Life in our house......

Success!

I have no photos and I feel as if I'm lucky my feet are still attached to my legs, but the fundraiser was a great success!

On Thursday we moved everything into a room at our church and it took that whole day just to sort stuff out and get most of it priced for the rummage sale.  Then we made forms for the silent auction, made signs, got the raffles ready, and tried to be ready for Friday.

We had so many people and business donate it was way awesome.  Mandy had met a girl through Freecycle and she gave us so much stuff.  It was great to see so many people with such giving hearts and to see people who have never even met Caleb or his family willing to give so much was just amazing.

On Friday morning after madly dashing our kids to school we ran down the street to the church.  We had another friend unloading this huge amount of tables and things to sell.  We rushed to start getting set up and people were already showing up at 8:45 and we didn't open officially until 10:00am.  We had to get the stuff out of the church and to the front parking lot (a very busy street) and set up with people milling about and wanting to buy stuff. 

So I set up my tent and just started taking money.  I don't think we got everything set up until about 10:30.  We put on our Caleb t-shirts and had signs with his smiling face on them.  I think it really touched a lot of people because they gave so much.

A nice lady went to get change to buy something and she came back with croissants and cookies for us, because she thought what we were doing was so nice.  Some people would buy like a few dollars worth of stuff and then just tell us to keep the change.  SO AWESOME!   We had a donation box that people were just putting money into.  Everyone was so positive (except for one guy who about had a fit at our price for a fax machine, but that's beside the point and puts a damper on this nice post so I won't tell you about it) and giving.  We had moms helping out with their little kids in tow ALL DAY and the lunch lady at our kids school helped.  I was just so proud of everyone.

So, the total for the day was well over $4000!  I think by the time we collect all the money for all the auction items it will be more than $4500! 

There were things along the way that I would do different next time and we could have been a little more organized, but all in all it was great!  It's amazing when you start something, even if you don't know what your starting and if it's for something worthwhile, there will be people who help and it all comes together.  Dana, Mandy and I were so worried.... What if no one comes?  What if no one donates?  What if no one helps us?   Good thing God is in control!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED AND HELPED!

I know that Caleb's family was so thankful for everyone who helped in any way too.  They were there all day on and off giving us mocha's and pizza and encouragement! 

Now off to concentrate on The Farm Chicks Antique show!   Um, ya, I have to leave on Friday morning for Spokane and I'm sooooo not ready!!! :)

ok ok one more photo.... :)

I don't have much time...  Just back from preparing for the fundraiser and I've got to be a parent for the rest of the night.. :)

But here is a super cute one of Annie running to Karen and Courtney.

Karen isn't on a honeymoon, but I think she is taking a break for the week.

Brooke.. Is that for a discount on Typepad?  I'll have to go check it out!  Thanks!

Fundraiser on Friday

On Friday a couple friends and I are having a fundraiser for another friend whose son was diagnosed in January with Leukemia.  We are having a rummage sale and silent auction and raffle.  We have gotten some great things donated from our friends and family and local businesses. 
Getting this all planned and organized has been fun and we still have a lot to do before Friday, but it is finally coming together. 

Most people who read my blog are not really from around here, but if you read it and are near the Puyallup/Tacoma area we would love it if you came and checked it out. 

Some of the things that have been donated are $50.00 Costco Card, Gas Card, Handmade Tote Bag, Gardening Gift Basket, Baby Gift Basket, Scrapbooking Kits (Karen!!), Pet Baskets, Rose Petal Betty Gift Bucket, 3 weeks Karate Lessons, Chardonnay Spa Gift, Dinners Ready meals and much more!

What we are looking for now is people to come and bid!!  :)  If you are in the area and would like directions to the Silent Auction and or Rummage sale, just email me and I'll send them to you.

Here is Caleb and a spot for donating if you can't make it to the festivities.  Caleb's Fund and Photo of Caleb

Thanks!

Back from the Wedding

We are back!  We had a great time!

Now the thing with having a business, is that when I'm gone and then come back, I have A LOT of catching up to do, so this will be quick.

Karen looked beautiful and looked as if she was having a ton of fun the whole day, so that is great.  I even wish there would have been more time to spend with her even though I picked her up at 8:30am and spent the whole day with her up until about 4:00pm.  But the time flew by. 

I better not post any more photos until she posts more on her blog... :)  I didn't get that many, and I can't wait to see the ones her photographer shot.

Anyway, I've got to run.  I'll catch you all up in a day or so...

You know what I like?

Subjects that don't move....

People who photograph small children as  a job should get an award.

That is my random thought of the day. 

We are heading out of town tomorrow after the boys are done with school.  Heading to Southern Oregon for Karen's wedding and visiting with the family. 

The boys are looking forward to it and so am I.  Jason gets to come this time, so I won't be a single parent for the week... 

We even get a day off for the wedding.  Yay!  My parents are going to watch the boys for us.  I'm looking forward to being Jason and Jill for the night instead of Ben and Sam's dad and mom... :)

Probably won't post before I leave and not until next week sometime...

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

YeeHawwww!!

Rose Petal Betty meets The Farm Chicks !!!  On Saturday June 7th and Sunday June 8th I'll be heading to the The Farm Chicks annual Antique show ! I'm so excited to go to this, I could die.  I told Jason if I didn't make it in as a vendor I was going anyway as a shopper!  It is going to be so fun! Jason's mom is meeting me there to help and she is also making some great spa bags, lavender sachets and heating pads out of cool and funky fabric to add to the Rose Petal Betty goodness! Did I tell you I was excited yet?  I'm going to work on my display in the garage until then and get it just right.  I'm going to use antique cake platters, bowls, mirrors, scales, benches, bird baths and anything else I can find to make a great looking booth! Oh and I better make some soap too.... :)

 

Spring Program

Before the program with fancy hair.
During the program with a cool hat, he made.
More during the program and doesn't this make you tired?

Poor thing.  The program started at 7:00 and 7:00 is pretty dang near time for bed for the boys around here...

Anyway it was super cute and this year he behaved a lot better than last year...  I guess that's what happens when your 5 instead of 4!

Saturday.

Ok first of all.... Very lame photo.  But I was nervous and when I'm nervous I can't concentrate on anything, even trying to take photos.

The good news is, is that I ended up having lots of fun and it was a good day.  Everyone was so nice and complimented me on my packaging and products and that made me feel great.   The soaps and Pucker Paste were the "hot" sellers...

Also what I liked was that every scent of soap and Pucker Paste seemed to sell well.  I had "naked" bars to feel and smell and everyone like different things.  I was interested in what would sell best, it's hard to smell over the internet, so it's hard to tell what people really like.  But I had no duds, so that was nice to know. 

I even got new account to supply for another local B&B.  I already supply for Devoe Mansion.  And now also for Little Clam Bay B&B !  Yay!

Anyway it was great experience for me and glad I have a "fair" under my belt!

A bunch of Randomness

Well I've just got a whole lot of nothin' really to say today.  But first let's just start off with a "nice" photo...  Really.... why would one need a "thermal camera" option on Photo Booth?  There are so many random options on there and this is the only one I could bring myself to actually share.  The "twisted" option is the boys favorite along with "mirror image" but really the results of those are just too horrifying to share.

Oh and the only reason I actually posted this, is because a post without a photo is just sometimes too boring.  So there you have it.

Also, I really wanted to thank all of you that left a comment about my Uncle Herman.  It really meant a lot and that you all read his story made me happy.  I liked hearing from Linda and Marti as they actually knew him and can attest to his awesomeness.. :)

Not really anything too exciting going on around here except for being really busy this week.  We have teacher appreciation week at the school and I'm still getting ready for the art fair on Saturday.  Lots of work and not too much time left.... Agh...

Oh and I went shopping on Sunday for a dress for Karen's wedding.  This was hilarious.  Actually to anyone else it probably was hilarious, but to me dress shopping is actually somewhat of a nightmare.   Anyway after 4 hours at the Tacoma Mall I found one and bought it.  After a whole bunch of discounts and my 30 dollar Macy's gift card it was just over $5.00! 

I was thrilled, but thought it was too long so I had the alterations lady come and she laughed and said it didn't fit me and there was nothing that could be done.  I almost wanted to cry.  It had to do with me being extremely short waisted and my front being too big.... If you get my drift.  So the front looks like it fits because I fill it out.. but then there is this gigantic bubble in the back where the zipper goes up!  I was only looking at the front of the dress and I thought it was fabulous... until she had me turn to the side and I saw the bubble!

So after she left and I stood there for 5 minutes cursing myself for taking off the tags of the dress already, I decided that I was going to buy a sweater and have Jason pin that bad boy bubble down and then not take off the sweater all night.  I was tired and hungry and wanted dress shopping to be over!  Those of you that know me, know I'm not really the "dress" sort of girl, so you can understand.  So we will see if my hunger induced sweater decision is good one in a couple of weeks...  It is what it is though now.

But I got some fabulous, sassy shoes to go with it....

That is about it.  I might be MIA for a few days, probably back on Sunday or Monday.

Happy Mothers Day!

RPB stuff

My friend Holly (see her blog under my "Blogs I Dig") hosted the first ever Rose Petal Betty home party on Saturday night.  It was so much fun.  Not because of me, but because of all the nice and fun people that were there.  I learned soooo much just from the one experience, so I hope to get better over time. 
So anyway, this is something that I would like to do more of.  It's great for me in so many ways, but mostly it's nice just to get out of the house and be with other girls!!  You know, I only live with boys, so sometimes I forget that I really am a girl!  It was fun to put on some sassy shoes and a little make-up and chat with other moms.  And Londo... Holly's husband,  he is so funny, no wonder they got married, they both are so fun!
So anyhooo.... if you live in Western Washington and want to host a RPB party, shoot me an email and I can give you the details...  You would get 20% of the total sales of the party towards Rose Petal Betty products and a free gift.  Your guests will get a free Pucker Paste, just for coming. 
Also I debuted a few new items at Holly's house and they went over really well, so I hope to have them on the site at the end of the month.  I have to wait until then because we will be gone for close to a week for Karen's wedding and I won't be able to have much stock until after that because I have the Southworth Art and Garden Fair   this weekend and I might sell it out then...  So anyway you guys can look forward to that in June!
That's about it for today...