Lisa's Blog

Drum roll please!

First off, I want to say THANKS to the over 200 of you who entered my "Best $40.00 Ever Spent" contest. As I read through your entries, I laughed, I cried, I was inspired. In fact, I had a VERY hard time not choosing every one of you. But, I forced myself to choose my top 20. Then I asked two of my best buddies, Marci Leishman and Carrie Heaphy, to also give me their top 20. I then combined our lists and the 10 entries that got the most votes (common favorites) are featured below:

So, here they are--in no particular order : )

"Ok maybe this is going to sound selfish but the best $40 I ever spent was on a pair of jeans...However these jeans were more than just denim to me. For most of my life I have struggled with my weight. It was always going up, never going down. Well about two years ago I finally did something about it, and to this day I have lost 60 lbs. About 10 lbs ago, I went shopping for new clothes. I decided some new jeans would be fun. I picked the size I was use to and one size smaller. Neither fit. I actually needed even one size smaller, a size I hadnt been in since late high school. The feeling of me wearing those jeans was so amazing, and knowing that I had really done it was overwhelming. I actually started to cry in the dressing room. Now I still have more weight to lose, but everytime I put on a pair of those jeans, Im reminded of what I have accomplished so far."
- Edie (ediegirl@mac.com)

"The best $40 I've ever spent was on a jewelery making class for my 13 year old daughter at a local bead store. My daughter was so proud of what she made and has continued to make lot's of bracelet's and earings. This was something that she wanted to do that she could call her own and she is very good at it. Now, the class was only $40. but the confidence and pride she takes in what she makes is priceless."
- Kelley Emond (momtokelsey@comcast.net)

"The best $40 I ever spent was on one of the most important people in my life. My husband had lost his job 6 months prior, and we hadn't made the cobra payment. Keeping the option open, but hoping we wouldn't have to use it. My then 5 year old daughter, Erin, had her yearly cardiology appt. in February. We were taking her in without the insurance and self paying, as all of her prior visits were very positive. Our doctor, came into me and asked what happened as soon as she saw the folder about our insurance. I explained and she proceeded to do the normal testing on my daughter. As luck would have it, Erin's murmur had progressed from moderate to severe and required intervention. All I could do was sit and cry and think where in the world am I going to come up with the money for her surgery in NY. Her doctor asked me to only pay what my normal copay would be, which was $40.00 and not to worry about the rest. My father came over with $4000 to reinstate our COBRA and 4 weeks later my daughter had her heart surgery. Also during that time, a department store my husband worked part time for for 6 years decided to put us on their health insurance so we could drop the COBRA after her surgery and continue her follow up on the new insurance.

That $40 saved my daughter's life, and taught me and my family that people are so much more compassionate and kind than they are ever given credit for. I will never be able to repay the kindness that was shown to my daughter and our family during that difficult time, but I will never forget, and will always try to live their example and give back no matter how big or small. My daughter is now 6 1/2 and completely healthy and active. She is completely unrestricted and will live a normal life.

That $40 taught me more about love and life than any money I ever spent or received."
- Kathy C. (psychomom0565@aol.com)

"The best $40 I ever spent was when my mom went back to college 15 years ago. I bought her a new backpack with all the school supplies she could ever possibly need, just like she had done for us each year. Money was tight for my parents at that time, but my mom acted like being a student again was not a "big deal." I wrote her a note and told her how proud I was that she was going after her dream. I left her backpack and supplies on the counter so she would see them as she headed off for her first day of school. She was excited and felt "complete" with all of her goodies. It wasn't the money that was spent that meant the most to her, it was the letter that I wrote. To this day, that letter sits in her safe deposit box. My mom's dream came true. Funny how a backpack filled with notebooks, pencils, pens and all the necessities made her feel complete. A new backpack every year is now a tradition in our home...it not only stands for a new start, but also as a reminder that dreams can come true."
- mom78968400

"I cannot believe I am going to comment about this (I probably won't scrapbook about it any time soon)but about a week ago my friend talked me into going to get fitted for a bra. I am not usually an impulse buyer, but she was convinced it was a "life changing" event for her=) So, with my 15 month old in hand, and a 1/2 hour before I had to pick up my preschooler, I headed to the local mall and got fitted for a bra...and spent $40!!! I've never spent that much on one bra before...but my friend admitted it was much cheaper than any sort of surgery. Anyway, after happily nursing five children, I think it has actually lifted me back to wherever I should have been. I'm not sure about the life-changing part...but I was happy enough with the new look that I figured I needed some new shirts to go with it! So if you need a little lift (no pun intended)...it's only $40 away!!!"
- S.Kime (teamkime@bellsouth.net)

"The best $40 I ever spent...... this requires a bit of thought! I would have to say that it would be the almost $40 it cost me to express post chocolate chip cookies baked by my daughter and myself to my father. We live in British Columbia but are from Nova Scotia. My father had been ill (cancer) and we had been sending letters, pictures and packages everyweek. My then 4 year old daughter wanted to bake Grampy some cookies. First I said no and then I decided, why not. So we baked the cookies, took pictures and packed everything up in a box and paid a fortune to send it express so that the cookies would be edible when they arrived. My dad passed away two weeks later but he did get the cookies and shared them with his nurses and told his granddaughter that she made the best the cookies in the whole wide world. This was three years ago and she still talks about baking the best cookies for Grampy."
- Jen Decker (jbdecker@shaw.ca)

"The best $40 I ever spent wasn't actually spent, but given away. I had just left a fast food play place with my children and was trying to "lecture" them about sharing on the drive home. We had a few problems taking turns and sharing with the other children that were playing with us. Just as I was done with my mini lecture, I pulled up to a stop light. Right outside my drivers window were two people who had a sign and were asking for money or food. My curious children in the backseat asked what the people were doing there and what the sign they were holding said. When I told them, my 5 year old son who is Autistic and usually doesn't understand need or emotion started to roll down his window and give the couple what was left of his Happy Meal. I was at that moment, proud to be his Mom. He had listened to my talk in the van and without a second thought, he was ready to give what he had to another who needed it. I told him to hold onto his lunch and instead I would give them money to buy their own Happy Meal. I handed them each a $20 bill and said God Bless as I drove away feeling ashamed to only have that to share with them. This happened about 6 months ago and my children still talk about it. They always wonder what happened to those people and where they are now. I don't know who they were or where they were from but I will never forget them or that moment. So, even though I did not "get" something monetary for my $40, I got a whole lot more than I could have imagined. Thanks for the chance to share!!"
- Krystal Barb (krystalbarb@hotmail.com)

"My favorite $40 was spent last spring break when my 2 oldest boys were 7 and 8 years old. i gave them each a $20 bill and told them that they were in charge for a whole day to provide fun. it was so cute to see how they planned/organized/decided which activities to incorporate into their special day. they had to spent as close to $20 as they could without going over and we "graded" each of them on their day. we loved how they filled time with free things, such as the playground and library, and how they made their decisions on which events so spent money on ! it was an exciting day for all - my only regret is that i didn't take any pictures that day but it doesn't matter because they still talk about it all the time!!"
- Carol (csippel@austin.rr.com)

"Have you ever thought you could get a teenage boy to still want to decorate Easter eggs? Well, mine does. Te best $40 we spend as a family are supplies to decorate eggs. I gather feathers, sequins, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, rhinestones, pom poms and anything else we can find in the craft store and three dozen eggs from the store. Out come the glue guns and we go crazy. The eggs are dyed all kinds of colors and decorated with our craft store goodies. Every year we turn our eggs into spiders, aliens, cowboys and bank robbers, football players, frogs, fancy birds, bugs, butterflies and some things that we just aren't sure what they are! Our date this year is this Friday night (March 30th nice and early since we don't actually eat them but use them as decorations only) and can you believe it, my now 18 year old, very cool, senior in highschool, football playing, going off to college son still looks forward to this every year.

We have such fun doing this it is a small price to pay for such a great time of laughs and family together time."
- lkhull@sbcglobal.net


"A few isles away in the grocery store I heard a VERY newborn baby crying real hard. I went over to make sure all was okay. A REAL young mother was trying to calm her newborn while checking out the different cans of formula. I asked if she needed any help, and as she shrugged her shoulders she mumbled something about how expensive the formula was. She made her selection - a very small can. I asked if she had a bottle; she nodded and pointed to the empty bottle in the baby carrier, one that had already been used. After she left the isle, I grabbed 2 large cans of the formula and a 3 pack of bottles, paid for them, and followed her just outside the store. I handed her the bag, telling her that I hoped this would help. I have never been in the situation where I couldn't feed one of my children, and I was so glad to be in the right place to help someone with theirs. That was definitely money that I do not regret spending - I actually wish it could have been more!"
- Tanya

Also, my friend, Andrew Johnson, also read through your entries and his favorite was this one:

"Easy...the best $40 I ever spent was for an adoption application. We now have the sweetest little redhead who is the subject of all my scrapbooking!"
- Marsha (Beausmom)

Thanks again for your entries. This was so much fun!

Lisa B.

P.S. We'll get your $40.00 of supplies from Daisyd's sent to the winners next week. Thanks, Daisyd's, for the fun contest!!!

Five months ago, my hubby gave me the best anniversary gift ever! A trip to Vegas to see Josh Grobin in concert. The long awaited night finally came last Saturday and wow--what a night! If you even remotely like Josh Grobin, be sure to go (no run) to his concert. He's charming, funny, and his voice sounds better in real life than it does on recordings. Best of all, listening to the tunes of Josh Grobin is the most romantic night ever. My hubby and I loved it! And--look what my dear friend, Terese Taylor, got for me! An autographed poster. What a wonderful keepsake!

So, what else do you do in Vegas if you don't drink or gamble? We had all day Saturday to ourselves (our friends, the Williams, came too). We went to a movie ("The Last Mimzy" --okay but not my favorite) and then to "In and Out Burger" (best burger and fries I've ever had--they don't have these in Utah). Then we went to a fascinating exhibit called Bodies. (I guess this exhibition is going all over the United States.) People have actually donated their bodies to science and they have used a process to preserve them so you can see how the inside of body works (bones, muscles, veins, organs, etc.). I got a little sick to my stomach at the end--I was thinking too hard about what I'd seen over the past few hours. But--it was so worth going. It's really made me stop and think about how I'm taking care of my body (like how bad greasy fries are for your body).

We ended our day around midnight (that's when the concert got over). I had to direct my church choir the next morning for the Easter program so we drove all night, got home at 7:00 a.m., went to bed for two hours and made it to the church by 10:00 a.m. Whew--I still haven't caught up on my sleep.

Hope your Easter weekend was great. And--I'd love to hear of some good concerts you've been too. (The best entertainer I've ever seen is Barry Manillo--he really was terrific in concert. The worst was Elton John! I love his voice but he sang songs I'd never heard and he wasn't entertaining.) I'm always looking for a fun night out.

LB

I picked up Sage today from Kindergarten (at 11:30 a.m.) and she asked if we could go to lunch together. I have to admit that I'm sick of fast food so I suggested we eat at home. She was less than excited but then I said, "Let's have a tea party!" What an amazing time we had! I took a lunch upstairs to where Sage has a small table and chairs set up with tea plates, cups and a pitcher. We ate sandwiches, munched on apples with peanut butter and savored chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles. We listened to one of my favorite cds, Back to Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins, and read the book "The Little Big Book for Moms." (This is a wonderful book--filled with poems, recipes, nursery rhymes, finger games, fairy tales, etc.) We sang Old MacDonald, played "Where is Thumbkin," recited tons of nursery rhymes, and just enjoyed being together. I had deadlines calling, but Sage got out the blocks and we built towers and spelled notes to each other. What a memorable afternoon that we will remember forever.

How funny is this--Sage is now watching Sesame Street in my scrapbook room as I type this. She'd never heard of Sesame Street before and has no idea who Ernie, Oscar or any of the characters even are. Wow--I guess she's lived a sheltered life!

Just wanted to pass on a fun thing that I've been doing with my girls. A few months ago I started thinking about all the wasted time we have in the car or in doctors offices, etc. We've started memorizing poems, scriptures, songs and quotes during this down time. It's been so much fun. Just wanted to share with you the poem we're memorizing now (my all time favorite):

Sick
by Shel Silverstein

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
By back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My toungue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is --what?
You say today is . . . Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

I'm off for a girls night out with Brecken and Sage (Steve's in Wyoming for the night).

Hope you have a great weekend.

Lisa

How did this happen? Really--is somebody playing a joke on me? I promise that just yesterday I was in the hospital's delivery room bringing Kade into the world. He was a robust 8 lb., 9 oz. baby boy and I couldn't believe how lucky I was to be his mom. I'd had an emergency C-section and was too weak to walk. Yet, in the middle of the night, I found myself missing my little guy so much that I slowly walked (hunched over) to the nursery window. I remember gazing in on him--he was sound asleep and looked so peaceful. Who did he look like? Would his personality be sweet or saasy? I remember pleading with God that he'd be a honorable son, a good citizen and would strive to make correct decisions throughout his life.

Sixteen years later and look at him now. All grown up! I am really shocked at how quickly the time has gone by. (I remember when Kade was small--the time seemed to go so slowly. When I was getting up with him at night as a baby, I thought that period of life would never end.) I only have Kade for two more years, then he's out on his own. Have I taught him what it takes to survive in this world? Can he cook, iron and do his own laundry? Will he continue to make good decisions?

Sorry to ramble on but Kade recently went to his first Prom and I just saw this photo today. I'm having one of those, "I hate my kids growing up moments" and had to share.

I'm off to Florida for Spring Break. Maybe I'll see you at Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios or Sea World? I'm so excited to relax in the warm weather!

I'll write again next week.

Until then, keep a smile on your face, my friend!

LB

I'm dying to tell you about my Spring Break in Florida and the "perfect" day I had there. However, today I have to tell you how lucky and blessed I am! A few years ago, I created a scrapbook page about "Lucky, Blessed" Lisa Bearnson. On the page, I journaled about how I was always called "Lucky Lisa" growing up. (It's no wonder that my favorite jeans and cereal begin with the word "lucky." Also that we named our cat Lucky.) I was "lucky" when I found a hundred dollar bill on the campus ground when I was a poor college student. (I turned it in and a month later it was mine since nobody claimed it.) I was "lucky" when stranger bought a plane ticket in NYC when my purse had been stolen. I was "lucky" to find a man I wanted to spend forever with. I was "lucky" Creating Keepsakes has been such a success and the world has caught the scrapbooking fever. So the letter "L" in my name is definitely for "Lucky." However, when I think about my "lucky" life I realize that luck has very little to do with it. Instead my life has been "blessed."

Okay, so here is my incredible blessing that I want to share with you. My parents and Steve's parents are great friends. They just got off a Hawaiian cruise together and had the best time. It's so neat to have both sets over to our house and see our dads sitting on the couch shooting the bull and our moms chatting away over a game of Five Crowns with our children. I keep telling our children to enjoy this unique relationship--it doesn't happen everyday. And--I am soooooo blessed. My dad is better than I've seen him in years. Our family thought he wasn't going to make it right before Christmas and just look at him now! My mom about fainted when he said he wanted to go on this cruise--really a miracle. She didn't think he'd ever travel again.

I got this photo last night from my mom and just wanted to share.

What do your initials stand for?? Please share with us!

I'll write again soon.

"Lucky Blessed" Lisa Bearnson

Okay--so two days ago I wrote that I was going to share my "perfect day ever" in Florida (last Saturday). Here is a photo from that day--we went to the beach in New Smyrna (sp?), Florida. Watching my children and our friend's two girls play for hours together in the sand was incredible (I even joined in the fun). My greatest joy is watching my family have fun together.

Okay--so who watched American Idol last night?? So many shocking moments--Elvis and Celine singing a duet together and Jordin (my favorite) being tricked into thinking she was getting kicked off. However, the most shocking moments were the stories about homeless, sick, starving children around the world who are living in the worst conditions imaginable. This especially hit home since I just autographed several hundred cookbooks for a fundraiser for a Haiti orphanage fundraiser under the direction of Natasha and Mark Hixon, founders of Quickutz. The Hixons are in the process of adopting three children from Haiti. They've been to Haiti several times and seeing the horrible conditions in which children are barely surviving, they wanted to help. Together with the Quickutz team, the Hixons have created an incredible recipe book--available at your scrapbook store (or you can go to quickutz.com/kidsfromhaiti) for $20.00. All proceeds will go to the orphanage. I purchased 50 of these cookbooks myself and loved the recipes and wonderful photos inside.

So--what am I going to do with 50 cookbooks? I'm going out of town for nine days (speaking in Toledo, Ohion on Saturday, visiting Amish Country with my sisters next week, then QVC on Saturday), but when I return I'll concoct some type of contest so 25 lucky scrapbookers will receive a cookbook.

Also, please keep a friend in your prayers. Jen Gallagher (an amazing scrapbooker--she does a lot of work for my QVC show) is battling a wicked cancer with her 12-year-old son, Joey. They just found out it's terminal and he doesn't have much time to live. Jen and her family are simply amazing--they are so courageous during this very challenging time. Read her blog at
http://jengallacher.blogspot.com. I know she appreciates your love and support. You can help the Gallacher family by visiting this website: http://www.benefitforjen.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend and count your many blessings.

Lisa B.