Unbelievable!

Unbelievable! That is the only way to describe Creative Memories New Product Line for JUNE! Yes, I realize that it is only May 1st, but if you aren't in contact with a Creative Memories Consultant Now, you are going to really wish you were.

Diplomas to frame...no problem!
Anniversary present...got you covered!
New baby, ahh!...so sweet!
Wedding...pure bliss!

WAIT you forgot that you need a teacher gift, or a coach gift, or Mother's Day, Father's Day...not an issue any longer. Give a gift that will keep them talking about the event for years to come.

www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy amazing things are on the way.

In the meantime, how about getting those pictures organized. Did you know memory cards can erase themselves without warning? Don't be left unprotected.

I love my job!!!!

Tough Lessons to Learn

Being a parent is not easy. There are hard lessons all around us that we need to continually see our children through. We need to guide and direct, insist on bedtimes and eating good foods. We need to laugh and hug and love.

Sometimes we need to pick them back up off the ground and explain why the world or people do things that don't make sense and that skinned hands and sometimes knees happen when others make poor choices. Just the same, we need to wash ourselves off and move forward. Not always an easy job to do. It hurts to be treated poorly, but we could continue the cycle and make others hurt, or offer forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn't mean that we are going to let someone continue to make poor choices that hurt us. It may mean creating some space in a relationship and putting up some boundaries so we don't continue to get hurt. But it also means seeing someone the way God sees them. Choosing to love and rebuild instead of tearing down.

Zach learned the lesson this morning while waiting for the bus. He got skinned hands, and didn't get to finish talking to the child that had been involved. Yet, he did get to talk to me about forgiving someone in our heart and deciding to put it in the past and move on. Hopefully, the other child will see his compassion and learn other choices.

Skill of Asking Questions

Last night I listened to a teletraining session on the Skill of Asking Questions. It was a really good call for my Creative Memories business, but it was also a good call for life. One of the keys to the call was taking the time to be interested instead of just interesting. It's not an easy thing to do, but it puts the people first and what they need. What do they need? A way to celebrate their memories and preserve their photos.

It is an exciting time, and there is so much that people can learn to help them organize and preserve those photos.

Time to get back on the phone and be interested in what is going on with the lives of the people I know.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is in bloom, the grass is green and the junk has piled up! It's time to take back the house, for the winter and all the activities and sort through what is needed and what is not.

The best plan for me is Emilee Barnes 15 Minute Organizer. It allows me to work for 15 minutes at a time and get a small job done before moving on to something else. It's amazing how good it feels just to have the linen closet put back together. Besides, many of the jobs can be done while making phone calls, which for my business is a real bonus!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Red Hot

What a game! I realize that it has been a few days since the game, but still GO WINGS! Now I realize that the Wings are to Hockey what the Yankees are to baseball (at least for many people) You either love them or hate them, and hardly anyone is in between. Proof of that is listening to many of the NBC and VS commentators.

"Didn't think they could pull it together"
"They are so old"
"With the kid in goal, who knows what will happen"

Well, now I'd love to be called a kid at 35 BUT SERIOUSLY! Ozzy is not a kid, he has been playing a top level all year. In fact it certainly could be argued that he should have been the #1 all year and not just the #1 after Hasek couldn't handle the playoffs. And about pulling it together, the team has not been perfect all year, but did anyone else have that many points or win the Presidents Trophy?

The best commentator so far in the playoffs has been the guy calling the game. He gets excited for both teams when they score and seems to have the ability to stay neutral. I'd rather hear them stay neutral then be one sided for a team.

So, Tuesday night in good old Colorado. Anything can happen I suppose, but when you're on fire you might as well keep burning! Of course if you follow the one commentators advice and put Jose Theodore back in net the fire might get even hotter!

GO WINGS!

Just One Word

Ozzy! That's all I have to say about that! Red hot Wings melt Avs in Game 1

Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy!

There is one thing that follows the word Dominic Hasek at our house, at least by me anyway. And that is "he sucks". Ok, I'm not usually for putting people down, and he was definitely a wonderful goalie in his time BUT HELLO his time has come and gone. Now I'm all for mature players, like Cheli for instance being able to maintain their game and play well for years beyond what others may think is normal. Captain America is in great shape though, and as far as I know doesn't forget to pay attention during a game and doesn't talk to pucks. This all leads me to the point that FINALLY someone seems to be paying attention.

When Hasek got pulled during the series my first thought was great, they'll put Ozzy in, then during the next game they'll switch him. Our son plays hockey and I'm always saying we just need to trust the coaches. And while I'm not directly involved with the Red Wings, we do feel at times while watching that we are involved. So I guess it's back to the saying of trust the coaches.

My husband can verify that I have been saying all year that they should just go with Ozzy. I just read yesterday, probably later than anyone else that Ozzy has been given the nod for the next round.

Some of you may think WHAT??? But around here it's time for the Wizard of Oz! GO OZZY, GO WINGS, GO SHANNY (oh, sorry, some habits are hard to get rid of!)

Incidentally, if you have been reading this blog you may have just seen the pictures of Flat Stanley at Lord Stanley park. I'm praying that is a sign of what is to come.

Flat Stanley Hits Canada!

We just received this letter from our new friend in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Up until now the only thing we really knew about the area was that the Canucks play there. Now we know so much more! Here Flat is learning about totem poles.

Dear Zachary,
Well my friend Sandy sent me Flat Stanley and I and a friend Katrina took him on a tour of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The first few photos were taken at the campus of the University of British Columbia at the Aboriginal, Native Arts Museum. Flat Stanley met a totem pole that was carved many years ago by a carver from the Haida Gwai Band. They are coastal Aboriginals that are known all over the world for their amazing masks and totem poles.
The next place we took Flat Stanley was Stanley Park!! And he was introduced to Major Stanley for whom the park is named.
And finally, we went down to the beach along the Westend of Vancouver and visited an Inukshuk. If you look at the logo for the 2010 Winter Olympics you will see an Inukshuk. These are made by the Inuit people who are Aboriginals way up North in the Province called Nunivuit. . .near the Arctic Circle. . .The Inuit are what you Yanks would call Eskimos!!
Inukshuks are large stones placed to mark a territory, give directions or to represent something. . .like a man in this case. If you look at the stones they are formed to look like a giant man.
Flat Stanley really liked Vancouver a lot. He especially liked driving around in the car with us. I think Flat Stanley hopes, some day, that you too can visit our beautiful city!!
Right now, we're preparing Flat Stanley for a long trip across the Pacific Ocean to visit the land down under. . .who knows maybe he'll see some roos!!
Have a g'day!
Geri De Stefano-Webre, Ph.D.
Can you believe he went to Lord Stanley (of Stanley Cup Fame) Park??? We can just picture Lord Stanley here hoisting the cup above his head. (I'd be remiss to not type GO WINGS right now!) Anyway, perhaps our little hockey player Zach will also get to hoist the cup someday.

A Letter from Flat Stanley

Hello, Zachary! your friend Flat Stanley asked me to type this for him:



YO, Zachary! Flat Stanley here! I've been in Oregon the last week, visiting with Sandy Richards. She is a friend of your Aunt Barb and Uncle Chuck's. She met them a couple years ago when they were on a photo trip to the Galapagos Islands. They have huge turtles there, and funny birds and odd reptiles. They even saw penguins, even though it was 80 degrees ! Can you find the Galapagos Islands on your globe?
Hint: look west of Ecuador, in south america.


I like Oregon, but it's awfully wet here. It has rained almost every day. Here is a picture of me and Sandy on her deck overlooking her river. Sandy caught s little salmon yesterday, and we ate him for dinner. Salmon is delicious! But i think i like hamburgers and ice cream better.

We drove up to the top of Mt. Hood a few days ago. We wanted to take a picture there, too, but it was snowing so hard we couldn't see a thing! We read about Mt. Hood - it is part of the Cascade mountain range, and more Han 11,200 feet high.
Sandy was born in Toledo, not very far from you, and she visits her relatives there every year. She loves Lake Erie, but there are no mountains there.

Spring has almost come to Oregon! daffodils and crocuses are up, and the magnolias and rhododendrons are blooming. Finally, winter is over. By the time I get home to you, the flowers will be up there too.

Now I'm off for an other adventure!!! Sandy knows I have been to many countries with your Aunt Barb, and thought it would be fun for me to see ANOTHER country.
Can you guess where I'm going next? Here are some clues:

It is a VERY VERY big country. the west coast touches the pacific ocean, and the east coast touches the Atlantic ocean! The US has a president, but this country has a QUEEN ! The people love ice hockey much more than football. the symbol of the US is a Bald Eagle, but the symbol for this country is the Maple leaf.

I'll be visiting with Sandy's friend Geri there, and Geri will tell you more about her country when we write to you from there.

I miss you, Zachary, and I'll be home soon.

Love,

Flat Stanley
(typed by your friend, Sandy Richards)

Flat Stanley Is in Oregon

Flat Stanley is visiting with Sandy Richards in Sandy, Oregon. It is a little town east of Portland. He was sent there by our Aunt Barb and Uncle Chuck.

While Flat Stanley has been enjoying his travels he says that it is "too COLD and too RAINY" in Oregon in the Winter. He likes snow better and is looking forward to returning to Ohio this Spring. He can hardly wait to share all of his stories with Zach. In the meantime, he is going to be taking some pictures in Oregon soon and then off on another exciting adventure.

So Much Snow!

As many already know this was the weekend when the snow really hit Ohio (as well as many other places). We were scheduled to drive down to Cincinnati on Friday for a weekend with my sister and her family. It is so hard to find time to get together, and part of our reason for going was she had purchased a ticket for Katie to go see High School the Musical on stage, so we really didn't want to miss it.

We started out at 4 pm on Friday and the roads were basically fine. They were plowed for the most part, or at least had tracks in the lanes that you could stay in. That is until we were 20 miles south of Columbus. Then suddenly as if we were transported to another place the roads were barely touched. Now I realize that all of Ohio does not get as much snow as we up here in the Cleveland area are used to getting. Still, last time I checked Ohio was a Northern State, and it would stand to reason that in the North during the winter you will see snow. Apparently, that is not the reasoning in Southern Ohio as the roads were barely plowed and you couldn't have seen a lane if you wanted too.

While driving across 275 towards 74 in Cincy I finally said "this is the choose your own lane version of driving" Now I know there are more hills in the Cincy area then in Cleveland, I get that. I just think that if you go over a street enough you will get it basically down to the pavement, and much easier to drive on. Just a thought from watching it down in the North!

Anyway, we managed to make it to Cincy in 6 1/2 hours, and then on Sunday home in 4 1/2. I guess truly that isn't bad. We were safe and Katie loved seeing High School the Musical. So in the end the weekend was well worth it. Not sure I'd drive back down that way when there is a major snow storm hitting, but...

So now we're home. The driveway is plowed out, the roads are clear. Already made it to the gym and grocery store and the kids are off to school. The only bad thing about all the snow for us now is the poor dog is having a terrible time getting out into the yard. We shovelled her a little path, but she is 11 years old and thinks she needs to be out in the yard where she would normally go. Consequently, she is trudging her way through the snow, almost getting stuck to go out there. She's a 95 lb black lab, I hate to think what it must be like for anyone with a tiny dog!

Happy snow from the Cleveland Area. Hopefully, this is it for the winter, but around here you never quite know.

Spring Framing Promotion

I can't believe it is back! Creative Memories is launching a framing promotion like the one they offered in December. It is incredible. I'm so excited about it I can hardly stand it. For only $67 plus $10 s/h you can have a beautifully framed masterpiece for Mother's or Father's Day or Graduation! Really like your teacher...why not make one for them as well!

All you do is pick 1 4x6 photo, 1 of the framing choices and 1 of the sayings:

The Biggest Adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams
Be Strong Be Forever who You Are
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.
The measure of a man is in the lives he's touched
A Mother is someone who can take the place of everyone else, but no one in the world can take her place
Nothing can dim the Light that shines within
All our Dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them
Live isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments!

It's just too cool! The only problem really is deciding who NOT to buy one for, because everyone will love this gift. Guess Mother's Day, and Father's Day shopping is done!

As always to find out more check out www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy or email me at kropwithkathy@yahoo.com

Blank Space

Funny how something as simple as blank space on a calendar can really improve so many things. I'm looking at my calendar now, and while there are many things written on it, there are even more things Not written on it. For once in a long time there is space.

The real question is how to keep that space there. It's a matter of choices and we all make so many of them and get pulled in so many directions. As one thing ends we quickly pick up the next thing. And while many of them are good things, there are simply to many of them.

God wants to give us life to the full. Not necessarily a over full life. We, in general, are over tired, over committed, over busy people. I read the kids the Berenstain Bears Too Much Pressure book the other night, and chuckled to myself about having time to just sit around and do nothing. What a concept!

Spring is almost here (I can dream at least) so it's time for a new look at things. This year, I want to have time to sit around with my family and choose to do nothing. Time to say "yes" when the kids ask to play a game or watch tv. Time to say "yes" to just being together without it being a planned trip somewhere.

It sure makes the whole day look brighter when you can see space at the end of the day to relax.

True Champions

True Champions come in every shape and size. They are the ones that fight through a situation and walk out better for what they went through. They don't always win, they aren't always happy with the results. Sometimes they questions what went wrong, and always they look for how they could have done better.

I can think of 14 true champions that stepped off the ice yesterday morning. Their eyes were wet, disappointed by the results of a game that didn't go the way they had dreamed of or hoped for. Some felt bad that they had tears in their eyes and were promptly reminded that it's ok to be sad about not achieving what you wanted to achieve. All of them were surrounded by parents who love them and were proud of what they had accomplished. It's not everyday that 14 kids who basically don't know each other, have different skills and different experience on and off the ice come together and form a team. They spend time with 3 Coaches willing to sacrifice their time to teach a game that they love, willing to guide and direct these 14 kids to something that is incredible.

Preseason was filled with losses and changes, then tournaments entered the picture and this group of kids became a team. They attended 3 tournaments placing 2nd, 1st and 3rd. They went on to win 11 regular season games and skated into the playoffs in 2nd place. In the end they skated off the ice still in 2nd. Disappointed, yes. But changed by what they went through definitely.

I don't know what all the families talked about yesterday. I can tell you that at our house we asked our son about whether or not he had fun. Did he remember enjoying the opportunity, standing on the ice for the National Anthem, and getting directions from his coaches. Did he remember the plays that worked, and fighting for the puck to keep the team in the game. Did he remember hearing the parents cheer for the team, and did he watch us rise to our feet to cheer them even after the overtime loss. With tears still fresh in his eyes he said that he did have fun, and that he did remember the other things as well.

Congratulations North Olmsted Mite A3 team. You did a great job and should be proud of your accomplishments!

And congratulations to our Strongsville Mustang Mite A3 team. You showed us time and time again that hard work and determination will take you far, that playing as a team can and should be fun, and that at the end of the day there is always another sheet of ice out there waiting to be played on.

STOP IT

Ok, I'm sure this is really not going to prove anything BUT whoever keeps posting bogus comments on my blog STOP! If you are looking for something to do with your ability to create viruses and use the computer search for ways to cure cancer or stop world hunger and leave me alone!!!!!!!!!


So, it might not have helped but it sure makes me feel a bit better.

For those of you who truly read my site and care to make a legitimate comment I'd love to hear from you!

Patriot's Day Tournament Niagara Falls

OOOOOH is it cold outside! This weekend we are in Niagara Falls, New York for the Patriot Day Hockey Tournament being held here at Niagara University. We arrived Friday evening in order for the boys to play their first game this morning at 6:30 AM.

They played a hard game, but a dissapointing one none the less. The Columbus team beat our Strongsville Mustang team 6-0. Regardless, the boys held their heads high. Afterwards we headed out to Denny's for breakfast. Then over to see the falls for the first time. Both Phil and I had seen the falls as kids but this was a first experience for Zach and Katie. They thought the falls were cool, but thought throwing snowballs and chunks of ice over the fence was even more fun.


Here's a quick shot of the kids we were with this morning in front of the falls. Quick because A it was really, really cold that close to the falls with the water spraying all over. And B-quick because the kids were far more interested in throwing the ice and snow.

We came back to the hotel after visiting the Niagara Aquarium and managed to get the kids to nap for a bit before our next game. The boys once again played hard, and had fun. The parents cheered and yelled and mostly have laryngitis at this point. BUT despite the cheering and the yelling the team fell to a 7-1 loss. We're headed off to a team dinner and time hanging out with our hockey family, but for now the kids are off in the pool hopeing to recapture the fun that this weekend is suppose to be made of.

So as the voices of the California kids echo from the hill outside in their attempt to live the Northern life of sledding, and the sound of hockey players fill the hallway with the sound of hotel hockey I can only be reminded of the catch phrase of many Master Card Commercials.

4 hours of driving, 5:30 am -witnessing an unused sheet of ice, the feel of putting on equipment and playing your heart out. Time as a kids spending time with a team. The cost might be high, but the memories are priceless.

Happy Birthday Zach!

Today is my baby's 8th Birthday! Can't believe he is 8 years old. So hard to believe. He's had a pretty good birthday so far. In place of a birthday party he chose to go to a Detroit Red Wings Game with his Dad at the Joe!

Even Ozzie tried to tell him Happy Birthday!

This year was his first year for not having a birthday party so we decided to surprise him a bit by bringing a cake to hockey practice. He really enjoyed the surprise.





Now today is his actual birthday. So I'm heading up to his school to take him out to lunch and then his best friend is joining us for dinner and then a surprise sleepover!



What a great day it will hopefully be for him!

California Here I Am...

Flat Stanley has been spotted again! This time in California! He has been traveling with our incredibly cool, amazing Aunt Barb and Uncle Chuck. They just returned from Egypt, where they let Flat Stanley visit pyramids and the Sphinx. When they returned it was time to head out to see their Grandbaby Owen turn 2! So...off they went with Flat Stanley in tow. Here's the letter he sent to Zach:

Dear Zach,
I traveled to Los Angeles this past week. Your cousin, Andy, took me to see the famous HOLLYWOOD sign in the Hollywood Hills. I was thrilled to see it. I stayed in Los Angeles a few days until I had to pack my bags to go to another great location. You will be hearing from me again soon.
Love,
your traveling buddy,
Flat Stanley

Headed for Ireland!

Did you ever have a dream? Something you just have always wanted to do or go see? I was just telling my husband this fall that the one place I think I will always want to go would be Ireland. There is just something Magical about it when I think of it. Probably to many books I've read that turn it into a Magical place, full of adventure, but regardless it's just a place I've always wanted to go.

Well, the time has certainly come for dreaming big. Creative Memories offers incentive trips to their consultants every year. Trips where they treat their consultants to the best life has to offer. I've talked to consultlants who have gone on the trips and I've seen pictures it's amazing what they give and do for their people. I've been to conventions and if they treat us like that at a convention, I can't truly imagine how great it would be on a trip.

While sitting at Regional Convention this last Saturday they began the video feed leading up to where the 2009 trip would be. There were shots of foreign places, and the people and cultures that visiting different places would introduce you to. There was green, green grass, and rich blue seas, there was the reds of the fabric and the colors of faces from all over the world. It was exciting watching and thinking where could it be?! Is it New Zealand, Australia, where is it...then suddenly the camera whooshed across the water and up a cliff and Irish music began playing. We all screamed (500 women in a room, what do you expect)! The 2009 trip will be to...


Dublin, Ireland! I'm planning now...because I'm not going to miss going to a place I've dreamed of, all for FREE!

"Ireland I am coming home,
I can see your rolling hills of green
and fences made of stone
I am reaching out
won't you take my hand
I'm coming home
Ireland." - Garth Brooks

If you want to come with me, just log on my website www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy, and join my team. Dreams were meant to be shared.

Flat Stanley Goes AROUND the world!!!!!!

The following are letters from Flat Stanley!

Dear Zachary,
I have not written to you for a little while because I have been so busy traveling around the world without my laptop! Now, I am going to get caught up!
Here I am with my new friends, the airline attendents, on my way to the Middle East. I flew from St. Louis, with Aunt Barb and Uncle Chuck, to Minneapolis.
From there we caught a flight to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. We then caught a flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emeritas. This photo was taken on the flight from Amsterdam to the UAE. We were flying at 38,000 feet high. The flight attendents said to say "HI" to my friend Zach! You will be hearing from me again very soon.
Love, Flat Stanley



Dear Zachary, Here is a photo of me with Aunt Barb and Uncle Chuck in Egypt. We flew from Dubai to Cairo, Egypt. We drove to a wonderful place called Giza, the site of the world's great pyramids. They are awesome to see in person. Some of the pyramids in Egypt were constructed 4,000 years ago. We traveled in Egypt for 8 days. I will send you another photo of me with our guide very soon. Aunt Barb, Uncle Chuck and I have a great time traveling together. We wish you and your family could be with us.
Good-bye for now. Love, Flat Stanley


Dear Zach, I want you to see a photo of me and my new friend, Sahara. Her name is pronounced like the great African desert, which is the largest desert in the world.
Sahara and I are standing in front of the Sphinx, which is the biggest and best preserved in the world. This sphinx is located south of Cairo, Egypt. I love traveling all over the world and seeing new and awesome sites and learning about new cultures. Love, your friend, Flat Stanley


Dear Zach, I have traveled to a Middle Eastern country called Oman. It is located south of the United Arab Emeritas. This photo is of me and my new friend, Abdullah, in the desert of Oman. Oman is a beautiful country of 2.5 million people. 100% of the population are Muslim, aka Islamic. They are peaceful, kind and caring people. They have been so nice to me. Instead of a president to run their country, they have a sultan. He loves the people and has helped this country to be a "shining star in the Middle East." I hope you can come here someday and see this for yourself. Your Aunt Barb would love to come back here again. I love traveling and meeting wonderful new people. Good-bye for now. Your friend, Flat Stanley

Dear Friend Zachary, I have had a great time going to a goat market with Aunt Barb and Uncle Chuck. The location is the desert city of Nizwa, in the country of Oman. The people come here to sell their goats. In this photo, Uncle Chuck is introducing me to some of the goats that will be sold at this market. All of the men wear something on their heads at all times. THey wear the little hats when it is warm and turbans when it is colder. They long outfits are called dishdashahs. Everyone here has been so nice to me.
Also, they take good care of their goats, which makes me happy because I love animals. Uncle Chuck helps Aunt Barb by carrying her camera equipment on his back. Sometimes I ride in the camera case. It is fun to be in there with all of the lenses. I hope you will come here someday. Love from Flat Stanley

Hello Zach, Now, I am in Amsterdam, Holland in the Netherlands at the International Airport. Aunt Barb and her friend, Sue, who is from New York City, are holding me while Uncle Chuck photographs me. The concourse that our airplane is on is called "Holland Boulevard" after the country we are in. That is cool. I would like to come back to Holland someday to see the tulips and windmills in the Springtime. Well, it is time to get on board our airplane now for the 10 1/2 hour flight to the USA. More later. Love, F.S.

Dear Zach, Here we are in Amsterdam, ready to go down "Holland Boulevard" to get our flight back to the USA after nearly three weeks in Egypt. the UAE and Oman.
Must hurry to catch the flight. The woman helping Aunt Barb hold me is Sue, a friend from New York City. See you back in the USA. Love, F.S.


Hi Zach, Here I am just before landing at Memphis International airport in Memphis, TN. The flight from Amsterdam has been 10 1/2 hours long. Before that, we flew from Dubai to Amsterdam and that flight was 7 1/2 hours long. Next, we will fly from Memphis to St. Louis. That is a short flight- only one hour and ten minutes. I have never been to Memphis before. I am looking forward to seeing the airport there. I hear it is new and beautiful. Love, tired F.S. PS. We have been awake and flying now for over 30 hours.


Where Flat Stanley will end up next we can't be sure. We do know that wherever it is he will have a great time meeting new people and learning about them as well!

Pictures will be posted shortly so check back!