Breaking News!!!

Hey everyone,
I have been out of touch with my blog for several days now. We've had two major things come up that have kept us extremely busy over the last several days.

Let me start out by saying Mom is fine. Things are okay. Having said that, we were in the ER last Thursday after she had been home sick with what we thought was some sort of bug. When she started gettting a high fever and flu-like symptoms, we called the doctor. After just telling him she had a temperature over 100 degrees, Ryan hung up the phone and said that we needed to take her in. What the concern was in all of us was possible kidney rejection. High fever and flu-like symptoms are a sign for that. After a night in the ER running tests, we learned that she had a UTI (urinary tract infection). Crappy, but better news than rejection. She was hospitalized until late Saturday night but began feeling much better once they started her on fluids and antibiotics introveniously. She is doing much better now, however they are watching her levels because the infection made them go a bit crazy. As far as we know, her kidney is just fine.

While in the hospital, several of the nurses who were there the night she coded blue (night after transplant surgery) came in to say hi. One nurse began to explain what that night was like. It certainly took my breath away to hear those facts straight from this nurse. I asked all sorts of questions and choked-up as I pictured it. It still amazes me that at least one representaive from each and every area of the hospital came running to her room--ER, X-RAY, Lifeflight, Shock Trauma, you name it and they were there. That would have been about 25 people crammed in her room and that same amount standing outside. Remember that I was out cold the night after surgery and knew not what was happening. As I heard these things, I felt so bad for Ryan and what he must have been going through. WOW! When Ry and I talked about it again, he told me the one thing running through his mind that night was, how would I tell Steph her mom didn't make it?

Not that for once I forgot or wasn't thankful of this incredible miracle but since the surgery, life has seemed to take over for me and the day-to-day hustle has consumed me. This was a blessing and gentle reminder to me just how precious life is and that when it comes down to it, all that really matters are the relationships. My mom is here for a reason and I never want to take that for granted. I have huge admiration to Ry for his strengh, courage and support he is to us all and I appreciate him more than he will ever know.

Now, how do I make a smooth transition from that subject to my next? Well, I will just go ahead and blurt it out. I have accepted a new job offer as Concept Artist (still with SU!). This past week has been full of emotion as I have gone back & forth between a job that makes me happy, where I can be myself, where I have the best of friends, to the job that deep down has always been a dream opportunity for me. I know I will still be able to see my current co-workers often--maybe not 40 hrs per week but often. The friendships will always be there. I am excited to get to know my new team and learn from their creative brilliance. I explained what my job is currently already and I will briefly explain my new one. I still get to create samples for our company, however they will be seen in our catalog as well as our magazine that goes to demos and various PR projects. I am really excited for the opportunity and will keep you posted. First day is September 15. Just wait until you see my new desk!

Alright, gotta run to swim lessons--not me....Bentley!!

A Pre-Reunion Reunion

So...this year marks the WJHS Class of '98 ten-year reunie!! It all started with an exciting phone call two days before the big night. I was absolutely thrilled when A of all, Janet Clawson Shumway herself called me up and B of all, asked for my help with the banners for the reunion. (my banner-making skills are backed by several years of experience and clearly my marketing strategies are highly effective because she heard about me all the way in Las Vegas! Who woulda thought!) Anyway, enough about me. We decided to meet later that night at Karlin's for a "pre-reunion reunion" if you will. I was so excited because I hadn't seen these gals for many years. We were pretty close our Senior year and also that summer. Then college life, jobs, marriage and kids came and we all seemed to go our separate ways--you know the story.

(This is me and this is Janet)

Now, understand me when I say Karlin's home was breath-taking. It was (is) so beautiful! Bentley sure had a fun time playing in Avery's special play room but most of all, going pee in the miniature-sized real toilet. Of course she told me she didn't have to go to the bathroom, but the second she saw that toilet, she suddenly had to go. She giggled the whole time. (Avery has a special "kids" toilet installed in her bathroom and it is hilarious and so dang cute! but I forgot to take a pic!)

It was such a fun night, catching up, laughing, reminsicing and of course re-living the high school SBO/Class Officer days of banner-making until way late at night. (Janet, me, Val and Karlin)

I know Miss B had a fun time. Her night started out with the mini toilie experience of course, then for a nice soak in the hot tub.

Bentley, Avery, Ben, Luke and Zach

The night ended quietly, as all the kids gathered in the theatre room for a very late-night showing of Peter Pan.

Jason and Ryan were there as well...being good sports as the girls chatted it up until 11:00 pm. Thanks guys! It was a fun night...you gals are pure sweet!!

Coming up next....my WJHS Ten Year Reunion Post!! (I know you just can't wait!)

What I Do for a Living: 101

Okay so, I've heard it all when I tell people where I work. "You work for like, a dance company?", "Oh, you work for a little scrapbook store?", "You actually have men that work there?", and my favorite "You work for a step company?". And that's just about the name of the company. When I try to explain my job and the business model, it just confuses people. That is why I thought I would give some insight into what I do each and every day 40 hrs a week. Hang in there, this could be a long post.

We are a direct-sales company who manufactures our own decorative rubber stamps. We have independant consultants called demonstrators who sign-up to sell our products, which by the way are not sold in stores. They can only be purchased through a demonstrator. Currently, more than 40,000 demonstrators from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom teach the art of rubber stamping and share their enthusiasm for rubber stamping, scrapbooking, and card making.

SU! operates two state-of-the-art facilities: an 80,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Kanab, Utah, and a 300,000-square-foot home office and distribution center in Riverton, Utah.

So, after 2 years in the accounting department I was informed about a job opening in Demonstrator Training. This is where I am today, where I create training pieces for our demonstrators to sell our product more effectively. We give them the tools they need to have a successful business.

One of the major focuses in our department is events. We hold 2 major events in the US per year including Leadership and Convention. Then throughout the year, our facilitators travel to various locations for regional trainings as well as Conventions and regionals around the world. Our events are for our demonstrators and not aimed towards the general public. At the event, we provide business classes, stamping presentations and a party atmosphere. These events are what we gear-up for for several months leading up to it.

So what exactly do I do? Well, I get to create samples the demonstrators will see at these events, so they can copy those and use them in thier businesses. It is fun to make beautiful projects but it can be stressful too. It's important to keep the demonstrator in mind as we create projects. We always ask ourselves how cost effective is the project? What products should be focused on for encouraging sales? Who is our target market? What is the purpose of the project? and so on.

One major focus of projects at these events is Make & Takes. The demonstrators are handed a packet and stamp sets in order to create 4-8 projects over 2-4 days. They will leave the event with finished samples to take and show to thier customers to encourage sales. I will have to post the projects we designed later. I still haven't made a set for myself.

Convention was just held here in Salt Lake in July. Here is a photo of one of the two make & take halls. We held 3 sessions (one per day of convention). This particular group was about 1,000. It sure is a cool feeling to look out into a sea of women (and some men) making the projects we came up with and being very excited. Most of them love the ideas and are very grateful. Some are just mean but we try not to focus on those comments.

Here is a shot taken on check-in day. This was the line for Memento Mall, where they can buy SU! logo merchandise specific to Convention. It went all the way down the hall and back around. 3 hours long!!!

This is opening general session. Without actually seeing convention, it's hard to comprehend what the energy is like. Doors open at 7:30 am and if staff is not against the wall, we will be trampled. The demos literally come sprinting in to get front row seats (you think I'm being dramatic but not this time). During opening session, there are roughly 6,000 people in the audience. Most of them love the SU! staff and several of us have even been asked to "autograph" catalogs for demos. Ha ha that was so dang hilarious!! These ladies love what they do and really give us the energy and inspiration we need to do our jobs well.

Another major focus of my team's work is for on-stage presentations. We work with the facilitator in what the objectives are and then our team comes us with what they will show. (sometimes facilitators stamp their own projects, it just depends). Here is my co-worker Jaron (a facilitator or presenter). He is so loved by the demos. Some have shirts made saying "Got Jaron?", they give him presents and projects and the list goes on. So, here he is presenting a scrapbook.

Last year, Ang and I had a great opportunity to present our own creations. Here I am backstage with Miss. (Ry and B flew in to Denver to see us).

This was the set last year in Denver. It's hard to see just how big the space really is!

Thurl Bailey is on our Board of Directors, so we posed with him backstage after our presentation.

I really love my job and I love the people I work with. We have a good time. Thanks for letting me talk about my passion for creativity and my work. I'll have to chat more about it some other time.

Obon Festival

Earlier in July we participated in the annual Obon Festival. This is a very special tradition my family has been involved in ever since my mom was little. In 28 (yikes!) years I've never missed it. It is something I look forward to each year and with it brings many memories. I am so grateful to pass along this wonderful tradition to Bentley and teach her a bit about our family's heritage.

This year I was especially glad that some of the girls and their kids could join us in the festivities. I have to give a shout-out to Julie for (lack of better terms) resurrecting those dance moves! Julie and I did this for several years as youngsters and this summer, she came back for her re-appearance for quite the roaring crowd. Her style, grace, and dexterity certainly demonstrated to the audience she is a born-obon dancer of high caliber. Go Julie! We have been trying to reach her agent to see if she will come next year for another highly anticipated appearance and just can't seem to get them. We'll keep trying!