Springsteen and me

      This is the back of The River Album by Bruce Springsteen.  My husband gave me this album for my birthday when I turned 21.  I remember I did not have a penny to my name and I was so happy to receive it.  I feel a huge amount of excitement when I hear Springsteen.....it could be on the radio(which is rare lately), at a restaurant, a CD, or an unexpected concert on TV or a concert in person.  Like the song Born to Run.....I get all revved up(my husband finds it a little embarrassing and really doesn't like to go to the concerts with me.)   Many years I didn't go---I only would go if someone can get tickets for me---I gave up trying myself.  Many albums I didn't even buy----thank goodness it was when I was busy raising my children and would hear bits and pieces......I would be like WHattt?????  

     I have had some Bruce sightings in my lifetime also.  My first one and most favorite was I knew Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were playing at a bar called the Beach House on the Pt. Pleasant boardwalk......My friend and I were not 18 yet so we couldn't get into the bar.  The place had huge windows and we decided to stand outside.  We could hear the music and see they were dressed in their suits and hats......we were besides ourselves with excitement...we were getting close to turning 18  and couldn't wait until we could be in there and be part of the fun.....a  lot of time went by and my friend noticed there were two people standing right in front of us and she thought they must be important because they were standing behind the bar.....I thought they just wanted to get away from the crowd.....my friend kept looking at them......I didn't ......I thought they looked like wild bikers----unshaven.....greasy hair.....one guy had earrings from the bottom to the top of his ear........then my friend said that is Miami Steve and I said whooo and she said OMG he is the guitar player for Bruce Springsteen....we then wondered who was the scroungy guy he was with.....it was obvious it was Miami Steve Van Zandt because he had his signature scarf on his head.........omg that is Springsteen with him.....wearing an Elvis Presley shirt???  Well they were less than a foot away with some glass dividing us....I decided I was not leaving this window until I get some kind of eye contact or something.....we knocked on the window......the music was too loud......and then he rose his heinikin bottle and looked at us.......I waved.......he nodded his head and gave a wave with his hand holding the bottle.......my friend and I went nuts!!!!!!  We jumped up and down and were hugging each other.......It was the best night!!!!!!!!!  

     My first anniversary wedding gift from our neighbors were tickets for my husband and I to see Springsteen perform the Born in USA tour at Giants Stadium and I went again with my friend who I stood outside that bar with.  We all couldn't believe his success and never stopped dancing at those concerts.  I was amazed at his energy and gift of such long energetic shows.   We never did get to see him at the local bars.    We did get tickets to see Southside Johnny at the Monmouth Arts Center......now called the Count Basie Theatre.  We started to be able to get good tickets in the twelfth row.....Springsteen always came out for the last set and sang " We are having a Party" and a couple of other songs.   I really liked Southside Johnny better than Springsteen--because it was so hard to see Springsteen.......but, everything changed one night......we were on the way to see Southside Johnny.......we had good good tickets......the last couple of times we stood the whole show.......we rested......we were ready for this concert!!!!!  Then as we were listening to a radio station that was promoting the concert by playing Southside all night on the radio we got the news................Southside Johnny has laryngitis and can't perform the show that night....................noooooooooo...... but then he said that is the bad news.........the good news is Springsteen is going to perform and sing all of his music.............omg!  We were screaming with pure joy!!!!! During that time Springsteen had written Hearts of Stone album for Southside.....so he knew all of the music..........He was the best performer and most charismatic and genuinely so happy.......I couldn't get over his smile........was this the same person I saw at the bar that night...............We were standing on the seats the whole show......then he said to the audience how much he appreciated our response to him.....he said this song goes out to all of you.  He sang....Your love keeps lifting me...........we were chanting higher and higher....we were all in the moment......he was on top of the piano......singing the song over and over and we just wanted more and more and he gave it to us........when he finally stopped we were satisfied............I will never see another show as good as that----NEVER!!!!  Not even last Christmas when we went to see the HOPE concert.........it was great to see Springsteen, Southside, Bon Jovi and see them all together.   But, that night 30 some years ago he gave it his best.   I never thought I would be going to his concerts this many years later......but tonight I am going to see Springsteen......and he is performing the whole Born to Run album..........I am going with my friend from high school and like she said we need a little fun......woohoooo!

    I have some other fun Springsteen stories I would love to share, but this is ending up a long post.....the reason I showed the back of the River album is because when I went to Omaha Nebraska last November for Silver Bella.  I was in a book store and looking for reading and ended up in a Christian book store....I was just about to walk out the door and I saw a book called The Gospel according to Bruce Springsteen....I bought it ....then I walked into an antique store and found my stash and put it on the counter it came to $18........I turned and he had albums for $2...ok I thought I'll get one for my son (his wall is covered with my husband and my collection of old covers).....of course I went right towards the River album....I turned it over and there was the picture from above with glitter hanging on the peg board.....I chuckled to myself...Silver Bella is all about glitter and look Springsteen has this picture....I looked up at the guy at the counter and I say I am from the Asbury Park area and I am going to buy an album from Springsteen in Omaha.......and he looked at me and said why not????  He named one of his albums Nebraska---didn't he???? Yeah he did...........I love affirmations!

21 Challenge---Victory!!!!

Just so you know I don't write in my journal every day

I give anyone does a lot of credit
I wait until I have the day off and I play catch up!!!
I was so looking forward to finishing my journal this morning-----Victory!!!!!  The last week I didn't even want soda-----not once!!!!  The first two weeks are more challenging.  I couldn't wait to celebrate and make these glittered butterflies(don't look Jodie).  When I started my job at Paper Source I felt every day around 3 I needed a soda to get through the day and be awake for the ride home.  But, now after 3 weeks without it I don't feel that need any more.  I will try to drink more water and only have a soda if I feel I absolutely have to----yea!!!!!  Makes me feel like a freebird!  Congratulations to all of you 21ers!!!!!!

Be Creative Everyday

We had our first Girls Night Out at our store called Wedding Day Details.  It sold out and we were so excited.  The night went by so fast.....we went through Programs, table tents, name cards and favors.  We put together this accordian album to showcase pictures from the evening.
Last week we put together the fall leaf wreath and worked on our window.
One of our favorites is the 2010 calender....on the back of each beautiful page is a template to make bookmarks, notecards, envelopes, pillowboxes, and file folders.  We have been having a lot of fun making samples.  We love the demo table to magnetize our samples.
This is our new window....aren't the owls great......I love to see all the Fall colors.....I am thinking of taking the Creative Everyday challenge in November.  I think between what I do at work and at home I am pretty sure I can follow through on this challenge. 

Almost half way through

Likes sands in an hourglass

so are
the days of our lives........
Days go so fast, but I was able to keep up with this challenge and I am thrilled.  Yesterday I even took the time to look at about half of the blog rolls for the journal.  I loved seeing everyone's accomplishments.  It is a great time in the challenge where you feel proud of giving up what you wanted to and know you are halfway through and it is downhill from here---yea!!!!!
I did get out to get a new camera.......ahhh I feel so much better.  I can't wait to show you pictures from work.  There is always so much at Paper Source I want to share.  I also have to share this great buy from Big Lots.......the gumdrop album from Martha Stewart I used last year for the 24 days of Christmas album.....check out the price......$2!!!!!   And the glitter butterflies I thought would be a great way to celebrate at the end of my album....and 10 wedding cake charms I can use in my Marie Antionette Art.  It was just the pick me up I needed yesterday.  I am the kind of tired when someone talks to me on the phone---the other person asks what is wrong??  I am hoping the rest I got the last couple of days helped.

7 days without soda makes 1 weak

Not really, I am energized by Rhonna's daily posts.  I have had one soda in eight days.  I had yesterday and today off from work.  I am resting and trying to get more organized, so my

days go smoother.  The last post is so true.  I am afraid to make a commitment.  Well, I lost

the battery charger for my camera.  Which means no pictures of my journal, no pictures of the first workshop at Paper Source, no picture of the accordian album we made, no pictures of the new store window with a tree made out of envelopes, rubber stamped leaves and giant paper owls....by now I hope you are feeling my frustration........ I am ready to jump in the car and get a new camera......Have to justify it.....I can't stand blogging without pictures....I think maybe I should give up blogging......I should spend my time scanning my old pictures......the cost....oh my the children needed stuff including a camera-----they have everything they need.........I must have taken my camera for granted.....and I am paying the price.  MY Mac is not really the only reason everything is easier.....I love my camera.......I miss it so.....Well there is no way I am posting without a picture again..................I think I have to make a trip to Target......I'll justify it as an early birthday present or perhaps a reward for giving up soda.....or maybe I can't stand another minute without a camera!

Day 2 of the 21 Challenge

I LOVE this challenge.  Thanks so much Rhonna for your inspiration, motivation and commitment.  Commitment is a really strong word and sometimes a very feared word.  I feel if I make a commitment I don't want to let any one down or more important let myself down. Usually if I make a commitment it IS something that I want to do, but I am so afraid life will get in the way.  Something may happen I have no control of may happen and get in the way.  But, a challenge like this shows how important it is to make commitments and reap the rewards.  Most of all the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction of committing to something and following through.  Postive thoughts and actions carry you through!  Thanks Rhonna for sharing your talent with us!!!!!
Another blogger I have to thank for a huge commitment on her part is Sandy from Sew Revived.  She was a hostess for this charm bracelet swap.  She sewed the beautiful holder.  She typed (I don't know how she did this) on fabric and sewed into the pouch when it was all finished.  Each participant also included a postcard from where they were from.  Zandra added a merbear to her postcard in the lower right side.  The participants I knew already were Jodie (made the paris charm)and Pam (made the collaged scrabble letter g).  I loved this swap.  Sandy thank you for your wonderful idea,  sewing talent and putting together a great group of women from all over the country.

21 challenge

At Creative Escape 2007 we made a 21 challenge journal in Rhonna Farrer's class.  We rubber stamped blank pages and added decals from the quote tins that came out that year.  I always loved her designs and was happy to take a class with her.
This book is from March of 2008--I can't believe so much time has gone by since her last challenge.  The challenge is to journal for 21 days and use the journaling to help you break a habit.  The idea is if you give up something for 21 days and your habit is broken.  I emailed her that I took the challenge and she sent me the tag that said Congratulations.
When I was reading her blog Rhonna announced a new 21 challenge starting tomorrow 9/8/9.  I am over the top excited.  It gave me a good reason to buy this book at work.  It is on clearance at Paper Source......
My challenge is to give up soda (not forever, but it would be nice not to drink it every day).  I also want to challenge myself to live by our store's motto of doing something creative every day.   What I love too about this is that it reminds me how far I have come (partly thanks to my Mac).  Back when I did the challenge in March 2008 I needed my son to print out the quotes each day.  That seems so funny, because it is so easy for me now.  I hope you join in the challenge.