Re: Pre-Crop Exercises :)

I totally get the upper back ache and it's from leaning over for me anyhow. So, what I do now is really keep track of my slouching and keep good posture. Yesterday I messed with photos off and on for 6 hours. Well, I should mention too that I get up and move around too. Refill my drink, get a snack and then resume. Doing those things I don't get a back ache.

Lynne

OK, people . . . here's the deal. You're doing the whole crop thing all wrong. Let me help you out with some plans for your sessions:

1. Carry a ton of stuff to your car because you can't possibly leave anything at home. Even if you haven't used it in six months, the perfect opportunity may come up while you are there. This will count as your warm up exercise.
2. Take your time unloading at the crop. Make one trip, talk a bit, make another trip, talk some more. You don't want to wear yourself out so early in the game.
3. Get your stuff organized on the table. This will involved bending and stretching so it counts as further warmup.
4. Time for a break - go get food.
5. Decide on which pictures to work on today.
6. Realize that you don't have the right color cardstock. You have two options - if you are cropping at a CM event or an LSS, then go shop for a bit. Otherwise, put out the cry for help which means everyone else will stop what they are doing and dig through their stash to help you. Walk around and look at your choices.
7. While you are up, time for a bathroom break.
8. Crop your pictures and agonize over a layout.
9. Give up on this layout, pack those pictures away and get out new pictures.
10. Frustration makes you hungry, go for more food.
11. Pick out paper and embellishments. Realize that you only have three eyelets of that perfect color so refer to step 6 above for instructions.
12. You're drinking way too much Coke . . . must be the stress . . . time for another bathroom trip.
13. On the way back from the bathroom, stop and visit with others to see how much they are getting accomplished.
14. Feel bad because everyone is being more productive than you . . . time to hit the food again.
15. Arrange layout and adhere everything to the background page.
16. Spend 30 minutes cutting out title letters to match photo mats. Realize that you have one more picture to add to the layout but now don't have enough paper for matting since you used it all for the title letters. Refer to step 6 if needed.
17. Glue letters to the page. Friend points out you glued the letter "N" on backwards. Time to eat again.
18. Notice that everyone else is packing up, wonder why you are feeling so bloated, try to think of an excuse for going home after spending 4 hours at a crop and only completing one page.
19. Sign on to the newsgroup and tell everyone what a wonderful time you had at the crop because after it's all said and done, you really did have a lot of fun.

This is the way I typically do it and have never come home with sore muscles except on my face and stomach from laughing so much!

ROFL!!! its like you were watching me at a crop!! good one.. thanks for sharing

This should be posted to our website as our crop-creed!

Renee >OK, people . . . here's the deal. You're doing the whole crop thing all

OH my gosh! How true! LOL! :) thanks for sharing this, I needed a good laugh :)

Lori

ohmigosh! so i AM doing it right!!!! that's EXACTLY, to the finest point, how i do crops! just ask Sabrina....we do it together!! LOL...thanks for the giggle, and the reminder on how to stay in place as the "slowest scrapper". lori shay louisville

Excellent ideas, now I know how to avoid the muscle aches and pains! I'm leaving tomorrow (less than 24 hours )!

I'll be sure to let you know the results. I'm also taking your suggestions to the crop with me to share!

Tamie

UM...... does that mean I dont have to have the title? I have Nikki's CJ here, for a count of 4... I wanted them done, but.... are you ready for this? DH broke his foot at work on Monday... Now, I am sure you all know not to ask how that affects anything, LOL!! I am waiting on him hand and foot.

Sooooooooo.. I will let you all know when I finally mail one.. hugs Neets

ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR HUBBY FOR A QUICK RECOVERY ------ psssst thats also wishes for you so you can get back your life lol shaz

so it arrived ok? woohoooo!!!! i'm not the slowest CJ scrapper now! LOL... you'll be happy to know, though, that i have NO more waiting here for you. lori shay

ROTFL Robin,You must have seen us at a crop!! Yes, Lori it is good to know that we ae doing the right things,though I never take enough stuff and then I get so interested in what everyone else is doing that I lose intrest in my own. LOL Thanks for the great tips! Hugs,

Sabrina :-)

Oh poor Neets !! There is nothing worse than a sick hubby. By the way, don't you just love Niki"s journal? Clever lady. Hugs,

Sabrina :-)

Hi Lori and Sabrina.... Good Lori, I will get caught up soon... LOL.. Ya.. sick hubbies.. LOL.. well.. he said he was bored.. but I have plenty he can do sitting and he gives me these looks like.... he would rather not.. LOL..

I have to pad the crutches tho.. and I just threw out a whole lot of leftover batting!! Isnt that always the way?

Hugs Neets

LOL Robin Sounds like a good work out to me!!(LOL)

I went to a crop last Thursday adn I have to say... I got more stuff into the room than i actually got scrapped... i mean it took about as long if not longer to bring my stuff in LOL

And to think she found the dolly to carry stuff in AFTER I had my last load in hand. LOL