The journey to Brave Girls Camp

This last week I went to Brave Girl's Camp, it's run by Melody Ross and her sister Kathy Wilkins and their family and friends. It's located in McCall, Idaho and if you have never been in that part of our country it's a beautiful and serene. It calls to your soul... it takes awhile to reach your destination and I thought I would share my journey with you.

We left for the airport early, I am a nervous but patient traveller, always willing to be there early to keep the stress level down. I checked in and had plenty of time to grab a Starbucks Iced Tea (which was my last one for the week, ok I did not plan on the withdrawal heads from the missing caffeine, duh!) I think had I known it would be my last Ice Tea for the week, I might have slowed down and enjoyed it a little more.

Breezed through security, got on the on time flight and then we sat for 54minutes because we had too much fuel on board for the trip to Las Vegas. Never knew that too much fuel could be a problem, but now I know. They told us that SouthWest would hold the flights for connections in Las Vegas.

Arrived in Las Vegas and ran...yes I ran to the next gate, thank the airport gods, there was a short cut that lead right to my gate and I made it in enough time to make a potty stop. So important, because who no matter their size can fit in an airplane toilet closet? Actually connected with Jennifer who was also to be on the flight to Boise and we were off.

We arrived in Boise, but Jennifer's luggage didn't. I was sure with my quick connection mine would still be in Las Vegas, but it didn't work out that way. We got a few different soulutions to the luggage problem taken care of and made our way to hotel. We had time to grab lunch and then get the shuttle to McCall, plus add a trip to Target to get Jennifer some hold over cloths just incase her luggage didn't make it.

If you want to know the true start to the week, it happens in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn at Eagle River...they have some really nice folks at the hotel, very welcoming and ready to be of assistance even though we were not staying there for the night. It was fun watching folks come in and join the growing group of ladies waiting for the shuttle. Right on the dot, Melody's hubby Mike met us in the lobby and took us to the shuttle, where he got us and our luggage loaded up and on the road.

The rest of the journey to McCall was just a beautiful ride along green meadows and the river. Each bend of the road is a little prettier than the next. We even saw folks river rafting! I think that the 2 and a half hour ride helps to prepare you for Brave Girls Camp, not only is it time to get to know the ladies who you will be living with, but it helps to drop away some of the mental luggage you carry with you. One we reached McCall we were met by Melody Ross and some of the staff and with a brief introduction, we arrived at our destination and in a way if felt like coming home.

Sheila

Just 2 more days...

In just 2 more days, it's time to fly away and head north to Boise, Idaho and begin my journey to become a Brave Girl. I've been working hard not to let expectations overwhelm me, it seems like forever since I first found the website for Brave Girls. It's been an adventure I wanted to take from the first venture within the website. Brave Girls Camp calls to me...the friendships, the creativity, the time of introspection of who I am. Most of all the thoughts of going back and reliving a little bit of those past summer camps. Wither it was church camp, girl scout camp or band camp...those were some of the best times in my past. The friends I made, both with the campers and with camp staff, they helped to shape who I am and who I will forever be.

Sheila

Mud fun!

Most of the planning that happens for Scrapbook Royalty takes place in a wide range of places. Starbucks, over dinner, in cars, so why not spend the day being pampered and relaxing as we while away the hours getting ready for the next six months. We have a lot packed into those months, with some really fun and exciting events coming up.

I got muddy while Elena got a detox scrub, which kind of sets the tone for how our meetings go. We both come at the event planning from different directions and end up meeting in the middle with some really exciting ideas! Elena chooses a salad that they have built and I choose to build my own. I have to say I think mine was yummier and looked like a face! But the thing is, it works for us. Our hope is to find at least one or two more people willing to take on a chunk of the responsiblities.

That's something that has happended this year, we've both learned that we can't do it all. Our first venture into sharing the load has been Club Royalty, this was something that Elena wanted to do for awhile, it was to be Elena's baby, but E has more than enough to do, so we've found 2 very responsible volunteers Laura and Angela and have passed the reins over to them and already they are doing a better job at than we were.

I always look forward to our planning sessions, you would be surprised how much fun they can be... we spent about an hour in the pool coming up with ideas for name tags for the up coming Westcott Party in Chicago and have it nailed down thanks to Ellison and Sizzix!

So Glen Ivy...a great place to get dirty, a great place to detox, and a great place to spend the day planning for future events!

Sheila