I love Christmas!!

we had a wonderful Christmas. I was surrounded by the people I love. we made memories that will last a lifetime..... the boys receiving thongs in their stockings was one of the best memories. we laughed and laughed. Everyone received nerf guns as well. after a few foam bullets to the head and butt, everyone had some great laughs.

We even had a white Christmas!!! that made it perfect!!

I can't believe it's Christmas

I just can't believe Christmas is a few short days away. where did that time go? I really feel it snuck up on me this year. I know the calendar says the 23 of December but I feel a little robbed of the excitement leading up to this time. I just turned around and it was here.

I went to a visitation last night after work. It was for a lady who is a best friend of a colleague at work. I didn't know this lady directly but I did know her through the stories that my colleague has told of her brave and valiant battle with breast cancer. This remarkable woman has 2 teenage sons. I was struck last night by the fact that how do you fit in all the advice and love you would impart to your loved ones in a few short months if you knew that's all you had left. I am in awe of this woman. She left a wonderful legacy for her husband and children. I was most moved last night watching her son greet people. It was just so wrong. A teenaged boy should not have to greet his friends at a funeral home to say goodbye to his Mom 3 days before Christmas. That moment in time took me back to December 29 1997 when I was standing in a funeral home greeting my friends to say goodbye to my brother. The feelings were raw and they were still right there at the surface even after all these years. I know what it feels like to be that boy. my heart ached for him. I hope his Mom can look down from heaven and see what a wonderful job she has done with her family.

Take a little moment over these holidays to be truly thankful for the loved ones around you. That is what the true meaning of this season is.

My day 2 tags

I had so much fun creating Tim Holtz day 2 tag that I made 2 different ones. (truth be told, I cut 2 tags and I didn't want to waste them LOL) I like to take his examples and make them my own with my own little touches.

Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas

I am so excited. It isn't Christmas until Tim Holtz posts his 12 tags of Christmas....... well today is day one. I was excited to give it a try with my own twists on the tag of course. I didn't have most of what he used so I improvised. I love that I was able to do that. I highly encourage you to give his tag a try with the things you find in your stash too!!

Incredibly happy news

on October 14 my daughter got engaged. we are over the moon excited for her. They make a great couple and the future is very bright for them. It is humbling as a mother to realize that all the hard work has finally paid off and that your daughter has grown into the person that you always imagined she would be. It actually takes my breath away if I think about it. I wish Paul and Jess nothing but love and happiness all the years of their lives

so very thankful

We live in Canada and our Thanksgiving was last week. I had to work the Thanksgiving monday and when I got up to go to work, this is the note I found on the counter....... It is a humbling experience to realize that all the hard work we put in to raise our kids has paid off. We have raised thankful, thoughtful children. It made me feel truly thankful!!

inspiration

Inspiration comes from many places. I was inspired to use a certain colour palette from one source and the general layout idea came from somewhere else. I like when these ideas come together. -it's even better when the ideas come together and they work out well LOL.

oh yes, that really is a porcupine quill that I used on the layout. I had to talk really really nice to the porcupine to get his quill LOL

I love weight watchers

I have been doing weight watchers since May 26. somehow, my crappy eating habits caught up to me. I am like a magnet for weight and it only seems to get worse and speed up the older I get. I decided I had to do something. Weight watchers really isn't that hard. I still get to eat what I want, I just think about what I'm eating before I eat it and I decide if it's worth eating or not. (and trust me, many times it is more than worth it to eat whatever it is!!) along this path I have had many special days.... anniversary, birthday of my daughter, husband and mine, a trip to the cottage which is more like being at club med and the list goes on. What I'm saying is I haven't stopped living and I haven't completely denied myself anything. I am thrilled to say that it's working. I have found a new appreciation for fruits and veggies. I am excited at the prospect of having a veggie stir fry for dinner. I have also found that I love to run on the treadmill. I try to do a weight loss programme on my treadmill and do it for 2+miles every other day. I look forward to it. I even can fit it in before work some days and that means I am on the treadmill at 4:40am. I don't see going back to the old way I used to be. I know everyday I will have to be vigilant though because it's a quick and slippery slope back to being obese and tired but that's OK. nothing worth it comes without a fight and I am up for a fight because I'm worth it. If you've ever thought about doing weight watchers I highly recommend it. BTW as of this morning, I am down 26lbs and I want to go another 25.

do you feel lucky?

Want to Cook up Something Smashing using Bo-Bunny?
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The Scrapping Nook has cooked up an awesome Bo-Bunny give away, and we want you to win it! Included in the prize lot is a delectably adorable pink Bo-Bunny purse and a “must-have” black ruffled Bo-Bunny apron, complete with some yummy cooking utensils. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a fun tote bursting with Bo-Bunny scrappy goodness.
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We’ll draw for a winner of this amazing prize package on
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This contest is open to all scrapbookers worldwide!

more September Scrapping Nook DT reveals

this is more like the feel that Jillibean Soup's homemade 6 bean soup papers gave me when I first saw them. Wild to think that the wedding layout and these layouts were made with the same line of papers huh?

I still have a few ideas up my sleeve for the rest of the paper I still have from this line.... stay tuned!

September Scrapping Nook DT

it's Sept and I am working with Jillibean Soup's homemade 6 bean soup line. when you look at the papers, you certainly don't think vintage do you? well, that's what I did with this paper today. it was nice to be in the groove again and to get my fingers all inky.

OMG he might have done it again

Gary had Gus out for a walk 2 wks ago (while I was at work of course) and Gus came home really sore. I took him to the vet's the next day and the vet said that his other ligament is partially torn. She suggested to rest him for 3 wks and assess then to see what's what. We decided that if it's partially torn just to go ahead with the surgery. Well, today's the day. He is going in for an assessment this morning and if the vet thinks it necessitates surgery, he will be done today. the funny part of all of this is that we have not kept him quiet over these last 2 wks and he seems perfectly fine. I wouldn't be surprised if he says not to do the surgery and wait and see. If that's the case, he will be back in physio to help make that leg as strong as possible. I'm of 2 minds today though...... if it's partially torn, it's not going to heal and I would rather be taking him out on a leash to pee at 2am in Sept and Oct as opposed to Jan and Feb if he needs the surgery then. I also worry about arthritis setting in if it's partially torn and the body trying to heal itself. ..... but I look at him today and he's not in pain, and not limping. He is able to do everything normally.... so I am really torn. I will tell the vet all of this and see what he says...... stay tuned

UPDATE: The vet feels that his leg isn't too bad and he would like to wait and let his other leg get stronger. In the mean time, we will continue with physio to work on both legs now

BTW the scrapbook page is one of my DT submissions for August at the Scrapping Nook. I had come home after working a night shift and I took a few minutes outside to sit with Gus.

Gus is doing great

hi everyone.... thought I would update you on how Gus is doing. He is in physiotherapy now and doing so well. there is only 6cm difference in muscle mass between his back legs now. (there was 9cm when he started physio last week) He needs some coaxing into the water treadmill, but once he's in there he's doing great. His time was increased in there to almost 17 minutes today and a bit faster too. Leslie the physiotherapist is going to add time and speed and weights to him in the upcoming weeks. He also is getting cold laser therapy on his knee and he gets iced down when he gets out of the treadmill to act as a bit of a analgesic. Leslie is going to start doing stairs with him next week and hopefully he gets in the pool to free swim in a couple of weeks. Leslie assures me he will be almost perfect when we are done with the phsio in a few short weeks. I am so happy. Gus is such a wonderful teddy bear of a dog. I can't wait for him to be back to normal

He's home

he's home!! I don't know who was more happy to have him home Gus, the other dogs. or us. It is easier to keep him quiet than I thought it would be. you sure can tell he's in pain, and not himself. I slept on an air mattress next to him last night and it wasn't so bad. He did get up and go out once in the middle of the night. I just took him out now and he just wanted to go outside and lay down (I guess for a change of scenery) Things are settling down now with all the other dogs, it's like Gus never left. now we just go full steam ahead to get him fixed up and back to normal

We miss that crazy puppy!

wow it sure has been quiet around here while Gus has been at the vet's. Things are calmer and cleaner but we miss him like crazy. The update is that he's coming home this afternoon. They need time to get all his medications in line for us to take home. The bill is not too bad either. it is about $1000 less than I thought it was going to be so that is very good. His rehabilitation is going to be pretty intense, but we are ready. I am expecting it to take 6 months to get him back to normal. (I know it took me that long to be almost back to normal when I had my ACL reconstructed)

Gary couldn't be happier to be getting his baby back home too. I bet he sleeps next to his crate tonight. I will update things when we get the bagel eating bionic wonder puppy home.

you make my world happy

this card sums up how I am feeling these days. I am so very thankful for all the wonderful people in my life!

I love Graphic 45

I had to scrap a bit yesterday and this is what I came up with. I just love G45 and I haven't been playing with it in a while.... I took this picture of my niece back in Feb. I think.

Gus the bagel eating bionic wonder puppy

Remember Gus? Wednesday he went in for his CCL surgery (comparable to an ACL rupture in humans) The day started out as any other with Gary getting up and feeding them and then coming back upstairs to get ready for work. Gus didn't like the fact that he got about 1/4 the food he normally gets (as a prep for his surgery) and while Gary was upstairs, Gus ate an entire package of 6 bagels. OMG!!!! I called the vet's office as soon as they opened and after a few phone calls, was assured that he would be fine and that his surgery could proceed.

we saw the vet in the parking lot as we arrived. Clare (one of the vets) was dressed with easter bunny ears on and her nose painted red. She scared Gus and he promptly hid behind me (it's hard to hide a 95lb black lab behind me) and he peeked out at her from between my legs. Clare thought this was hilarious and said "boo" to Gus and he pulled his head back behind me and barked at her. So, if the easter bunny ever decides to break into our house, poor Gus will be traumatized beyond belief and go hide somewhere I am sure!!

All went well with his surgery. Dr Roberts (the vet that did the surgery) said he saw some arthritic changes already. Gus hurt his leg last fall when he was running up the deck stairs (his back leg went through the back of the open stair and he really hurt himself) Dr Roberts feels that he partially tore the ligament at that time and this recent injury was just the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak.

I called yesterday afternoon and he had his IV still and his fentanyl patch was kicking in. can you believe he ate some of his lunch?? SOME???? that is unheard of. I guess the fentanyl is really knocking him for a loop. The office is closed today so I can't find out how he is until tomorrow. They said it might be possible that he come home tomorrow but we are having family dinner tomorrow so I asked that he come home Monday. That way he is healed that much more and the excitement of the other dogs won't be as much. I am so glad that we have a crate for him and that he considers it his safe place. He is going to be doing a lot of time in his safe place over the next 2 weeks while his mobility is severely limited. I know it's a long rehab but it will be so very worth it in the end.

I will keep you posted on Gus' progress

on his way to a beautiful smile

no scrapping today.... Ryan went and got his braces on this morning.... or his top ones anyways. He has bugged me for ages to get them on and I finally called and made the appt. He was so excited that he only slept intermittently last night. poor kid. looking forward to seeing what he looks like in 2 yrs when they come off and he has his beautiful smile

more Twig

so this is what happens when I come home after working nights and don't sleep. LOL

this is what I have been working on.

I have been scrapping just a little lately and thought you might like to see what I have been up to.... here it is. I hope you enjoy!

Poor Gus

my poor puppy, Gus, was at the park on Sunday and tore his ACL. I am just sick!! he needs orthopaedic surgery. it's booked for the 20th. It is so sad to see him limping around the house. He can't get up the stairs very easily to our room where he has slept since the day we got him. He sits at the bottom of the stairs and cries and cries and cries. I can't wait to get him on the road to recovery. if you have a moment and don't mind, could you say a little prayer for Gus. I really want as much healing energy headed his way as possible to help him on his road to recovery.

I believe

my daughter's boyfriend is going for an interview to get into med school on Saturday. I wanted him to know that we are behind him 100% and think he will do amazingly well.

Good luck Paul! Western will be lucky to have you as a student.

cold enough for ya?

we were tempted here this week with some warm temperatures.... like +10C warm. LOL just like all good things in life, it didn't last and we are back into the deep freeze. darn it all anyways. the only good thing about that is, it's nice to stay inside and scrap. this is what I have been up to lately with Pink Paislee Sweetness. it is pure yummy

Cassie

This is my niece Cassie. She turned 3 on Friday. I couldn't be with her on her birthday, but I was thinking about her and I was inspired to make this LO of her this morning. Love you Cassie!!! hope you had a great birthday.

who wants some Coordinations card stock?

want to win some Coordinations card stock? click on the link. they have some amazing collections this release



I am just loving the Kaisercraft Up up and away paper. I had to go out yesterday and get these fair pictures printed because they go so well with the line. Here's another LO that I did last night

I have been busy

There is a fun anniversary happening at Scraptures this weekend. I highly recommend checking it out and tell them I sent ya LOL

I did this LO for one of the challenges that was posted there this weekend. I had to be inspired by the work of art posted before me and I only had 1 hour to create. this is what I came up with. what do you think?? I think I did OK!

OK here's more

I couldn't not post a girlie LO that I have done recently. I just love that picture

hey remember me?

oh my goodness where has the time gone? What have you been up to? I have been working like a crazy woman. The way our new schedule at work is we all need to pick up X amount of shifts throughout the year to make up our full time hours. This has everyone going crazy trying to pick up shifts and I am no exception. I would love to have my pick ups done in the next few months, but that means actually picking up shifts and working them LOL.

enough about work, what have you been up to creative wise? I have come out of my creative slump and just what to be elbow deep in paper and lace and pretty things now. this is what I have been doing lately. This is with Kaisercraft's Up Up and Away line that I got at The Scrapping Nook. I gravitate to pretty girlie papers so I have all these "boy" pictures to scrap. this line is perfect for those (I still think I could make pretty girlie LOs with this line too BTW LOL) ....but I better get out more of those boy pictures and get them scrapped