I am soooo thankful for….

by Susan Itell | Nov 24, 2016 | Uncategorized | 28 comments

Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you. I hope that you have a fabulous day wherever you are…whomever you are with…and I have a story to share with you that was truly a “Thanksgiving” in my life this year.

This is a time of the year that I think we all enjoy the family and friends but to me, it is also a time that I like to take some “me time” and write down the “high’s and lows” of the year…the “smiles and tears” of the year, the special things that have just happened to me as I find that if I do not find “that space” to allow me to remember, I am afraid that I will forget.

I am super big on journaling. I am the very first one that does not like their own handwriting but I have learned to accept it (after all, at 53 – it is not going to change) 😀  and that I realize that when I see the handwriting of my Mom, if it is on a recipe, a card that she wrote to me or the peeps….I feel an instant connection and comfort.

If there is one thing that I encourage you to do, it is to write down your thoughts, your travels and adventures, the good, the bad, the funny…..the whole darn thing because not only is a “feel good” for you to go down memory lane…but it is a legacy for those that know and love you.

If you follow my blog, you know that I was gone for 3 weeks in October (and I am STILL trying to get caught up with being away) but it was a great time but also a super important time for me because of 2 very special ladies.

When I found out that Lydia’s retreat was outside of Austin, Texas in a little town called Temple….I immediately looked up how far it was to Brenham, TX. It was about 96 miles away. I smiled as I knew that I could do it.

By now you all know that my hubby is simply the best – I shared with him my plan, my concerns of being away and how I was actually going to make everything work because I had 2 days to be in “limo-land” before I flew to Atlanta for On Stage.

He said….”DO IT – just stay and go see Millie and Alyece ~ I know your heart is telling you to do it and I know that it will be a life changer for you”. Let me back up and say who these ladies are. I think I knew Alyece before Millie but they have purchased my monthly Class in the Mail from me.

There was something different about these ladies, I knew it right off the bat! First, Millie was the name of one of Hannah’s horses that I adored….I adored her soooooo much and she was injured and I worked with her for over a 18 months rehabbing her ~ so naturally you can see the bond we had. The minute I hear “Millie” I feel like a puppy with its ears perked up…..as it is a happy feeling!

I get cards from these ladies and they ALWAYS sign it, A big old Texas hug to you! I ask you, and I hope that you are smiling – it doesn’t get better than that!?!?

Fast forwarding….my travel plans were set and I called Alyece to see if it was going to work to meet. She wasn’t 100% sure because she was going to a Stampin’ Retreat herself over that weekend that I was having fun with Lydia but then I said, what about Tuesday? She said Tuesday would be perfect!

Tuesday morning came and I packed my bags….said good-bye to my friends that I met at Lydia’s (WOWZERS – that is another amazing story in itself) and I headed to Brenham,Texas. I knew that it was going to be a special time but I honestly can say that I did not know that it would have touched me like it did.

We met for lunch at a super fun place called Funky Art Cafe’ – it was the best of both worlds, a great place to eat and a place to shop! We talked, laughed, talked…it was simply the best.

Meet Millie. Millie is a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and one special person. I wish that you could have all been with us for our “get together” I feel so honored and blessed that through something that I love so much and something that I am so passionate about that I was able to connect, touch and meet in person these great ladies!

There is something else super special about Millie…you will have to read on to find out, (trust me, it is worth it) Millie is a hoot, Millie is a survivor, Millie is kind & gracious, Millie is special…and LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS SHIRT – when she opened up her blue shirt and showed me this – I burst out laughing!

After lunch we went to go get some Ice Cream as Brenham is know for Blue Bell Ice Cream. Millie was so proud to point out to me that there was a scare crow contest and I grabbed some pictures of the FUN that this town was decorated with.

Alyece was the perfect tour guide as well with pointing out to me the scarecrows to look for and also giving me the “scoop” of Blue Bell Ice Cream…it IS a BIG DEAL in this town. Enjoy the images below…it just makes my heart happy to see a little town in out wonderful country get it all “jazzed up” with good old fashion fun!

This was painted on the side of the ice cream store. Who doesn’t love ice cream…and when you walked into the parlor, you felt an instant home town warmth, a place that locals are proud of and a place where visitors love to go. Look at the lower left picture in the collage – this is the local couple that are ALWAYS sitting in the parlor!

Inside the Ice Cream Shop there was this couple, as Millie and Alyece said, they have been here for years!!!! Here are these “stuffed husband and wife” sitting at a table sharing a sundae. Naturally we had to snuggle up to the Gentleman and have out picture taken.

I know that this is a LONG post but I also know that it is a story, a “life happening” that I just had to share. When we said our good-byes we had a BIG OLD TEXAS HUG together. I know that I had already shared this picture…but this is sooooo darn cute that I had to share it again.

Do you remember above I said that I had something special to tell you about Millie? Well….when we sat down for lunch Alyece said to me, how old do you think Millie is? I had no clue…and then Millie with that beautiful twinkle said, I am 90! I thought that I would FALL OFF OF THE CHAIR. To think that she is 90 years old and a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator….going strong – going to homes to do projects – I say WOW!!!!!

I was so glad that I made the trek this day as I learned so much from them, about me….and it has continued to be a part in my heart that I say…I am blessed. When I got in my little rental car to head back to Austin, I sat there and had tears of joy running down my face. It was a great afternoon, an afternoon that I am THANKFUL for…and I said to myself, I will be back to Brenham, Texas.

As I zoomed down the road about 5 minutes after leaving….I hit a BIG DOWN POUR…and then as soon as it came and left – I looked into my rear view mirror and saw this amazing rainbow. I knew that I had to pull over and take a picture as whenever I see a Rainbow I feel my Moms presence.

I know that I did the right thing that day, not only for ME but for MILLIE and ALYECE. This rainbow is super special to me as it was a sign…of THANKS – I hope that where ever you are today, there is a rainbow of love and joy always with you.

Have a blessed day….Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s Available!

by Susan Itell | Nov 23, 2016 | Uncategorized | 7 comments

Happy Hump day before the feast! I am sure if you are like me, you have been cooking up a storm and also getting ready to have your home be invaded by friends and family! My Dad arrived yesterday and he brought us a bushel of Oysters!

I am not a fan of them but the rest of my family – they go BONKERS over them! We set up a table in the garage and the guys take turns shucking them and then we have them all different ways – my Mom was the queen of making them a “very special way”...and I have tried my best to make them for my family!

NEWS FLASH FOR YOU.…(as I told you that I would give you “heads up”)

The November Paper Pumpkin Refills are now available! If you are a subscriber you can click here and go ahead and stock up on these adorable offerings. If you are not a subscriber, you can click here and subscribe…and then you will be able to order this refill.

Remember, if you wish to cancel your subscription….no worries, just log in and cancel it. (make sure you do it before the 10th of the month). This is a great kit and I am super happy that the refills are available!

When I returned home on Sunday…..my box was there (and I smiled and popped up the steps to put it together) and then I was hoping that the refills would come…and they did!!!! Please click here to see more inspiration from the Home Office – this is just an adorable kit!

Fun week….Sale week….Food week….Thanksgiving week!

We all have so much to be grateful for…and I am getting super excited to have the PEEPS in the house!

So much going on…so much fun….. (click on the IMAGES to see the SALE OFFERINGS)

Here is that PAW PRINT to HIT….and shop away….until tomorrow – I have a special Thanksgiving Story for you….I know that your heart will go pitter patter…..enjoy the day….be safe!