PIA

I hate that when it's the weekend, or school break and I CAN sleep in a little .. but my body won't allow me to. :( Well, actually that's not completely true. I did sleep in an extra half hour, but upon waking and in desperate need of the bathroom, I can't just go back to bed and fall back to sleep. My mind starts to wander, and I start thinking of what I COULD be doing instead of wasting time laying there thinking.

It used to be that I could never sleep in because of the small infant/toddlers the girls were .. but now that they like to sleep in .. that's no longer my excuse. Damn this inner clock!

On the flip side tho .. I get some time to myself! :D

Oh by the way .. Happy New Years Eve! Have fun, enjoy the company you're in, but please be safe and cautious. From our home to yours .. Happy 2007!

3 days

D works so hard all the time in order for me to continue being the SAHM that I've grown to love over the last 8 years, so when he has a long weekend off, you can well imagine how excited the girls and I get. Last weekend he had a four day weekend, but we were so busy with pre-Christmas activities, company, cleaning up from all those activities, that we didn't really get to enjoy a carefree schedule. But this weekend, other then tomorrow nights festivities, we're going to just enjoy family things. The girls need to make up their mind on whether we're swimming or skating today .. ahhh what a life if that's the hardest decision to make.

We bought the girls each a gameboy advance for Christmas this year and I'm almost regretting it. Not because they're doing anything to make me feel that way, but rather it's Mr Dad that's regressing to his childhood ways and staying up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get past level 6 (now 8) on Tetris. That game takes him back to his childhood when he'd play it for hours and hours, and since the gameboy IS fair game after the girls are tucked in bed at night .. I'm worried my dear hubby is going to lose sleep over his recent addiction. Yesterday we went out and bought PacMan (and a couple others) .. heehee. Now it's MY turn to play. ;)

out with the old, in with the new

I'm in the mood for a wee change, so switching up the header again.

credit should go to Rene Bross for the background paper, paper clip is from Shabby Princess Urban Kiwi kit, the flower charm from Beth Nixon's Faith Hope and Love kit, and the corner word art from Digital Design Essentials Doodle kit.

And of course the photo taken by me, last month, used on our Christmas cards and a big favourite of mine of the girls.

playing on the digital side

Recently I have been dabling a little with digital scrapbooking. After recieving PhotoShopElements 3.0 from a friend, I couldn't help but at least try a little of what has become a huge rave in the scrapbooking industry. So I started out by making a calendar that I could print off, and just today I've made three layouts using templates as my guide. These templates a couple of my online friends create, make THE world of difference when digi scrapping. It takes the whole 'layout' out of the equation, and makes the hardest part only to be what pattern/colour paper one wants to use with the photo. I used a couple from my friend Cheryl, and one from Jen Caputo (sketches).. please check out their sites if this is something you're interested in doing .. seriously .. they make digi scrapping EASY!

And one from awhile ago ...

*credits ..

Bell - Template by Jen Caputo
Kit by KSharonK .. Wishing You

Gifts Galore and Merry Christmas 2006 - Template by Cherpea Designs
Paper .. KSharonK and Shabby Princess Holiday Sampler

Snow Day - Template by Jen Caputo
Kit by Eva Kipler .. Ice Storm

what a whirlwind

Since my last post, so many wonderful things have happened .. obviously, right? because it was also Christmas and Boxing Day in there somewhere. On Sunday, after baking up a couple quiches for C-Mas morning, and a lasagna for Sun, we went over to my BIL and SIL's place to have a hot lasagna/caesar salad and munchie lunch with them and FIL and to exchange gifts with them. The afternoon turned into such a lovely one, with a couple board games played mainly by us girls. Everyone seemed to be pleased with everything they recieved, except for one small mistake on my part. I got S the Apprentice board game because we so love watching the reality show when it's airing, but much to my surprise, she had it already. So I took it, because it's really a cool, fun game .. and I'll replace it with something different.

From there we did our little tour of lights, but Alissa fell asleep so we cut it short as to get home and eat our appy supper and open up the traditional C-Mas Eve gifts and watch a movie. We always all get new pajamas, and this year I threw in a new tradition I hope to keep up. A Christmas themed movie (Jack Frost). Actually it ended up being the year for new movies because the girls and I also got Dave Pirates of the Carribean 2, he recieved the DaVinci Code from my Sister and hubby, and we picked up Son of Mask, Air Bud and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on a Boxing Day sale yesterday. Whew .. that made the row of DVD's grow, for sure.

Christmas morning we were up bright and early opening gifts with Dave's Mom in Alberta, via webcam. The girls got each a Bratz board game, and so much more from their Grammy.

I got a bath set of lotions and bath bombs and Dave recieved Canuck (the hockey team) related things. Then it was on to our own gifts to each other, and the girls got their oh-so-wanted gameboy advances, littlest petshop pets, and their Santa gifts (which Hailey didn't find tucked up with framed photos on the fireplace mantle until later in the day). Dave got me the MP3 player I so wanted .. it has pretty much every feature I wanted, except for the video play .. but that would have cost far to much. I'm so happy with it and can't wait to start putting it to use when I get my lazy self to the gym. From the girls I got a bottle of the perfume I so wanted (J-Lo Glow) and other little school made items. We got Dave the tool set he wanted, as well as the big game dressing set (knives) he had also asked for. Now he can butcher his own game next time he goes hunting.

My sister, bil and nephew arrived for two blissful days just after we had cleaned up from the tornado that apparently had hit our livingroom. They came bearing gifts, food, hugs and lots of chitchatting and visiting. We recieved to many things to even mention, and our gifts to them were well recieved, which is always a nice relief. My sister is 17 years older then me, and yet that age seems to never play a part in our tastes and conversations. Over the years, we've landed up buying the same kitchen dish set as eachother, without knowing. Picking out the same clothes, books, etc. Just recently tho .. our couch toss pillows that I just bought last week. She has the very same ones .. bought earlier in the year. Weird hey?

We had such a fabulous day, topped off with such a delish turkey dinner prepared by us two sisters, and the day finished off with a good poker game.

Yesterday Dave took the guys to a Boxing Day Turkey Shoot (which is not what it sounds like, I've been told, but rather it's shooting at clay pigeons with a shotgun, and you WIN a turkey or some other form of meat if you have the best shot), and my nephew came back with a good size ham and a package of bacon as his prize. Who knew he'd have such beginners luck!

While the guys did that, us gals went shopping. The Boxing Day sales had begun, and with Dave's trip to Vegas looming (for me) ahead, we were in need of a new set of luggage. For some reason we've been able to make do with my highschool graduation gift of luggage, but it's dusty rose, and me thinks Dave wouldn't go for traveling alone with it. hee! So with the huge sale, we got a five piece set originally priced at $150 for $60! Gotta like that kind of sale!

We had a nice afternoon of more visiting and food, then yet another poker game in which I won (woohoo me!), and then at 6pm the visit had to come to an end in order for them to catch the ferry back to the mainland.

Today, it's back to a normal work day for Dave (except he gets day shift) so the girls and I are going to play with new toys and play new board games and just enjoy the very blustery day.

Some random photos from the past few days....

Happy Holidays!

Because I fear I'll be overly busy and without computer time in the next two days, I'd like to wish all my friends and family who read this blog, a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. May each of you feel the special magic of the season, and enjoy each moment with your loved ones.

Dear Santa

My friend, Cori, had this cute letter posted on her blog and I just HAD to do it myself. Go here, and make up your own letter to Santa, then read my comments to this post and you'll see what mine had to say. TOO FUNNY!

on top of things

I finally feel that this is the year I'm on top of things. I started our baking early, bought the first gift at the end of August .. then took a long break from compiling gifts until early November but who's keeping track ;) .. and now have everthing wrapped, cleaned, and just have grocery shopping to do yet. We have Great Grandma coming today just until tomorrow, when she heads up to a more northern town on the Island to spend the holidays with her Son and family .. but then we'll see her again on her way back after New Years. We're also having a very different Christmas/Boxing Day this year. My oldest sister, hubby and middle son are coming to spend it with us. This is a first in MANY MANY years! My family is very large, and the girls have always been scattered across the country, so big family Christmases were only for those that lived near Mom and Dad. So you can well imagine how excited I am that they decided they needed an entirely different plan for Christmas this year after the sudden death of their youngest son only months ago.

So, am I the only one that is so enjoying these last few days leading up to the BIG DAY?
If you're running around still, not knowing if you'll get everything done .. you're more then welcome to vent a little in the comments. :)
And if you're just looking for some crafts to keep your kiddies occupied, my friend Krista, posted a great craft site that we've been making full use of lately.

some crafting

There have been many a crafty item being made in our home recently, and these are just two of the six glass ornaments we made. Hailey asked if we could make each of her two teachers one, and they became so addicting that we soon finished off the pack of six. These are the last two that the girls reserved for themselves and picked the Christmas paper and ribbon for. I added a little tag with their names (not to mix them up in case of a memory lapse over the next year .. they fight over EVERYTHING, so this is a must!), and the year on the other side. I think it would look neat to have an entire tree filled with these, in all sorts of colours of course.

If you want to make some of these too, the clear ornaments are available at Michaels in packs of six, and came in small, medium (this size) and large .. they even had some square ones. Then you just cut strips of patterned paper and curl it by running a scissors along it, and then carefully stuff the ornament until it's full, replace the top, add ribbon, and voila .. beauty!

all in a days work!

The determination, the drive, the sweat and even some tears .. THIS is what my little girl accomplished in approx three hours yesterday, JUST so she could hand it in early.

The assignment was on insects and they were given a list to choose from .. and Hailey chose honey bees. Upon researching so she'd have the three facts she was supposed to include .. even I learned a great deal. She brought a book home from school that we got the idea for the border from. It's stamped using a potatoe carved into that particular shape, dipped in paint and stamped upon the bristle board. It was Hailey's idea to make a large bee out of cardstock, and I gave her the idea to write her facts in where the black lines on the body of the bee would be. It was fun giving subtle ideas, but also watching Hailey's mind in motion. She truly has a creative gene, even if I do say so myself. At one point she even said, if it weren't for her scrapping, she wouldn't have balanced it out so well or been able to come up with such great ideas. I'll just take that as a personal compliment. ;) I believe she was able to complete this according to the instructions and point list she was given, in order to get the full amount of points, and maybe she'll even recieve extra points for getting it in before the deadline (jan 10). I hope this determinations follows her through her entire years of school, because having the drive to finish the assignment BEFORE the holidays, so she can enjoy and relax (her words, not mine), can only be a huge bonus in so many ways.

Now you think I could muster up some of that drive of hers, just so I can get this current batch of wine bottled before the end of this day? *sigh*

could it be?

Only 7 days until we celebrate all that we've been preparing for for the past few months? It's sad in a way, that it all comes down to one full day of celebrations after so much work, shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating and so on. But in the midst of the busyness and the pure joy of rehashing special traditions and creating new ones with the girls .. Dave surprised me with a little token of his gratitude. Isn't this poinsetta just gorgeous? The photo's a tad blurry, but I love it!

While Dave finished up his shopping, yesterday .. the girls and I tucked ourselves into the theatre for a couple hours to watch The Santa Clause 3. What a hoot the movie was. If you've watched it and never been to Canada .. please understand we do NOT say "eh" at the end of each sentence, and we're not 'little' people (although I wish some days I was) and we do not have our anthem blaring from speakers allover the city. lol But we loved the story line and all the fun colours and goodies to feast our eyes on as it was displayed on the BIG screen. The popcorn wasn't bad either. :)

There's so many other traditions we're trying to keep up with and fill into our schedule, and maybe one day I'll start a Christmas Tradition Meme just so I can read some of your's as well. I'm enjoying EVER. SINGLE. SECOND. spent doing them! 

venting

I don't usually like to make my posts negative in any way .. but other then yelling my dh's ear off about the situation, there's nobody else that would want to listen to this particular vent.

It starts way back when I met this lady through another friend. She was sweet and very talkative everytime I by chance, ran into her either at this mutual friends house or in passing elsewhere. Two years ago, this same ladies son, happened to be in a split class with Hailey when she started Kindergarten (he was in Gr 1) because we live in the same elementary school catchment. So we got to know eachother better by chatting while waiting to pick up our kids, etc. I soon learned she was obsessed with scrapbooking nearly as much as I, but had been doing it for longer and liked the stamping area of it more then I. She got me hooked on a few techniques, etc. Anyway .. fast forward two years, and our kids are once again in a split class (Hailey in gr 2 and her son in gr 3). We've participated in scrapbooking swaps, I've been to her house for a visit, etc. She likes to vent about certain things, and I find I'm the listener with very little advice or whatnot. Her particular subject of venting is the school our children attend. She used to be on the PAC but resigned before my kids ever started at the school, because according to her the ladies were all a clique that didn't want to welcome her in. She volunteers in the library and in her kids classes by making crafts, etc. Both her boys (her oldest is in grade 7) have had problems with bullying, teachers, and the list goes on. Finally a couple weeks ago, her oldest was beaten up on school grounds by two of his bullies, and that very day, the youngest (who shares a split class with Hailey) fell and bonked his head agains the desk and suffered a concosion, but the teacher wouldn't allow him to see the school nurse until the afternoon teacher relieved her and allowed the boy to phone home, and not until the mom brought him to the clinic did she find out of his concosion. She's having a bad experience with our children's teachers, and vents about them to me. I have had NO problem with either of the teachers and tell her so. But our experiences are completely different .. like night and day. When she tells me how the teachers communicate with her, it's like she's talking about two completely different people then I've come to know and actually enjoy and trust my own daughter to for six hours a day. Long story short (not really cuz I've already ranted on forever), I wonder if she's the type of person that sees much to much negative in any situation, and if her children are being hurt because of maybe the way their brought up? That maybe she has her parent rose coloured glasses on and isn't seeing what her own children are doing in order to get this response from teachers and fellow students? I realize that us Moms see our children as doing NO evil .. and when something happens we do believe our children and the old bear rears it's ugly head and we fly at anyone harming our children. But could this be more then just that?
I guess if I can just avoid her during drop off and pickups, then I can go on living life and being concerned about my own and that's it.

Alright .. vent over. :)

thankful thursday

I am so bad at commiting a specific topic to a specific day, and if it weren't for my copying Redneckgirl, and her constant reminders of her own posts, I'd forget. So sad, I am!

Anyway .. so now that I've been reminded .. I need to really focus because today has NOT been a good day.
After volunteering in Alissa's classroom again, and baking gingerbread men cookies with the kids, I have to say I'm thankful for my very calm, very obedient (in class that is), very quiet little girl. I get the pleasure to observe the dynamics of the classroom and what each child brings to create the atmosphere in which they have to be in during those few hours. I soon realized that as much as my child gets into trouble, fights with, loud mouths or disobeys me at home .. she is quite a wonderful child to be around in her classroom. Even with her knowledge of my presence .. she still is quick to listen to her teacher and not be distracted by me being there. I give her no extra special treatment, and she knows when I'm there .. I'm there to help and create with EVERYONE, equally.
So after witnessing an outburst from a problamatic boy, I silently said to myself "thank you G*d for such a sweetly mannered little girl".

*disclaimer. Yes I know this is all about me and mine, but it's what made me thankful this particular Thursday. :)

dumb blogger, overflowing river and other such stuff

First off .. I suppose it's my turn to have blogger related problems. Generally I'm able to whip blogger into submission, but it's not working this time around. I'm unable to comment on other blogs (please don't think I'm ignoring you's) mostly because it won't allow me to log in (beta people have to log in under their new beta name which is an email addy), and I can't post even without going through Picasa. URGH!

But that gives me a very good reason to show you our flooding creek that runs right behind our place. Our little backyard is higher up on a rock faced hill, and this grass is a strip that runs along the creek at nearly the same level. It's known as 'common area' for the complex we live in. Anyway, you can see how the bank of the creek has been covered and the water level is up past the fence and starting to flood the 'common area'. I guess that's what happens when we get umpteen inches of snow and rain in a short period of time! In the four years we've lived here, this has happened twice that I can remember. But we're safe, thank goodness for this rise we live on.

7 more days of actual school before the two week break, and I can't tell you how excited this makes my second grader. She CAN'T wait until Christmas, and if she even had an inkling of what she's getting from us, her excitement would be over the top, literally. 

kiss tree

I'm a crafty kinda person and I so enjoy spilling that creativity over onto my girls. I know from past experience how a homemade craft is recieved as a gift, and so again this year we're making teachers Christmas gifts. I found this little 'how-to' on a kids craft site and thought it was so perfect for a Kindergarteners gift to her teacher. Of course we learned from trial and error, and discovered that when they suggest using round, sharp toothpicks as the form of application into the styrofoam cone, the kisses stay better if glue dots are used. This cone stands about 10 inches tall, and took two 300g bags of hershey kisses to fill, with a few tasters to spare. I'm sure if we wanted to make more of these, I could experiment with patterns and preciseness, but Alissa helped, and therefore it reflects her current abilities. ;)
 

such busyness

I guess I can chalk it up to being that time of year. Between activities with the kids, spending time as a family doing our traditional things, trying to keep caught up with everyday things .. whew, I'm exhausted!

We went out on Sunday and picked our perfect little tree. We go to a u-cut tree farm (been doing this for the past 6 years) and make a family event of picking THE perfect tree for us. The farm is a little ways out of town, and there's usually always a skiff of snow to crunch through, although this year there WAS snow, but it also decided to start raining just as we pulled up to the farm. So we made it a quick pick and since it was Hailey's turn to do the initial pick, we let her find it, then we approved. Funny, but the girls really have a knack for picking trees. Last years was perfect too, and we didn't have to veto Alissa's decision either. Once home, the girls and I pulled out the decorations and started to arrange everything perfectly. The girls always get to put their own ornaments on (ones homemade from school, and ones we've boughten over the years for them), and I place the others stragically trying to fill in the gaps and balance things out. Then we went ahead and splashed some colour around the house, with garland and stockings hung carefully along the fireplace mantel. Dave put up a short string of lights along the front of the house (to mirror what our duplex neighbour had done on her side), and that's all we'll do. I like a touch of Christmas in the house, but not overly done because if I start hauling in ornaments and nativity scenes to place out .. what would I do with my usual decor? It sounds like much to much work for me. :P

I'm going to work at getting a picture of the tree in all it's lighten up glory, tonight. Will share when I get a decent shot worthy of blogging. :)

There's so much more I want to share, but it's hard to decipher and sort it all out in my head to make a post of. Most of all tho, I am really enjoying each craft, each activity, and each memory I get to make with the girls. As they get older and remember doing things from year to year, it makes all the work we put into things to create those memories for them, all worth it.

thankful thursday

This week's utmost gratitude goes to Mrs Clause of Country Club Mall. Let me explain why this is.
On Sunday we took the girls to see Santa .. but our most favourite Santa was busy with "pet portraits" and so we were forced to move on to the next mall for "children photos". But before we left, the girls dropped their letters to Santa in his special little mailbox. Mrs Clause (otherwise known as this kind gentleman's wife) puts time in each year and responds to each child's letter if they've enclosed a return address. I received a call last night .. a lady asking me all sorts of questions about my daughter asking for a bell off Santa's sleigh, etc. I said yes, that's my daughter and she continued on to tell me that she had already sent the return letter, but after doing so, her husband called her from 'work' and asked if she had destroyed the Santa letter yet. (she explained the mall has a policy that this be done once she's responded) She had, but he wanted to grant the wish of a bell to this little girl. Mrs Clause happened to remember our last name, so she looked us up in the phonebook and that's why all the questions. She wanted to make sure she had the right people. Anyway .. she got our address and is sending Hailey a bell. I was beyond excited and thanked her perfusely for their kind gesture. I told her it was because of her and her husbands kind deeds, that the spirit of Christmas is still alive in 2006. I've figured out a way to thank them without the secret being spoiled too.

So this week .. I'd like to thank Santa and Mrs Clause for going the extra mile to make a little 7yr old girl super happy this year.

Not a STAY at home mom at all

According to my five year old, ever so sweet, tell it like it is, daughter .. I'm not a stay at home mom at all. I'm a 'go out mom'. I was watching a tv program and Alissa overheard lady say she was a stay at home mom. Alissa looked at me and asked "does she stay at home all the time?" I explained what it meant, the whole concept of the mom's job being at home with the children, etc .. and that I too am a stay at home mom. Her come back was somewhat true. I guess we don't stay at home much these days with all the errands and running to and from school three times a day. Whew .. wears me out just thinking about it.

tis the season

And it's that time again when little ones want to visit the big jolly fella that fills in for the "real deal". And Hailey and Alissa were no exception to the rule. They've been looking forward to seeing Santa since they arrived at the malls on November 18! For me, that's FAR to early for a visit, so we impatiently wait until after December 1st. So all dolled up and ready with letters in hands and mental notes of their wish lists, we stood in line to see, sit with, and spend time with Jolly Old Saint Nick.

Hailey's wish is to recieve a bell from Santa's sleigh (idea from Polar Express I believe)or Amazing Amanda. I do believe she'll be recieving the bell. Amazing Amanda freaks me out!

Alissa asked for the Biggest Littlest Petshop house (big enough to house many of the petshop pets she already owns).
So .. here's the picture. Gorgeous as ever, even if I do say so myself. ;)

I'm also celebrating my one year blogging anniversary today. I've enjoyed being able to share, vent, and just be myself and making some new friends along the way. Thanks to all of you commenters for giving me the extra incentive to keep blogging. :)

only the best salad ever!

Watergate salad has become a 'must have' dish at every big family dinner. This started way back when my oldest sisters MIL started bringing it to holiday dinners. (I was about 7ish at the time) I brought this special tradition over to my in-laws after getting married, and now that we have kids of our own, I continue to serve this salad for those large holiday dinners. It really is a nice desserty type salad .. so here's the recipe just in case you'd like to try it for Christmas.

Watergate Salad:

2 pkgs pistachio instant pudding mixes
1 tub of Cool Whip
2 cups mini multi-coloured marshmellows
1 can of drained pineapple tidbits
1 can drained mandarine pieces
a sprinkle of shredded coconut

Mix and chill the two packages of pudding. Once set, drain the pineapple and mandarines (save the juice to drink if you like) and add to the pudding, add the coconut, marshmallows and slightly melted Cool Whip. Mix until the Cool Whip and other ingredients are thoroughly stirred through, then place back into the fridge and keep chilled until ready to serve. Simply delish!

And if you're interested in setting eyes upon a whole wealth of recipes, you can find them here at Another Chance Ranch who's hosting the Blogging Chicks Carnival this week.

getting to know me .. holiday style

Pam had this on her blog and mentioned that if you read it, consider yourself tagged, so because I thought it looked fun I'm participating, so here goes.

Getting to know you... holiday style!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? wraps them except for a few of the stocking ones
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? white
4. Do you hang mistletoe? sometimes
5. When do you put up your decorations? two weekends before C-Mas .. we go cut down our own real tree from a tree farm
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Watergate Salad
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? our large family gathering together for dinner
8. When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? I was raised not believing in Santa
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? The kids each open one they are always christmas pjs!10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? white lights, ribbon, strings of beads, various ornaments (some especially given to ME, and others we've given to the girls)
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread it!
12. Can you ice skate? I went last year and nearly broke myself, but used to go on the pond when I was a teenager
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, my engagement ring :)
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? butter tarts and nanaimo bars
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? decorating a gingerbread house with the girls, driving around on C-Mas Eve to see all the lights and displays
17. What tops your tree? a star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving gifts? Giving, because it's fun to pick THE perfect gift.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Celine Dion .. So This is Christmas
20. Candy Canes on the tree? no .. they'd be to tempting for the girls

growing old fast

I took this picture last night about 9pm, when the snow hadn't turned to freezing rain yet. It was coming down in shovel fulls, I tell ya! The rain came sometime during the night and made ever surface a treacherous adventure, thus the school closures all over the Island. I'm SOOOOO glad I don't have to go out in this, as yesterday was enough of a nightmare. I can't count how many times I had wished for my good old reliable 4x4 Jeep, but alas .. my front wheel drive car had to do, and it did .. but not with a little sliding around.

On a good note. I see the sun peeking, so maybe (one can hope, right?) it'll warm up enough to do a little melting.

In other news. The C-Mas cards are finished and so are the newsletters to go with them. I just need to get a couple addresses (people have moved) and I can hit the PO for a hord of stamps and get them sent off. I had intentions of making cards again this year, but after making 20 something and realizing my ideas were not flowing enough to make 30 something more (I know .. I could have made more duplicates), I decided to put my new found creativeness to use and did digital cards instead. I had them printed, taking only an hour, and picked them up earlier this week. Now THAT is easy!
Here's what they look like. Oh and you can see, I went with picture #1 from the choices I had presented to you, my faithful blog readers, a little bit ago. Which I'd like to thank you again for being such great critics with an unbiased eye. :D

PS .. I blurred out our name, just so you know that part isn't a mistake. ;)

just a b-list kinda gal

Krista over at Big and Little posted this oh so fun little icon and link on her blog and I thought I'd do it for myself. I made the B-list! Woohoo!



Go see what you make, and if it's an A, I'm super jealous. ;)

I'm a wimp

I'm a wimp .. I know it! I hate the snow and that's why I moved to this 'tropical' island .. but despite my pleas .. we still get the odd dump of snow during the winter months. Yesterday was THE day for outdoor play. I discovered that I must invest some money into gloves or my girls are going to have cold little icicles for fingers. The snow is always so wet that just one plunge into the snow and their hands are sopping wet. Good thing they have about three pairs each hey?

My Mother always said that one does not get sick from the cold .. in fact, she used to send us outdoors to get rid of our colds. However, why is it that after a couple hours of outdoor play, Alissa is now stuffy and coughing? Me thinks that old wives tale is just that .. a tale.

And what drowns my snowtime blues you ask? I warm the house with the heat of the oven and the smell of the delishious baking that I so love to do at this time of year. Yesterday I made three more batches of cookies (gingerbread men, snickerdoodles, and chocolate chip MnM cookies) and plan on making more somethings today. I think I'll generate the help of the girls for some more rolling and decorating.

it's snowing!

Yeah I know .. three posts in one day? But I HAD to share! We just don't get much snow here in these parts, so when it does snow .. it's a sharing moment.

The girls are literally in heaven and tomorrow they'll be able to make snowmen, that I'm sure of.

busy baker

I had plans of making more C-mas cards today .. hoping that I could have them ready for when the photos come back .. and only in need of a stamp then popped in the mail. However .. plans took a turn and I found myself mixing up and baking three fabulous recipes for the holiday season. We're having some family visiting over the Christmas holiday and I thought I best get started on baking up cookies and bars to tuck away in the freezer until needed and that's exactly what I did. Last year I discovered topping a regular sugar cookie with some ground up candycane adds not only a festive flavour, but looks so pretty too, so I made 4 doz of them (am sure I'll need to make more), a 9x13 pan of butter squares (basicly butter tarts but in a square or bar form), and a new little recipe called Oops. It is mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut butter and rice krispies melted and mixed and pressed into a 8x8 pan, then chocolate chips, icing sugar and raspberry jam melted and spread over top, refrigerate for an hour and cut up. Very yummy too I might add. I have SOOOO many more recipes picked out to either try for the first time or know it's a good old recipe that's a favourite, plus I'm in a bake exchange .. so I foresee alot of baking AND resisting temptation in my near future.

Brrr!

In the ten years we've lived here on the Island .. I've become quite spoiled with less then harsh winter conditions during the winter months. I'd far rather walk through the rain, where I don't have to shovel or wear boots, instead of scrambling through feet upon feet of deep snow. I was raised in the cold northern winters and was quite happy to move to the warmer coastal climate I've become accustomed to in the past decade. But this morning, the temperature dipped below 0C, (currently -1) and the precipitation turned to the white stuff. Of course it only stuck to the roofs and tops of cars, and the site of that was enough to make the girls giggle and squeal. They LOVE the few snowy days we're cursed .. err blessed with and even tho this isn't one of them .. that just gave them the hopes of a good dose of snow in the near future.

There is one major bonus to the colder weather. That usually means the sky is clear and that allows for the sun to shine. I like seeing the sun!

a little pissy

I'm just a tad annoyed that I was bullied into changing to the new beta version of blogger. I had no choice! After a couple weeks of it being an option everytime I went to my dashboard .. today was different. It said it was upgrading it for me. *sigh* I'm sure I'll get used to it and probably love it, but I don't like when I'm forced to do something.

thank you!

Thanks to all of you that responded with wonderful CC and feedback on the photos of my girls. I'm still undecided and you all couldn't make it easy or anything by ALL picking the same one! lol
I had an idea for a photo tho, and want to try it, and if it works or if I even go through with it, I'll definetly share the results. Until then, I'm still in limbo on which photo to use. Eeep!

fancy cardholders

In years past, I've always strung some ribbon across the entryways into the livingroom and placed all holidays cards we recieved along the ribbon. It annoys D to no end tho, because he stands 6'3" and either has to slightly duck while going under them, or constantly knocks one or more off if he forgets. Recently I was browsing some childrens craft sites and came across this brilliant idea. They gave options for other times of the year that we recieve cards for as well (birthdays, valentines, etc) and you can just make your shape accordingly. We chose big green trees, and I found some mini clothes pins at the dollar store in which we glued randomly to the tree (hoping they're spread out enough so underlying cards won't be completely covered once the tree fills up), and then I let the girls go nuts decorating with pens/crayons/markers.

We also made our 'countdown to Christmas' paper chain just like Hailey's had for the past two years. They made these in school the last two years and so I decided we'd make them at home too. So they're hanging in their bedrooms, and the girls are anxiously awaiting December 1st for the chain AND the chocolate 'countdown to Christmas' calendar.

I'm off to see what other little seasonal crafts we can fill our spare hours with.
Happy Hump Day! 

feedback please

In years past I've often relied on good old Walmart Portrait Studios to capture my girls current stage for our Christmas photos, but this year just got away on me and I decided I should just go ahead and take the pictures myself. With such a large family on my side, the big packages are very useful, but I don't really need those 11x14's they provide every single time, nor do my family care if they all receive a 4x6 rather then some getting 5x7s and other getting 3.5x5s. So now that I've divulged to much useless info, I have a favour to ask.

These are three of the better photos that I landed up with during our little photo shoot last week. The one (#2) I had asked for some sharpening help from some photoshop gurus I know (thanks bunches Chris and Cindy), but then I wondered if a couple of the other photos that turned out a little clearer might work just as well. If not, then I'll have to wait until a certain little missy is over this cold she just woke up with this morning, but that would delay cards being sent across country, etc etc.
Okay .. so which one do YOU like the best. Please respond in the comments and leave constructive criticism to if you like.

#1

#2

#3

forward THIS! :P

I found this on a blog I frequent and just had to share it myself. It pretty much sums up everything I feel about forwarding emails. Just watch it, chuckle, and NEVER forward another one of those dang emails again. :D

happy anniversary!

Dearest Mom and Dad (even though you won't read this, I want to put it here for my own reasons);

Fifty two years have passed since the day you gave your love to eachother. You've accomplished so much in those years, you've nurtured and loved, been exceptional role models and still continue to be amazing as a couple and as individuals. I'm so thankful to look up to the two most important people in my life, and to have been taught virtues and morals that I can carry on into my own marriage and life. I love you!
Happy Anniversary! 

I've lost my mind!

seriously .. I think I have.

I keep forgetting things like say a backpack or library book on library day. Yikes .. what a week!
I'm misplaced things, knowing I put them down and making a mental note to remember where it is because I know I've been having a recent problem with this, then later totally forgetting where it is. I can picture the item laying somewhere, just can't figure out where that 'somewhere' is. oy, the nuisance
Thankfully it hasn't gotten to the point where I've walked off without a child in tow (good thing they're of an age where they know to follow).

So in other news. The. rain. will. not. stop! Gah!
We're being soaked literally to the bone, and it's turning into disaster mode. The entire Island is on 'boil water' mode. There's been so much rain and runoff, that the resevoirs are murky and brown, and there's warnings of e coli. So I'm boiling water ahead to let cool then run through the Brita and refridgerate (we like our drinks of water cold), and supposedly we're not even supposed to wash our dishes with unboiled water. Sorry, but I think I'll pass on that one. Perhaps if I wash them regularly (I'm one of those still stuck in the cave years, forced to wash dishes by hand *sigh*), then just rinse with boiled water.
Oh yes, and suggesting small children do not consume water while taking a bath. Man!

Luckily, I'm being blessed with another kid-free weekend. My wonderful, loving angel of a sister in law offered to take the girls for the weekend. Her parents live two hours south of here (still on the Island) and she wanted to explore the city with my girls. They'll even have a sleepover with a daughter of a friend of SIL's. So I have this evening to myself, although I may consider being a sweet and devoted wife and force myself to stay up past 10pm to go and watch D play hockey (11:30-1am, Fridays) since I have the opportunity to do so without disrupting any childrens sleeping schedules. Then tomorrow we're going to explore some local wineries and do a little wine sampling. Ever since we started making our own home brew wine, we've had an interest to join the elite in the taste of the good stuff. Sunday is unplanned at the moment.

Have a fab weekend, everyone! I know I will, IF we're not swept away in the winds and rain in the meantime.

thankful thursday

I nearly forgot about my new thursday rule until I read Redneckgirl's thursday post. Thanks for the reminder, since I'm copying you and all. ;)

Today, being the day I happen to volunteer in Alissa's classroom, gives me a chance to include many little innocent joys to be thankful for.
Today's had me nearly burst into a fitful laugh because I'm sure the action was so innocent, but if only this little persons parents knew what they were in for in 10 years time.
What am I talking about?

Little Mr K .. such a little charmer he is. Today I got to help four selected children make oatmeal for tasting. This was to go with their monthly theme of bears, and obviously three famous bears, only famous because of sweet little Goldilocks and her undying urge for a bowl of porridge. I had Alissa, another little girl ( V ), and two boys (K and G) helping measure and stir. After all was said, tasted and done, and I was slipping out the back door to join the other waiting parents, Mrs H had the class give me a big THANK YOU and clap. Mr charmer K winked at me. Yep .. now you have to agree with me when I said his parents will have their hands full in a few years. lol







I got a wink. I got a wink. lol :P

child labour ..

I'll start this off by saying, I'm super anal about every thing I do. It has to be done my way (the right way) or I'll FREAK! I'd rather slave all day doing everything, then have someone help, and not do it the right way, making me redo it anyway. This has caused many minor problems at the homefront, many arguments (because I bitch about not having any help, but then when I DO get the help, I shoot it down), and I was suddenly finding out that if I don't allow some help from two certain little girls .. I may just help them grow up to be helpless individuals.

So this morning, while trying to get through a few household chores, I discovered a little helper on my hands. Ordinarily I can get her distracted with colouring, playdough, watching TV or the like, and I disappear upstairs to do what needs cleaning. Today, however .. she followed me once she saw I had taken out the Windex and papertowel. She LOVES spraying while I wipe and scrub, so I decided to just swallow my analism (is that a word even?) and let her help. Afterall, how will she learn all these little things that keep a house running, if she isn't aloud to help for fear her anal mother will *gasp* redo, or *gasp* even worse, not allow her to practice and learn at her 5 yr old level. If I don't catch her now while she's eager to learn, and copy .. I'll have a real teenage mess on my hands before I know it. So as she sprayed and wiped, I wiped along with her, and when it got to places I knew *I* better tackle (ie: toilet), I distracted her by having her spray and wipe down the walls. Brilliant don't you think?

I may have to swallow my critical voice, but if I manage to do that .. I could verywell have a little child labour happening around here. Dishes, sweeping/mopping, dusting, bathrooms, and the list goes on. Ahhh, but I'm truly my mother's daughter. Darn this dutch blood! We're such perfectionists when it comes to our homes. Thankfully I wasn't born in the days my Grandma ruled the roost. She starched, white washed and bleached just about everything! Ack!

since you have to be a member

I didn't realize (blonde moment ;)) you'd have to be an active member to see the layouts in my 123-scrap gallery, I'll put them up here for those of you interested in seeing them. Usually I'm anxious to get photos printed, and then they sit there because I'm uninspired, but this time I had fun scrapping very recent photos of the girls big events.

to switch or not to switch

that IS the question. I know blogger beta's been out for awhile and so many of my blogging friends switched over, making it a royal pain for me to comment on their blogs. (no offence to you's that switched ;)). Now I'm getting a message that says the new blogger is ready (out of beta testing I'm taking?), but do I really want to switch over? Will I lose my template, header, personalization? Someone that has switched over, can you let me know before I do something I may or may not regret? Many thanks in advance!

so much .. so little

It feels like I've been MIA for weeks, but in reality it's only been a few days. So much has happened that I'd like to post about, so bare with me if it sounds all jimble jambled.

On Friday, our elementary school had their Remembrance Day assembly. Hailey, being in choir, got to sing In Flanders Field after having practiced for a couple months. They sounded beautiful! There's something so serene and perfect about a child's voice, add to that about 20 and it was breathtaking. I took a video clip of it, but it's to large to upload onto youtube.com, so you'll just have to take my word. :)

We spent a lovely day as a family, yesterday. The girls are little fishies and ask to go swimming any chance they can, and I love watching them practice everything they've learned thus far in their lessons (we're in between lessons at the moment, but it's good to practice so they'll be ready for the next level in January) and the slides and river are such fun.

123-scrap.com is holding an online crop this weekend, and so between family things, I've been trying to participate as best I can. Today, however, I've been left alone to scrap till my heart's content. Dave took the girls out with him hunting (they saw a doe and fawn), and this has left me so far, the entire day! I've gotten quite a few things done. You'll have to go here to see all my latest layouts.

There's so much more to talk about, but I'm not about to write a book. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow's a holiday here, and the kids have Tuesday off school too. I may be forced to take a two day hiatus. Eeek!

thankful thursday

I'm stealing this idea from Redneck Girl, who posted this idea just today on her own blog.
I think she has uncovered a wonderful self spirit lifter here, and so that's why I'm going with it and copying her. :)

There are many people we come in contact with on a daily basis. Some are friends and family, some are the grocery clerk, or a fellow pedestrian on the street. No matter how you come in contact with them, they can make an impact on your life by either making you smile without so much as any interaction, or much much more.

Today the girls and I were greeted by one of Alissa's fellow classmates when dropping Hailey off at school this morning. Every interaction I've had with her has been so pleasant. She's a real sweetheart, very cheery and respectful. She chased Alissa across the front yard of the school, until we had to part ways, and then she said to me. "I just love chasing Alissa, she laughs and that makes me happy." I responded, telling her that was a really sweet thing to say, and that she's a real good friend, and that I'd get to see her later (I volunteer in their classroom this afternoon).
So to little R .. thanks for being such a ball of fun energy first thing in the morning. For putting a smile on my face and a giggle upon the lips of my little girl (your friend).

simply devine!

I'm quick to forgive when a meal is prepared for me, and this one was so terribly good that I think I need to have me a second bowl of it later on.

I bought the ingredients for the chili, but Dave was the one that slaved over the stove during his two hours between jobs. It simmered for awhile, and the girls and I indulged in this for dinner. It's made following a recipe in a wild game recipe book, but can easily be replaced with beef hamburger instead. I'll post the recipe later for those that like to eat those warm comforting foods on a cold fall/winter day.

(as an aside .. I'm currently tossing a small ball across the livingroom for my youngest daughter to 'fetch'. While typing this up, she barking at me to toss the ball. lol In case she's not aware of it, I may have to remind her she's a little girl, NOT a puppy.)

ETA: recipe

Hunter's Favourite Chili
serves 8-10

3lbs big game burger
3 medium onions, chopped
3 medium green peppers, chopped (we used yellow)
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 TBSP bacon fat or vegetable oil
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, undrained
2 TBSP dried parsley flakes
2 TBSP chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder ( we used chopped fresh garlic)
2 cans (15.5 oz) kidney beans, undrained
1 can(16 oz) pinto beans, undrained

In Dutch Oven, brown meat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside. In large skillet, cook and stir onions, green peppers, and celery in bacon fat over medium heat until tender. Add vegetable mixture and all remaining ingredients except beans to meat in dutch oven. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover. Simmer 1 hour to blend flavors. Stir in beans. Cook, uncovered, 30 minutes longer.

change is pertinent

As per usual, I've been examining my life and how unhappy certain aspects of it make me. I go through this at least twice a year, but this time it's pertinent I do something or I believe things could really fall apart. I know I'm being vague .. and that's because there's several areas I need to work on. For my own sanity as well as the wellbeing of my family. You know the saying "If Mama ain't happy .. ain't nobody happy", and I believe this to be true.
So take this post as a 'spill' of sorts, and I hope that the journey I begin will not only make me more optomistic, but have a more positive outlook on things .. including a happier more cheerful and upbeat blog.

am I THAT different?

When Hailey was just a wee little infant, I stumbled upon an organized playgroup for new moms and babes. Because it was still in a guinea pig stage, there was just a handful of us that attended every week, slowly growing by a couple here and there, but mostly the same ten or so of us showed up every week. The director was such a sweet woman, and someone I would later 'work' for as childminder just this past year. She brought in any professional we requested, from nurses (easy since it was held in the Health Unit) to dental hygenists and professional photographers. Our group of Moms got along so well, and we later even started meeting one evening a week sans the little ones. Most of us went on to have second children, a couple ended up separating from their spouses, but yet we continued a nice friendship.
Soon we were "kicked out" of the playgroup as our children aged out, and we continued trying to meet up at each ones home, the park or even the mall play area.

In the past couple years, I've separated myself from them slowly. First it was because the little ones needed me in the evenings, making it hard to go out for the Moms night. Then Dave started at the SD and in the winter months his hours are changed to afternoon shift, and this left me without someone to stay with the girls while I met with the Moms. I kept coming up with excuses to not meet, yet I did want to go .. but found the longer I kept away, the more I felt like an outsider to this particular group of ladies.

Today while grocery shopping, I ran into one of the Moms with her two kids in tow. She's a teacher in our district, as is her husband. In fact, she went back to work after her year maternity leave, then again after her second child's birth and that year of maternity leave. I believe there's only one other Mom that continues to be a SAHM, the rest have gone back to work either right after their leave or since their kids started school.

So this Mom that I ran into (lets call her V) was sweet and we exchanged updates. She asked if I was working yet, or still making and selling cards (I made and sold C-Mas cards a couple years ago and thought I'd make a business of it, which I failed at). I told her no, but that I still scrapbook and make cards for my own personal use. And that I'm still so much enjoying my time being a SAHM. I dont' think she realized it, but she gave me this look, but just as quickly as the look was there, it was gone again. Within that group of gals, I'm in the minority. I'm also in the minority with the group of Moms I know from H&A's school, but yet I've never felt so put down before. Just from that one look, I felt like I was doing something wrong. Am I really that different? Is it frowned upon to be a SAHM still once your children start school? I would hardly call Kindergarten much school. It's 2.5 hrs a day .. that's it! Imagine all the daycare hours I'd have to pay for.

In my own personal circle of friends and family (all my sisters and SILs included), being a SAHM is the norm. I never thought I'd be critically judged, when in fact I pay the price in other avenues. (no fancy clothes, cars, house, etc)

This post is just a vent .. an eye opener of sorts.

another chapter

I believe everything happens for a reason .. whether it occurs without any consent from us, or if you choose it.

I've mentioned this before, but in September I hastily said yes to a friend's request to watch her two boys before and after school. I soon realized it wasn't something I could enjoy doing, so I gave her the headsup that this wasn't going to work out. It took pretty drastic measures (drastic in my books anyway) and FINALLY after five weeks, I put in my last day. We're still friends, even though I think she's pretty clueless .. but that's beside the point. So last week was my first week since school started, to just enjoy my mornings with Alissa. We did some drawing and number/alphabet recognition activities .. but mostly I wanted to breath in the quietness.

However .. on Thursday I had the opportunity to do my first in class volunteering. Alissa's teacher, Mrs H, was Hailey's K/gr 1 teacher, and I've come to not only know her well but respect her greatly in all that she does. Her patience is really out of this world. She has a split class of 18 K/gr 1 kids and this year there's one little autistic boy (with his own aide, mind you) that are keeping her busy busy. I let her know at the beginning of the year that I was interested in volunteering finally. She had great hopes of doing more crafts and actual cooking easy recipes and welcomed me with open arms and much gratitude. So Thursday was my first chance to get in there and did we have fun or what! The kids had gathered fallen leaves and I helped them make banners out of them, by pressing the between wax paper then bordering them with construction paper and a poem. I had alot of fun, and if it's possible, I've gained a new and even deeper understanding as to what a kindergarten and grade one teacher deals with. Mrs H truly is an angel, and I'm looking forward to even more time in her classroom.

intimate glimpse

Yes that's right folks. I'm giving you a personal glimpse into my kitchen cupboards. Thanks to Ms L at Those Weird HomeSchoolers I'm 'baring' it all again.

Keep in mind that this weekend is my scheduled biweekly grocery shop, so the cupboards are looking rather bare (actually just the cereal cupboard looks bare) and in desperate need of restocking.

Here's my spice/medicine cupboard. The top two shelves contain spices and food colouring dyes, the bottom shelf is reserved for meds, vitamins, puffers, and bandaids.


Here's the very bare cereal/cracker/popcorn/oil cupboard, located above the stove. Much to the girls dismay, they only had two cereals to choose from this morning, and neither sounded appealing. So toast it was.

And last but not least, the 'other' cupboard. This one holds anything from pasta noodles and rice, to cake mixes, boxes of KD, brown sugar, marinade packages, tea bags, some wine making ingredients, baking things such as salt, bp, bs, etc. This cupboard goes pretty far into the left side, so there's alot of room for my junk mess.

So there ya have it. Now who's going to be brave enough to show YOUR kitchen cupboards?

PS .. if you're a 'chick' and want to read other blogs written by very talented and witty 'chicks', you must visit the Blogging Chicks website for a list of nearly 400 variable blogs. And you can find this week's Carnival at Iris' on Sunday.

pumpkin graveyard

There's this little spot along a road that leads past small acreages and farm land, but isn't real that far out of town persay. As long as I've lived here, this has been THE place to bring old pumpkins after Halloween is said and done. It's a place to safely dispose of our loved jack-o-lanterns, and also a very interesting place to visit and see the creativity of our fellow towns people.

Today we brought our two pumpkins out there to join their little friends in a restful demise. Usually it's pouring down rain, but this year we happened to catch a small recess in the all day rain, to get out of the car and find the perfect resting place for ours, as well as walk around and admire some real talent. Here's a few more random pictures, but they do not even begin to show how many pumpkins are out there, lining that road.