{EMOTION}

** First let me say that I am sorry for the delayed post.  I know that for my faithful readers, it has been a week since I have posted.  This is literally the first time since then that I have had more than about five minutes to myself!  With the trip to Vegas, having my MIL here, more trips to the doctor with Cabe, and with working all weekend life has been busy!  Feels good to know that for the next six hours (until work starts again) that I have some breathing (and blogging!) time!  Now on to my actual post :)

So...EMOTION.  That is a big word that encompasses so many things.  I think that in the last week I have felt every emotion that there is -- excitement, worry, fear, sadness, overwhelmed, thrilled, giddy, happy, worried, frustrated, eager, etc. etc....

I have also realized that when you open the flood gates to emotion on one level that they seem to be opened on all levels.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you just have to brace yourself :)

So...the trip to Vegas was fabulous. Busy, but fabulous.  And in case any of you read this blog but aren't really in the scrapping world and haven't heard yet, no, I didn't win.  However, I NEVER went into it thinking I would, or even could win, so it wasn't a shocking thing.  The very sweet and talented Elizabeth Kartchner was named this years Scrapbooker of the Year.

Okay, so back to Vegas.  I got in at one o'clock in the afternoon but didn't get to check into my hotel room until after 10 pm!  That is how busy CK kept us! It was fun though -- getting to meet the other finalists, looking through all the booths, talking with the CK people.  We then attended Stacy Julian's keynote address and then we went to dinner. My poor pregnant body was already tired but add three hours of time difference to a 10:30 end to dinner and I was exhausted!  I was so happy to curl up in my comfy bed in my GORGEOUS hotel room and sleep!

The next day was a late start (10 am ) so I enjoyed some time alone!  I realized that I am NEVER alone -- and for someone who really needs it, never getting it is hard.  It was so nice to just be able to get some coffee, take a hot bath, watch a little TV, and just relax without a bazillion demands placed on me!

The rest of the morning and afternoon were busy with more CK stuff -- walking the floor of the show, having a "Meet the Finalists" hour, photo shoots, etc. Then it was back to our room to get ready for the announcement banquet.  That is really when the emotion started to kick in for me.  All these thoughts and feelings were welling up within me -- some having to do with SOY and some totally unrelated.  But when you finally have time to actually FEEL something (instead of just living life at 100 mph and never stopping long enough to actually know what you think about a situation) ALL the emotions rise to the surface.  I found myself  upset over stuff I hadn't thought about in a long time...I found myself excited about things that I hope will one day happen...I found myself crying just because I never have a chance to!  LOL! It was a weird afternoon, to say the least!

On to the banquet.  It was set up beautifully, with each finalist having her own table.  They  put up on of our entry LO's, our bio, and our picture on each table.  Since Jason wasn't with me, CD and her husband Cam sat at my table along with one of the finalists from last year. Lisa Bearnson joined us later.  It was a nice and relaxing dinner.  I can't say I was getting too nervous about the announcement...partly because I never thought I had a chance of winning and because I got a peak at Lisa's announcement notes (she was across from me and as she was going though them I could see through the back!) and knew one of two girls won. I couldn't tell exactly (it was just a brief moment she had the notes up) but I could see a large handwritten "E" which either meant Elizabeth or Gretchen McElveen.  Anyway, so, I wasn't too nervous.  Lisa then called each of the finalists up to the stand one by one and shared a little about us.  Then, they announced Elizabeth this years Scrapbooker of the Year.  Her reaction was so sweet! I wish the CK video had turned out better so you could see it!

I think Elizabeth is a good choice.  She is very talented, she is sweet and soft spoken, and, she is local to CK which I can imagine is only an asset to her and the magazine. I think that any of the ten of us could have done a good job -- each in our own ways -- but we all knew going into it that only one could win. And Elizabeth was the one and I wish her all the best over the next two years.  The fun times, the hard times, everything -- they are hers to hold and cherish. 

Thursday morning was free for the rest of us so I took advantage of an 11:00am check out and hung out in my room...watching some reruns of Grey's, enjoying my beautiful bath tub, and drinking chai from my favorite coffee shop.  After check out I went back to the show to say congrats to Elizabeth again during her official "meet the winner" hour at the CK booth.  I then chatted with some of the other gals and with CD.  Good times.

It was a very exciting few days!  It is hard to pin point what I liked best since there was so much that happened.  But if I had to pick a favorite, then I would say that talking with the CK people was the best.  Hanging out, talking, eating, and just being with the editorial team was fabulous.  I loved talking with CD about the hard parts of her role, I loved hearing Britney Mellen ask for suggestions on her real scrapbooking obstacles, I loved seeing the realness of all of them come through. They are just people -- like me and you -- who have good days, bad days, proud moments, moments they would rather forget. Just people. 

I am sorry to say I don't have any pictures for you!  I haven't even downloaded them from my camera yet (see, I told you I have been busy!) I didn't even take that many photos, but some of the others gals did and we are all sharing.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have a bunch for you!

Alrighty --  I need to sign out.  Now that the weekend is done, my trip is over, my MIL is gone, and we actually have a few hours I need to hang with the family.  I miss them :)

Have a great Monday!

Comments

[KirstyB]

Glad to see you back at the ole blog!! Sounds like Vegas was FABULOUS and that you had some well deserved alone time!! I don't know the girl who won but she must be amazing if she won over you!! :) Welcome home!! Can't wait to see pics!!

[MandaKay]

So good to hear from you again! What a whirlwind of stuff going on you have had lately! I bet emotionally you are ready for some normalcy (if there is a normal - right?). Glad you had a safe and fun trip - bummed you didn't win, but now you will totally be able to focus on this little baby growing inside of you! Can't wait to see the LO's that you submitted if/when you are able to share them!!!

[Stephanie]

Wow - I got emotional just reading your blog; you've had a lot going on =) Glad you are back and had such a nice time in Vegas despite the let down. You'll need to update us on Caleb when you get on again. Hope the little guy is doing ok.....

[Rona]

Yay! You're back! Glad to hear you got some ME time and had a great time with the CK gals. Can't wait to see photos! :)

[Jacki]

Glad you're back home. I loved reading your blog today. I totally get the emotion thing. Course I missed you and was really cheering you on! Vicky found the news and sent it to me. You've got a big venture coming up but we were still rooting for you. :) Hope you can play catch-up and stay healthy! Big hug!!!

[Margie]

Great big hugs to you Janet!! Love you sharing your open heart with us...brings us right there with you :) I thought Jason was going with you...guess I will have to reread some posts. ANyway, everyone always says it....but it's true....you tried and that makes you a winner in heart :)

[Melissa]

I've been checking in daily to see how it went! I'm glad you had a good time and sad that you didn't win, but I'm sure the experience was wonderful!

[Iara]

I am so glad that you were there to tell us how it is being a SOY finalist!!! ah, the hotel room was fantastic! OMG! I am feeling so tired today - one bad mama day lol - and wow, I'll go bed now and dream about the veneziam before DS awakes to be nursed lol everything looks wonderful and so are you! I love the photos, all of them :)

Poor little Caleb, I still did not have my trip to ER but everyday I think it will be today :) DD is 2 years old and lives dangerously lol Enjoy your paper scrap goodies! I love mine too! Hugs from Spain!