Life went on without me in my household. Glen took some great pictures of Ian and Kaylyn before their Senior Prom.
Kaylyn and her date Kevin.
Ian and his date Dana. It's a little hard just seeing the pictures and not being here----They look great and it looks like they had a great time, though.
We made a stop off the train last night on the way home. The manager we worked with made a recommendation and we are so glad she did. In this cute little part of Chicago is Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park. We were in love with this street. It was a Victorian Main Street. The tops of the buildings were all different shapes. There is a Paper Source on this street, also.
We had dinner at Minnie's. That was the cutest meal I ever had. It is hard to see the size. But, everything was mini size. I had the cute little grill cheese sandwiches. They also had mini pizzas, burgers etc. The martinis and beers looked adorable and cold! The cupcakes above were tiny too......it was a fun place to have dinner.
Believe it or not this was a chocolate shop called Voges Haut Chocolat. They travel the world through chocolate featuring chocolate covered tortilla chips and I couldn't leave without the flying pig which is chocolate covered bacon.......mmmmmm..............mmmmmaybe????? The tree in the middle was a japanese wish tree. You were supposed to write a wish and tie it on the tree for seven nights in a row and then wish upon the moon......it just was a store like I have never seen in my life. Fun times!!!!!!
This is the where Paper Source started. This is the original store. It is full of character. Yes, Pam you must go to Paper Source when you visit Chicago---you will not be disappointed. Today we are visiting another store and I must get going---I don't want to be late!
Die cut butterflies and envelopes.......
Rubber stamps.....
Die cut flowers.........
Giant die cut machines.........OH MY!!!!!!!!!!
I have to admit I like this picture of me.....I am so happy to have a job I feel right at home and comfortable.
One of the great things of this week was not only seeing the product but meeting our staff. This is Karen Kucowski. Karen is the store manager of the Princeton store. We had a great time training together and we even squeezed in seeing the play "Grey Gardens".
This is Karen and Nicole Young. Nicole is the store manager for the Cambridge store in Boston. Her store has a great team. The store was always busy, but seemed to be calm all at the same time. Nicole was our trainer. She did a great job covering a lot of information. We now are on to Chicago where we get to meet more people and get a tour of the company headquarters and the warehouse---can't wait!!!!
Memorial Day at the Jersey Shore is always memorable. It always includes flags, parade and tourists (or Bennies as we call them)
This is the one of the last of my son's parades. We didn't miss many. It was always a pleasure
This parade is one of my favorites. It runs the legnth of a town called Bradley Beach and it has a flea market on the beach. As you can see it was a beautiful day.
A perfect day for a Jersey girl like me......it started with a pork roll sandwich by the beach with a bright sun and a light breeze. But, most of all it was a day to take some time to never forget. A day to remember all who have served this great country. 
I am hooked on Paper Source's new India line of papers----I can't even pick out a favorite.
I am training at the Paper Source store in Boston. I am hooked on this store----thank goodness I am going to work for this great company.......I am hooked on their window displays.....
I was hooked to make sure each store was carrying my friend Lisa Kettell's Altered Art Circus book---------so exciting!!!!!
I am hooked on their aprons---I loved the ones they had, but this one came in yesterday--love it!!!!!
I am hooked on paper flowers.......
I am hooked on their labels to print on......
I mean EVERYTHING is rosy here in Boston. Check out the toilet paper roll in my hotel room!
Am I in heaven or what? No, just Paper Source in Cambridge. Oh, I love this job!!! We went to all the stores in Boston!!!!! I love all the visual presentations!
My camera is acting a little funny, but I had to get a shot of these windows. They will be changing over to an Indian theme. The paper in the new India line is amazing!!! I hope to back soon with more pictures. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments---I love hearing all of your kind words!!!!
Glen and Andrea
Matt and me
This week has been all about squeezing in as much fun as possible before I start work next Monday. I started the week with two nights in Atlantic City with just my mother. We had a real nice time. Then my niece and boyfriend came for a visit with Baby Brady. He is three months old and such a good baby. Last night we were invited to a finale party for Hell's Kitchen at the Borgata. It was a viewing party to watch the show and after we watched the season finale on a big screen they had the winner Danny come out and meet the audience. We had dinner at Wolfgang Puck's before the show. Our table was right next to a lot of the Hell's Kitchen crew. In the bottom picture the girl in black and white was the winner last year. We ended up enjoying the dinner next to their table better than the viewing of the show.
And the winner is Pam from Frippery.....Congratulations Pam!!!!! Happy Mother's Day!!!!!
My friend Zandra called me yesterday to join her at a crop she goes to almost every Friday. It is hosted by Debbie who has a dream of a basement. About 5 tables all ready for scrapping......she has everything set up perfectly.....every cutting machine imaginable. There were probably 10 happy scrappers attending last night. At first when Zandra called I said no........then I went back to my room to FINISH cleaning up and I thought about it and called her back and said I am going!!!!! I am so glad I did. One of my piles was of things I would like to make some day. I grabbed one project and put it in my bag. I am so happy I did. It was a joy to share an evening with these ladies talking about their woes, joys, pets, kids, and the latest reality television. I also while chatting was able to make a card for my mom and this book. It is a gift for myself of all the things I wanted to share with my family. The feeling of being so proud and just the joy of all their talents bring me. Most of all the gift was to actually do something and not just think about it.
In this book I shared my thoughts and some quotes to my family of how they are truly my most cherished gift......to watch them grow and be amazed by their talents is the best gift in the world.
This trip to Washington DC with my husband and children has this special meaning to me now. First, it meant so much to go to an art museum and share with them my love for art. But, the biggest gift was to watch their love bloom. They were acting as if they saw rock stars when they saw paintings they had learned about in school. The excitement was great and they were in a frenzy taking pictures. It is one of my most favorite memories with my family---very spontanious and unexpected. It is also the day I discovered Paper Source in Georgetown and I am so super excited to start working for them in a week. I fly to Boston for my first week of training. I can't wait!!!!!
These were pictures I had tucked in all different corners and I decided to make a little vignette. They are my grandmother(the portrait and the one kicking up her heels) and the one with the ivy is Glen's grandmother(she lived to be 100). The little one on the bike is me and the other little one is my brother, sister and I. I put them all together and it turned out to be a shrine of sorts---but, I love it!!!!! It brings such joy everytime I look at it. I used to have a shrine to the blessed Mother in May and make a crown of flowers for her---It reminds me of those times. My tribute to generations of Moms. I didn't have any black and white pictures of my mom, but that is ok we are spending three days together away, just the two of us.....no shrine needed just an appreciated time together just the two of us----what a gift!!!!!
I was thinking of this painting my daughter did a couple of weeks ago when I was doing my rosy post. Along the lines of Mary Tyler Moore---I said oh you are looking through life through rose colored glasses.....no I painted a self portrait with roses reflected in my sunglasses---ok it's all in the eye of the beholder. Freshman year for Christmas she sent out cards digitally enhanced with a picture of her with sunglasses and crabs and lobsters in the reflection. I can't wait to see what the future brings for this girl.
Today is Wednesday.......this is the third day in this craft or crap room depending on how you look at it. I just took a break and made a new inspiration board. As I was cleaning out I came across so many sentimental things. The birdhouse with my children's picture they made for our placemats for their preschool graduation....the heart above Kaylyn cross-stiched for me for Christmas when she was about 10 years old. I have been nesting now for a total of 18years. I have so many layers in my craft room. So many things for when I have time......I have to chuckle at that. Well, I have had the most time in a long six months since I have been unemployed. Each day in my room I have been boxing up my nest. Today, it hurts. What was I thinking????? When would I have time to make everything I have bought supplies and why am I still having such trouble getting rid of it??? I tell myself you are going to be creative everyday at work.....just keep what you KNOW you will use. Well, I bought it because I wanted to use all of it----and I only buy stuff I truly want and can't live without.....So, ok just box it up and put it in the attic......doesn't it sound so easy?
This was Kaylyn on her way to her first portfolio review. I told her I wanted a Mary Tyler Moore shot. Obviously, she didn't know what that was because she didn't know what to do with the hat(yeah, just made me feel old). Anyway, it is official she will be attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia( U ARTS) this Fall. She will be majoring in Art and hoping to slip in some voice or drama classes in as electives.
Ian has gone back and forth with majoring in fire science or music. After so many visits with his sister and an audition---he was clear he also wanted to go to U Arts and major in Music.
After reading my rushed post yesterday. I thought I would leave you with a better picture of the 100th Post Everything is Rosy Giveaway. You can read the details below.....and if you leave a comment on any post from now until May 9th that is fine too. The winner will be announced Mother's Day.
I am so thrilled to celebrate by 100th post and my giveaway will be announced on Mother's Day. Today we are preparing for a Run for the Roses party of our own. Glen loves the horses, so if we can swing a party for the Kentucky Derby we try. We, I should say he is really cooking everything himself. He already made macaroni and cheese, shortbread and we'll bake two hams before the guests arrive. He ran to the food store, so quick I am writing out the contents of the prize. The prize is for the love of roses and it contains: Crabtree & Evelyn's bubble bath, Rosewater Body Lotion, Hand Therapy, body powder and soap leaves, Susan Branch's 64 message cards of fun, inspiration and hope, Susan Branch's little book of drink recipes, Victoria Secret's the Royal Roses of London Collection by Coral Guest dated 1991 and a 5 picture collage frame decorated on the top with roses. As I go through all of my lovely things I keep asking do I really need this or would someone else be able to use it more. I love roses and obviously that is why I bought these, but it would give me greater joy to give these away. Please leave a comment on this post to be eligible, if you are a follower you will be put in the hat also. So, increase your chances by leaving a comment. Also, if you put my button up with a link and share the love leave another comment on this post and you will be entered again. Let the games begin.......and they are off. Let me know if you are watching the Derby today and if you have any traditions for it.
Celebrating blogging????? I am in!!!!! Six months ago I was a reader, a passive blogger, the thought of leaving a comment was still a thought not an action. In October the store I worked at full time for seven years closed. We were told in August. I knew I was going to have a hard time finding work. But, I looked at it as an opportunity. I wanted to start a blog, open an etsy shop and still have time to find a job. After a month and seats were still open to Silver Bella I could attend that too. I remember telling my husband and he was like "oh yeah, sure and who is going to read this blog?" I don't know I thought, but I have that build it and they will come attitude. So, Party on!!!! Here I am. It is a party everyday I look to see it there are any comments.....and I always pay a visit back to whoever leaves me a comment and I comment back. 
