The story teller takes all!

The Peoples Choice award for the CS virtual crop went to a layout that Sabrina did as part of a journaling challenge. It is a great layout about the BRD gene that manifests itself in the desire to eat BREAD. I could relate on many levels and fear I may have this same gene lurking in my DNA. One of my fondest memories of a trip to London in college is hanging out with a friend who had graduated a year earlier, munching on a loaf of crusty bread and chunk of cheese exploring some little corner of London. I couldn't tell you what corner of London that was but I can tell you that was one awesome loaf of bread.

I digress-bread will do that to me. I love stories about the little things in our lives that give it character and shape our world. Last year's Peoples Choice winner was also a LO that was created as part of a journaling challenge. There aren't usually too many people that actually DO the journaling challenge, but I think I will ALWAYS include one because when someone sits down and spends the time to recount those little memories, you can't help but be drawn in.

So, here's my funny little story from my life. The kids didn't have school on Friday so I took them to the Naples Zoo. We left early, stopped at Dunkin Donuts, and were in the zoo by 9:30. There weren't too many people there yet and some of the animals weren't even out of their cages. At least the Tigers weren't-so we headed to the next exhibit which is the lions. The lion was perched on the top of his rock and the lioness was stretched out on the ledge beneath him. We stood at the fence watching and he got up and walked toward the edge of the cage (about 10 feet in front of the fence we were standing at). We were thinking-cool-come over and let us get a good look at you. Then, he turned his back and SPRAYED us. In case you're wondering how far a lion can spray-it's the distance between his cage and our viewing fence. I'm guessing it was about 12 feet or so. Just ask Emily-she caught a splash on her leg. She handled it well and it was the joke of the weekend. How many people can say they've been sprayed by a lion? It was so gross-thank goodness it was covered in laughter and only added to our day.

So, the next time you're heading to the zoo-watch out for those big cats!

Another VC comes to a close

Well, sort of. The last challenge for the Project Scrapway! virtual crop was posted this morning but I've given everyone until midnight on Wed. to post their creations. I'll pull the doorprize winners tomorrow and then we will vote on the Peoples Choice award at the end of the week. It will be intersting to see which LO will take home the vote this year.

We had a conference yesterday in Ft. Myers on childrens ministry. It was the first time for this event and what a great start. Over 220 people from 17 different churches coming together to share about ministering to children. WOW! I know I walked out feeling refreshed and renewed about my time with the prescoolers. And had some great new ideas about how to engage them. Nothing like being able to take what you learn and put it to the test-because today was my Sunday. We sang the "finger on the wall" song as we walked to worship and played "Jesus Loves....You" (instead of duck, duck, goose.) Sometimes the fourth Sunday of the month is a little wonky and sometimes we are without a worship leader and a storyteller. But not today! Sam (who is 12) is now leading the worship and music and Misty is our storyteller. And they both did a GREAT job.

Oh, and I got a fun new T-shirt yesterday. And one of my preschoolers came in wearing the same shirt today. Lime green. And it says "Jesus Rocks." I think it's going to be my Sunday school shirt for a while. I debated about the "God is Good" shirt-which is how Grace Place begins every week-but I really liked the lime green. Maybe there is a scrapbook page in that-somewhere.

One of the challenges for the crop was to use paper from the manufacturer that you have the MOST. Well, that would be Basic Grey for me-I have a lot that would tie for second place but BG is one I've been collecting for YEARS. Not really USING-but collecting. Well, here's a LO I did with their Color Me Silly collection. The photo is Emily at Christmas with an art board she opened.

Have a good week and remember JESUS ROCKS!

The next Virtual Crop

I have been a member of Columbus Scrappers, an on-line group of scrappers from Columbus, Ohio with a passion for scrapbooking and a special dedication to community service. When I moved to Florida two years ago, I wanted to stay involved with this group of friends and took on the role of coordinating their virtual crops. It's been a great fit for me and something I look forward to doing twice a year. I run the VCs the same weekends that they have their spring retreats so everyone that couldn't go to the retreat still has the opportunity to be part of something fun. You can join in the fun at www.columbusscrappers.org. The challenges will start tomorrow and follow the retreat theme of Project Scrapway!

Home Again!

The down side of taking a few days to go west skiing is always the trip home. Not so much the fact that you have to actually GO home, just that you have to GET home. This time, on top of the two hour time difference, we had to spring ahead an hour. Add to that having a three hour layover in Houston and it was a whole day traveling. But I'm home again-and hoping this cold doesn't end up as bronchitis.

I have to say I was pretty dissapointed with the scrapbook stores I visited while in Salt Lake. Maybe I gave up too soon, but it was good to be back at Dee's with new product waiting for me. New lines from BoBunny and Pink Paislee arrived and I started playing yesterday. I need to get some photos printed and get busy.

Oh yeah, as far as the skiing goes, it was a good trip. We hit Brighton, Alta and Solitude. (They skied Snowbird on Wednesday and conditions were poor so it was a good day to travel.) We had some fresh snow so we got to play in a little of that Utah powder on Thursday and Friday. No fresh snow for Saturday but there was plenty to ski and no lift lines to hang us up.

That new paper is calling...have to scrap!