Michelle ~ mother & scrapaholic!

I've got the key!!!

No - not that one!

We have the key to the NEW Pink House.  :)  whooohooo!

 

Come help us paint 10am Thursday, 1/29 @ 136 Redbank Rd.

 

The Weekend Crop Winner is...

Yvonne Ouellette!

Whew that girl can crop!  She Outlasted, Outplayed, Outcropped everyone.  Yvonne started with us Friday, cropped 'til 5-ish in the AM Saturday, THEN she went and did several morning massages at her day job.  With only a short catnap Yvonne headed back to The Pink House and dueled it out with the rest of the croppers.  She and Lee were neck and neck until early Sunday morning, but Yvonne sent Lee packing around 1am.  So, our Crop Around The Clock winner went home with a bunch of goodies, including her pick of any one item in the store...  a gorgeous Reflections Journal kit designed by Michelle Van Etten from PRIMA.

I managed to get a couple more layout foundations started for my Project 365.  That's a total of 5 layouts down (photos, journaling, and finishing touches TBD), and we're only into the 4th week of the year.  Guess that means I'm ahead!!  okay... so I'm not really ahead, but can't you let a girl dream?

 

The photo of the weekend definitely goes to... Mom and her matching dog.  (excuse me while I purge!)  Have you met Casey?  She hardly qualifies as an actual dog, more like a dust mop in my opinion.  But Mom loves her as much (or more) than me and my sister.  So Mom shows up for Saturday crop in her Pink Ladies jersey and the scrawny shit-zu pup is wearing a matching pink and black sweater.  Seriously?  Mom swears she didn't plan it, but I don't think anyone is falling for that.

   

Gotta love her!

and the Crop Diva is...

Becky Jones! 

The scrapalicious prize box went to Becky for cropping the longest... she and her daughters made it to 5:30am!! 

 

The Pink House was filled to capacity last night for our final Friday Crop.  We had several rounds of frozen strawberry margaritas, dance music turned up, and Cricut machines racing all over the store.  Yvonne O brought her massage chair and definitely made my night.  I could totally get used to that once a week!  (Check her out at www.atouchoftherapy.net )

We had a whole lot of "Harassing Michelle" going on, but I sure gave out as good as I was getting.  :)  I actually got to scrap last night too, a miracle.  Here's proof...

 

Well, no there aren't any pictures or journaling yet, but at least I layed out the foundations for 3 whole layouts.  That's actually quite a lot for me, so I'm happy.  I'll show you the finished pages later.  We're cropping into the wee hours again tonight... so I gotta go scrap!

I feel naked.

Our 50% OFF Sale was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!  Thank you so much for coming to shop this weekend.  I am so happy not to have to move all of that stuff, and seeing it go makes me smile for all of the NEW STUFF I get to order!!  :)  ...but the bare rooms make me feel naked.  It's definitely kinda weird in here.

 

I have to tell ya that I am loving this process. There's something about moving that just gets my adrenaline going and makes me feel alive.  I'm sure the physical activity of it all helps, but I think it's mostly about the purging process.  I like moving out the old and bringing in the new.  It's a chance to remove clutter from not only my space but from my mind.  I get to let go of the processes that were inadequate and put my energy into new programs that will be more fun and more productive.

Moving also lets you know who your real friends are.  It's awesome to have our favorite customers support us with their purchases, but when they offer to help paint, to help move fixtures, etc.  That's when you know they're your friends and you must be doing something right.  Here's a couple pictures from Monday.  My husband showed up on his day off, Becky was there to help, Mom took pictures (okay, she helped, too) and Becky's son Cody & Michelle B's son William came and helped move some heavy freakin' display units.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

   

FYI:  We will be selling a lot of these fixtures next week.  I'll send details in the next e-mail.

FEAR NOT - THE SALE CONTINUES

We will continue to sell what's left of The Pink House for the next few days, but it's going fast.  SO, you better get in here quickly.  I've already completely emptied one room, and the other 2 are fading fast.  Here's a glimpse at what's left.

   

By clearing out some of these rooms, we're making plenty of space for this weekend's MEGA CROP.  It starts Friday.  Come as early as 10am and stay as late as you want.  Your $6 reserves your space until 10am Saturday!   You heard me right... it's an overnighter.  So bring your pj's, your slippers, or maybe even a pillow - whatever you need to stay comfortable.  There is a really big prize for the cropper who lasts the longest.  Cropping continues Saturday.  It's $10 from 10am until... Noon on Sunday!  Our biggest, best crop yet. 

We already have 16 spaces claimed, so be sure to sign up ASAP. 

843-744-6911

Inauguration Day

12 Noon EST.  Barack Obama is officially our President.

WOW!  What an amazing uplifting beacon of hope.  I am moved by our country's true heart, and proud to call myself an American.  God bless President Obama, and God bless the USA.

Our last Bunco on N Rhett

Ladies' Night BUNCO at The Pink House was rowdy as usual.  The chip dips and dessserts were delicious and the gaming was fun.  We had some new faces and some not-so-new faces, but we all missed Mom.  She was out of town "working" this week... gasp!

Well, Miss Jody had to give up her Loser's Tiara tonight and a new Bunco Biggest Loser was crowned. Here she is... Miss Gail!!

 

It may have been the last Bunco Night at The Pink House as we know it, but next month's Ladies' Night will be held at The NEW Pink House and I'm sure it'll be even better!!

I signed the lease!

It's official.  I signed the lease this morning.  We are moving to Goose Creek! 

Right now the building is yellow with brown shutters.  The owner is a Real Estate agent.  But it will soon be PINK!!  I hope to start painting next weekend.  I'm so excited.  (I think I already told ya that I'm one of those rare freaks that likes that kinda thing.  There's just something cool about totally tranforming the look of something that big.)  So, here's the before pictures.

 

The new Pink House will be at 136 Redbank Rd, right near the Hwy 52 (Rivers Ave) intersection.  It's very easy to get to.  Only 4 miles from NorthWoods Mall.  :)

click here for Mapquest directions

Chuck E Cheese

Oh man, I thought my kids had finally outgrown the Chuck but our neighbor's had their son's 6th birthday party there this weekend.  So I gritted my teeth, loaded up the crew (even Zoe & Nicole wanted to go!!!) and we headed off to most parents' nightmare.  This was a Saturday evening party.  The parking lot was packed and we actually had to wait in a line that wrapped around the side of the building in order to get our hands stamped and finally get in.  I felt like I was trying to get into some trendy nightclub!!

But once we got in, the kids had a really good time.  It's nice to have someone else feed them dinner and better yet clean up the mess.  So, I followed the kids around taking pictures and videos.  Here's what went down.

        

This one cracks me up.  It's my soon-to-be 13 yr old and her big sis.  Zoe looks up to Nicole so much.  Thank God that they are both really great kids, cuz there's 3 more girls following in those flipflop footsteps!

   

Encroachment - 15 yard penalty

In football, encroachment is stepping over the line of scrimmage and results in a defensive penalty.  In cropping, it's spreading out your scrap stuff over into someone else's crop space.  At The Pink House, this results not only in banishment from the "cool table" but will get you ridiculed forever.

So this weekend we had a record breaking Encroachment Foul.  Yvonne was not only spread out across her table and spilling into other's spaces, but she was actually sitting in someone else's seat to reach all of her stuff.  She tried to get up and run away, but I caught her RED HANDED!!

 

Now, we always have a good time on Friday Night Crops, lots of really good belly laughs, but the whole house was rockin' from how far Yvonne had encroached and how quickly she tried to get away.  Honey, you now have the record for "biggest encrocher" by far!  :)

Here are some other shots from the night:

         

FYI:  We will have Friday Night Crops next week and the week after (Jan 16 & 23), but we will NOT be cropping Friday the 30th.  Hopefully, we'll be ready to shop & crop at the new place by Feb 6th.  As always, we encourage you to reserve your spots early so you can choose your favorite seats.

Horoscope anyone?

So since I covet all that Donna Downey does... I followed the astrology link from her January newsletter to get a glimpse at what my 2009 might bring.  It's very encouraging.

Sagittarius Outlook for 2009

Sagittarius

11/22 – 12/21

Year 2009 Career

You're fascinated by just about everything that happens in 2009, and you'll be inspired to pursue all the opportunities that come your way. Writing and other forms of communication are a great way to put your higher ideals and dreams into motion. Writing about your success in overcoming obstacles could be of great benefit to the world.

The exchange of ideas brings balance and harmony into your work. Trusting that everything is in divine order will help bring you great success and comfort in your career. As long as you are in tune with your own personal energy, and respect the ebb and flow of life, you are able to recharge and realign yourself to the new work possibilities on the horizon. Come springtime, you will discover new creative outlets and reach new mastery in your work as you connect with a higher purpose.

You feel competent in all aspects of your job, and by autumn you feel financially secure as you are tear down the old and rebuild the new. Endurance is yours, and it will be easy for you to actualize positive results and maintain high integrity. Be mindful to honor all that you have done.

````````````````````````

Cool - It's true.  I am totally excited about moving The Pink House to it's new location.  Hope to have the lease worked out by Monday.  Will let you know.  I'm also working and 3 other VERY BIG projects that will hopefully get you all as excited as I am.

Sounds like I should continue blogging about my "struggles & accomplishments" for the benefit of the world.  (That's too cool!) And like I said, I also have some new things up my sleeves that are going to be fun.

Trusting in God to lead my path is usually one thing I do well.  I always believe that His Will is what's best, so I don't usually stress out over too much.  (usually)  It's comforting to see that my horoscope predicts a connection to my higher purpose, because that's where I think true happiness lies.

Financial security?  Woohooo!  Can I get a "whoop-whoop"?  Sometimes it's challenging to maintain integrity, but Mom and I really feel that's the best way to do business.  And if nothing else, I am more stubborn than anyone I know, so enduring is not a problem.  Positive reflection on my journey may have been something I was missing in 2008, but I look forward to enjoying every minute of this new year. 

Want to check your own horoscope?  click here

Dulaney Christmas Pictures

  So did I seriously not post our Christmas photos yet?  Oh yeah... Mom confiscated the (her) camera back.  Well, I was finally able to upload the 200 shots this morning.  Now I know you're sooo hoping that I've posted all 200 right here in this blog message, but I didn't!  I did however create a new photo album to the right with some of the better pictures.  But just in case you're not the clicking and scrolling type, here's a little taste:

Mid December:  Christmas Cookies

    

 

Christmas Eve: Gingerbread House

   

   

   

 

1st Gift:

 

Christmas Day: Jumping on the Trampoline (long story... but basically the net we bought was not the right size, so we didn't have it 'til the next day)

            

wooooohoooooo!!!

Project 365 - 2009 - Day 1

Accepting Becky Higgins' challenge to take 365 photos this year, one per day.  It's only Day 1 and I've already got my first obstacle... I don't have a camera!  hmmm... that's going to make this project a little difficult to do.  My digital camera was evidently lost/sold in our move to Charleston, summer '07.  I've been using Mom's camera ever since.  But since we moved out of her house a few months ago, she claimed it back.  :(

Well, I guess I'll have to borrow Zoe's camera until I get one of my own again.  Cole also has a really nice 35mm that her daddy bought her last year for her photography classes.  I might try playing with that a little bit, too.  I do have a camera in my phone, but I have no idea how to send those pics to my e-mail.  Maybe the girls can help me with that, too.  :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!