Today I am/was...

...super busy at work putting things away, helping customers, and placing orders.
...very happy because I did some work for My Little Shoebox.
...happy to write down what I would be doing in Florida in October with Erin at the Sue Gilman show.
...happy that I got my plane ticket for CHA Chicago.
...thrilled to go to lunch with my kiddos.
...thrilled to have my grandson at work with me for a little while.
...happy to have some awesome new features on our bay area scrappers website.
...happy that I made some new friends!!!!
...happy to put some new concerts on my calendar that I will be attending...including NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK! :)
...excited about our crop tomorrow.
...honored to have such amazing family and friends
...happy that I have a great job!
..............................................Today is such a great day! Hope your day was just as great!
Hugs
Suzy West

My little Dancer

Yesterday, Sierra had her first recital. She had such a great time!

I thought she might be afraid because she had never been on stage before but sooooo not, my girlie did an awesome job!! We were all so proud of her.

These photos are awful because there was no flash photography and this guy sat right in front of me when I started to take these pictures.

Sierra is the little one in the middle. She's the youngest one in the group.

We got their photos back and it came out so stinkin' cute!! She wants to continue to do hip hop. We are going to add Tap and maybe ballet.

I love you sweetie!

Our Constant Craziness

I have no idea how it happens but it does. Erin and I get together and we are instantly CRAZY! I swear we need help! LOL Anyway, this night of crazy we were having our girls night out. I (HEART) these nights! We met up at Santana Row and ate at a yummy restaurant. We then had our after hour appointment with Lather. This place R.O.C.KS! If you haven't been there before, GO and I mean now! They spoil you rotten and have the best products I've ever put on my body.

Anyway, Janice and Erin had gone a few weeks before and they couldn't stop talking about it so they set up an appointment for us to go.

We had a BLAST! Here are some of the pictures of our little adventure.

Warning, not for the weak of heart. LOL

Janice, Rocio, and I waiting for the rest of the girls.

Erin and I in Lather.

All the girls together!! I LOVE IT!!

Erin gettting "lathered" up

Erin...well being Erin! LOL

ummmm....yeah you were warned
Remember? Not for the weak of heart? LOL Yes, I know, we are super crazy
All of us lathered like crazy! I was the first one to get my mask on, by the time I got it taken off, it became part of my face. LOL
I love you girls!! Can't wait for our next adventure.

Hugs, Suzy

My team (please help me choose)

Yesterday, the mechanics got together for our meeting. We had an amazing time! We took a lot of pictures(that I will post later) but in the meantime, here is a picture of almost all of them.

First row, left to right: Angel, Erin, ME, Michelle, Em

Second row, left to right: Laurie, Nikki, Nichole, Kerry Lynn, Sylvia, Rocio

Back row, left to right: Angel, Kristin, Pattie, Kent

Not pictured here are Krista and Stacey. (they left early)

One of these pictures is going to be on the homepage of or site. Which would do you think I should I choose???

Silly girls in the back!!! I cracked up when I saw what they did!LOL

My team!!

Memorial Day

I did two things that I haven't done in a very long time.
1. I slept in.
2. I cooked something.
We got together at my parents house for a bbq and Angel asked me to make a macaroni salad. It actually was yummy. LOL
Christian bbq'd again. The guy loves to be in front of the grill. He did an awesome job. We had massive amounts of food!
anyways, it was a wonderful day. After we ate I took another nap.
It was a great weekend! Tomorrow another wonderful day at work. Looking forward to it.
Hugs
Suzy

I can't journal...

So I can't write. I'm not good with words and I'm horrible about expressing myself.
My journaling on my layouts if any say the same things:
"I'm so blessed"
"She's so cute"
"I love her/his smile"
"I love you so much"

I get so annoyed with myself because that's the only thing I can think to write when I look at my pictures and am completing my layouts.

....20 minutes later....thinking....pondering...

I write these things because I really truly am blessed!! I have a freaking awesome family and friends that I would do anything for.
My kids ARE cute!
I seriously love the smiles on their faces.
and I freaking love them so much!!!

well I mean every word of it so I'm going to continue to write that because that's what I feel when I see those awesome shots!

I'm a happy girl! Who's ever reading this...

I hope your happy too. I hope you feel blessed. Yup YOU who ever you are.
If your wondering if I mean what I'm say. I do!

I hope YOU have a wonderful day!!
Hugs
Suzy

This weekend...

I have a lot going on this weekend.

*crop tonight (craziness with Erin)

*crop tomorrow

*Nikki Peterson's class tomorrow

*watching Tanner overnight for the first time ever

*taking Tanner and the family to the zoo on Sunday

*taking Sierra to watch Narnia Sunday night when Angel gets back

*bbq and swimming with the family on Monday

Update on my knee:

I'm doing better. It's not hurting as much thank goodness! I need to start therapy but I've been avoiding it. I've been so busy.

Family stuff:

Our family went to San Francisco a few weeks ago and I couldn't wait to post pictures but then forgot. LOL It was such a beautiful Sunday. We went to Pier 39.

Here are just a few of the pictures.

Jeremy, Christian, and Paul

My mommy, Angel, and I

Christian took this picture of our family.

Sierra inside the Aquarium.

Big hugs, Suzy West

I don't know what to say about this...

ummmm....welll....

yeah, that's Erin and I. LOL
Why???? reason???yeah, I got nothing. That's just us!

Love ya girl!

Happy ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY Angel & Christian!

Congratulations! May you always be happy.

I love you both!

Hugs, Mom

I *heart* my son-in-law!!!

Christian is such an amazing guy! Besides being an amazing father to his son, he's a great husband to Angel.

He's been so concerned with the break-in last week that today (after a long day at work...4am-2pm) he worked really hard to get our back door secure. He had his friend weld some hard metal things (I have no idea what these things are called) and he used the electric do hicky thing to put them on. You put these honkin 2x4's on them and it totally secured your door!

The other night he took Angel to the hospital because she wasn't feeling good. He totally stayed by her side. Angel later told me that she could tell that he was super concerned for her and the baby.

He's so awesome!! Sometimes guys don't get recognized for all that they do and I want to let everyone know, how lucky we are to have him in our lives!!!

Christian, thanks for taking care of my baby and for being the guy that you are!!!

Love ya,

Mom

Doing better...

It's been a little over three days since I had my surgery. I went in on Thursday around 3pm to fill out paperwork and went into the surgery room around 5:30pm.
The last thing I remember is that they were strapping my arms down. I totally don't even remember them saying anything like, "count backwards" or "we are going to give you some___" NOTHING. I remember waking up saying, "are you going to do the surgery?" and the nurse looked at me and said, "we are done sweetie!"
It took me a while to wake up from the meds. I went to my parents house to relax and sleep. I was sooo out of it until around Friday evening.
My knee is doing better. It's not hurting as much but I'm scared of what's to come.
I learned after surgery that more than half my knee is bad and that I'm going to need a new one. OUCH!! If this surgery hurts I can only imagine what the next surgery will be like. I'm so nervous just thinking of it.
My mom is a jewel! She helped me through the whole ordeal while Paul was with the kids. She cooked for me, helped me get up, put ice on my knee, gave me my meds, etc. My mother is such a blessing!
The kids were so sweet. They would come and hug me and tell me they love me.
Sierra made me about a hundred cards. LOL
Anyway, I'm doing better. This morning I'm going to work. I'm picking up Lonae. She's so sweet. She wants to come help me.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Hugs
Suzy
ps. thanks for all the sweet emails, prayers, and phone calls.

the cRaZiesT week of my LIFE!!!!

Okay so this post is going to be crazy. I should actually be resting right now but I'm in the mood to ramble.
So this should be a freaking movie...or maybe when you read this you can picture this in your mind.
Saturday---National Scrapbook Day. Having a blast. All day being crazy. Around 7pm my knee starts to hurt and so does my right eye and forehead.
By the end of the night...I can't walk. In massive pain. Go to the bathroom broke a ton of blood vessels in my right eye. OMG I look like a freak. We have to wear black, white, and red the next day. Tempted to put on a patch. I look at myself with my crutches. I look like a pirate. No patch. LOL
Sunday--National Scrapbook Day. Feeling like CRAP but excited to see everyone. Lots of craziness. Barely can walk. Eye and head killing me.
3pm--Pattie comes in and lasts all of 20 minutes because she has a gall bladder attack. Ends of up in the hospital. So it's Angel(pregnant and feeling crappy) and myself working.
I start getting worse and worse.
I last until 6pm and then realize I won't last another hour. I leave and go to the hospital too. LOL
Preggo is left by herself. Thankgoodness Erin, Janice, and Rocio step up to help. THanks girls!
That night Angel calls and the conversation goes like this:

Angel: "mom, tomorrow the store is going to be closed."
me: "but but but....I can come..."
Angel: "MOM! Tomorrow the store will be closed!"
me: "I'll rest and I'll be better for tomorrow"
Angel: Stop ticking me off. The store is closed. Good bye."

Monday the store is closed.

Tuesday I come in...and realize...in what seemed like slow motion...that I've been ROBBED!
I was on the phone with my good friend Jenn. She says that I said, "hmmm my register is missing....my register is missing...omg my register is missing!"
I looked towards the back and realize I see light, which means the back door is open.
the back door is NEVER open which means someone broke in.
I go back and the door is open, everything is all over the place (it looks like that all the time) and the safe is gone.
Jenn is still on the phone..."I've been robbed, I gotta go!" and hang up on her.

I call the police..they come and we find out that they have tried to rob many of the locations here.
The word "TRY" because these were the stupidest crooks ever!

They tried to rob the Gelato place and opened the empty lots next to them by mistake. So nothing.
They tried to rob Market broiler and get into one door but not the main door so they got nothing.
They got into my place but I'm sure almost 99% positive that they must have BIFFED it big time and fallen over all the crap that we had in the back. It was Bad! I had boxes, tables, chairs, and all kinds of crap. The thieves had to work hard to get the safe...that had absolutely NOTHING in it. It was brand new. So they got nothing.
They got my cash drawer that normally has zero in it but had $100.00 in it.
Soooo all that work and they got an empty safe, $100.00, and I'm sure a freaking head ache from climbing all over my crap back there.

Same day I have an MRI appointment that I can't miss. Remember this was Tuesday--two days ago.
Yesterday I went in for the results. I see my MRI. OHHHHHH it's bad!!!
Dr. Says...Your having surgery.....TOMORROW!
What the freak????

So now...here I sit...hungry and thirsty since I can't eat anything and haven't eaten anything since last night.
normally---not hungry or thristy....today....dying to eat and drink anything. go figure.

In three hours---surgery.

wow, I've rambled. Not going to spell check or re-read...I'm sure it's crazy. If you've read through this whole craziness...yeah. wow!! You are sweet!!!

Have a great day!!!! I'm nervous but I'm actually in a very good mood and have been cracking up over everything going on.

I wanted to add a quick THANKS to my awesome friends who are always there to check on me...Linda, Erin, Janice, Rocio, Pattie, Carla, Satyn, Angel, Jenn, and all of my Picture Me Perfect girls!!


Have a good one!!
Hugs
Suzy

All kinds of stuff

One of my friends asked me what I had going on this week and I thought for a second and then pretty much threw up a ton of different things going on. By the time I was done telling her what was going on I was exhausted just thinking about it and I think my friend needed a cigarette! LOL
I'm getting things ready for two really big National Scrapbook Day events that we are having at the store. I am excited about everyone attending and all the fun things we are going to do.
I went to see the sports med Dr. today. I am feeling a lot better so I almost canceled my appointment but my family said I HAD to go. I tried to tell the Dr. that I was a lot better and that I wasn't in pain (trying to avoid surgery) but he didn't believe me because the word, "owie" came out of my mouth! Yes, OWIE! how embarrassing. So we scheduled an MRI and I'm hoping I don't have anything to serious.
Angel is starting to feel a little better. She's on meds to help with the nausea. She's almost four months. I can't believe it! Oh and mark my words, she is having a GIRL!!! She'll find out in a few weeks. I can't wait.
Anyway, gotta run! Need to order food for both Saturday and Sunday, put goodie bags together, finishing ordering stuff, and more!!!
Have a good one!
Hugs
Suzy

*RAK* winner---Carla Avila!!!

WOW, I totally loved reading all of your reasons for scrapping! The winner of the MLS rak is Carla Avila!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Contact me so I can get your goodies to ya! :)

hugs

Suzy West

My Little Shoebox *RAK*

Hey there gals!!! I was just chatting with my dd, Angel. We were talking about way back in the days when I found out about scrapping and how grateful I am to it.
Before scrapbooking I was doing photography and I was believe it or not, a make up artist. Since scrapbooking I have done several things...tv stuff, product design, store, teach, travel, written books. etc.
I'm so happy to have scrapbooking in my life.
I never do RAKS and would love to do one. What has scrapbooking done for you?
I will pick a number and who ever posts on that number will receive a nice set of goodies from My Little Shoebox.
Hugs
Suzy

No reason

I had a fabulous weekend!! There were a lot of us cropping on Friday. I got 7 pages done that night. I then scrapped another 5 pages on Saturday.
On Sunday my family decided to get together and bbq. I love that we don't need a reason to gtg we just do.
Christian did the bbq'ing. He loves to do the cooking!! My mom made more food and the rest of us brought a ton of stuff.
The kids played in the back and front yard. Tanner had a blast getting into everything.
It was just a wonderful weekend! Lots of fun, sun, and family! Can't get any better than that!
Have a good one!
Hugs
Suzy

Guess who's going to be a grandma again?

That would be....ME!!!
So here's a crazy story for you.

So as many of you know, Angel miscarried in February. While I was at CHA she called me because she had started bleeding. They told her what would probably happen. She was extremely depressed about it! Luckily, they didn't have to do a DNC. So for the last month she has been trying to get back to normal but she's been sick still and still "feeling pregnant". So she went to the dr's. She explained what had happened (miscarriage and all).
THe dr. took tests and it turned out...that she was STILL pregnant. She had never miscarried. She was just bleeding a lot and then stopped. The dr. didn't fully check her after. If they had done an ultrasound they would have seen that there was still a little baby there.

Soooooo...Angel and Christiane are soooo super excited!!! Tanner is going to be two soon so he's going to have fun playing with the baby. I can't wait!!

Hugs
Suzy West

always busy

Wow, it seems like my time flies by so fast!!
Friday: work and crop until after midnight.
a. Laughing like crazy
b. more laughing
c. Nichole, Erin, and I almost pee'ing our pants

Saturday: work and then out with Sierra
a. at work by 8am
b. 30 second shopping spree contest--LOTS of people
c. work more
d. Angel's class until 6pm
e. Took Sierra to get a hair cut
f. Took Sierra to the pet store.
g. went home to watch a movie together. Lots of snuggling. She's so sweet!

Sunday: birthday parties, lunch, parks, and more
a. took Jeremy to a birthday party.
b. Took Sierra to lunch and to pick out a kite.
c. Went to the park and flew kites with Angel and her family.
d. blew bubbles until we were dizzy.
e. Went home to relax and watch a movie.

Monday: I'm at work blogging
a. Store will open soon. I need to move things around.
b. Going to La Fondue with Helen and all the girls that created for the tv show tonight.

If I told you all the stuff I had going on with this week you'd think I was crazy!LOL

Have a great day!!
Hugs
Suzy West

My Little Shoebox Design Team Call!!

My Little Shoebox
Emeryville, Ca
www.mylittleshoebox.com
My Little Shoebox is looking for 5 talented, motivated, responsible designers who have time to commit to design layouts and projects each month from our products and promote our products online and at their local scrapbook store.

We are looking for:
1. Creative individuals that is able to do 2 different types of projects each month such as layouts, cards, and projects with our products.
2. You must post your work on 2 different galleries plus the MLS galleries
3. You must be available to commit to a 12 months term, which begin July 2008.
4. You must be a resident of the United States or Canada and at least 18 years of age or older.
5. Help judge any contests during your term (as needed.)
6. There are additional opportunities available to use our products to teach at your local scrapbook store.
7. You agree to release the rights of your designs to My Little Shoebox for display on the company website and in the company publications.
8. If needed your designs may also need to show at trade show.
9. In addition, as a design team member, you will be contributing twice per term to our company newsletter. You can post this on your personal blog.
In return you will receive:

1. A monthly package of our wonderful products.
2. Your choice of MLS products.
3. Your picture and bio on the My Little Shoebox website
4. Your own personal gallery on My Little Shoebox website

To apply please send an e-mail to info@mylittleshoebox.com including:

1. Full name, address, phone number, email address.
2. 3 layouts, 1 card, and 1 projects representing your best design work (jpg files or pdf file no larger than 500kb)
3. Link to an online gallery where we can see your current work.
4. Personal website or blog if you have one.
5. List your prior experience.
6. Design teams you are currently affiliated with.
7. Describe your style.
8. What makes you a unique addition to our team?
9. Have you been published, if so where and when.
10. Do you have teaching experience?
11. Tell us about yourself, please acknowledge how much time you are comfortable with to devote to My Little Shoebox each month.



Submission deadline is May 30th, 2008.Our design team members will be announced on June 15th, 2008.
We thank you in advance for all your work and appreciate each entry! Questions may be directed to our lead designer Suzy West psajfamily@aol.com

Our little adventure

I'm back from my awesome trip to Massachussetts AND New York! Pattie and I got to Mass. on Saturday morning and it was FREEZING! We went to Plimoth to see "the rock" and check out the sites. It was so beautiful but so super cold! We checked into our awesome hotel(that looks like a castle) and did our make n' takes. The next day we sold and were with a ton of companies such as Fiskars, Ranger, Autumn Leaves, Daisy Bucket, and more. (we were there for a rep show, representing My Little Shoebox) We left around 6pm and headed to my friend Amy Goldsteins in the country of upstate New York. She lives in this amazing 200 year old house! She is this AWESOME designer who has done books with Memory Makers and was the owner of Pink Martini. Also staying with us was Carolyn Peeler, designer for Melissa Frances. We went to a ton of places and stood in front of the awesome Hudson River. It was just breath taking. This is where it gets crazy. We left (plenty of time) to to the airport and all of a sudden...blizard! OMG it was the craziest car ride and started to freak out because we weren't sure if we could make our flight or not. I was driving 80 miles an hour super close to the steering wheel! So we missed our flight by less than 10 minutes!! wah! We made new flight plans and stayed across the street at a beautiful hotel. Got on our flight and then had to transfer...well we barely made that flight too because we had landed so close to the other flight. We BOOKED it to the gate! We got here around 2pm today. So that's my crazy but fun story! LOL

Here are some fun photos of our trip. Unfortunately, in no order. LOL

Pattie and I at Plimoth.

I was FREEZING!!!

Pattie on the road in front of Amy's house.

Pattie in front of Amy's house.

Amy and I in front of the Hudson River

LOVE this shot of Pattie and I

Another Pattie and I pic

THANKS FOR LOOKING!!!! The trip was a huge success for My Little Shoebox. I am really excited for the company. Our next trip for them is FLORIDA in October.

Hugs

Suzy West