off to SNAP!

http://www.pinterest.com/poeticwanderlust — Source: Tracy Porter poetic wanderlust

So it’s time. The “to-do” list is checked off, my bags are packed and it’s time to head to Salt Lake City for the SNAP! Conference. (lies, lies, lies. My “to-do” list is MILES from being completed, and I haven’t even touched my suitcase. I’ve got less than 24 hours as I write this post. Ya. Whatever.)

http://anightowlblog.com — Source: A Night Owl

So you’re wondering. What is SNAP!, exactly. Well, in all honesty… this is my first SNAP! Conference. But here’s my guess… Think “creative thinkers” meet “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” meet “middle school slumber party with your (new) BFF’s.” Ya. That’s a lot, isn’t it. Can’t wait!! We have “secret sister’s” and we bring “roomie gifts” ( Check out Kimberly, from “A Night Owl“). And, of course, there’s a slumber party and a door decorating contest! (Yes. I am 52.) Oh ya… and classes. Two and a half days of great classes!! Should be a BLAST!

Still wondering? Alrighty. Here is a direct quote from the official SNAP! site…

“Welcome to SNAP, where you’ll find creativity at your fingertips. There is something a bit different about being a creative blogger…Instead of dissecting life and examining the pieces like many online writers, we’re busy dreaming, sharing and building things up. We inspire one another and when we connect in ways that comfort and sustain, it is something truly extraordinary.

That is why we launched SNAP – a community where imaginative bloggers can come together; learn from one another and walk away invigorated.
The hallmark of this community? A three-day conference April 24-26, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah,targeting the best bloggers representing modern handmade, contemporary craft, mind-blowing events and DIY.
Take a step away from your busy life and join us for lots of laughter, hugging and replenishment. You’ll walk away with a stronger sense of community, enhanced skills and an even greater sense of self.”

Little-America-Hotel-Salt-Lake-City — Little America Hotel & Conference Center – Salt Lake City, Utah

So I’m sorry to have to say this, but I’m gonna have to give you a little break on the ole’ blogs here for a short time. (Suddenly, out of nowhere, she heard inconsolable weeping…) But no worries. I’ll be back in no time. (wink, wink!) Dawn (Joyful Scribblings) and I are gonna do our best to throw things on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… as we go along. Otherwise, we will just catch up when I return!!

live happy… Cathy

joyful scribblings

4 / 22 / 14

About a year ago, I stumbled across the blog of a gal named Dawn. “Joyful Scribblings“. I like it. She made a nice comment on one of my blogposts, so I went to her blog to “check her out”. (No. I’m not a creeper. That’s what bloggers do with other bloggers!) In the process, I stumbled across a “few” similarities… Married with a son and a daughter, an SUV and a brown 2 story house “in the suburbs”. A dog person with a sweet tooth and a frequent shopper at Ann Taylor Loft, Trader Joe’s and Target. OK. Nothing earth shattering so far. But then it went a little deeper. Self described as “a dreamer, a list maker, a person who is passionate about collecting ideas. All with a touch of sarcasm…“?? Oh my. She was describing ME! She went on to list two things that are on my “bucket list” that most people don’t even know about me… I would love to play the drums (yes. really.) and I dream of publishing a book of my writings someday. OK, Dawn. Whoever and wherever you are; You had me at “Hello”.

I immediately called my mom to inquire about the day of my birth. Is it possible that I might actually have a twin sister somewhere out there that someone just forgot to mention…? I told my mom that somehow, somewhere; I would meet this ~~obviously~~ “wonderful, amazing, All-American” blogger… named Dawn.

Several weeks later, I got an email request to participate in a group blogpost “Lazy Days and BBQ’s” from another blogger that I had never met. I was invited to come in as the resident “expert” (teehee!) on entertaining/table settings. That bloggers name? Yep. It was Dawn. Don’t believe in fate? Fair enough. Read on.

In the world of blogging, one of the really fun things is getting to “meet” people online that live hundreds (or even thousands) of miles away. I was excited to know where I was headed if I wanted to meet this new friend of mine at some point. As it ends up, this get together wasn’t going to cost much in the way of travel miles. Dawn lives less than five miles from my house…!! Ha! But wait! There’s more. Our daughters share the same first name. Our sons share the same middle name. And her son’s first name is what we were going to name our daughter when we thought she was a boy! Ha! And it just continues on and on from there. Some of our extended family similarities would blow your mind…

So we eventually met at a Starbucks to discuss the details of our “group blog”. Soon after, we decided to go to a “Blogging Conference” together in Chicago. The conference took place in July, and although we had only known each other for a couple of months, everyone thought we had been friends forever. Many even thought we were related! Too funny! One year later; we are great friends! We have lunch, we go on “double dates” with the hubbies, we share stories and problems and challenges, and we talk and text more than we probably should. We both love photography, food, crafting, the beach and have wonderful hubbies. We are a lot alike, but at the same time very different. Almost like the “yin and the yang” of the same person!

So off we go... Heading to Salt Lake City this week for another blogging conference. SNAP! (Talked about this conference in a recent blog called “creative thinking“) Both Dawn and I are really looking forward to going. It looks like a GREAT group of bloggers that will be there!! Our “peeps”!! Last year we (somehow) ended up taking matching Martha Stewart turquoise leather notebooks. Not kidding. This year?? I’m thinking maybe matching “Hello Kitty” lunch boxes…

So without further adieu; my friend, Dawn… “Although I consider myself ordinary, I’ve always believed I was meant to do and experience great things. We all are because we were created. I sometimes overlook the simple abundance and possibilities which surround me because I get caught up in the treadmill of life. My intention for creating this blog is to find the joy in the everyday. Joy is something you feel from within and makes your heart smile. Outward circumstances can’t affect it unlike happiness. I hope you find joy from within and follow your passions.”

Please hop over and check her out at Joyful Scribblings…

why do I blog?

9 / 19 / 13

Welcome to Post #100, friends!

The obvious question, at such a pivotal, historic moment; what to blog about? I pondered the possibilities. And then I pondered some more. At the end of the day, however, the answer seemed obvious. It simply must be the answer to YOUR burning question. “WHY (the heck) do you (I) blog…?”

This is a question that I am often asked by people who do not blog. Or even know what a blog really IS! According to the Merrium-Webster Dictionary; “blog” is defined as follows: “A web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences”. So there it is. Pretty simple concept. But that is merely the definition. I still have not told you WHY I blog. There are several reasons. Pull up a seat, friends, and get comfortable…

Blogging is really not that different than someone who journals with pen and paper in a pretty little book that is safely tucked away in their nightstand. The only real difference, basically, is the fact that Bloggers choose to share their “journal” with the world! Or, at a minimum, anyone who will listen! Blogging is very much a creative outlet for me. A way to share, with you, my daily life experiences – my passions, joys, triumphs… and even my sorrows. Blogging keeps me present in the moment(s). MY moments… MY life… I journey through my day with a heightened sense of awareness as to what is happening all around me. Every experience has the possibility of becoming part of a blog. A beautiful sunset, an event that moved me to tears, a conversation with a ~~stranger~~ new friend in the grocery checkout lane, a mouthwatering dish at a favorite restaurant… So often I find myself pausing to take in the moment, rather than rushing right through it. Affirming gratitude in my daily life. And this is good.

In the “blogging world” there are people who blog about absolutely EVERYTHING!!! I am, apparently, what is referred to as a “lifestyle blogger“. Basically, I am random and don’t fit into any specific “categories”. Ya. OK. I’m good with that. That is who I am. My blog is “live happy“. Definition: I blog about family & food; creativity & cocktails; homemade & humor; motherhood & marriage; parties & procrastination; girlfriends & gratitude; London & laughter…

To put it simply – blogging about my life makes me happy. And having people follow my blogs, like my blog posts or comment…? Ahhhh….. Very, very happy!!! My goal is to share a little piece of my world with you, in the hopes that we will connect. And I so hope that we do.

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

happy new year!!

1 / 1 / 13

Notes: The simplest way to wish someone a happy new year in French is with Bonne année !, but Bonne année et bonne santé is a classic expression. In English, we say “happy new year,” but the “new” is unnecessary in French – bonne année does the whole job. The addition of bonne santé (good health) is not only a nice thought, but it also rhymes, making a little sing-songy sort of phrase.
**Interestingly, kissing under the mistletoe is a New Year’s custom in France, rather than a Christmas custom as in other countries. Hmmm… I’m thinking – How about BOTH?!

And now, for a few more random New Year’s Day thoughts and musings…

How about a Daily Affirmation (from “Jessica”). For such a young girl, she has much to teach us, I think. A great way to start each day of the new year…! And then there is that “all too familiar” New Year’s resolution – I’m gonna work out… again… more… every other Tuesday…. once…???

Decision. This year, rather than “New Year’s Resolutions” – I’m thinking more about a 2013 “bucket list” of sorts. I guess that “thinking” is the key word here – as I am actually still forming this 2013 list.

I do know certain things that WILL be included…. moving my parents and my brother here to Kansas City, blogging more 🙂 taking a photography course (and, of course, taking a TON of pictures!), re-working my “Creations” room and then using that room to CREATE…!!!! There are so many creative ideas in my head… and I am so ready to start doing them… rather than just wishing that I was doing them!

I’m really excited about all that is ahead for the year, actually. It’s going to be a good year. So how about you…?

What’s on your “bucket list” for 2013?