Mak’in Lasting Waves
- posted by: Cheryl
- posted in: Uncategorized
- on: November 20, 2008
When Fiskateers get together to share their passion . . . beautiful things happen. Friendships are made, laughs exchanged, hearts filled up, and people go away feeling different because they have invested in each others lives.
Well, this is what took place in Long Beach, California on Saturday, November 15th. We were ‘Mak’in Lasting Waves’ . . . some even for a lifetime.
We started the day off by having a photo opportunity with Captain Chad.
Then into the room for a little welcome time. I introduced some special guests we had present . . . Angela Daniels (current lead #009) and legendary Stephenie Hamen (#003). I was so blessed that both of these special ladies attended. What a special treat! I also introduced my husband and daughter (who earned the new nickname 2 1/2 . . . since I’m fiskateer #002). They are such a Fiskafamily and so supportive. Abigail was to bed late and up early and was such a trooper . . . this photo was taken at about 8 p.m. and she was all out of steam. My hubby really enjoyed his time and was such a help! Incredible. It was exciting to share the day with them and folks really enjoyed getting to know them.
We played some great games (thanks Elena for heading them up). A cruise wouldn’t be a cruise without Bingo so we played Scrap Bingo using fun Fiskars words. The squeeze punch hearts were the markers. As well, we played the ‘People Map’. The person living the furthest North stands at the most North part of the room and so on. The person who lived the closest and farthest got a great prize. As well, part of the game is that we exchanged fiskateer cards with their contact information (special cards I had made up for this game) with ten people and you have to write something special down about them. If that person’s name is called someone stands up and shares that something special about that person. People made new friends and it was awesome to see. I already hear of plans being made of reunions. It blessed my heart and so many people asked for more than just ten cards. Here are some winners but everyone was actually a winner . . .
After such a time we had the wonderful, talented and sweet Candice Carpenter come and share her gifts and talents with us teaching those in attendance a very special book that you can few and read about here . . .
https://candicecarpenter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/fiskateers-rock.html
She is such a beautiful person. Thank you Candice.
We then had a special presentation and the captain announced the fiskateer of the year . . . Melita Chow. Congratulations again!
We partook in a yummy lunch after a fun group photo. Mykle was awesome snapping over 500 photos.
During lunch I shared a special message from fiskateer Maxine Hodges about her father’s service in WWII and shared of his travels aboard the Queen Mary to the Battle of the Bulge. Tears fell silently as I read this special message from Maxine.
We swapped ATC cards, played more games, enjoyed each others company and were off to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Everyone seemed to enjoy the beautiful Aquarium and my daughter (2 1/2) Abigail had some great Aquarium buddies (Elena, Mel, Patty, Anita and all)! She was well taken care of and felt like a princess hanging around the fiskateers!
Then to Bubba Gump’s where we played more games centering around Bubba Gump trivia. While there were over 100 fiskateers in attendance for the event, some left right after or before the Aquarium because of the wildfires but there was 53 at dinner. Yahoo! It was fun!
Then some of us cropped til midnight! Whew!
This is a day that will not long be forgotten. I have so many people to thank and especially Fiskars! Their generosity and care for the Fiskateers is top notch! To Carrie at Brains on Fire for taking the funds and names for the Fiskafriendzys. To Angela and Stephenie for coming and supporting. For Colette and Amanda from Angela’s corner who helped haul things aboard the ship! They were such troopers and I just really enjoyed them both. To my hubby for his incredible support that day and always. To Elena for games, the Durbins for greeting and seating, Stephanie Ackerman for printing our photos and for doodling all the nametags. She even brought a Canon printer that was raffled off and Patty Root was the winner! For Mitzi for collecting, Tiffany for helping with seating charts, to Bud for signing folks in and ironing all the goodie bags, Kim W. for just helping where it was needed, to my aunt for always being faithful and helpful friend! Sandra and Michelle for helping with the ATC’s. So many to thank for making this day special and especially to each of you in attendance. Everyone made lasting waves in each others lives that will last for months, years and some for a lifetime. Each one of you are special and I was blessed by your presence. So many special friends at this event and not enough time. My heart just feels completely full! We rocked that ship and set sail on a day of fun, friendship and unforgettable memories! There will be more times of memories but no day quite like the one we had!
Patty 2832 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:26 amWOW..what great photo’s ! Thanks for sharing them with us!
What a grand time y’all had! Wish I could of been there but this is the next best thing!
And we enjoyed lots of fun times “aboard” here !
Hugs!
Jaclyn Venter says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:30 amCan I say more but I wish I was there! I sounded fantastic! Well done to you Cheryl for putting together such a fantastic trip!! I love Fiskars!!!
Meghan E says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:30 amIt sounds like an amazing time! Thank you so much for sharing your memories and photos with us
Carrie says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:32 amWish I could have been there. You did an amazing job planning this event and carrying it out!!!
Patty 2832 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:32 amps…forgot to say I ..LOVE, love that pic of 2 1/2 Abigail! Poor sweet baby is all tuckered out!
Bless her heart!
Sandy #1781 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:44 amWow Cheryl! You really said that perfectly! We had so much fun and I want to say “thanks” to everyone too! I loved meeting so many Fiskateers and will be watching for you on the message board.
Michelle 3624 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:46 amIt was a gift to be there with you. . . thanks to all who put in a lot of work and time to make this event happen for us!
Betsy #2572 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:50 amThe time you all shared together sounds amazing!
Merlene says:
November 20th, 2008 at 11:12 amIt was a day to remember! Thank you Cheryl, Angela,Stephenie and of course “Captain Chad”. Without all of your hard work this wouldn’t have been possible. I saw old friends and made some new ones along the way. My husband is ready for the next event too. He had so much fun exploring the QM,and Aquarium, and totally enjoyed having dinner with all of the “girls” at Bubba Gump’s. Thank you for everything Fiskars you do know how to throw a party!!
Julie Overby says:
November 20th, 2008 at 11:23 amWhat wonderful photos! It’s so great to get a peek of the wonderful time you all had together. It looks like you had soooo much fun and Cheryl, you look great. I’m so glad you were feeling much better.
Thanks for sharing!
Heather Grow says:
November 20th, 2008 at 12:10 pmWhat an amazing day! I love the recap, Cheryl. It was like reliving the day all over again. I’m so glad that I was able to attend. I had to go home after the Aqarium because I needed to make 4 cards and a tag to display on Sunday. I misses you guys at dinner but, it was a great excuse to play with my new Fiskagoodies.
Patty 2262 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pmGreat pictures, it looks like everyone was having a blast. Thanks for sharing with us.
MaxineHodges says:
November 20th, 2008 at 12:15 pmLooks like you ladies know how to party. Thank you for reading my letter about my dad. I think he would be proud if it touched one person. Glad you all had a great time. Fiskars should be proud of all the great memories and friendships made at these events.
Bud 66 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 1:09 pmCheryl, I just want to thank you again, I had the best time (even though I did get lost). Everything turned out FANTASTIC. Girl, you know how to party. The pic’s turned out great. Thx Patty for hanging out with me at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Kathleen says:
November 20th, 2008 at 1:33 pmCheryl what wonderful photos and story. Looks like a great time for everyone!!! This is the next best thing to being there. Your daughter (2 1/2) is a true Fiskateer!!! She is so cute in these photos. How nice to be able to have your family with you for this special event. Thanks again for sharing Cheryl!!!
Wendy Jo says:
November 20th, 2008 at 1:35 pmLooks like everyone had a great day. Thank you for sharing your memories with us!
Marla #3291 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 2:26 pmWow - I cant believe what fun you gals had. I am definitely go to have to see what I can do about attending one of these events next year!! I see a girls getaway in the forecast.
Terry Frias says:
November 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pmI love the photos and can’t wait to see them all. The smiles on all our faces just shows how much we love you and we love Fiskars. Fiskateers Rock the House (or should I say Ship)!
Groovy Deborah says:
November 20th, 2008 at 2:35 pmThose pics and the stories are awesome. TFS! I know you all had so much fun. You can see it on your faces
Melanie says:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:06 pmThank you Cheryl, it was a wonderful day!!
connie #2909 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:08 pmSounds like a GREAT time! Thanks for sharing!
Debbie Buckland says:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:14 pmThanks for the photos - it looks like a fab time! so glad you posted them up. Thanks for sharing.
Cherrie #1790 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 5:03 pmwow Cheryl - it looks like you all had a fabulous time - thank you so much for the recap and the photos…These Fiska-friendzy’s are just incredible events!! I feel so very blessed to be involved with such an awesome group.
Patty Root says:
November 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pmMy daughter Brianna and I had a wonderful day with you Cheryl and the whole “crew” I can’t wait to do it again!
We had to leave after the aquarium to get home to my 9 year old son. My hubby worked Saturday night. I would have loved to continued the party but motherhood beckoned.
I met so many wonderful people and had such a great time , Thank You to All of you who mad this event possible!
Patty and Brianna
Mary Mc says:
November 20th, 2008 at 6:05 pmWow sounds like you guys had a really super great time! Wish I could of been there thanks for all the info and pics!
Vickif says:
November 20th, 2008 at 7:52 pmLooks like a great time!!
Mardi says:
November 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pmLooks like fun was had by all! These Fisk-a-Friendzies were the best! Looking forward to 2009!
Debby says:
November 20th, 2008 at 9:28 pmI’m getting a job and if this happens next year I’m attending everyone of the Fiska-Friendzys. Goodness I wish I had been there. I love you Cheryl and I hope you health is good.
Debby says:
November 20th, 2008 at 9:29 pmNote: I’m not literally getting a job, but I will figure out a way to pay for all 5 events. These were so very creative.
mariah says:
November 20th, 2008 at 9:47 pmWOW.. some one seems to have had a blast.. those photos are wonderfull .. thanks for keeping us posted
Cheryl says:
November 20th, 2008 at 10:05 pmwow what a great trip!!!
Am looking forward to more photos
Thanks again for taking time to share with us.
Cheryl
joybear 4434 says:
November 20th, 2008 at 11:16 pmThanks for sharing, sounds so awesome!!
Cheryl says:
November 20th, 2008 at 11:31 pmWhat wonderful photos - I know it was a special time for all of you!!
Alex S. #3614 says:
November 21st, 2008 at 12:06 amThose are great photos!! I am so glad you were able to record the “happy times!” I always forget to take pictures…I get to wrapped up in the moment! Looks like you all had a great time!!
Lyn Dwyer says:
November 21st, 2008 at 12:48 amOh Cheryl….looks like you all had an awesome time….and how lovely to share this special event with those loved ones closest to you…your hubby and daughter….that would have been so special!
Thanks for sharing all these pics and the journaling about the events with us all…….love seeing what you guys do over there……
xoxo
Lyn Dwyer
Donna #4454 says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 amIt sounds like it was a wonderful time!! Thanks for sharing!
NancyR says:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:24 amLoved the pictures. Looks like you all had such a wonderful time.
Carmen #3814 says:
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 amThis was such a fabulous day, thank you Cheryl, Angela, the 2 Stephanies, Elena and so many others for making my first Fiskafriendzy a day I will never forget. So much fun and new friends, special hugs to Tran, Sue and Sharon.
Edith says:
November 26th, 2008 at 9:47 pmThanks so much for sharing your wonderful time. That would be so exciting to attend sometime.