Central Texas!

[Emma]

I'm in Austin, anyone out there around here or planning on visiting? I LOVE to meet my online buddies!

[MakiJ]

Emma, it will be wonderful we can get together!! Any more buddies from central TX?


Maki

[Amanda]

I'm in Austin as well! Now don't go planning any get togethers until I get back from California in August!

[Emma]

'manda, sounds like you need to start a new California thread! Maki and I are hanging out anyway! With Kim and Amber too! :p Don't worry, you can hang with the DSP A-crowd when you get back to the A-place! Austin, that is!

[kimberlytm]

ok when and where is the get together? I'd say a mom's night out or something ;)

[Amber]

Or for those without kids- this could be a wifes night out! Just let me know when and where and I will try to be there! This sounds like fun!

[Emma]

Well, Amanda is moving this weekend, so definitely after that! LOL! She'll be back soon though, temporary relocation only

Troy's out of town for 3 more weeks, so I'm solo w/kids right now. So unless it's a Mom's Night Out with the Kids along and Wives without Husbands, I have to wait until the middle of June! Or find a sitter...that can be done.

Someone just needs to pick a day. Since Maki is the farthest, let's let her choose what's convenient and try to work around her.

As always, my house is open for visiting and sleeping! I wonder if we have any Dallas/Houston members...???

Any suggestions for when?

[justmp]

I actually live in the Killeen area, so I'm about an hour and 15 minutes from Austin.

[MakiJ]

Emma, you are so sweet that offering your house as our meeting!

If it's going to be a girl's night out, I cannot make next 6 weeks unless I hire a baby sitter. Troy(Emma, my DH's name is same as your DH :D ) is a MTI(Military Training Instructor) and he is going to have a new fright from today. The training lasts 6 weeks and once he gets the fright, he has to work 6 weeks straight.

If we try to get together sometime in June, I think the ladies in Austin area can make the date easier than I can. Once the date sets, I try to find a baby sitter or ask my DH's schedule.

Maki

[kimberlytm]

I meant to inclued women with out children also in the Girls night out. ;)
my MIL will be here in June until the 13th, so the 10th or 11th would be good or the week after. I'm not a big drinker so I would love to go to dinner somewhere or something like that. somewhere not too loud that we can all talk and get to know each other better. I'm thinking 183/arboretum area since I'm coming from Cedar Park and there is a Kileen driver and it should be very easy for the San Antonio people to find since they are probably driving up I35. But I'm up for anywhere really. just throwing out my ideas :D

I really need this, can anyone tell. hahaha

[Amber]

Kimberly- I was just joking! I knew that you meant that- I was just being silly!

Generally- Saturdays are the best for me. And Im a sleep late kinda person so if you do it on a Saturday and schedule it for 8:00- you wont catch me there! Gotta try and get all the sleep in while I can before we have a baby.

Im in the Leander/Cedar Park area too but I dont mind meeting where ever- but I also dont drink- especially since we are trying to get pregnant so drinking is definitely out!

So do we want to wait for Amanda to get back from Cali or meet next month and then again when Amanda gets back?

[kimberlytm]

Saturdays are family days around here so weekends won't work for me.

[Emma]

I've never met any local online buddies except Amanda (can't figure out why I can't schedule with those close by from my other lists! Go figure...)

Usually they're visiting from out of town, spend the whole day, spend the night, or visit multiple days. I love to just sit around and chat with everyone for several hours.

If we're just wanting to do a quickie evening thing, it'll be over too fast! So Saturdays are looking like that day because too many of us work during the week.

Maybe we can plan a day of the week thing for SAHMs on a Friday and have the WOtH ladies join us after work for dinner.

Another idea is to try to get together several times this summer, like a standing dinner date, something like the third Friday of the month. That way a few hours here and there will add up and we can really feel like we got some good time in. With more than about 2 or 3 the talking is so prolific it's hard to feel connected in just an hour or two.

So what do the SAHMs and WOtH locals think would be the best compromise to get the most able to attend a gathering?

[Amber]

I think it would be cool to do a dinner thing just to get out and get to know each other. Im cool with the standing dinner date.

But I would also like to have some time where we can get together and scrap or learn different things from each other- so it would obviously be more than 1 or 2 hours.

Hopefully I will be a SAHM within the next year- we are diligently working on trying to get pregnant- its been 7 frustrating months and Im hoping that we wont have to resort to a fertility specialist. So....maybe within the year I could join you guys for a weekday thing!

But during the week Im pretty flexible for dinner.

Amber

[Emma]

Let's just do this then! How about next Friday, the 28? Or the Friday after, but if we wait too long stuff comes up.

Can meet at a restaurant of somenoe else's choosing since I only eat at Cici's! LOL!

Whomever can come will come, whomever can't has dibs to plan the next one.

And for the SAHMs, we can do an all afternoon thing here and then head up to dinner in the evening together.

Let's just do it!

PS Maki, my Troy is out of town too, but we can pay my two neighbor girls for a few hours of babysitting. Their mom is right next door, they're cheap, and love to help. You can stay overnight too.
Justmp: what accomodations would you need? Open here in Dripping Springs!

[justmp]

We're going out of town for the Memorial Day weekend, so I won't be able to make a get together on the 28th, but I'll try really hard for the next one!

Thanks for thinking of me, Emma, as far as accomodations :)

Ya'll have fun!!!

Jodi

[MakiJ]

Emma, if you don't mind, can you ask your children's baby sitter for watching mine during the evening? I will be more comfortable that taking them to Austin and hire the sitter somebody you know instead of leaving them in San Antonio.

If the sitter is no problem to watch my children as well, I am definitely coming!

I don't know any great restaurants for the dinner in Austin so anybodyelse have in mind? kimberlytm mentioned about the place at 183/arboretum before. I have no problem there.

Jodi, this is just begining. I hope you can make it next time :) .


Maki

[Emma]

Is the 28th Memorial Day? Then let's do it the next Friday, June 4. My husband is coming back late that night, so I'll have to be out to the airport anyway!

Maki, my neighbor says they'll watch all our kids, that was my plan so you didn't have to pay someone while you were driving!

So how's June 4? Can Jodi and Maki both come? Can Kim come play during the day at my place? Someone pick a restaurant!

[Amber]

June 4th sounds good to me!

Ok...now for restaurants. Chilis, TGI Fridays, Hula Hut (on the lake- only problem with that is it gets crowded), Jason's Deli, Shady Grove (on Lamar), Baby Acapulco, Chuys? Anything sound good?

[kimberlytm]

I wish I could make it June 4 but MIL is coming in on the 3rd and that is probably too early to take off. I gotta give Addy some time to get used to her again. I'll catch the next one.

[Emma]

Well, since Kim can't make it, that's why we chose Friday rather than Saturday. Can we change to Saturday, June 5th? I have to pick up Troy from the airport late Friday night, and if I share a car with Maki that's going to be tight for me, not to mention a ton of driving from my house in Dripping Springs to the arboretum then to the airport back to my house...

So if we do Saturday can we all meet at my place and use the computers, then go out for some food. In that afternoon/evening would be best so I can spend some time with Troy in the morning. But I also can't wait for a brake from the kids!!!!! Love 'em, but SOOOO tired!

So what does everyone think of that?

BTW, What's everyone doing Memorial Day weekend?

[Amber]

I am not doing anything Memorial day weekend- well other than getting to use my new computer! Yipee! DH is building my computer and all the parts should be in today and tomorrow.

About June 5th- I could probably make it in the afternoon- say like 3 or 4 ish. Possibly even earlier but I have to help out at my aunts house (who passed away at the beginning of April- she committed suicide) that morning- we are packing her stuff and trying to decide what to sell and what to keep. And I live and will be in Cedar Park that morning so Im thinking if I left there by 12- 12:30 went home and took a shower and cleaned up the earliest that I could be there would be 2.

Amber

[Emma]

Okay, looks like things are shaping up to be a big gathering at my house for Saturday, June 5th. I've offered my place to overnighters, any other Austin homes open?

We'll just let the kids hang out awhile, scrap and talk too much, then leave the kids with the sitters and go grab some dinner. Since we're out west at my place, we'll try to grab a restaurant near here to minimize driving. There's a great cafe about 3 minutes from my house with a patio and often a little live music, the Nutty Brown Cafe, if that works for everyone? Or there are a several others within 30 minutes depending on everyone's mood. We can decide later if people are meeting here first, or decide now so those who can't come to my house can still meet us for dinner. I've never been to any of the 6th St. cafes, and that would be fun for me too, but maybe not on a Saturday...opinions?

Let us know what your plans are, what time you'd like to arrive, whether you need or can offer accomodations, and where you'd like to eat on the SW side of town.

So let's try to do a head count.

1. Emma, Austin

[MakiJ]

I emailed you, Emma.

Hope many ladies will show up :) .


Maki

[Amber]

I plan on being there! I need directions to your house Emma. My email address is amber@kazmir.com.

As far as time- I can probably be there between 3 and 4. What time is everybody else coming? Also, can we try and keep dinner cheap? I overspent my allowance on scrapbook stuff this month and Im in the po' house! I can probably bum some money off my DH though! Im cool with the Nutty Brown Cafe. The 6th street area is probably a bad idea on a Saturday night. There are not really any good restaurants in Oak Hill, unless we want to do barbeque or mexican.

[MakiJ]

I was planing to be at Emma's house on Sat. and looking forward to meeting you all but I just found that my friend is coming from South Dakota on Sat.

I have to pass the meeting this time. I am trying really hard to make it next one.

Have a wonderful time :) .


Maki

[Amber]

It looks like Im going to have to take a rain check on this one too- Ive had some unexpected plans come up that I cant get out of.

So sorry guys! I was really looking forward to meeting everybody!

[Emma]

I think that's all I had coming up! Anyone else? If not, I think we'll have to bag it...
LMK if anyone is coming, and I'll email you directions!

[Emma]

So, is anyone going to be able to make it on Saturday? Just checking. I'd like to try in a week instead. Friday or Saturday best for you?

Let's make it happen this time! LMK!

[Emma]

All right, did this die on the drawing board? Anyone want to make a go of this get together? This Saturday seems so soon since I didn't get any repsonses last time. Anyone? Bueller, Bueller????

[Mike Wozowski]

if this happens, i might be able to make it this saturday. (tomorrow)

i never heard that the last one didn't happen until now.

lmk

mike

[Amber]

Mike- where do you live?

Emma and I have talked and we do want to get a Central Texas get together going! Everybody just seems so busy right now! We will do another post when we can get this together!

[Emma]

Amanda's back and we have a new member in Austin! Let's try this get-together again

We need a host, a day of the week, an activity, and a time.

I volunteer to either host a crop, or we can meet somewhere. Some work, so evenings are better. Perhaps for dinner or at a park like Zilker.

Anyone coming from outside of Austin like Temple or Houston?

[Amber]

Im not so good on the hosting aspect of things but definitely want to come! Im cool with dinner some evening or getting together to scrap on the weekend.

The Zilker park idea sounds good especially since the weather is not as hot as it usually is in August- what is up with that? I sure do like it though!

[Margie]

Amanda and I have a meeting in Austin so I'll be down there Feb 21-25. I'm planning to meet Emma, AmberK, and Sandi (and so looking forward to it!) Anyone else in that area? I'd love to meet some more of you! :D

[Emma]

Margie's coming, Margie's coming!!!!!

NOW who wants to get together? Can we make it happen this time?

Feb 21-25, M-F

anyone? I don't have a laptop, so let's visit here :D I'm near Dripping Springs, just west of Austin

[td78230]

Hi! I am from San Antonio and wanted to know what you were planning? I have just started the digital scrapbooking (although I like to make webpages for my site at school) but i enjoy scrapbooking off the computer too when I have the time.

I am a teacher and we always get together several times during month for some kind of scrapbook or stamping party.
Tina

[Amanda]

I have scrap night every thursday (except the third thurs.) at my house at 8pm. Most are newbies and I am helping them learn. Anyone is welcome to come. We usually start about 8pm and finish around midnight. If you want more info, you can email me. amanda@digitalscrapbookplace.com

[Emma]

Margie and I will both be at Scrap Night this week, on Thursday. Maybe we can pack the place. I don't think she'd mind if we tear the roof off... :p

[Amanda]

The more the merrier!

[WarriorKitten]

...but if there's a weekend gathering, I'm willing to drive! I love Austin!

-Beth

[Emma]

I'd love to do a Saturday thing for the greater area, but no one ever commits, LOL!

Let's pick a day and do it. Any Saturday, just someone shout it out and we'll do it

[msmac_rn]

I would love to do the weekend thing. I would drive to Austin for a scrap. Have laptop will travel. I love the hill country in the spring with all of the wild flowers Would be great. Just let me know when and I will plan around it.

Becky :p

[Emma]

Amber, Amanda, and I got together for lunch yesterday afternoon, was fun! Got some good business ideas.

If anyone ever teaches a class here on table manners, I could sure use it. It's amazing how quickly they go when I'm not trying to impress my toddlers, LOL!

Anyone wanna call out a Saturday date for a get-together? I'm completely open, someone yell one and we'll hash it out from there!

[TXWebbie]

I'm just starting to get around here (DSP), but I live in Austin too! Please let me know if anything gets planned again! Would love to get together with you!

Renee
wild_angel1057@ev1.net

[Emma]

Are any of you going to the Great American Scrapbooking convention in Arlington in June? It's huge, I think the biggest in the country...??? Maybe we could meet there

http://www.greatamericanscrapbook.com/arlington/index.cfm?fuseaction=LearningPavilion.welcome

Not sure if I'll go, but it would be so fun if I could! If you'd like to make it, let's work something out

[msmac_rn]

Hey I would love to meet in Arlington. I have family there and that would be wonderful. I just need to know what weekend the convention is. I need to schedule my work schedule around it. I am soooooo excited! :p

Becky :)

[Emma]

It's Jun 9-11, Fri-Sun. Admission for 1 day is $9, all classes free, 3-day admission is $21. So cheap! They're hoping you'll stock up on supplies, but unless DSP is invited we can travel light! :)

click the link in the previous post to see all the info and classes, dates. Don't see anything screamingly digital at first glance, tho
http://www.greatamericanscrapbook.com/arlington/index.cfm?fuseaction=LearningPavilion.welcome

[Capmom]

I live in Arlington and have been to all the GASC conventions. Good for ideas but only Epson is doing anything digital this year. Classes aren't free, usually around $15 - $18. I would love to be included if there is a DSP "get together" in Arlington - convention is 4 miles from my house.
Marilyn (Capmom)

[txmusicmom]

My girlfriend works at that convention center! Great contact-

Hmm-- YOu could look around about having a DSP convention there- HINT HINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donna-- between Arlington and Austin :D

[AmyShell]

Hi ladies, I'm also in Texas, best place to be as far as I'm concerned. :D I"m in NRH, not all that far from Arlington. I've never done any scrapping at all, so I'm not planning on hitting the scrap show there right now.

[Emma]

I guess it's good DSP hooked up with Computer Crafts instead of Paper Scrapping convention. I'm not going to this one in Arlington, the classes aren't ringing my bell. They are, however, included in the General admission. The No Bulk or No Lump classes make me giggle, they're buying stickers and using printed papers to do what we do already! And if we buy it digitally, we can use it as many times as we want and make all the changes we want!

I'd love to take a trip up that way, though. Too expensive to drive without a really good reason, though.

[Amanda]

If you'd like to get on my mailing list for Scrap Night - join my yahoo group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amandascraps/

This is notifications group only.

I live in McKinney!

[tennismama]

Just realized this thread was here. (Now Emma, did you forget you met me?)
I'm in the Westlake area of Austin, a SAHM of 2 high schoolers - one who drives, and wife to a guy who works part-time and fishes the rest of the time! In other words, I'm pretty available for gatherings. I now have a portable scrapping station (Dell laptop) so I'm ready to roll. I also have a dear friend from traditional scrapping ready to make the leap to digital scrapping!
Keep me in the loop if anyone coordinates a get-together. I'm willing to host something at my house if it works out.

[Amanda]

Hi Tennismama -
Yeah, I used to live in Austin, but we just moved (permanently) to McKinney. We are buying our first home! My husband just finished school and got a job in Dallas. Hopefully Emma can pick up the Scrap Night tradition or someone else :)

[twilag]

okay....I'll be a Central Texan officially in about two weeks! I have a new job, a new home, and a new start! Keep me posted would love to meet some of you in real life (and need some orientation around Austin!)

[hn40211]

Hi! I just joined the site and found this link when searcing for the digital scrapbooking convention. Anway, I'm just a few minutes South of Austin. Can I join in any email lists you have for the area? Cool!
Heidi

[Emma]

I'm going to have a laptop crop at my house!

I'm looking at some dates now, but wanted to get some input as to when YOU would prefer, and what day of the week. I'm thinking perhaps Friday, September 16, whenever everyone wants to show up (all day/evening). Troy's out of town that day, so I think that might be better for me, even though I have kid duty by myself. If another day would be better, let me know.

also let me know if you'd need to stay a night over. I live in SW Austin, near Dripping Springs, on Hwy 290W, near RR 12, and 281 to San Antonio. MoPac and I-35 are not far either.

Email me for a map and directions, and I'll nail down the exact day sometime this week after some input.

Thanks!

[tennismama]

Emma (& all),

I'll be there. I have a laptop now and have been anxiously awaiting an event like this in the Austin area. I can't imagine a conflict on the 16th, or any other day ouside of Tuesday mornings!
Thanks for pulling this together, Emma.

[txminx]

Whoo Hoo - Road Trip Time

Got Sept 16 marked in black on the calendar - Can't Wait!!!!

[jenaRN]

I'm off on the 16th but have to work on the 17th so I won't be able to come down-dang it!

Hopefully next time!

[Sandersmr]

I wish I could, but Friday nights aren't good for me right now as I have to get up early and walk on Saturday mornings - I'm an assistant coach for our marathon training group.

But I may be at a crop that night here in town, so I will think of you.

[Emma]

We have a weekly digi crop in Austin now, Lakeway area, every Thu from 10:30am-noon

it's off 2244 (Bee Cave Rd) near Hwy 71

email if you need address and directions, emma@dsplace.com

I still want to try an evening crop, Friday night sometime soon. LMK which Friday you'd prefer

Laptop not required, but helpful. Let me know if you can make it or need any help. Hope to see you there!

[AustinNewbie]

Hi- I would be in for a Friday night get together. March is tough, as I seem to have something every Friday except for March 17.

I have a laptop, but all my scrap photos and software are on my desktop. Emma- can you tell me how the process works?

[tjh186]

wow...stumbled upon this thread totally by accident...is it still active? Are there Central Texans looking to get together? I'm totally game!

[tennismama]

Teri -
We're still here, but the group that was meeting every Thursday morning is suspended for the summer months. They all have young children. Emma's due to have baby #4 soon (12 days).
You can PM me if you want to try to get together before school starts back up. My two sons are both driving now, so I'm no longer needed around here except for grocery shopping and cooking. I'm out west of Austin, near Bee Caves. Jane

[JamieStillwagon]

Wow! this sounds like it would be fun to get together to digi scrap! Do ya just bring laptops and just scrap away!?? Im in the Waco area, but I would be willing to travel a little to get together! Let me know if something gets together!!!

[tjh186]

Good to know....I see so many paper scrap crops around here, and while I'll drag my laptop along for the socializing, it would be nice to get advice on PSE instead of how to cut paper to look like a waterfall!

I'm in between jobs right now, so (hopefully!) soon enough I'll be working and unable to go to a daytime crop, but (again, once my salary picks back up!) I think I'll just have to have a Central TX Digi-Scrap BBQ! Unless of course someone who has a desktop and doesn't want to bring that along volunteers to host a get-together!

[Amber]

OOOOhhhh! A BBQ sounds good! I would be game for that!

[Emma]

I'd love to host something, but it's hard to get everyone to commit to get together. I've had a few scheduled to have everyone cancel as the day approaches.

Any suggestions for a place/day that works best?

[tennismama]

I would be willing to host at my home. (Emma knows the general area) I don't think my wireless router would accomodate everyone getting on-line, but we could still work locally on our individual laptops. While my setup isn't quite as nice as Jenny's we could all set up on the dining table or breakfast table. I'm going to toss out June 27 as a potential laptop crop at my home. Do we want day or evening ... or BOTH? My house is available after 1pm that day.
You can send emails directly to me, if you like, at tennismama@austin.rr.com
~Jane

[Margie]

just so you know, i edited out your address. you really don't need 100,000 people reading that! :D but do feel free to email her for more info. wish i could come! :)

[tjh186]

Jane -- you've got mail! I'm game for June 27th, unless I get a magical job offer between now and then...and if that happens, then it should come with a nice enough salary that I'll defintiely be able to finish furnishing our house and invite y'all over. :)

Teri

[Emma]

Jane, I'll try to make it if I can (really hoping I'm in labor that day!)

Troy just signed up for a bunch of woodworking email groups, and accidentally posted the same intro to all of them WITH his PERSONAL sig line on the email! Photos of our shop with an address and phone number that is just begging, "Come STEAL me!!!" Instead of a nice warm welcome to the list, he got a bunch of trolls calling him an idiot. Even computer nerds screw up sometimes...

Safe to say, however, that you're in the Bee Cave/Lakeway area of Austin for those who are thinking of coming out for it. Thanks for offering! And NO ONE can have a setup as nice as Jenny's!

[pollylord]

I'm in Houston and would love to come. However, I am a newbie to digiscrap and would be way behind you all. I have been a tech coordinator for Houston ISD for 10+ years, so I am certainly NOT new to tech in general. I use PSCS2 on an intel MacBook Pro. I have registered for Emma's July class. I probably should wait to join you until I have completed that class at least. I am happy to know that there is a Texas group!

[Sandersmr]

Unfortunately, I won't be driving yet, so I can't come over to Austin on the 27th.

Polly;ord - maybe we need to have a Houston area crop.

[Emma]

Polly, you should come! It won't be an intense crop, mostly just chatting and scrapping for those who have a laptop or feel like it. No experts required! We'd love to meet you!

Maggie, wish you could make it. I might not be able to attend either, but we'll have to do one again soon.

[tjh186]

I know I'm totally not an expert --- I just like playing around and filling up my photo albums!

[tennismama]

I had no idea I actually posted my address. I though I sent it to Teri in regular email. Oh well, not the first time I've made a mistake.
I can't believe how many posts there are. I must only get notification every 5or 6 posts.
The area is Bee Cave Road at Hwy 71....near where the Galleria is going in. The date: June 27. The time: 1pm or after.
Contact email: tennismama@austin.rr.com

[Emma]

are we gonna do this again soon? My place or yours?

[Emma]

Is anyone going to the Austin Scrapbook Expo this year? I am waffling, but I'd go to meet some scrappers from here!

A reminder we're still doing the bi-weekly digi crop in Austin (Bee Cave area in Lakepointe) from 10:30-noon for anyone who can make it. PM me for the address.

[tennismama]

Suposed to be taking a son to Dallas for a golf tournament. But, if plans change, I'll let you know!