Envelope Love: Update

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great week! This is just a little update on the round stamps that have been so popular. I've had tons of stamp requests since I first promoted them in February and it has been a blast designing them for you. To make it easier for my clients I’ve created a sample sheet to give you a better option of what you can order. These options are templates I created for you to choose from. These particular stamp designs will remain $34. Custom designed stamps are still available for something more unique but will now be $40. I have another batch going to production Saturday for those who want to get theirs soon! If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

“Start Spreading the News…”

New York, New York by Frank Sinatra has such great memories for me. That song feels like home every time I hear it. As a kid my family would take vacations to New York to see my mom’s relatives. My parents would wake my brother and I up in the middle of the night singing the lyrics to New York, New York so we could get in the car and begin our journey. It was better than Disney to us! We would drive through the night and occasionally make a stop in D.C. We traveled with a cooler between my brother and I to try and avoid the bickering that would approach about the 9th hour of driving. You all know what I’m talking about, “He’s touching meeeee!!!!!” New York was one of my favorite places as a child. I remember seeing the city as a kid thinking, “there’s nothing like this”. So fast forward to today, my love for NYC hasn’t changed, it’s grown. I mean seriously, who doesn’t love the big apple? Recently, I had a week off with my husband and I knew where I wanted to go. I booked airfare and surprised Billy with a trip…throwing in a baseball game scored me many points. :) Billy himself found a love for NY last summer and we enjoyed this trip so much that we cannot wait to go again.

While there, we were able to spend time in the city and time at Aunt Donna & Uncle Jimmy’s house to see family. Seriously, staying the night with my Aunt Donna is better than booking a bed & breakfast. The Harry & David’s bedside chocolates were the kicker and Billy was ready to move in! The Mets were playing the Braves and we had a blast at the game. The Yankee Stadium tour was really neat for anyone who is in NYC for a day, especially a baseball fan, it’s worth getting the ticket. After “baseball” day was complete we took time to stroll Park Ave. and look for our next property investment (totally kidding). Shopped 5th Ave., walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, ate NY pizza (of course) and mastered the subway like pros. I already have a list of what I want to do next time we head to NYC! Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Billy in the hotel

Yankee Dugout - a highlight of the trip

Mets vs. Braves game (yes, I wore my yankee hat to a Mets game)

Times Square

Brooklyn Bridge - walked to Brooklyn

We have hundreds of photos but I won't bore you with those. :) Now that Billy & I have been to the city together in the summer and spring, I’d love to go in the winter together. There is nothing like the city at Christmas time! I hope everyone is having a great week!

A little getaway

I always welcome time away with Billy so when he suggested we go to Georgia for the day, you can bet I didn’t think twice. He took us to Jekyll Island to spend the afternoon. It gave us a little day retreat, something to hold us over and refresh us until our upcoming “Spring Break”. We enjoyed walking the island, exploring the beach and finding a place to get some ice-cream. They have the cutest little shops and fun little treasures! Of course, I found a few things I wanted.

 Aren't these funky? I hadn't seen shell rings before.

On the lawn of the Jekyll island club, we saw an older couple playing croquet. How adorable?! I sure hope Billy and I are as cute as they were playing croquet when we’re retired. I will eventually look forward to playing croquet, sipping fresh lemonade and wearing argyle all the while discussing the latest topics and how the grandchildren are coming to visit next week. I really shouldn't rush life but doesn't that sound wonderful? ha.

Afterwards, we had to make a pit-stop to Lowes. While Billy practically lives at Lowes, I don’t get to go as often as I like. I would imagine the typical date night was dinner, a movie and making a stop by the local hardware store. That’s what my parents did anyhow but mine don't quite go like that. I have to bribe to get him to go with me however; we desperately needed to get a plan together for our flower bed that died this winter. So we went in to research the garden center. We aren't professionals and we still need to edge and mulch this week but we are almost there! I should've taken a 'before' picture to show you all how bad our starting point was.

We are off to the big city this week; I hope to have some fun pictures and stories to share once we return.

Updating Connie's Logo

When Connie contacted me about a new logo to update her photography business brand, I was excited. It's always fun to begin a task of designing the perfect logo to fit a business's needs.  We worked closely together through proofing until we came up with her new business identity. I hope Connie is just as pleased as I am, I think her new logo is lovely and will look perfect on her fabulous photographs.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Easter

(Our little bunny)

Celebrating the resurrection was so special. It was such a reminder of how thankful I am and need to be on a regular basis for what Jesus did for all of us. Yesterday, church was really good and reminded me of what is important. My Pastor does not preach to impress the masses but preaches God's word from his heart and each time he preaches I learn something new. I'm so thankful the Lord led Billy and I to Celebration. The best part, it's only a few miles from our home.

After church we went to have Easter dinner with my parents. While we missed Jordan, Oana and Carlo terribly...the dinner was fantastic! My mom can cook with the best of them. Nothing beats a good Sunday dinner at her house. I told her to watch out…when my brother and his family are finally home living here in FL, she's on dinner duty after church every Sunday! Mom has a gift of making each holiday really special. Here are a few pictures of our dinner with them. Afterwards, Billy and I headed home to see our boy, Oliver, and play in the sun. It was beautiful day!

Easter Bunny (mom) gave me this gorgeous Waterford vase from Ireland filled with flowers.

Update from Afghanistan

I had a chance to talk to my brother, Jordan, today. It was really nice to catch up with him and hear how he is doing. It's not always easy to have my only sibling (or any sibling for that matter for those blessed with several) a world away and in danger zone. I’m so thankful for technology and the ease it gives in communicating. Can you imagine what WWI&II was like for families? I don’t even want to fathom life without my dear friend, Instant Messenger!

In spirit of April Fools Day I wanted to tease Jordan but didn't have the heart to do so. I remember the last year that Jordan was home on April Fools Day. He came to my office and we decided to tag team. We had a lot of really good jokes that year…I’m sure our friends and family didn’t appreciate them as much as we did. It was fun nonetheless. Since that day of pranks I realized that the wisest thing is to never believe what people tell you on April 1st. So to those out there that I talked to today, I didn’t believe half of what you told me. :)

Here are a few recent pix of Jordan in Afghan. I hope you all have a divine weekend with your families as we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Lord. Jesus IS alive and I'm so glad He is!

     

Annoyances: not for the sensitive at heart

I have a few random thoughts from the past week or two that keep coming to mind and I just have to share/vent them on my public space…that’s part of having a blog, right? Here we go...

• My mom put an E on my name for a reason. I am not brook, I am Brooke…it looks finished with an E. I’m starting a new trend by replying and misspelling your name on purpose. It may be wrong but it makes me feel better. :)

• I am a rules follower, always have been. I don’t understand those who think rules do not apply to them…if you sign up for a full time job/event, work full time. Otherwise, you are stealing.

• Some may have been a queen in HS but your crown is long gone, so stop acting like you are Ms. America. News flash: the world doesn’t revolve around you and you're not that cute anymore.

• I am looking into purchasing a few Miss Manners' Books; I’ve realized I need to gift these to a few friends and family.

• I hate cats. I do. They make me sneeze and I have one that lives near me that likes to use my front porch. It’s time to invest in a bb gun… it worked when we were kids! Harsh? Yes. Works? Yes.

• I struggle with sympathy, I get it honestly. If you are a hypochondriac and cry wolf all the time…I stop giving sympathy so don’t look here for it.

• Politics – don’t leave defensive comments for all to see if you don’t know what you are talking about! Get informed, stay informed. It’s imperative for our future.

****Disclaimer: if you see yourself in the blog post, don’t blame me.****