My Happy Place

As I was getting ready to board my flight to Anaheim last week, I was also talking to my mom on my cell phone. During the conversation, she asked if I was ready for CHA. This was a legitimate question coming from my mom, as she has been my closest confidant, my most patient sounding board, and my biggest supporter throughout my entire life. Mom knows me better than anyone else on earth, and she knew that I was a bit nervous after being away from the industry for almost two years. My response to her surprised me. I told her that I felt more calm than I have felt in months, and that I was mentally prepared for this show more so than any show I had ever worked.

After I boarded the plane, I thought about the conversation I had just had with my mom, and I reflected on everything that has happened over the course of the past two years. And in reviewing the chain of events, I felt at peace with where I am at and the choices I've made. More than that, I felt excitement - a feeling that I'd not experienced in a long time.

As I was working the show, several people commented to me that they were amazed by my enthusiasm and the high level of energy I seemed to have. My response to those remarks was always, "I'm in my happy place!" And it is true - demonstrating, teaching, talking shop, and being around other crafters makes me happy like nothing else does. Doing this work is in my blood. No matter how hard I try, I could never turn my back on the love I have for sharing my passion with others. In fact, I did try - and look where that got me... right back in the game!

This is my happy place - the Make & Take station in the Luxe booth:

I am more at home doing make and takes, teaching classes, and talking to other crafters than I am in my own neighborhood. What I've come to conclude is that we crafters make up a small community, and scrapbooking is my home within that community. It is this community where I feel most secure hanging my heart and being my true authentic self. Everything I have done in the past has led me to this place, and for that reason, it truly is my happy place.

While I was in my happy place last week, I heard some of the funniest things:

1. Apparently, I appear to be much taller in photos than I am in real life. For the record, I am 5'3" and I tend to lean on the puny side. I laughed out loud when people told me that I looked taller in my avatars and blog photos. Considering most of the pictures I post are head shots, I guess that means I have a tall head!
2. I heard over and over again that my voice doesn't fit my photos. I was losing my voice by the end of day two, and I don't know if my friends were referring to the new raspy thing I had going on, or whether they thought my real voice was deep. Either way, I guess I have a deeper voice than fits my appearance. I'm still questioning whether or not this is a good thing.
3. People asked me several times if I was always as happy as I was at the show. The answer to that question is that I was in my happy place, and when I am in my happy place, yes! I am always that happy. Away from my happy place... well, I don't have nearly as much energy.
4. By unanimous decision, it was determined that I suck at email. This is one of my biggest bug-a-boos in life, and I am making a concentrated effort to improve this character flaw. No excuses... just fact - I do suck at email.
5. "Oh, the camera is on video. We need to take another picture." I did this, my friends did this, and strangers who were handed the camera did it. Katrina Simeck and I took self-portraits of ourselves with our cameras and I have a five minute video of us that is absolutely hilarious. I would post it, but I don't know how. Plus, it would be proof of how silly we get after three days of working a show.
6. Many, many people asked me how John was doing. I couldn't believe that strangers would take the time to introduce themselves, and then inquire about my son - especially during a show where so many exciting and wonderful things were happening all around. I was moved to tears more than once as new friends and old told me that they continue to pray for John's emotional well-being and his improved health. To all those who asked and to all those who took the time to offer support - thank you. Your words meant the world to me.

The following photo collage is a vivid pictorial of just how happy I am when I am doing what I love and spending time with my friends. I missed photo opportunities on several occasions, and I am just kicking myself for not being more on-the-ball. Next time... I will add to my friends photos file the next time I am in my happy place. Until then, I'm printing out this collage and putting it in a frame on my desk. It will remind me of just how happy my happy place really is!

Disclaimer: the goofy look on my face in these pictures is the look of pure delight. Our booth was located on the lower level in the New Exhibitor's Pavilion. Almost every one of these people made the effort to come downstairs to see us. Knowing that my friends would take the time to do so during such a large and busy show warmed my heart and filled me with joy.

Comments

[Wendy Reed]

We didn't take our picture.... wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I am still soooooo bummed about that! I'll catch ya at CHA, plus you are having dinner or something with me.

[Helena]

So many friends! That's wonderful!

[Maggie]

So glad you had a good time and I look forward to your posts again. I hope to make it next year. Your Make and Take photo is great. Hope all is well!

[LauraFiore]

Hi Kelly--so glad you posted those photos...and am really glad to see that I'm not the only one who has a huge head while standing next to you!

Can I use the one of us??

[Lara Cousins]

Hi Kelly, was good to see you again. It makes such a difference in life when you do find that 'happy place"!
Take care and be happy...
Lara in South Africa

[Randi]

Sounds like you had fun in LA. As you emailed me about Aug at the coast, we (Michael and I) would love to get together with you. If we know ahead of time when Kelli may be able to get the time off. Hope to hear from you. Randi

[Barb]

You look great! Congrats on the show and I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you. You were the only thing I missed about not going to CHA ;-)

[Cathy]

It was SO great to meet you, Kel. I thought your voice was low too... lower than I expected, at least.

Glad you had such a great show - we were SO tired and overwhelmed, and I think we ordered some great stuff. We'll see when the boxes start arriving... it's SO hard to remember what we actually decided to get.

LOVED the Luxe stuff. You've got a great thing going there. So glad you're involved with them. A happy place is a great thing.

[Pat]

It sounds like you had a great time and now that I see those make and takes I am just dying to get my hands on them. They would be the perfect thing for my dd sweet 16 bithday invitation. So would some Luxe pp and tiffany blue cardstock. UGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad to hear that you found your happy place, and you got some great photos!!!!
Hugs

[wendy]

hey! you got a picture of me that doesn't look like i need a facelift!!! you need to send me that one! LOL

so fun to see you in your happy place. so fun. :)

[janet o.]

Looks like fun...thanks so much for calling me! Oh, wait...you didn't. Nobody did...NOBODY CALLED ME FROM CHA...I was the poor little friendless girl at home pining away for the show. Bwahahaha.

sigh

Well, I'll see you at CHA summer at least! :) :) :)

[*Keri*]

Makes me happy to hear (and see) you so happy. Glad you found your "happy place"!

[~Dawn (rn4jchrist)]

Kelly,
LOL I didn't realize you were shorter than me..teeheheh
and as Shirley said..I don't think you suck at emails either..lol
Love your pics...now how about that T-shirt..any extras..;)
can't wait to get my hands on some LUXE!!
HUGS!

[May]

We look tired! LOL. It was at the end of the day I think. GREAT stuff, and totally a happy place week for sure. =)

[Jennifer Stewart]

Ahhh, Kelly! I can just feel your excitement. :) I love seeing these photos, and especially seeing Carla, Danielle, and Kimber! So fun. :)

Jennifer

[Adrienne]

Glad you had a good time and made it back safely!

[Tracy Whitney]

good times! nice to meet you.
: )

[slammie]

Hmmm, for some reason I had in my head that you were taller, too. Must be your personality! :) BTW, I personally don't think that you suck at emails.....

[Lana]

I enjoyed reading your comments Kelly - sound like you had (as Oprah would say) a full circle week. Glad to here it went to well and looks like you met up TONS of scrappy friends too! :)

[Amy Sorensen]

Hey, Kell! You know, the first time I talked to you on the phone, I thought that your voice sounded different than I had expected, too. Not sure (now) what I had expected! Anyway, I'm glad the CHA thing went well! That's fabulous! And you look great in your photos!