It was way back in 2006 or 2007 that I started blogging. I blogged about stamping, family and all sorts of other things... kind of like I do now. But back then, I had a 9 year old and an 11 year old that needed me... a lot. Now they are 16 and 18, and although they still need me, it's in a much different way.
A lot can happen in in a few years. In fact... Gina K. Designs happened. StampTV happened.
This...
Turned into this...
This...
Turned into this...
Which turned into this...
And is now this...
And quickly becoming this...
And now we enter a new phase.
At the end of the summer, Tom and I found a couple of new options to help us run our business a little bit more effectively. It will be a lot of behind the scenes stuff, so not much will change at first. But over the next 6-8 months, we should be providing you with better shipping options, faster service and more new exclusive products.
But with these new wonderful options came the difficult decision to move our family from McFarland to Milwaukee.
With Alicia moving to New York, we planned to move last August. But Rina really wanted to give her high school swim team one more season.
I am really glad she did.
She had an amazing season and left behind 24 new team and pool record in McFarland, several other pool records across the state, new conference and sectionals records, all new best times and two silver medals from the state meet. She also helped McFarland go from 10th place in the state last year to 4th place this year.
She also managed to get straight As in school. She really gave everything 100%- all of that while her entire life being uprooted. I couldn't be more proud of the way she has handled every card she's be dealt over the last few years. She's handled it all with class and grace. And she's stronger than ever before!
She is so excited for this next chapter of her life.
Now the great news is, Milwaukee is certainly not far. In fact, our Madison warehouse will stay just like it is and we will go back and forth a lot. Plus, my mom and sister will still be here in McFarland, so we will have lots of opportunities to visit friends and family.
Tomorrow morning between 8 and 9 AM, the truck will arrive and we will be moving from the little village we have lived in for the last 18 years to the big city of Milwaukee.
Although it's hard to uproot and start over in a new community, a new school, and a new swim team, our family is actually pretty excited! There are lots of great things in store for all of us.
So, if it takes us an extra week to get back into our normal StampTV video groove, you will know why. I am up to my eyeballs in boxes! Plus, with Alicia coming home for Thanksgiving, well, I just might take an extra week off to enjoy my little family and our new little home in Milwaukee. :)
Thank you ever so much for letting me share another piece on my life with you. The stamping community is made of friends. Friends we love, friends we support and friends we have yet to meet. Thank you all for your friendship. It means the world to me.
Oh, and a LOT of you asked what the procedure was that I had on Monday. No, I didn't get a face lift. Ready? I had to get a colonoscopy. Yep. And guess what? I apparently have the colon of a 20 year old. I don't have to go back for 10 years. And that's good because it will take me 10 years to forget what that awful prep drink tasted like!
Once again, I love you so! Thanks for always being here for me.
Two weeks from now, we will be stamping strong again together. XOXO
Much love always,
~G
