Wonderful Spring Break

Spring Break vacation has come and gone, and it was an enjoyable one. Wes' dad/stepmom arrived on Saturday, March 21st. It was good to see them. My family came up on 22nd to also visit with them. On Monday, we didn't do too much. Went to Pappadeaux for lunch -- YUMMY crawfish & Greek salad for me!!! Tuesday - Thursday we were up in Fredericksburg and had a GREAT time. Wes' dad/stepmom headed back to Colorado from there and we headed back home.

I'm attaching a couple of pics we took on our vacation. Hope you enjoy them.

Wildseed Farms -- Fredericksburg, TX 3/24/09

Brenham, Texas -- 3/26/09

Almost Here

Spring Break vacation is almost here, and I am ready for it. I'm so ready to be off for a few days. It'll be nice.

Wes' dad/stepmom from Colorado will be arriving mid-morning on Saturday to spend some time with us. They haven't seen Wes since he returned from Afghanistan back in October. I hope we have nice weather pretty much the whole time; but at this time of year, it's TOTALLY unpredictable. Of course, our weather is ALWAYS unpredictable.

Successful Retreat!!

Last weekend's retreat was a SUCCESS!!! Everyone had a really good time! I can't believe how fast it went by! I didn't get very many pages done (only 4); but then again, I didn't expect to with me being the host. I had SUCH a good time and can't wait for my next one! For anyone (excluding CTMH consultants) that placed a catalog order was entered for "Mystery Hostess" if sales reached $150. I sweetened the deal that if gathering reached $450, I would give them DOUBLE HOSTESS REWARDS. Well, guess what...the gathering surpassed $450 and my Mystery Hostess -- Natalie Schieffele -- received $200 in Hostess Rewards. I think she about passed out when I told her!

I held my retreat at Aunt Faye's Country Retreat in Conroe, Texas. I HIGHLY recommend this retreat center to anyone. Take a look at their website... www.myretreatcenter.com . Rick & Sarah Brown are the owners, and they are absolutely WONDERFUL! The price is right; the food is OUT OF THIS WORLD and the accomodations are OUTSTANDING!

Productive Weekend

I had a very productive weekend. Wes & Zach were at a Father/Son camp and I had the whole house to myself...how AWESOME was that. I did a lot of preparations for my upcoming retreat this next weekend, including the 12x12 layout below. This is what my guests will get to make during their scrapping weekend. I hope they enjoy it. I had so much fun creating it.

We also had a new gate/fence put up at the house. I like the gate, but my favorite is the fence between the house and garage. It really opens up our outdoor kitchen/patio; and, of course, the star matches the black etched star on our stained concrete. :) Freedom likes the fence/gate, too. Now she can see who's passing by her house. LOL

Happy Birthday Pops ~ I Miss You!

Today is my grandfather's birthday. He passed away ten years ago this upcoming October (which was just four months after my grandmother passed away. I miss them both so much.) Pops (Herbert C. Atzenhoffer) was the kindest, sweetest, warmest gentleman that I've ever known (next to my dad, of course. :) ) He was a towering giant, but as gentle as could be. I never saw him get mad. He was always calm, cool & collected. I've been told that I'm a lot like him ~ and to me, that's the biggest compliment ANYONE could ever give me. My only regret is that Zach didn't get the chance to really know his "Great Pops" as he was only 18 months old when Pops passed away.

Something I've not shared with anyone yet -- not even my family -- but you may remember that last month I completed the Aramco Half Marathon. Well, although my chip time was 3:04, the time that showed on the clock as I crossed the finish line was 3:16. Pops' favorite Bible verse was John 3:16 ~

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I fully believe that on that day ~ at that moment ~ my grandfather was cheering me on and celebrating my successful finish to my first half marathon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPS! I'll be thinking about you even more today! Sending hugs up your way!

Energized

For some reason I feel ENERGIZED today -- and I know it's not because of the weather because it is GROSS out there -- humid, cloudy, dreary...uggghhhhh!!! Perhaps it's due to the fact I ran 3 miles at lunch yesterday; or maybe because I actually got a decent night's sleep; or maybe because I know that I have a FREE weekend this weekend. Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad! I always enjoy feeling energized as opposed to borderline lethargic!

I am hosting my first "Away from Home" scrapbook retreat in Conroe next weekend and I am PUMPED!!! I can't wait. I'll be working on getting all my stuff together for that this weekend without interruptions, I'm sure -- well, except for my run to Starbucks -- and/or maybe even lunch at my FAVORITE tea room in Friendswood --hmmmm...anyone want to meet for lunch on Saturday? :D

Back to the retreat....I am so looking forward to it. As I mentioned, this is my first one to host away from home and as a consultant for Close To My Heart. WHAT?!? You've never HEARD of Close To My Heart? Where have you been? Well, you MUST take a look at my website (www.melanieboyer.myctmh.com) and see all the WONDERFUL scrapbooking and stamping supplies we have to offer from the very beginner to the most experienced and even those in the middle! I just LOVE our Company and how EVERYTHING matches and is color coordinated! I guarantee you will, too; and, when you're done perusing my website -- and perhaps have placed an order -- call or e-mail me to see about scheduling your very own PARTY and to see how you can earn FREE product! I look forward to hearing from you!

Today...

...is another day. The weekend was good; but, as always, it flew by WAAAY too fast! For Valentine's Day, Zach & I picked up my niece after lunch and took her to get her mommy (my sister) a Valentine's gift and then later, we all had dinner together. I made some REALLY good spaghetti -- if I say so myself -- and then we went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream.

Yesterday I was a co-host for my best friend's baby shower. It was so much fun. She got LOTS of cute baby items and clothes for Little Mr. Jacob. He is due at the end of March, and I can't wait to meet him!!!!

Wes was so proud of Freedom this morning...she actually ran out and got the newspaper and brought it in the house for him. He's been working with her for a while on that now. Just hope she doesn't start bringing all the neighbors' newspapers! LOL