even feeling like I need to drive an hour to Archivers (my closest decent store).

[Jamie Soucy]

You really do have an awesome hubby! Ben is so great! So, maybe you and me can do a weekend away and go scrapbooking- that way we could get some pictures on paper and document some pictures!!! What do you think? I am glad that you are just doing Scarlet Lime. I understand how hard it is having everything taking up your family life! Hope all is well!

[Christine Campbell]

So good to see you posting again. Really glad you had a good time at CHA. I 'wish' I had been there. :)
Maybe next year... ;)
Hope you post some of your new pages and projects.
take care,
C

[Lettie]

I'm so excited that the Scarlet Lime is doing so well. I love to see small businesses thrive.

[cindy b]

Thanks for the update Christy! What wonderful and exciting changes for you and Ben. :-) Have a great day!!

[aliciaking]

yeahhh! Christy's back! I keep saying I am going to go to CHA and then it ends up not happening, next time...next time! Ben is really an awesome guy, you two are so cute!

[janiel bishop]

I am one of those silent readers and would just like to let you know that I have really enjoyed your blog after coming upon it on Sherelles site. I just recently started my own blog and would be honored if you would check it out. Also I would like to make sure it is okay with you to add you to my "blogs I enjoy." Hope you'll check out my site and enjoy what you see. Janiel
janielbishop.blogspot.com

[Kristi Ottmar]

Everytime I read your blog I think you are my neighbor, its like we sat in the kicthen and shared tea or coffee and just caught up. Its so nice to hear your stories. My husaband and I work in the same building, different businesses but common walls. Its challenging and yet it helps him understand my dreams and viceversa. I think its incredible that you have done so well with Scarlet Lime. God's blessings to you!

[Marilyn Johnson]

This was so funny. I check in on your blog frequently and had to laugh when you talked about your dream job, only because I am an RN and although I do not work regularly back in OB I have had to go back to help out and usually care for the babies in the nursery. This is funny because I have told my husband my dream job would to be a scrapbook designer!
Just had to let you know.

Marilyn