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FIVE + ONE + a very timely email. (LONG)

It's October 1st, 2009 -- no way.
YES way.
but first ...

WOW. I am so amazed by you. Your answers to ...
"Where will you be FIVE years from today?

Are so encouraging and inspiring. Your answers are absolute evidence that people have great desires to do good things. If I could I would set up some kind of PhD project that would follow each and every one of you and find out what moves you toward or away from these goals and dreams. Wouldn't that be fascinating?

Anyway, this was very hard to do, but I've selected five responses that I loved -- and I wasn't looking for any kind of response in particular. I was (again) wowed by the variety of responses and yet at the same time the common threads of serving and helping and making a difference.

I sincerely loved them all, but here is...

ONE (from Lisa)
I would do what I'm doing now...wife, mother, ER Nurse, child of God, scrapbooker, scattering relentless positivity. With a few more laugh lines on my face

TWO (from Nanci)
In 5 years time, I will be a children's book author making a huge difference in the lives of many children and their parents. Empowering kids in living their lives fully and that they have full self expression and happiness and joy and power in life! For them to live their dreams, and to have the people who read the stories to them be inspired by what is possible in life. That is what I would do if time and money are no issue - and I am going to take that on now!!

THREE (from Cheri)
When you take time and money out of the equation, dreams can really be BIG! Five years from now my oldest will be out of college and onto her first job, my next two will be IN college and since money is no problem, they can go to whatever college they choose. Both DH and I will have given up our corporate day jobs. He'll have found some pursuit or hobby that really fulfills him and makes him happy. I'll be splitting my free time between creative endeavors at my beachfront property in Maui (tai chi on the beach, scrapbooking, painting, reading) and traveling the world doing volunteer work wherever the spirit moves me, but still being readily available to my newly minted young adult children.

FOUR (from Michelle)
If money and time were no object, I would purchase one of the historic homes in my town and turn it into a creative arts center where all people (young, old, and in between) could have access to art materials and creating because I truly believe that everyone has the beauty of creativity living inside them.

FIVE (from Jay)
If money were no object: I would establish hundreds of nursing care, assisted living homes for people who need a HOME, not just a place to die. I would hire the most qualified, most passionate and the most caring people I could find and I would pay them highly. I would establish thousands of HOMES across the WORLD for neglected children. A place FILLED with LAUGHTER, LOVE and INSPIRATION. I would employ the most caring, loving, passionate foster parents and pay them highly. I would establish a program for our TEACHERS. It would be of a competitive nature and reward teachers for the HARD work and dedication they in turn give to our school children. Also, the pay scale for our teachers would increase 100% immediately. I would pay EVERY volunteer firefighter, police personal, etc. I would showcase their talents and dedication. I would CELEBRATE them. People in public service of this nature would get a HUGE pay increase immediately. I would honor EVERY active and retired military soldier. EVERY SINGLE ONE! Local schools and parks would be plastered with memorials of local soldiers and heros. I would purchase a fleet of vans for every faith-loving church in the WORLD to assist in every desiring person needing a way to build their spiritual faith. I would start an ad campaign that would have our society focus on EDUCATION not ENTERTAINMENT. Not too big a list for 5 years?

And finally ...

ONE WINNER: This comment was left by "M" and I think she could really use a boost. Life can be so overwelmingly challenging at times and when it seems there is NO way up or out -- think about the way AHEAD. Time really does heal and change us and anything can happen in FIVE years.

Oh Stacy thank you for this post. I am going through possibly the worst, the hardest time of my life right now. It is so hard to not think the entire rest of my life has been ruined as I stand here in the ashes. This caused me immense grief. But watching the movie here and seeing your post I was inspired to look beyond the next several days, weeks, months, or year, that will be so hard and emotionally devastating, and see that in 5 years I will hopefully have recovered and be fully situated in a new life and a new me. I keep planting seeds in the rubble and hoping they will grow but sometimes it's hard to care with all the devastation around me. If time and money were not objects in 5 years I would have my PhD and be working and teaching and writing in my field of choice. And I will have lots and lots of scrapbook pages and projects completed that document my journey in this life.

M,
Please email me (stacy@bigpicturescrapbooking.com) and I'll send you your book!

Now ... some personal thoughts.
Five years ago (2004), I had just barely heard of blogs and blogging. I had no idea that I would ever want one or that I would LOVE having one. I didn't know that blogging would help me connect and relate to women across the world or that more importantly it would help me connect and relate to the woman inside my head. Five years ago, I was just stepping back from my role as editor in chief at Simple Scrapbooks magazine. My book, The Big Picture and Big Picture Scrapbooking were just a *twinkle* in my eye as they say -- hard to imagine that two of the things I focus much of my time and energy on today, didn't exist five years ago.Another thing that I focus my time on (Addie) didn't exist either -- not even the idea of Addie existed and now I can't imagine NOT having her.

Five years before that (1999), I was a happy reader of Creating Keepsakes magazine -- but I was also overwhelmed and felt like "scrapbooking" had become so artistic that it demanded way MORE than I could give. I began to formulate some new ideas and approaches to making scrapbooks (smaller theme albums) and I began storing my pictures in boxes by category. Simple Scrapbooks the book and Simple Scrapbooks the magazine were just around the corner, but I had NO idea!

LAST WEEK I received a very timely email from Betsy in Ohio.  I didn't read this email until YESTERDAY:

Hello Stacy,
 
I just wanted to say hello and tell you what a big fan I am of you!!  I really miss "Simple Scrapbooks".  Your philosophy on scrapbooking has been so meaningful to me- now I don't feel guilty because I will probably never "catch up".  (4 children,  youngest with autism, and a husband - good excuses to be lagging  behind) What internet sites would be helpful that would take the place of "Simple Scrapbooks" ? (i.e intructional,  material  ideas, and crop schedules and appearances.)
 
Thank you for being an inspiration!!

This is a great question Besty and I do have some suggestions:

1. Big Picture Scrapbooking. BPS was founded on the same philosophy of Simple Scrapbooks and it has grown to become a wonderful community of expert teachers and amazingly loyal and eager students who are friends and fellow scrapbookers. There is a wonderful class by Ali Edwards starting today!

2. Write.Click.Scrapbook. WCS is a relatively new inspiration collective (ie, blog and community) that was founded by three of the contributing editors to Simple Scrapbooks magazine. This site is a wonderful showcase of simple ideas derived from a sustainable approach. Be sure to check out the monthly gallery. October was posted today!

3. Ella Publishing. Ella, founded by Angie Lucas (managing editor at SS) and Lain Ehmann (contributing editor at SS) is yet another site that supports and promotes the *simple* philosophy. Ella is a brand new publisher of eBooks as well as an ezine -- in fact, Lain and I co-authored a book that is due out in November, so you can watch for that!

and ... finally

4. stacyjulian.com Yep. I now have my own website. I think you'll find it to be a pretty authentic reflection of me and I'm working and will continue to work on making it a place of playful inspiration, productive ideas and present-focused challenges. I encourage you to come take a peak.

So, Five years from now? Hmm. I wonder if what I've poured so much of my recent time and effort into will even exist?  I hope so -- but I also know that based on the past, it is unlikely to stay what it is today for very long. Time and life have a way of moving us forward and revealing new challenges and opportunities that inevitably shape and change our future.

One year ago today, I asked my blog readers to take or gather a handful of photos and put them together in a small, very portable mini book or album -- something that could be tucked in a purse or desk drawer. This mini-book was your "present," your former NOW.

NOW, TODAY it's time to take this challenge full circle. To do this you'll need to go HERE.

NOTE: While I've loved my typepad blog, this is my final post. Please change bookmarks and RSS feeds to those available at stacyjulian.com

thanks!

Where will you be FIVE years from today?

It's no secret that I am enamored with Compendium books and products. My most recent favorite is a book called "5." This book has been an inspiration and a resource for the presentations I've given over the last year or so. If you haven't seen this book, PLEASE do me a favor and buy it with bllind faith in my honest efforts to NOT lead you astray.

If you're at all hestiant ... then watch this!

OK, super inspiring. That's all I'm going to say.

I just happen to have a copy of this book that I'd like to give away, but you're going to have to work for it. Leave me a comment and tell me if TIME or MONEY were not an object, what would you be doing FIVE years from today?

dig deep and be honest.

I'm HOME and looking forward to ...

Yay. It's NO MAKE UP MONDAY and maybe even no shower Monday.

What an AMAZING adventure we had in Japan. I am working on my highlights post (coming soon) In the meantime (WOW) Every room of my house is calling me. I feel like I'm drowning in sea of piles and mess. I am NOT kidding. I'm taking a new approach to unpacking this time. It's called make your bed/empty all suitcases on top and go from there.

this is what this approach looks like.
As I was getting all five of my darlings out the door at various times this morning, I started in on the knife drawer. I mean really, you should see my house and then I start cleaning some little corner, like the knife drawer. weird.

Oh well ... the laundry is well underway and I'm going to put myself on the timer as soon as I go jogging. I know from experience that you can accomplish much in 60 minutes of concentrated pick-up and put away.

It is so good to be HOME. I missed milk and cold cereal and sweets (The Japanese don't really eat dessert -- at least not as regularly as I do and my sweet tooth felt this.) I also missed my domesticity. I got up on Saturday, cleaned my kitchen really good, mopped the floor, organized the fridge and made a big pot of 'leftover' soup. I also made a nice long list of around-the-house projects for fall. We ran errands and visited with some neighbors and I thought I was pushing through the jet lag until about 5:00pm when I laid down for a quickie nap and didn't wake up for 3 1/2 hours.

Sunday was restful and relaxing. I taught Relief Society, visited with Kayce and made dinner. We attended a baptism last night, which always makes me so happy. Came home, fell into bed and slept like a baby until 6:00 am -- I hope to be back on the 5:00 am schedule by midweek, as I don't get enough quiet time, unless I can get up early. Addie now has pre-school on Mondays and Fridays, so I dropped her off and am blogging and then jogging.

Speaking of Addie ... Geoff removed her stitches on Saturday.

She was so brave through the whole incident (the emergency room and the stitches removal) She'll have a little scar, but it will be hidden in her hair and I'm just so grateful she didn't get cut any closer to her eye.

Trey started orchestra at the middle school at 7:40am this morning. He is pretty excited and will hopefully be learning (at least initially) on his great grandfather's violin. Russell Julian was a music teacher and I've been displaying this violin in our music room for the last 3 years. This was all his idea and he is really excited. I was surprised to see at least 50 kids that showed up with instrument cases in hand. I suppose I can live with the empty spot on my shelf.

In addition to pecking away at my fall list of projects, I'm looking foward to ...

Cut the Crazy out of Christmas

This class started last Thursday and I'm so doing it. I'm NOT going to get caught up in the craziness of Christmas this year. I'm serious. I'm posting my 12 Days list in November and I'm going to be more organized, so that I can relax and enjoy and give this most important holiday the meaning it deserves. I've tried to convince myself that I LOVE the hustle and bustle and the late nights and the over-the-topness of my past holidays, but I really do want to simplify and focus on the things that matter most to me. I've printed my handouts and am setting up my binder today!

I'm looking forward to ...

Yesterday and Today

Ali gives so much to the scrapbooking community on her blog, I'm really excited to settle in and experience her insight long term, in her first workshop at BPS. She assures me that I can keep up and still enjoy this festive time of year. I believe her.

I'm looking forward to ...

image source.

WICKED We are traveling to Seattle this weekend to see this famed musical at the Paramount. I saw it in LA with girls on the Simple Scrapbooks team a couple of years ago and have since wanted my family to see it. 

I'm looking forward to ... 

The Youth Leadership Summit on Wednesday, October 28th. I'm the keynote speaker. While I've presented at church functions, this really is the first time I've spoken outside the scrapbook industry -- they are expecting 400 high school students (primarily those involved with FBLA) I'm nervous, but I'm excited too. I have read some great books and have some great stories to tell!

 and finally, I'm looking forward to ...

The BIG surprise I am going to show you on Thursday. Remember last year when I challenged you to photograph and document and celebrate your present. Well, it has been a year this Thursday and it is time we revisit that little project. We will.

good times ahead.

Gone, day 7

I don't think it's comes as a surprise that I LOVE color. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time or have ever taken a class from me then I'm sure I've dropped the hint.

Well, imagine my delight when Scrapbook.com launched their newest feature, which is really more of a tool.

It's appropriately called  and I think it is magnificent. Whether you want to start with a photo, a product, or just the color wheel ... you now have a way to confidently select colors that support and coordinate with your page or project.

You can watch the video HERE.

Speaking of COLOR, I'm getting very close to showing you what I've been working on for more days than there are colors at CRAYOLA. It's going to be very colorful and very FUN.

Gone, day 6 (edited from Japan)

I just think this is the CUTEST card. Melanie Louette made it with American Crafts products.

That's all.

Wait, there's more ... here is a handful of pics that attempt to capture some of our experiences thus far. We are having the BEST kind of adventure.

Here's the group of teachers that were all a part of CKU-J 2009
Shane and Sarah Cullimore (Making Memories) + Brittney Beattie (Creating Keepsakes magazine) + me + Margie Romney-Aslett (The Girls Loft) + Tim Holtz + Lance Anderson (Rusty Pickle)

Here is one table of delightful students that were so eager to learn and so willing to follow instructions. I did a little math and figured out that collectively (in my Finish Line class) there were over 10,000 photos scrapbooked -- WOW!

CKU ended on Tuesday night, but Tim taught again yesterday at a local craft store. Margie and Catherine and I were invited to join in with a few extra kits. It was so FUN -- I rarely get to take classes and certainly not from Tim. Then, last night after attending Tim's class, we all headed to a "local" sushi bar. And guess what? I did it. I ate sushi. It took me a while to get up the courage, but in the end it was DELICIOUS. Truly.

This is Reiko (Tim's translator) and Megumi who helped organize the event. They are so very gracious and kind and absolutely beautiful (inside and out.)

and today we are headed to Kyoto to do some more exploring with Catherine our WONDERFUL guide. Catherine has a studio here and teaches scrapbooking several times a month. She was also a translator for Brittney Beattie during the event.

Sayonara for now.

Gone, day 5

Today is a very special day.

Because ... today, eleven years ago I gave birth to a baby boy who completely changed my perspective on motherhood.

I was not happy when I found out I was having a third boy. I wanted a little girl. I was overwhelmed with two little boys and a husband that was a very busy medical resident. Everyone told me that the third child was the hardest -- the one that would put you "over the top." I was worried and wondered WHY?

But I quickly learned that what "they" didn't know (I didn't really know it either -- yet) was that Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed. He knew that I needed to "specialize" and that like my great-great grandmother Minnie McDougal (mother to 10 sons) I would discover unbelievable joys in raising boys.  Heavenly Father sent me Trey and Trey kept me up at night so we could spend time together, alone -- but Trey also made me laugh and helped me find my groove as a mother. He was and still is incredibly loving and easy to be with and talk to. He came with a wonderful sense of confidence and an easy-going nature that attracts others to him ...

So, every year when the air cools and the leaves start to turn I get to celebrate this boy and FALL a little more in love with him and the idea that what we think we want isn't always what we need. 

Trey ... it's your special DAY, and since Dad and I are in Japan, we have something special for you. I've asked Jennifer to have you read this blog post when you wake up, so I can tell you to go look in the laundry chute ... and see what you find.

Here's a little Happy Birthday HINT:

In your FAVORITE COLOR (of course.)

love you!

 

GONE, day 4

One of the souvenirs I want to bring home from Japan is FUN pictures of me and my husband together. I generally do a decent job of photographing the sights and the scenery and even lots of little details -- but I often don't take enough photos of the people I'm with. Geoff and I are celebrating 20 years in December and we don't have many together shots that I LOVE, so I'd like to make a mini-album of snapshots and get some really good pics to frame and display or hang in our home.

I have two strategies in place to help me accomplish this goal.

ONE.
I've scheduled Trace and Dee to take some pictures!

37 Frames Photography

If you've never visited this site, please take a few minutes and ENJOY! I had

TWO.
Geoff bought me my very first SMALL camera. Yep. I'm the proud owner of this, cutie.

This is the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS -- and hopefully, I'll be posting some pictures to share with you very soon. 

[edited from Osaka] I totally left the battery charger at home -- who does this? ME. I do this kind of thing all the tie. Geoff kept asking me if he could pack the camera and I kept saying "No, I've got it" Oh well. Today, I will be asking in my classes if anyone has a charger I can use and Geoff found out where an electronics store is -- so he'll go see if he can find something there. 

We  just called the kids. It is Monday morning here and Sunday afternoon there -- day 4 for us, but really only day 3 at home. so strange. Addie fell on Friday night and had to get 4 stitches right above her eyebrow (can you believe it?) Our neighbors took her to the emergency room and she is doing just fine. I just can't believe her first real 'accident' happened when I'm this far from home. but ...

We are having so much fun. This city is beautiful and clean and everyone is so gracious. My translator Nicky is amazing and so now with a couple of classes behind me I can relax and really enjoy. I teach Finish Line 3 times today (2 hours each) so I'll be good and tired. And I think by tonight I will be able to sleep all the way through the night. 

Hopefully we'll find something for the camera and I can post some pics. There is a GIANT (bright yellow) rubber duck sitting in the river right next to our hotel. I'm told it has something to do with the holiday weekend -- but no one is quite sure.

stay tuned.

Gone, day 1 + Friday FIVE for September 18th

Geoff and I are on our way to Japan. We are attending CKU in Osaka. I'm not positive the character on this eraser is Japanese, but I used my Google translate and I think it just might be.

So, wish me luck and I'll wish you much ...

幸福

I'm not sure how much posting I'll get to do from the road, but I've got some fun things pre-posted to share, so stay tuned.

About every other week or so, I like to share things that I have loved for a very long time, or things that have recently caught my eye. Either way ... I'm certain they are worth a few minutes of investigation.

ONE.

Want to get to know Claudine Hellmuth a bit better before you take her class at BPS? Check out her inspiring collection of jumpstarts designed for scrapbookers ...

You can buy it HERE.

TWO.

Halloween is just around the corner and I think that warrents the purchase of a new punch, dont' you? Just imagine what you could do with some paper drippy goo.

 

Drippy Goo Edge Punch from Martha Stewart (Buy it HERE)

THREE.

My next pick is the NEW Studio J from Close To My Heart. This company as many of you know has been close to my heart from the very beginning of my scrapbooking career, because it was the beginning of my scrapbook career. Before I started scrapbooking, I was a D.O.T.S. (Dozens of Terrific Stamps) demonstrator. I have enjoyed watching them grow and evolve over the years and the introduction of online design software just makes sense. Click HERE to learn more and be sure to watch the video. It will make you glad you do what you do.

FOUR.

I couldn't possibly leave the country without a NEW Flip video camera now could I? And if you're going to buy a new Flip video camera, then why NOT buy one that supports something you believe in?

A "Flip for Good" video camera. We had an incident a few weeks back that saw the demise of my little orange Flip and in the process of replacing it, I realized that I could support Lance's fight against cancer. As one with some cancer experience, I'm on board!

FIVE.

 

 

I had several questions over the last three years as to where I got my very fun lazy susan that sits on our kitchen table. Here's the answer. I just adore the color, whimsy and homemade feel of  STICKS furniture and home decor. In fact, I have my eye on these two wall hangings ... great message for today.

Get OUT THERE and see the world, then COME HOME for love. Yikes, I'm already missing my kids.

Winner (for Yesterday + Today)

But first ... a conversation I have everyday with Addie.

mommy?
yes Addie?
mommy?
yes Addie?
mommy?
I'm right here Addie.
mommy?
what Addie?
mommy?
yes Addie?
mommy?
yes Addie?
mommy?
Talk to me baby girl!
mommy?
what Addie?
mommy?
Addie ... (with some frustration in my voice)
mommy?
yes Addie?
mommy?
What sweetie baby girl ... what do you want?
mommy?
Addie -- what sweetie, what?

I'm quite certain that other mothers of three year-olds can relate to this type of exchange that usually occurs when one is making dinner, driving in the car, helping another child with homework, or ... packing clothes for say a trip to Japan.

 

Finally, I stop and pick up this adorable princess girl and ask her to her face, What baby love? What do you need from Mommy and then she smiles and I give her a BIG HUG and say ... I'm keeping you forever. And this seems to put a temporary end to the inquisition.

So, I turned off comments at precisely NOON and had my dear husband help me randomly generate a WINNER for Ali's class. Are you ready?

The WINNER is Summer Braxton. I've just notified Summer via email.

Summer Braxton said:

Wow, what an unbelievable group of women! I would die if I got this spot in Ali's class. So amazing!

I hope she doesn't in fact die -- that would be incredibly sad and I would certainly feel responsible.
CONGRATULTIONS Summer!

Ok, now ... for the rest of you. There is still a chance to win a spot in Ali's class. Head on over to Write.Click.Scrapbook (there's plenty of time)

and thank YOU all so much for helping us celebrate MORE exciting expert instruction at BPS.