Meet CS Staffer, Deb K.!

We thought we'd do this variation on the "12 Favorite Things" with our production manager, Deb, so you can get to know her better. Inspired by a blog entry we came across recently, we asked Deb to share her "currents" with all of you.


Currently...
listening: to oldies from the 60's.
eating: peanut butter stuffed celery stalks.
drinking: Water Joe (artesian water with caffeine).
wearing: jeans, a denim blouse and tennis shoes.
liking: being up early and enjoying the tranquility before the craziness of the day starts.
feeling: focused and energized. (Yes, the caffeine helps!)
weather: cool fall temps. perfect.
wanting: to take a long walk in the woods and enjoy the fall colors and smells.
needing: to spend more time with my parents.
thinking: oh my gosh! Christmas is barely 2 months away!
enjoying: memories of a recent weekend spent in Seattle with my son and hubby celebrating our birthdays.
wondering: what spooky (but  healthy) appetizer to bring for our CS Halloween lunch?

Deb is beautiful...inside and out!

I so love this time of year. Even though it means Packers games dictate my Sunday plans from now into February, the autumn colors, smells and temps all make me feel so alive. Pumpkin-spiced ANYTHING tops my list of cravings. I want to go for walks, bike rides, travel, do anything to be active, and yes, I even look forward to going to the gym and working out. (Did I really say that?) I think I should dog-nap Driver (the beagle), from Kristin, and take him to the dog park. I can multi-task and pre-plan for holiday shopping and meals while we walk. The question is whether I will remember my ideas when we get back to the car!
I hope to finish Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving this year. But I haven't even started shopping, and have yet to meet an early "deadline"...but maybe this will be the year! Maybe I will even make my Christmas cards, and have them mailed in early December. I'm still breathing, so there is hope!

Meanwhile, today has deadlines that I CAN and NEED to meet at CS, so I'd best get at them. (I think I'm going to stop in and surprise my parents with a visit today, too!)

May God bless you real good today,

Deb

Meet Kristin Erdman!

We thought it would be fun for you to learn more about Club Scrap Staffer, Kristin Erdman. She works really hard, but it's mostly "behind the scenes" as one of Club Scrap's Website Developers. We thought it was about time for you to get to know her better, so we'll continue the "12 Favorites" tradition with Kristin's list!

My 12 Favorite Things

Faith

No matter what happens in my life, I stay grounded on the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I’ve always been active in my church and couldn’t imagine life without it.

Family

I get along great with my family. They are supportive when I need them and always fun to hang out with! I get together very frequently with my parents, three brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I also have two adorable nephews that I get to babysit every Friday.

Healthy Eating

I like gardening, cooking, and trying new, healthy recipes. If it’s a fresh fruit or vegetable, I’ll eat it!

Active Living

I also like to stay active, taking my energetic Beagle, Driver, on at least two 2 mile walks a day. I also enjoy biking, hiking, tennis, yard games, snow shoeing, and the Wii. Yes, you can definitely get a workout from a video game!

Local Establishments

Farmers markets, wineries, breweries, restaurants, goofy road side attractions, historical landmarks…and so on. You can bet that if I travel somewhere, I won’t be eating at McDonald’s. I’m going to whatever cute little local place looks good.

Sports

Mainly Packers football, Brewers baseball and Timber Rattlers baseball (class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers). I try to catch as many games as I can! There’s nothing like dressing in some crazy sports gear, going tailgating and experiencing a live sporting event.

Travel

Although I don’t get out of town as much as I’d like… I really enjoy exploring new places. Whether it be an hour away or halfway across the world, say the word and I’ll tag along with who ever is up for an adventure. And the itinerary will be packed. I’m definitely not content to lie on the beach. I want to do everything.

Popcorn

Definitely my favorite snack, I make it at home in my Whirley-Pop with coconut oil and whatever spices I’m in the mood for. It’s delicious anytime of the day. And goes especially well with movies… which happens to be my next favorite thing!

Movies

Aside from sporting events, I hardly ever watch live television, but I do enjoy movies. Anything from documentaries to action or a good comedy… pretty much anything that’s not too gory or scary. Netflix = awesome.

Games

Cribbage is probably my favorite card game, and one frequently played with my family. I also enjoy Scrabble, Monopoly, Apples to Apples, and Wits 'n Wagers, just to name a few.

Books

I am always reading something. I mostly enjoy non-fiction (if I’m going to invest time reading, I want to learn something!) No e-reader for me either, I like the kind of book that smells like a library 

Scrapbooking

...and I’m not just saying that because I work at Club Scrap… I really do love creating albums, cards and gifts both to keep and give away. With the talented people I work with, and wide variety of unique products I see everyday, it’s hard not to want to go home and create something fun every night!

jac's fav thingies!

Howdy All!!  Happy Saturday!
Okey dokey - I'll open September (my birthday month) with my fav thingies! In no particular order (or at least not that I'm admitting to).

I've spent all week compiling the list so it's fairly accurate (at least at this second . . . oops, now it's outdated! darn those passing seconds!!!  i will defeat you, Father Time!!!)  Advance warning: I babble and ramble. Have aspirin ready, hehe.  :) jac

1. Being home with my sofa  and blankie -  I saw you roll your eyes about me having a blankie, hehehehe. Don't ask me if i want to go out to eat- no I don't. Want to go to the mall? No. How about we go blablabla - ok, you lost me at "go".  You go, have a blast!! I'm totally having my own blast here, and I mean that with all sincerity and love!  (I have a shirt that says, Agoraphobic, if you can read this, get the @#$% outta my house! - ok, I really don't but i'm thinkin' of making one, hehehhe).

2. Saturday morning Starbux.  Grande Decaf One-Pump Mocha (once a week on Sat mornings- like today)  mr scott brings me my mocha while i'm still in bed.  That's how he wakes me up so I don't sleep all day.  And part two on this fav thing is the bux cup sleeve - got a hearty (and probably unhealthy) collection of these paper yummies.

3. Health 'n fitness - it's frightening to think back on own my fat days (not quite out of them yet) and frightening to think how underinformed and misinformed the general public is about health and fitness.  Research is key - and don't believe ANYTHING the government tells you about fitness/health - the dairy/chemical/beef/drug industries are writing all the 'guidelines' there. Anytime Fitness &  Anytime Health . Take an hour or two and visit with Maria, (I've linked her name to her site) you'll be amazed at what you learn.  And I can't be healthy without my Blendtec - green smoothies, meal staple at my place.  My Blendtec is welllll loved and looks like it's beat up many an iphone (search Will It Blend on Youtube).

4. The Packers -  Go Pack Go (or Pac as jac likes to refer to them)!!  I do not have a big #2 tattoo . . . yet.  ahhh Mason, what a leg! Did you know that you can get a traffic ticket in Wisconsin if you're on the road after kickoff on game day Sunday???

5. Cupcakes - bakin' them pups from scratch, 'nuf said. Eat one, give the rest away, see #3 above.  The kids and neighbors love me . . . Tricia, not so much.  Great cupcakes here.

6. Tea - free swimming green tea -  Friends don't let friends drink bagged tea.  Get it fresh and steep it at the right temp for the right amount of time- it's a science, my friends.  Great tea here.  LoriD and I call these "turds" cuz they look kinda like bunny poopies. - and to go with this; teapots. Buy me a teapot and I'll love you forever.

7.  Karma - do only good, be only good and avoid bad juju and you'll wear a smile always. Don't give into the dark side. What goes around comes around. I see it all the time and am always amazed at the good things that come to the world when we're being good.

8. Hot tub, baby! or just a hot bath, mmmm -   Around our house you'll hear the "hot TEHB" yell go up and is picked up by everyone.  Folks come outta the woodwork in an effort to be the first to the bathroom to change into their suits for hot tub hour.  If it's just me and mr scott, it's a much more civilized "tubba tub time?" "hmmm yeah!"  A foot note about showers - showers are for weird people that like one half of their body cold while the other half tries not to notice the uneven water temp. -  or perhaps these folks feel that self inflicted water-boarding is an acceptable wake up method, hehehe. In other words; I don't do showers.

9. The fam - If you're a Sound of Music fan, you'll know the line "somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good." Well, that's the only explanation I can come up with for possessing such an exceptional family.  And by fam, I mean my blood and my CS fam's, equally.  They all bear with me, bless them - I'd not choose to do so if I were them.

10. The laptop - of course it's a Mac and it doesn't go a day without being on my lap. In fact, if I'm not asleep or baking cupcakes, it's on my lap. Unless I'm at Tricia's- she does take me out and walk me now and again and as I don't own a raincoat for the Mac, I can't take it on the boat. And, since it kinda qualifies, I'll add my Nook into this fav - it's named jac's nookie nook, heheheh - movies (both stored on the nook and on Netflix), music (Pandora!) and a bazillion books! (comfort food books by Jane Austen 'n the Brontes, other favs like Laurel K Hamilton, JD Ward, Tina Folsom, Alexandra Ivy, Christine Feehan) a couple brain teaser word games and home to my mag subscriptions (Teatime and Muscle 'n Fitness Hers being two of my favs).

11. Being online - Skype, yeah, I can't live without Skype. My link to the folks I know that are out playing while I'm at home.  Shopping online - sooooo fun!  Did you know that there isn't ANYTHING that you can't buy online?  I fantasize about not ever leaving the house again!  Netflix - plays all my 'comfort food' movies in the background while I design - I don't need to watch, I know them by heart so I just listen.  So much so that Singer walks around saying "Mr. Daaaarcy" in a really bad english accent.  If you see him at Retreat ask him if he like Pride 'n Prejudice, hehehe.

12.  Groups, sets or collections of things - if it comes in a set or group or there are lots of shapes 'n sizes of something, I have to have it. Make-up brushes, eyeshadows, shoes, bras, glassware, travel shampoos (that i never use), measuring cups 'n spoons . . . the list goes on.  it's a sickness, really. Don't get me started on pens, stamps, crayons and all crafty things - of course you know where I'm coming from there, we're all a little 'out there' in that area.

These are a Few of my Favorite Things

Okay, no raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens, but here are 12 things that I really like...

1. The People in my Life - David, my DSO of 32 years, my BFF Sharon who is like a sister to me, my Mom (who just turned 89!), my Step-Mom (who just turned 87 and is definitely a 2nd Mom to me!), and some really close friends (who are in many ways like family to me) - I'm very fortunate to have such special people in my life and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them.

2. Cruising - yeah, I love going on vacation, especially cruise vacations. I've been on about 30 already and I've already got one booked for next July.

3. Wine - red, white, bubbly or still, I really enjoy a nice glass (or 3) of wine. And recently, I've had the pleasure of drinking some very nice wines with some of my favorite people - it don't get much better than that (unless we were on a cruise, maybe!).

4. Club Scrap - oh c'mon, you knew that was coming, right? The products are amazing and the people - well, you probably know how great the people are already - so what's not to like?

5. Bourbon - I love good bourbon (Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Booker's, etc.) - on the rocks, or with a splash of soda or ginger ale (or both) - yum!

6. Chocolate - preferably dark, but truthfully, I'll eat any kind at all. And chocolate is really good with red wine and bourbon!

7. The Greenwood Inn - a neighborhood restaurant here in RI, I've been a patron there for about 25 years and it's like visiting family whenever I'm there. And every Thursday, I post a photo of my drink (which usually involves bourbon) on my Thursday Night Beverages Facebook fan page - 95% of the time, that photo is taken at the Greenwood Inn.

8. Technology, specifically, Apple products - yup, I'm definitely an Apple fan - David and I each have a MacBook Pro laptop, an iPhone, an iPad, and various iPods and we now have an Apple TV, too - I can't imagine my life without Apple products!

9. Digital Crafting - I love Photoshop and Illustrator. I use Photoshop pretty much everyday (and Illustrator almost as frequently) and thanks to Jac (who is definitely one of those 'almost like family' people in my life), I've learned a lot about how to use Photoshop.

10. Coffee & Tea - yeah, I like both. Hot coffee - black, no sugar. Hot tea - ditto. Iced coffee - with cream and Splenda. Iced tea with lemon, no sugar. Now, you know it all!

11. Sabor - Brazilian churascarria (steakhouse) in Milwaukee. It's da bomb!

12. Weekends - I love to sleep in on Saturday morning. Then maybe grab my iPad and catch up on email and the news before I actually get out of bed - what a perfect way to start the day!

So there ya go - 12 of my favorite things - But I can't imagine dropping any of these things from my favorites list, so I think Ill just need to keep adding stuff to this list - 12 just won't be enough pretty soon!

Stuff I Like.

There are a few things in life that I would be very sad to live without. I wonder how many of them are the same as yours?

1. Cheese. Yep. I'm a Wisconsin girl through and through, and I adore cheese of all kinds. Aged cheddar, squeaky cheese curds, feta, blue, romano, parmesan, cottage, ricotta, string, whips, baby swiss, colby, muenster, brick. (Do you get the idea?) This is a picture of my "cheese drawer" in my fridge. I'm serious about my cheese.

2. MacBook Pro. I spend tons of time on my Mac. I made the switch from PC to Mac in March of 2011, and I've been loving it ever since. 

3. Running Shoes. I've been a Saucony girl for years, but I think I'm liking my new pair of New Balance. I track my mileage and retired my last pair after over 400 miles of running.

4. Netflix. Oh, man--I really like Netflix. Turns out that people make "Netflix Envelope Art". I'll have to try that sometime.

5. Wine. Red. White. Not sweet. (Unless it's Port.) Oh. . . out of a Riedel glass to match the varietal, when possible.

6. Bookbinding Glue. (My version of duct tape.) I don't leave home without it. I should have purse-sized bottles.

7. Coffee. Former Keurig user. New Breville user. Isn't it pretty? The poor Keurig just couldn't keep up with my family.

8.  Tonic Trimmer. I've been using the same trimmer for years and years. It knows me. I know it. We hang out together.

9.  Club Scrap. Pretty much goes without saying. I get to do what I love to do for my job. I'm a blessed girl. 

10. Nikon D60. My husband got me this camera for Christmas years 'n years ago. It's a little on the big side, but still fits in my purse when necessary. I dropped it on a ceramic tile floor, and it survived.

11. Anytime Fitness. My ticket to sanity. If I'm not running, or if it's too cold to run outside, you'll find me here five mornings a week. I've been a member since February, 2008.

12. Graph Paper. I carry it with me everywhere so that I can sketch formulas, ideas and cutting diagrams on a whim. Five squares per inch (quadrille). Not four. I keep my "to do" lists on graph paper, too. I like graph paper almost as much as I like cheese. Note: graph paper composition books are on sale during back-to-school time! Stock up!

I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of this week's favorites! Be sure to check back!