Sunday, January 28, 2007

Hello from CHA!

We have seen lots of great new product. We have taken lots of cool new classes....

Hoping to share some of the wonderful things we have seen.

Keep watching for updates.... You never know what you will see!

HELLO FROM SUNNY CAL-I-FOR-NI-A!

Can I just tell you..... As if you had any other ideas about this.... I am having a BLAST at CHA Winter show!!!! While you were dealing with 7 degree weather the other day, I was contemplating having a dip in the pool.... YUP, I did just say that! CA is wonderful! I can't believe I am actually here. Missing my hubby... just feels like something is missing... like I shouldn't be here having this good of a time without him......... and how sweet is Doreen's husband? So sweet that he surprised her with a trip here to see her! Yup, that is worth like, 5000 points in my book! Lucky girl!

And the new product! OH MY GOODNESS! Just you wait!

Fancy Pants clear stamps, 12x12 and 6x6, simply beautiful!

Cosmo Cricket lacing card kits, so very cool.

Doodlebug - love it all!

Adornit by Carolee's Creations - Gorgeous!

Ink-a-dink-a-do - so freaking cute! Love the clear stamps!

Basic Gray.... What's not to like there!

I haven't even seen everything yet! There is so much to look at, so many people to talk to, so much product, I just didn't know where to start! Lots left to see. Still haven't made it to the Flair booth to visit with Donna or the Creative Imaginations booth to see Cheryl, although I did get a quick hug from her... that was nice!

I have taken some great classes too, some of which will soon be offered at SPM. Took lots of pictures too. I will be sure to share some of those later....

Well, I am off to the pool, or should I have a dip in the hot tub??? Geesh, the choices I have to make! =)

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Happy News, Not so happy news......

First things first.... I'M GOING TO CALIFORNIA! Anaheim, CA that is! Yup, I'm leaving on a jet plane on Friday. (at 6:00 in the morning! YIKES!) Doreen from SPM and I will be attending CHA Winter convention together. I am too excited for words. Of course, at 6:00am, there wont be many words coming from this chick! I am hoping to be able to post some pics of the new things I will see while I am there. Stop back here to see what's new. Hoping to meet Martha..... Yup, the one and only Martha Stewart will be there. Too exciting!

On the not-so-happy front, I was offered the job with the magazine publisher tonight. Great, right? Well, yeah, REALLY GREAT! However, it would be a latteral move in pay for me and I couldn't justify leaving Harrington House for that and less benefits. That is the hardest decision I have had to make lately. I'm still not so sure it was the right one. It felt so right when I was there. I almost feel like..... I don't know....... sad I guess. Hard feelings. Of course, i would have felt bad if I left Anne and HH. 6 of one, half dozen of another, I guess. This too shall pass. C'est la vie.......................................................................

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Hi Annie!!!!

Yup, you found me... :)


Now be nice.............


A friend said to me tonight that I should post pics of the Patriots game that I went to so, here they are. I am feeling lucky for this Sunday night.... 2007 AFC Champions! I can feel it in my bones!
Think good thought for me tomorrow. I go in for my 2nd interview... I hate this really. Is there life after Harrington House? Will I make the right decision? What IS the right decision? I will get a better feeling tomorrow night.... I'm sure of it. ...... . . . . . . . Sort of...... . . . . . .

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Interviews.......

Well, I have two down. Well, one and a half.... I will explain.

The first one was for a magazine publisher looking for an Office Manager. The environment was great, right up my alley. The interview went very well too. I felt very comfortable with her. The only drawback that I can see right now is the money and benefits. Because it is a small office, they don't offer the large benny's that I get now, like life insurance, disability, 401k, etc. She also doesn't think she can get me the money I need. So, I weigh my options and wait for a call. She said that she was very impressed with me and that she would call later this week. Still holding out hope though.

The second "meeting" was last night in Mansfield. And I mean meeting. It wasn't an actual interview. It was a meet and greet session. The strangest thing I have ever seen, but oddly enough, it was rather ingenious. The company is planning on expanding to over double it's current size so they are in need of LOTS of different positions. Their thought is to bring in all the current employees and also the candidates for the open positions and have them mingle together; meet and greet. Now, for those that know me, you know that when I first meet someone I have a rather shy side to me, so this environment was rather challenging for me. It was hard to say, Hi I'm Stacey and I am here for the Office Admin. position. You need to hire me because........ UGH! Anyway, this is the best way they found to get lots of people together at once. There was a sign up sheet and if you liked who you talked to and it looked like a cool place to work and you wanted an actual interview, you would write your name on the sign up sheet. That way, there was confidentiality and no hard feelings if you didn't want to come back. Well, I put my name on the list for a follow-up. We will see what happens from here.

I think if I was to move from my current job and got more money and benny's and everything, this would be the natural choice for me. Although I love the creative environment of the magazine...... but there is probably more room for growth in a company this size than the 6 person team at the other job. And I'm sure I can make more money here...... Plus it is only 15 minutes from my house! BONUS! No more traveling 40 minutes to work! Yippee! I digress....

So now I wait...... Fingers crossed.... feeling badly about wanting to leave Harrington House..... I guess it is my 7 year itch..... Think good thoughts for me.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Just another SPM update.....

I wanted to invite everyone to a new message board that I am "running". It is on the SPM website or you can go here to see it. I hope you stop by and say hello..... I am feeling kind of lonely there.......



Well, I also need some good thoughts and positive energy coming my way. I am interviewing tomorrow for a new position as an office manager. I am very excited but nervous and anxious at the same time. It isn't that I want to leave my present job... I LOVE my boss.... I couldn't ask for a better person to work with. What I don't like is the mileage that I am putting on my car, I would love more responsibility and of course, more money. However, now that my boss knows that I am interviewing, she has put in a request for more money to keep me.....quite a bit more money. It would really help out. I am so flattered and hate the thought of leaving her, but the challenge of starting something new and meeting new people and wanting to better myself is very intriguing to me. I have been there 7 years, and well, I guess I am starting to get that itch. Anyway, think good thoughts for me tomorrow morning at 8:15. I have another interview Monday night too... not sure about that one, but it is worth the shot. Fingers crossed that if it is meant to be, it will be.

Monday, January 01, 2007

2007 ~ Happy New Year!

What did you do to ring in the new year?

This is what we did.....

What an amazing little B&B. We hope to go back again soon.
Much better than staying home and eating chinese and renting a movie.... although I would have been happy doing anything, as long as I spent it with my hubby.