Ok. I made it to LA. So did my bags. And as you can tell from the previous picture – I was a little worse for wear. I don’t get up before 6am, I do not sprint through airports, I do not drive on freeways, I do not fly in airplanes and I do not write books on a regular basis…I was tired and the stress from the trip was starting to get to me just a little bit. After an hour long shuttle ride – which would not have been complete without the weird shuttle driver – to the Anabella hotel where I left my bags and headed straight to the CHA show
and ahhhhhh….who could remain stressed when you are completely surrounded by scrapbook stuff! Paper, trimmers, stickers, mini albums everywhere I turned. It was a dream…and I didn’t take a single picture of any of these things(huh?) but I took notes and so I am going to share some of my favorite finds with you. (That might have to wait until tommorow though – Prison Break is on and I can’t miss it!) 😉
I met up with some of the Simple ladies there, walked around the show, got to see Martha Stewart, went out for a terrible – yet strangely entertaining dinner and then crashed.
Day two at CHA there was, breakfast with Shutterfly (I am so totally inspired to try something digital now…and that is big! Their new digital albums sound so doable….even for someone like me who knows absolutely nothing about all things digital), a lot more drooling over scrapbook stuff, getting to meet the people I’d been looking forward to seeing at the show for the longest time! I was so excited to meet Beth, cute little pregnant girl that she is!
Kim Morgan and Karen Glenn
and I do have to say this (could get a little sappy so be warned) that these ladies are as sweet and wonderful as they come and getting to meet them in person only reinforced what I already knew about them! Love these girls and love the chance I get to work with them and everyone else at Simple. (sap is over)
It was fun to be there to celebrate Simple’s 5th birthday and then join the rest of the Simple staff for dinner afterwards. Here’s a few of us at dinner.
Then there was a lot more looking around the show. My wallet almost got stolen (don’t ask!), Elizabeth bought me a really yummy chocolate chip cookie, I saw so many scrapbook things that I now NEED to own, and in general lot’s of fun was had. My flight back to Great Falls was uneventful and the drive home…now that was not fun. When I arrived in Montana it was snowing and there was a lot of wind. I probably should have spent the night there but I wanted to get home so badly that I braved the roads. Said many little prayers along the way and drove really slow. Cranked the itunes and snacked on mike ‘n ikes the whole way to keep myself awake and finally pulled into the driveway at 3am (NEVER doing that AGAIN!)
So all in all, it was a crazy, busy, fun trip. I got to spend time with so many great people (ya’ll should know who you are!), had more adult conversation through the course of one week than I have in months, I did not listen to a single Laurie Berkner song on my ipod, I did not have to carry a diaper bag around (though it would have been handy to have a wipe once or twice), I slept in a couple times, I had long showers….just because I could. I even bought myself some new jeans. But I am just so happy to be home that I say bring on the diaper bag! I had a shower the other day and there was a Carson induced mess to clean up when I was done and I just smiled. We have listened to ‘We are the dinosaurs’ A LOT in the last two days and I have not been able to sleep in once but you know what…this is the stuff I missed while I was gone. (Ok, so I didn’t miss not being able to sleep in!)
Isn’t one of the best things about going away, how much you appreciate everything and everyone when you get home!?
I’m so, so glad to be home.
Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
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so glad that you had a good time. and its SO true..whenever you’re without the little things in life, you realize just how much you truly need them. thanks for sharing your life.
“I don’t get up before 6am, I do not sprint through airports, I do not drive on freeways, I do not fly in airplanes and I do not write books on a regular basis…”
Oh, Rebecca, you had me laughing from the start!! You’re so awesome doing all those things you don’t do. ; )
Sounds like it was a great trip and great to get home!!!! and I am EXTREMELY excited about your book coming out! 🙂
Finally! You are back! So glad you are blogging again and to hear about your adventures…
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
I got my copy of Beautiful Basics yesterday (finally! I requested it at my lss last August!) Anyway, just thought I’d let you know that I loved all of your layouts in it. My only beef would be that I’d love to see some 12×12 layouts by you. Do you ever do that size?
And wanted to let you know that I’m totally looking forward to your book coming out!
I loved this entry! It’s like every scrapbooker’s dream to attend something like this and rub shoulders with so much talent (Such as yourself) But I think what I loved most was your description of coming home. “We are the dinosaurs” is a big hit around my house too, and the way you describe being happy to come back to the chaos after your break just really made me smile. I love you site by the way, so happy to have found it! I LOVE your book too, and read it A LOT! Thank you for sharing your talent!