My sweet Baba ...

My sweet Baba passed away yesterday evening ~ and I so hope that she finds the peace she has been deserving ~ She had such a rough go of it the last few years, this was a picture taken of us during a good time of this period ~ when she still could remember who I was with some prodding. I am so full of so many feelings today ~ I am so very thankful she is finally at rest and away from the pain and suffering, yet so very sad that growing up does mean that those who we love are getting older and that this is the way it is. I am fighting with myself today, but I know that deep inside all will be okay ~ Love you Baba so much ~ and rest now.

Wishing you all .....

A Very Merry Christmas full of friends and family, and all the good things you wish for it ..............

And a Very Happy New Years ~ safe and fun ~

Here we come 2008 - May it be the best year yet!

hugs to all

Surprises keep coming haha ....

This last weekend (yes I know it is already Thursday haha) went down to Calgary for a brief time, the trip was way too short ~ a friend of mine had me and another friend down for Christmas supper. That was lovely ~ and though it would have been nice to lengthen our visit, there was a certain Christmas sparkle in the air, I can't wait to go down again sometime.

To make what could be a long story short, when I got home ~ my mom and her man Ron came over, and proceeded to tell us that we are invited to a wedding this coming up weekend, on the 16th and that would be theirs!!! Quite the surprise, totally unexpected ~ my one sister who was also on the phone at the time said she knew something was up haha, whatever ~ not this chickie I was totally surprised. So we here have a wedding to attend and also help put together this weekend, and they (my mom and Ron) are very happy and excited ~ so it will be a good weekend. I will be doing up all the flowers for the ceremony, and the bridal party ~ so looking forward to doing this for them.

:-)

Wow Merry Ho Ho ......

It certainly looks like Christmas out there ~ does it not?! Actually if it is not too cold ~ I don't mind it at all, winter I mean ~ a brown Christmas always seems a bit out of place.

My sister's significant other has gone through his surgery, and though they had to go through with the more complicated and serious route with his surgery ~ it is done, and I am hoping for some peace for them both from this very difficult ordeal, once he has recovered from this last surgery. He has a bit of a healing road ahead of him, but he is young and strong, and has a woman by his side that is adamant that he take the time to heal ~ so he is in good hands haha.

There have been some stress and sad stuff in the last while, but surprisingly I think it has strengthened my resolve to have a wonderful Christmas full of love, friends and family. I am so thankful for all the people in my life, for the ones that I spend my time with are good solid peoples ~ and I find it very easy to only have good strong supportive thoughts of them. I have opened myself up to more relationships this year than I have in the past, and though on one hand that means I am open to maybe more sadness and rollercoaster times with others lives being inter twinned with mine, I have found I have also opened up a fountain of good feelings, love, support, and some really awesome personalities in my life ~ that have become important to my daily life in so many touching ways.

And next year looks to be shaping up for more of the same, some very up and some downs coming this way ~ but really that is life, and as long as we stand strong in the faith this is the way it will be, we can still find some happiness in our days even at the most sad moments.

This kinda sounds like an end of the year post haha, but my friends and family that are going through different trials at the moment have been so on my mind, and that is mixed in with the new found wonder I am pulling in for the season, so makes a gal thoughtful.

Take care all, and cyber hugs sent your way.

Tomorrow ....

I have taken the day off work, as I will be going to sit with my sister in the hospital, while her significant other (who we consider to be a very important part of our family) undergoes a very serious surgery. Tomorrow will be a very long day, and I will spend it chatting with my sister and her guy's mom, and hopefully keeping their spirits up.

There are so many things in life at this moment that are pointing to me to make sure I don't take anything for granted, and to live as much of life as I can, and try to do it in a way that I am happy, thankful and not only feel loved but to love life.

Want to send out a thankful thought to all of you:
Thank you for being a part of my life, in any small way you are ~ friends, family, or even online aquaintances all add to my day. Thank you.

A heartbreaking time .....

My friend Tammy Brownlee is going through a heartbreaking time right now,

Part of her status line on facebook:
"Tammy is grateful to have had the chance to have meet her baby boy Paul Matthew Nicholas Brownlee, born and passed on Nov. 21,2007."

She recently wrote a touching and heart wrenching note (on facebook) about the loss of her precious one, it was not only a beautiful tribute to her love, joy and sorrow connected with their little one, but it was a learning note for the rest of us. As a whole it is hard sometimes to know how to care for and act with grieving family members, and she is amazing in how she put all this across ~ and has said she wants us to grieve with her, not to be afraid or hesitate to talk and share, and not to forget how much this child meant to her and her family, and always will. I am incredibly thankful to have this beautiful woman in my life and to call her a friend, and have an incredible sorrow in my heart for her and her families loss.

To the little angel Paul Mathew Nicolas ~ you are loved.

An inspiring moment ....

I wanted to share. :-)

My friend Mona has taken some inspiration from another friend of hers to write down 7 things weekly on her blog that she is thankful for. Her lists are touching and inspiring, and have inspired me to start a little project of my own. On the weekend, I took a note pad that I have at home and decorated it up a bit, the title on the book is "My Book of Thanks". I have decided to sit at the beginning of my day and over my coffee just list one thought a day ~ my thankful thought for the day ~ haha not saying I won't think of more at the same time, but just list one a day ~ to start my day off this way.

I am in the planning stages of a plan to change some things in my life, and I thought this would be a strong positive way to get started ~ so thank you my friend Mona ~ thanks for the inspiration. :-)

Life has been full of ups and downs ......

Life is definitely full lately ` and surprisingly I am feeling very much at peace with my surroundings of late. First of all my uncle passed away last Tuesday, Oct 30 ~ and while it was sad that he had such a fight and that he was dealt a rough hand, he is peace now and the long battle (this last one lasting 3 1/2 years) has come to a close, and he is at rest. We are actually having his memorial this coming Sunday, and if it does not sound too morbid I am looking forward to it. I believe it will be a wonderful celebration of his life, and a family healing time. My Aunt has stated quite clearly "no sad", no sad anymore ~ celebrate his life, celebrate our lives. We are going to play Jazz music, laugh alot and be together ~ I think it is a fitting tribute to the man my Uncle was, and I am happy to be here and to be a part of that.

On to other parts of life I had my big 40 birthday supper on Sunday, and though I had been in a turmoil of turning 40 ~ I found once the day came and we were all there having supper ~ I was very happy. I had a bit of a time even deciding on what I wanted to do, and then who I wanted to be with me. In the end I found it to be the best evening, I had a bit of a different group around me than in years past, I mixed it up ~ all family ~ work family, friends family and family family. It felt good to have this group around me, and we enjoyed our evening at the Japanese Village ~ yum yum yum ~ it was awesome.

Looking forward to the crops this month ~ Scrapalicious is this Saturday and in a couple weeks we are heading back to the Urban for a night of laughing, eating and shopping ~ gotta love it haha. I am so enjoying this Circle Journal idea also, in two of them at the moment ~ really that is enough haha ~ and the groups are pretty laid back and easy going, and we are passing off versus mailing ~ so it has been some fun. And alot of the girls, well most ~ that I crop with at different times of the month are in them so that is so much fun.

Well I am starving off to lunch time here at work haha ~ my computer at home is once again gone on the fritz so all updating has to be done from work, good thing I have a job where I can do that ~ or I would feel so out of touch.

Hope you all have an excellent rest of the week!
Take care
Sherri

The weekend ....

Well I haven't had internet service at home for the last week, it's been quite the withdrawl believe me, so the computer has not been on as much lately. On the weekend I needed it to do some work for my CJ's which I am working hard on haha, wink wink well I am trying, and when I brought it up on Sunday ~ low and behold my internet was back! I did find it much easier to tear myself away and continue on with my work that day, so maybe a break at home is what I needed to cut that umbilical cord to my computer. It was enjoyable to work on something light and creative this weekend, kept my mood up as well as a visit from my Calgary friend Kelly-Ann that was a real treat. I was in no mood to go out to any event this weekend, not depressed or anything, just not in the mood for the bars and stuff, was happy to be at home. She was down to go out for a friends birthday, so went out both nights ~ but came and spent Saturday afternoon, and then back again Saturday evening before she went out. It was nice to just chill on the couch, eat popcorn, and chat. Greatly gave me some friend time to help with the soul ~ and she will be driving down again this coming up weekend for my 40th birthday dinner.

Yikes 40, I don't know where the time has gone ~ really, and on we go.
I want to wish everyone a safe and happy week, and if you have little ghouls out on Wednesday ~ here is hoping you have an awesome Halloween!

Very good to watch ...

this was sent to me by a good friend today ~ it is a really good watch, so please click on the link and take a few moments out of your day, it may change your day. It's a clip from an Oprah Winfrey show ~ shown on Youtube, honestly you won't regret taking some time from your day to watch this ~ I was so glad she thought of me when she saw it herself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0aO64aKqek

hugs to you all

The sun is out yet ....

I am in a bit of a sad mood, it's a hard time for our family right now ~ and though I try and laugh, and create, and work and basically go through life as always ~ I find a bit of a subdued sadness in behind the scenes all the time. I know a few of my friends know that my Uncle, after going through cancer when he was in his early 30's, and it going into remission for almost 20 years, has now has been fighting the last 4-5 years again. And now he has come to the end of the fight, he has been made comfortable, my mom and aunt are with him, and will pass peacefully soon. He is not suffering at the moment, they have made it so he is out of pain ~ and this is one small mercy. Not much more to say right at this moment, I mean the world keeps going, and will. I will say from my heart, "We love you Uncle Harry, and we know you will be an awesome angel watching us, we wish you peace now."

And I thank all my friends that have given condolences, you all mean the world to me ~ I trully know we all face similar situations in many of our families, and love you all.

And life ticks on .....

I have been jumping in and reading blogs ~ thank you so much for those of you who have updated in the last century haha, some of us don't update till something major happens, or just have let their blogs go entirely. I don't always have time to sign in and comment, but I really enjoy taking a quick read about how things are going.

It was great to read all the success stories from Trisha's Cropping for Kids event in West Edmonton Mall this last weekend. She and all her many helpers did a fine job, I have heard some great comments about it, and glad that all her hard work and the work of her friends and co workers paid off. Way to go!

Okay now this gal here is going through a bit of a mini meltdown haha, and I am surprised at myself actually ~ I am turning 40 in a couple weeks and though I keep saying it's no big deal it's only a number etc etc. I find myself having little mini meltdowns lately, and it has put me into a deep think more than once, thinking about where I am in life, how my family and friend relationships are developing and growing, and where I want to be going in life.

I am so pleased that I started joining some friends on a regular monthly basis to do a little scrapbooking together, though our Friday night crops seem to be more full of food, laughter and chatting, it is very very good for my soul ~ I feel very blessed to have these wonderful people in my life, and look forward to spending more time with them in the future. I so enjoyed Andrea joining us at the last Urban crop evening, she is a hoot ~ and fits in very nicely with our laugh more than cut group haha.

I am starting back to my Simply Suppers sessions - to find out more about what that go to www.simplysupper.ca so I am really looking forward to that also. I need some help in the supper creativity department and this fits the bill nicely.

I so enjoy my little get outs and visits with my friend Dawn, though I wouldn't want to get too mushy about it haha ~ those hours I can steal her away from her hubby and little guy are so looked forward to. We lose track of time, and never seem to run out of convo ~ and really that time is special and precious to me. I haven't always had good coffee friends, and it has only been a handful of years that I have been scrapbooking ~ and I can't say enough that some of the ladies I have met through this hobby we call art ~ are very important parts of my day, and I feel blessed.

As you can see my age is also making me thoughtful haha, already starting to drift off into reminicing hee hee. Honestly tonight is Friday, it is the night of our crop at the Urban ~ and I can't think of anywhere I would rather be than sitting among this group of ladies and sharing our days, laughing at everything, and refilling our souls up to get back at it.

And Laura ~ I do hope we can figure a time for you to come and join us soon, maybe out to a Saturday crop in Sherwood Park (the free one that has started up again) hee hee - You would so enjoy yourself, and I would love to meet you face to face!

Take care all and have a great weekend!
hugs

Wow time is just flying ....

have to say not sure how to slow things down at the moment, but I am looking forward to at the end of this week once again getting together with the gals and scrapbooking and laughing the night away at the Urban. We have a few things to celebrate too, so we should all be a bit giddy ~ our miss Dawn will be celebrating her bday, and our lovely Tammy we can celebrate her upcoming ~ Birth day ~ her precious number 5 on the way. Very exciting, I think this especially because it's not me, hee hee sorry Tammy ~ honestly now that you have the "goof" troop more in your life, you need us ~ well just call ~ hugs to you.

Life for me has been a bit hectic, unfortunately I have a silly sinus head cold that I can't seem to get rid of, but not that it is slowing me down much ~ when you need to do well you just do hahahhaha, maybe this sinus thing is making me a bit addled haha. Well I was very busy being one of the organizers for my Community picnic last Sunday, that was a bit of a trial at times but in the end I think it went off rather well, we had a lovely day and those in attendance had a great time. We had our AGM that following Wednesday, and well a couple of you know the issues I have been going back and forth with being a part of the League haha well on Wednesday I stepped up as President. Lmao if I wasn't busy before, I will be now ~ but it is a good busy, because I trully have a strong will to make my community a safer and better place to live ~ I may not have small children anymore but I believe healthy and happy children are a base for a safe and fun community, so willing to work towards that.

Again so looking foward to Friday night and scrapbooking with the gals, who I happily call my friends as well, they now more than ever provide that safe and fun haven I need in my life to regroup and come out stronger and ready to deal with the rest of it.

Life is so full of ups and downs ~ but it is so much better when you have good people in your life to share the ride!

Cyber Hugs to all my friends today!

Urban Gals

Okay this is frustrating haha, can't add anymore of my summer pictures yet haha ~ so for now will just add some of a write up to this one ~ this is a group picture of the gals that were scrapbooking and visiting at the Urban on the 24th of August. Most of the group is our new Circle Journal group and a couple friends added in for spice! Another evening full of lots of laughter and ......... well laughter haha. We hope to get together again on the 21st and I can't wait !!!

The group ~ bottom row from left to right:

Me, Tammy, Kelsey and Dawn

Top row from left to right:

Trisha, Anam, Lea, Marguerite, Janine, and Ki

Missing in action: Sweet Andrea and Cori

:-)

A little more scrapping done :-)

Last weekend when I decided to go and join my mom and Ron at the lake, by myself ~ my ds had plans with his girlfriends family ~ I also decided to bring out my scrapping stuff. I had just gone to the Urban crop the night before so my stuff was still a packed, had started cutting flowers out for a layout I was thinking of, but had no plan ~ so anyway decided to take all the stuff out with me. It was so lovely and relaxing, the day was not really warm or overly sunny, so it was a great day to set up on the picnic table and dabble with my scrapbooking stuff and sit and chat with my mom.

And this is the result:

And also I decided to change up this layout I had done recently to make it more my own, I just felt it was a bit unfinished, I love it now :-)

Doesn't she have the sweetest smile? So fun to scrap my little niece is!

School soon to start ......

Yippeeeeee! that is what I say to that haha, I will be glad for September to roll in and life to take a bit of a slow down to more of a routine. There is some huge concerns in my life about people I care about right now but also I have some awesome things I am involved in, so it is a balancing act of late the emotion side but I am trying to be as positive about things as I can be, life will continue to tick on won't it?

I am pleased on a whole about how well the summer went, and on we go ....... I am now starting to countdown the days until my 40th Bday in November, yep yep the big 40 is upon me. Somedays I can not believe it, where did all those years go? slip by me? ~ Have I enjoyed them enough? ~ well don't know about that, but I do intend to spend more time enjoying life and learning about me and what I need to be happy in the next 4o!!!!

I have so enjoyed getting together with the girls and going cropping at the Urban a few times in the last months, those nights are full of laughter and just a total de~stress time for me. Laura, we are planning another meetup at the Urban on September 21st, not sure if this would fit your schedule at all, but I would love to meet you. I need to get my butt down there and register myself, it fills up fast and I should have done so at the last crop night ~ yikes. Some of us are also planning to be at the first Scrapalicious in Sherwood Park on October 6th, which is a Saturday ~ it runs from 12-10pm.

I can't stress enough how awesome it is that Tammy had the great idea of starting up a CJ between a bunch of us gals ~ stressing this is a new experience for me, I am enjoying the idea already. I got to meet some new friends at the crop at the Urban on Friday night ~ from our CJ group ~ Janine and Cori. Others Lea and Ki ~ and then the rest of the gals I know and have met before, or cropped with, or coffee~d with :-) Tammy, Kelsey, Dawn, Marguerite, Trisha and Andrea ~ it was great to chat with everyone a little and looking forward to doing some more cropping and visiting together. Love the idea of it being a hand off journal, because then it all becomes even more personal ~ and we get to visit with each other too! In fact it has me so hooked I think I am going to do another one, that is in the process of being organized ~ haha sites, blogs, facebook, circle journals I am hooked. :-)

It also has inspired me to think of doing a very special gift for my grandparents ~ I usually don't do the give away scrapbooking gifts ~ but scrapbooking an 8x8 album for this CJ has inspired me ..... so more to come on how that goes.

Scrapbooking and the friends I have made through this art have become a very important part of what I consider to be the "good" in life and what keeps me trucking. So on we go ....... story to be continued haha.

Have an awesome Wednesday everyone!
hugs :-)

P.S. ~ oh and if you haven't yet ~ if you get a chance to browse the new Canadian Scrapbooker magazine that just came out ~ there is an awesome article on pages 126-127 about my friend Kelly's business ~ Memories in Motion, awesome article. She's such a super STAR!!!!!

whirlwind life .....

Well of late life has been just a whirlwind ..... so many things happening and I am just trying to keep up with the flow. Tonight is the crop at Urban Scrapbooking and I am so looking forward to it, I need some down chill time with the gals ~ though I think I may cut out a bit early (as I am so tired not alot of cropping will get done tonight) and join my friend Kelly-Ann for a bit tonight as well, as this is her last night in our fine City boo hoo. She is now officially a Cow-town gal haha.

The visit with my grandparents was so great ........ still brings tears to my eyes, for though the circumstances were not as happy, we so enjoyed each others company. I love them very much, and miss them so ~ need to figure out how to make a few more trips to the coast than I have ~ so calling out for road buddies haha, have one so far need a couple more and we could go on some more fun spontaneous trips. :-) Anyone have family at the coast they would like to pop in on? haha. On the last night they were here I forced haha, yes forced my family outside and took some pictures, so as I have a stone-age camera not sure how they turned out yet but crossing my fingers. I had my son take some really nice ones of me and my grandparents, being the scrapbooker I am, already planning the special page to showcase them on haha. :-)

I finished my assignment for my friend Kelly and her company Memories in Motion ~ I was her Guest Designer for the month of September Kit - The Oodles of Doodles paper line from Upsy Daisy ~the kit was a fun challenge and I managed to do it some justice, she was pleased and that's what I do it for. :-) Go to http://www.memoriesinmotionscrapbooking.com/memshop/
to see more about her awesome company.

One of my layouts from my work done for Memories in Motion: Go to my layouts to see the rest :-)

She also wrote a touching note about me in her blog ~ she is a sweetheart and a good friend, I am so glad we met and are bound to be good friends for many years to come. :-) http://mimscrapbooking.blogspot.com/

My friends are both leaving for Calgary, my grandparents are once again home, my Guest Designer assignment done, stayed up till 12:30 last night finishing up my Circle Journal ~ and crop and visiting tonight to do and really I am about done in haha. Saturday we are going to join my mom at the lake for a bit and just relax, chill time and do nothing, so so looking forward to it, time to regroup, relax, and rejuvenate.

And then jump into another week. Starting it off with a bit of fun though, a friend of a friend has started up our LNO (Ladies Night Out) night again ~ that is Monday. It is really a fun time ~ get to meet new ladies everytime and just sit and visit for a few hours, I love it and looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new.

Well I am sitting here typing and typing in order to try and stay awake today hee hee, so tired ~ at the crop tonight I will be the little scrapper sleeping in the corner hee hee.

Hope everyone has a lovely and safe weekend !!!!
Hugs :-)

Flying by .....

this summer seems to be ~ just whizzing by, but I do have to say that on the whole I have tried to enjoy this summer more ~ and really take stock of what makes me happy. I have been in such a thoughtful mood lately ~ almost a funk, so much happening in life ~ ups and downs that somedays it seems almost overwhelming to put things into perspective. It's been such a long time since I have updated my blog that I don't know where to begin ~ so maybe a few of the sad out of the way first. Cancer ~ such a sad word that really has been tearing families apart around me lately, including my own. My dear Uncle is now at the end of his fight with his cancer, it will be a matter of weeks now, my grandparents arrived yesterday to spend some time with him, and while it will be wonderful to see them (it has been a few years) it is also sad that this is the reason for their visit. I really find it harder to watch how it is affecting my mom and my aunt ~ I don't see my uncle as he is just too sick now to want visitors at all (outside of my grandparents and his siblings) and I feel for them. Of course I know many people who are affected with the very same thing happening in their families, and I say a silent prayer for all ~ the saddest thing I think to say is that it is the way of life ~ cruel but so true that you can not find many families not touched in some way by this illness.

My son did not get to go on his trip to Germany, as it had to be cancelled at the deadline date in June ~ it left alot of disappointed kids, coaches, and parents ~ but we have all gone on with our summer plans, slightly changed haha, and there will be other opportunities in the future. My Alex has filled his summer, he has a new girlfriend ~ and she has been welcomed into the family and he has been in hers, it is good to see him with someone who they realize the value in treating each other well. He just got a new job as well, and will be joining the working force soon ~ though he won't be working alot of hours with school and sports once again starting, it will help him save towards goals and give him a little spending money.

I am sad to say one of my close friends, Kelly-Ann, is moving away this weekend to Calgary. I feel a little lost letting her go, haha like I had a choice ~ but we are going to try and keep in close touch and with both of us determined I am hoping it will be a success. I was so happy to be able in the last week spend some really quality time with her, and I am going to miss my "kick up my heels" and go dancing partner in crime, but she promises she will be back for regular visits and we will go from there!

Let's see on to some happy happy things:
I have been getting out and spending some quality time with friends, and scrapbooking divas that make me laugh. Last night had coffee again with Dawn, loved it ~ we have a good ol' catty time hee hee, actually I just feel very at ease with her and we spend the time just relaxing and chatting (complaining hee hee maybe) about our kids haha, or just sharing stories of their wild (and sometimes crazy) ways, and dreaming up some fun stuff ourselves. Our little coffee diversion evenings have become a real treat, and I love being able to sneek away for a couple hours and just chill ~ and then last night she sent me back to work haha. I was able to visit with my good school friend Tammy the other day, she is down visiting from Calgary ~ so we went out for supper and a good long catch up, I have managed to get the woman on facebook ~ but as she isn't totally comfortable with her computer yet she is still a learner :-) Which is alright ~ she is getting more and more into keeping in touch this way, and it is certainly nice to do that.

I have recently taken on a Circle Journal with a circle of friends, my very very first one ~ so while a bit nervous, I am also totally pumped and getting into the idea. A few of the gals in this circle journal I have attended a few crops this summer with, and they have been a hoot! Much needed down time and lots of laughter ~ I am looking forward to getting to know the other gals that are joining us in the journal, and also to the crop next Friday night to do our first PASS OFF !!!!!!

I also have been invited by my friend Kelly and her DT Co-ordinator Patty to be a guest designer for Kelly's site Memories in Motion and her new kit of the month she has started up. Check out her new and awesome site !!!!
http://www.memoriesinmotionscrapbooking.com/memshop/

So I am very nervous about this as well, but it is nice at this time in my life to have some fun and interesting things to be involved in. Scrapbooking really for the most part calms me and makes me happy ~ and we can all use a bit of happy in our days I say!!!!

My mom and her honey Ron bought themselves a nice 5th wheeler this summer, and my son and I have been able to join them at the lake a couple times this summer ~ that has been heaven. I really have enjoyed those weekends, they have also been instrumental in keeping us all sane and happy ~ as they are so relaxing and just away from everything. I love it, and it makes me wish I had a little trailer of my own so I could go out even more, hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm maybe something for me to plan for in the future!

Well the summer has been full ~ and school is approaching and then I hope that life settles into a calmer routine ~ but again we take it all as it comes.

I hope that you are all enjoying your summers,
hugs
Sherri :-)

Another couple completed

my little bit of fun this weekend -

Here is a bit of my fun this weekend, I had a good time actually doing up this little layout of my niece Carys, though as usual it took me a while. You know I have to place things here, place things there, until it is just right haha.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Canada weekend, mine was full of activity and fun stuff. On Friday night I went out with some friends of mine to Oil City Roadhouse, a new country bar here in the city, thought why not maybe kick up my heels for a bit. Well it was a great place and I kicked up my heels for almost the full four hours we were there haha, blisters the next day to prove it haha. It was actually alot of fun to just dance the night away, I really can't remember the last time I did that. We will go back. Also we found this awesome find, a "cocktail" (as in Cruise) bartender in a country bar!! I think he was so happy when I asked him if he could mix me up a martini, he put on quite the show, and tossed, turned and flipped me a great drink - it was fun to watch him. I would love to go to a Flair competition - I love that kinda stuff, such talent.

On Saturday night my friend and her husband in Ardrossan invited us out in the evening for a bon fire, so my son, his girlfriend and I went out for the evening - again a great time. Played a little volleyball (well I tried haha) and then sat back and enjoyed good company and a roaring bon fire at the back of their acreage. It is very cool to - is that they are (well yesterday in fact) getting 3 Alpacas for their back lot, haha I was bugging them about starting their own petting zoo.

On Sunday Canada day - my son and I headed over to where my sister lives just off Whyte Ave here in the City, and spent the afternoon and evening with her. We did a lot of walking, went over to the Legislative grounds (well where we ended up) then walked all the way back, had a late supper, and then walked down the hill to go and watch the fireworks, I sure enjoyed them - up close and personal. So many people for sure, funny how we will put ourselves out for a 20-25 min show of sparkling lights isn't it haha.

On Monday I was beat, had blisters (from Friday and Sunday) back sore and aching all over, so took it pretty easy. Finished up the layout above, and then went in the late afternoon and met Dawn for a coffee, that was awesome. I was happy she accepted my invitation and hopefully we will be able to slip out in the future more and do that kind of thing.

I am so looking forward the the 13th - going to go a cropping again with a couple of the gals to Urban Scrapbooking, I had so much fun last time - and even if we do end up being a bit calmer haha, it is so much fun just spending some good quality time with friends.

Well that is my little speel for today, I had a great weekend and I am hoping all yours went well - take care!!

Another one completed ....

Hello!

I am on a bit of a scrapping roll lately, don't know if it is summer being here or if I am just in a good place in life right now and feel creative!

Here is a recent picture sent to me by my sister of my sweet nephew and two nieces. I wasn't sure I was happy with how I placed the swirlys at the bottom corner, but I finally had to finish it up and say good - if ya fiddle too much sometimes you can wreak it all together.

Long weekend coming and I am really looking forward to it. I was trying to get a surprise trip going with a friend, but money is tight and we couldn't find the extra bodies we wanted to come with us to make it affordable. So another time. Lots to do around the city though, will have to take in some of the festivities in the city - haven't done that for a few years - all good.

Hope you all have an awesome weekend!

Friday Night!

I haven't been a good blogger of late, blame it on my new facebook addiction, I just find I can add this so much more quickly and zip around faster than on any other site, I know bad excuse haha - I will try and get in here more and I hope to have many more creations in the near future.

Anyway I wanted to share my latest creations, I started them at a Friday night Crop at the Urban on Friday. That was so so much fun. Finally met Tammy Brownlee, and we were all laughing so hard - those gals are so much fun. Let's see there was also Kelsey, Dawn, Marguerite and Elsa - and we did alot of laughing and took tonnes of pictures. That was so funny at one point we had 3-4 cameras going hee hee - one lady in the room said "you do all realize you can share digital pictures?" hahahahahaha - I don't have a digital but it was hilarious anyway. I guess you could say we were a bit loud and rowdy hee hee but man all in good fun. I loved it, it felt good to laugh and create in such a fun setting. Got my creative mojo going, not only did I get two layouts well on their way to being planned (and then finished the next day) I got another 3-4 planned and all inspired to keep going!! Dishes who ever heard of dishes haha.

Anyway thought I would post up the layouts, and I will have to post some pictures of all us gals having a hoot as well haha.

get at least this posted for now .....

My sister and her son - On mother's day 2005 - the picture is on a file folder - where I will have journalling. This is my new stamp set from CTMH called playful flourishes - I know I am going to have some fun with it!

and the week goes on ....

hhhmmmm didn't get much scrapping done last night, it is so very very hot in my little place uuuggggggg. I go home from my nice A/C at work and just melt away, and don't have any motivation to do anything. So I am very happy to hear that cooler weather is coming!!!! I really have the will to do some layouts, have to pic up a couple pictures today that I had done just with certain layouts in mind. I love Wal-mart and online photo ordering - so cool!

Hope your day is going well!

this is the week!!!

That I am going to dive back into my scrapbooking and get some layouts done! haha trying to give myself a pep talk, as I yawn and wish the day was over so I could go home and lay on the couch. Monday's what can we say eh? It's a I-don't-want-to-go-back-to-work-why-did-the-weekend-have-to-end-boo-hoo kinda day - and I am feeling the affects of this last one. But it was great, we went for a bit of a mini vacation of sorts. Went camping for a couple days with family, and it was so nice to get away from the
city, even if just for a little while and not going very far away! The weather was beautiful, the bugs were a plentiful, and the peace and quiet was complete!

How was your weekend?!

Tigger ,,,,,

Beloved Tigger - 1993- May 28, 2007

Has been a part of the family almost as long as my son, and cared for very much. He has been suffering from a certain type of throat cancer, and today - though many breaking hearts - he was put down. A very very hard decision for my mom and my sister Amanda - as Tigger has been a big part of their lives (of all of our lives) going on 14 years now. Rest in peace Dear Tigger - My thoughts are with my sister and my mom.

The picture was taken Mother's Day 07

I finished a layout yah!!!

I have been wanting to do this layout for a while, and I got some inspiration from Scrapbooks ETC. and wha-la here is my finished product - hope to get on a roll here soon!

mid week ...

yet really it does not feel like it, I guess that is what a long weekend does - haha missing the weekend already. I had a great weekend, a little of this and that done - all good - didn't go camping but spent just as much staying home and buying stuff for my kid haha. Again all good. I got a couple projects on the go this weekend scrapbooking wise, finished up one to send away and have started on this great layout of my son - tried out a technique that I saw in the latest Scrapbook Etc. magazine (I have really been enjoying my copy of that magazine - lots of scraplifting ideas in there haha).

I have been touring some blogs this morning, I know it is only after 9 am but already I am wishing I was home and at my scrap table - with the inspiration fresh in my mind on my computer screen. I have been having some trouble with my home computer, I do hope that things do not go south there as I would really miss not having the access at home, as would my son - it's funny what we get use to isn't it? I mean we have only been on line at home for just over a year, and I would be sad if my computer failed me now, they are pretty expensive to keep up and current though aren't they?!

I am looking forward to going to another evening at Simply Suppers, and getting some more meals into the freezer. I certainly have enjoyed trying out new dishes and having the options this program has given me. It's been great for my mom as well, it's only her and her guy now and she is really enjoying the different entrees and having them ready to cook when she gets home from work. It's not like ready made - I mean you have to cook, bake, slowcooker the entree and you need to make your sides - I just really enjoy having the different meals lettting someone else provide the effort of what to cook haha.

As it seems for the moment that as a renter I am still going to be able to stay in the city, I felt it was time to get back involved with my community league again, I have only been away from the league for about 7 months but I have felt more out of touch with the city and what is going on since. As some of the issues that were the reason I stepped down, well while not resolved - I can't really have any active involvement in - thought it was time to reconnect with some other important items - namely where we live.

Ha ha it is only Wednesday and I am looking forward to the weekend already. Kinda glad all the shows I watch are finishing up for the season, will get me away from the TV in the evenings and maybe more scrapbooking will get done. I have been filled with ideas, I definitely have the product, now I just need the time and motivation.

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

so close ...

- Vehicle repaired
- hair appointment tonight!
- Long weekend is here -
- and filled with bits of this and that -
plan one filled with visiting, movie watching, and scrapbooking!!!!

How about you?

And the week is looking good ....

vehicle in being repaired -
hair appointment made :-)
and long weekend coming up!

yah!

a little update .....

Well last week was a crazy ride and haven't updated anything for a bit, so thought I would let those who have enquired what has been up. Last week I spent alot of time working on getting things together to get my ds passport stuff done and away (we are running on a deadline) meetings with lawyers, running to get pics taken, etc. My son and I did spend a nice evening after one of these ventures out by going to see Spideyman 3 - that was pretty good, still like number 2 the best though.

Anyway last Thursday we spent the morning and a bit of the afternoon at the Passport Canada office getting all the paperwork in - so that was a big relief. We were on the way back to the school and my property manager called and said my landlord is in the city and wants to come and see my place. I was immediately sick to my stomach, I don't know how many of you are aware of the rental nightmares that are happening in Alberta right now, especially in Edmonton and Calgary. Because of the housing market shooting through the roof - rental properties have become unaffordable for many people, some rates have gone up from $400-$1200 - and that is only the increase on what people already pay. My landlord lives out of the country right now, and he would profit from selling his property in the city right now, and I can't afford to buy or to have my rent hiked up a significant amount. And there just is not alot of options for people who want to stay in the city. So I became very very very stressed, and really scared about the meeting, was near tears most of the two days.

Things did turn out better than I was fearing - and I am so grateful for that - yes I will have an increase but I trully feel he will be objective and fair - and isn't selling at the moment - I hope, but even if he does again I think he will be fair to us. It was good to meet him, and when they were here my property manager spoke highly of me, saying I was the best renter he has had, so that was very nice to hear, and it was good for my landlord to hear. So I still await the final verdict, but I am calmer in my heart that whatever the outcome I will be able to handle it.

I am having some really bad hair days lately haha, so time to get that taken care of - I was going to try and grow my bangs out for summer so I could tuck it all under a baseball cap but lordy no way to that it is driving me nuts haha. I have to take my vehicle in this evening to get a squeaky brake problem looked at, cross your fingers that I can still eat after getting it looked at haha.

So passport stuff all in, and as far as I know we are on track with everything - thank god for grandparents - they are being a big help and support in getting my ds to Germany this summer for the tournament ect.
Haven't been scrapping in the last week, but last night I sat down and started to work on a project I have to do for a friend, oh I forgot I did scrap some tags and a coaster book card for my mom.

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

happy hottie day!

haha how can ya tell I just finished from coming from Renee M's site to check out her Wednesday hottie - and she did not disappoint - yum yum.
I have been so busy at work at the beginning of the week, and today like the weather has taken a bit of a down slide and has been quiet and slow. I would much rather the busy day - things drag a bit when the day is quiet. So I just made myself a cup of tea and thought I would come in and do a bit of surfing blogs :-) I have to go after work and go and see about getting my ds a couple passport pictures so we can get all his info in soon. And also with the day being quiet maybe I will have some energy tonight to do a little scrapping?! I hope so.

So happy Hottie day to you all - and hope you have a great rest of the week!

The awesome weekend !

Well what can I say - I think this was one of the best weekends I have had in a long time! Didn't get as much scrapbooking done as I would like, but I will just have to continue with doing the challenges online - there is still alot of things I would like to do, just didn't have time. I have to say this tournament of my ds - well it was the best one I have ever been too, and that is in all the years of watching him play anything.

Handball - for those of you who are not familiar with this sport - it is a team sport played on a basketball court, with nets about half the size of a soccer net, and really a ball that looks like half the size of a soccer ball just more colorful. The players put a stickum all over their hands (it's very tacky stuff) so that the ball sticks to their hands. They can dribble, mostly they take their steps and there is alot of succession (passing the ball inbetween them) till they are placed along the crease in front of the net, and they hurl the ball at the goalie. The other team is allowed to block the players from trying to make shots, and (though it sounds violent) there is alot of controlled holding and hitting going on. But not to inflict pain more so to stop the other's team successions and just get in the way, haha. The game is non stop action, two halfs at 20 min per - so the game goes quickly and from the first whistle it is seriously non stop. I love it.

Well after three days and 6 games - our kids brought home the provincial GOLD - it was very exciting - honestly it came down to the last second of play - the very last second - it was such an exciting game, and by the end had the crowd on their feet.

haha and I am exhausted - my son laughs at me as he is a pile of bruises and bumps and he actually played, and I am the one so tired today I am having a hard time keeping awake haha.

It was the best weekend in a long long time. Oh yes and I am proud to say that my ds was selected by Team Alberta to go to the Nationals in Germany this summer, it is all very exciting, and I have to figure out how to get him a passport etc. I hope whatever you all got up to this weekend it was full of great memories!

National Scrapbooking Day

Well what are you all up to? I had so many things planned this weekend something was bound to have to give, and unfortunately it was my planned Scrapalicious Crop - I ended up spending the time with my son, and don't regret it one bit, though I really wanted to go out and meet the Love2Scrap gals at the crop, but there will be others. My son has his big handball tournament this weekend and I am really enjoying that, he really enjoys playing the game, and it is one that is so full of action that the time it takes to play just flys by - it's an awesome sport. So that has taken up a big part of the weekend, and then he wanted to go and do some shopping today so off we went. He is a teenager, so us going and having an afternoon doing shopping well they are few and far between so we took advantage of having some time this afternoon and evening and went. And the day is gone, he is out at a friend's for a couple hours so I am zipping in here and now I think I will go and try and do some scrapping on National Scrapbooking Day, and hopefully tomorrow sometime when the tournament is at an end I can squeeze in some more creative hours.

So whatever all of you have gotten up to this weekend - I am hoping your weekend is filled with laughter and love!

Take care!

some of my weekends accomplishments ...

Yes while I have become addicted to Facebook haha - it's kinda fun girls really! - and I have gotten back in touch with a few friends I haven't seen for a bit - one of my first loves is of course scrapbooking - and I actually got back at it this weekend - here are a couple of my favorite ones :-) had to post them on one of my other new addictions - blogging haha - going to need a 12 step program for all this stuff ya know!!!!!!

New Addiction?

Kelsey may laugh (a bit evil like haha) that yes the gals have definitely introduced me to a new addiction with FACEBOOK - therefore here I am spending more time on the computer. Well it is a nice avenue to connect with people that aren't as interested in my scrappy blog haha, and old and new friends - so yes I gave in hee hee.

Okay I am off to actually do some scrapbooking this morning, yesterday I was so very busy running around - errands and my ds and I took a whole packed full SUV to the recycling, actually a SUV and a half haha - cuz after we were finished going to the bottle depot we slipped over to work and loaded up all the old phone books we had set aside in an empty office and recycled those too. It was a good day felt great to get all that out of my place, where I try to do my best and recycle - I don't often get rid of what I recycle enough and it builds up, have to take the stuff more often - I mean it is right on the way to or from work, how easy is that haha.

Kay off to play and do some more decluttering around the house.
Have a fabulous Sunday my friends, and an even better week!

The end of April fast approaching ......

Oh my I can't believe it is the already almost the end of April - where is time flying - I ask you. Life has settled down into more of a hum drum routine of late (actually enjoying that - the last 7 - 8 months was a little too much of a stressed out ride for me) so not a lot to write in my blog about.

I did go to that Simply Suppers Event last week with my mom - totally enjoyed it once again. I can't stress enough how thankful I am to my friend Kiera for introducing me to this supper entree concept - it has certainly changed the eating habits of our little household, and renews my interest in actually preparing meals every time. I am already registered and have all my meals picked out for next month!

On the scrapbooking front I really haven't made any headway of yet - last weekend I was all pumped to get at it, and I sat down and started organizing a few things in my scrap room and poof - between that and regular chores the weekend was gone. It did feel good to start getting my creative space organized, I know that has been one of my biggest hold backs on getting anything done - so I am quite happy to focus on this for the near future, lots to do yet. I did sit down last night and made a close friend a birthday card for her 40th bday coming up next week, I was just going to send her a store bought one, but as at the moment this is all I could really afford to do for her - I felt I should at least sit and make her a nice card. I was really pleased with the finished product. At work right now but will post it to this post when I get home later.

I got my taxes all done and all Net filed the other night - man that is a big big weight off my shoulders, and did them all by myself this year which is a huge accomplishment. :-)

Going to help a friend and her little guy get moved this weekend - have hogtied my son into helping as well, need some muscle haha cuz that definitely won't be me.

In the scrapping world - well next weekend will be a big weekend - there are free crops and online crops etc to get busy with on National Scrapbooking day / weekend - I hope to be involved in some of them. I also have my son's big tournament that weekend, so that really takes precedent and then we will see what I can fit in from there.

Well I hope you all have a fabulous Hump day haha I always think that is such a silly word for today haha - have to go over to Renee's blog and see if she posted some hotties for today! ;-)

Take care

Kay got tagged so I will play :-)

Okay now as I am kinda new to the blogging world and only blog back and forth with a few of you I am going to try this anyway, and maybe add some new people to my blogging friend regulars!

Okay copying the rules:
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog post about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! Okay here goes:

1. I have become a simply suppers fanatic.

2. I use to hate the color pink growing up and now I love it (course that may be too that I have some adorable nieces that I scrapbook now :-)

3. I detest washing dishes - one of my least favorite household chores.

4. I love the game roller coaster tycoon - and if I start playing it I can waste hours before my son kicks me off the computer or my stomach growls from hunger or thirst.

5. I am addicted to corn nuts - seriously - will send my son out into a snow storm to get me some if a craving hits haha - well now he is too old to budge off the couch hee hee.

6. My theme song would be Bitch by Meredith Brooks - if I am having a bad day I hunt it down and play it nice and loud, sing it loud and dance around with a broom or something (haha can't believe I am admitting that) and soon feel better.

7. I am a sucker for someone who says they love me.

Man it is amazing how hard it is to think about facts about yourself - need to do some more about me pages haha.

Okay I would like to tag - Laura, Tammy, Kelsey, Anam, Renee M., Lynn, and Anna -

Hope you all have a fabulous day my friends!

it's only Tuesday?

haha I could use another weekend right now :-) Women's show went fine - lots of people and it was fun helping introduce Kelly's new business to interested ladies.

Tomorrow night looking forward to attending the Simply Suppers event tomorrow night with my mother - she is finding it to be a good idea for her and her honey as well. There is only the two of them and they both work full time so the whole ready to cook entree idea is working for them as well. It's good that it is tomorrow - I am pretty well out except for my slow cooker meals, and as I have been a bit under the weather lately (sore back, upset stomach) we are eating out more than we should. So it will be good to have some things in the freezer again to stop that trend haha.

Looking forward to going home and watching some Gilmore Girls tonight - one of my fave shows - get a little house stuff done and maybe be able to pull out some scrapping stuff, or do some more organizing in my scraproom. Something along the creative line. :-)

Hope you are all having a fabulous Tuesday!

And the week is going ....

So nice to see the sun shine today - yipee - and they are forecasting nicer weather ahead, lovely - looking forward to the sun and getting spring on it's way. I have gotten myself back into a bit of scrapbooking of late, sure feels good - working on a swap for a group I am in, and a few ideas a churning for some future layouts. It is surprising how the creative side of you can really make life a bit easier to deal with, and how much it brightens my day!

Have the Women's Show this weekend, helping out my friend Kelly ( http://mimscrapbooking.scrapblog.com/home/ ) - so I hope to also be able to take a good stroll around and see a bit of the show.

Next week is not only one of my sister's B-day's (I hope one day that we can spend our birthdays together, that would be so much fun) but I am also going for another evening of Simply Suppers ( http://www.simplysupper.ca/ )- more great meals in the freezer. Really looking forward to that as well, it has been a real palate saver around our house haha - and have been trying out so many different dishes that I normally wouldn't make and now have put on our menus. I even went out the other day and bought some different spices, ones I haven't used before - so our little menu has been spiced up haha.

Oh it feels so so so good to see the sun, does make me wish though that I was at home - tackling one of the many jobs I need to do - and being able to throw open the windows and get some fresh air in the house. In time :-)

Wishing you all a fabulous week!

Monday here we come .....

Well got my vehicle in this morning and it is getting fixed as I type this :-) then life goes on yep yep. Didn't get much scrapbooking done this weekend, but I sat and organized some pictures and got myself more ready, now I need to clear some room on my scrapbooking table and get at it. Think I am going to start with all the unfinished layouts I have floating around, and work from there :-) Looking forward to it, and looking forward to this week being a good one and full of life!!!!!

I hope you all had a lovely easter weekend -

yippee

it's Thursday - half way through the day - so to be free for the four day weekend - I am so so so so looking forward to it.

Hope you all have an awesome, safe and happy long weekend!

Only Wednedsay - you sure?

haha man seems like it has been a long long week already this week -

On Monday when I went to watch my ds handball game at the school, I foolishly stuck my purse under the front seat of the vehicle, someone was obviously watching me. So my back window was smashed and my purse stolen - a bit of a hard lesson to learn - and not one I needed in life right now but on we go right?! For the most part I have replaced or notified who I need to, my window has yet to be fixed but that will happen.

I am amazed at how often this has happened to others, especially exactly the same way - I suppose there are groups that prey on all sorts of different situations we just need to pick up and go on.

I am so looking forward to the long long weekend, and one of the four days I am going to dedicate most of one of the days to doing some scrapbooking - some old, some new, just immerse myself in my favorite past time and feel good about life. I am looking forward to kick starting some creativity and spending some time going through pictures of the things I cherish in life, just gives you a boost in life that is for sure. :-)

So on we go for the week .... it can only get better.
And my wish to all is stay safe, stay healthy and give someone you care for a big hug today - you just never know they may be needing it even more than yourself!

And so we start another week .........

Monday - back at work blah haha - and the weather is absolutely crappy today - cold blowing snow bbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr would be a good day to be at home in my jammies and fiddling with scrapping stuff. Ah well we need to put in the time so we can do the crime hee hee - and so looking forward to the 4 day weekend coming up - I am going to devote one day of it to scrapping - really looking forward to that.

My son has games a couple times this week for handball, so looking forward to catching a couple of them, I really enjoy handball. It is fast paced the games go by quickly and there is action from the first whistle. Awesome my kind of sport.

Besides that I plug away at all the household duties I want to dig into this month, a little at a time. Going have to sit down and write up a list or schedule though, I may work better with some direction.

Do you work better with a schedule or a list? I would love to know.
Have a fabulous day all!

Awesome Friday Night ........

Still shaking the sleep out of my head this morning - got to bed fairly late last night or I guess early this morning - but feeling really good. Yesterday afternoon at work it was quiet and I was a MSNing my friend and we decided to be very spontaneous and go out to The Comedy Strip last night, a good friend of hers was standing up last night. Oh my I don't know if I stopped laughing - it was great - the MC for the evening was funny Shaun, the middle act was great and is the friend of my friend, Lars, and the main attraction was awesome Bengt Washburn.

I love to laugh and these three guys had me laughing until my cheeks hurt and I think I pulled something in my stomach hee hee. I would definitely suggest a night of comedy to anyone who wants to do something a little different and so much fun.

It's Friday ................

And two days of not coming to work approaches haha - yipee - I hope to get some more decluttering of my home done this weekend, and also get back into my scrapbooking! I miss it, even if I start on a few little projects I have coming up, or even finish some off that are waiting for me - I will feel good I know. And dreaded tax time haha, I am a bit nervous, got a quick tax and going to do this one all on my own (last year a friend walked me through it) my taxes are pretty straightforward so I think should go off without a snag. :-)

Looking forward to the weekend - hope to get in some good movie watching time too, I think it is Drew Barrymore on the Triple Flick this weekend, I like her so that might be worth the watch.

The sun is valiantly trying to poke out today, I have to say I feel so much better about life in general when the sun is shining - even if it is still chilly outside.

Have to run and get a wooden planter this weekend and transplant my Staghorn Fern that was given me as a gift a bit ago, I so don't want to kill it! haha my bosslady said she planted hers into a wooden planter and it is doing lovely so I am going to give that a go! Cross your fingers for me and touch wood haha.

So so so glad it is Friday .... and a lovely weekend awaits full of possibilities.
Have a good one all!

Happy Wednesday !!!!!

It's Wednesday - half way through the week - wishing you all a fabulous one!

LET'S DANCE!

Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,

And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance....

New week!

Yesterday was good, I did get alot accomplished and today is going to be more of the same! I think that lovely sun outside has a lot to do with it - it feels so good to finally be on the brink of warmer weather.

Going to focus on a couple positives this week - one my hair - so I got it cut, and so far I am loving it - it was cut a bit shorter in the back and then the front is a little longer, lots and lots of layers - so I can flip up the back a bit and then do different funky styles with the front - pictures yet to come haha. The coloring didn't work, but it still looks good and I may give it another go this week haha, the benefit of coloring your own hair is that if it didn't turn out how you wanted try again!

Two getting the paper clutter under control! - Yesterday was a grand start and I hope to continue everyday. I keep everything haha, makes me a good scrapbooker but not so good in the over flowing paperwork kinda way hee hee, time to clear and purge, and shred and toss and clean clean clean. I am actually looking forward to April - as I have a feeling it will be a month of purging clutter from my home, I have caught the bug, I will be realistic with myself and not expect it all to disappear over night but I am feeling confident that I am of the mind that it is time.

And at the end of it I see being able to reorganize my scrapbook area, and to once again create and get back to the art I trully love, and that really is a highlight of my life.

One of my goals this year was to get out and simply spend some time with awesome like minded ladies at crops and retreats - just spend some quality time sitting and all doing this wonderful art where we focus on the people and things that mean so much to us in life. Another very important event or events that I want to look forward to.

Okay it is Sunday the start of a brand new week - and on I go!

Plans change ...........

In my life it is the norm for things to go wacky here and there, just trying to roll with the punches lately and hopefully come out on top eventually.

Not going to my retreat this weekend, unfortunately unexpected occurrences have changed my plans - a little too last moment for me to be comfortable but unavoidable. I am just trying to pull some light stuff out of life lately, like using this weekend to further myself along on some other very important goals in life. A little me recoup time is in order.

A friend of mine who is going through a hard time right now said to me today "don't you find life sometimes like trying to stop a freight train in your head" - I thought that was a very good analogy of how life feels lately.

I look around me at all the brave people in my life, friends who are dealing with sadness, breakups, or illness and I can only pull inspiration from these brave souls, and want to strive to be more brave myself. On we go - everyone in life is faced with different challenges, different obstacles or hurdles to overcome - everyone has their cross to bear. I have been blessed with some special souls in my life, so this is one of the things I will be pondering on this weekend as I try and fit the pieces of my puzzle back into the picture.

I wish you all peace and love this weekend, and stay safe where ever your hearts lead you.

cheers

so happy it is Thursday ....

Been a rough week - but the weekend is approaching so horray! Just wanted to pop in and blog quick that I hope all have a awesome weekend - hopefully get some rest and relaxation if you need it - or some party fun if you need that - or spend time with people you love -
take care all!

Sitting here pondering .....

This is one of my favorite times of the day I believe, on the weekend - cup of java, sitting here doing a little surfing of my fave scrapbooking places to be, my house quiet and hushed. The only thing that would make this better is if it were a summer's morning and I was sitting out on my deck in the sunshine. :-) Or visiting my sisters and sitting with them outside or in the kitchen sharing a coffee and a chat.

Life has been a tumble of stresses lately but I am hoping that I am coping with some of them and then on we go. Alot of what happens in life is just out of our hands, that for me is sometimes the scary part, I am not a control freak but I do like to see what is coming at me - and I find in the last half year or more I haven't. Therefore it has thrown me off my axis and I have made unwise decisions but also good ones, I don't have any regrets I just want to learn and move on strong.

My bossman's fight with cancer has really thrown me for a loop, I have been with this company for almost 9 years, I work for a husband wife team - and they are more than employers - they are work family - if that makes sense. I mean most of us have people in our lives fighting one form of this disease or another, I even have family members also at this time also very ill, I think with my bossman it is because it is in front of me everyday. I spend more time with these people than I do with my family, they are very special people to me.

I am looking forward to being at my retreat this time next week, though I would like to get some scrapping done haha, since that is why we are out there - I am looking forward to just the break - only two days but very needed. I am going to take a deep breathe before I walk into the building and just let it all go - just for a couple days - totally relax and just enjoy some time away.

I got a new do on Friday, my little stylist has been doing my hair for years now and I pretty well let her do whatever, and I needed a different change, something brand new. It's kinda cut so it goes longer in the front and then shorter in the back so I can flip it up, I think it will be fun because seems as if I can change the look, and not get stuck into styling it one way as I have been. I am also about to color it, right this morning! haha and again I am going to try something different - go two or three shades lighter - and then chunk it in areas with a different color - haha will let you know if it turns out. I just need some big changes in my life that I can control - does that make sense? And my hair seemed like the most logical place to start.

I know it is already March but I so need for this to be a good year, it has started so rough and there is alot of scary things coming up including my bossman starting his chemo next week, my heart and prayers are with him - so I really need a few fun and exciting and happy things in life also. One my hair, two my retreat and on we go.

Thanks for letting me share - hope all who read this have a fabulous day!

adorable pic of my new niece

Our darling new addition to the family, my new niece Carys - my sister takes pictures for the scrapbookers heart - I mean look at this set up. Just beautiful - she took this picture and then used it for all the baby announcements. My heart hurts that they are so far away, but I hope to go and see them all soon, and visit with both my sisters and their families. It has been a long hard year already this year, but I do have to say that my new niece has been a very uplifting high spot - new soft small innocent life - how can I not be awed at the little miracle she is and what hope it brings to life. Love you little one - thanks for looking and letting me share. Hugs!

Tuesday ramblings .....

Well I worked the Mom, Pop and Tots Fair last weekend - it was a very different experience working a trade fair, and I have come down with a horrid head cold to boot! Sitting here at work, trying to stay awake, cuz I have to take so much medication not to sneeze my head off, and dull the pain of my very sore nose haha. Rudolph is back! So feeling pretty crappy, but it was good to help my friend Kelly promote her new business, her traveling scrapbook store - her big cube van attracted alot of attention on the fair floor, just because people wanted to know what it was.

I am so happy that the retreat weekend that I signed up to is a go ahead at the end of the month, I so need a break and looking forward to spending some quality time with a few friends and maybe getting some scrapping done ;-)

I know it is only Tuesday but sitting here wishing for Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to add a couple photos ...

I have to go to sleep - so tired and tomorrow will come way to early - but I wanted to add a couple photos before I go to sleep -

Becky Higgins and myself

(at the Memories

Wholesale Retail Event weekend)

And Franny with Kelly and I - also the same weekend. :-)

Almost the weekend ....

Here I sit at work (haha I know some of you are saying what the heck) but I haven't had any computer time at home in the evenings lately, if my son isn't doing homework and researching things for his social class, then he is online to friends in the evenings. So I thought I would slip in here this afternoon for a quick update.

I am so happy to say that the retreat that I am scheduled to attend is going ahead at the end of the month, It is being held at The Barn Loft Inn just outside Vegreville - I attended one last November (my very first) and had such a great time, so I am looking at getting away again with some awesome ladies for a couple days and just be out in the middle of no where and do some scrapbooking. This time I will be even more prepared - bring a movie or two and a book, just if I need a scrapbooking break - I know some ladies can just go and go and go but I am not that type of scrapbooker so why force it. I am really looking forward to it.

I am working at the Mom, Pop and Tots fair this weekend - helping out my friend Kelly at her booth promoting her new business "Memories in Motion" - so that will be a new experience. I have never been to this fair or trade show so I am really interested in all it will hold. I will also be helping Kelly at the Women's Show coming up in April, again looking forward to helping her out that weekend.

I am so happy to see the more mild weather we have had the last couple days, I was so excited this morning driving my son to school and actually saw some grass peaking through on the boulevard, wow underneath all these mountains of snow it still exists haha. I think I am also so looking forward to spring and the big thaw because it seems easier for friends to get out and do things together once in awhile haha. Like it is an enjoyable outing going out in the evening and meeting a friend on Whyte Avenue for a coffee or a drink. Easier to get out of the house and go for brunch one morning - go sit on a patio a sunny afternoon. Looking forward to sitting and planning summer excursions, cuz it seems closer to actually being summer haha. Visiting family - maybe camping with friends, going to visit some more of local outside attractions. Just getting more out and about.
And maybe getting out to a few more crops in and around the city - that will be a definite plus too.

Lots to look forward to and loving the sun shining brightly outside to urge on the planning. :-)

Just Sitting .........

here with a coffee and enjoying the morning, course we are plunged back into ol' man winter out there, our spring day yesterday gone, but at least on this side of winter we do know it can't last forever and that there is a good promise of spring around one corner soon. It seems like winter has been such a long one this year, I am so looking forward to the warmer weather and just seeing grass!!!! I can't believe how much I miss the grass haha will settle for brown even right about now. :-)

Well I missed my scrapalicious event yesterday - but I do have to say it felt so very good to get a few things accomplished around this space of mine, and I hope to continue (even minus the sun and motivation) today and maybe start a little on my scrap space. I haven't been doing any scrapbooking in the last week, and I think it is partly because of all I have to do around me, so I need to get some major things accomplished so I can feel I can reward myself and sit and scrapbook haha.

I have been full of scrapbooking thoughts, if that makes sense - I have had a real run on thinking deeply about what love, relationships, and friendships mean to me, and how I place the importantance of these in my life. I know I am going to love this blog idea as I think it will be a handy tool in expressing myself - fill it with thoughts, information, ideas etc. that are important to me, so that I may come and view it when I feel like it. It is kinda like a online journal isn't it. Isn't it amazing in this day and age we actually get to know people without having to sit with them on a regular basis? Is this a good thing or not?

I know that the online world has been instrumental in my making of friends and acquaintances in the scrapbooking world. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting people - well other ladies that enjoy the art and the experience of scrapbooking. It is a good group to know I find, because scrapbookers have a love of all things I hold dear myself - family, friends, life, art, love, life, and expression.

Also I do know the online world has helped bring me closer to family and friends outside of the scrapbooking world haha (I know there is such a thing), the people who I scrapbook about. I have been able to keep in contact with members of my family and friends out there that I may not see for years, keep our oars so to speak in each others lives - pictures sent, laughter shared, and even support for the times we are so tired. Amazing I say.

So on that thought off I go - my coffee is just about done, and off to the shower I go and then take a look around at what I can clean and organize today to make me more comfortable in my space - ha so much to do, I am quite the pack rat as the saying goes, trying to work on that. Scrapbooking fit right in with that part of me ha because I keep every little thing as helpful if I want to put it on a page, get inspiration, or just display it haha. So anyway off to clear a bit and unclutter my life ..............

take care and I hope that all that may read this that you have a fabulous day!

Have you ever? ..................

I thought I would give this list a look as well, some of my new online friends have given this a go and it is a fun way to get to know some new things about each other - plus maybe it will give me some ideas of things I definitely don't want to miss out on the future? :-)

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said "I love you" and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an expert
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Eaten fugu (pufferfish)
89. Had a one-night stand
90. Gone to Thailand
91. Bought a house
92. Been in a combat zone
93. Buried one/both of your parents
94. Been on a cruise ship
95. Spoken more than one language fluently
96. Performed in Rocky Horror Picture Show
97. Raised children
98. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds (45.5 kilograms)
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Ridden a bike
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one important author who you missed in school, and read 136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

Well reading this list and going through it has made me realize something - not that my life is empty (because all our lives are filled with so much more than this list) but that there are things, places, people, experiences - out there that I really want to experience. So I raise my glass (or in this case my cup of coffee ha) to all I have done, and look forward to experiencing more. Have a fabulous day all!

Which woman of Grey's Anatomy are you? Quiz

I am Miranda -
http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy/quiz/greysdiagnosis/index

Scrapilicious Saturday !!!!!!!

Happy that the Scrapalicious crop is coming up this Saturday, in the last week or so I haven't even sat at my scrapbooking table so definitely in need of an evening of just scrapping and chatting - looking forward to it!

Just a stray thought on a moment ...

The other night I had a moment in the evening when life seemed crystal clear and good for a flash of time - I was sitting watching one of my favorite shows Gilmore Girls - which I trully love - it's full of that quick dry wit and a bit of a sarcastic look at how life is, and I love the interaction between Lorelai and Rorry (mother and daughter) - had a cup of Earl grey tea in my hands, and there was a fire crackling in my fireplace - and I trully felt at peace with the world and my existance. It was just a special moment in time in the life of Sherri - and just wanted to share, hope you who read my blog travel safely in life and have more than a few special moments yourselves. Cheers :-)

Simply Suppers Experience !!!!!

Lordy knows I love to gab and this is so much fun building this little space, and getting so much inspiration in seeing what others have done with their spaces also. :)

I wanted to blab a bit about this recent awesome event I was introduced to called Simply Suppers by my good friend Kiera.

The website is www.simplysupper.ca
and basically it is a entree preparation evening. I know that really it has been a godsend for me, I am not a chef or would ever even claim that I like to cook at all. I have found in the last few years well I have just gotten plain bored with trying to come up with quick and easy and good meals to make for a starving teenager haha. When Kiera (did I mention she is my very good friend haha) told me about this entree or supper pre-preparation evening she was going to I was intrigued. So when she decided to do it again, I thought why not give it a try - I would never say it is for everyone, but here is what it has done for my little family:

- My son looks forward to supper again and so do I
- The ingredients are all fresh - I put them together myself so I can see exactly what goes into my food - and no preservatives!
- We have variation in our menu - get to try new things without the hassle of buying tonnes of extra ingredients that I may never again use
- It fits our time line, I am a full time working mom that gets home when dinner should be on the table, so the fact that most meals can be finished up in 30-45 mins is great timing for us
- The portions are generous - my son can have seconds (he is a good sized strapping teenager) and I also can still have lunch for the next day!
- It has sparked my imagination - so that the other nights when I haven't pulled out a simply suppers entree from the freezer - I am more apt to want to make supper, and see more options of what to make!

I really am enjoying trying this out - like I said it is not for everyone but has been awesome for our busy little family, and well worth it.

Again Thank You Kiera!!!!!