Ralna's Scraps

2011-04-01T11:28:00.001-07:00

i Love my new Copic markers. Who knew coloring was so much fun! certainly not me. Well I do now. I'm finally using a bunch of stamps I bought years ago, but never used.

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Goodbye 2010

2011-01-05T10:06:00.001-08:00

Another year has come and gone. 2010 you were a memorable year, one I'll remember forever. Here's a few of my favorite iPhone snapshots of special times and memories of 2010...

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Viva Las Vegas

2010-10-06T13:52:00.001-07:00

196 days till I'm off to Vegas for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly weekend...

Soooo very excited, it's gonna be a fun weekend to glam it up as a vintage vixen.

I'm planning on getting a new tattoo while I'm there, something old school retro with a nautical theme. Likely a swallow with cherries and a few nautical stars. Haven't decided on the exact design yet, but something maybe, kinda like these, but not these...

King of the Road

2010-08-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

A few recent pages...

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Ride hard

2010-07-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I've scrapbooked, lots of cards but no pages. Inspired by some great photos I took of a friend, I whipped up this page this morning.

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Beauty

2010-06-23T09:58:00.001-07:00

The other day I pulled out a stack of half finished pages from a few months back and got 'em finished

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2010-03-23T10:42:00.001-07:00

2010-02-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

9 new pages and a mini book in the last 4 days!!!

2 of the pages can be seen on the JSI blog.

SoCal here I come...

2010-01-20T18:24:00.000-08:00

CHA always makes me feel so scrappy. It's fantastic for getting those creative juices flowing and I cant wait to return full of new zest, creating new projects, classes and make n'takes.

new pages

2009-12-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

found some inspiration to finish some october pages I started about a month ago...

the good witch

2009-11-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

Just got to editing , and yes printing, this year's Halloween photos.
I absolutely LOVE this photo and cant wait to scrapbook it with the
some of the Basic Grey Erie line.

return of the mojo...

2009-11-11T20:15:00.000-08:00

My photography muse has been filling in while my scrapbooking mojo has been on an extended leave of absense. My muse is apparently on vacation at the moment but mojo finally returned to work.

Did this page above last night after teaching a Basic's class. Love Sassafrass Lass!

Started the button tree last night. And came back this morning to finish it off. So inspired by gorgeous new shots of Kaylin.

Love this page, though it's really out of my norm. I'm not convinced I'm done with this one though. And none of these have any journaling yet.

This one I threw together using scraps left over from my october card class. I just need to figure out which photos I might use, then I can finish it.

what's up?

2009-09-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Going to Camera Club tonight... so much focus on photography in my life right now and I'm having so much fun with it.

A little bit of scrapbooking but nothing worth posting, the creative pool is shallow. I think all my creative energy is directed at photography at the moment. I'm working on it though.

Kaylin has started kindergarten, how cool is that.

Project 365 -2009

2009-09-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

My friend Dave was telling me how he wants do to this 365 photography project. Where you take and post one photo you've shot each day of the year, in an effort to improve your skills and creative eye. He's attempted it before, but it's hard to stick with this kind of project. He was thinking about starting it again in January, but I figure there's no better time than today to start. This way we can be in a routine by the time January comes around and we will have no problem, and no pressure maintaining the project. Hopefully we will challenge each other to stay on top of it. Ha! we'll see. But today it begins...today is day 246 of 2009, so I'm going to deliver 119 daily photos...right here. Dave's photos can be seen here

check out these other 365 projects... here or here or here or here

I'll post later tonight, once I've had a chance to shoot...something...off to look at the world with new eyes...

all future project 365 posts will be made on it's own blog

re-do

2009-08-29T00:09:00.000-07:00

Tyler from Tantrix Body Art re-covered my old tattoo with this awesome new one. A few more pages to do on this one as I have photos all the way throughout the process.

2009-08-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

did this one a few weeks ago, pretty simple.

Bents, SK

2009-08-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

Deb and I drove to Bents, SK an abandoned ghost town, for a photo field trip. We haven't done this together in a while. It was fun and it felt great to get out and play with my favorite toy. These are some of the shots I took.

my photos

2009-07-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

fire in the sky

glad to bee busy

web slinger

kickin' it old school

right on the button

shooting star

boy card

2009-07-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

a new dream based on an old love...

2009-07-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

I'm most looking forward to the Renaissance Faire collection from Graphic 45 so I can work on the art journal I started a while back and I'm definetly going to be doing some lovely home decor items with the line...

It's kind of silly but my love and appreciation for Italian Renaissance art was inspired by a line from a movie I saw in grade 9 called The Pick Up Artist (1987) with Molly Ringwald and Robert Downey Jr. I'm sure I saw it with my best friend Colleen.

Jack (RDJ) says to Randy (MW): Did anyone ever tell you that you have the face of a Botticelli and the body of a Degas?

Actually he says this several times to several girls in this movie. So if you read my blog you already know I totally had this Molly Ringwald thing going on back in those days. Anyway, I just had to find out what a Botticelli and a Degas were. I knew they were artists, but at 14 I didn't know very much about art (now I always rock the category on jeopardy). The very next day, on my way home from school, I headed downtown to the main branch of public library in Edmonton for some art history research (no google back in them days). I immediately fell in love with the work of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael. I was in that library for hours, then days, pouring over art books (so very unusual for me, although it's possible I even skipped classes for this). I suppose that it makes sense since it compliments my love of ancient Greek and Roman history and culture. I have my Grade 6 teacher Mr. Wyman to thank for that.

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Two of my favorite Botticelli paintings:

The Birth of Venus

Primavera

Degas, I was not impressed by (lol). But then the French Impressionists just aren't my style.

Incidentally one of my favorite classes from university was Greek Classics. My prof. from that class owns a great little Microbrewery, called Paddock Wood, located right behind my store. Their Black Cat Beer is excellent and I believe they have a Mayan Chocolate beer too.

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So now that I've been thinking about it I've come to the realization that I must make it my goal travel to Italy, Greece and France before I turn 45... theme of the journal perhaps... i think so!

I'm gonna catch up eventually... really

2009-07-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

a few more pages that I started months ago and then put away not unfinished...well now they're done!

2009-07-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

life is so confusing, just when you think you have it all figured out and think your traveling down the right road you wind up detoured in the middle of no where with a flat tire.

When you wish upon a star...

2009-06-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

haven't scrapbooked in forever so here's a few Disney pages I did earlier this year

blast from the past

2009-06-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

I created this page about 6 years ago with a copy of disintegrating, faded photo of me from '93 (that's 1993 not 1893). It was my first attempt at the vintage distresed look, which was NEW at the time and I'd like to re-do it.

I would love it if the photographer could score me a new 5x7 print (hint hint)

this is the other one I would love a new copy of...

tiny dancer

2009-06-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

Never Smile at a Crocodile was their dance number and they were oh so adorable

Take a bow sweetheart you were awesome!

everyday is an adventure

2009-06-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

June has been a busy month, but then again aren't they all...

Pre-School Graduation

Dance Recital

(whoops that card hasn't been loaded on my computer yet)

Road trip to Edmonton with Mom

to take a Heidi Swapp class

made a 15 page 8x8 India Travel album for Kaylin's Teacher (which i remembered to snap photos of just before i gave it to her)

Celebrated Just Scrap It's 10th anniversary

a week of make n'takes @ the art bar

moved, ripped out carpet, cleaned, laid a tile floor, cleaned, boxed up junk, arranged and re-arranged furniture, cleaned some more (i don't take pictures of EVERYTHING)

2009-05-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

I gotta say a huge thanks to Kate {I LOVE you and I hate you for} for posting this:

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! (put a plate under the mug)
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT and Enjoy! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Seriously this is really good for 5 minutes and in the microwave. I have made this far more times than I should have since I discovered it. My waistline is proof! Blasted chocolate dependency. Of course I felt obliged to pass it on... i dare you

Balance

2009-05-08T21:43:00.000-07:00

May:
1 little girl + 2 different preschools + Dance Class= 5 different field trips, 3 mommy helper days, 1 Mother's Day Tea Party, 1 Kindergarten meet n' greet, 1 costumed photo session, 15 pink sponge rollers, 3 dress rehearsals, 1 major dance production and a partridge in a pear tree all going down during "work hours" of course. Thank the stars my work schedule is flexible, sheesh how do other working moms do it?

Not that I'm complaining. I happily do it all for this little girl of mine, and more.

Fun news, right after Kaylin's Dance recital on the 30th Deb and I are off to Edmonton for a retailer's workshop with Heidi Swapp, plus a little shoppping!
I'd say that Balances things nicely.

feels like spring

2009-04-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous weekend, ok Sunday was fabulous. Started the day with a trip to Costco all by myself, you know what that means?? I actually got to ummm browse, linger in the book section, actually check out the 80% of the store I skip over when I have the family in tow. Not sure why but Costco with my family always seems especially umm challenging for some odd reason, so we often avoid it. Anyway after Costco we all went for a nice long bike ride and played at the park. When we returned home, I opened up all the windows and doors, no screens {it felt so liberating} and let the breeze blow through the house while I made a batch of Gluten Free chocolate chip cookies. When I just couldn't stand to stay indoors any longer I started cleaning up my flower beds. My tulips and hyacinth bulbs have started popping up already. Spring is here?!?

opinionated

2009-03-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well it's over, and I'm glad. I finished Eclipse last Thursday night and picked up the fourth and final book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn on friday after work. I read, and read and read until Sunday night just after supper, I finished it (I took breaks to take care of the basic needs of my family and for sleep). Whew! Kev thought I should read much slower a little each night, savouring each chapter, making it last. I'm just not that kind of reader, I dive in and devour. Now that I'm done the series, at least I'll be able to think about something else (maybe). I loved the series, might have loved it more if it were written for an adult audience, but that didn't detract from the overall story. The story definitely sucked me in and kept me reading, the characters were well developed, sympathetic and love able. After awhile the whole Jacob, Bella, Edward triangle just got to be too much as did the fairytale romance between Ed and Bella ( a few gag me moments). The ending felt a little rushed (despite being 734 pages), the final conflict slightly disappointing, but it finished with a nice little happily ever after. By the time I got thorough the final book, I was ready for it to be over. Not because I wanted it to be over, but because I couldn't stop obsessively thinking about it/them when I wasn't reading.
After I finished the series Kevin and I watched the movie and I gotta say... I didn't love it.

Jennifer, I read the back cover of A Thousand Splendid Suns and thought to myself, ugh do I really want to spend a week in Afghanistan?? even for a good story? I don't think I'm in a good place for "heart wrenching" anyway. Lighthearted and fun is what I'm after for literary diversion these days.

naughty or nice?

2009-03-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

Here's one of those pages I've pulled out to scrapbook several times then put it away unscraped so as not to waste any more precious time simply staring at it unable to come up with a paper combination I liked much less a layout. The other day I pulled it out and had the page complete in under 15 minutes. slowly moving along...

2009-03-03T14:41:00.001-08:00

huh?

eclipse

2009-03-03T12:27:00.000-08:00

Well once Edward returned, I simply could not put New Moon down till I'd finished it. So last night I went out and bought book 3 of the series, Eclipse and now I'm half way through that too. It's soooo hard to pace myself. I don't want to rush through the 3rd and 4th books and then be left with nothing more to look forward to. On the other hand Edward and Bella have totally saturated my consciousness and I can think of little else but getting back to them. My husband is completely confused and confounded by this phenomenom. He used to wonder how I could possible sit and read for hours when (and I quote) "how can you read that much, when nobody is forcing you to, there's no test at the end?" Now he just shakes his head and tries to leave me be when I delve "literally into another universe".

ok but it's not reading time at the moment so I'd better get back to reality and earn some reading time by getting work done.

Aside from reading last weekend I did 11 pages, all but 2 are still incomplete to some degree, but I'll have that Disney album done soon!
this is one of the new papers from PDQ, they are so fun to work with beacuse 90% of the work is done for you.

my ships have come in...

2009-02-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

I found this massive painting (40x60") at a street market in Bayahibe, DR. This oil painting represents Columbus' three ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria as they landed in the Dominican Republic in December 1492. I walked away from it the first day I saw it, but I couldn't stop thinking or talking about "my painting". On our last morning at the resort Kevin and walked back to the little village to get it. I got it for an amazing deal and it's perfect for the wall above my stairway/entry. I think what I love about it most is how much energy it has bouncing of of it. I just have to get it re-framed. Today's mission!

2009-02-27T20:18:00.000-08:00

On a vacation with no children, I would have taken at least 4 books.
With the whole family, I didn't think I'd have much time for
reading so I brought just one (trying to pack light and all).
I picked up Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
and then I couldn't hardly put it down, loved it!
Despite much interruption, and in small blocks of time,
I finished it with 2 days left to go so I had nothing to read on the plane ride home.
Fortunately for me {not really} and the other 150 adults on the plane High School Musical 3 was the 1st movie up on our 8 hour flight. What were they thinking??? For a moment I was sad as I'd not yet seen HSM1 or 2. Would that matter? It did not. I did watch a good portion of it, although often with out sound. I suppose it appealed to my fond childhood memories of Fame and the Minipops but ughh! I'm sure the only 2 people on the plane that loved it were my 8 yo neice and 10 yo nephew. For 106 minutes they sat quitely in the seats in front of us. Kaylin's too young to show interest in "real people" movies, and I much prefer Disney movies for the under 8 genre myself.

I picked up New Moon (book 2 of the twilight series) at the Airport in Calgary, and I'm a little more than 1/2 way through, anxiously waiting for Edward's return.

2009-02-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

I did this layout (with the Glitz girls, Laura and Erin) in a class last weekend at the Memories Wholesale retailers convention and I had the perfect photo for the page with me, so vioila!

7 days in Paradise

2009-02-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

Kevin, Kaylin Josh and I, along with the rest of the Nordstrom family, spent an incredible 7 days in paradise... at Dreams Resort in La Romana, Dominican Republic. We had perfect weather and we soaked up every minute of it by the pool or beach side. I took just under a thousand photos, most are of Kaylin, but I did capture as many others as my "busy" schedule would allow. Here are a few of my favorites so far...

hundreds more fun shots to scrapbook.

Magical Memories

2009-02-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

One little melt down shortly after entering the park, I wanted a photo op in front of the castle, she wanted to get to the Princess, like now. So this was my photo op, scrap it like it is. The rest of the day, after we finally met those princesses of course, was Magical!

I aim to have this album done before she's 11 and has become too cool for disney. So for the next little while I'll be up to my ears in it. We only spent one day in the park so I don't have tons of photos (relatively speaking) but so far I've got 2 layouts done (except the journalling) and a start on a 3rd.

can I have your autograph?

2009-02-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

Someone suggested to me that it was about time I updated my blog, I suppose it is.

Kaylin had 2 differentt autograph books for this trip to Disney. One for the Princesses and one for the other Disney characters.

Deb made this princess book in a class on her scrapbooking cruise last year.

Unfortunately Cinderella was off getting ready for the ball that day, so we missed her as well as Ariel. At least we met Kaylin's favorite princesses Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Belle. Belle was fantastic, she spent at least 10 minutes engaging Kaylin and sharing princess secrets. In all it was worth the hour long wait, which thankfully was the only time we had to wait more than 10 minutes for anything all day long. I highly recommend taking you kids out of school and going during the non-peak times rather than over the Christmas, Feb or Easter breaks. Kaylin's favorite ride was Pooh's adventure in Critter Country we went on it 3 times and because there was NO LINE UP they didn't even make us get off, we just went through over and over. Now that's the way to experience Disneyland! I have several friends who went during Christmas/New years and said it was so horrifically busy they just didn't enjoy it at all.

This is the book I whipped just before our trip, pretty simple but it did the trick.

I remember watching the Magical World of Disney on tv every Sunday night as a kid, so I knew the Disney characters well. I'm not sure Kaylin has ever seen a Mickey Mouse cartoon, yet she's familiar with these characters all the same. I also talked it up alot before we arrived.

It still needs a little embellishing, but there's lots of room for extra little pictures

We Wish YOU a Merry Christmas

2008-12-19T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well the holiday decor is where it should be. The christmas baking is done, and almost completely eaten. We've been to see Santa. The cards got mailed. The presents are bought and wrapped (well maybe 1 or 2 more to pick up). Concerts have been performed and attended. We have 3 more parties to go this weekend and then Nordstroms are ready for Christmas. Kaylin, no different than any other child is sooooo excited for Santa's arrival. We must countdown those days at least 10 times a day. One more job for this little elf to finish and who knows maybe I'll even find a little time to scrap over the holidays.

Cheers and best wishes to you and yours this holiday season.

"dillicious"

2008-11-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

well I didn't cross everything off my list, no workout, no Christmas tree, but I did do a page last night! Yeah for me. I love love love that dill chipboard from riff raff (also naked), it coordinates perfectly with the dill paper from Crate Paper.

2008-11-26T14:26:00.000-08:00

So after I put little K to bed last night I made 2 bracelets

and of course I went to bed far too late to be getting up early for a morning workout. I am just so not a morning person, why kid myself, but I will try to check thay off the list tonight. I have a beach vacation to get this body ready for (well I gotta try at least). As for the rest of the list well the day's not over yet... although at this point I think the christmas tree is more likely to happen than the scrapbook page.

and here's the family christmas photo taken by Melina Perron.

2008-11-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

at this point I considered letting November slip past without a post at all...nah
I'm all caught up checking out all the blogs I haven't had time to visit lately

I have not formally "scrapbooked" anything personal in over a month. I think I need some kind of intervention, or at least a playdate. { It's apparent I've not folded laundry in at least that amount of time as well } Now that's not to say I haven't been working on all kinds of things, cards, mini books, wedding pages, more cards but all of it's been for classes and such. Today I made a lovely little gratitude journal/mini album for an upcoming class with the staff @ Lululemon. I'm really looking forward to that. I'll post pics when we're done. I've got 3 big unfinished non page projects on the go that I'm less than thrilled to get back to because I'm really itching just to do some plain ol' scrapbooking (and besides it's my nature to start not finish things). So instead I'm off to make some jewelry, because despite the itch at the moment I just cant look at one more scrap of paper, not one more glue dot.
However,

Tomorrow I WILL finish and post a page
and I will get up early to workout before we leave for work/preschool
and I will send off my M and CI orders
and I will make an eye Dr appointment, and a dentist appointment
and I will get my family Christmas card pictures printed
and I will get Kaylin to dance class on time
and I will get to bank before it closes
and I will make a "real" dinner
and I will ask my husband to retrieve the Christmas Decor from the attic
but I will NOT be putting the tree up because, sheesh by then I'll be too exhausted.

None of the above seem like much of a challenge to get accomplished, yet the top 7 are all things that have been on my list of to do's for weeks, the tree's just a bonus and I've still got tons of time to let that one slide HA!

2008-10-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween from the little chicken and the 80's angel of death

2008-10-30T21:01:00.001-07:00

today is my little girl's birthday... well according to her she's a BIG girl now!

FOUR! It seems like just yesterday I gave birth to this teeny tiny 5lb 4oz "little chicken" as we nicknamed her. My how time flies. Check back tomorrow for a hillarious update on how that little chick has grown.

It's been my goal to at least have her last birthday scrapbooked before her next birthday rolls around (lofty goal huh?) so usually this means getting one page done by the 29th, this year nada, nothing, zilch. goal for this week... one birthday layout (aim low)

two layout tuesday

2008-09-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

It always feels good when I can {quick scrap} a couple of pretty pages for {me} in an afternoon. It makes up for the weeks that go by when I struggle to find the time to create anything that isn't a make n'take or for a class.

Kevin's layout couldn't have been easier. I covered a white piece of cardstock with a printed transparency, threw down the star paper, stuck one photo under the transparency, one on the star and braded the whole thing together. The 38 I cut out of chipboard and glimmer misted to match. I doubt the whole thing took more than 10 mins. Ok so not quite finished... I'm still pondering the journaling, but I'll write/doodle all over the star, and I'll rub on "special" under the 38. I know I have that word somewhere in my stash!

The photo of Kaylin was really overexposed, I can fix it in photoshop, but I had this print sitting on my desk and it was the perfect colour once I put this tinted/printed transparency over it. This Bo-Bunny paper is so gorgeous but I added a little stickles.

Oh and I haven't even thought about getting Elton prints yet, much less a layout, so Sharon wins, she has 2 now. Now if the scrap race was between Laura and I, it would be fair but it still might take a month for one of us to be declared a winner

Elton rocks the house!

2008-09-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the Elton John concert and it was soooooo good. Ok so the man's in his 60's so he doesn't go wild like he used to but damn he sure plays a mean piano. Sharon and I had a blast, but here's one for the books, in a concert of 14000 people, who are we sitting 2 seats away from but Sharon's ex husband and wife #2, too funny! We had a blast, never sat down the whole time. We rocked the bleacher section along with 2 young guys who's grandparents were/are probably Elton John fans back in the day. Talk about Classic. He's a legend!
BIG Thanks to the security lady (a fellow scrapbooker and JSI customer), who let me get a little closer to take some shots from a different angle.

got the moves

2008-09-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

I enrolled Kaylin in her first Dance Class @ Brenda's School of Baton and Dance (BSOBAD). It's a combo tap Ballet class and she is so excited.
After her first class she exclaimed "Mama I've got all the moves now!"
oh boy!

First Day of School

2008-09-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

Kaylin,

Nearly everyday this summer you asked me when you could go back to school. Together we counted down the days. I know it seemed to take forever. Well today was the day you've been waiting for. You we're so happy, and when your happy, I'm happy. This is your second year in Preschool, so you are familiar with the school routine and how to behave in class. Your teacher said you were a great leader and an excellent example for the new children. I'm so proud of you. I hope you never lose your thirst for knowledge or your passion for play.

new pages

2008-08-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

here's a couple of pages I made last week...

This page is made with 1 piece of patterned paper and 1 piece of cardstock. It's from the new school line from Moxie but I used it for his age instead of grade. I still intend to do some journalling about the kinds of things he's into @ 11, but I need to wait till he comes home from his mom's.

On the page below, I used 3 of the 6x6 patterned pieces found the back side of this line from WE R Memory Keepers. I drew random swirly designs in glue in the corners and added yellow Flower Soft to give a pollen like effect.

summer fair

2008-08-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

It was such a perfect day to take the kids to the Ex! We had so much fun, we didn't break the bank, no rain, no sunburns...perfect! Kaylin loved Choo-Choo Charlie and the Carousel Horses but her favorite ride was the "pinwheel" as she calls it. I bet we went on it a dozen times.

Mom this race is about to begin and my steering wheel is missing!

pit stop after a busy afternoon, a little recharge and she was ready for more.

It wasn't till we were ready to leave that I convinced her to try the "crazy monkeys", she loved it, I hated it. She chose the orange monkey based on colour, naturally this one spins the fastest. I couldn't even tell you if the rest of the ride moved, cause once inside that monkey, Josh and another girl his age spun us dizzy. I got off feeling like the morning after few dozen too many and it was all over, time to go... I used to love rides like that!

a brief pause

2008-07-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

during a never ending season of busy... it's good to take some time to pick the berries, especially when they're in your own backyard

The Great Outdoors

2008-07-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

Well for the 2nd time in less than a month I find myself on a Friday morning scrambling to start (and finish) a last minute project. I got the idea for this the other day and shared it with Sharon thinking she might be more likely than me to find time to complete it. However since we decided to head to the lake for the weekend, I decided I would do it. I finished it, yeah me! It features the newest outdoor line from elsie as well as Stickers from SRM Press. The outside covers are acrylic, while the inside pages are chipboard.

what happened to June?

2008-07-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

omg, I cant believe I've let a month go by with out posting, that's terrible! Nothing much to say I guess, but what happened to June??? I think I must have blinked and I missed it. I finally got out to prettify my yard yesterday and I have the sunburn to prove it! Well the bonus of waiting this long to plant flowers is that all the greenhouses have slashed prices. Home Depot had some great deals on annuals. I really need to make a solid plan though and plant a perrenial garden already.

Aside from the wedding book I did a few weeks back, I haven't played nearly enough. I guess I've been busy with all the changes at the store and generally catching up on my paper work (ok that's a lie I'm not even close to caught up!). By Saturday {the plan} @ JSI should be complete. But then it's time to get ready for our next big trade show. Deb and I leave for CHA~ Chicago on the 14th of July. I'm so excited because I'm taking a Prima class from Trisha as well as an Adirondak class by Tim Holtz.

A few days ago I stopped in late one night to pick something up. The urge hit and I stayed for an hour and put together 2 layouts using some of the new heidi swapp papers. I didn't have photos in mind I just wanted to create something with that line. I've got 3 pages so far and lots of bits left over 2 or 3 more pages worth. I've posted those pages on the JSI blog.

2008-06-08T23:21:00.000-07:00

Well we're back from a weekend of rest and relaxation @ the Nordstrom Cabin. The weather wasn't perfect, but agreeable. We stayed dry, we didn't get sunburned or frost bittten and the mosquitos didn't eat us alive. Really what more could you ask for from a June weekend in North Central Saskatchewan. At three and a half, Kaylin loves the outdoors, she never wants to come inside. She and I did lots of exploring. While Josh, eleven and a half, prefers sleeping in, doing his hair (oh yes, you read that right, the boy brought mousse and hairspary to the middle of the wilderness), and would rather play his nintendo in bed than enjoy the outdoors. However since we have a strict "no personal electronics" rule @ the cabin (unless it rains for days), Kev dragged his son's butt fishing instead. Sadly, since Kev's parents spend so much more time there now they did put in sattelite tv at the cabin, and I don't like it one bit. I'll admit though, it's a bit of a treat though since we don't have cable or satt at home. Although I soon realized that even with 600 channels there's still 'nothing' on, confirming why we don't bother @home.

I got lots of upper body excercise hauling and chopping firewood, rowing the fishing boat, endless hours of pushing Kaylin on the swing.

As we were leaving with our tiny bag of trash, Kev made the comment that everyone should have to live the rustic cabin experience, not only to better appreciate the conveniences we have in our modern world, but to learn how to make do with less, waste less water and produce less garbage. That being said the cabin is not truly rustic anymore, it's certainly not roughing it. Electricity was installed years and years ago and 2 years ago they put in running water for washing and flushing. What I love is the peace and quiet, no noise, no phone, nothing to think about and time to read. I wish we could stay for longer trips. The only trouble is all that fresh air and activity makes me sooooooo sleepy.

a rose by any other name...

2008-06-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

I saw this on saucy's bloggedy blog and had to play

My ROCK STAR NAME: (Name of first pet, current car)
Sparky Venture
My GANGSTA NAME: (Favourite ice cream flavour, type of shoe)
Butterscotch Boots
My NATIVE AMERICAN NAME: (Favourite colour, favourite animal)
Green Turtle
My SOAP OPERA NAME: (Middle Name, place where I was born)
Jean Weyburn
My STAR WARS NAME: (First three letters of your last name, first two of your first name)
Norra
My SUPERHERO NAME: (Second favourite colour, favourite drink)
Aqua Marguerita
My NASCAR NAME: (Combine the names of grandfathers)
Dave Edmund
My TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (5th grade teacher's name plus a city that starts with the same letter)
Auch (oak) Atlanta
My SPY NAME: (Favourite season of the year, favourite flower)
Autumn Lily
My CARTOON NAME: (Favourite fruit, article of clothing wearing right now)
mango tank
My HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, favourite tree)
Wheatbread Birch

play along...

random blathering

2008-06-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Well another weekend over and done, the house is clean for now...

Now it's the yard that needs our attention. I am so not a yard work kind of girl, it comes down to a matter of time really (and money), somethings gotta give right. I'll make a pathetic attempt of course, plant a few flowers, buy some hanging pots. It never looks as good as the vision in my minds eye, but that would require far more effort than I have to spare. Anyway, Kevin is the one with the green thumb in our family, he gets that from his Mom. I know in his dream world we would have a huge bountiful garden and an unblemished lush green lawn and in my dream world I have someone who's job it is to tend said garden while I bask on the patio by the pool with a cool drink and a good book. In the real world, between Kev and Josh the lawn gets mowed, the hedge gets trimmed. I'm ok as long as we're not voted the neighborhood's trashiest yard. And it's not, by a long shot.

I started a new book the other day. The Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

I was at Costco the other day and I almost bought this this book, but changed my mind. When I checked at home I found I already bought a copy. Boy am I glad I didn't end up with 2 of this book cause it more or less sucks. Ok it's not that bad, but I'm a third of the way through and if I lost my copy I wouldn't bother to get another. Neither the story nor the characters are that compelling (sorry Jimmy, I tells it like I sees it). I'll finish it (cause Jen Fast said it was his best ever, so maybe it gets better) while I wait for the delivery of City on the Currents by Brian S. Matthews. I read the first 3 chapters online last night.

You can follow this link to the first 3 chapters of Brian's first book New Wilderness.

***edited to add*** I finished The Quickie tonight and upon final analysis... The story line was actually quite good, or at least it had potential to be. With lots of twists and turns, on all outward appearances it seemed to be a page turner, however the plot moved so quickly and unfolded so neatly that any stir of suspense was quickly quelled before the end of each 3 page chapter. I never had that 'edge of your seat' feeling at any point during the story, it actually felt more like a kiddie ride than a rollercoaster. The heroine Lauren was a completely unsympathetic, one dimensional, character, as were each of the supporting characters in this book. Frankly I didn't care how it turned out. Which was good because it was completely anti climatic. Not once did I feel like part of the story. I read it, but it didn't make me feel anything, except disappointment. Sorry Jen and Jimmy, I'll stick with my initial judgement. Not worth my time or my $10. ~ ralna out

ok bit harsh maybe... I'm not usually so judgemental and I'm pretty easily entertained when it comes to the books I read I even enjoy the odd trashy romance novel from time to time, talk about flimsy plots and flat characters. I guess I just expect more from Patterson.

Some exciting news!

Deb won a Motor home valued at over $68, 000 at the Dakota Dunes casino Saturday night. Lucky girl! Last I heard she's looking to sell it so if you're looking for a smoking hot deal on a brand new motor home call her at JSI (306) 955-4850.

summer reading

2008-05-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

So I obviously haven't been blogging, I'm not currently riding the wave of creative goodness in any aspect and my house is... well lets just say don't show up at my place without calling first ok. So what have I been doing? lots of reading, lots of hanging out with my kids (no cameras MOM!)and spending too much time on ebay, bad very bad.

I just finished a book called New Wilderness written by Brian S. Matthews, a guy my husband went to high school with. Kev bought the book and it sat on his night stand for the longest time till I, out of reading material picked it up and blew off the dust. It's not my usual literary foray, a post apocalyptic tale of sorts, but it's got a good plot and great character development. I really enjoyed the read and the erie premise of the book has rattled me to the core. It brought back all the unreasonable fears I had at age 10 after seeing Cujo on beta max. I just found out there are 2 more book to follow this one. I just ordered the 2nd book, City on the Currents, from amazon.ca and apparently the 3rd book has yet to be released so I'll wait.

Other books I'ver read recently... I'm a big James Patterson fan, and I just finished one of his latest novels Double Cross

and the one before that, yep you guessed it Cross.

a little girls heart

2008-05-17T01:09:00.000-07:00

I know I posted this on both of my blogs, but it's my new favorite page. I love the new Heidi Swapp paper, but then who doesn't, it's awesome. I'm not certain it's completely finished. I think I might make a journaling pocket for the back like I did on the "play" layout I did recently. The heart embellie is one of the new HS mirrors, it photographed dark. When I hung the page up I realized there wasn't a single flower on the page. I looked around at all of my most recent layouts and apparently I'm not using my quota of flowers (I think Julie's using my quota lol!), but I do stamp on alot of my pages. I know many of you have sets of beautiful acrylic stamps you bought with great delight, but have yet to free from their plastic shrouds. Well that giddy, tingly feeling you had when you bought the stamps is nothing compared to the feeling of satisfaction after having used said stamp so what are you waiting for? Rather than waiting for the right occasion, grab your ink and some white cardstock and start playing with them.

pretty beads

2008-05-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon the most amazing lampwork bead artist, Corina. This is totally not my usual style, but these hand crafted beads are amazing works of art, I just love them! Just wanted to share something pretty.

feeling the buzzzzzzz

2008-05-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

of creative energy now that things have calmed down a bit. So yesterday I made the most amazing card ever for my May card class. Sorry but I wont post it till after the class. Then I made a layout using some of the new MME product. And later I went home and made 2 necklaces and 4 pairs of earings. That's alot for me to finish in one day!

it's over!

2008-05-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday @ 4:30pm my life became my own again. The last 3 or 4 weeks at JSI have been a crazy whirlwind of long workdays, too few hours of sleep and little time with my family. I'm not complaining though. It's all worth it of course, it's mostly been a ton of fun, and the kids got to spend lots of time with their dad, which is cool. It will be nice to have an open schedule for a little while. With any luck I'll have a litlle time to get my growing pile of unfinished projects finished.

Kaylin and I went for a walk this evening and I got some shots of her at the park that I might use in my "Happy Days" album. I certainly have lots of happy photos to choose from with this little girl. I really ready for the anti-camera attitude to disapear though. These days she works so hard to avoid looking my way when I have my camera out.

self portrait

2008-04-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

and a little photoshop fun. My ps skills are limited, but I duplicate everything, then just try things till I get th look I'm after

sweet dreams

2008-04-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

2008-04-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

I took alot of photos of the entertainment at the luau. My DH bugs me to put down the camera and quit watching life through the veiwfinder.

kids say the darndest things...

2008-04-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

"Mama I wanna be a ROCK STAR!" exclaims Kaylin "and then I'll marry a FIREMAN"

oh yeah that's gonna be a scrapbook page, last week she said she wanted to marry me!

I did quite a bit of scrapbooking yesterday, all tropical themed. We're planning a vacation for next winter so it's on the brain and I really want to have my last 2 vacations finished before we go again. I'm almost done my Hawaii album, I have a 4 page lo of Diamond Head left to tackle and a stack of snorkling pics. I also worked on my Dominican Republic album. I did 2 layouts that had previously stumped me. I'd pull them out, shuffle the pics and paper around then put them away and move on to something more inspiring. Last night I sat down with them and almost instantly, as if by magic, I had them both done and looking fantastic. They need some finishing touches yet, but at least they're glued to paper finally.

a tribute to Molly

2008-04-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

So I went shopping today for my "costume" for our weedend crop. The theme is "Through the Decades" so for at least part of the weekend I'm representin' the 80's. More specifically I'm representing1986, you know the "Breakfast Club"and "Pretty in Pink" era. I was in grade 7 and I was Molly Ringwald. Well it's certainly not hard to pick up an 80's outfit in today's market. I bought my whole outfit at the mall not the vintage clothing store. Sad, so very sad. Sure makes me feel old.

A little birdie told me...

2008-03-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

I was on a bit of a creative streak on Friday morning. First I came up with this idea for a super cute mini book. It's a five page, 11x5" black chipboard book. It will be coil bound. It could be any theme, Spring, Mother's Day, Family, Tweethearts, mine will be a 3rd Birthday book for Kaylin.

As I worked on it Friday I had five different people ask me to do this as a class. My calendar is super full for a while, but I will be making project kits with all the ingredients to make either at home or in-store.

I'll post more when all is done, you can also see it at the store.

In the afternoon I had an idea for a canvas wall art project for the JSI workroom. I brought home 2 12x24 canvas' home and painted them and glimmer misted some large grungeboard letters (I love those 2 products!) and so when I find some time I'll be plucking away on that project.

The Easter weekend was a busy one with lots of family, lots of visiting, lots of chocolate, and plenty of wine and good food. I think we all could use an eggstra day of sleep though.

And of course this little sweetheart makes every occasion special. It was so much fun to watch her delight in each and every egg she found.

Ode to a busy mom

2008-03-20T21:59:00.001-07:00

It's the same old story

same old tune

I'm up to my eyeballs

with things to do

No end in sight

no simple solution

My mind is full

of all this pollution

Always changing gears

no time to slow

I want to cry

but I cant let it show

One step forward

then two steps back

"Working too hard can give you a heart attackackackackack"

Then something reminds me

to find simple pleasure

In quiet times

moments to treasure

This too shall pass

or so they say

Things wont always be this way

One day I'll catch up

I'll have less to do

And likely by that time

I'll have more money too

~Ralna Nordstrom

haha I've never been much of a poet, but I sat down and spewed that out just now.

I think I'll make it into a scrapbook page or even better a mini album.

All day (all week really) I've been in a serious cleaning, organizing groove and catching up on long over due tasks both at work and at home. The planets must be in the proper alignment to unleash my inner neat freak. My very hidden inner neat freak. I am on a zero tolerance anti-clutter mission. I've been picking away at my office all week. As of 6:00pm today, my computer desk was completely cleared and all of my current "inbox" paperwork had been dealt with. We won't talk about the big pile of overdue "outbox" paperwork I brought home to tackle, which I'm currently avoiding. After supper I tackled Kaylin's room. Her room was in serious need of a major purge of toys which she had so conveniently covered the floor with as well as a ton of clothes she's outgrown, again. It also needed a complete scrub down. To cap off the task I rearraged the furniture. When I was finished I sat down alone in the chair by her bed. I sat there just looking at the things in her room. Not one sign of an infant, a baby, or toddler. This is the room of a pre-schooler, a little girl in bloom. Gone is the crib, change table and swing. No diapers, no wipes, not one baby thing.

and that brings me to my next project.... all those baby things and clothes are taking up precious room in our painfully cramped home so it's time to unload the growing piles of items our family has outgrown. While I'm a little bit sad to unload these things it will be good to have a useable basement again. And if our family situation should require infant gear in the future (unlikely) I freaking love to shop anyway, so win win!

2008-03-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

no time for blogging... nothing to say anyway (ok that's not so true). I do have 6 or 8 new pages in various degrees of finishedness (it's a real word). Here's a couple simple ones I slapped together the other night when all us JSI girls got together to scrapbook.

I'm excited to be going to Edmonton this weekend to take part in a retailer's workshop put on by Memories Wholesale, should be fun. While there I'll meet up with Trisha who's Teaching some classes for us in May (see the JSI blog for Details).

Dave and Tracie returned home last night from Thailand, where they spent the last 2 months.

so much character

2008-02-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

my dear Kaylin,

You are such a character, a Disney character to be exact. By the tender age of 2 that corporation of mass marketing had you firmly in their three fingered, white gloved grasp. At 3, your world of pretend and make believe keeps us on our toes. From day to day we just don't know who'll you'll be or who we'll be, as you insist we also play in character. Mowgli? Simba is that you? These personalities we can tell by your distinct lack of costume. Before that, life was swimmy when you went by Nemo, I was Dorrie, and the role of Marlin was played by your father. Increasingly you prefer to be a princess. Sleeping Beauty is your favorite. When in Princesslalaland you address your dad and I as King and Queen, and you will answer only to Sleeping Beauty, unless you change your mind of course and decide you are Belle. Your Dad is the Beast to your Beauty. I am the crab to your mermaid (your dad just loves that one).

I bought the the Dumbo costume years before you were born and I've tried many times to put you in it. You know for a photo shoot or for halloween. But you would have none of it. Your reaction to the prospect of doning the hideous elephant carcass was akin to how a normal person would react to electroshock therapy or paper cuts. Then a funny thing happened while I was away, ironically at Disneyland, you saw the movie Dumbo for the 2nd time and you became one with the flying elephant. When I returned, instead of giving you the Little Mermaid costume I brought home I pulled out the old Dumbo ensemble. Old Walt did some kind of subliminal magic on your little brain because suddenly that costume is the most amazing thing ever and I'm the coolest mom ever for presenting it to you. You've been the happiest little paciderm ever since. Ariel can wait.

love

Mom

xoxo

where's my button?

2008-02-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

what the heck... no picture up load button... I was gonna show you the cool acrylic album I started Friday night. I hope this doesn't mean I'm out of photo space, my new blog isn't ready yet! Maybe blogger's just having issues today...i hope that's all.

eddited to add... apparently it's my work computer that's acting up, cause I have no issues if I post from home, but here at work I'm not able to add photos anymore. I'll have to get computer tech support..... Kev hunny, come here please!

glad to to B back

2008-02-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

I got home late, late thursday night exhausted and happy to be home, even if it's cold. I missed Kevin and the kids but I came back feeling refreshed and renewed and totally inspired. Which is really odd considering all the long days, late nights and the total brain overload of the show. I think it has alot to do with a break from the winter (and the kids). But it's all a blur now.

We took a few days before CHA beagn to do some shopping and touring around. Dad was so great to drive mom and I all over place and hang out while we went shopping. Thursday night we met up with Steve, a guy Dad met in Thailand last year. Steve lives in Anaheim, not far from where stayed. He took us to a little local watering hole with a great mix of odd and unusual characters, it was great fun. On Friday we drove to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Downtown L.A, Venice Beach.

Not very exciting photos, but we were just there as drive by tourists. Neither mom or I had any interest in window shopping on Rodeo Dr. but take us to a sale @ Macy's or Kohls and we're all over it. We walked up and down the beach and the boardwalk at Venice Beach. It was too cool to swim, but the sun came out and warmed things up on the street. I bought these really cool printed leggings at one of the shops there.

On Saturday we went to the Orange County Market Place @ the fair grounds. It's fun outdoor "flea" market full of vendors selling all kinds of things, hair products to furniture. I bought a hat, and a cool 2 in 1 dog leash. Mom and Dad each bought good leather chaps for $15 a pair. This was the warmest day of the trip and I even got a bit of colour that day. I bought a great pair of boots that day too.

Sunday through Wednesday Deb and I attened the CHA show durring the day while Glenn entertained himself by checking out Harley shops, driving around so-cal, napping and talking to Jane, his friendly English gps navigator. Jane, that's what dad named his tomtom, was a god send on this trip. All those California highways and overpasses would be a nightmare to navigate but with Jane always telling us where to go we never got lost, although dad did tell Jane where to go once or twice :)

On our last night we went out for dinner with Steve to the Jazz Kitchen @ Downtown Disney. Steve is off to Mayalasia on Monday for 6 weeks.

off to Cailfornia...

2008-02-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

CHA show here I come. I leave tomorrow morning for the annual CHA Winter Show in Anaheim CA. For those of you not in the know, this is the premier scrapbooking trade show. Every company in scrapbooking today will be there showing off their NEW product and we'll be there to buy it all up! We'll also be there gathering up all kinds of cool ideas to share with you. I plan to blog, as time allows, while away so check the JSI blog for updates.

My list of things to do just keeps getting longer despite the fact I'm to be running around like a maniac trying to cross things off said list. I think, or raher I know I thrive in the thrill of the 11th hour rush.

I got my hair done yesterday by Linsey @ Frescabella and she did a great job, but I was running short on time and had to run out of the salon with sopping wet, undone hair. It was totally anti-climatic when you've just spent a fortune on a a cut and colour.

choose your words carefully, you can not take them back

2008-02-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever written something in an email that, in your head, within context of deeper thought sounds right, or funny or whatever then after you hit send you sit back and think "now why the heck did I use that combination of words? That's not at all what I meant."
Then comes the dilemma. Do I let a stupid comment go hoping the person on the receiving end will either not notice it or not interpret it inappropriately or do I print a retraction and explain my ridiculus remark, leaving open the possibility of wedging my other foot firmly in my mouth.
R

wow those are some ridiculously long run on sentances.

Heard around here...

2008-02-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

Last night I was in ther bathroom fixing my hair, getting ready to go back to work. My dear Kevin, who's been home sick an awful lot lately, said something to me that made me start laughing so hard it hurt.
K: I caught the last half of Martha Stewart today...
R: (laughing) You watched Martha on TV?
K: They were making drinks...oh and Eva Longoria was on
R: (still laughing) you know I'm so gonna blog about that
K: (ignoring me) Martha looked like Godzilla next to Eva, she's so small, you should have seen it.
R: bahahahahahahahaha, you really watched Martha Stewart?
K: yes, and then they made Mojitos...MO-hee-TOS, the name sounds funny, mo-HEE-tos, but now I know how to make em. Want me to make you a Mojito? He continued talking about another drink but I couldn't hear him through my fits and giggles.
K: It's not that funny, it's not like I spent the morning watching The View, with this he begins to cluck like a chicken.
R: bahahahahahahaha, maybe Monday Martha will inspire you to make dinner
K: yeah, not likely

I guess he was all out of Spiderman and Justice League episodes to watch.

Xcelerate

2008-02-01T22:46:00.001-08:00

The smile on her face is pure Joy. I love that this picture is blurry and she's moving out of the frame, it conveys this little girl's personality so perfectly. Paper and emelllies are from We R Memory Keepers. I think I've mentioned, they are one of my favorite companies. I altered Newton's Laws of Motion as they apply to her.

Pretty girl

2008-02-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

I created this page weeks ago using the new Two Scoops from Basic Grey. Printed this picture today and it was too perfect not to use here.

sweetheart

2008-02-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Support our troops, but bring them home.

2008-01-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

I got this email today, maybe some of you have seen this. one. Every now and then I need to be smacked up side the head with a good dose of perspective to help me realize just how blessed I am. It made me cry and feel ashamed for the petty issues I waste so much time and effort worrying about. The next time I think I'm having a bad day because work was stressful, or my kid or husband do something to piss me off I'll remember how much worse my day could be. The next time my DH is annoying me I'll be thankful that he isn't off at war, while I'm here alone raising the kids waiting for his return. I am thankful that there are these brave men and women out there willing to do this awful job, putting their lives on the line, making real sacrifices and living (and dying) through hell.

you stay up for 16 hours

He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a 'headache', and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.

He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

REMEMBER our Troops,
Lest we forget -

If this post made you feel anything at all then why not make a card... one of our dear friends Corrine is once again making and collecting hand made Christmas cards for our troops. The following is a blurb from her blog. If you'd like to participate you can drop your cards of @ JSI or contact Corrine yourself (click her name to link)

I am making and collecting Christmas cards to send to Canadian Forces troops serving overseas. In 2007, 279 cards were collected and sent. Thanks to all who donated some! This year, 2008, I'm hoping to make and collect 300. as of 30 Jan 08, i've got 46 made! If you're interested in sending some, please let me know. The cards should be in an envelope, unsealed. You can write a message if you wish, and sign your name. If you wish to address the envelope, make it out to "any Canadian Soldier" I'll be sending blank cards too, so that the troops can send cards back home. These will be sent to the depot in September. The cards sit in cargo until there is space on a flight overseas. Sometimes that's later than you think!

Lets blow right past her goal of 300 and aim for 600.

here is a good place to be

2008-01-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

On Monday I commented (complained) about the recent extreme cold temperatures in this post. I said "give me one good reason why I live here, why do any of us? I watched some news coverage of winter storms in eastern Canada and U.S. and I quickly realized that a few days of record lows and wind chill are insignificant to the ice storms & severeve winds they experiencing there. It didn't take long to come up with a list of reasons why I'm thankful to live here.

~ In my whole life, I've never experienced a winter storm so bad that I had to spend even one night with out power or gas to light and warm my home.

~ No earthquakes, no hurricanes, no tsnamis, no flooding, no volcanoes, no mudslides.

~ Despite a few weeks of record highs and lows in the summer and winter. We generally experience a lovely mix of varied weather. We are lucky to experience a distict change in seasons.

~ Most weather systems move on through the area quickly so while it's sometimes unpredictable and not always perfect at least we're never stuck with an undesirable weather pattern for very long.

The most important reasons arn't weather related.
~ I'm proud to call Saskatoon home because I have so many family and friends here.
~ Because it's great community to live in with both big cities amminities and small town values.
~ Because crime and violence are low here, it's a safe, affordable place to raise a family.
~ Because I'm able to run a good business in a strong economy.

Now I could go on and on but since my only gripe about living here was based on being slightly inconvenienced by a sharp dip in the mercury, I won't delve into the much larger socio-economic and politcal reasons why this is a great place to call home. Suffice it to say I "take back" the silly comment. Besides a cold January makes for a sweeter winter holiday.

2008-01-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

Found this while blogging about and loved it. Think I'll use it in a layout.

My favorite six letter word is always
because it promises so much.
My favorite five letter word is never
because it insists on contradicting the promise.
My favorite four letter word is once
because it says it happened then.
My favorite three letter word is yes
because I’m just now learning to say it to my heart.
My favorite two letter word is if
because it makes all things possible
like this:
If not always
If not never
Then once.
Yes.

freaking cold

2008-01-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

-44 with the wind chill tonight! By the weekend we can expect it warm up to -17, oh goodie... give me one good reason I continue to live here, why do any of us?

Got an email yesterday from my little bro in thailand just to let me know he's still alive, though not by much. He and Tracie spent the weekend at 2 very big beach parties (Fullmoon and Blackmoon) in Ko Panang, with about 15, 000 idiots (his word not mine). They're back in Ko Samui now hanging out at a nice quiet resort playing jenga and connect four. I wish I was there.
He offered this advice: if a thai person ever wants place a wager on a game of connect four you might as well kiss your baht goodbye. i think connect four is their national pastime here because they are all wicked good at it. i saw a little girl take 1000thb off of some irish guy and it was funny because she would start laughing like 4 moves before it was over because she knew she was gonna win.
I'll keep that in mind Dave!

David

2008-01-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

I'm very slowly working through my wedding album. This is me with my little brother David.

After 5 years of marriage I have only 6 layouts finished, not including my guestbook. With any luck that will change soon. I used Vanilla Breeze glimmer mist onthe black chipboard corner and parenthsi as well as the black flower. I also used alcohol ink to change the colour of the studded bling name.

goodbye Leo

2008-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of our little friend Leo. Leo was found floating belly up in his pool this morning. He joined our family last fall when we found him while out for a walk. We figured since he'd made it this long it was time to make some upgrades to his habitat. Wouldn't you know it, he up and died just 2 days later. An autopsy will not be performed, as it is believed he died of natural causes. A memorial service was held in the kitchen and Leo's stiff little body was sent off to salamader heaven in a plastic shopping bag. Good bye Leo we'll miss you for about 10 minutes or so.

common ground

2008-01-26T09:41:00.000-08:00

here's a little inside joke, this one is for you I hope it speaks volumes lol

working it out

2008-01-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

With less than 3 weeks till I depart the cold cold canadian winter for the balmy california coast for a lot of shopping, my workout rountine has been stepped uo to overdrive and my abs are feeling it today. I've been sloth like for the last couple of months and it feels great to be back on track. I have a hard time motivating myself to get started, but I do feel great once the wheels are in motion. Now that I have some momemtum I plan to keep it building till I look like this.

this one the other hand is a bit much too much muscle for me, besides my husband is already scared of me. This would definetly be too much for him.

funny stuff

2008-01-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

check back tomorrow, I might be ready for today by then

Josh's 11th Birthday

2008-01-12T16:54:00.000-08:00

I took Josh and 3 friends to M.R. Paintball today. Nearly 2000 paintballs later the boys begrugingly agreed to quit. Of course it was the coolest bday party yet and all the other parents would probably like to shoot me cause all these boys wanna do it now for their birthdays.

travel & tourism

2008-01-11T13:47:00.001-08:00

My brother and his girlfriend Tracie left Wednesday to lie on the beaches of Thailand for the next 2 months. I'm of course insanely jealous as I am now the only member of my family who hasn't spent months on the beautiful beaches of Thailand. Ok in reality I have little desire to go to Thailand simply because I would no doubt have to take my husband and while I love him dearly, he's not the best world traveler and I don't think he'd do so well there. But we could definitely handle 2 months, even 2 weeks somewhere else tropical.

So I thought I'd post some newer pages of the lovely places I have been.

xmas 07

2008-01-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

So I havn't posted anything from christmas yet. Sadly I took very few photos and this year as my lovely camera seemed to been acting up.

baby love ~ Two Scoops

2008-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here's my first of many pages using this yummy line. The colours are a little off, but you get the idea.

Hippo love

2008-01-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

I love this photo. I shot it at Disney's Animal Kingdom almost 3 years ago. I was shooting behind glass and the hippos were quite far from where we were so the shot is a little soft but it's still a cool photo. I just might use it on a valentine's card.

daily coyote

2008-01-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Through dooce.com I found this blog daily coyote by this woman, Shreve, who took in a 10 day old orphaned coyote pup named Charlie. Her blog details Charlie's life and is full of beautiful photography.

Safari tour

2008-01-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

I pulled out my Disney stuff last night and did this quick page of Animal Kingdom.

The cardstock sticker letters I had for this page were entirely the wrong colour so I rubbed some brown ink all over them then rubbed it in/off with paper towel to create the perfect colour for my layout.

Happy New Year

2007-12-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

Well the whirlwind of Christmas has come to a close, thankfully. Now we're resting, recuperating and taking it easy, except for the clean-up which is still going on. 3 days of christmas left us with a never ending supply of packaging, boxes and instruction booklets to sort through. Not to mention the job of finding homes for all our new stuff. Kevin has been very sick throughout the holidays and with a trip to the er on boxing day eve it's been a challenging week. The kids had a great christmas although Kaylin picked this week to eliminate daily naps, which is unfortunate because I'm in need of daily naps this week. Josh has gone to Battleford to visit his mother and while he's gone we're doing a "while you were out" makeover to his room.

My new years wish is for the health and happiness of my friends & family. My new years resolutions: to get my office cleaned up and organized and to lose another 25lbs.

wonder

2007-12-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

Finally found a little time scrapbook yesterday. I love this line from We R memory Keepers!

need more time!

2007-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

Just 11 days to go and I am so not ready for christmas this year. I still have things to buy, I'm emabrrassed to say we still dont have our tree up. Most years I put it up at the end of November. It's so much work to haul all that stuff out of the attic and set it all up that I like to enjoy it for as long as possible before I have to pack it all away. This year however I'm so far behind that I figure this is the year I go buy all new decorations. I am now completely engrossed in Holiday Spirit and making up for lost time. I re-arranged the living room to make room for a tree and thankfully Walmart and Superstore have answered my prayers for more time in the day and I can now shop 24 hours a day. I can go out after the kids are in bed tonight and do my part for the local economy. I suppose that means I should skip Walmart and support Canadian Tire unfortunatly they close at 10pm.

Dec. 2006

Feeling better and ready to scrap

2007-12-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to some hard core scrapbooking this weekend! Here's to hoping my mojo will make an appearance Saturday evening. Truth is I'd settle for some soft core croppin. As long as I get something done.

STARDUST
I watched this movie recently and it was excellent. I found it light hearted, entertaining and fun. Great cast! I definitely recommend this movie.

10 days of feeling crappy

2007-12-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged much lately cause I've felt down right yucky. It started with what I thought was food poisoning. Projectile vomiting, cramps, back pain etc... after 5 days of intense abdominal cramps from 6pm-2am every night I figured food poisoning wasn't the culprit. When I say intense, I mean cramps like labour contractions. In fact considering my labour only lasted 8 hours, I was drug free and my husband slept through it I'd say this was much worse. After 7 days I finally made a DR's appt. Naturally the cramps subsided as soon as I made the appt. but I still feel nauseous, achy and generally gross and NO I'm not pregnant! I suppose this is a flu virus and it's a nasty one. Thankfully the kids have not been sick, Kevin's under the weather, but that's par for the course.