On Friday, Amanda and I attended the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Chantilly, VA. What could be better than shopping for scrapbook supplies with one of your friends?

There were lots of vendors to include some non-scrapbook ones like the lint roller booth, Tastefully Simple and Mary Kay. I guess scrapbookers need to clean, have a good meal and look good while preserving memories! I am happy to report that I exercised a lot of self control. I spent less than $200 whereas in years past I could spend close to $200 at just one booth! Most of my self control comes from the fact that I have a Wishblade (see this post) and that I have pretty much given up on stamping in my scrapbooks. I also have just too much stuff and not enough time to use it.

So what could ruin such a wonderful day? Other than the mobile pothole crew on 66 during the tail end of the morning rush hour, Friday rush hour traffic on 495 on the way back, there was this dummy:

It took all I had not to put my scrapbook supplies to work on this. With an arsenal that includes permanent black markers, scissors and adhesive, I truly could have gone to town on this car. I could barely open my hatch to get to my lunch! Since we still had some shopping to do and the fact that I didn’t want Amanda to see my bad side, I moved Hotaru to another spot…

When we got back to the apartment, Amanda and I swapped some excess supplies and did some layouts while watching one of the best movies of all time - GOONIES! She was quite surprised to see how much of the movie I could quote (inner nerd emerging…). I have to say that we had a very good time.

I was downstairs gathering pictures that needed frames and saw that Will had die cut “I Love You Bear” out of paper. I thought to myself “how cute…he’s playing with my Quickutz“. Then, I looked to the other side of the desk and noticed that his blanket was covering some papers that I needed. I lifted the blanket to reveal the Wishblade hiding underneath!!!!! I have been looking at this system for months and planned on saving to get one before the end of the year. I immediately called Will and left him a message at work.

He purchased it for me as a present for graduating BNCOC . If you noticed, I haven’t even unpacked yet and I am already running errands…I have been deprived of visiting my craft stores for 2 months and I got that crackhead itch to get some things. Besides, I need frames for my class and platoon pictures and I need to drop my uniforms at the dry cleaners. Once I get back home and settle down, I plan on learning all about my new toy!!!

The cross country booty call did more than I expected! *SMILE*

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband.I love you Mr. Bear!!!

I was removing the pictures from the camera and came across some pictures that we took while we were at home. There was a beautiful sunset as we crossed the Verrazano Bridge into Brooklyn. The sky looked as if it was on fire, yet it was calming. Will got some great shots while we were moving.

The other thing is that we have a new dog in the family. The mutt’s name is Cooper and boy is he a pain in the butt to walk. He does not like the leash, wants to sniff everywhere and always has to leave his mark. For his size, he is quite strong. I figured my mom would have learned fromthe last time we got a dog that Pooch should be the only one, but that is only my opinion. I am just glad that I don’t have to walk him everyday…

Before I forget, Rebekah and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Chantilly, VA. Normally, I go on a ridiculous spending spree at these events because they showcase items that are not found in your local craft or scrapbook store. This year I was unbelievably reserved and Rebekah was the spender! I am learning as a scrapbooker that I don’t need every new accent, tool or paper in the market. I did kinda lose it at the booth that was selling Quickutz at 30% off. I met the moderator of 2 of the yahoogroups that I belong to (MD Scrapbooking Pals and MD Stamping Pals) and chatted with her in a small Stampin’ Up! booth for about 15 minutes. She is a wonderful person with a very cheerful attitude. I was very happy to finally meet her. This is the third time I attended this convention (second time with Rebekah) and I think I keep up with the industry very well because there wasn’t anything there that caught me off guard as a “have to buy” item. I am glad because I was on a serious budget this year!

Cooper the dog:

The Verazanno at night: