Information

[Mommyof5]

Today is my first time to log in in almost 2 months to log in and be able to participate on the board.  ! I have so much to catch up on, including awarding Gift Cards for the Wacky Holiday Challenge. 
I just wanted to apologize to everyone for my neglecting these things. I got a message from someone telling me that Life had gotten in the way and made her fall behind...and I TOTALLY get that. I am there, too. I think we have all been there at some point in our lives.

Everything has been a whirl wind since before Christmas, and I am just now able to breathe.  My husband's daughters were with us for the holidays, and that alone is a LOT for me to handle.  I love them very much, but they create unnecessary chaos, and I've never had that in my home. In addition to daily melt downs, fights, etc, On Christmas Day, my oldest stepdaughter had an episode and threatened suicide at my house, causing all kinds of chaos which lasted for weeks. It was very upsetting to my husband.

 Then 3 days after Christmas, my boss (new owners of my company)  told me that I would have inventory in my store on Jan 7th, which was totally not expected, not planned for, or even known, and I had so much to do already, I was in the middle of preparing to move half of my inventory to another location for work...AND move my daughter to live closer to the U of H campus all at the same time. She started school on Jan 13 AND the storage room I had for work was being torn down on the 13th...so a LOT to do.
 Then, I had someone quit work the day before I left for my annual retreat,(my exit from reality during the week my son died)  and all of this during my HELL week ... when all my grief inevitably resurfaces and reminds me of the day my son died and burying him on his birthday.  THEN the airport completely shut down due to the freeze, I was late coming home from my retreat/vacation, and when I finally made it home, my house was frozen because my central heat died.
I could continue, but I am sure you get the picture.  I've had a very rough couple of months. And I just did not have the energy to do anything outside of the actual required things in my life. I am truly sorry for neglecting my responsibilities here. 
Things are finally settling down.

Hopefully I have not been outcast by everyone for my neglecting the challenge and board.  I truly am so sorry. 

While on my retreat from reality, I did unplug and did not use any electronics.  HOWEVER, I did scrapbook and got quite a bit done.  I submitted to the Pretty Little Studio 2025 Creative Team Call and to the Brutus Monroe 2025 Inspiration Team Call.  
I made it one of my goals at the beginning of the year to apply to a few of my favorites, whether I made it or not.  Well, I applied to both, and hoped for one if I was lucky. 

I MADE BOTH!!!!

I got the news from both one week ago... the same day, just hours apart. I was FLOORED!! I never expected both! I AM OVER THE MOON!! 

After realigning my life, house, and work due to all the chaos, that was magnificent news for me!  I am still on CLOUD NINE!
I spent last week re-organizing my scrap area to make room for all the new product that I will be receiving this week. I Have a lot of product that I will no longer be able to use for a while...as I will be exclusively using Pretty Little Studio and Brutus Monroe.  
I thought about doing giveaways with bundles just so someone gets to use my pretties!!  LOL 

NOW...if you have made it this far...THANK YOU! for sticking with me as I rambled! 

I DID do drawings for both the November and December WACKY HOLIDAY CHALLENGES, AND EVERYONE GOT ENTERED TWICE. AND...I DREW 3 TIMES FOR BOTH AS MY SELF ASSIGNED PENALTY FOR BEING SO LATE. 

WINNERS FOR NOVEMBER:

1. CYNTHIAB
2. CATHYG89
3. KARYN SUE

WINNERS FOR DECEMBER:

1. GAYLE CHURCHES
2. ART TEACHER
3. STINKERBELLE

EVERYONE WILL BE GETTING A $5 GIFT CARD FROM ME. 

THANK YOU ALL FOR PLAYING!!!  AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!!! 
I MAY RESUME IT IN MARCH IF NO ONE HAS TAKEN IT OVER. 




If

[Flasher]

Wow, Misty.  That's a lot.  All I can do is tell you to just BREATHE.  We can only handle what we can handle, right?

As for being cast aside by anyone here . . . nonsense.  We all get it . . . life gets in the way, and it's not always pleasant. We've all been there -- in one way or another. 

((Hugs)) to you!

[blbabe1234]

OMGoodness Misty! When it rains, it sure pours. Like Laura said, just take a minute (or 2) to just breath. So sorry everything was thrown at you all at once. But I'm super stoked to hear you made both DT's! That is amazing! Congrats girl and you take it easy. Make sure you take time for yourself. HUGS!

[stinkerbelle]

just reading all that made me extremely anxious and i cannot imagine living through it.  holy crap no thank you! 

congrats on your two new teams, what fun!

i received my GC, thanks so so much 

[GinniG]

OMG Misty!!! That’s a LOT to handle!!!  But you made it through! And I hope your oldest stepdaughter is doing better now. That’s so scary! And I’m so very sorry about your son and all that happened the week you were taking off to get through it. Sometimes it seems as if it will never stop. In different ways I totally understand that! 

And congratulations on making BOTH design teams!!! How awesome!!! Make sure you use that time for creating and enjoying. That’s YOUR time now and you have a legitimate reason to just hide away until you’re done!  

I hope life is calmer for you now. {{{HUGS}}} and prayers!

[Kelly R.]

Oh my, that is too much.  I'm glad you came through it intact.  I hope everything stays better now.

[hsblair]

Congrats on making the design teams!! 

I love your challenge, but to be honest, I was also so busy the past few months and haven't been able to keep up with everything here on the board. But if you bring it back in March, it would be fun!

[emmapaige]

Wow! This is a lot to deal with at one time. But congratulations on making both teams. You will be a welcomed addition to both. Congratulations!!! 

[Nana01]

I am so sorry about everything you have been through. Congrats on making the teams. You deserve it. 

[joannie]

I'm thrilled for you for making both design teams! and I hope February settles down for you so you can play with your new supplies! CONGRATS winners!

[QueenBee89]

Congrats on the two design teams!!! I saw both announced on IG and saw your smiling face there!!! 

I hope life slows down for you! It seems to be a trend here in the new year for a lot of people, things just seem to be crazy! 

[GayleChurches]

Congratulations on making the DTs! Wishing you peace and joy and fun as you use those new products!
Thank you for the GC! 

[KristinG]

Oh my gosh Misty!!! I was actually thinking about you the other day. I never packed away the pink glitter boot ornament, it's in my pink scrap room.. Made me think of you. I am soooo sorry you have had all that going on. Please take care of you.. Nothing to be forgiven for.  (((Hugs)))

[SandyK1967]

Awee, it's ok!  Sometimes we go MIA for awhile for many many reasons.  You have been through a lot and it sure does feel good to be able to get back to creating once all the chaos is over and life settles.  Prayers for you and congrats on your accomplishments!

[wazzu94]

Welcome back and WOW!  That is alot going on and I'm so sorry you had so much during some very difficult times.  And we all have times we need to step away from things in our lives, so no reason to apologize or feel bad!

CONGRATULATIONS on your amazing news and being selected to not 1 but TWO!!    Amazing and wonderful to be recognized for your creative talents!!  Looking forward to see your creations!!

[VickiR]

Nice to have you back!  Congratulations on your new DT ventures.  Sometimes life is just so overwhelming that we need to take a break and take care of ourselves.  Hugs!

[CathyG89]

So sorry you had to go through all that at an already difficult time.  Of course life comes first.   And congratulations on your design team invitations!!! I am not surprised as I love your work.

[Mommyof5]

Thank you all for understanding and for the well wishes! It means so much to me! This is truly my FAVORITE PLACE ON THE INTERNET without a doubt, and this I where I chose to spend my spare moments...participate in challenges, gain inspiration from all of you amazingly talented Cherries, and hopefully extend some inspiration to all of you. 
The ACOT store is the ONLY store that I purchase from (other than Hobby Lobby on occasion) and the one that I have made sure to visit the last few summers when I was in Michigan.  
My life would be so boring without ACOT and all of you! Not even joking! I don't know any you personally except Flora, but I feel I like I do!  Thank you all so much for everything!

[sherelm]

First off Misty no one ever gets disliked on this board   I think that's where we get strength, in numbers!  We all have things happen, not quite as all at once as you did.  But honestly?  I needed help for my sanity and often felt the warmth of friendship here.
Second all, I wouldn't have been as kind as you were to everyone.  You may find more peace in doing for YOU first and letting those selfish DILs fend for themselves just as an example.  I would have said goodbye before they planned on leaving.  
But ... Sounds like the design teams are just what you need.  Now you can do for yourself.  Ask your boss when you can expect help to move stuff in the store. Lol  at least he knows how much he values you!! 

PS I read all the way through your message!  Just keep your big girl panties on and knock them all dead.  Hugs

[wimom]

Sorry you have had such a rough time, but it sounds like you seeing the light at the end of the tunnel -- yay! As for falling behind here on the boards, no worries -- Cherries understand! And congrats on being selected to TWO creative teams!