Kansas City Kindness

Well, our first regionals of this year are over, and Kansas City was wonderful! The weather cooperated beautifully, although I only got to enjoy it on the short walk between the hotel and convention center and back. I would have liked to spend a little more time outside, but I was having far too much fun inside with our wonderful demonstrators!

We always tell our first group of the year that they are our “guinea pigs,” because we’re presenting the regional curriculum for the first time. Although we did make a few minor adjustments between Friday and Saturday, things went very well.

I love the mix between business and stamping we have this year, and I thought the workshop wows and best business practices shared by local demonstrators were wonderful! We’re doing our evaluations online this year, so we haven’t received any immediate feedback, but I’m looking forward to reviewing the feedback we do get to see if those who attended shared my feelings.

I demonstrated a “bootiful” Boo banner that Sara created for Halloween, which I would love to share with you. Unfortunately, the photos are captive in my camera, and my technological skills and knowledge are being challenged. I have vowed to conquer the camera this weekend, however, and I promise to show you the visuals of my project by Monday.

One thing that made this regional memorable is the outpouring of genuine concern for my father that I felt from every single demonstrator I talked to. To a person, they expressed thoughts of love and kindness—much like the expressions I’m reading from you here on my blog. How sweet and dear my friends are, many of you whom I have never met. These experiences remind me again about what kind of people we associate with and what kind of people we are all trying to be, and I thank you for your inspiring examples and warm expressions of love.

Comments

[Maureen Stivala]

Oh my - I missed your previous post - so I just read about your Dad - so sorry about that and of course you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers...glad he will be able to recover fully! And while I know you had no worries & so were able to still go to KC, I am sure you felt better getting back to see him again when you got home...

Glad you had a great time at regionals! Can't wait to see the banner! I am hoping to be able to make a regional this year...Its always so lovely (not to mention energizing!) to see you in person...although I never know what to say when I actually see you!! Something my family doesn't believe - although my Stephanie was there to witness it at convention! LOL I am usually NEVER at a loss for words!!

((()))reen

[Kim from Gardner]

Shelli,
It was so great to see you in KC today! The regional was a blast! Tell Jaron we missed him...you should have brought him along!

Kim :)

[Jacki]

I have to say I believe we are blessed with you. And the fact that you are just like us, you post to your blog, have family issues, just makes us demonstrators love being a part of a company that is run by someone that is just like us.

We appreciate you, and again best wishes for your father.

Jacki McHale

[Jacki]

I know I just posted above, but this is a different subject. Not in reference to your blog, so much as to Stampin' Up!

I just received my hooded brown and vanilla zip up sweater. And I just want you to know how much I love it. For that sweater alone makes me too excited about cooler weather so I can wear it! It's perfect, and the easiest way to talk about SU!

And when it get's even colder, I will throw my well earned black SU! winter jacket over my sweater!

LOVE IT!! Thanks Shelli, for you and your company.

From one proud demo,

Jacki McHale

[Shelly Fanning]

Shelli,
you have touched so many people. Please know and accept that you have a HUGE cyber family here filled with friends with big hearts that have nothing buy love and concern for you and your family and wish you all the best.:)

[Megan]

Shelli , Hope thoughts and prayers for your family especially your father.
I am a demo in New zealand ,We had training with David and Emma here yesterday .It was so nice to meet David ( with his cute American accent) and hear statistics on how we are doing here compared to Usa, Canada, Europe and Aussie . I am so proud to be part of team Kiwi! May we continue to do so well! Megan

[sharon]

Hi Shelli,
I guess i echo Megan's comments above......we in the world down under really appreciate how your company except us as a 'real' branch of your business....even more importantly, how you treat us all with such respect - you should really not be surprised at how much genuine love is out there......'treat others as you wish to be treated yourself'...you really stand for that!! I see it in all the business decisions that your company makes.......Love to you and your family, hope your dad is feeling a bit better....

[Jen Arkfeld]

Shelli - What a joy it was to have you come to Kansas City Regionals! It was my first Stampin' Up! event ever, and it was so worth it. The new friends I made were an added bonus, and seeing you and having a picture was even better. I love being a part of Stampin' Up! and am truly inspired by your enthusiam. It is refreshing to know that you are a "real" down-to-earth person just like the rest of us and value your family above and beyond all other things. Keep doing a fabulous job! Someday I'll see you in Founders Circle (hopefully!).

[Marion Dornan]

Hmmm, I'm thinking that this regional should have been a week earlier. My husband had his Conference in Kansas City too. I would have much rather had been there then home cleaning up Ike's mess. hehehehe I'm glad to hear your dad is doing well, and you had a great time in Kansas City.

[Patty Bennett]

Shelli,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad and your family.. I'm so sorry to hear about his accident, but relieved to hear he will recover! I also wanted to say I had the BEST time with you, the SU staff and all the wonderful demonstrators at Founder's Circle and of course at all of the Advisory Board functions over the following days.. it was a major highlight of my life.. wonderful memories, fabulous friendships, and very touching getting to know you even better at our PJ party and over the entire extra 2 days!! hugs, Patty

[Susan Puckett]

Shelli,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as your father recovers. Isn't it funny how we forget to be thankful for the everyday, mundane routines until tragedies occur and our lives change in an instant. My 17 year old son was critically injured in a work related accident on August 12th. His head injuries were extensive and he died on the 17th. I am still in shock and trying to learn to deal with my loss, but God's gain. I am relaying this to you because I learned first hand how great and wonderful SU demonstrators are. In keeping our friends and family updated while at the hospital, I accidentally included an email to a fellow SU demo that I had just met at Convention. She posted online about the tragedy and I am still amazed at the the emails and the cards and prayers I have received from demos all over the country that I don't even know. So know that many, many people have your family and your Dad in their prayers.
Susan Puckett

[Jean Stayton]

Shelli

Prayers for your Father and speedy recovery.
Prayers for your travels
.

Jean


.

[Jennifer Smith]

Shelli,

Thank you for a wonderful time at the KC Regional! My mom and sister and I all had a great time together. It was my mom's second time attending as a guest (Tulsa in March) and my sister's first time. We talked all the way home about project ideas for my upcoming classes!
Thank you again and give our wishes to your father for a speedy recovery!
Jennifer Smith

[Nancy Williams]

Shelli ~ I just wanted to write to express my humble appreciation for the kind words you and Jill spoke to me after my presentation at Regionals on Saturday. As a first-time presenter, I was more than a little terrified so your words made it all worthwhile! Thank You!
Also wanted to express my concern for your father and his recovery. I hope you found him comfortable and improved when you arrived home. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Angela]

Shelli,

I make a point to read your blog daily. It is one of the first things I do when I sign on to my work pc...For the momment they haven't found that out! shhhhh, that's our little secret! With that being said, this is the first I have been on in several days. (took a long weekend)

I am so very sorry to have missed your blog about your dad. I hope he is recovering well.I'llkeep you in my prayers.

The carrot cupcakes where such a hit that I have made then twice aleady. Next, the texas sheetcake!

Hope to see you in Virginia Beach in November.

[Dawn]

Shelli,
Thank you for a wonderful time in KC on Saturday. The Regional conference left me inspired and invigorated - it was a great mix of business and creative ideas!

I am praying your dad continues to heal well. I am so touched you still chose to be in Kansas City with us so soon after his injury. It was definitely a priviledge to meet you.

Dawn

[Amanda (KS)]

Friday Regional was AWESOME!! I loved all the ideas and tips and of course the stamping!! Shelli, it was great to meet you again. The photo opps and short time to chit chat are always fun. The location was great and I just enjoyed every minute. Thank you Thank you.

Praying for your dad's speedy recovery. Have a great week!

[Dianna P]

Shelli, I hope you know how calming your presence is for us "first time" presenters. I truly appreciate you taking the time to talk with me a little before I went on stage. I really did think I was going to throw up or pass out!! Lori Olaveson was also a true joy to work with. I had asked myself several times in those days leading up to the Regional WHY I was doing this to myself, you know the not sleeping, worry about what to say, and what to wear, and how early I was going to have to leave to make it in time! Now, I'm just so honored to have been asked and I appreciated ALL your staff who did nothing but encourage me. Thank you again and I'll send you my NEW updated Simply Scrappin' 60s samples with the I WISH kit as soon as I get it!!

[Renee Santoro]

Hello Shelli and family, my thoughts are with all of you! I know you have heard it all before, but I am going to say for the billionth time, you all are very beautiful people! Not only are you all very patient; talking to all of us, and listening to all of our ideas, comments, complaints, but you all are very warm and happy! Although all of us Stampin Up! Demonstrators have only the best, manners, sometimes we all forget how fortunate we are, to live in America and have any opportunity at our finger tips. I am not a top seller, not a mid seller, nor am I "just a hobbyist". I get "Giddy" every time I get to host a workshop and show off the cards, scrapbook pages that I can create using Stampin Up! products. I like to try to bring out the best in any stamper whatever their level of stampin. I guess I just want to say THANK YOU! for the opportunity. Your fellow stamper and friend Renee. I will be waiting in line again, to see you at Convention in 2009. I will have the bells on. XO

[Sue]

Shelli, Regional was "Awesome". I really enjoyed all the fantisic projects and the Demo's were great. I learned so much and will send my learning in my workshops. I was just just so excited to meet you in person, you are yes "So Shelli". Our prayers are with you and speady recovery for you father.

In God We Trust... Sue