Tag: Purposeful

Memories Worth Preserving

What a different time we are living!  I was suppose to be in Orlando, Florida right now, wrapping up an amazing conference and transitioning into some family fun at Disney – making memories.

This would have been our first time going to Walt Disney World as a family.  We visited Disneyland in California when I was very young but we always talked about going to Walt Disney World in Florida and never did, even during the short time my parents lived in Florida.

About the time as we were growing up that we were seriously considering it, we had connected with a family from Belarus and our hearts were changed forever.  We hosted some sweet sisters in our home for many summers and took our first international trip to a country that was not as glamorous as many aspire to travel to but was very special to us.  I wouldn’t change that time and experiences for anything but fast forward to last year when I learned that my annual conference with Forever would be in Orlando at the Walt Disney World Resort, I knew I was going to go and quickly my family decided to join along with me in making plans.  To say we were sad and disappointed that our trip had to be postponed would be an understatement.  We knew a trip to Disney would not be a relaxing vacation especially in the heat of July but oh the fun we have together and the memories we were looking forward to making.  We are hopeful that in another year we will all be picking up those plans and experiencing new things again and a trip to Disney World is high on our list of things to do in 2021.

As many of you have done, in these days, weeks and months lately we are shifting and adjusting to virtual experiences for the things that should have been in person.  It isn’t the same as hugging that friend, sitting together over a meal or gathering in a large group to cheer and celebrate exciting things but for the last 3 days I have been touched by how much I have still enjoyed and learned through a virtual experience for the conference part of what would have been my trip to Florida.

I am reminded about how passionate I continue to be that our Memories are Worth Preserving.  #MemoriesWorthPreserving is a phrase that has been repeated often this weekend and speaks to what the heart of Forever is all about.  We are committed to helping you save, organize and share your precious memories whether they be a big family vacation like ours to Belarus many years ago or a moment in the yard on an average day 4+ months into a pandemic like this flower blooming.  As we continue to shift and adjust to the new way of doing things, remember your memories are worth preserving today as well as the ones from past trips and experiences.

Do you have a photo taken recently that captures a moment you want to remember about this season?  Maybe it is one tucked down deep on that camera roll on your phone from an experience before all of this craziness consumed us.  Pull it out and let’s make sure that memory is preserved in a way that brings you joy or shares the story you want to capture.

2020 Favorites – May Day!

It is the first of May!  Remember that post about Little by Little progress on our photo projects from earlier this year.  Have you been keeping up with us each month?  If so jump in with those April photos and make a little more progress today.  If you haven’t joined us yet with this, go back to the Little by Little post and start there.

The beautiful thing about this approach to our photo projects is that we get to see how just a little bit of attention each month can make a difference in a project that seems so overwhelming.  As we slowly check off one month, we gain a bit of momentum.

Don’t forget to check out the Events Page for any upcoming events you want to attend.  Did you have an order you wanted to place?  You can always order your products directly through the CM or Forever websites or E-mail me with your order no later than 1 week prior to a Photo Fun Day and I will make sure I add your CM order to mine for pick up at the Photo Fun Day that month.

2020 Favorites – Making Progress

Remember that post about Little by Little progress on our photo projects from earlier this year.  It is the first of April so let’s keep going and make a little more progress on our photo projects.  If you joined us in previous months and already have your January and February photos in your 2020 Favorites, then you are ready to move on to March.  If you haven’t joined us yet with this, go back to the Little by Little post and start there.

Don’t forget to check out the Events Page and sign up for any upcoming events you are planning on attending.  Did you have an order you wanted to place?  I am still offering porch pick up for CM orders of items I have in stock.  Did you know that when you place the order directly with me and pick up at my Photo Fun Days or through my Porch Pick Up option you get to take advantage of the discounted shipping since we split it among those who place the order.  Typically it is 6% of less but the larger my order the smaller the shipping is each month.  E-mail me with your order.

Download, Backup, Repeat

It is the last Saturday of the month so that means it is time to Download & Backup our Blueprints, digital content and projects with our 3 step process from last month.  You can catch a refresher on the original post: Download, Backup 1, 2, 3 .  This is a great thing to do each month before our monthly Photo Fun Day so you are ready to make progress with your photo projects right away.  Sadly our in person April 4th Photo Fun Day has been canceled but the good news is that we will gather next Saturday by video chat to share ideas, a project recipe and enjoy catching up with each other for a bit.  More details will be coming soon so check back here before next Saturday to learn how to join in.

If you want a refresher on how backing up your photos, check out the post called Back up, Back up, Back up

Be sure to comment below with any questions or thoughts on this process.  Are there any other systems that you would like to learn more about next month?

Fresh Start

For those that have followed my blog and journey over the last couple of years, you may remember a post in 2018 titled Turning the Page… where I was changing jobs.  I have found myself in a similar place closing that chapter and starting fresh again this month.  As you read this message, I will be embracing a new “day job” this week and with that comes the perfect time to freshen up my work supplies.

Do you have a favorite pen, notepad, snack or tool you keep at work to bring a little happiness and joy to your work day?   Here are a few of my must haves for office supplies or tools that I have tucked in my bag for the new job this week.

  1. I love having my Painted Pearl 2020 Watercolor Miniature Calendar on my desk.  Since I knew I was likely changing jobs earlier this year, I waited to open my 2020 Mini Calendar until I started the new job so I am extra excited to pull out my new one and add it to my desk for the last part of February and rest of 2020.
  2. My go-to work pen right now is the Pentel EnerGel Medium Point Pen, typically in Blue but I love fun colors too.  Be careful if you ask to borrow one, I might be a bit possessive or ask for it back before you leave.
  3. My TI-82 Calculator – yes I still have the calculator I got for high school math class.  It has been with me for decades now but is still going strong and will be heading to the office with me this time too.
  4. For those times when I need to focus and work without interruptions, I will have my Bose Headphones tucked in my bag and a few of my favorite playlist queued up on Spotify.
  5. And last but not least, there will be a bag of Dove Promises – Dark Chocolates to put in my candy dish.  This has become a favorite of friends and visitors through the years.  The conversations that come from sharing a piece of chocolate with a coworker on a crazy day or sharing the message of encouragement that Dove puts on each of their wrappers are a perk of having this simple candy dish on my desk.

Do you have a item on your desk or in your office that brings you joy or puts a smile on your face when you see it?  I would love to know what your favorite office items are too.

Now for the Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

On the first day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I went back to where it all started with a Creative Memories product that I LOVE – one person can get the CM bookcloth album of your choosing for 50% off.  Available until claimed!

On the second day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am reopening the 2020 Photo Fun Club until the end of the month for the 2 remaining spots in the 2020 Photo Fun Club PLUS for the first person who replies I am offering 1/2 off one of our upcoming 2020 Photo Fun Day – FULL day registrations. Message me if you wish to sign up and I will share the details or answer any further questions.

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 4th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering Buy One Get One 50% off on those supplies you never want to run out of – Refill Pages with Protectors, Tape Runners, and Tape Runner Refills.  There is no limit on how many people can take advantage of this offer however all orders must be placed no later than Feb 29th and pick up at my home in Apex or at my next Photo Fun Day or Retreat.    Please use the form in the original post here!

On the 5th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to help you get those family recipes or photos of your community gathered around the table scanned and digitized so you can share them too.  For the first 5 people who complete the form on the original post, I will offer you up to 16 of your favorite photos or recipes scanned with my next media conversion box for FREE.

On the 6th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to keep the sharing theme going and share FREE shipping on any CM order over $50 placed before the end of the month.  All orders must be placed directly through me in the form on the original post (and not on my CM website) and picked up at my home in Apex or at one of my upcoming Photo Fun Days or Retreats in March or April.

On the 7th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, Another thing that can bring joy and make you smile is to take a favorite photo or quote and create a simple canvas or wall panel.  Would you like to make the walls in your office or home bring a smile to your face?  For the first person to reply here with your e-mail, I will create your panel for you with Forever Design and Print and have it shipped straight to you for 50% off the retail price.  Take a peak at the Forever Design and Print options so you know what you might want me to create for you.

Sharing is Caring

There is nothing like a sweet 5 year old to put things into perspective with his words – “Sharing is Caring”!

It was a Sunday after church and I had arrived at McAllister’s for lunch a few minutes before our family and dear friend with her sweet 5 year old son were going to join me.  To help make sure we had a table when the restaurant got busier, I had gone on through the line, ordered my lunch and found a table large enough for our group.  About the time the rest arrived, my food was already being delivered to the table.  I had soup and they had put a few tortilla chips on the side of the plate.  As our family likes to say – they put just enough to garnish the plate, rather than the serving you might like to accompany your meal.

As I sat there waiting for our group to make their way through the line to join me, my friend’s son came to wait with me at the table rather than stand in the line with his mom.  He had no more climbed up in the chair when he snagged one of my precious few chips.  I teased him and said he better not eat all of my lunch or I would have to share his.  With those precious eyes looking up at me, he said without missing a beat, “Sharing is Caring” and helped himself to another chip.  As I looked back at him, I knew that this moment needed reinforcement of this message that he clearly had been learning recently and was still navigating just how it applied.  So I shared my few chips with him and chatted a bit more about sharing while we waited for the group to make their way through the line and join us.

Whether it is a lesson like this with a child or sharing in other ways, I know that there is truth in this message.  When we share what we have in our possession, what we have learned previously or even of ourselves and our time we are showing that we care for those around us and want them to experience the best we have to offer.

My business over these 16 years has been about sharing something I love and have found to be useful with those around me.  I am blessed by those of you who help me extend this by sharing with your friends and family too.

I am thankful for each and every referral you send to my business.  Did you know….

  • You can share with a friend my Creative Memories link: https://www.creativememories.com/user/ElizabethGoodson  so that they can place an order for Creative Memories right from my website.
  • You can use your own Forever Refer a Friend link and share Forever with a friend and earn a coupon to use on your next purchase (It is $10 this month).  Your friend also gets a welcome coupon to use on their own first purchase.
  • If you are not already connected to me with Forever, you can use my link: https://www.forever.com/ambassador/elizabethgoodson to connect yourself and get your own welcome coupon.
  • You can share our upcoming events and invite a friend to join us by pointing your friends and family to this site.  Don’t forget that I offer a FREE after 3pm Option for our first time attendees – Use the link on the Events Page to sign up for our next Photo Fun Day!

Thank you for being the Heart of my Business for so many years!  I look forward to sharing more with each of you!

 

Now for the Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

On the first day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I went back to where it all started with a Creative Memories product that I LOVE – one person can get the CM bookcloth album of your choosing for 50% off.  Available until claimed!

On the second day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am reopening the 2020 Photo Fun Club until the end of the month for the 2 remaining spots in the 2020 Photo Fun Club PLUS for the first person who replies I am offering 1/2 off one of our upcoming 2020 Photo Fun Day – FULL day registrations. Message me if you wish to sign up and I will share the details or answer any further questions.

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 4th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering Buy One Get One 50% off on those supplies you never want to run out of – Refill Pages with Protectors, Tape Runners, and Tape Runner Refills.  There is no limit on how many people can take advantage of this offer however all orders must be placed no later than Feb 29th and pick up at my home in Apex or at my next Photo Fun Day or Retreat.    Please use the form in the original post here!

On the 5th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to help you get those family recipes or photos of your community gathered around the table scanned and digitized so you can share them too.  For the first 5 people who complete the form on the original post, I will offer you up to 16 of your favorite photos or recipes scanned with my next media conversion box for FREE.

On the 6th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to keep the sharing theme going and share FREE shipping on any CM order over $50 placed before the end of the month.  All orders must be placed directly through me in the form below (and not on my CM website) and picked up at my home in Apex or at one of my upcoming Photo Fun Days or Retreats in March or April.

Where do you plan to pick up your order?

 

Food & Community

At a recent gathering of friend over dinner, I couldn’t help but realize how much Food and Community are tied together for me.  There is something special about sharing a meal together.  Whether they are family gathered for a holiday, longtime friends who haven’t connected recently or new acquaintances, the time around the table or standing in someone’s kitchen builds a unique sense of community.  I believe we all value community in some way but I know that spending time with “my people” around a table of food feeds more than my belly but fuels my heart too.

One of the projects I started years ago when I first began digital scrapbooking (Forever Artisan) was to take some of my favorite recipes and create Recipe Cards with them.  Many of these are “Go To” family recipes we use so often I can almost quote them by heart while others may have only been tried once or twice.  Each time I made the card, I printed it as a 4×6 photo with a few extra copies to share and tucked it into a photo album that I keep in my kitchen.  This album has pockets for 4×6 photos like the Multi-Pocket Pages that Creative Memories offers (you can find them on my CM Website under Shop > Pages & Protectors).

Having a few extra copies of my most favorite have come in handy more times that I can count.  Whether it is a when a friend is over for dinner and asks for the recipe of that dessert I just served or I am taking the dish to a pot luck or to someone’s house who is having a baby or surgery, I can pull it out and hand it off.  Another tip I will share is that now that I have these in a 4×6 photo format, I also have them in my Forever Storage account where I can access them while I am out at the grocery store picking up ingredients or out of town and want to make it on vacation.  I also have found myself not pulling out my photo album Recipe Book as much these days and instead pulling it up on my phone and cooking with that version of the recipe out.  The best part of having this access to my recipes is that when I don’t think to grab a copy of the recipe, I can pull it up on my phone and share in a text or e-mail right while I am talking about it.

I have my Favorite Recipes Album available in the public side of my Forever account that you can check out by going to my Profile Page to get a few ideas for how to make your own recipe cards.

Do you have a recipe card that is written by someone you love dearly?  Would yo love to capture those precious handwritten cards in the same way?  Did you know that you can have those recipes scanned and uploaded to your Forever Storage account as well and do the same thing that I have described above?  Forever’s Media Conversion Services take a white glove approach to our precious photos and documents when they scan and digitize them.

What recipe would you want to create a card so you can share it more easily?  Join us at our next Photo Fun Day to learn more about how to create these in Artisan yourself.

Now for the Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years:

On the first day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I went back to where it all started with a Creative Memories product that I LOVE – one person can get the CM bookcloth album of your choosing for 50% off.  Available until claimed!

On the second day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am reopening the 2020 Photo Fun Club until the end of the month for the 2 remaining spots in the 2020 Photo Fun Club PLUS for the first person who replies I am offering 1/2 off one of our upcoming 2020 Photo Fun Day – FULL day registrations.

On the third day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering to the first 2 people who respond, 10GB of Forever Storage for 1/2 off.

On the 4th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I am offering Buy One Get One 50% off on those supplies you never want to run out of – Refill Pages with Protectors, Tape Runners, and Tape Runner Refills.  There is no limit on how many people can take advantage of this offer however all orders must be placed no later than Feb 29th and pick up at my home in Apex or at my next Photo Fun Day or Retreat.    Please use the form in the original post here!

On the 5th day of Elizabeth’s 16 Gifts for 16 years, I want to help you get those family recipes or photos of your community gathered around the table scanned and digitized so you can share them too.  For the first 5 people who complete the form below, I will offer you up to 16 of your favorite photos or recipes scanned with my next media conversion box for FREE.  I will coordinate with you on the details after you submit your request.

What type of media do you have to convert?(required)

Do you have more than 16 items you wish to have scanned now?(required)

Is time flying for you?

I don’t know about you but my social media feed has been filled with college move-in photos and fun milestones happening with lots of friends as they are helping get new college freshman moved into to school this weekend.  The next things coming up will be all of those first day of school photos and I am sure if there are this many moving into college there are probably a few High School Seniors this year too.  No, I don’t have kids graduating or moving into college but as a friend shared this photo I couldn’t help but think that I have a tool and simple process that might be helpful to some of you if you find yourself in a similar stage to my friend – especially with high school seniors although this can be helpful to others too.

 

I know it was true when I was in high school and have found that it is still true today, that senior year can be crazy but it is also a time when you are pulling out old photos.  There seem to be lots of times when you need that photo of your sweet senior as a baby, elementary school aged student just starting school, playing the sport they loved, or other special moments.  Do you know where those photos are today?  Does that causes you panic just thinking about it?  First, take a breath and know that I can help and will be happy to help you come up with a unique plan just for you but if you need a little guidance to get you started, here are some simple steps, I would suggest today.

  1. Set up a FREE Forever Account (if you don’t already have one) by using this link: https://www.forever.com/ambassador/elizabethgoodson
  2. Set up a couple of Albums for your soon to be graduate:
    • Senior Year Album – to capture all of the current year’s photos of the special gatherings, events and celebrations.
    • Toddler to Teen Album – to capture your favorite photos from each stage of life.
    • Special Project Album – If you have a special gift in mind, you may want to create an album for that project.
  3.  Spend a little bit of time each week so you aren’t overwhelmed come spring.  If you haven’t been following my blog this summer you may enjoy checking out: The Power in 15 Minutes Blog post.
  4. Need more help, consider joining us for a monthly workshop or let’s set up a coffee chat.
  5. Enjoy this season!

Some of the benefits of using a Forever Account for this project are:

  • When you create a FREE account using the link above, you will get a $10 Welcome coupon you can use on your first order.
  • Your photos will be maintained in their full resolution – when you need to share with others for yearbook entries or video celebrations, they will be the high quality versions that can be used however they are needed.
  • If you wanted to create a photo book, canvas, graduation announcement or other photo gift you will already have the photos handy.

Forever is a great tool for saving, organizing and sharing our favorite photos, videos and audio files and memories.  Whether you have a high school senior or other photo goals, I am happy to chat with you about your specific needs and create a plan that will work for you.  We didn’t gather all of these photos overnight so it is best to work on them a little at a time and have a system that we can keep up – little by little.

What happens in Vegas…

…sometimes just can’t stay in Vegas!

I have returned from my forth Forever LIVE – our annual convention where we as Forever Ambassadors along with Club Members, customers and home office staff gather each year for a time of connection, training and celebration along with a lot of fun and laughter too.

I look forward to this trip each year and especially look forward to reconnecting with the friends that I have made through Forever.

I am also very thankful my sister has joined me each year and is the best travel buddy I could ask for, she has become friends with so many of these special people too and has her own friends she reconnects with each each year too.  She is my constant cheerleader and ready to let me bound ideas off of her anytime.

With so many fun things shared and done while we were in Las Vegas, I thought it might be fun to include my top 10 list with you of things that I was excited to hear or do at Forever LIVE.

 

Elizabeth’s Top 10 List from Forever LIVE

10.  Glen Meakem’s New Book – The Gift of Forever was shared as a pre-release for those attending LIVE.  Glen is our CEO and founder and he along with his son have written the story of how he started Forever.  They signed copied during the weekend as well.  I have just started reading it and am excited to finish and share it with others.  The full release will be coming later this fall.

 

9.   Updates with Design & Print: Oh how I was so excited for a New Name – we now have a clearer name for our online Print application where you Design and Print, books, Wall Decor, Calendars, and more.  There will also be a few other new products coming this fall.  Watch for new the size for Wall Decor on Design and Print of 8×8 like we can already do with Artisan, there will be a new premium thicker paper for cards that is non-coated and an option to add gold foil inserts into your envelopes.

 

8.   Audio is HERE – We now have all 4 options, Photos, Documents, Video and Audio capabilities in our Storage accounts. I am excited to have this full memory keeping option for so many friends, family and customers who have those special audio tapes of weddings, sermons, solos, even voice mails.  The sound of someone’s voice can be so very special to us and is such a special part of our memory keeping solutions.

 

7.  Our Referral Program has gotten better with a 60 day coupon for referral coupons.  The greatest compliment you can give me is to refer a friend. I love that Forever’s Home Office helps me reward my customers, friends and family who help me share Forever with their friends and family.  Now we have the opportunity to use those referral coupons a bit longer.

 

6.  Beautiful Bellagio Fountain – Oh it was so very HOT the day we went downtown to see the strip but what a fun experience to see the fountain at the Bellagio hotel.  We arrived just a few minutes before the next song was to begin so we found our spot and it was worth the wait.  Here is a short video of our view of the fountain. This has been saved in my Forever account with my other trip photos and videos.

 

5.  The company is Thriving & Growing – It is good to hear the update from Glen how we are on target with his goal to grow this year by 30% is sales over last year and we are on target to have over 42 Million photos uploaded this year in safe and secure storage accounts.  We are meeting a need and reach new people each and every day.

 

4.  Photo PRINTS are HERE – My excitement is climbing as we continue down this list.  I have been waiting – not so patiently to have the ability to print from our Forever accounts again and now we can do it and it is even better than ever.  We have the high archival quality we know with all of our products and we no longer have to download and export and re-upload to another vendor to order.  I can print my photos for traditional scrapbooking or frames right from my Forever Account.

 

3.  Stepping out of my Comfort Zone as a Mainstage Speaker – What an honor to be one of the ambassadors chosen to help lead this year as a speaker.  Although I speak in front of groups fairly often with work this was a bit different and an opportunity to embrace my word of the year “GROW”.  I worked with an amazing fellow ambassador and through preparation and practice what was a bit nerve wracking at first became a experience that built confidence for us both as we stood before a room full of friends who were eager to hear what we had to share.

 

2. p2p 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash Party in Texas – Travel is always fun and when you can pair that with work with your photos it is extra fun for me.  I am excited to be joining a lot of great friends in Texas in the Spring for a weekend of digital scrapbooking fun.  I am looking forward to working on my own projects and learning new tips and ideas too.

And to top off the whole list, my #1 item is

  1. Forever LIVE 2020 next year will be in Orlando, FL – I had a hunch that we were headed to Disney and have to say I am a bit excited.  I have always been a Disney fan and even though I didn’t get to Disney World until my mid 30s I am excited to be headed back for this convention there on the property.  I am hoping I can twist my family’s arms and have them join me for some fun on one end or the other too for some family time at the parks.  I know that I will have a blast at Forever LIVE like we always do but I am also excited about the location and the bonus time we get to have there too.  If you are interested in joining us for Forever LIVE in Orlando you can join as a customer, Club member or Ambassador.

Well that may not have been the Las Vegas lists you were expecting but those were the Top 10 things that excited me about our trip last week.  Have you been traveling this summer?  Where have you been?  What have you enjoyed seeing and doing?

Summer Sale…Coming to a Close

Our Summer Sale will becoming to a close the end of July.  You have a chance to pick from nearly 50 items remaining for just a few more days.  There are pictures posted on my Elizabeth’s CM Customer Group on Facebook or you can see some of the remaining items listed on the Summer Sale Page.  Please either fill out the form on the website or e-mail with your order no later than July 31st and I will be in touch for payment and pick up options.

 

Thank you for your help in clearing my shelves and Lightening my Load as we make room for new products this fall.  I will be placing a order of New CM products later this week if you wish to add any of those items to your order as well and pick up at our workshop August 10th.

 

Have you signed up for our August Photo Workshop?  Don’t miss the fun, sign up for all day, just the morning, just the afternoon or plan to pop in and shop!  The registration link can be found on the Events page!