Labor day weekend

I finally have more than just a few minutes to sit down and tell my tale of this Labor day weekend. To begin, I must say that Labor day weekend last year entailed Vicky passing the scrapbook weekend planning to me and after a long, slow start, I began planning another scrapbook weekend for my crafty friends. I felt a little overwhelmed with the task at first. After all, how is one supposed to follow on the heals of such a good organizer/planner and think the plans will come even close?

Of course, having never planned anything more than a birthday party or a mother/daughter activity days dinner, I was not sure how good of a job I could do. However, since scrapbooking with my girlfriends was involved, it was an undertaking I was willing to try. With Vicky's help and support, we began to search for a place to scrap. Of course I get the credit this trip for the planning and carrying out the event, but Vicky really deserves the credit for a lot of it, because she was key in choosing a location. Thanks for all the help, Vicky!

(For those of you who didn't see it, here is the living room with furniture in it instead of tables and scrap items as far as the eyes can see)

I must say that I was surprisingly calm about heading up this event. I would normally have been a stress case trying to figure out all the details, but having all my lovely friends behind me to help along the way, it was surprisingly easy! As a matter of fact, I have no problem doing it again next year! All those who came were so very helpful in all the meal preparations, furniture moving, and clean-up, that I wasn't stressed at all. I was able to sit back and enjoy myself.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself this weekend! I loved that we has a little bit closer quarters this year. I felt that we could all talk and enjoy eachother's company better because of how we were able to arrange the room. One of the funnest parts of all about scrapbooking with friends is being able to share all the tools, supplies and ideas we have. I must admit that my very favorite part of the trip is all the giggles I share with friends. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. We had a great time!

I also must say that I am thoroughly impressed with Vicky's packing ability. She took all this:

and fit it into my car like this: Amazing isn't it. To look at the stuff, you would never think it would fit! We even added my huge box of paper in the spot on the tables and a few other items not pictured against the guest house wall.

Our trip home went surprisingly well. Being Labor day, I thought we may get stopped in traffic. Instead we sailed home in two and a half hours. Not bad! I had just wished we had left the house an hour earlier! I realized that I would be returning home an hour after my kids bedtime and I just wanted so badly to give them all great big hugs. I had enjoyed my time away from all the responsibilities of everyday life, but I missed my kids and was sad that I would have to wait till the morning to give them their big squeezes.

I returned home at 9:30pm to a very dark house. I was then surprised to have my three little munchkins come running out to me in their jammies to great me. I can't tell you how good it felt to hug them tight that night! They quickly led me into the house to show me a surprise. I walked in and saw a clean entry way. Over the half wall, someone had neatly set up a little music area for Jordan to practice his violin. I went into the kitchen to find clean, shinny counters as well. Wow, my family had cleaned the downstairs. My heart was so happy to see that surprise.

Just when I thought my surprise was complete, my kids brought me upstairs to a clean bonus room as well. I then lost it. The tears began to flow and I was so touched and amazed that my family would spend all that free time cleaning the house for me. They had already sacrificed by having me gone for five days, but on top of that, they spent their holiday weekend cleaning for me. I was so overcome with emotion! I have never felt more loved in my life. I had just left Palm Desert with the love and support of my friends and came home to my cup running over with love from my family.

Thank you to all for making my Labor day weekend the best one I have ever had!

As a side note, my plumaria flowered for the first time while I was gone. I am glad it stuck around long enough for me to see it. They are my favorite flower and the smell is to die for! Isn't it pretty?