Rhonda

Summer

Hello everyone!

Did the summer fly by for all of you?  It sure did for me!  I found myself always saying, "There's not enough hours in a day."  I think the older we get the more we find ourselves saying it.

Steven was off and running as usual; he enjoyed being with friends, Water World, Elitch's, skateboarding and passing the "Hunters Safety" course.  The downside of his summer was ortho appliances starting and getting his bike stolen.  Tyler started his summer looking for a job!  It was not high on his to do list this summer but by mid July he was employed by Burger King.  He worked 6 days a week and never complained. Maybe seeing his bank account grow and getting that much closer to buying a car makes it all worth it.  My cousin from Florida stayed with us in July; it was really great to see him and catch up.

Before we knew it the calendar was flipped to August and the countdown to school began.  We have enjoyed the Olympics a lot, but it's taking a toll on our sleep.  I celebrated another birthday and got a year older (45) and I hope wiser!  My goals are to continue my organization frenzy and to down size the clutter & stuff around me.  My wishes are to enjoy my guys and the time we spend together.  I also want to make the things I want to do a priority.

I hope you had a wonderful summer and remember to print those pictures in your digital camera!  They can't turn into a great layout until you make them a photo! 

Rhonda

Rhonda & Jeannas Excellent Adventure / CHA California

We're Back and what a whirlwind it was! 

Saturday:  We started our trip with a 3am wake up call so we could leave at 4am.  Unfortunately Jeanna over slept, but with her skill of being able to get ready faster that the speed of light we were on our way by 4:15am.  California greeted us with sunny skies and 75 degree temps.  We hopped in our rental car and headed down the PCH.  Starving and looking for a fun place to eat we couldn't believe that we stumbled upon the same Mexican restaurant we ate at 4 yrs earlier. The guacamole was as tasty as we remembered!  We had the rest of the day to do whatever we want to do, so we headed for the coast.  We stopped at Long Beach, Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.  Sun on our face and toes in the sand in Feb, whats not to love!  After checking into our hotel we unpacked, freshened up and headed to downtown Disney for window shopping, people watching and a late night snack. 

Sunday:  CHA here we come!  First we hit the NEW vendors.  That is always exciting to hear what the buzz is about new and up and coming companies.  After that our map was highlighted for the companies we had to see in the next two days.  We placed orders with so many companies Epson, Zutterfly, Fancy Pants, Clear Snap, Basic Grey, MAMBI, My Minds Eye just to name a few.  Before we knew it the show was closing for the day, but that was fine because we had BIG plans for a Sunday night; The Grammys! 

Sunday P.M.:  With our California map in hand we drove North to find the Staples Convention Center.  When we arrived the Grammys had already started, but that didn't stop us from trying to get as close as we could to possibly see someone famous.  No such luck, so we headed to Hollywood to Hollywood Blvd still hoping to see movie stars.  The only stars we saw were the stars on the Hollywood walk of fame in front of the Kodak Theater.  I was very excited because it was my first time there, at one point I had wandered off and Jeanna thought she lost me.  What a long day and night, but it was SO MUCH FUN!

Monday:  CHA convention all day, more and more vendors to see and not enough time to see them! The lights went down at 5:30 and we were still trying to see more vendors.  This evening we went to the EK Success cocktail party at the Hyatt.  EK Success is going to be releasing 300 new Jolee's in the next 4 months, can you imagine how our head was spinning!  I'm not complaining but conventions are overwhelming and exhaust you.  Another late night and by the time we get back to the hotel it is 10pm and we have to pack and wake up at 3am to catch our flight from LAX to next morning. 

We have so much fun with blogging and our photo albums we hope you do too!

A Few Things About Me

We may have a lot more in common than you know...................

*  I am 44 yrs old

*  I am originally from NW Indiana and moved to Colorado in 1990

*  I am a wife who has been with her husband since 1980,  yes we met young, I was 16 and Tom was 20

*  Mom of two, sons, I'll have daughters when they marry 

*  Honorary son,  "Duke"  our Yellow Lab, the BEST dog in the world !

*  Appetizers and any kind and seafood are my favorite foods

*  I love to read cookbooks and watch the Food Network, my latest favorite show is 

  "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" ......  Don't get me started!

*   Another T.V. addiction, Soaps!  I blame my mom, she got me started in the late 1960's and early

   1970's with all ABC Soaps,  and I blame Jeanna for getting me hooked on Y&R about 2 yrs. ago

*   OPRAH!  Enough said!  I have watched Oprah since her 1st day in Chicago.  I love Oprah! 

*   Did you say Chicago!  I had my first  "real"  job as a dental asst. in Chgo. 1983-1990, I loved it!

*   I hate flying and I'm afraid of heights

*  I started scrapbooking while I was on maternity leave in 1995

Just a few things about me.........   Let me know about YOU! 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to All, and remember "Everythings going to be Great in 2008!

That's what we're saying here at the shop and on the home front.  How can it already be Jan 22, the month is already flying by.  One of my changes for the new year is to get more organized, I know we all say that but I am really committed!  Our friend Trina is our mentor, she really has her act together. I am also going to stop putting things off to the last minute.  I have found that I don't sleep well with things hanging over my head (and I need all the sleep I can get -don't we all?)  I am putting things I love to do first - instead of last.  This means more scrapbooking, cooking and staying in touch with family and friends just to name a few.

My boys are doing great.  The talk of college is in the air for Tyler and Steven will turn 13 in February.  Tom has been wood-working in the garage on his new lathe he got for X-mas, how he can stand the cold I don't know. 

Jeanna and I are going to attend the CHA convention in Anaheim this February.  We have not been to this convention since 2002.  Digital scrapbooking, new scrapbook companies with really different looks are just a few of the things on our list of things to do. 

New to YCS are pre-done quilling embellishments by Teresa.  They are un-believable!  Terra has expanded her pre-done die cuts with paper dolls, disney characters just to name a few.  Both ladies are perfectionist and it shows! 

Looking for an Avon lady?  I'm back to selling Avon, stop by the shop for a brochure or even easier shop on-line anytime.  Browse the catalog at your convenience and have it shipped right to your home.

I'll close for now to do my banking and get a few loads of laundry done, I can't think of anything better to do on my day off.  Oh yes I can --- how about cropping, trying a new recipe for dinner and e-mailing a friend and family member -- that sounds more like it!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Avon web-site is  www.youravon.com/rschubert

No Bake Cookie Recipe

I got this recipe from Sheila who got it from her mom Ruth.  All of our kids love them. 

Peanut Butter/Chocolate Bakeless Cookies

First

• Melt on stove
• 2 C. sugar
• 1/2 C. milk
• 1/4 lb. butter

Second

• 3 C. oatmeal
• 4 T. cocoa
• 1/2 C. peanut butter
• 1 t. vanilla
• Stir

Pour first mixture over second mixture.  Stir to mix.  Drop 1/2 dollar size amounts onto cookie sheets covered with waxed paper.  Refrigerate.  ENJOY!!!! 

Thanksgiving Dessert

I had this great, moisture as ever cake at a purse party at Trinas house.  It would be a new pumpkin dessert for Thanksgiving or anytime. 

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Cake Mixture

• 4 eggs
• 28 oz. can of pumpkin
• One - 3 oz. can of condensed milk
• 1 & 1/2 C. sugar
• 2 t. cinnamon
• 1 t. ginger
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 1/2 t. salt

Topping

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 sticks butter
• nuts (optional)

Beat eggs in bowl, addall other ingredients, pour into a greased glass 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle yellow cake mix on top (dry).  Melt 2 sticks of butter and pour over cake mix.  Sprinkle with nuts if desired.  Bake for approx 1 hour at 350 degrees.  ENJOY!!!

GREAT NEWS

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe it has been one week since Jeanna had her surgery!  She was able to come home on Nov 7 around dinner time.  Her only complaint was how sore her throat was from the tube they inserted during surgery.  She has been taking it easy for the past week and is nauseated a lot of the time.  The nausea is probably due to the drainage from the procedure.  I know she's not feeling well because she would be doing her hair and make-up.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU who have kept her in your thoughts and prayers, who have sent cards and flowers, who made breakfasts, lunches, dinners and treats!  The Maires are eating very well and the main level smells like a floral shop! 

Troy surprised Jeanna with a Pink and Cream "Vesba"!  So if you see her around the West Woods area give her a honk! 

Well I better get back to work or Jeanna will fire me, ha ha!

Ta Ta for now, Rhonda

How Embarrassing!

If you read my first blog and it sounded like I just stopped writing in the middle of my thoughts, I DID!  I panicked because I am intimidated by all the other blogs I have been reading.  So here I go again.

Since August we have had a little black rain cloud hanging over Your Crop Shop.  My father-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  If you have experienced this horrible form of cancer you know what I mean.  My wonderful father-in-law Irv died with-in 5 weeks of his diagnosis.  The entire family went to Las Vegas for the funeral.  Irv was in the Navy as a young man and served in 2 wars, he was given a Military ceremony that was an honor to be a part of.  We love and miss you Dad xoxo.  Jill, one of our great gals also lost her father-in-law Glenn.  He had a reoccurence of his cancer and passed away a week ago.  Jill and Gene were both able to attend his services in California.

This next sad news hit us like a ton of bricks.  My BFF Jeanna was diagnosised with a pituitary tumor.  After much crying, we started doing research on-line and she set up a consultation with a neurosurgeon and an endocrinologist.   The consult gave us much hope that this can be taken care of and the outcome very positive!  Please keep Jeanna and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  You can go to Jeannas' blog to get more information. 

After all that sad news I'm trying to think of something happy to say.  I realized that it doesn't have to be real big or over the top.  Everyday is a blessing.  My kids are healthy and back talk like every other teen.  My husband spend a lot of time tinkering in the garage but still sleeps next to me every night.  My dog Duke only has allergies nothing worst.  I play and work with my best friend Jeanna.  Sheila, Jeanna and I find time to spend together over breakfast or teaching a class together.  After counting my blessings I realize I could go on and on and that says a lot! 

Rhonda   

   

September 6, 2007

Well here I go, my first blog and I'm at a loss for words.  I must have asked 10 different people "What is a blog?" but didn't understand it until I read Ronda Ann's blog on our web-site. 

If some of you don't know I am one of the owners of Your Crop Shop.com along with my best buddy and neighbor Jeanna.  It's hard to imagine we will be celebrating 7 years in business soon!  We have never worked harder or had more fun at a job in our life!

A little bit about my family.  I am married to my high school sweetheart Tom.  We have two wonderful boys, one in high school and one in middle school.  Both have a love of music and play the sax and the trumpet. 

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