Project Life ~ Week 47 (the one where I get to meet Becky Higgins!!!)

Sorry for the HORRIBLE photographs of the spreads.  We have been iced in for 3 days here in Dallas & the sun hasn’t been out to get any natural lighting pics.

This was a BIG week for me, b/c I got to go to California & be in the creativeLIVE studio w/ Becky Higgins as she taught a 3 day class.  So, first I’m going to share the regular spread w/out any inserts and then I’ll share the 3 inserts I did.  The regular spread features a lot of Autumn, but I did that on purpose b/c I wanted to document what her week was like while I was gone since my week is documented in the inserts.

Monday ~ Today was really good & tonight was really busy.  Once we got home I had Autumn help me pick out 4 outfits for when I’m gone this week.  I also used some blank Project Life grid cards (how fitting) to write her some love notes that I hid in her clothes for each day.  I did laundry & packed my suitcase.  I was going to take just a carry on size … yeah, right!  I got this HUGE Texas mug and filled it w/ candy & a note to give to Becky.  California or bust!

Tuesday ~ Mom came & got me from work at 10:00 & took me to the airport where I flew to Denver at noon.  My flight from Denver to SFO was delayed 2 hours so I got some Quiznos for lunch & did some blogging.  I got to SFO, got my rental car & drove to Hazel’s house, which was about an hour away.  I randomly found a restaurant that sold kebabs!!!  They were good, but not as great as Kebapci’s in Slovenija.

Wednesday ~ Mom texted me these 2 pics of Autumn at 7:30 this morning TX time, which is 5:30 am California time.  We have talked before about cutting Autumn’s hair & donating it to Locks of Love & I guess Mom decided now was the time.  She cut off 13” of hair!  I think Autumn looks adorable, but was worried she wouldn’t like having short hair.  Mom said Autumn was so excited to go to school & show off her hair.  Autumn asked if Mimi thought people would recognize her?  LOL!

Thursday ~ Mom took Autumn over to the Dakins’ on Wednesday night b/c Mom & Dad are leaving after the temple today to go to Georgia & visit the Guthries.  There is no way I could have gone to CA w/out someone to watch Autumn.  She got to sleep in their guest room & it was nice b/c Deb could just drop her off & pick her up when she took her own kids to school.  It looks like they had a fun bedtime story.

Friday ~ Since it was Friday night, Deb let the kids have a movie night & leftover Halloween candy.  I am so thankful that Deb could watch Autumn for me, b/c I never had to worry about Autumn.  I know she is in good hands.  I LOVED getting to talk to Autumn each night before she went to bed.  Her voice sounds so sweet & young & innocent over the phone.  I’m so glad she’s having fun w/out me.

Saturday ~ Deb texted me this pic this morning of their fun Saturday morning pancake breakfast.  Deb is a SAINT b/c she hosted a birthday party at her house for a friend on Thursday, her husband is out of town for work, she kept Autumn for 3 days and 3 nights, AND she took all the kids to Kid Mania today so they could run around & play & burn off some energy.  I’m glad I got those Disney On Ice tickets to give to them as a thank you.

Sunday ~ Autumn & I got all ready for church & were about to leave, but we stayed home b/c Autumn was still sick (she threw up last night).  That’s a “just in case” throw up bowl in bed w/ us.  We watched a few Barbie movies & snuggled.  I took a much needed 2 hour nap.  I knew Autumn was really sick when she just had Ritz crackers for dinner w/ nothing else.  We watched The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe and she climbed up on my lap to snuggle.  I hate that she’s sick, but love it that she’s so snuggly.  Poor bug!

I love using Design C for my inserts b/c I can fit 5 4x6 pics & also have room for a big 4x6 journaling card.

Wednesday ~ I was going to take the BART (train) into SF, but I couldn’t find the train stop, so I decided to be brave & drive.  It was early enough that I found the location OK, got a free parking spot, & was even there 30 min early.  The creativeLIVE people were SO GREAT & had a super fancy catered breakfast.  It was great to meet Cady, Michelle, Debbie, Tami, Connie, Denise & Rachel (not pictured at the breakfast table shot).  It was so surreal to be in the studio & see all the lights & cameras.  We go to meet & hug Becky after the first segment.  Lunch was fabulous & it was great to get to know the other 7 women better.  Meme ran the kitchen, Bryan ran the studio & Kathy ran everything.  I drove home in rain & fog on the beautiful Bay Bridge.

Thursday ~ (back of Wednesday’s Design C spread)  Becky’s brother, Kevin, was a guest today & my cousin knows his family really well.  What a small world!  It was so cool to see all the “behind the scenes” things that it takes to put on this online show.  Today for lunch us 8 girls went and sat in a small room off of the main dining area b/c we were loud & were laughing & having such a good time.  We are all so different, but have bonded so quickly in just 2 short days.  JKO & Jamarie are the hosts & chat room moderators, and they are so great.  JKO Is a real crack up & always has on fancy socks.  I called Hazel on the way home & she is sick, so I ate out for dinner at a place she recommend called “The Habit.”  I’m so thankful to have a rental car to get around in.

Friday ~ I’m so sad our 3 days together are already over!  It’s been everything I expected & more.  Here’s the whole cast & crew that made the magic happen.  They had a fancy “wrap party” for all of us.  Becky had us run into the studio & pretend like it was Black Friday as we grabbed goodies she let us take.  We watched it back on her phone & just laughed & laughed.  creativeLIVE interviewed me about my experience & I gushed about how Becky is so kind & genuine & fabulous.  What a dream come true to be there!  I left & went to the Oakland temple to do a session.  It’s a huge temple & the endowment room is like a movie theater b/c it’s so big.  So neat!

I included a blank 4x6 card that I had Becky, the 7 other girls & JKO & Jamarie sign.

Saturday ~ Hazel & her family were so wonderful & made me feel so welcomed & loved.  It was great to reconnect w/ Hazel & get to know her better.  I had to leave at 4:00 am to be to the airport for my 6:45 flight.  This small breakfast sandwich was $8.75!!!  I flew to LAX, had an hour layover, and then on to DFW.  I LOVE Virgin Airlines & this was my first time flying w/ them.  I had a whole row to myself & their safety video is awesome.  Plus, they don’t charge for soda drinks like Frontier does.  Liz & Liberty & Jacob picked me up & it was cold (37*) in Dallas.  I got my car at work & went and got Autumn at the Dakins’.  She said her tummy was hurting & about 30 minutes after she fell asleep tonight, she projectile vomited all over the bed & herself.  Welcome back to real life!

I am also including this 8.5x11 page protector that has a map of San Fran, emails from Becky leading up to the event, airline tickets, receipts, and all the little bits & pieces of ephemera that I collected on the trip.

I am linked up over at The Mom Creative.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY Y’ALL!!!