So, Carollee ...

[jazzmatazz]

Today (Dec 13th) is the big day!! How did Mike like the book???? SPILL ....

BTW, a BIG, HUGE, SUPER-TREMENDOUS CONGRATULATIONS on making the CT! So very well deserved!!!

[ralloyd]

Oh yes! Can't wait to hear his reaction!!

[KarenC]

I been wondering if you gave it to him yet! We can't wait to hear.

[Heidi2008]

yes do tell ???

[mugsbigsis]

tap, tap, tap. . . :O) Dang those time zones.

[DonnaNJ]

For some reason I thought the big day was the 18th but soooo hoping I'm wrong.. can't wait to hear what his reaction was :-)

[hendon]

Ooooh can't wait to hear all about it Carol

[carollee]

Well we went out for dinner actually the night before his birthday, as we had a Christmas BBQ to go to on his birthday and his son was coming to stay for the week, etc. etc. I wanted us to be alone and have some time when I gave it to him, so I gave it to him Sunday night after dinner.

Mike is a man of a few words and holds his cards pretty close to his chest and keeps a very tight reign on his emotions. (bit of a tough he man thing going on).

But he was strangely intrigued when I gave him the wrapped box and when he opened it and saw Shutterfly he knew there was something afoot. And all the while as he was reading through it, there was a smile getting bigger and bigger on his face. He says that each page triggered additional memories and he was really surprised I had done so much of the background work with his dad, unbeknowns to him. He loved it. Absolutely loved it. He says the most important thing about each page in the book is that it really told a story and made him relive so much more, sights, sounds, everything.

One thing it has made me realise, that it's the sentiment, the words, the photographs and generally how things are set out that is important. I know I'm as bad as the next person at times worrying about the placement of a button, or the colour of a paper, or whether a brad should be here or there. But watching him go through his book I thought, he doesn't care a dang whether the swirl went this way or that.

So my biggest lesson in making this book I learnt right there on Sunday night. It's to not sweat on that stuff as much. As long as my page is pleasing to the eye, as long as I tell the story I want to tell and preserve the memory I want to preserve, as long as it fits into a theme I want it to fit into and it pushes my buttons of creativity, then that's it. The rest I need to learn to let go of and not obsess so much on.

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement, I truly truly appreciate it. This community absolutely rocks. And thanks Tracy for remembering.

[Amson]

Oh what a story Carol! Definitely a lesson in these words. So pleased that Mike loved the book!

[esther_a]

I hope to meet the fabled man in January and I'll get to see the book IRL and will make sure that he understands how truly wonderful we all think it is!

[Aino]

I am so happy you started this thread Tracy!!

And congrats to Carol (and her hubby) - I know that her book to him has gone down as a classic around here. It is sensational.

[Shannamay]

I think Aino hit on just the right word - "classic" - it perfectly describes Carol's book. I'm so glad it made him so happy, Carol - cause I know that makes you happy too - smiling here for both of you!

[DonnaNJ]

Thanks for sharing Carol.. it truly is a wonderful book and it's so nice to hear that he really got it :-)

[dfwest]

Carol, it was just wonderful reading your description of Mike's reaction. You have given him such a special gift; in so many ways. Pat yourself on the back; job very well done! And yes, Tracy, thanks for remembering!

[Amy L]

This was such an enjoyable experience for us all!

[jesshunt]

what a wonderful gift - thanks for the reminder about telling the story and not sweating the small stuff too....valuable lesson

[mugsbigsis]

Yes, Tracy, thank you for starting the thread. Carol, I'm so happy you had some time alone to give him the book and I think we could all learn a lesson from "sweating" the pages sometimes. Congratulations to you both. I know he'll treasure it. :O)

[KarenC]

Thanks so much for the update and great words of wisdom.

[KathyJ]

Carol ... I am so delighted that Mike loved the book ... (who would not?). Thank you for sharing your story and words of wisdom. You are a true inspiration. The book is a masterpiece.

[digigrandma]

I think this gift was one of the best kept secrets in the world! We scrappers are good at keeping a secret.

Michael will return to look at this gift again and again, I'm sure. And, Carol, you are so right....unless one is a scrapper like all of us....it is mainly the photos and the words that are looked at by most people. I have noticed that fact when my sons or my DH look at my scrapbooks. I do the design part for me, knowing the photos and words will be what others see.

[deanie]

Carol,
I loved reading your comments about Mike and THE BOOK. We all appreciate you sharing your fabulous work of love with us as well.

[lesvrolyk]

So fun to hear that you husband finally has the book in hand! I know I have so much enjoyed watching its creation. Thanks for sharing the journey and the giving with us!
And congratulations on your new CT status!!!

[marnie]

Thanks Tracy for the thread start. We've all been waiting to hear about the opening of 'the book'! Thanks Carol for sharing this special event with us and for sharing what you learned from the experience--wise advice to remember.

[anke]

it's such a fun story, I wish we could see pictures of his face! You are so right about the importance of the design or not...my kids look at the old books and they share the memories, not how beautiful the page is! I guess that part is mostly for us LOL!

[cstaff]

Carol... this has been such a fun and exciting journey that you've shared with us. I'm not the least bit surprised at Mike's response. What a gift of love that you've given him. And... thanks for the message for this scrapper here. I've been lamenting, changing, re-writing, shuffling the pages I've been making for my mother and her "book". Today, I reprinted 4 pages... to make them a bit better... but you're right... It was for me not for Mom. Her journey tells the story and my "doo-dads" are just the fluff. Thanks for the inspiration and guidance. Merry Christmas.

[angie wags]

That is such a great lesson for all of us, Carol! What a wonderful gift you gave.

[readstoomuch]

Originally Posted by carollee

One thing it has made me realise, that it's the sentiment, the words, the photographs and generally how things are set out that is important. I know I'm as bad as the next person at times worrying about the placement of a button, or the colour of a paper, or whether a brad should be here or there. But watching him go through his book I thought, he doesn't care a dang whether the swirl went this way or that.

So my biggest lesson in making this book I learnt right there on Sunday night. It's to not sweat on that stuff as much. As long as my page is pleasing to the eye, as long as I tell the story I want to tell and preserve the memory I want to preserve, as long as it fits into a theme I want it to fit into and it pushes my buttons of creativity, then that's it. The rest I need to learn to let go of and not obsess so much on.

Carol . . . what a wonderful reaction to your more than wonderful gift for Mike. I feel that somehow in a very small way I have glimpsed into the room on Sunday evening at your house. I feel such a part of your gift (in a looking over your shoulder sort of way)! It was such fun to see each page as you created it and to be in on your well kept secret. Mike's story is such a delight . . . the photographs are amazing . . . and your talent and skill are so inspirational. I love your thoughts about the book after seeing his reaction . . . I love each button and swirl . . . each little centimeter of the designs. And, I know that you enjoyed every moment it took to make it perfect. It is wonderful though for us to remember that the main reason to scrap is to reinforce memories and to bring them back to our hearts . . . I learned from you tonight!

[amcmillian]

Oh that is great news Carollee we all knew he would love it and I'm so glad it showed and you got to really enjoy the moment. Thanks for starting the thread Tracy, I've been missing so much I didn't catch the date she was going to present it to him.

[ang66]

What a wonderful journey we went on with you and I just knew he would love his book! You did such fabulous job of it and your whole heart went into it. Thank you for sharing the moment with us!!

[mymalloryboys]

I am so glad he loved it - I know I did! Thanks for reminding us what it is all about!!!