One door closes .........

I haven't blogged in forever, not because I haven't wanted to, but because I haven't done anything I could post here unfortunately.

These days my scrapping is all about my job at Kaiser :) ... and I've started to feel burnt out and wanting to get back into my own scrapbooking. I decided I would create a Vision Board for the year 2011 which outlines all my thoughts and plans for my future 12 months - including a layout once a week, and hopefully by the end of 2011 I would have 52 completed layouts. Hmmm this isn't going as planned so far hehe.

Unfortunately, when you scrap for someone else - or should I say when your hobby becomes your job - it loses its appeal at home :( I've absolutely LOVED working at Kaiser, the opportunities, the things I have learnt - and the people I work with, without a doubt - have been the most beautiful, thoughtful, fun-loving people ... no that's not right - they are actually my friends. Not just ordinary friends - I have made lifelong friends. I know a lot of people in the workforce wouldn't have experienced what I have - to work in this fantastic environment with great people, it doesn't happen very often.

Working during the school holidays has been hard too. Sitting at home listening to my boys having fun while I am trying to focus on work has become another sting in my side. I said to my boys last week "be quiet, I am trying to work" ... ???? What the? This is THEIR home and I am asking them to be quiet while I scrap? Seriously something wrong there ............

So it is with a fair amount of sadness that I decided to resign from the Design Team last week. I am burnt out and need a change ....... not sure what yet lies ahead of me :)

I just want to say a few things about some of the special friends and work colleagues that I have met along the way.

Everyone knows that I was friends with Melissa Kennedy before I started working at Kaiser. Almost 3.5 years ago, Lis asked me to come in and help her with a Spotlight Catalogue for a week - which ended up being 3 weeks. I really did love it. It was pretty great being back in the workforce and earning some extra $$$. Then about a month away and being a SAHM again, Lis called me back in, and I've been there ever since. I've seen our monthly workshop become a glossy quarterly magazine! Then back, by popular demand, to free monthly workshops again. I can't thank Mel enough - you'll notice I say Mel and Lis - I like to alternate between them both. Anyway, back to what I was saying. Thanks heaps for believing in me Lis ... you've helped me become a much more confident person, I do believe in myself a lot more, and I have (not willingly) taught scrapbooking classes. Along the way, we have had stacks of laughs and giggles and fun - yes I can honestly say that working for Kaiser with Mel has been a lot of FUN. There's really too much to say thank you for Lis .... and you know I've tried to say it all along the way - but I really do appreciate you having all the faith in me that you have. Thank you for your never-ending friendship x

Onto Richelle - otherwise known as Shelbs or Poppet. Thanks for all the love and support you have given me ... you've always been sweet and a pleasure to work with. Lots and lots of giggles, have loved seeing all the new products that you source - you are amazing! I will miss you very much xo

There are other special girls on the Design Team that you would really be very blessed to meet and know. I adore Clare Miller and Jess Milinkovic - these girls are awesome, great for a good giggle, extremely talented designers and most of all - they are a pleasure to work with. I'm going to miss you girls xo

Ali W .... gee I'm glad I met you! Thanks for all the laughs and for your caring sweet nature. I wish you all the very best at Natio, they are going to love having you on board, and it won't take them long to realise how awesome you are in marketing. They are so very lucky to have you coming on board.

Not forgetting the warehouse crew - gee they are an incredible team out there. Hey Lizzie, I know you said you were mad at me the other day because I was leaving, but gee I smile when I realise how I have gotten to really love my chats with you, how you always stop in the mornings, and how you lovingly show me pics of your kids .... and all the other warehouse girls too, specially Norms x

Hey tell Kev I'll miss him heaps and his nortiness!

Onto Melinda and Jilly - thanks Melinda ... gee I've loved our chats, your stories, our laughs, my compliments to you that bring you to tears - you're one in a million. Hey Jilly - keep on growing my gallstone buddy - miss you!

Not forgetting Kylie ... what a pleasure it is to have worked with you - some of those ugly laughs we've exchanged - they are for no one else to EVER know about hehe. I remember that day we "lost our shit" over that Lullaby Train - memories to treasure and keep. I don't know how Mel concentrated at the computer the way we were carrying on LOL!!!!!!!!!! Miss you x

To the Kaisers - Steve and Carolyn. Thank you both for having me on board - it was a fabulous ride, but I'm hanging up my craft knife at Kaiser. I still love those cookies, but man I really try hard to resist. Keep cookin' em Carol x

I've had a very bumpy few years while I have been working at Kaiser. I have lost both of my parents and my brother. But all the while they gave me as much time off as I needed and supported me 110% with love, compassion, kindness and friendship. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else because no one would have looked after me the way they did. And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. You all know who you are that took special care of me xo

I know that my last day is going to be very teary, even if I am in my mid-40's ... it doesn't stop you loving people you work with, and feeling very sad about not seeing them 3 days a week. Thanks for the wonderful memories Kaiser - I'll miss you! So off with the apron and seeya with some of my own scrapping soon. xo

"The essence of life is not being perfect, impressing people, or succeeding at everything. The essence of life is simply making mistakes and learning from them, surrounding yourself with people that love you when you're being yourself, and getting through the failures so you can continue succeeding" ........... love this quote!!!!!!!