Monday it is ........................

Well the weekend went by so fast, but I really enjoyed having the full two days off, and at least with this coming weekend being a long one I will have another two day weekend as well ~ so hip hip horray for that one. :-)

Did some fun running around on Saturday, and Sunday (Mother's day) my son and I went and spent the afternoon with my mom and her hubby puttering around in their yard. The weather wasn't as nice as it has been in some years but the sun was a shining and no snow to be seen, so it was a very very nice day indeed.

It gets at this time of the year I just itch to get into the planting and the dirt, but living in a place that I can only container garden I don't get my flowers till the beginning of June, so I am going to have to be patient for a couple more weeks. I am so looking forward to getting the deck set up and having that space back outside, looking into getting myself an electric BBQ this year, just got rid of the old propane one to recycle finally ~ and as I am not totally comfortable with propane, and my sister won't let me buy bricket/charcoal one because of the recent studies on how the fumes are cancerous with that, I am looking at electric. Anyone ever had any experience with those?

My son and his sweet girlfriend just passed their 11 mth and are heading towards their one year anniversary of being together, now some people would scoff at that, but I give my son kudos for it's longer than any relationship I have had in a few years, and they are a great couple. Both sides of the family (hers and his) like spending time with the couple, and are all looking forward to taking them both on family trips this summer. My son's girlfriend will be coming with us when we head to BC this summer to visit with family, and my son will head with theirs to go to a family reunion. This may sound funny, but honestly watching them as a couple I hope that one day I myself find a relationship that is so solid, course I could do with out all the silly young couple stuff, but the mutual respect and blending with family would be nice. :-)

I am so happy to see no snow on the ground anymore, touch wood ~ even though the spring is a bit chillier than some past years ~ I WILL GLADLY TAKE IT haha - that way we know that summer is on it's way. I was very excited to see my tree out in front of my deck this weekend start to show real buds, very excited ~ and soon flower weather, and vacation time ~ and I am happy! Though I am not happy with our gas prices going up and up, sad when you think that the majority of money saved for vacation will be spent on gas money. My sister said so what things are we going to plan when you are down, and then we both almost said at the same time - well as long as it doesn't cost to much haha. Good thing I like my family, and that there are so many there to visit.

My youngest sister and her beau are planning to move to BC by the end of next month, this makes me pretty sad ~ she was my last sister in Alberta, the rest are already moved to BC and have had families in BC. But I guess they have to be where they are happiest, as I am an Alberta girl ~ and it would take my son wanting to relocate to BC for me to go there, I guess in someways I can understand. But I still miss seeing them all, just have to gather my scrapbooking "sisters" and friends closer ~

Here is one layout I did that really touched my heart - I love the song and thought it fit my little niece's picture so well ~ Have a good Monday everyone!!!

It's Friday !!!!!!!!!!

I was a busy bee scanning more layouts last night, I have up-loaded them to my layout gallery and will on and off post them into my blog ~ I counted I had over 30 layouts that I have done since the beginning of the year, that I wanted to scan. It takes so long to do so though, that I only do a bit every night ~ think I am almost caught up with the ones I want scanned ~ and on we go haha.

I am very excited ~ I actually took a Saturday off just for me ~ the six day a week work schedule has been wearing at times ~ though my first big reward of the extra came last week! We were able to buy a new dryer,!!!!ours was not only dying quickly but so so unsafe mechanically ~ I am very happy with my new lovely machine. Every time I walk down the hallway I give it a little approving and welcoming pat haha ~ it was a blessing to do towels the other night and be able to dry them all fluffy, a real pleasure. It's been awhile haha.

So our weather here is beautiful with the promise of a lovely weekend, just in time for Mother's day ~ I plan on doing some scrapping of course, but resting and visiting as well.

I want to wish all my lovely friends a Happy Mother's day, and those who are not mothers (per say - my sister is the mother of a cat haha) have an awesome weekend!

cheers

some newer layouts finally scanned .....

It's snowing ~~~~ Again!

Well I have to say I am trying to stay very positive about life lately ~ doing more things for myself and things I love, reconnecting with friends, making new ones, and taking care of myself ~ health wise, etc. and looking forward to little things and big things to come ~~~~~ this snow though is making it tough hahaha. I want green grass, sunshine, and buds on trees and in flower beds ~ I want to be able to leave my window open at night, sit out on my deck and not lug my scrapbooking stuff through the snow or cold weather. For now we have snow, yet again ~ but at least this time of year we can be assured (YES WE CAN!) that it won't stay long. Though I am sitting here wearing two sweaters at work, and you know on the last day of April that just doesn't seem right ~ but I am looking ahead to a warmer weekend, let's hope!!!

Taxes - that is almost a dirty word, I skipped a scrapbooking party last night because I had not done my taxes yet and didn't want to leave to the very last day to get them done haha, just second last hahaahahahahah. Well I go home from work, make some supper ~ watch the news and then figure okay time to get at it. And the QuickTax won't load on my older computer !!! Yikes - I admit I was a bit shaky there for a bit, sat and thought for a bit ~ and then just loaded myself right back up and went back to the office ~ so here I was sitting in a dark and empty building till almost 11 at night doing my taxes haha, figures. And then of course I can't Netfile them like I usually do because I have left it so late and the lines are jammed! So into the mail they will go today ~ ha next year I think I had better plan a touch better, don't need the stress hee hee.

Well coming up is National Scrapbooking Day (May 3rd) ~ what are your plans? I am working of course, but I am going to go with my wonderful friend Kelly to a crop the evening before ~ so that will be fun celebrating a bit. Also on my msn group - Enchanted Scrappers - my lovely creative manager Lori, has set up a week and a half long online cyber crop for the event - with challenges and classes, and games ~ so it will fit alot of our schedules on the group as we can drop in when we can. So looking forward to joining in on that fun as well.

My son had his Handball Provincials last weekend ~ and though working through part of it, I caught the last three games. I love Team Handball ~ it's an intense and exciting sport, and I am very glad he has kept up with it all these years ~ gets better and better as they get older. So the boys brought home the Bronze medals - they of course wanted Gold (that is what they won last year) but we told them to strive for it again next year, and be happy they placed in the medals ~ they played some awesome teams and they more than held their own. And my son brought home the MVP award for the left wing of the weekend, which he was very pleased with.

I attended a crop night on Friday - it was part of a Charity weekend crop for kids - held by my friend Shannon. At the end of the weekend she had a cheque for $1600 to give to Kids Kottage, and a number of donated items ~ so that was WONDERBAR!!! I was happy that I could contribute to the event in any little way ~ it was a fun evening, I even was able to spend some cropping time with my friend Melanni, and meet her friend Debbie.

Healthwise I am getting things underway and organized ~ I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease ~ and my life is going to undergo a huge change ~ but I am excited to get it all underway and start to feel better and healthier. Had my lovely gastroscopy last week ~ to confirm and take a look at the damage ~ for the most part that went smoothly the hardest part was trying to get an IV into my dehydrated and small veins, have lovely bruises to show off haha ~ but I feel blessed that a light is in the tunnel and I feel I am heading towards a good direction. My new way of eating is going to be a bit of a challenge, but I am up for it ~ especially as I feel my energy and drive returning ~ makes every sacrifice worth it!!

Well happy Wednesday to you all ~
cheers

Something nice to end the week and start the weekend with ...

I got this in an email today ......

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend. And then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, you will be shown the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your partner.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your parents.

Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,' another,'Let's fight together,' another, 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, Another the wind beneath your wings.

But what ever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself....... Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it's wrapped up in several.....one from 6th grade, one from high school, some from the college years, a couple from old jobs.

On some days your mother. On some days your neighbor. On others, your sisters, cousins. And on some days, your daughters.

So here is to all my girls that have made a difference in my life,
LOVE Ya! And Thank you ~
hugs

Thanks Kristine ...

I asked her to send me the directions to update my blog with a cool header ~ a pic or something more personal. So I need to now follow her great directions and hopefully soon, when I have some time, I will be on my way to having a cooler site! For me anyway haha, still lots to learn on what I can do with this blogger site, fun to learn.

Another Friday rolls around :-)

I do hope you all have a fabulous weekend ~ it's going to snow and blow here in Alberta ~ so any of you that have sunny skies could you please wish a little of that this way haha. BBBBBrrrrrrrrrr but on the bright spot we are in April and no matter what mother nature throws at us, nicer weather is sure to prevail soon. :-)

I have a busy busy day tomorrow - I have a meeting first thing in the morning, then a meeting at the bank with my treasurer of my Community League, and then I am off to work. This 6 days a week sometimes bites a little, but I am about to see some payoff for all of this ~ I now have enough saved up for a new dryer!!!!! I am very excited, so I hope to get that all wrapped up in the next week or so ~ what can I say I am a simple girl ~ simple things can please me. We are also getting new front doors and screens in our condos to match the new windows put in a couple months ago ~ that has me really happy. Mine is on it's last legs and I was looking to some money to try and fix it, now that will be taken care of, I can't wait.

I did have some very sad and upsetting news about a family member in Southern Alberta, my cousin who is only a couple years older than I ~ has developed a very fast growing and aggressive cancer, scary ~ they don't know if they can treat it as yet. My heart goes out to him and his family, and I pray for a treatment that will help him fight this.

I am extremely thankful for my life, and the recent tradegies in my family have really stressed how precious it is. I continue to strive each day learning how to live life more full, more happily, and getting more out of it.

I wish a wonderful weekend for you all ~ weather we end up under snow or now ~ just keep safe and stay happy!

Cheers

weekend approaching - great!

At 17 weeks

My close friend Kelly-Ann is expecting a little boy come this August, and I am finding this really an exciting time.

At 21 weeks

She is being a real sweetheart and faithfully taking pictures along the way ~ for her scrapbooking friend so I can do a layout of her as she grows. :-)

She is coming up this weekend (she moved to Calgary on me last August) for her next doctor's appointment, and I am really happy she and I will have some visiting time. I have a crazy busy weekend this weekend as per the norm lately, so this will be a wonderful highlight in and amongst the regular responsibilites and errands.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend and a safe and wonderful time with family and / or friends!

hugs