Thoughts After Christmas

Hello!  I have missed you all!!

Sorry I have been MIA!

My parents came to visit.

Christmas came and went.

But, here I am.

I have been reflecting today.

Thinking about the past month.

Wondering where the time went.

Why it had to go so fast.

Do you ever get like that?

I mean, seriously?  It's not going to be 2009 much longer.

2010 is literally right around the corner.

Wow.

I am in this bummed frame of mind right now.

If you know me, you know I am fanatical about Christmas.

I absolutely love it.

But, this year.  I was too busy to stop and enjoy.

There was no baking, no driving to see lights,

there was no time to do it.

I didn't listen to much Christmas music.

I just didn't get to soak in Christmas.

This makes me sad. 

I got teary eyed today thinking about it.

My parents came to visit.

They arrived on Christmas Eve.

They just left a couple of hours ago.

Time went by Fast.  Like a whirlwind.

Seriously.  Decorations went up.

This weekend decorations come down.

Bummed.

You know what, though?

That's life!

And my life has been so blessed!

I have been pushed to my limits.

I have seen what I can do.

I have learned that I sometimes need to stop.

To take a breather.  To just relax.

I had to remind myseld so many times that

I AM ONLY HUMAN!

I can only do so much.

And when I stepped back, took a deep breath,

and just relaxed.

Things worked out just fine.

They always do.

God is good.  He is loving.

He doesn't give us more than we can handle.

I know this.  And with that reminder, it helped.

He helped get me through it.

I also couldn't have done it without all of you!

And all of my friends on Twitter!

And my mom telling me I can do it!

And, my husband's little one liners of encouragement, or a 

little touch on the back telling me "your almost done!"

I am surrounded by support, love and encouragement!

Thank you all so much!

That said.  I still have more orders to complete.

But I am taking it day by day.

Getting them out on time, but not rushing.

Things are going to be changing after the New Year!

Things that need to change.

For my sanity to stay intact.  

I will let you know later.  ;)

I do want to say 1 more thing.

I have read NINETY NINE books this year!!!!

My goal was 100!  

Only ONE MORE TO GO to reach my goal!

Amazing.  

I have read so many good books.

Not many bad ones.

I can't wait to get back into reading more!  I have only read ONE book this month.

Normally I read at least 5.  haha!  

You will know when I hit my goal!  ;)

How was everyone's Christmas?

Do tell!!!

I have to upload pictures first before I tell about mine!

But it was great.  ;)

I will be back VERY soon!

No more crickets around this place.

Promise!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas From My Family To Yours!!

The look on her face cracked me up!

May your day be blessed with memories, laughter, fun, and love.

hi

I'm completely exhausted.

My eyes have been burning for almost

a week straight.

I am feeling overwhelmed.

I am feeling loved.

I am feeling blessed.

This week I have been on the rollercoaster of emotions.

I have cried.

I have laughed.

I have yelled.

I have cussed.  

I have smiled.

I have almost thrown up.

I have jumped for joy.

I have been frustrated.

I have felt stressed.

I have felt tired.

So tired.

But at the end of the day.

I look at their faces...

Everything stops mattering so much.

They look at me with love.

They look at me and my heart melts.

Everything else washes away.

They are what matter.

My husband is what matters.

My love for them and theirs for me is what matters.

They know I can get these orders done.

I know I can too.

The storm is almost gone.

I just need to make it til then.

I have a new friend.

She is helping me.

She thinks it's not much.

But she will likely never know

just how truly I appreciate her for helping me.

For taking time out of her crazy insanely busy life 

to help me.

For taking some of that stress away.

Tiffany... you rock!  THANK YOU!

Also.  I want to thank Beki and Denise.

They have been my go to friends

when I need someone to talk to.

I have cried while talking to Beki.

She made me laugh, and she helped 

me realize that I need to just breathe.

Relax.  Focus.  "Just do what you can."

Thank you Beki.  God has blessed me by putting you in my life.

Denise.  Oh my!  I love her!

She and I haven't been friends long.

But we clicked immediately.

She gets me.  I get her.

We talk all the time.

She makes me laugh.

She pushes me, and tells me I can do it!

I need that.  

Thank you Denise!  God has also blessed me by putting you in my life.

Oh, and I got a couple emails asking me about 

the flowers my girls are wearing...

Denise made them!!  Aren't they purdy?

She can make you one too!!

Just ask her.

I plan to get them in every color possible.

Also... I needed to mention something else about Beki...

but I want to do that in a totally separate post.

She rocked my world last week, 

and I wanted to tell you all about it,

but I need to take the pictures to go with the post.

SO, stay tuned!  :)

Back With Things To Share!!

OK, so I promised to share some 

fun things today, so here I am!

Here are a few pictures I took

of my girls today for Christmas 

Card pictures.  These ones aren't going to 

be used, but I love them anyway.

Now, I have been pretty allusive on Twitter

about this really great idea I found in 

the blogosphere...

So... here are the pictures...

The background is chalkboard FABRIC!

How cool is that????

Love it!

What do you think?

And... here is Angelina's quilt!

I just got it back from the long arm quilter!

Yipeeee!  It's fantastic, and I KNOW she will LOVE it!  ;)

OK!  Much to do!

Cooking dinner, putting away laundry

and SEWING SEWING SEWING!!

Night!

Missing In Action!

Hey friends!

I know I know. 

All you are hearing around

these parts are crickets.

So quiet on The Benner Daily.

Sorry for that.

I have been told that posts are

missed, and it's too quiet.

I will be back soon.

Tomorrow, in fact.  I have some

things to share.

For now, I will tell you

that to my surprise my shop, *Shey*[B] was

featured on DOOCE!!!

Wow!  I was in shock,

but was yelling, jumping, clapping

and squealing with delight.

If you don't know who Dooce is,

check out her blog.

She is a top 10 blogger.

She was on the Forbes list.

She. Is. Huge. in the blogging community.

I am so honored that she featured

my shop along with some others.

AMAZING!!

Anyway.  Back tomorrow!

For now... I have to sew massive

amounts of camera strap covers

by Saturday, so my posts won't be

many, but there will be some.  :)

The deadline to order for Christmas

has passed, but I added some

gift certificates to my shop

if  you're interested, click here.

Excuse Me As I Wipe The Drool From My Chin {winners enclosed too}

Ummm...

so, my husband went

to Cycle Gear yesterday.

He returned with some new

items to help keep him warm 

on his commute to work.

All I will say is that this morning

as I shot the following pictures 

I was practically having to 

wipe the drool off my chin.

Motorcycle riders in full gear,

a black helmet with a black visor...

Oh my my my!  

And my husband wearing that...

Wowza!

 

 

My husband is hot.

But with his motorcycle helmet on

and his leather jacket

and leather gloves.

Sitting on his bike...

WHOA!!!

The temperature just went up in the room!!!

I am sweating.

He is sizzling hot.

Like so hot I told him to go to work.

Or I wouldn't let him leave.

If I am getting too TMI for you,

sorry.  But I just. can't. help it.

So he went off to work.

Cuz he had too.

But, he'll be home later...

:D  he he he.

OK.  TMI, I know.

But, the spark is still there.

Definitely still there!  LOL!

 

***

Today it's raining.

I am so happy about this.

Rain is rare in Arizona.

So when it comes, I get giddy 

like a little kid. Makes me want to curl up

on my couch with my girls and 

watch movies all day.

But, I can't.  I am buried 

up to my hazel eyeballs with orders.

I have over 170 orders to get done 

so that people can have their camera

"clothes" for Christmas.

I feel blessed.  Overwhelmed.  But so blessed.

Thank you thank you thank you.

You're all awesome.

xoxo.

****

OK, so I am about to announce the winners.

But I wanted to mention something first.

I won't be doing anymore 

giveaways until after the first of the year.

{I think it's weird that in less than a month we will be in 2010 already}

After the first of the year,

I will do giveaways 2 times a month for others.

But, I will be doing giveaways for advertisers only.

Advertising is 1 key way to get your name out there.

I advertise a lot.  

It's worth it to pay for advertising.  Most of the time.

My rates are not expensive.

If you're interested in advertising with 

The Benner Daily, please email me.

shealynn AT gmail.com

Reserve your spot now.

Since I am only doing 2 giveaways a month

space is limited.  :)

OK.  Moving onward!

Winners.

Who are you?

I am announcing winners to ALL of last week's 

giveaways.  Right now.

Please email me with the week.
Some people are not claiming their prizes!

If I don't hear from a winner in 1 week another winner is chosen.

$30 Gussy Gift Certificate Giveaway Winner:  Tiffany of Tessa's Tidings

Dog "necklace" collar winner:  Celeste of Etsy It Up

The *Shey*[B] Camera Strap Slipcover Giveaway Day Winner:  SisterlyLove

 

Thank you to all that entered!!  I was in awe of all those comments!

Thank you!!!  Winners... email me to claim your prize:

shealynn AT gmail.com

Now... hurry to these shops

and get some great gifts for Christmas!

Christmas deadlines are fast approaching.

Gussy, Tiffany's Dog Collars, *Shey*[B]

I will be featuring a few shops this week

as well for Christmas ideas.

Stay tuned!

Babies!! Oh how I love babies!

So, I am buried up to 

eyeballs with orders.

And I know I haven't really blogged

much except for giveaways.

Sorry about that!!

I promise to blog my kids soon.

I promise to blog my husband soon.

I promise to blog MY life soon.

But.  For now... here are some babies that I 

had photo shoots with lately.  :)

Of course, you remember 

Baby Benjamin!  

He is totally freaking cute!!!

I am dying over here.

And now... the rest of baby Landry.

She is so adorable! 

I hope I get to take pictures of 

her and her brothers soon!

The whole family is awesome!!

So awesome that when I told them 

that I needed to bring Zoe with me to 

the shoot... they were cool with it.

How cool with it?

Well... maybe the dad [my husband works with him].

Say hello to Jade...

Anyway, maybe Jade, the dad of Landry 

tried to teach Zoe how to play the guitar...

Pure awesome!

Thanks Jade.  :)

Heading out to spend some time with 

my family!  

Have a great weekend!

Giveaway Winner MKL

Hey everyone!

If you're looking for the

Sew Mama Sew giveaway, scroll down.

First off, the Winner of the MKL Christmas

Card giveaway is Shana!!

Congratulations!  Email me to

claim your prize!  :)  shealynnATgmail.com

Now for those of you that need Christmas

cards that look amazing, go to Mel's shop

and buy some!  Click here.

Welcome to Giveaway Day! :D

Giveaway Closed.
Winner will be announced 
tomorrow on a different post.
http://shealynnbenner.blogspot.com 



Don't forget to enter the MKL Designs Holiday Card giveaway!  Click HERE.  It ends Today!!

Don't forget to enter the Gussy giveaway Click HERE! 

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway for your Pooch - Click HERE! 

____________________________________________________________________

Giveaway Day is here once again!

Woo hoo!  Do you know what giveaway day is?

Well, if you don't, check out Sew Mama Sew's website

to find out by clicking here!

Hundreds of people sign up,

so you have hundreds of chances to win

a giveaway.  :)  And one chance is here!

One lucky winner will receive

a *Shey*[B] Camera Strap Slipcover from my Etsy shop.

I WILL ship internationally!

This is the one up for grabs...

Brand new!  I just listed it on Monday.  :)

Remember... if you're ordering for a Christmas gift, your order

MUST be in no later than Dec. 12th!  That's 9 days from now!!

Are you excited?  I hope so!

Do you want to win?

Do you want to win?

Here's how to enter...

Leave a comment for each one!!

Remember!  You do not have to answer every question, but the more you answer, the more chances you have at winning.  :)

And PLEASE remember to check back here to see if you have won! If you win, you must send me an email claiming your prize.

1. Just leave a comment.
2. Go visit My Shop.  Come back here and tell me what's your fave.

3. Blog, Tweet and/or Facebook about the giveaway.

4. Follow Me on Twitter.

(Two options: here or here.)

5. Follow my blog.
6.  Buy from My Shop before the giveaway is over and receive 15 extra entries!
Make sure you come back here and let me know you did... also make sure you let 
her know you're from THE BENNER DAILY.

7. Tell me what your favorite Holiday Tradition(s) is/are.

Good luck!!

This giveaway ENDS December 6th ...  time? ... you'll see.  ;) 

If you're interested in sponsoring The Benner Daily, we would Love to have you!
Please email for more information!
shealynn AT gmail.com

P.S.  Go to Ucreate and check out the awesome

shops participating in her Online Holiday Boutique!

Click here.  I may or may not be offering

a discount.  :)

P.P.S.  Click here, here, and here to enter to win a *Shey*[B]
Camera Strap Slipcover.

:: Giveaway For Your Pooch ::

Don't forget to enter the MKL Designs Holiday Card giveaway!  Click HERE.  It ends this Wednesday!!

Don't forget to enter the Gussy giveaway Click HERE! 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

We have another giveaway...

Yes.  Another one!

I can hardly believe it myself.  :)

Apparently I booked all these giveaways this week

then proceeded to completely forget.

Bad Shey!

But, hey!  You get to benefit from it...

Well.  At least 1 of you will.

Tiffany and I have been talking

about doing her giveaway since

the beginning of October, and I am so

excited to be able to share her shop with you.

She is just starting out.  :)

OK, isn't her dog totally cute?

Now... let me introduce you to my friend

Tiffany.  She lives in Arizona,

and we talk a lot on chat.  She is super sweet.

She has written a little note to all of you.

I know!  How awesome.

***

Hi everyone!  My name is Tiffany, I’m 23 and I live in Arizona (though I’ll always be a Wisconsin girl at heart).  I started sewing one day on a whim, and I have to say it quickly became an addiction.  I have tried my hand at several different random projects and when I got such positive results from friends and family I decided to test if they were just being nice or if strangers really would buy my products.  Ha!  Anyway, since my dog is a princess and I know several dog lovers I decided I would start out my little business by making dog collars.  I always wanted something cute for my dogs to wear, and something different that 1,000 other Petsmart shoppers didn’t already own.  My dog also has sensitive skin and the nylon webbing just wasn’t working for her.  Along came my sewing habit and now I can’t stop making her cute and comfy cotton collars.  I hope you like them as much as Bailey and I do!

I also have to say a big thank you to Shealynn.  I stumbled upon her blog on a crazy night the first week I started sewing.  One blog led to another blog which lead to another and before I knew it I didn’t even know where I had started, or that is was the wee hours of the morning at that point.  I am so glad I found her though!  She has been so helpful, fun to talk to, and so gracious to help me get my business up and running with this giveaway.  Oh and I can’t keep from mentioning how much I LOVE her camera strap covers.  Thanks Shealynn!

***

Thanks, Tiffany for being so sweet!  

You're awesome!

And she is so awesome in fact,

that she is letting the winner

pick their favorite collar from her shop!

Woot!

So... would your dog like to win a new "necklace"?

[That is what Zoe calls collars.  lol]

Do you want to win?

Here's how to enter...

Leave a comment for each one!!

Remember!  You do not have to answer every question, but the more you answer, the more chances you have at winning.  :)

And PLEASE remember to check back here to see if you have won! If you win, you must send me an email claiming your prize.

1. Just leave a comment.
2. Go visit Tiffany's Shop.  Come back here and tell me what's your fave.

4. Blog, Tweet and/or Facebook about the giveaway.

5. Follow Me on Twitter.

(Two options: here or here.)

6. Follow my blog.
7.  Buy from Tiffany's Shop before the giveaway is over and receive 5 extra entries!
Make sure you come back here and let me know you did... also make sure you let 
her know you're from THE BENNER DAILY.

8.  Follow Tiffany's blog.

9.Tiffany hasn't named her shop yet.  And eventually she wants to do more than dog collars... maybe you can think of something creative?  Leave it in the comments if you can.  :)

Good luck!!

This giveaway ENDS next Tuesday ...  time? ... you'll see.  ;) 

Thank you Tiffany for offering to do a giveaway on The Benner Daily!!  You rock!

If you're interested in sponsoring The Benner Daily, we would Love to have you!
Please email for more information!
shealynn AT gmail.com

P.S.  Go to Ucreate and check out the awesome

shops participating in her Online Holiday Boutique!

Click here.  I may or may not be offering

a discount.  :)

P.P.S.  Click here, here, and here to enter to win a *Shey*[B]
Camera Strap Slipcover.

Happy December!!

Don't forget to enter the MKL Designs Holiday Card giveaway!  Click HERE.  It ends this Wednesday!!

Don't forget to enter the Gussy giveaway Click HERE! 

_______________________________________________________________________

Just wanted to pop in real quick and let you know

that I have listed 2 new camera strap slipcovers in my shop!

They are SO cute!!

And 1 is ready to ship!

Hurry and purchase... Christmas orders need to be

placed by December 12th!  That is less

than 2 weeks, folks!

So... here are the new strap slipcovers

just listed today!!

The one above is being given away

over HERE.  :)

And here is one with a pink pleated ruffle.  :)

They are listed in my shop!

Get to my shop by Clicking here!!

Hope you're having a wonderful December 1st!!

I can't believe it's December already!!

Crazy.